From villain to hero: Dillon Brooks amazing World Cup

MANILA (Philippines) - The Mall of Asia Arena crowd showered Dillon Brooks with MVP chants as everyone's favorite World Cup villain lead Maple Nation to a historical Bronze medal.

Through all the surprises that the Bronze medal game threw our way, there were only a couple of constants. One of them was Dillon Brooks, the highest scorer with 39 points in a wonderful thriller of a game. 

To put it in context, it's the most for a player in a medal-winning game in World Cup history, as well as a new single-game high for Canada, with Brooks breaking a 69-year old record set by Carl Ridd of 37 points against the Philippines in 1954.

"He’s been getting wish-washed this whole summer, but he's an unbelievable player," Kelly Olynyk commented on Brooks' performance. "He plays his ass off every single day. He’s someone you want fighting beside you in the locker room. I was really happy to see him play the way he did. He’s just gotten better and better every game for us."

The fireworks from long range (7-of-8 shooting) paint the picture of how reliable of a scorer Brooks was. Three-point shooting, indeed, helped him put his name in history books. It's only the second time that someone has made 7 three-pointers in a medal-winning game over the last 30 years. Kevin Durant did the same in the Final at Turkey in 2010.

However, what stood out much more was the locals appreciating a legendary performance. It was a trip to the free throw line in the first half by Brooks that inspired them to chant that customary phrase of "M-V-P". 

Yet it hasn't been the norm for Brooks.

His infamy, bravado, menacing defense and gritty playing style had led to boos through out the World Cup. To his credit, he has done nothing but embrace it.

"I appreciate you from the beginning," the Canadian relayed a message to his haters. "Everybody that was throwing shots on Twitter or Instagram. It just helps me get better each and every day, motivates me to be better on the court for my teammates."

"He's a real villain," teammate Luguentz Dort said. "That's what Dillon does. He never shies away from those types of games. I give him a lot of credit. He put a lot of work in. Just spending some time with him the last couple of weeks has been a blessing. He’s been a great guy."

It has got to a point where Brooks is almost glad to play such a persona, referencing the late great Kobe Bryant and his Black Mamba character. 

What also helps is that he had already silenced some naysayers with a clutch performance in a "do or die" game against Spain.

When the going got tough on Sunday and USA made one last run, it was Brooks who continued his stunning effort in the last couple of minutes of regulation. An assist for a RJ Barrett three-pointer, his 7th three-point make and finally some more free throws to follow up on a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander jumper.

By then it was only the crowd repeating itself. No longer The Villain. The crowd chimed in and again proclaimed him "M-V-P!".

"It was my second time. They did the same thing in Jakarta. It's an amazing feeling to be recognized during the game. But you know that I never take it for granted. The work doesn't stop here. I'm not satisfied, neither is anyone on this team," Brooks said, paying respect to everybody on Canada's team.

The wing also didn't forget to stress the importance of working hard through Paris 2024.

"You've got to keep going. They love you when you're up, like right now. But when you have a bad game, they go right back to it. So you always have to keep working."

What a journey! We'll wait for you in Paris, Dillon!

FIBA