Dillon Brooks ‘never thought a villain could be a leader,’ but he continues to evolve
After his contract extension, what's Brooks' next goal? It's to bring a championship to Phoenix and earn the respect of the NBA.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 25: Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns stands on the court before Game Three of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 25, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Dillon Brooks developed the “villain” reputation throughout his career, always getting in opponents’ faces, bringing a level of intensity few others possessed.
However, Dillon the Villain has evolved into a leader in Phoenix, which is not something Brooks thought could be done.
“I never thought a villain could be a leader, but somehow I made it to be. But it’s a blessing,” Brooks said Friday. “It just goes to the work that I put in, the thoughts that I put in to individuals, how they learn and what ways can they get better and make them more fiery. What button can I press?”
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Brooks is entering his 10th season in the NBA and coming off a career-high scoring season.
The former Oregon Duck’s first goal in the league was to be a starter. Throughout the three stops along his 10 years, he’s developed into a key starter and a culture builder in each place.
Brooks signed a three-year, $73 million contract extension this offseason. Now, the goal is to bring a championship to Phoenix.
“I would say I’m not content with just getting money and being rewarded like that. I love basketball, ” Brooks said. “So my reward would be a championship.”
The Suns forward added that the desire to receive personal accolades from the NBA will also continue to motivate him.
“(Earning) $73 million is showcasing that you’re a pretty good player, but accolades from the NBA, something like that always keeps my engine going,” Brooks said. “I seen around the NBA when I was coming up, that sometimes the money makes you content, and just makes you sit in your spot and feel like you’re good. You don’t need to get better.”
That’s another motivator. The veteran forward never wants to become content and allow a young player to rise above him.
“What I’ve learned over the years as well is that the NBA just keeps getting better with the young talent. So, if you take a year off from how you got your money, then somebody else is coming to take it,” Brooks said. “So, for me, that’s the motivation because I don’t want to get too old, or get too not into my game where some young guy can just come and just give me a 25, I just don’t know what to do and I can’t do it back.
“The work is what makes me. So, why stop?”
Dillon Brooks looking forward to playing LeBron James
The Suns schedule released Thursday with only two matchups against LeBron James, now that he’s on the Eastern Conference’s Philadelphia 76ers.
Brooks said he’s not disappointed that he’ll only face the 22-time All-Star twice, but he did smirk when he realized the matchup in Phoenix will be on James’ birthday.
“Oh, that’s LeBron’s birthday too. He did tell me that in one of the playoff series,” Brooks said. “I’m excited. That’s more ammunition for me to win that game. Should be fun.”
Brooks added the fewer games against each other will add to the build up for each matchup.
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Comments
4 Comments
This villain stuff doesn’t even matter if these Suns don’t improve
Tough guy, Enforcer, Defender, etc
This stuff only plays a real role when the team is actually playing for something
No more Point Book!! Seriously, it is a losing proposition and simply does not work!
It’s clear that Booker wants this and has been stumping for. But enough is enough! That position is very difficult in the 1st place, and requires a natural! Booker is not that..
We were far better last year when Gillespie was that Floor General.. Just as we were with CP and Nash and KJ.. Shoot all 5 of the 7sol suns are likely going to wind up in the HOF in Nash, Stat, Joe J, Matrix and Mike D..
Considering our roster we would be very wise to get running.. We were 24th in pace last year! Being in that 10-14 range would really help us
I would love to see CG start … and Green start… and Booker traded. Look at the win-loss records of the Suns last season when Booker played versus when he didn’t play and then include the opponents’ strength of record; and you’ll see that the team actually performs much more as a unit without versus with Booker. Combine that with his eye-sore 35% cap hit, and the Suns would be so much better off trading Booker to recoup serious draft capital and players of need to really take this roster to another level.