via Imago
Image Courtesy: Imago
via Imago
Image Courtesy: Imago
The recent game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Lakers was anything but mundane. From mid-game altercations involving NFL veteran Shannon Sharpe, to snapping the Grizzlies’ winning streak, fans bore witness to it all. Amidst all that, the media was curious to know how a particular Grizzlies star had managed to defend against LeBron James. However, the answer he gave to reporters seemingly failed to impress NBA fans and got him trolled for it instead.
The Memphis Grizzlies were having a great run as one of the top contending teams with 11 straight wins. However, their impressive run came to an end when they failed to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night in the Crypto.com Arena. The purple and gold franchise defeated Ja Morant‘s Grizzlies by 122-121.
Dillon Brooks on how he defended against LeBron James
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Following the eventful night at the Lakers’ home court, Jovan Buha of The Athletic caught up with Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard Dillon Brooks in the locker room to ask about the game. Buha asked Brooks about the defensive tactics he used on LeBron during the game. The 27-year-old Ontario native took advantage of the fact that ‘King James’ avoided going left.
Dillon Brooks on defending LeBron: “He doesn’t want to go left. I was just making him go left all game. Then he would settle or he would pass the ball. And then play physical with him. Continuously bump him all of the time. And don’t let him take easy shots.” pic.twitter.com/zE7zlhAVo5
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) January 21, 2023
“He doesn?t want to go left. I was just making him go left all game. Then he would settle or he would pass the ball. And then play physical with him. Continuously bump him all of the time. And don?t let him take easy shots,” Brooks said.
Despite losing, the Grizzlies proved to be a tough opponent for the Lakers. The Lakers shot 31.7% from the three-point range and felt compelled to go for long jumpers after the Grizzlies sealed off the lane. However, NBA Twitter clearly did not buy Brooks’ reply as many felt that it was his teammates who had put in the joint effort on James and the Lakers, and just not Brooks alone.
Here are some of the reactions from NBA Twitter:
https://twitter.com/BronGotGame/status/1616695543090282497?s=20&t=SEiYhV-5uvVY9qznQ1M6dA
https://twitter.com/RonnyB___/status/1616819211837538307?s=20&t=V384zC04l_LC2tkdo0Mn9g
Lebron is left handed.. bron actually produces very very very well going left.. even the great Kobe Bryant agrees.. brook you had HELP.. 3 other defenders would come crashing at bron when he beats you pic.twitter.com/uDoQxWWmAI
— Kast (@kast283) January 21, 2023
Lebron was guarded by the entire team Dillion Brooks gave himself too much credit as he was the one who fouled out
— Joshua Collins (@SmoothNerd21) January 21, 2023
Bro thinks he contained LeBron
— Johnny (@AppleseedBurner) January 21, 2023
The man bout to score more points than Kareem, and Dillon Brooks thinks he found some secret formula to guarding him 😂😂😂😂😂
— Ace Panda (@AcePanda83) January 21, 2023
@dillonbrooks24 How are you still not verified? Oh wait you’re a bum
You literally doubled most the game and had Jaren Jackson always in help side defense? You rarely 1v1’ed on a post up or iso— RAIN ☔️ (@WycoRain913) January 21, 2023
https://twitter.com/TheeeBosssMannn/status/1616821795616694272?s=20&t=V384zC04l_LC2tkdo0Mn9g
We’re going to leave out the part where the Griz had multiple help defenders clogging the paint and taking away driving lanes from Lebron….? Brooks did a pretty good job, but it was a team effort for them last night. They also lost the game so 🤷🏻♂️
— I’m Sorry Chris Jackson woooooo (@cjax3124) January 21, 2023
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The Shannon Sharpe altercation during the game
The Lakers vs Grizzlies game was temporarily disrupted in the second quarter when former NFL superstar Shannon Sharpe got into a verbal dispute with a majority of the Grizzlies roster. Sharpe, who is an ardent LeBron James supporter, mocked Brooks by saying that he was too small to guard James.
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An annoyed Brooks then spouted a cuss word at Sharpe and the chaos ensued. Brooks’ teammates, including Ja Morant and even his father Tee Morant, eventually joined the altercation before security officials intervened to break up the fight.
What did you think of Dillon Brooks’ comments? Let us know in the comments section below.
