#1
#1 out of 1
sports9h ago
Meet 'Dillon the villain': The NBA's biggest antagonist beloved by teammates
- Dillon Brooks has become a central figure in the Suns' cultural reset, providing a defensive and leadership edge that teammates credit for change.
- Coach Jordan Ott gave Brooks the green light to take the kinds of shots the Grizzlies wanted him to wean from his game, enabling a higher-risk, higher-reward approach.
- Brooks has helped Phoenix climb to a 24-16 record and sit seventh in the Western Conference, signaling a meaningful midseason turnaround.
- Booker credits Brooks with bringing energy and accountability that teammates say raise the entire team's standard.
- Brooks’s reputation for relentless training and leadership echoes from Houston to Phoenix, where teammates view him as a culture-setting force.
- Brooks’s energy has been described as vital to Suns' identity as a group of smart, scrappy competitors.
- Gillespie, a Suns rookie, praises Brooks for elevating the locker room through tough love and accountability.
- Brooks’s arc includes a history of fiery on-court moments, from Memphis to Houston, which shaped how teams leverage his leadership.
- The Suns traded Durant and waived Beal last season, intensifying the drive for a tougher, more disciplined culture.
- Brooks’s offensive production has improved, with averages around 21 points per game, complementing his defense.
- Rockets and Memphis ties underscore Brooks’s role as a culture setter, influencing both Houston’s rebuild and Phoenix’s current approach.
Vote 0