Having long-embraced his role as a “villain” in the NBA, Suns forward Dillon Brooks has never been one to back away from physicality and trash-talk when heated moments arrive.
Several of those moments came Monday night when Brooks faced his former team, the Houston Rockets, for the first time since coming to Phoenix as part of a blockbuster seven-team deal that shipped superstar Kevin Durant to Houston.
Durant missed the game in Phoenix for what the Rockets described as personal reasons and Suns guard Jalen Green, who also came over from Houston in the deal, was out with a hamstring strain.
But Brooks was there, and he put his fingerprints all over the game. And the Rockets.
Brooks, who is averaging a career-high 22 points per game, led all scorers in Monday’s contest with 29 points on 11-of-22 shooting, though, as typical with Brooks, much of his impact was made outside of the box score.
Brooks’ trademark intensity was on full display against Houston, where he continuously picked up ball handlers at the half-court line, drew charges and jawed back and forth with his former teammates and coaches.
Having two years of experience coaching Brooks, Rockets coach Ime Udoka went into the game knowing what to expect from his former player – 48 minutes of passion and competitive back-and-forth.
“He loves to (push the boundaries),” Udoka said. “We both toe the line, I guess, at times, and so he’s a guy that I love and have a ton of respect for. You see the value that he’s bringing (to Phoenix).”
This intangible value Brooks brings to the game was also understood by first-year Suns coach Jordan Ott, who upon taking over the coaching job, was impressed with his high motor.
“The edge and competitive spirit that (Brooks) plays with is unmatched,” Ott said before the season. “He’s an incredible worker, one of the hardest workers I’ve seen.”
All of those traits were on display against the Rockets, despite a 114-92 Phoenix loss. Over the opening weeks of the season, Brooks has set a tone of physicality and intensity that has transformed the team’s identity.
With Brooks setting the tone, both teams played with a chip on their shoulder in a physical game that required several official reviews for flagrant fouls.
Brooks doesn’t let up, even when he’s in foul trouble. He picked up his fifth foul in the third quarter but continued to play with his typical edge most of the fourth quarter – a display of the trust Ott has in him.
“I trust him to just go out there and be smart with it,” Ott said of the foul situation. “Tonight he made it the whole way through without (fouling out). … We’re going to let him play.”
Ultimately, the Rockets won for the 11th time in their last 13 games and snapped a three-game Phoenix win streak. But Brooks is already looking forward to the rematch on Dec. 5.
“We put up a fight,” Brooks said. “We’ll see them in December.”
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