As if Dillon Brooks doesn’t say enough when the Memphis Grizzlies face the Golden State Warriors, his latest remarks towards the reigning champions have re-ignited the teams’ feud almost out of nowhere.
ESPN’s Tim Keown delivered an in-depth piece on the 27-year-old on Friday, divulging a range of topics including his wannabe rivalry with the Warriors and particularly four-time champion Draymond Green.
Dillon Brooks’ latest barb at Draymond Green and the Golden State Warriors was revealed at an incredibly poor time for the Memphis Grizzlies.
In the interview Brooks claimed that Green was a product of the Golden State system. It’s not the first time someone has referenced that, with critics often using it as a way to diminish the legacy the former Defensive Player of the Year has built over his distinguished career.
"“I don’t like Draymond at all. I just don’t like Golden State. I don’t like anything to do with them. Draymond talks a lot. Gets away with a lot, too. His game is cool — with Golden State — but if you put him anywhere else, you’re not going to know who Draymond is”, Brooks said."
If Brooks, in hindsight, could choose a day his comments would be published, then it certainly wouldn’t have been Friday. Memphis are facing one of the worst 24-48 hour periods a franchise has seen this season, leaving them in limbo despite holding down second in the Western Conference.
From an on-court result perspective, they lost 113-97 to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night. Brooks received his 16th technical foul during the fourth-quarter of the contest, meaning he’ll serve a one-game suspension against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
Whatever you think of Brooks and the Grizzlies, news of Brandon Clarke’s season-ending torn Achilles is genuinely sad and disappointing for any NBA fan. It’s a big loss for Memphis given the 26-year-old was providing them 20 minutes and ten points per game.
Then you have the vision that rocked the league — Ja Morant posing on his instagram live shirtless in a nightclub with gun in hand. The star point-guard has been suspended for at least two games, but we certainly haven’t heard the end of that incident.
Brooks can throw shade at opposition players and teams all he likes, but at some point he may need to turn around and look at what’s going on with his own team. Memphis’ transformation from exciting young team to genuine NBA villain is nearing completion, and yet they have nothing but a second-round playoff exit to show for it.