Nobody has embraced the villain more in today’s NBA than Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks. His nickname — the Villain — says it all.
Brooks’ game has evolved from a 3-and-D role with the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets to one of the Suns’ best players. Still, he has stayed true to his roots as the league’s pre-eminent heel, especially when it comes to Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James. Nobody gets a rise out of needling the King more than Brooks.
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This was never more obvious than in Game 4 of the Lakers’ second-round clash against the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Down 3-0 and on the brink of elimination, Brooks showed up and sat at courtside to watch James get eliminated from the postseason.
Former NBA guard Patrick Beverley, though, did not agree with Brooks’ shenanigans, calling it a bush-league move.
Beverley blasts Brooks
When it comes to playing the villain role, nobody knows that better than Beverley, who had an extensive 12-year career antagonizing some of the league’s best players. Playing with an in-your-face, at times reckless, defense, he consistently got under the skin of the likes of Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, to name a few.
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However, he claimed that Brooks showing up at a Lakers game for no good reason other than to watch James fall was “lame as f—k.”
“Like grinning. I mean, you had a game where a team just took you out. You had a game where, you know, you trying to make this thing between you and LeBron James. Like, you sitting courtside like you don’t even play for the Los Angeles Lakers. That s—t was so corny,” Beverley said on The Pat Bev Show.
“I don’t know, bro. And I’m a huge Dillon Brooks fan. You know, DB, I see you. We bumped into each other at the Hermes store in Paris. It’s all love. You know that. But that s—t was lame as f—k,” the former All-Defensive team member added. “Iced out, you feel me? Watches elite. Chain was elite. Timing was awful. Appearance was awful.”
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Maintain the respect
Beverley added that he absolutely understands Brooks’ need to keep his villain persona and found an ideal opportunity to do so. However, he pointed out that showing up at a game when your supposed rival is about to get the boot isn’t it.
“I understand a villain, and I understand people like to take these roles and live by them, but that ain’t it. That ain’t give me the type of energy real dogs have,” Beverley remarked.
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As heated as Beverley’s rivalry with Westbrook was, he cited that he would never disrespect the latter by showing up when he’s at his lowest.
“Like real dogs? I would never pop up at a Oklahoma City Thunder game courtside after getting eliminated by them. Never. Like I would never do that.”
“Just for the respect of the game. You my op, you my op. Why I got to sit here and look at you and I’m out the playoffs too? I done got eliminated by a team that’s currently playing,” Beverley continued. “You’re not seeing me. I’m working on my game. I’m working on my body. I’m working on my craft. I can’t believe you sitting courtside like that.”
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Regardless of Beverley’s comments, Brooks has shown, time and again, that he doesn’t care what anyone thinks of him. He will be his most authentic self on the hardwood floor, as this is what has worked for him his entire career.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.