Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks wasn’t afraid to speak his mind about his run-ins with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James during his team’s 103-93 Game 2 victory on Wednesday.
When asked about his efforts to get under James’ skin despite the 38-year-old’s standing as one of the greatest NBA players of all time, Brooks said, “I don’t care, he’s old,” per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
He added, “I poke bears. I don’t respect no one until they come and give me 40 (points). I pride myself on what I do is defense and taking on any challenge.”
James and Brooks had multiple brief instances of tension throughout the contest, including verbal jawing in front of the Lakers’ bench before a timeout and a stare-down by Brooks into a blank-faced James after the Canadian wing made a shot.
Brooks added postgame that he doesn’t believe James is the same caliber of player he was earlier in his career.
“He’s not at the same level that he was when he was on Cleveland winning championships, Miami,” Brooks said, according to MacMahon. “I wish I got to see that. It would have been a harder task, but I’m playing with what I’ve got.”
While the Grizzlies did come away with the victory, James scored a game-high 28 points on 12-of-23 shooting, adding 12 rebounds and three assists. He was also a team-worst minus-17. Meanwhile, Brooks scored 12 points on 5-of-14 from the floor.
Earlier in the season, the Lakers and Grizzlies got into a spat triggered by television personality Shannon Sharpe, who called Brooks “too small to guard LeBron (James).” Brooks verbally retaliated, leading to arena security getting involved.
Game 3 of the 1-1 series will be on Saturday night in Los Angeles, with Brooks and James likely to be matched up once again.
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