In the offseason, the Phoenix Suns reset their roster by trading away Kevin Durant for a package including Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and a first round pick that ended up being Khaman Maluach.
Since arriving in Phoenix, Brooks has embraced the role of a villain on the court, igniting the nickname, "Dillon the Villain".
Debuting in the 2017-18 season with the Memphis Grizzlies, Brooks has always played with a chip on his shoulder. His energy, defense, tenacity and trash-talking tendencies have been with him throughout his whole career. That said, his scoring ability has certainly improved in his first seasons with the Suns this year.
In 16 games with Phoenix, Brooks is averaging a career high 22.3 points per game in addition to a career high 1.7 steals per game.
Brooks recently spoke to ESPN on how he embraces his nickname every time he steps on the floor. "I've been taking it on. It's like what Kobe said having the black mamba in between the lines and being Kobe Bryant outside of the lines. I've been living that, it's been giving me a lot of energy, clarity and when I come between those lines it's about just the Dillon the Villain, being who I am and expressing every single facet of my game. I like it. It's pretty cool." Said Brooks.
"Dillon the Villain" will be back in action on Friday night, as the Suns take on his former team, the Houston Rockets. The Suns are then scheduled to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, a matchup that saw tempers flare in their last meeting.
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