Plenty hangs in the balance for the Phoenix Suns this season. Can they finally click on offense? What wrinkles will new head coach Jordan Ott add to the playbook? Will Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale become trade chips by February? Can this team, when it’s all said and done, actually stack wins?
One thing, though, doesn’t seem up for debate? Who should man the small forward spot? The Suns have options. Sharpshooters. Defensive bruisers. Role players who can do a bit of both. But if you ask the fan base, the answer is clear. By a wide margin, they want Dillon Brooks in that starting five. And honestly? They’re right.
It’s been quite the journey, hasn’t it? Dillon Brooks has always been that guy. The one you love to hate when he’s wearing the other team’s colors. He’s aggressive. Overly aggressive, some would argue. Dangerous? Sure, that case could be made, too. I know I’ve unleashed more than one rant about him on the Suns JAM Session Podcast after facing him.
But now? Now he’s one of ours. And suddenly, we can’t wait to cheer on every snarl, every shove, every bit of chaos he brings. Because as much as he ruffled feathers around the league, he plays with a fire this team was missing last year.
When you break down the small forward spot, Brooks makes the most sense as the starter. He’s not going to tower over anyone, but he’s built from the stuff that shifts games: attitude and effort. His impact won’t always show up in a box score. Sure, he’s got the chops to be a legit three-and-D weapon for Phoenix, but what really matters is the energy he injects into every possession. The way he drags teammates into the fight, especially on defense.
And that’s the point. The Suns are busy rewriting their identity, trying to reestablish who they are in this league. And defense looks like the cornerstone. Bringing in Brooks wasn’t an accident. It was a statement. He should be the starter, not because he’s the flashiest or most skilled option, but because he’s the one who leaves a mark.
And that’s the whole mission this season: leave a mark. Even [if the odds are against you](https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba), leave a mark.
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