Dillon Brooks, the basketball veteran wing, has found himself embroiled in controversy once again as he begins the 2023-2024 season with a new team, the Houston Rockets. Despite his change of scenery, it seems that Brooks is unable to shed his old habits. The Memphis Grizzlies, the team that nurtured him, had previously made it clear that he would not be part of their future plans, paving the way for his move to Houston with a hefty four-year, $80 million contract.
This past offseason, after securing a lucrative deal, Brooks played a crucial role in helping Canada clinch a bronze finish at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, subsequently securing their place in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Undoubtedly, it was a fruitful summer for Brooks.
However, controversy has once again found its way to Brooks, as his debut game for the Rockets against the Indiana Pacers in the NBA preseason proved to be short-lived. Just five minutes into the game, Brooks was swiftly ejected for targeting Daniel Theis in a sensitive area while maneuvering past a screen.
Sadly, this is not the first time we have witnessed Brooks resorting to unsportsmanlike behavior. In the 2021 NBA Playoffs, he incurred a suspension for a mid-air body check on Gary Payton II, inflicting a fractured elbow as a result. Throughout last season, Brooks was involved in altercations with the likes of Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, engaged in trash talk with LeBron James, and even committed a low blow on Donovan Mitchell, seemingly without provocation.
The Houston Rockets had high hopes when they signed Brooks, precisely for his formidable wing defense. They were banking on a transformed version of Brooks, one who would exhibit improved shot selection and greater self-control. Unfortunately, if the preseason is any indication, it appears that Brooks will continue to toe the line between hard-nosed play and outright dirty tactics on a regular basis.
It remains to be seen whether the Rockets can rein in Brooks’s questionable on-court conduct and harness his potential to emerge as a force in the league. The team’s management and coaching staff will undoubtedly have their work cut out for them in ensuring that Brooks’s contributions, both in terms of defensive prowess and professionalism, align with their aspirations.
As the regular season approaches, fans and critics alike will closely monitor Brooks’s actions, hoping to witness a more mature and disciplined player on the court. However, if his past track record is anything to go by, the Houston Rockets may have to brace themselves for more controversies and headline-grabbing incidents involving Dillon Brooks.
The Business Press 