At the end of the Game 6 match between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies, Dillon Brooks went to the Lakers after the buzzer sounded to hug it out with the opposing players.
LeBron James has since fled to the locker room.
Obviously, it's a sign of disrespect for LBJ.
Honestly, Dillon Brooks knows this is coming.
When Ja Morant said to people that he was okay in the West, there came an exodus of stars. All of a sudden, the West isn't as easy as it was before and the Lakers became the second play-in after the Miami Heat to advance in the playoffs. But the thing about Ja is that even if he had controversy in the latter part of the regular season, there is no question that he is a star. His rookie cards and other memorabilia are selling insanely well.
The same can't be said with Dillon Brooks.
In some ways, this should have been a banner year for Brooks but for some reason, he can't send his game to the next level as he would rather throw shade than dominate. Worse, most of his barbs throw off their team's psychology. Brooks is the second-oldest player in Memphis and he is also the most erratic.
I know trash-talking is part of the NBA game but it's also part of the NBA game to focus on the prize. When Brooks and Draymond Green were acting up on each other, it was a case of a dirty player trying to look good against a dirty player. I like Draymond Green though because he knows when to channel his actions to good use (even if there are a lot of times when he figure things out before it got too late). In Brooks, I think it's just all talk. In the end, you'd think he's going to the other side to get a pat on the back as consolation for his efforts but the other side wants none of it.
So when he no-sold Lebron's mystique, people are hellbent on comeuppance. Even Skip Bayless sided with Lebron over Brooks - and this is saying a lot. When you speak ill, you need to be a threat.
LBJ will find ways to come back after a lousy game.
Brooks barely breaks in double figures and barely gains any other stats.
But I hope Brooks pokes the bears more. If this is going to be Memphis' identity, then they should cultivate it. With that said, they should back up their words with better actions. If Brooks is going to be a villain in the mold of Dennis Rodman, Ron Artest, and Draymond, he needs to elevate his game more.