Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks all but made it perfectly clear that he and the team weren’t backing down from LeBron James, and also trash-talked the forward enough to know they meant business.
While this garnered ample flak from fans, former NBA star Stephen Jackson supported Brooks’ beef with James. “Where were y’all when Bron was shooting airballs from the free-throw line? I’m happy somebody wanna compete and not be friends,” Jackson said. “I love guys that wanna compete. Too many players let Bron score. They wanna be friends.”
“Where were y’all when Bron was shooting airballs from free throw line. I'm happy somebody wanna compete and not be friends. I love guys that wanna compete. Too many players let Bron score. They wanna be friends.”
– Stephen Jackson pic.twitter.com/jUXKT3JXeQ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 21, 2023
Brooks hadn’t pulled his punches during Game 2. Speaking to the media in the aftermath of the 103-93 win: “I was waiting for that. I was expecting him to do that in Game 4, and Game 5. He wanted to say something when I got my fourth foul. He should have been saying that earlier on. But I poke bears. I don’t respect no one until they come and give me 40.”
And that, in Jackson’s opinion was something that was right. The Grizzlies walked away with a win, despite Ja Morant missing out due to his right-hand sprain. How James responds to Brooks for the rest of the season remains to be seen.
LeBron James Might Not Take The Grizzlies Lightly, But He Won’t Be Backing Down Either
LeBron James has made enough playoff appearances to know what postseason competition and pressure will be like, and Dillon Brooks will soon know it if The King gets going with five games remaining in the series.
Brooks and the Grizzlies aren’t the ones to back off from a fight either. But what they do lack is the championship DNA and experience that James has over the years. The veteran already showed glimpses of his rage when he trash-talked to Brooks after a tough shot, and that means a contest is already on.
“On Saturday, it’s back to the four lines and what happens between the four lines,” James had said to the media after the loss. ” I am so excited to have the opportunity to play another playoff game. I believe this is our first game in our house, in front of the fans, in the postseason. First time. I’m excited about that.”
He may have dished a veiled threat there and the Grizzlies shouldn’t be surprised if he doles out an incredible Game 3 performance.
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