NBA senior writer Chris Mannix wrote on X how Dillon Brooks should be seen as a culture setter. He made this comment after the 29-year-old veteran willed the Phoenix Suns to a victory of the streaking Los Angeles Lakers on Monday by scoring 33 points and stopping Lebron James.
The Suns are not supposed to be winning games against big teams this season after the restructuring they did over the summer. However, it is the opposite that’s happening. They were even pushed the OKC Thunder when they met them in the NBA Emirates Cup. Brooks, their fearless enforcer, is being credited for this.
It is not just Suns that Mannix is referring to. He believes Brooks had a culture-altering effect on every team that he became a part of. And so, he wants to give the props to the 2017 45th overall pick.
Dillon Brooks is a one-man culture shifter. Changed locker rooms in Memphis, Houston and now Phoenix. His act isn’t for everyone but you can’t deny the results.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) December 2, 2025
Other NBA fans and observes are also taking notice and have the same thoughts.
Dillon Brooks being a culture setter really isn’t talked about enough
— H (@heyhalima) December 2, 2025
Say what you want about Dillon Brooks but he’s been the key tonight for the Suns. The kind of culture setter you love to have on your team but hate to play against. The Lakers need an enforcer like this on the perimeter https://t.co/3vF2vHm4Fj pic.twitter.com/eaKwbVMiPt
— Frederick Okocha (@F_rederic_k) December 2, 2025
How has Dillon Brooks become the biggest culture change for the Phoenix Suns this season?
Full segment: https://t.co/6ORnyQYzJZ pic.twitter.com/bYeRB8fGLx
— The Burns & Gambo Show (@BurnsAndGambo) December 3, 2025
Dillon Brooks is in the same league as former DPOYs
There are only a few players that embrace the villain role in the league. There’s Dennis Rodman during his time with the Detroit Pistons and battling the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan.
There’s also Draymond Green and Marcus Smart.
DeMarcus Cousins thinks it is time that Brooks get the credits he deserves.
“Dillon Brooks deserves more credit than he gets. He was the heartbeat of that Memphis team when they were making their runs. It’s been kind of downhill for them. I think he brought a really tough culture to Houston now with his time there. And now he is doing the same kind of thing,” the four-time All-Star said in the Run it Back show.
Cousins also com pared him the guys mentioned above.
“He is fearless, he wants to guard the best players every night. You need those type of guys to be a winning team and makes runs. He falls in the category of Marcus Smart, Draymond Green, Dennis Rodman. You want that type of guy on your team.”
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