John Collins didn’t waste any time making an introduction to his new home fans in Detroit, and honestly, Dillon Brooks should’ve known better. Within the first five minutes of Monday’s preseason game against the Phoenix Suns, Collins responded to Brooks’ repeated fouling by turning around and grabbing the Suns guard by the throat. Yeah, you read that right.
Collins Didn’t Hold Back, And He’s ‘Glad He Did It’
It all went down like this: Brooks, doing his usual “Dillon the Villain” thing, kept fouling Collins on a rebound. Classic Brooks, right? But Collins wasn’t having it. Instead of just complaining, he went straight for the throat. The scuffle that followed was exactly what you’d expect. After the game, Collins didn’t back down one bit when talking to reporters. He said he “wasn’t necessarily trying to set that tone, but I’m glad I did.” He even doubled down, adding, “Just sometimes you have to play basketball and get physical. I’m going to go out there and compete every night.” Talk about a statement. Detroit signed him to a three-year deal this offseason, and man, what an introduction that was for the home crowd. Collins is already showing he’s ready to bring some serious grit.
Dillon Brooks: Same Old Villain, Same Old Trouble
Let’s be real, this isn’t exactly new territory for Dillon Brooks. The guy’s got “Dillon the Villain” listed as his nickname on Basketball Reference for a reason, and it’s not because he’s a sweetheart. He never shies away from getting physical or running his mouth at opponents. Last season, he even led the entire league with a ridiculous 17 technical fouls. Seventeen! So, was anyone *really* surprised he incited this whole thing? If Monday’s preseason game is any clue, we’re probably gonna see Brooks rack up “a few technical fouls in 2026-27 as well.” It’s just who he is. He pushes, he prods, and sometimes, he gets exactly what he’s asking for.
So, there it is. A preseason game, and we’ve already got fireworks. Collins has laid down the gauntlet for his new team, and Brooks has reminded everyone why he’s earned that “Villain” moniker. Get ready, because if this is the energy for a preseason matchup, the regular season is going to be absolutely wild. These guys are coming out swinging, literally.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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