In the NBA, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks are "enemies," with Gilgeous-Alexander's reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder completing a sweep of Brooks' Phoenix Suns on Monday night. But off the court, and with Team Canada, the two are pals, sharing a unique rapport and understanding they can't always cultivate in the middle of a long NBA season.
That's what made Gilgeous-Alexander's exchanges with and about Brooks on Monday night so interesting.
For someone like Brooks, who has cultivated a tough guy "villain" persona wherever he's played in the league, it was eye-opening and heartening to see him and Gilgeous-Alexander be all smiles in their postgame embrace. There's competition between the lines. And there's remembering you're still friends after the fact when the clock reads all zeroes:
In his postgame press conference, Gilgeous-Alexander was asked about his relationship with Brooks. The superstar guard shared why he has so much love for his fellow Canadian friend and explained that Brooks plays the "villain" in the Association for a reason. That's just the sort of role he's excelled in as a basketball player.
But that's the thing. It's clearly only in the context of competition. As a basketball player. Nothing more.
You don't always get to see such honest reflections about athletes whom fans love to hate. Kudos to Gilgeous-Alexander and Brooks for their mutual sportsmanship and for showing us that what they do on the court against one another should ultimately stay there.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander explained who "villain" Dillon Brooks really is
