Brooks not short on confidence with take on his reputation

Former Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks. Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Dillon Brooks not short on confidence with head-turning take on his reputation

By Vinny Somma | Last updated 7/9/23

Dillon Brooks is one of the most outspoken characters in all of the NBA and a lightning rod for discussion.

Lost in all that chatter at times is the fact that the former second-round pick has developed into one of the league's more reputable wing defenders, earning second-team All-Defensive honors in 2023. Nevertheless, the lack of respect doesn't seem to faze Brooks.

"I'm not sure. It doesn't matter to me," Brooks told The Athletic's Kelly Iko when asked why there is a lack of discussion surrounding his accolade. "I know every single night, guys are thinking about me. It's in their mind before the game even starts. So I'm not worried about that."

Dillon Brooks' confidence is unmatched

(via @KellyIko) pic.twitter.com/Cbdg6yWFGW
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 9, 2023

While Brooks may lack notoriety for his on-court prowess on a national scale, the Rockets clearly took notice of his play — and liked what they saw.

Houston inked Brooks to a four-year, $86M deal this offseason that could pay him up to $90M with incentives, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Reporting with @espn_macmahon: Dillon Brooks’ four-year, $80M deal with the Rockets? Well it’s landed at four-years $86M in the sign-and-trade — with $4M more in incentives that can bring it to $90M, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/FiRjmYl2TB
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 9, 2023

Brooks will team up with fellow big-ticket offseason acquisition Fred VanVleet to help cultivate what Rockets brass hopes to be a winning culture in Houston.

The Rockets have not sniffed the playoffs since the 2019-20 season when Mike D'Antoni was still roaming the sidelines. After three consecutive losing seasons with Stephen Silas at the helm, Houston went out this offseason and hired Ime Udoka as their new head coach.

The former Boston Celtics lead man led the C's to an NBA Finals appearance in 2021-22, his first season as an NBA head coach.

With Jalen Green, Jabari Smith and Alperen Şengün already in the fold, the Rockets have one of the league's most tantalizing young rosters.

If the additions of Brooks, VanVleet and Udoka can deliver the positive guidance Houston is hopeful they will, the Rockets should challenge for a play-in spot this coming season.

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