[Saba Sports News] Before the recent Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets game, a humorous moment unfolded during pre-game warmups. Dillon Brooks, known for his ritual of staring down the opposing bench, was himself the subject of a stare from LeBron James. Interestingly, Brooks completely ignored James throughout this exchange.
Despite LeBron’s evident presence, Brooks seemed uninterested and continued with his pre-game routine. This wasn’t the only instance of such an interaction that night. LeBron later gave Brooks a similar stare after scoring against him in the first quarter. James had a strong start, scoring 14 points in the first half but slowed down later, finishing with 16 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, a steal, and a block, contributing to the Lakers’ 107-97 victory. Brooks ended the game with 10 points, 2 rebounds, and an assist.
The rivalry between LeBron and Brooks, although not very old, is notable. It escalated during a first-round playoff series between the Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies, marked by heated exchanges and Brooks’ derogatory remarks about LeBron. Despite Brooks’ provocations, the Lakers won the series, and LeBron had the final say.
In this season’s first meeting, Brooks reignited the rivalry, and the Rockets won convincingly. However, the Lakers triumphed in the subsequent two matches. The last scheduled game between these teams is on January 29, promising more intense competition.
Post-game, Brooks criticized the referees for their handling of an altercation involving LeBron and Rockets coach Ime Udoka, which led to Udoka’s ejection. Brooks attempted to deescalate the situation, a rare role reversal for him, known more for his confrontational style. This episode adds another layer to the evolving dynamics between Brooks, LeBron, and their respective teams.