Dillon Brooks on guarding Mavs star Kyrie Irving: 'I want to see what he's all about'
After a lot of screaming and yelling over the last week, Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks is starting to get voice back. He's lost his voice before, but it doesn't happen often. The thrill of games against the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors will do just that.
Brooks' voice has returned just in time for a divisional matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, and he had a lot to say on the morning of the matchup.
Memory is one of Brooks' strengths. It's why he remembers the plays of opponents and often calls them out for teammates. That memory also gives him a competitive edge.
Brooks didn't play when Luka Doncic torched the Grizzlies in a 136-97 beatdown on Oct. 22. Doncic won't play on Saturday and is listed as day-to-day with a left thigh strain. He would've been Brooks' primary defensive assignment.
"It goes to show that sometimes they ain't ready to come back to a physical game," Brooks said, speaking of Doncic.
In the words of Brooks, he'll have to "settle" for Kyrie Irving, who just so happens to be one of the most talented and accomplished guards in the NBA.
Matching up against Irving is also where Brooks' memory comes into effect. When Irving played for the Brooklyn Nets, he faced Memphis twice. In one of those games, he scored 37 points, but Brooks rarely matched up against him due to being tasked with guarding Kevin Durant.
"Now I get to get him by himself today," Brooks said.
Brooks recalled some subtle trash talk from Irving during one of the previous matchups against the Nets. He said Irving told him, "It's on" or something to that effect.
Irving is listed as questionable to play against the Grizzlies due to right foot soreness. With Doncic out and no Durant around these days, this is the matchup Brooks wants.
"I want to see what he's all about, so I can't wait to pick him up full every single time and see him get exhausted."
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: With Luka Doncic out, Dillon Brooks wants to guard Kyrie Irving
