The last time big man Dillon Brooks of the Houston Rockets faced up against LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, things didn’t go as planned. But he’s looking forward to playing him once again when both sides play on Wednesday. Brooks will surely be looking to get one back from last season’s failed trash talk and disastrous performance.
Ahead of his upcoming clash with James, Brooks—who is having a fantastic first campaign with the Houston Rockets spoke about it with the media on 7th November at Toyota Center in Houston. When asked to evaluate his mentality before the competition, Brooks gave a very direct response.
Dillion Brooks says he’s “ready to lock him up”….
He’s talking about Lebron James 😳
They face off tomorrow night 👀🌚
(Via @BinkleyHoops) pic.twitter.com/I6auE6SHfA
— SportsAfterDark 🌚🥃🏈🏀 (@SportsADark_) November 7, 2023
“I’m ready to lock him up,” Brooks said. “I’m there to make him tired, make him get into that fourth quarter early.” Brooks has some underwhelming past with the NBA legend LeBron James and has once again reignited this battle between the two of them.
Houston Rockers BEAT Sacramento Kings!🤯
Back to back wins for Rockets…👏🏽
Dillion Brooks 26 pts
Fred VanVleet 21 pts 12 assists pic.twitter.com/V6YtXFQ37e— Opinionated Fan (@OpinionatedSF19) November 5, 2023
The Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers are in almost equal positions going into this game. With a 3-3 record, the Rockets are in ninth place; the Lakers are in 10th place, not far behind them. It remains to be seen who wins this thriller of a game.
Dillon Brooks and LeBron James have a contentious past
Dillon Brooks is always called the most hated player in the NBA by the rival’s fans. His past trash-talking and way of playing show it on the court and off the court. He has spoken a lot of trash about many players and he did the same with the Lakers legend LeBron James.
LeBron James, one of the greatest players of all time, was dismissed by Dillon Brooks in the 2022-2023 NBA playoffs as being past his prime when the Memphis Grizzlies tied the first-round Western Conference playoff series. “I don’t care,” Brooks said after the game when asked about trash-talking James.
Dillion Brooks on LeBron James:
“I don’t care. He’s old…I poke bears. I don’t respect someone until he gives me 40.” 😲👑
(via Tim MacMahon) pic.twitter.com/YqbrY6HRS0
— Basketball For Life (@Mambabasket24) April 20, 2023
“He’s old.” “He’s a legend. He’s LeBron James. But when I’m on that floor, you’re just another player to me,” Brooks said. “I don’t care who you are. You’re just 6-8, 270 pounds and you’re a basketball player.” These statements were not taken lightly by the Lakers’ fans and fans of LeBron James.
Brooks has a vast history of rilling up and also fouling his opponents, many coaches and NBA players are upset with him over his behavior. In the 2022 playoffs, he had fouled Gary Payton ll of the Warriors which eventually led to him being injured(a shoulder injury).
Steve Kerr coach of the Golden State Warriors was not happy and called the play “dirty”. Now that he has joined the Rockets for the 2023-2024 NBA season it remains to be seen whether Dillon continues this behavior or changes it towards his opponents in the NBA.
