DeMar DeRozan, Dillon Brooks
Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks did not shy away from controversy during a live stream appearance with AMP streamer Agent on Thursday. Known for his blunt approach and willingness to engage in verbal sparring, Brooks delivered pointed comments that touched on multiple NBA storylines, including his long-running feud with LeBron James and a sharp critique of DeMar DeRozan and his time with the Toronto Raptors, per Bleacher Report.
Brooks, who joined the Phoenix Suns this season, appeared relaxed but direct throughout the stream. His remarks quickly circulated online as clips spread across social media platforms, drawing reactions from fans and analysts alike.
Brooks Revisits Trash Talk With LeBron James
During the stream, Brooks revisited his history with James, suggesting that the dynamic has changed as the Lakers star has aged.
“If it was LeBron five years ago, then it’d be different,” Brooks said on the stream. “Miami Bron, you’re not really talking trash to him, because he’s got more game to him, more agile. Right now, he’s like old.”
The comments echoed Brooks’ past remarks from the 2023 playoffs, when he famously dismissed James after an on-court exchange during a first-round series between Memphis and Los Angeles. That series ended with the Lakers advancing in six games, after which James posted a cryptic message on Instagram referencing his matchup with the Grizzlies.
While Brooks’ trash talk has often centered on James, his reputation around the league extends beyond one rivalry. ESPN’s Tim Bontemps recently described Brooks as a “culture setter,” pointing to his influence in Memphis and later in Houston, per Sporting News. According to Bontemps, team sources within Phoenix have also credited Brooks with helping establish a more competitive edge since his arrival.
Dillon Brooks Takes Aim at DeMar DeRozan
Brooks’ most striking comments of the stream came when the conversation turned to Toronto’s championship breakthrough. While discussing the Raptors’ inability to win a title prior to 2019, Brooks placed the blame squarely on DeRozan.
“The Raptors couldn’t get over the hump,” Brooks said. When Agent pushed back by noting that Toronto eventually won a championship, Brooks doubled down. “Yeah, you know why? It’s because they got DeRozan out of there. He wasn’t pulling his own weight. It was his fault. I’m just keeping it real.”
The remarks immediately sparked debate, given DeRozan’s long-standing status as a franchise cornerstone during his years in Toronto. DeRozan spent nearly a decade with the Raptors and helped lead multiple playoff runs before being traded in 2018, a move that preceded Toronto’s title-winning season.
Brooks did not provide further clarification or walk back the comments during the stream. Instead, he maintained his matter-of-fact tone, reinforcing his reputation as a player unafraid to speak candidly, regardless of backlash. And truth be told, things did change the moment DeRozan left, so it’s not as if he’s making anything up. He’s just saying it in the wildest way possible.
Whether fans agree with Brooks’ assessment or not, his willingness to challenge respected veterans continues to keep him at the center of NBA conversation. From James to DeRozan, Brooks has shown he is comfortable questioning legacies, even when it means igniting controversy in the process.