Here’s a bold statement for you: Dillon Brooks, once labeled a one-dimensional defender and agitator, has transformed into a scoring powerhouse, and it’s shaking up the NBA. But here’s where it gets controversial—is this breakout season a fluke, or has Brooks truly redefined his game? Let’s dive in.
When I sat down with Brooks, the first thing he told me was that this season has unfolded exactly as he envisioned. And no, he wasn’t talking about his lockdown defense or his reputation as one of the league’s toughest competitors—though he’s undeniably set the tone in those areas. What he was talking about was his scoring prowess, a part of his game that, until now, had never taken center stage. Acquired in the Kevin Durant trade last offseason, Brooks is now lighting up the scoreboard with a career-high 21.2 points per game, all while leading the Phoenix Suns to a 32-23 record that’s defying expectations.
And this is the part most people miss—Brooks saw this coming long before anyone else. Last summer, while most players were taking a break, he was in the gym at Father Henry Carr, his high school in Mississauga, Ontario, and at Humber Lakeshore, obsessing over his offensive game. He knew the moves he was perfecting would work under the brightest lights. He also knew the Suns needed him to deliver a scoring punch, which is why he wasn’t bitter about the trade. “That’s why I wasn’t mad about the trade,” he said. “I saw it as a chance to restart.”
His debut with the Suns in October was a turning point. Though his 3-point shot wasn’t falling, he felt unstoppable. “I was getting to all the stuff I worked on,” he said. “I knew if I kept this confidence going, I could do it every single night.” Fast forward to now, and he’s proven himself right, dropping 25 or more points in 16 games, including a 40-point explosion against the Detroit Pistons. Here’s the controversial part—some say this is just a hot streak, but Brooks insists it’s the result of years of relentless work.
His transformation hasn’t gone unnoticed. Suns forward Ryan Dunn admitted that, coming into the season, “no one really knew what he could do” offensively. But Brooks’ skills trainer, David Tyndale, reveals the grueling process behind the scenes. After a humiliating playoff series with the Grizzlies in 2023, where Brooks shot just 31.2% from the field, he and Tyndale rebuilt his shot from scratch. “He was big on his knees going in a lot on his shot,” Tyndale said. “It was a bad habit. I felt like he wasn’t using his glutes and hips.” They focused on keeping the ball higher on the catch, speeding up his release, and perfecting his follow-through. The result? Brooks shot 59.4% from the field and 58.8% from three during the FIBA World Cup that summer.
Here’s where it gets even more intriguing—Brooks’ post-up game, once an afterthought, is now a weapon. In 49 games this season, he’s scored nearly twice as many points out of post-ups as he did in 345 games with Memphis. This isn’t just about scoring, though. It’s about consistency and confidence. “I’m motivated to do it every single night,” Brooks said. “I’m like a fiend for that feeling.”
His impact on the Suns is undeniable. With Jalen Green, Devin Booker, and Grayson Allen all missing significant time, Brooks has stepped up as the go-to scorer. A career-low 44% of his made shots have been assisted, and he’s hitting a career-high 47% of his midrange shots. “When we get stalled up, we can go to a guy like that who can just create his own look,” Allen said. “It’s a really big thing to have.”
But here’s the question that divides opinions—can Brooks sustain this level of play? Some argue he’s peaking in a contract year, while others believe he’s just scratching the surface. Brooks, however, is focused on the process. “No matter what age I’m at, no matter what circumstance I’m in, I can always get better,” he said. “I keep everything fine-tuned.”
So, what do you think? Is Dillon Brooks’ scoring surge a temporary spike, or is he here to stay as a two-way force? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—agree or disagree, this conversation is far from over.
