Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies: 4 decisive keys to Game 3

Can Dillion Brooks’ antics distract The King?

Dillion Brooks has made his fair share of headlines this season. Most notably the war of words he had with Shannon Sharpe to the feud he had with Draymond Green which was highly publicized and painted Brooks as a bad guy and a troublemaker. Brooks’ bad-boy persona is actually good for the league.

There is nothing wrong with a little trash talk here and there but Brooks has taken it to a level where it’s comical, to say the least. It appears that Brooks has chosen his next target as he had some choice words for James during and after Game 2.

When asked did he think it was wise to taunt and talk trash to one of the better players in the league, Brooks responded by saying:

"“I don’t care. He’s old. You know what I mean? I was expecting him to do that in Game 4, Game 5. He wants to say something when I get my 4th foul. He shouldn’t have said anything early on but you know I poke bears. I don’t respect no one until they come and give me 40. I pride myself on, you know, what I do, defense and any challenge that’s on the board whether it’s LeBron, whether it’s AD, whoever. I play my heart out and he knows that.”"

What Brooks has just done could possibly raise the NBA television ratings as he has made Game 3 must-see TV as he has called out James. We all have seen what James can do in the playoffs whenever he is doubted and we all know he could drop 40 points if he really wanted to. As much fun as it would be to watch James pursuit of 40 points in Game 3, we can expect him to do what’s best for the team.

Even though this is indeed a pivotal game in the series, I just don’t see James overexerting himself just to prove a point. James has nothing to prove and has owned Brooks throughout his career anyway as he has averaged 25.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and eight assists in 11 games against him.

But who knows? Maybe Brooks’s strategy works and pays off. Can he really succeed at distracting James and talking him out of his game? He will need all the luck he can get as many have tried but most have failed. Brooks may have poked the bear but we shall see how he performs when that proverbial bear is provoked.