It didn't Phoenix Suns fans long to fall in love with Dillon Brooks, and with good reason. He gives his all every single night, even when it might not seem like the wisest thing to do.
Brooks was listed as questionable with achilles soreness ahead of their recent game versus the Minnesota Timberwolves, but ended up playing anyway. He led the Suns to a huge win.
Brooks wins wherever he goes in the NBA.
What we've seen from the Canadian so far this season is further proof that he is a winning player, and that everywhere he does the team improves. Bill Simmons of The Ringer certainly thinks so, calling Brooks the most "underrated player of the decade" on a recent podcast that you can view below.
That's hyperbole from Simmons, and we all know how fond he is of that, but there is some truth to the statement. There's a reason Houston Rockets fans were sad to see him go this summer, and that is because he helped reset the culture after the James Harden era.
Prior to that he was also part of a feisty Memphis Grizzlies outfit, although at that point he was less refined and more annoying. The Brooks of old did what he could to inspire his teammates, it just didn't always work.
Contrast that with what he's doing in The Valley, taking somebody like Collin Gillespie under his wing. Brooks doesn't deserve the credit for Gillespie's breakout season, but he sure believes in his teammate.
He raves about him every chance he gets and gave him the nickname "Villain Jr.", which set the tone for the whole season. He also expects his team to compete every night no matter what.
The Suns are actually slightly worse defensively when Brooks is on the court, giving up 113.4 points on the season so far, but 115.1 when he is out there.
That only tells part of the story though, and his perimeter defense and IQ to blow up opponent's plays and call for switches have been incredibly helpful for the younger guys on the roster.
Brooks has also formed a nice partnership with center Mark Williams, and a lot of this has taken place without Devin Booker on the court. As for Jalen Green, we've barely seen him.
So even when Brooks is expected to be the best player, he carries himself that way, has no problem taking 20 shots a night and generally backs it up with some unexpected wins.
Simmons might have been trying to be funny, but there's always a kernel of truth to what we find hilarious. Dillon Brooks is a winning player, and the Suns are reaping the benefits this season.