At Monday’s media day to launch 2023-24 Rockets training camp, newly signed forward Dillon Brooks met with media members in Houston for the first time since signing with the organization during the recently completed NBA free agency window.
“I love to compete at all costs,” Brooks said of his unique approach. “I do everything to either get into player’s head or make them tired. I’ve been pretty good at it, working that trade for a while.”
Buy Rockets Tickets“I want [my intensity] to be contagious throughout the whole team, throughout the whole organization,” Brooks told reporters. “I’m ready to get on this ride, this journey.”
Here’s a roundup of what all we heard from Brooks at Monday’s media day from Toyota Center. Training camp will officially begin Tuesday at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
“When you come play Houston, you know it’s going to be a physical battle,” Brooks said. “It’s going to be a challenge. When you come play Houston, you know it’s going to be a physical battle. It’s going to be a challenge. It’s not just a walk in the park no more.”
Dillon Brooks at 2023 Rockets Media Day
Dillon Brooks stresses the importance of changing the defensive culture in Houston: "That's how you win games — on the defensive end. Being a top 5 defensive team in the NBA."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) October 2, 2023
Dillon Brooks on his Memphis exit:
“Big chip [on my shoulder]. That’s one of the games that’s circled on my list — and we get them four times, so that’s amazing. pic.twitter.com/XVlU6ZvYdf
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) October 2, 2023
A little #Rockets media day behind the scenes as Dillon Brooks goes to a couple different stations.
There are 22 stations located around Toyota Center that the players go through for marketing and social media promos. pic.twitter.com/m8ml4Me88O
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 2, 2023
I asked Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks if he feels that he gets misrepresented by the media. “You guys love to do the clickbait stuff, which is cool for the fans, but sometimes you can misconstrue a person,” Brooks said. #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/c4wCQC4wDX
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) October 2, 2023
Dillon Brooks mentions "better shot selection" and "being more unselfish" offensively this season with the #Rockets
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 2, 2023
Dillon Brooks on what he brings to the #Rockets: "Just being the second voice. You always need a second voice after the first voice commands. Me? I'm going to do it. Guard the best player, dive on loose balls, getting physical with another player."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) October 2, 2023
#Rockets Dillon Brooks: "I love the group, a lot of talent. Can really score the ball…but they didn't know how to finish games. They were in a lot of games, they played hard, but (needed) to find a way to play harder on the defensive end." @SportsTalk790
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) October 2, 2023
Dillon Brooks on the #Rockets: "It's not a walk in the park no more. It's going to be a challenge every time you come to Houston."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) October 2, 2023
Dillon Brooks on the pleasure he gets from taking an offensive player out of their game:
“It just means I won the day. If they’re really focused on me, that’s a matchup that I like to take everytime out.
When you come play Houston it’s gonna be a physical battle.” pic.twitter.com/V797boUhDn
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) October 2, 2023
Dillon Brooks on the defensive potential of Bari & Tari: "They have a lot of potential, it's just if they want to put the effort in. That's what defense is. They have all the intangibles, wingspan, the thoughts of getting steals. All they have to do is the effort and be in the…
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) October 2, 2023
Dillon Brooks says the Grizzlies "are one of the games circled on my list. We get to play them four times. It's amazing."
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) October 2, 2023
Brooks on what he brings to the Rockets:
“Guard the best player, dive on loose balls, getting physical with another player. I’m about it.”
His brand remains strong.
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) October 2, 2023
Quite the interesting 6-ish months for Brooks. Became a playoff villain, signed a big contract, performed well in FIBA.
What did he learn in this time?
“It made me closer to myself.“
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) October 2, 2023
I’ll be in Lake Charles for @chron for the start of training camp beginning tomorrow. First, two notes from today’s media day ⬇️
Dillon Brooks’s intensity is no joke:https://t.co/6Jxekf2eSR
What Jalen Green sees as his next step:https://t.co/aB3gVbB82m
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) October 2, 2023