Dillon Brooks will give the rebuilding Suns toughness, energy — and perhaps an edge

Dillon Brooks, known for his aggressive on-court behavior including technical fouls, trash-talking, and scuffling, has coaches reflecting on whether they ever asked him to tone it down. David McClure, who coached Brooks with the Memphis Grizzlies, recalled a story about Gregg Popovich allowing Manu Ginobili to be "chaotic" because "a muzzled Manu isn't special," implying that Brooks' intensity is part of what makes him effective. Similarly, Keith Smart, Brooks' coach during his rookie season, cited advice from John Thompson: "You can always calm down a fool, but you can never raise a dead man," meaning it's easier to rein in an overly intense player than to motivate a passive one.

Now entering his ninth NBA season, Brooks was acquired by the Phoenix Suns in a blockbuster trade with the Houston Rockets that involved Kevin Durant. The Suns aimed to get bigger, younger, more athletic, and specifically tougher on defense, with Brooks being highlighted as a key addition for his defensive prowess. However, this represents a shift for Phoenix, as historically the team has featured elite scorers and passers but few "irritators" like Brooks who get inside opponents' heads, with past players such as Dennis Awtrey, Maurice Lucas, and Danny Ainge noted as less impactful in this role.

Brooks has accumulated a league-high 49 technical fouls over the last three regular seasons, with incidents including ejections for arguing with officials, defending teammates, taunting, pushing, and flopping. Notable confrontations include a dust-up with Kevin Durant that led to an ejection in Phoenix last season and playoff beefs with Jimmy Butler and accusations of targeting Stephen Curry's injury. At a recent NBA Summer League media session, Brooks described his style as "no bull—," stating he doesn't back down from anyone and anticipates Suns fans cheering after his first technical foul, embracing the role of a "villain" that depends on perspective.

Nick Van Exel, another former coach of Brooks in Memphis, defended his reputation, noting that while his tenacity makes him known league-wide, it gives him a valuable on-court presence that many players lack. A specific incident referenced involved Brooks and Durant getting into an altercation, resulting in Brooks' ejection, underscoring his confrontational approach.