Dillon Brooks' first campaign with the Phoenix Suns was a memorable one, as he completed one of the best seasons of his career and was an outside shout to make his first All-Star game.
He ultimately came up short of appearing in the midseason exhibition, despite helping to change the culture and raise the floor of this roster. Looking at the 30-year-old's game, and there is one obvious improvement he can make to put himself back in the All-Star mix next season.
Brooks needs to become a better playmaker to take final step
When we think of Brooks it is his elite defending and desire to annoy opponents that is at the forefront of fan's minds. His ability to make a 3-pointer at a consistent level while also giving the Suns a career high 20.2 points each night are also obvious pros and validate an hefty extension he is now eligible for.
Brooks has clearly proven he can excel on both ends of the court, with the exception of setting up teammates and being a secondary playmaker alongside Devin Booker. To date, his highest career assists per game is a paltry 2.8 which came all the way back in 2021-22 with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Dishing out those assists flew under the radar at the time, because Brooks' time in Memphis is thought of as one in which he got into it with the wrong guys (see James, LeBron) and saw him act as the pantomime villain who came up with key stops.
These days he is a much more refined player, although he still clearly enjoys getting under the skin of others. You don't show up court side to this game and literally sit there laughing if you're not trying to ruffle some feathers. Yet the next level of playmaking has never arrived.
Assist numbers alone are not the only indicator of success in this area, and Brooks is comfortable with the ball in hand. To watch him play in this offense however you will see that when he does have the ball he is more inclined to create something for himself.
Another necessary skill but Brooks need only look at teammate Grayson Allen to see how he could be giving the Suns more in this area. Allen's 3.8 assists a career high last season, and he assumed the role of creating to get Booker off ball more in the absence of a true point guard on this roster really well.
Outside of 3-point shooting Brooks is the better player of the two, and there is no reason why he can't assume more of that role himself next season. Especially if Allen is traded.
If Brooks can make Booker's life even easier and allow the Suns to still be above average in scoring and assisted baskets without a floor general on the court, his All-Star case will become undeniable.
Add us as a preferred source on Google