Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was not happy with Dillon Brooks, as his failed gamble while defending LeBron James led to them losing 105-104 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.
“Udoka said Brooks’ gamble on the entry pass to LeBron that led to the eventual game-winning free throw wasn’t ‘a smart decision’.”
Udoka said Brooks’ gamble on the entry pass to LeBron that led to the eventual game-winning free throw wasn’t “a smart decision”.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) November 20, 2023
You can check out the play that Udoka was referring to here.
(starts at 8:03 mark):
Brooks gambled to try to steal the inbounds pass but was completely sealed off by LeBron, who then had a free run to the basket. The 38-year-old clearly got fouled at the rim and made one of two free throws to win his team the game and drop the Rockets to 6-5 on the season.
It soured what was otherwise a fine night for Brooks. The 27-year-old had a team-high 24 points to go with 1 rebound, 2 assists, and 4 steals. He had hit two huge three-pointers in the quarter prior to this as well, but undid all of that with this mistake. Hopefully, he takes this criticism from Udoka on the chin and learns from it.
Dillon Brooks Felt He Was Scapegoated By The Memphis Grizzlies
I don’t think Brooks would have taken this criticism from Udoka too hard, as he’d know he messed up. What he is upset over, though, is how his former team, the Memphis Grizzlies, treated him on his way out. Earlier this month, Brooks called out the Grizzlies for making him the scapegoat last season.
“What I didn’t like about Memphis was they allowed that so they can get out of the woodwork, and then I’m the scapegoat of it all,” said Brooks. “That’s what I didn’t appreciate. And then ultimately they’ll come to me on the low, as men, one on one and tell me something, but then not defend me when everything went down.”
It did seem as if the team just pointed the blame at Brooks for their embarrassing end to the campaign. There was the infamous report, which stated that the Grizzlies wouldn’t bring back Brooks under any circumstances, and it would have felt like a slap in the face.
Expect some drama when Brooks finally gets to play against the Grizzlies for the first time on November 22. He’d be hellbent on getting back at them for everything that has transpired and it is going to be must-watch television.
Dillon Brooks Was Powerless To Stop LeBron James Here
This was the second meeting between the Lakers and the Rockets this season, and Brooks had some success against James in the first one. LeBron only had 18 points on 7-13 shooting from the field that night, as the Rockets blew out the Lakers. This time around, though, James was dominant.
The 38-year-old finished the night with 37 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals while shooting a ridiculous 14-19 from the field. Whether it was Brooks or anyone else on him, James just dominated. He scored 13 points in the fourth quarter alone and ensured the Lakers came away with the win to improve to 8-6.
What made everything he did on the night all the more impressive, was that LeBron was playing through injuries and was unwell. One only wonders how much better he’d have looked if he was 100% for the game.
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