After a challenging season where the Phoenix Suns failed to reach the playoffs despite high expectations, the team reshaped its roster in the offseason, bringing in Dillon Brooks as a key acquisition. Brooks has played an instrumental role in the Suns’ current resurgence, prompting Hall of Famer Charles Barkley to endorse his candidacy for the All-Star game by drawing a notable parallel between Brooks and a former Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY).
The Suns hold a 28-19 record, currently sitting sixth in the Western Conference and already surpassing last season’s win total by eight games. Dillon Brooks is delivering a career-best average of 20.5 points per game and serves as the defensive anchor for Phoenix. Known throughout his career for his disruptive defensive presence, Brooks earned second-team All-Defensive recognition in 2022-23, highlighting his value on that end of the floor.
Barkley Equates Brooks’ Impact to Draymond Green’s Influence
Barkley emphasized defense as a key reason why Brooks deserves All-Star consideration, comparing Brooks’ role with the Suns to Draymond Green’s with the Golden State Warriors during their peak years.
“What Dillon Brooks is doing for the Phoenix Suns is similar and comparable to what Draymond does for the Warriors when they were rolling, and he was like the third or fourth All-Star,”
Barkley stated, highlighting Brooks’ significance beyond scoring.
This comparison carries weight given the history and rivalry between Brooks and Green, both renowned for their physical, aggressive defensive styles. Brooks leads the NBA with 14 technical fouls this season, a reflection of his intense approach, while Green’s suspensions over the years have been equally well-documented. In fact, Brooks nearly added a 15th technical foul in Phoenix’s recent narrow victory over the Brooklyn Nets, though the league later rescinded the call. Both players anchor their defenses in a way that makes them irreplaceable to their squads, fueling the ongoing discussion about their All-Star credentials.
The Strength of Brooks’ Bid for the All-Star Game
Making a strong case for Brooks’ inclusion in the All-Star game is a complex issue, one Barkley himself acknowledges.
“I hope he makes it, but I don’t think he is going to make it. But I wanted people to know I appreciate what he is bringing to the table,”
Barkley admitted when discussing Brooks’ chances. Although Barkley holds no official vote, he plans to announce on ESPN that he will select Brooks as a reserve, signaling support within the basketball community.
Brooks’ defensive impact is evident in the Suns’ statistics: the team currently allows just 111.6 points per game, ranking fifth-best in the NBA, and holds the 10th-best defensive rating at 113.2. These marks represent a sharp improvement from last season when Phoenix surrendered 116.6 points per game and posted the second-worst defensive rating league-wide.
While Brooks is central to this defensive transformation, it is important to note the influence of head coach Jordan Ott, hired this offseason. Ott has prioritized defense as the Suns’ identity, helping the team overcome offensive challenges. Phoenix ranks 24th in scoring with 114 points per game, yet maintains a positive net rating of 2.5 thanks largely to its defensive strength.
Offensively, Brooks has also elevated his game. His 20.5 points per game is second only to Devin Booker on the Suns’ roster. Additionally, Brooks is having arguably his best shooting season from beyond the arc, attempting seven three-pointers per game and converting 34.6%, slightly down from his career-best three-point percentage last year but on higher volume, illustrating his expanded role.
Brooks Faces Critical Role as Suns Navigate Injuries
The window for Brooks to influence All-Star voters is narrowing, yet his opportunity to lead is growing as the Suns cope with injuries to major scorers. Devin Booker has missed recent games due to an ankle injury and is expected to remain sidelined, while Jalen Green, acquired alongside Brooks in the Rockets trade, has appeared in just four games owing to a hamstring problem.
In the Suns’ 106-102 victory over the Nets, Brooks stepped up with a 26-point performance, making two of five three-point attempts and contributing across multiple facets with three rebounds and three assists in 34 minutes. With Booker sidelined, Brooks will need to carry much of the offensive and defensive burden for Phoenix in the coming weeks, serving as the engine driving the team on both ends of the court.
Charles Barkley says Dillon Brooks deserves to be an All-Star
“What’s different than what he does than Draymond? What Dillon Brooks is doing for the Phoenix Suns is similar and comparable to what Draymond does for the Warriors when they were rolling, and he was like the third or… pic.twitter.com/hrI41Dkscg
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 28, 2026
“I put Dillon Brooks [on my all-star reserves team]… I think we’re going to announce it tomorrow, probably”
Barkley doesn’t have an official All-Star vote, but before he announces on ESPN soon, he told @TermineRadio and @JumpShot8 he’s going to pick Dillon Brooks as a reserve. pic.twitter.com/e4VcKlugTM
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) January 28, 2026
Dillon Brooks’ (PHX) technical foul at 0:27 in the 2nd quarter on 1/27/26 (vs. BKN) has been rescinded upon league office review.
— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) January 28, 2026
Dillon Brooks tonight:
26 Points
3 Rebounds
3 Assists
9/15 FGM
34 Minutes pic.twitter.com/HAIZAsuA7p— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 28, 2026
