Dillon Brooks focused on Rockets ahead of LeBron James battle
HOUSTON — Over six NBA seasons, Rockets forward Dillon Brooks has made it clear that he is not a big fan of the media. If any of the members in attendance for his press conference after Tuesday’s practice were wondering if he still felt that way, he reiterated it.
“I don’t really like media,” Brooks said. “If I didn’t have to talk to you guys, I wouldn’t talk to you guys.”
Brooks, 27, will be one of the most requested Rockets players if his team can contain LeBron James in Wednesday’s showdown against the Lakers and extend their winning streak to four games.
For Brooks, it offers an opportunity to get some revenge on James. The two have a history from the opening round of the 2023 Western Conference playoffs, when Brooks called out the advanced age of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer after Game 2 of the series.
Things escalated when Brooks was ejected in Game 3 for striking James in the groin region. Brooks, who has a history of pushing opponents to their mental limits by frustrating them on defense, avoided suspension but then saw his team lose the series in six games.
Even with his competitive nature and disdain for opposing players, Brooks made it clear Tuesday that does not want the narrative to be focused on his apparent on-court beef with James.
“That’s what the matchup says in the beginning of the game: L.A. Lakers versus Houston Rockets,” Brooks said. “It ain’t about me or him. It’s about us getting the win and keeping the win streak going.”
“I’m ready to lock him up,” said Rockets forward Dillon Brooks about playing against LeBron James on Wednesday. #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/pma1AXBLyO
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) November 7, 2023
Brooks was brought to Houston to be a veteran presence and a stout defender, yet he has excelled on the offensive end of the floor thus far. In his first six games with the Rockets, he is shooting an impressive 59% from the field and averaging 16.3 points per game.
Although his offensive stats may take a hit with the enormous amount of energy and focus needed to guard James, Brooks has already formulated a game plan that he will play in his mind.
“I’m ready to lock him up,” Brooks said of defending James. “He’s shooting the ball well. He’s been playing well. So, I’m just there to make him tired, make him get into that fourth quarter early.”
“Full-courting him when he wants to bring it up,” Brooks said of his approach. “Any time he’s posting up on the block, I’m bumping him. Bumping him on the jog back. If he’s guarding me I want to attack him. Just getting him into multiple actions.”
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka likes placing Brooks on James and said he knows Brooks is ready and willing to take on the task.
“It’s kind of what we brought him here for,” Udoka said. “To change the organization, the mindset, and the team, as far as that. Obviously, he is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, and like I said, everybody sees the example of it night in, night out, the effort he puts there… the attention to detail on his matchups.”
“It’s contagious with our group,” Udoka concluded. “And so, we’re guarding at a higher level due to him and Fred (VanVleet), and some of the guys who are really high-level defenders.”
