LeBron James Gets Honest About Dillon Brooks Before Lakers vs. Rockets

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Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks told reporters he is ready to lock LeBron James up when Houston faces the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. This is not the first time Brooks has publicly commented on James in this way, as the All-Defensive forward infamously called the Lakers star "old" during last year's opening round between the Lakers sand Memphis Grizzlies.
When asked about Brooks on Wednesday, James was complimentary of him, saying, "Every player that is awarded with a contract is awarded for a reason. They're worthy of the contract they get. In his case, he was worthy of the contract he got. He's put in the work since he came out of Oregon, and that's what - Houston found value in him, and he's here."
LeBron James credited Dillon Brooks’ competitive nature at shootaround in Houston and said he earned the contract he got from the Rockets coming off the Grizzlies-Lakers playoff series. pic.twitter.com/BHrDGdBybz
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 8, 2023
When asked if he is thinking at all about his previous matchup with Brooks that came during that LA vs. Memphis series, James said, "Not too much. I think just the competition alone. It's always great to go out and compete. So he's one of those guys who loves to compete... I don't dwell on the past too much."
James said he is focused on getting LA's first road win of the season, and isn't thinking much about the individual matchup with Brooks. That said, James got honest about the Rockets forward, saying a few positive things about him.
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Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.