Dillon Brooks Is—And Why the Suns Love It, shows that 7 Revealing Moments
Discover how Dillon Brooks’ fiery defensive persona set the tone for the Phoenix Suns during training camp—starting with a split-eyebrow incident and culminating in the unveiling of “Villain Jr.” Learn why his intensity is reshaping the Suns’ identity. When the Phoenix Suns hit the courthouse of their training-camp facility on October 17, something more than just drills was happening. As players milled about after practice, Dillon Brooks — already known around the league as “The Villain” — walked up to his first-year head coach, Jordan Ott, and loudly announced, “Hey, Coach, tell them how hard our practice is. I got a split in my head. Tell them how hard we play defense.”
That simple moment captured two things: Brooks’s willingness to physically invest every session, and his unfiltered passion for setting the tone. Just moments later, Ott explained that Brooks had been clipped by an elbow near his eyebrow during a “freak play” in a late-session drill.
1. The Eyebrow Incident: More Than a Cut
Brooks’s split over the eyebrow at practice might seem like a minor injury, but in context it’s symbolic. According to coach Ott:
“He got hit on an elbow. Freak play. … he got split open … right along the eyebrow.”
Brooks himself flippantly wondered how many stitches he’d get—and made sure everyone knew it was because of how hard they were going. The takeaway? He’s not shying away from contact. He’s embracing the toughness.
For the Suns, who are re-building a defensive identity under Coach Ott, this send-message moment was purposeful.
2. The Villain Brand: Brooks ’s Defensive Identity
Dillon Brooks ’s reputation as a physical, relentless defender preceded him, and he hasn’t backed away from it. As one insider put it:
“He’s nuts. … He’s a guy you hate to play against and love when he’s on your team. … he has that ‘villain’ he’s got going, and it’s like a switch inside his head.” (Burn City Sports)
He’s been among the league leaders in technical fouls—an indicator of his aggressive style. In the past three seasons, he racked up 49 technicals. That kind of edge isn’t for everyone—but on a team looking for defensive tone-setters, it can be a feature.
When the Suns acquired Brooks (via the blockbuster Kevin Durant trade), it wasn’t just his scoring or defensive numbers—they were getting his attitude.
3. Culture Shift in Phoenix: Toughness Over Flash
At the Suns’ Media Day for 2025-26, one of the big headlines was the shift from star-chasing to gritty identity. Brooks embraced that:
“People would hate me if I were like that all the time … I lean into my villain reputation.” (Bright Side Of The Sun)
Coach Ott reinforced it:
“If we ever want intensity in practice, we just have them play 5-on-5. It’s instantly brought. Dillon leads it, for sure.”
The eyebrow incident? It became part of the message: work hard, defend hard, expect to sweat. For a Suns squad that features both rising talent and veteran stars, Brooks may be the acting “enforcer” in practice and mindset.
4. Leadership by Example: Practice Before Play
That day after practice Brooks made sure the moment was public. He called out defense, asked the coach to share the story, and didn’t shy away from the physical result. That kind of openness matters.
Teammate Collin Gillespie said:
“If you don’t know him, you probably think that he’s crazy, but he’s super chill off the court, and then once he’s between the lines … he’s a different person.” (Burn City Sports)
On the court or in practice, Brooks doesn’t wait for someone else to set the tone—he sets it himself. That kind of leadership works especially well for a team that expects to lean on defensive toughness.
5. The Villain Jr. Reveal: Passing the Torch
One of the fun subplots in training camp: Brooks designated a teammate as “Villain Jr.” The secret identity was kept under wraps until October 17. Then the Suns announced:
It’s Collin Gillespie. (Burn City Sports)
Why does that matter? For two reasons:
- Symbolic: It shows Brooks recognizing someone who emulates his style—signaling that the identity he brings can be shared.
- Cultural: It helps build a defensive, “chippy” mindset beyond just one player. When a veteran sets someone up for that role, the team shifts.
Gillespie himself said the Suns now have “a lot of guys… with that aggressive mentality… hungry, competitive, want to win and will do anything to win.” That mindset aligns with Dillon Brooks’s message.
6. When It Gets Real: Stakes & Scenarios
It’s one thing to dominate practice, another to carry it into games. Brooks’s eyebrow cut may be practice-theatre, but his aggressive style has had real-game consequences (and results). His reputation for drawing techs, getting under opponents’ skin, and provoking reactions is well known. (Houston Chronicle)
The Suns are counting on it—not just for drama, but for defensive impact. When players know someone on their team is going to “bring it”, the rest of the roster often ups their game.
With the Western Conference stacked, Phoenix can’t lean purely on offense—they’ll need grit, scraps, and defense. Brooks is positioning himself as the catalyst.
7. What It Means for the Season Ahead
So what’s the practical outlook? Here’s how Dillon Brooks ’s mentality could translate for the Suns:
• Defensive Tone
The eyebrow incident and Brooks ’s practice intensity signal that Phoenix wants to defend from Day 1. Opponents may face more pressure, talk, and physicality.
• Locker Room Chemistry
By publicly setting the tone and anointing “Villain Jr.”, Brooks is fostering a shared identity. That helps when the grind of 82 games hits.
• Media Narrative
Brooks knows how to control narrative. By turning a cut into a story about effort and defense, he brings attention to how serious the team is about its mission.
• On-Court Impact
His presence means lineups, matchups, and rotations might shift. Coaches know he brings hate and heat—others will follow. That moment when Dillon Brooks called out his coach about his split-eyebrow may seem small—but for a team re-imagining itself, it’s a micro-cosm of the new identity: physical, no-nonsense, and proud of it.
Brooks isn’t just playing his role — he’s defining it. And for the Phoenix Suns, having a tone-setter like him could be the difference between another season of “potential” and one of meaningful contention.
If you’re following the Suns this season, keep an eye on how Brooks shows up—not just in games, but in practice, in warmups, in how teammates respond. Because sometimes, the “villain” is the unsung hero of culture change.