The Phoenix Suns transformed their roster during the offseason. They made the decision to trade Kevin Durant and buy out Bradley Beal, leaving Devin Booker as the only member of the Big Three left. Booker is once again the best player on the team.
Phoenix got Dillon Brooks in return for Durant in the trade to the Rockets. So far this season, Brooks has played in just three games. He hasn’t contributed much on the court, and Booker has had to carry the load offensively. He’s done a fantastic job of doing that.
On Tuesday, the Golden State Warriors took down the Suns 118-107. It was a game that was lost in the fourth quarter, in which Brooks had an impact, despite not playing the game. Brooks got a technical foul from the bench, and Booker addressed what he called a “selfish” move after the game.
Phoenix Suns Guard Devin Booker Talks ‘Selfish’ Dillon Brooks Move
Booker was asked about that following the loss, and he said that Brooks addressed it with the team afterwards in the locker room.
“I think, just in general, any fourth quarter techs, whether you’re playing or not, you should just try to stay away from. He addressed the team. Said it was selfish. We move forward.”
The Suns were trying to mount a comeback and had cut the game to single digits before Brooks was given the technical foul. It killed any momentum the Suns had made before that moment. Booker talked about how they need to be better in moments like that against a good team.
“Just not following the game plan. It’s tough. A veteran team that is definitely battle-tested. They’ll make you pay for every mistake. We’ve got to come in more focused. We’ve got to rally the troops, and we’ve got to get off to a better start and play how we played in that third quarter to start the fourth.”
Phoenix Suns Forward Dillon Brooks Continues to Miss Games
Brooks was not playing in this game due to a groin injury. He has missed each of the last five games because of that injury. He has a history of missing games due to injuries that stems all the way back to his time with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Brooks clearly has an issue being an antagonizer in the NBA, whether he’s playing or not. Last season, he had the second-most technical fouls in the entire league. Too many of those can hurt a team’s chances of winning, and it’s ultimately why the Rockets felt comfortable parting ways with him.
In a small sample size, Brooks has the worst defensive rating of his career. That likely won’t last, but he’s currently a -12.4 net rating, also a career worst. The Suns need his perimeter defense than they need his offense, since they don’t have great defensive players around him.
As a leader of the team, Booker needs to make sure that things like this don’t happen again. The Suns are 12th in the Western Conference standings.
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