Since last year’s playoffs, a brewing rivalry between Dillon Brooks and LeBron James has provided basketball fans with compelling on-court drama.
The tension, initiated by Brooks’ trash talk when he was with the Grizzlies, has carried into this season as the Lakers faced the Rockets.
In their recent matchup, the seasoned 38-year-old James showcased his enduring prowess, dropping a season-high 37 points, securing a narrow victory for the Purple and Gold.
On the other side, 27-year-old Brooks led the charge for the Houston Rockets with an impressive 24 points.
Post-game, LeBron offered a nod of respect to Brooks. “He’s a great competitor. I like going against him,” he said, per Jonathan Feigen of Houston Chronicle.
“And he was hooping tonight, too, for sure. He was shooting the ball exceptionally well, kept them in the game. So, that’s competition. Those young guys, they get me going. So, I need that.”