Dillon Brooks put in one of his best performances of the season earlier this week in the Phoenix Suns’ win in Los Angeles. This situation perfectly and poetically summed up how much he has grown and matured, as the Crypto.com Arena was also where he experienced one of the lowest moments of his career.
It can be easy to forget how quickly the perception of Brooks has changed for the better in the NBA. Of course, he is now almost universally viewed as a floor-raiser who changes the culture of the teams he plays for with defensive intensity, perseverance and a hard-working mentality. But it wasn’t that long ago that people weren’t confident that having Dillon on their roster was a guaranteed positive.
That stance stemmed from his time with the Memphis Grizzlies, and specifically the end of his tenure with the franchise. In the spring of 2023, the Grizzlies faced the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs. During that series, Brooks leaned even more heavily toward being a disruptor and someone who wasn’t afraid to give billboard material to the other team.
Dillon Brooks’ career has taken a positive turn
His approach unfortunately backfired on him, as Memphis lost to Los Angeles in six games and Brooks was subsequently signed and traded to the Houston Rockets. Many saw that as the moment Dillon lost some credibility, since he had said so much crap against LeBron James and company but failed to back it up. What Brooks has shown us in the two and a half years since that incident is that he has absolutely made amends and overcome his shortcomings.
Now, less than three years after that embarrassing loss on the Lakers’ home court in the playoffs, Dillon put together a masterful 33-point night on the same court in a 125-108 Phoenix win over Los Angeles. It was a poetic moment and very fitting that it took place in the same location to bring closure to the situation.
Moments like these show why his reputation has changed so dramatically. Brooks has evolved into a player who channels his advantage productively, and someone who drives victory rather than distracts from it.
The grit that once felt fleeting is now a stabilizing force, and the Suns are benefiting from the version of Dillon Brooks Rockets fans have come to love. His performance in LA wasn’t just a great game, it was confirmation that he is completely rewriting his story and still adding new chapters.
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