Lakers player shares theory on Dillon Brooks-LeBron James dynamic: ‘He wants to be a part of his legacy’

Dillon Brooks hasn’t precisely endeared himself to LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers over the last few seasons. Last season, he infamously mentioned earlier than the playoffs that he sought after to play towards James. He claimed that he likes to “poke bears” and that he does not admire somebody “until they come and give me 40.” James hasn’t relatively finished that, however he is embarrassed Brooks in with reference to each different type ever since.

James himself has no longer scored 40 issues towards Brooks, for instance, however his Lakers beat Brooks’ Grizzlies by way of precisely 40 issues of their decisive, series-clinching Game 6 win of their collection remaining season. Sunday evening, James got here simply shy of 40 issues, as a substitute scoring 37 in a one-point win over Brooks and the Rockets. 

Brooks was once so dangerous towards the Lakers within the playoffs remaining season that Memphis selected no longer to take a look at to re-sign him as a unfastened agent. He is taking part in smartly in Houston, and the Rockets beat the Lakers previous within the season, however James has a particular edge of their particular person competition these days.

So why does Brooks proceed to poke the James endure? Lakers ahead Rui Hachimura has a theory. “He wants to be a part of his legacy, I guess,” Hachimura said after Sunday’s win. It’s no longer a loopy theory. When Brooks performed for the Grizzlies, he infamously mentioned they had been “building our dynasty,” which means he does give some idea to each his personal position in historical past and his workforce’s.

Hachimura does not suppose Brooks has relatively the similar impact on James. “For LeBron, it’s nothing,” Hachimura said. “It’s actually good for him, it gives him motivation.” 

In a one-point recreation like Sunday’s, any further bit of motivation could make all of the adaptation. James did simply sufficient to beat Brooks on Sunday. Would he had been in a position to summon such a efficiency towards a much less debatable opponent? Probably, however howdy, it by no means hurts to have a little further bulletin board subject material.