Speaking up after the 127-117 win over the Bulls on Thursday, Rockets big man Jock Landale had a message for his teammate Dillon Brooks, who was ejected from the game after 25 minutes of play.
"Dillon Brooks, if you're listening. This ain't Memphis, man. Stop getting yourself ejected," said Landale to Vanessa Richardson. "We need you out here. We need that physicality."
It marked the 7th straight win for the Rockets, which is tied for the longest streak in the NBA right now. At 11th in the West, tonight's win also helped keep the Rockets' postseason hopes alive as they now sit just 2.5 games back from the Golden State Warriors. The Rockets have been in this spot almost all season long and it's a vast improvement from last year due to the addition of veterans like Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks.
All things considered, Brooks is faring pretty well in his first season with the Rockets. He's averaging 12.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game with elite perimeter defense. Often cited as one of the NBA's best role-players, Brooks has fit like a glove in Houston but it's clear that his antics can be too much sometimes, even for his own teammates.
Tonight, his behavior could have cost his team the game but they were able to pull through at the last minute and secure the win by the final buzzer. In the process, however, it may have exposed just how frustrated some of his teammates are about his nonstop desire to strip up trouble.
What Happened Between Dillon Brooks And The Grizzlies?
Dillon Brooks joined the Rockets this summer on a multi-year deal but it wasn't by choice that he left his original team. For six years, Brooks was the heart and soul of the Grizzlies, serving as their enforcer and someone who set the tone for the team both on and off the court.
Brooks was best known for his legendary trash-talk, which he used even against all-time greats like LeBron James, but his game wasn't so bad either at times.
At his best, Dillon averaged 18.4 points per game for Memphis and helped them reach the heights of success in the Western Conference. Unfortunately, that success was short-lived.
As Ja Morant was getting in trouble for his Instagram Live videos, Brooks was sowing division in the locker room and becoming a distraction with his words to the media.
Justified or not, the Grizzlies blamed Brooks when they lost in the first round of the 2023 playoffs and when he was a free agent that summer they told him not to bother trying to come back.
To put it plainly, Dillon Brooks was exiled from the Grizzlies and was the primary scapegoat for their failed season. Looking back, that whole tenure was a massive disappointment for Brooks and it could be why he came into this season with a touch of humility.
Clearly, however, he hasn't lost all of his old habits and not every one of his teammates is appreciative of his methods. But whether you love him or hate him, Dillon is going to play the game on his own terms and he's not going to let anything, or anyone, get in the way.
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