The Lakers-Grizzlies quarterfinal series has been tied up at one game apiece, with Memphis securing a 103-93 win in Game 2. The game was quite chippy, with LeBron James and Dillon Brooks engaging in some verbal sparring throughout the game. Post-game, Brooks made a derogatory comment calling the four-time league MVP “old.”
"When you chirp like Dillon Brooks chirped last night, you gotta bust his ass."
🍿 @stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/DVHcGILJxC
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 20, 2023
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith had some choice words regarding Brooks’ comments, saying that LeBron James needs to retaliate in the upcoming games. Smith stated during a recent episode of First Take, “When you chirp like Dillon Brooks chirped last night, you gotta bust his a**… I’m saying you can be LeBron doing what you normally do to win while busting his you know what in the process.”
The two players have a history of trash talk and banter throughout the years, with Smith believing that now is the time for the 19-time All-Star to put the Grizzlies’ wing in his place. Smith’s recommendation for LeBron is to make a statement and remind Brooks who he is, rather than winning the series in games 4, 5, 6, or 7.
Smith also added that he is not suggesting that LeBron ignore the team’s strategy or just jack up shots. Instead, he believes that LeBron can still play his normal game while taking Brooks down a notch. With two games in Los Angeles, this could be the perfect opportunity for LeBron to do just that and establish dominance on the court.
The series between the Lakers and Grizzlies has already been intense, and Brooks’ comments have added even more fuel to the fire. Fans will undoubtedly be waiting to see how LeBron responds to Brooks’ trash talk in the next few games.
LeBron James Pressured to Deliver Statement Game after Dillon Brooks’ Provocation
Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ Game 2 defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies, the spotlight has been focused on the struggles of superstar duo LeBron James and Anthony Davis. However, it was Grizzlies player Dillon Brooks who made headlines with his provocative comments towards James. Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith urged James to respond with a dominant performance in Game 3, calling on him to fire back at Brooks personally.
Despite Davis’ subpar performance, Brooks’ taunts have dominated the media coverage, going viral on social media platforms. As the Lakers prepare to face the Grizzlies in Game 3, James faces mounting pressure to prove his leadership and silence his critics. The stakes are high, and the world is watching, as James takes to the court.
With the Lakers’ playoff hopes on the line, James must deliver a statement game in response to Brooks’ challenge. Will the veteran superstar rise to the occasion and lead his team to victory, or will he falter under the pressure? The answer will be revealed in the coming days, as the Lakers and the Grizzlies battle it out on the court.
