Dillon Brooks is not happy with referees not allowing him to get physical while defending, claiming he's being deliberately picked on.
Dillon Brooks is slowly embracing the role of the main villain on the Memphis Grizzlies, serving as the team's enforcer on the wing. He is their [primary defensive option and is similar to other pesky defenders that work towards frustrating opposing players with their rough and gritty style. Brooks has gotten hate for his style but there's no doubting its effectiveness.
Brooks has been a target of officials in recent games, with fouls being called on him every time he tries to get physical with a player. While the rules do dictate he is called for those infractions, Brooks believes he's being targeted by officials and wants it to change. He said this after the Grizzlies' loss to the Phoenix Suns.
"They're picking on me every night. Can't play my game. Not letting me play physical enough. It's every night, and I don't appreciate it. Every night they try to put me in foul trouble. I don't like it. I hope it changes." (h/t Memphis Commercial Appeal)
Dillon Brooks plays a risky defensive style and will naturally get into foul trouble. Referees use certain players to set examples around the league. We have seen a lot of traveling calls made on Jordan Poole specifically, even though similar mistakes are being made by other guards around the league as well. The same goes for Brooks, as the officials are forcing them to clean up their game.
Are The Officials Targeting Dillon Brooks?
Brooks is in the top 10 of fouls committed this season and is averaging 3 fouls every game, a mark he has hit for the last 4 seasons. He was second in the NBA for fouls per game in 2020 and 2021, showing this isn't something new to this season in particular.
Brooks has always been scrutinized by the referees for his aggressive style, so he needs to understand that the new era of rules means he will be called for fouls the way he plays. Brooks has been called on multiple hand-checking fouls, which every NBA player knows will be called in this era.
He is probably being targeted by officials, but mainly because he is clearly one of the more obvious culprits of playing rough and fouling opponents. Maybe a change in his style will stop these constant calls against him.
More must-reads: