After a contentious night on the floor of Game 2 in the NBA Playoffs Wednesday night, Memphis Grizzlies small forward Dillon Brooks, 27, didn’t hold back in his post-game comments about Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, 38.
“I don’t care. He’s old,” Brooks said. “I poke bears. I don’t respect no one ’til they come and give me 40.”
Brooks’ comments came after he and James shared several heated moments during the second half of Game 2, which the Grizzlies won 103-93 to even the series. Brooks shoved James in the third quarter and taunted the future Hall-of-Famer after a timeout call. He later stared down James after making a three-pointer in the fourth quarter.
Brooks’ post-game comments about James’ age didn’t stop there, as the outspoken young Grizzlies player went on to say that it would have been more challenging to guard the Lakers forward when he was a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers or Miami Heat. James won championships for teams, two for Miami in 2012 and 2013 and one for Cleveland in 2016.
James was the leading scorer for the Lakers Wednesday night, scoring 28 points with 11 rebounds and five assists. Anthony Davis and many of Los Angeles’ supporting players struggled, however, despite performing well in the team’s 128-112 victory in Game 1 on Sunday.
“Obviously, I have to better with that group,” Davis said. “Can’t have a night like I had tonight and expect us to win.”
In 26 minutes on the floor, Brooks scored 12 points with one rebound and three assists. With Ja Morant out due to a Game 1 injury, the Grizzlies were primarily propelled by center Xavier Tillman, who had a career night with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Guard Tyus Jones was also fairly effective filling in for Morant, scoring 10 points with six rebounds and eight assists.
“They don’t miss a beat when Tyus goes into the starting lineup,” James said about his opponent after the game. “They’re just as dangerous when Tyus is starting … and we knew that.”
After finishing the season strong and qualifying for the playoffs through the play-in tournament, the Lakers have proven that they can compete with the second-seeded Grizzlies in the early part of the series. Success from both James and Davis will be integral to any run the team has from this point forward.
