When you think of a rivalry in the NBA, you probably picture Michael Jordan’s offense and Isiah Thomas’ defense colliding, or Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant in a duel. But there is one beef, though it can’t be placed at the same level, that has caught fans’ attention, i.e., Dillon Brooks and LeBron James. The feud was reignited recently when the Canadian forward was asked a spicy question during ESPN’s recent segment on social media.
Brooks is known for his defensive activity and his villainous nature on the court. Being a part of the Western Conference, that personality has often collided with LeBron James as well. The faceoff between the two has several times resulted in on-court clashes, even to technical fouls and physical scuffles.
Why is it in the limelight again?
In a recent segment on the NBA on ESPN’s social media page, Dillon Brooks was asked an interesting question:
“Who is the most overrated player in the NBA right now?”
Known for his on-court tussles and competitiveness, especially against LeBron James, the Phoenix Suns small forward did not think twice before answering and said:
“I’ll probably say LeBron right now. I feel like his time is, you know, coming to an end. We gotta pass that on to one of our world guys, like a Luka or Shai.”
When the host insisted that while Brooks was also among the future stars of the league, James “was one of the legends,” the Canadian player agreed to it and added:
“One of the legends, yeah, you gotta respect him on that aspect, for sure. But when you’re on the floor and between those four lines, no matter if you’re LeBron James or my grandmother.”
While Brooks has been vocal about LBJ, the King has largely been dismissive of any conversation about him. James even hailed Brooks when the latter landed an $80 million deal with the Houston Rockets in 2023. But where did it all begin?
The first seeds of LeBron James and Dillon Brooks feud?
It all began in 2021 when the LA Lakers clashed with the Memphis Grizzlies, in which James drained some shots over the then-Grizzlies forward and hit him with a “too small” taunt. The rivalry deepened further in 2023, when the Grizzlies faced LBJ and Co. in the playoffs.
In the first round of the playoffs, after the Grizzlies won Game 2, Brooks stated that James was getting “old,” and he liked “to poke bears,” referring to the 4-time NBA champion. However, he had to eat his words when the Lakers defeated the Grizzlies in six games, and the King averaged 22.2 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists. Moreover, Brooks was ejected from Game 3 after receiving a flagrant 2 foul for hitting James in the groin area.
Anything from team accolades to individual achievements, Dillon Brooks can’t be compared to what LeBron James achieved in his storied career. In his statement about James, Brooks also suggested that the baton should be given to one of “our world guys,” which might even highlight something deeper than just on-court skills.
Brooks has caught fire this season, though, averaging a career-high 21.2 points and 3.6 rebounds. He even dropped 40 points in the Suns’ game against the Detroit Pistons on January 29. While its upto fans and analysts to decide the verdict in rivalries, the one between Brooks and James will be one of the most lopsided beefs in the league.
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