The 2023 NBA Playoffs have captivated basketball fans around the globe, with one Western Conference series in particular stealing the spotlight. The seventh-seeded Los Angeles Lakers are seeking to eliminate the second-seeded Memphis Grizzlies in the first round, and a rivalry between LeBron James and Dillon Brooks has taken center stage.
After the Grizzlies' Game 2 victory, Brooks appeared to provoke James by suggesting the Lakers superstar was "old" and stating he wouldn't respect anyone until they scored 40 points against him. Before Game 3, a video of a conversation between James and Brooks went viral, and an alleged professional lip reader on YouTube provided a translation of their exchange.
"Just to let you know, you cause too many problems. Your crazy [explicit] is doing nothing but fooling around. You know nothing. You ain't ready for me. Make some shots. Do your job," James told Brooks.
Brooks' series performance has been subpar, averaging 11.3 points and shooting 33.3% from the field and 22.2% beyond the arc. These statistics are a decline from his regular-season averages of 14.3 points, 39.6% field goal shooting, and 32.6% from beyond the arc. While the Lakers' defense has played a role in containing Brooks, he has struggled to make shots even without defenders in his face.
Meanwhile, James has continued to post impressive numbers, including a 20-point, 20-rebound, and 5-assist performance in Game 4, contributing to the Lakers' 3-1 lead. James leads the team in scoring (24) and rebounds (13) per game while playing 38.6 minutes.
As the Grizzlies face potential elimination, Game 5 at the FedEx Forum on Wednesday, April 26, will determine whether Memphis can extend their playoff run or if the Lakers will continue their late-season surge.
