Dillon Brooks’ Telling Admission Sheds Light on Real Story Behind That Infamous Lakers Series

The 2022-23 first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers was perhaps its lowest point Dillon Brooks‘Professional life. The 29-year-old Phoenix Suns player, who played for the Memphis Grizzlies that season, has made new revelations about the notorious series, which has put him in the spotlight for his ongoing involvement with superstar LeBron James.

The Suns have won their last five games this season, and Brooks has played the best basketball of his career. At the top of his game, and with his confidence at an all-time high, the Suns star revealed the last time he didn’t feel confident in his game.

Dillon Brooks blamed the Grizzlies’ general manager for taking away his confidence during the series.

“I would say probably the series against the Lakers. I couldn’t make shots. And the general manager telling me to only make six shots doesn’t give me the confidence I need,” Brooks told Hayden Seeley of ClutchPoints.

“And you can feel that energy coming from the front office and the coaches. Players never want to win, but you feel that energy. Even if you’re working and putting in the time, you’re not going to back down. This might have been the last time,” Brooks said.

Brooks did not blame his former teammates for his poor performance in the series.

“I took it from there. Then I had a short run at FIBA. All I kept doing was working, working, working to get back to where I was,” Brooks concluded.

During the Lakers series, Brooks struggled mightily offensively. He averaged 10.5 points on 31.2% shooting from the field, including 23.8% from the three-point line. He also averaged 3.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists.

Dillon Brooks has never performed poorly in the postseason. He played his first playoffs with the Grizzlies in the 2020-21 season. In five games in the opening round against the Utah Jazz, Brooks averaged 25.8 points on 51.5% shooting from the field.

Dillon Brooks found his confidence in Phoenix

Dillon Brooks has found a new home in Phoenix, playing alongside Devin Booker. His position at The Sun was different from his previous role. His new team gave him more shot-attempt opportunities, and he was reaping the benefits to the fullest.

Brooks shared a large portion of the Suns’ offensive load alongside Devin Booker. After missing games at the start of the season, Booker was at his best ever, averaging career highs in multiple categories, including points and steals.

In seven games this season, Brooks is averaging 20.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.9 steals per game. With Jalen Green likely to miss another good stretch of time due to a hamstring injury, Brooks will have more opportunities to take advantage of.