Turn around buckets in ISO you’re finished.
Up in your shirt, undersized, not diminished.
Wants all the smoke whether Shai or Lebron.
Opposing fans’ hate is what Dillon feeds on.
It’s hard not to love Dillon once you get to know him. Shai had this to say about him after the Thunder series:
“Dillon is one of the best teammates I’ve ever had. He’s just a really good guy. Super polite. Easy to talk to. No ego.”
I didn’t know much about Dillon Brooks before he came to the Suns. Mostly just the Lebron stuff, which I’m old enough to remember Lance Stevenson blowing in Bron’s ear, so it kind of seemed like a bit of a retread. But once you get to know Dillon, it’s hard not to root for him. After witnessing a full season of the Villain experience, the following is a list of my favorite things about Dillon Brooks.
As Shai said, “He’s just a really good guy.” That’s how he comes across from the outside looking in, but I don’t know if I agree with his no ego take. I think Dillon has an ego, in the best possible way, which leads to my all-time number one favorite thing about Dillon Brooks.
Dillon Brooks went for 40 points on Dillon the Villain night.
I should have bet. I knew as soon as I heard it was going to be Dillon the Villain night that he was going to have a big game.
Dillon Brooks wants to be a superstar, despite 8 years of coaches and organizations telling him to fill a role and restricting his game. Dillon was given the keys to the spotlight in Phoenix and told to do with it what he would, and what he did may have completely altered the trajectory of his career.
Dillon wants the big moment. After the Suns got bullied by the Thunder in game 1, and Book was forced into a distributor role, Dillon accepted the challenge and spacing, like he had done all year, and stepped up in a big way, dropping back-to-back 30-point performances in games 2 and 3.
Dillon wants the ball; he wants the spotlight. Suns fans love to discuss the perfect running mate to pair with Book. The Suns might already have him. From going for 22 on 9/24 shooting in the opener to going for 23 on 10-19 shooting in the final game of the season, Dillon grabbed the spotlight from the opening tipoff and refused to let go. The Suns need players who want more from their careers. Players who want to be more than the price tag on their contract dictates they should be, and Dillon did exactly that when the Suns were overmatched in their playoff series, answering the call and stepping under the spotlight, fearless in the biggest moments of the Suns’ season.
Hate it or love it, Dillon is clearly not afraid to put himself out there, and I’m in the love-it camp, which leads me to my second favorite thing about Dillon Brooks.
Dillon Brooks showed up to watch Lebron and the Lakers get swept.
It was a perfect bit of trolling. That smile. That chain you could use to help land an airplane. That all black outfit. It was everything. A pick-me-up after an otherwise excellent season fizzled. He followed up with the Ethical Basketball operation game. Plan on seeing a lot of Dillon Brooks this offseason. He’s at every Mercury game smiling on the Jumbotron. Dillon plans to be seen.
Some people might not like that, and if he wasn’t holding up his end on the basketball court, I might agree with them, but show me where he struggled. Show me where the antics became distractions. Dillon is out there looking for his edge. He finds it more often or not. For himself and for his team, which leads to my final favorite thing about Dillon Brooks.
Dillon Brooks made the Suns fun to watch again.
Dillon saved us from the 36 Unbothered mindset. The “It’s a make-or-miss league,” excuses. The we-all-get-along cope, 15 guys loving life as the season takes on water and starts its descent into the cold dark.
Dillon wasn’t the only one involved in the culture change; it started from the top and made its way down, but it’s hard to argue that Dillon wasn’t the spark that ignited the flame, and as the Suns seek to keep the fire lit, Dillon figures to be a major contributor on the floor and in the locker room. He’s up for an extension, and if the Suns commit to him long-term with a four-year contract, I wouldn’t be surprised. The Suns’ front office has been in on Dillon Brooks for longer than any of us. While the fans clamored for Jabari Smith Jr, or Tori Eason, Ishbia and Gregory refused to make the KD trade unless Dillon Brooks was included, and they hit it big. They knew something about Dillon Brooks as a player and person that none of the teams in his previous stops knew. They let Brooks be Brooks, on and off the court.
The Suns won the KD trade because they got Dillon Brooks, regardless of the route they take with Jalen Green, or how quickly Malauch develops. Suns fans won the KD trade because basketball is fun to watch again. Dillon Brooks won the KD trade because he’s finally with an organization that sees him and his potential. That’s not to say it’s always good. People like to say the Dillon Brooks experience is about 85% good and 15% bad, but at least we know we are always going to get 100% of Dillon Brooks. I’m fine if the Suns decide to commit to that going forward.
So, when the shots brick.
I simply remember my favorite things.
It was probably a bullshit call.
What are some of your favorite things about Dillon Brooks? Let me know in the comments.
