Things between MarShon Brooks and Avery Johnson were not going well this season. Johnson thought the second year player was not picking up the plays, not being as aggressive on defense as he wanted and would berate him during practices, according to sources.

Now, with Johnson gone, Brooks is hoping for a fresh start under P.J. Carlesimo or whoever succeeds Johnson over the long term.

"It was frustrating, especially early when I started getting DNPs," Brooks told. "It was frustrating, but we were winning ... and I haven’t been part of a winning team since my sophomore year in college (at Providence), and going back to high school. But obviously, I wanted a larger role. Then we started losing and I wasn’t playing, and that’s when it really started bothering me."

Friday night, Brooks said Carlesimo told him, "a little bit more active on the defensive end and just be aggressive on the offensive end." He finished with nine points on 3-of-8 shooting with three rebounds, two assists, a steal, a blocked shot and two turnovers, in 20 minutes. He hopes it's the start of something big.

• MarShon starting over as Avery era ends - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York