Dillon Brooks has been an interesting character to watch on the floor lately. Things were going fairly well between him and the Memphis Grizzlies over the last couple of years. He had been competing for the Grizzlies since the start of his career in 2017. It was until his third season that he began playing significantly better on offense and defense as well. Unfortunately, his personality was never easy to deal with over the last two or three seasons.
As a Grizzlies forward, he was selected for the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2023. But he averaged 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, which was quite a dip from putting up 18 points a game. However, it was his feud with LeBron James that got him sacked from the Grizzlies shortly after their post-season run had ended. Even during the 2022 NBA Playoffs, Brooks had major issues with the Golden State Warriors as well. His actions were detrimental to the team and caused a lot of distraction too.
The Grizzlies announced that they were releasing Dillon Brooks after their first-round exit. They also added they would never bring him back to the team under any circumstances. But the Houston Rockets swooped in and acquired him instantly. He signed a four-year $86 million deal with the team as they try to rebuild. The Rockets hired Ime Udoka as their new head coach and signed veteran point guard Fred VanVleet as well.
Fans question the Rockets’ decision to sign Dillon Brooks
As Dillon Brooks prepared to take on a new chapter in his life, he also competed for Team Canada during the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Canada managed to snag the bronze medal with Brooks winning the best defensive player of the tournament award. Coming into the 2023-24 season, he said, “I love the energy that everyone’s bringing. Everyone’s getting better each and every day, and my piece to them is just get one percent better every day.”
While the Rockets hosted a “Lift-Off Party” for fans to come and witness, the players were busy preparing to compete for their upcoming preseason game against the Indiana Pacers. At one point, Brooks was seen dancing in front of his teammates who surrounded him. Fans criticized him for not taking the game seriously as one of them said, “They have to stop paying dudes in the NBA like this. I could do this for 20 grand.” Another fan said, “There is a much lower level than rock bottom, and I’m watching it now.”
They have to stop paying dudes in the NBA like this. I could do this for 20 grand
— gooni (@goonionx) October 9, 2023
there is a much lower level than rock bottom, and im watching it now. 🤦🏽♂️
— earthworm (@WalterBork87501) October 9, 2023
At the end of the day, Dillon Brooks and his teammates were only trying to have a light-hearted moment away from the chaos. But Brooks’ FIBA World Cup success is a good sign for the Rockets and Udoka. The coach is famous for his defensive schemes and using Brooks as his centerpiece will be a good move.
