Michael Porter Jr. and Dillon Brooks Discuss NBA Villain Roles

Michael Porter Jr. and Dillon Brooks know what it is like to face criticism throughout their NBA careers. In Episode 2 of PLYR2PLYR, the two forwards sat down to discuss online hate, embracing their reputations as villains, and what they want to improve heading into the new NBA season.

One of the first topics was dealing with negative media coverage and the pressure that comes with playing in the league. Porter explained that players will always receive praise when things go well, but the criticism comes just as quickly when they struggle.

"You got to get immune to both of them if you ever want to live a peaceful life," Porter said.

Brooks agreed, noting how quickly the public's perception of a player can change based on recent performances. He has seen how one strong season can shift the narrative, which is part of why he tries not to pay too much attention to what people say about him.

Having his own podcast has also helped Brooks take control of his story. Rather than letting others speak for him, he has a platform to share his opinions and show people another side of his personality.

Brooks has never shied away from being one of the NBA's biggest villains, and he explained why he has come to embrace that role.

"For me, it just keeps motivation for every game," Brooks said.

He enjoys the competitive edge that comes with talking trash, but he knows he has to back it up on the court. Brooks also described being a villain as accepting a challenge that others might avoid, even when the odds seem stacked against you.

"I feel like I'm writing and telling a new story," he said.

Despite his reputation, Brooks stressed that the player fans see during games is not necessarily who he is away from basketball. He described himself as a laid-back person who prioritizes his family and wants to explore interests beyond the sport.

That separation did not always come easily. Brooks admitted that early in his career, he worried his on-court persona could affect team chemistry, particularly during his time with the Memphis Grizzlies. Eventually, he learned to treat that side of himself as something he could tap into when competing rather than letting it define him all the time.

Porter also shared how he prepares mentally before games. He described standing quietly before tipoff, taking in the crowd and surrounding sounds as he gets himself into the right mindset. For him, that routine helps him block out distractions and focus entirely on basketball.

Away from the court, Porter credits his family and faith for keeping him grounded. Injuries have also given him a different perspective on his career. After once believing he was invincible and destined to become one of the league's best players, he learned not to take the opportunity to play for granted.

The two also discussed what they are working on as players. For Porter, improving his mid-post game is a major priority. He wants to become more comfortable catching the ball, facing up, and creating his own shot in situations where defenses try to prevent him from getting involved.

Porter believes that developing this part of his game could help him add four to six points to his scoring average, giving him another way to punish defenses that focus on limiting his touches.

The Brooklyn Nets forward also reflected on how joining the team changed his role. After spending seven seasons in Denver alongside Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray, Porter knew he would have more opportunities offensively in Brooklyn. Still, he needed to prove he could handle the attention that comes with being a primary scoring option.

He pointed to his early-season games against Cleveland and Atlanta as important moments. After scoring 14 points in his first game against Charlotte, Porter responded with 34 against the Cavaliers and followed that performance with another 30-point outing against Atlanta.

Those games helped him realize he could produce against top defenders in a bigger role, marking an important step in his transition from Denver to Brooklyn.

Brooks, meanwhile, discussed the work that helped him become a strong defender while continuing to develop offensively. He explained that defense was his main focus when he entered the league, particularly after Memphis coach David Fizdale challenged him to guard the team's best opposing player.

Through strength training, film study, and defensive drills, Brooks learned how to stay in front of opponents and anticipate their moves. As his career progressed, he began putting more work into his offensive game, too, recognizing that he could become a threat on both ends of the floor.

The conversation was not all basketball talk. When asked about life after the NBA, both players made it clear that coaching was not high on their lists. Porter suggested he could see himself becoming a broadcaster, while Brooks floated the idea of driving for Uber and using the opportunity to interview passengers about their lives.

The discussion gave fans a glimpse of two players who have learned to handle criticism in their own ways. Brooks has turned his villain reputation into part of his competitive identity, while Porter has learned to tune out the noise and grow into a larger offensive role.

With the new NBA season approaching, both players are focused on continuing to improve their games. Their conversation on PLYR2PLYR offered a look beyond their public personas, showing how they approach the pressures of the league and what they hope to accomplish next.