Dillon Brooks ready for first game vs Grizzlies: 'I know them like the back of my hand'

HOUSTON — Dillon Brooks' mentality has already shifted.

Brooks is known as a guy who has a notable switch from his off the floor to on-court personality. Leading up to his first matchup against the Grizzlies after six seasons in Memphis, Brooks briefly spoke with Jaren Jackson Jr. and a couple members of the staff.

Now, it's gametime.

"I'm already taking the approach right now," Brooks said after Wednesday morning's shootaround. "I'm trying to get the team back on a winning track."

What Dillon Brooks said facing Memphis Grizzlies

Brooks and the Houston Rockets (6-6) are facing the Grizzlies for the first of four meetings this season. Houston has lost its last three games after a six-game winning streak.

Those six seasons in Memphis gave Brooks a lot of familiarity with the current roster. Memphis has made some adjustments to its offense and defense, but Derrick Rose and Bismack Biyombo will likely be the only players in the rotation that Brooks didn't play with in Memphis.

"I know them like the back of my hand," Brooks said Wednesday morning. "I know a lot of their plays. I know their tendencies, what they want to get to on the floor. I was voicing that a lot today."

The Grizzlies (3-10) wanted Brooks to play a similar role to the one he currently has in Houston, but he wanted more plays ran for him to help get in an offensive rhythm. As the fourth leading scorer in Houston, Brooks is using his defense and other ways to get going.

Brooks has taken less shots per game than any of his last four years in Memphis. His offensive efficiency with 50.8% shooting from the field and 50% on 3-pointers are both easily career highs.

"Just work, confidence and the belief in me," Brooks said. "Just getting the opportunity to showcase who I am."

Dillon Brooks: I'm the ex-girlfriend the Grizzlies miss

The days leading into Wednesday's meeting have been filled with competitive banter and trash talk. Brooks proclaimed the Grizzlies "have no swagger" this season, and he compared himself to an ex-girlfriend that "you don’t know how good she is until she’s gone.”

Grizzlies players know Brooks' tendency to get into opponent's head, so they didn't take the bait after practice on Tuesday when asked about Brooks' recent comments.

All trash talk aside, playing against the Grizzlies has allowed Brooks to reflect on his growth in Memphis.

"A lot of great memories that I'll cherish for the rest of my career," Brooks said. "Grew with a great bunch of guys. We built something great over there."

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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What Dillon Brooks said about facing Memphis Grizzlies with Rockets