Hall of Famer's take on Gilgeous-Alexander similar to Dillon Brooks?

TL;DR

Dillon Brooks plans to isolate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Game 2 of the Suns' playoff series, despite his coach's concerns. Brooks believes he has a favorable matchup against the Thunder superstar.

Key points

Dillon Brooks plans to iso Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Game 2.
Brooks believes he has a favorable matchup against Gilgeous-Alexander.
Brooks and Gilgeous-Alexander have a history of competition.
Game 2 is on April 22 at Paycom Center.

Phoenix SunsOklahoma City ThunderDillon BrooksShai Gilgeous-Alexander

Hall of Famer's take on Gilgeous-Alexander similar to Dillon Brooks?

OKLAHOMA CITY — Maybe Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks is onto something here.

Brooks talked after the April 21 practice about looking to “iso” Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for Game 2 of the Suns' playoff series on Wednesday, April 22, at Paycom Center even though his head coach, Jordan Ott, said they can’t play that way versus the defending NBA champions.

“Why not?” said Brooks, when asked why he wants to take Gilgeous-Alexander 1-on1. “He's a good defender overall, but I just like the matchup. Team Canada, we've been going at it for a while. I won't forget our 1-on-1s that we had in Paris.

"You can ask him who got the best of who, but you see a guy like that going hard on the offensive end all game and trying to get a rest on defense, I'll find a way make him use his legs, use his hands, use his mind on that defensive end, most of the time, he's going to break down and then you can go out and make plays.”

The latter part of Brooks’ comments fall in line with what Hall of Famer and NBA champion Gary Payton said on Fanatic Sportsbook’s Hot Take when asked how to guard Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic and Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA MVP.

“Luka, he’s going to try to muscle you,” Payton said. “Slow ball you and then all the sudden he’ll step back and hit a shot. You’ve got to frustrate him.”