The apparent rivalry between Dillon Brooks and all-time NBA great LeBron James is once again in the spotlight as the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Rockets in Houston on Wednesday.
When Brooks spoke to the media after Tuesday’s practice, he downplayed the personal factors and focused primarily on team goals. Houston (3-3) enters on a three-game winning streak, and the Rockets are just one win away from being above .500 for the first time since the start of the 2020-21 season.
James spoke during the Lakers’ game-day shootaround at Toyota Center on Wednesday. Overall, he was quite positive about the four-year contract Brooks received this offseason, which will total more than $80 million. Here’s what James had to say:
Every player gets a contract for a reason. They deserve the contract they got. As far as he’s concerned, he deserves this contract. He’s put in the work since he left Oregon State, and that’s how Houston found his value…and here he is.
LeBron James praised Dillon Brooks’ competitive nature in Houston’s shooting game and said he earned his contract from the Rockets following the Grizzlies’ playoff series against the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/BHrDGdBybz
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 8, 2023
Later in the shooting interview, James said he didn’t think too much about the past history and baggage between the two.
“Not too much,” he said. “I think just competing. It’s always great to go out and compete … (and) he’s one of those guys that loves to compete. “I’m not going to dwell on the past too much. “
The game between the Lakers and Rockets will be at 7:00 PM Central Time.
Story originally appeared on Rockets Wire