New Netflix series shows the side of Dillon Brooks most don't get to see

The Houston Rockets try to maintain an edge on the floor. They want to be one of the toughest teams in the league.

Dillon Brooks has been a huge part of that.

An irritant. An enforcer. Brooks eats nails for breakfast. He's eager to guard the opposing team's best player. If he gets under their skin, he's doing his job.

He scowls. He stares opponents down. Brooks wants to make life difficult for everyone who isn't in Rockets red.

Off the court, he's an entirely different guy.

Rockets' Dillon Brooks says he's misunderstood

At least, that's what Brooks would tell you. In the new Netflix special Court of Gold, Brooks is seen dining with his family. He does not resemble the man Rockets fans are used to seeing at the Toyota Center.

"I'd say I'm misunderstood...on the court I play like that player everybody fears...when I'm off the court I can decompress and be Dillon Brooks, (a) nice dude who's just chill"

-Dillon Brooks on Court of Gold

As a rule of thumb, you shouldn't take everyone's assessment of themselves at face value. They could not be more biased. Yet, watching Court of Gold, you can see a glimpse of a different person.

Brooks appears humble. He seems comfortable with his family. This is a different man than the one we've grown used to.

Is it the real Dillon Brooks?

Rockets' Brooks is a complex figure

I think so.

Brooks is certainly prone to on-court antics. Have you ever heard anything about him off the court? Think about it. When was the last report that Brooks was anything less than a consummate professional?

There's also something in his on-court production that conflates the narrative. Brooks can be prone to head-scratching shot selection. If he's on your team, you understand that it's worth the trade-off given everything that Brooks gives you on defense and in terms of overall intensity. If he isn't, it's easy to dismiss him as volatile - as a person and a player.

Let's ignore the basketball. Brooks is a human being. He's not among the most gifted pure athletes in the NBA. He may feel that for him to stick in the league, he needs to be ferocious.

It's a moot point. Rockets fans love him. Opposing fans will hate him no matter what. Brooks is our guy. Otherwise, he seems like a good man off the floor no matter how outrageous his behavior on the court can be.

He gives the Rockets their edge - and they wouldn't have it any other way.

Watch Court of Gold only on Netflix