Charles Barkley Makes the Case for Dillon Brooks as an All-Star: “He’s a Big Piece of What’s Going On in Phoenix”
PHOENIX - When a Hall of Famer like Charles Barkley speaks, especially about the team he once led to the NBA Finals, you pay attention. And this time, Barkley’s spotlight wasn’t on the usual suspects. It was on Dillon Brooks - the gritty, defensive-minded forward who’s quickly become one of the emotional engines for the new-look Phoenix Suns.
In a recent conversation with NBA Radio’s Justin Termine and longtime Suns analyst Eddie Johnson, Barkley didn’t just toss Brooks’ name into the All-Star conversation - he backed it up with the kind of insight that goes beyond the box score.
“Why isn’t Dillon Brooks in the All-Star conversation?” Barkley asked point-blank.
It wasn’t rhetorical - it was a challenge to the way we typically define All-Star value. And he didn’t stop there.
Barkley drew a direct comparison to Draymond Green, questioning what Brooks does differently. His answer?
“Not much.” And that wasn’t a knock - it was a nod.
A recognition that Brooks brings the same kind of intangible, game-shaping impact that’s earned Green multiple All-Star nods and championship rings.
Let’s be clear: Brooks isn’t leading the league in scoring, and you’re not going to see him on highlight reels for 40-point nights. But if you’ve watched the Suns this season, you know his fingerprints are all over their success.
He’s the guy guarding the other team’s top scorer. He’s the one barking out switches, diving for loose balls, and getting under opponents’ skin - all while letting Phoenix’s stars focus on doing what they do best.
And that’s exactly the point Barkley was making. Brooks’ value lives in the margins - the places where playoff games are won and lost.
He brings defensive versatility, emotional toughness, and a relentless edge that has started to seep into the Suns’ identity. He doesn’t just bring intensity - he sets the tone.
And in a locker room with stars like Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal, that edge has quietly become one of the team’s most important assets.
For Suns fans, hearing that from Barkley hits a little different. Here’s a guy who knows what it means to carry a franchise in this city, giving a stamp of approval to a player who’s not always the first name mentioned in national conversations. And while Barkley admitted that Brooks is a long shot to make the All-Star roster, he also made a compelling case for why he should be in the mix.
Because if the league truly wants to reward winning basketball - not just flashy stats - then players like Brooks deserve a seat at the table. He’s not padding his numbers.
He’s doing the dirty work. He’s making winning plays.
And he’s doing it every night.
So, while the All-Star voting may not fall his way, Brooks has already earned something just as meaningful: the respect of one of the game’s greats, and a growing reputation as one of the glue guys holding Phoenix’s title hopes together.
And in a season where the Suns are chasing more than headlines - they’re chasing a championship - that kind of impact might be more valuable than any All-Star nod.