Suns are learning exactly why Rockets fans love Dillon Brooks

The Phoenix Suns are currently learning just why Dillon Brooks was so beloved by Houston Rockets fans: his fire, energy, and defensive grit are all culture-changing attributes, and he brings winning basketball everywhere he goes in the NBA.

From the moment Brooks arrived in Phoenix, observers have noted how much the Suns' identity as a team has shifted. Brooks has become Phoenix's spark plug on defense. He hounds opposing ball-handlers, clogs lanes, contests shots, and forces turnovers.

Brooks has quickly turned into the driving force behind the new culture of the Suns. He's gritty, mentally tough, and does so many of the little things that lead to winning. The edge that he plays with evokes everything that Rockets fans loved about him. He's never just another player on the floor, he's always imposing his will and making the opposition uncomfortable.

Years ago, some felt that Dillon was all bark and no bite. A guy who knew how to talk trash, but did a better job of that than playing winning basketball. He's proven that to be a clear misconception. The on-court production this season in Phoenix has made it obvious that Brooks is one of the Suns' most consistent two-way wings.

Dillon Brooks is changing Phoenix's culture just like he did in Houston

His scoring remains solid and dangerous. Monday night against the Lakers, he dropped 33 points on 57% shooting in a win over the Lakers, showing he can still score with volume and aggression, not just raw energy.

That scoring punch, combined with his defensive willingness, gives Phoenix a two-headed toughness monster: a wing who can both guard the perimeter and contest shots while still punishing defenses offensively. That kind of versatility is rare, and it's an asset for any team seeking playoff-level grit.

For the last several years the Suns leaned on shooting, finesse, and offensive firepower with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal at the center of their approach. Brooks represents a return to scrappy, physical, defensive-first wings, the kind fans used to see in the mid-2000s. His presence alone raises the baseline expectation for effort, communication, and toughness.

That change has ripple effects. It turns into stronger defensive possessions, more contested shots, more hustle plays, and greater trust among teammates. For Rockets fans, this is total deja vu. They watched him reshape a young Houston roster in the exact same way, and Phoenix is now experiencing that impact for themselves.

Dillon Brooks will never blend into the background. He alters the temperature of a team the moment he steps on the floor, and the Suns are realizing they gained far more than just a great defensive specialist.