Dave Litman
The Phoenix Suns are outmatched against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. But don’t tell that to the Suns’ feisty, physical wing Dillon Brooks. He came out guns a-blazing against the officials after their latest blowout loss, 120-107, in Game 2 to the Thunder.
Brooks fouled out of Game 2 in the dying seconds after trying to lead a fourth-quarter comeback that fell short. He certainly did his role to try to keep the Suns competitive, leading the team with 30 points, going 5-for-9 from three-point range, and adding six rebounds.
But it was the refs that he was beefing with.
“Ya’ll should be interviewing the officials,” the hard-nosed defender told the media after the game. “That should be a new thing in the NBA. Officials got to explain themselves because it’s getting ridiculous. As you can see, when it starts to get fiery and no control out there, now they’re just whistling on one side.”
Additionally, Brooks took a shot at his friend, OKC superstar and league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, calling him “a little frail”, and insisting the refs were being baited by some “flopping and flailing.”
“It’s the playoffs. It’s a man’s game,” added Brooks. “I don’t get why all the dropping, flawling, flopping and flailing is allowed when you get to the playoffs… Don’t decide the games on free throws.”
Just to be clear, Brooks is, of course, no saint out on the court. And the refs do need to call things when they see them. Like this flagrant foul by Brooks from Game 1.
Game 3 will be in Phoenix Saturday afternoon, a must-win for the Suns.
