LeBron James has made a long list of enemies on the basketball court. While the list started off with Lance Stephenson, it has gone on to include guys like Patrick Beverley, Draymond Green, and Enes Kanter. A recent addition to the list was Dillon Brooks. The rivalry between the two first began during a game in the 2021 regular season.  After Brooks hit a layup on James, he flexed over him. Not one to back down, Lebron proceeded to hit the game-winner in Brooks’ face.

The rivalry, however, truly amplified in the following season. James and Desmond Bane got into a verbal interaction that escalated to including several members from both teams going at it. Still, the true crescendo between the two sides came during the Grizzlies-Lakers first-round matchup this year.

LeBron James vs Dillon Brooks

The story at this point, has become legendary. During the series, James and Brooks were matched to each other. While James’ numbers were better, that did not deter Brooks from making controversial statements about the King.

As the series went on, the rivalry intensified. After Lebron called him a “motherf***ing bum”, Brooks retorted by calling him “old”.  However, his most controversial statement came at the end of the Memphis Grizzlies Game 2 victory. Calling James old, and a bear that he had poked, Brooks proclaimed that he didn’t respect anyone until they gave him 40.

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The Lakers, of course, went on to win the series in dominant fashion. Ironically, their Game 6 victory came by 40 points. While his antics have landed him in trouble, as the Grizzlies organization does not plan on resigning him, Brooks also has a fan in the form of Paul George.

Speaking about Dillon’s tenacity and grit, PG showed respect for his game. Further, George elaborated on his reasoning, “The part that I respect and appreciate from Dillon’s game is him never backing down. That should be applauded. I respect that 100%. And that’s the reason I like competing against him. “

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George was, however, quick to point out that the auxiliary antics are what he didn’t like about Dillon’s game. “The antics s***. I’m not a fan of the antics.” However, Brooks’ teammate Jaren Jackson Jr. was quick to jump to his defense.

JJJ explains Brooks’ mentality

Questioning the view that Brooks’ extracurriculars are antics, JJJ  defended him. Jaren explained how the path toward success wouldn’t matter. If Brooks was successful, it wouldn’t matter if it was the defense or the comments that made him effective.

While he also chose his side in the GOAT debate, Jackson explained Brooks’ ideology. “He’s gonna have to guard these players. You think he’s just gonna regularly guard them like everybody else in the league is guarding him…No, lean on him, push him, bump him, get in his head before the game, after the game. Make sure he’s thrown off at any cost”

With two pure basketball minds going back and forth, the entire podcast is a gold mine for hoop fans. While they explained their sides, what do you think? Is Dillon Brooks’ behavior justified?

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