Remarkable skill behind the arc since the start of the season, Dillon Brooks will once again wear his big defender costume this Wednesday evening with the reception of the Lakers. He will thus find LeBron James. The two men hosted the first round of the 2023 playoffs.
In his always provocative style, the winger tried to “tickle the bear”, not hesitating to describe LeBron James as “old”. The Lakers All-Star responded on the court and Memphis was taken out.
Expressing no regret afterwards, while his behavior and his poor performances had irritated the Grizzlies, Dillon Brooks now wears the Houston jersey and his coach wants to see him in this anti-LeBron role.
“That’s a bit why we brought him here,” admits Ime Udoka for the Houston Chronicle. “To change the franchise, the mindset of this team. He’s one of the best outside defenders in the league, that’s obvious, and everyone sees it night after night: the efforts he makes, his attention to detail in his duels. This is all contagious. »
Trying to tire LeBron James
For his part, the main party did not want to rekindle the flame of the last playoffs. “The match is Rockets – Lakers, not him against me. We want to win to continue our winning streak”.
Nevertheless, his duel with LeBron James will logically be scrutinized. How will Dillon Brooks go about slowing down the Los Angeles star, who is averaging 25.3 points at 56% shooting success this season?
“We have to corner him. He shoots and plays very well. I will only try to tire him out, get him into the last quarter as soon as possible,” describes the Canadian. “Attack him all-court when he brings the ball up. As soon as he plays in the position, I go to contact. I jostle him when he moves. When he defends on me, I will attack him. I want him to have lots of things to do. »
| Dillon Brooks | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | SAME | 82 | 29 | 44.0 | 35.6 | 74.7 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 3.1 | 1.7 | 2.8 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 11.0 |
| 2018-19 | SAME | 18 | 18 | 40.2 | 37.5 | 73.3 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 7.5 |
| 2019-20 | SAME | 73 | 29 | 40.7 | 35.8 | 80.8 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 3.3 | 2.1 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 16.2 |
| 2020-21 | SAME | 67 | 30 | 41.9 | 34.4 | 81.5 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 2.9 | 2.3 | 3.5 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 17.2 |
| 2021-22 | SAME | 32 | 28 | 43.2 | 30.9 | 84.9 | 0.9 | 2.3 | 3.2 | 2.8 | 3.3 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 18.4 |
| 2022-23 | SAME | 73 | 30 | 39.6 | 32.6 | 77.9 | 0.6 | 2.7 | 3.3 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 14.3 |
| 2023-24 | HOU | 6 | 34 | 59.3 | 56.5 | 93.8 | 0.7 | 4.0 | 4.7 | 2.2 | 3.0 | 1.3 | 2.2 | 0.0 | 16.3 |
| Total | 350 | 29 | 41.8 | 34.5 | 79.7 | 0.7 | 2.4 | 3.1 | 2.1 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 14.6 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
