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Dillon Brooks is still trash talking LeBron James ahead of Lakers-Rockets

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - APRIL 26: Dillon Brooks #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks at LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of Game Five of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at FedExForum on April 26, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - APRIL 26: Dillon Brooks #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks at LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of Game Five of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at FedExForum on April 26, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

One of the biggest storylines in the 2023 NBA Playoffs came from the first-round matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies. In that matchup, notorious trash-talker Dillon Brooks emptied his trash-talking clip on LeBron James and was made to look like a fool in the process.

LeBron didn’t just do whatever he wanted in that series against Brooks and the Grizzlies but Brooks himself played awful as well. It was so bad that Brooks became the fall guy with Memphis making it very clear right away that he had no place back on the team.

Brooks then signed a four-year deal with the Houston Rockets and his embarrassment on the biggest stage did not slow him down. He continued his trash-talking ways, which led him right into his first matchup against LeBron and the Lakers.

In classic Brooks fashion, he has not backed down. Brooks is yet again pretending like he is some kind of LeBron-stopper, now saying that he cannot wait to lock LeBron down on Wednesday night.

Dillon Brooks obviously did not learn his lesson from LeBron James and the Lakers

I mean, hats off to Brooks for continuing this facade after becoming the laughingstock of the league during the NBA Playoffs last year. Somehow he was still able to net an $80 million contract from the Houston Rockets and that has obviously given him enough confidence to poke LeBron yet again.

This is just an example of a role player trying to attach himself to a star player to gain more relevance throughout the league. Outside of basketball diehards and Grizzlies fans, not many people who knew Brooks even was prior to the NBA Playoffs last year. He got what he wanted and became a household name courtesy of LeBron torching him.

Ime Udoka has to be smarter than to let Brooks man up LeBron for the majority of this game. If Houston takes that approach then it is going to be a long night for the Rockets with LeBron methodically picking apart Brooks just like he did in the NBA Playoffs last season.

On the other end, Brooks just has to make a few baskets to be more impactful than he was in that playoff series. As long as he can shoot above 31% from the field it will be a win for the polarizing role player.