Dillon Brooks is stirring things up ahead of his first matchup against LeBron James since they feuded during the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs.
But James took a surprising stance on the former Grizzlies agitator — who signed a four-year, $86 million contract with the Rockets in the offseason — ahead of Wednesday’s Lakers-Rockets clash in Houston.
After Brooks told reporters Tuesday that he was “ready to lock [James] up,” James heaped praise on his playoff rival.
“Every player that is rewarded with a contract is rewarded for a reason, and they’re worthy of the contract they get” James told reporters during Wednesday’s shootaround. “I think in his case, he was worthy of the contract that he got. He’s put in the work since he came out of Oregon, and that’s what Houston found value in him and he’s here.”
After the Grizzlies won Game 2 over the Lakers in April to tie the series, Brooks, 27, called the 38-year-old James “old” and said, “I poke bears.”
Brooks then got ejected from the Lakers’ Game 3 win after hitting James below the belt, and Brooks later blamed the media for “making me a villain” by portraying the groin shot as intentional.
The Lakers went on to win the series, 4-2.
James says he has not thought about that series ahead of Wednesday’s game.
“Not too much,” James said. “Just the competition alone, it’s always great to go out to compete. He’s one of those guys who loves to compete, along with a lot of other guys in our league. But I don’t really dwell on the past too much.”
James is averaging 25.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and 5.9 assists through seven games as the Lakers have gone undefeated at home (3-0) and winless on the road (0-4.)
Brooks has put up 16.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists for the Rockets (3-3,) who have won three straight.
