Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks has built a reputation as one of the NBA's most polarizing players, and that reputation just earned him an unwelcome distinction. The Athletic's annual Players' Poll, which surveyed 161 NBA players from February to April, has named Brooks among the league's most overrated players.

The poll covered everything from coaching and defense to the always-controversial most overrated and underrated categories. Despite putting together what many would call a career-best season, Brooks found himself on the wrong side of the ballot. He received two votes from the 81 players who answered the overrated question, tying him with notable names like Domantas Sabonis, Tyler Herro, and Tyrese Haliburton.

Let's put Brooks' season in perspective. The 30-year-old averaged 20.2 points and 3.6 rebounds, numbers that scream "fringe All-Star." He and his teammates campaigned hard for his first All-Star selection, but ultimately fell short. That near-miss might sting even more now, knowing his peers view him this way.

So why the disconnect? Timing could be a factor. Brooks suffered a late-season injury that kept him off the court when he could have been proving his doubters wrong. But there's another, more personal reason: Brooks' "Villain" persona. Known for his aggressive, in-your-face defense and on-court antics, he's the kind of player opponents love to hate. That competitive edge might be rubbing his peers the wrong way.

Here's the thing, though: numbers don't lie. This was undisputedly the best season of Brooks' career, and he delivered it at the perfect time. With a contract extension looming this offseason, the Suns front office appears committed to locking him up long-term. While his peers may not vote him into the All-Star game, Phoenix sees a player worth building around.