Phone Call Transforms Suns’ Dillon Brooks | Opinion
Dillon Brooks says a single phone call reshaped his approach to basketball. He now credits that moment with changing his role.
The Dumars phone call
Brooks recalls a 2023 call from Joe Dumars after a preseason ejection. The incident occurred five minutes into his first Rockets appearance.
He was ejected for jabbing Daniel Theis, who had been recovering from a kidney stone issue. Dumars, then the NBA executive vice president of basketball operations, urged Brooks to lean into his skills.
From Mississauga to the NBA
Brooks first developed his style at a YMCA in Mississauga, Ontario. He calls that mix of intimidation and trash talk the “dark arts.”
The 30-year-old says Dumars was the first high-level voice to tell him he could be more than an agitator. Brooks described the conversation as a wake-up call in a Players’ Tribune opinion piece published a day before April 8.
Role with the Suns and recent return
Phoenix acquired Brooks as part of the Kevin Durant trade last offseason. The team insisted he be included to add toughness and tone-setting ability.
He missed 18 games with a fractured left hand. He has recently returned to the lineup and pushed for consistency as the Suns chase the postseason.
Late-season results and outlook
The Suns improved to 44-36 with two games remaining after a 112-107 win over the Dallas Mavericks on April 8. Brooks scored 28 points in that victory.
The previous night, April 7, Phoenix fell 119-105 to Kevin Durant and Houston at Mortgage Matchup Center. The Suns led by 21 points early in that game.
Play-in and long-term goals
Phoenix faces the NBA play-in tournament from April 14-17. Brooks emphasized the club still has work to do and momentum to build.
He told Filmogaz.com he plans to set a lasting culture in Phoenix. Brooks said he wants to retire as a Sun and help the franchise for years.
Legacy and evolution
Brooks says the phone call transforms his outlook and play. In his words, growth comes from learning and adjusting after mistakes.
He believes the Suns are underestimated and poised to make noise. Brooks sees himself as a catalyst for that goal.
