Phoenix Suns fans rightly fell in love with the defensive effort of Dillon Brooks from the jump last season, but that wasn't enough to get some love as Sam Vecenie kept him off his list of top 25 defenders in the NBA.
Brooks hit with latest low blow on Game Theory Podcast
We promise we're not picking on Vecenie of The Game Theory Podcast for his takes during the quietest part of the offseason, but his recent thoughts on Bradley Beal's time in Phoenix sure were something before these latest comments even came out.
Both he and Bryce Simon broke down the top 25 defenders in the NBA recently, and Brooks didn't make it. The only shoutout he received was when the duo discussed Lu Dort, now with the Atlanta Hawks, who appeared 24th on their list.
"I think you and I (Simon) have always been a touch lower on Dort than what some people are. We really value his ability to frustrate and get under the skin of great opposing players, and this is something Dillon Brooks does as well... really good impactful defender (Brooks), another guy that was in the top 50 for me to be sure."
If you watched the Suns play at all last season, then you will know that what Brooks brought each night went so far beyond the numbers. Brooks was the player who wanted to guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the playoffs, and his run-ins with LeBron James are the stuff of legend.
He has calmed down some in that respect, but sitting courtside to literally laugh at one of the best to ever do it is exactly what this group needs. We all love Devin Booker, but he's continued to be the passive version of himself we saw when Kevin Durant was in town. That has to change in order for the Suns to be successful, but Brooks is going to try to carry them either way.
Brooks was so impactful that the franchise was eager to extend him on a three-year, $73 million deal, even as their owner is losing money at an alarming rate.
Brooks being slept on once again proves he will never be respected
If the 30-year-old can't get some love on the defensive end despite settling into Phoenix immediately, endearing himself to the fanbase, proving he can co-exist with Booker and say all of the right things about this being his team, and wind up the best player the franchise got for Durant, what more can he do?
He will remain one of the most underrated players in the league, but don't say you weren't warned when the Suns again exceed expectations and he is a large part of the reason why.
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