Amid a highly competitive series between the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets, NBA veteran Jimmy Butler has developed a major disdain toward his opponents and, specifically, toward veteran forward Dillon Brooks. Speaking up after the game, Butler opened up on his feelings about Brooks and revealed where things stand between the two teams.
“We’re not having fun,” said Butler in a chat with the media. “Get me on record saying this, I don’t like Dillon Brooks. We’re never having fun. I’m a fierce competitor, he’s a fierce competitor, but there ain’t nothing fun about that. I’m not going for that. I don’t think anybody’s trying to be friends with anybody on either team, that’s for sure. Fun is winning, fun is competing.”
After his trade from the Heat in February, Butler has been playing alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green to turn the Warriors back into a championship team. His arrival sparked a major resurgence for the organization and currently has them in a position to make the Western Semi-Finals.
Averaging 17.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game this season, Butler’s impact has been everywhere on the court, and his play helped the Warriors go 23-7 in the final 30 games of the season. They finished 7th in the standings but are just one win away from advancing to the second round with a 3-1 lead over the Rockets.
Butler, 35, has encountered plenty of “enforcer” type players before, but he has all respect for Dillon Brooks. In the Warriors’ Game 4 win, Butler confronted Brooks and called him weak in an NSFW statement. The physicality and aggressiveness have been extreme throughout the entire series, and Brooks has gone out of his way to antagonize the other side as much as he can.
As a leader and tone-setter for the Warriors, Butler should appreciate Brooks’ role more than anyone, but he’s not the only one who has grown tired of his antics. Dating back to his days with the Grizzlies, Brooks has always had a strong reputation for being disruptive, disrespectful, and occasionally dirty on the court. As a leader and tone-setter himself, Jimmy Butler should appreciate Brooks’ role more than anyone, but he’s not the only one who has grown tired of his antics.
In Game 3, Brooks was caught making a dirty play against Stephen Curry, where he essentially ran into his body on a three-point attempt. Back in November, Spurs guard Chris Paul swung at Brooks when he disrespectfully stood over Victor Wembanyama after securing a steal.
With averages of 14.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game on 42.9% shooting, Brooks has provided a steady boost for the Rockets, but his habit of making enemies does not do his team any favors.
Against Butler and the Warriors, who are up 3-1 in the series, Brooks has given his opposition plenty of ammo to fight, and they are more determined than ever to give Dillon another major loss. While the Warriors’ ambitions go beyond the first round, they will no doubt relish the opportunity to end the Rockets’ season and hopefully bring some humility to the second seed in the West.
