Dillon Brooks on LeBron James rematch – ‘Ready to lock him up’

Rockets forward Dillon Brooks, known for his bold antics during last season’s playoffs, isn’t backing down as he prepares to face LeBron James and the Lakers once again.

Brooks made headlines during the playoffs when, as a member of the Grizzlies, he challenged LeBron James, striking him in the groin in Game 3. His daring attitude continues as he looks forward to their rematch Wednesday in Houston.

“Ready to lock him up,” Brooks said Tuesday, according to the Houston Chronicle. “I’m just there to make him tired, make him get into that fourth quarter early.”

Despite his attempts to rattle the Lakers star in the playoffs, the Grizzlies were ultimately eliminated in six games. Brooks’ confrontational style led the Grizzlies to pass on re-signing him in free agency, allowing him to join the Rockets.

James has mostly avoided directly addressing Brooks’ comments, but his social media response to the Lakers’ victory over the Grizzlies spoke volumes.

“I feel like he (James) controls the media,” Brooks said Tuesday. “I just block it out and play basketball.”

Brooks, now with the Rockets, is averaging 16.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, while James, at 38, is averaging 25.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists for the Lakers.

“Full-courting him when he wants to bring it up,” Brooks said of his plan for guarding James. “If he’s guarding me I want to attack him. Just getting him into multiple actions.”

However, Brooks insists that the matchup is not just about him and James, stating, “It’s about us getting the win and keeping the win streak going.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.