Tim MacMahon Apr 17, 2026, 07:00 AM ET

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Joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009

Covers the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks

Appears regularly on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM

Editor's note: This story was initially published on Jan. 15.

DILLON BROOKS RACKED up two technical fouls.

In one of his first runs with the Phoenix Suns , the physical, fiery forward -- as he frequently does -- vehemently disagreed with some of the whistles.

And, much to the amusement of his new teammates, the local refs the Suns had hired to call this September pickup game inside the team's practice facility quickly rang Brooks up.

"That's when I kind of knew he was different," Suns guard Collin Gillespie told ESPN with a chuckle.

The Suns desperately needed "different" after the first two full seasons under Mat Ishbia's ownership were epic failures.…