Just four-and-a-half minutes into his first game with the Rockets, Dillon Brooks provided a reminder of his occasional tendency to take his defensive tenacity a step too far, writes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle (subscription required). Brooks was ejected from Houston’s preseason opener with 7:27 left in the first quarter after officials determined he struck Pacers center Daniel Theis in the groin.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Brooks – who signed a four-year, $86MM deal with the Rockets in July – suggested his reputation was a factor in the quick hook he received on Tuesday.
“I tried to navigate a screen,” he said. “I might have tapped him below waist. But he got right back up. I don’t know. It’s weird that every time it happens to me, I get picked on. I guess it’s part of reputation.”
Asked if there’s a target on his back due to his past actions, Brooks didn’t dispute the idea.
“I don’t know. What’s my name?” he said, per Feigen. “The name is ‘Dillon the villain,’ so I guess.”
Here’s more from around the Southwest:
- Asked about his goals for the 2023/24 season, Rockets guard Jalen Green provided a simple response, according to Feigen (subscription required): “Winning. Winning. Winning. … Winning is very important in the NBA. I haven’t done any of that. It’s time for that to change.”
- Following a promising offseason in which he invested heavily in his personal training staff, forward Zion Williamson and the Pelicans‘ new-look offense looked good in Tuesday’s opener, writes Christian Clark of NOLA.com. Williamson had 12 points, five rebounds, and five assists in just 15 minutes of action. “You can condition,” head coach Willie Green said. “You can lift. You can do a ton of cardio. But the best basketball shape is to play basketball.”
- Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins offered a minor update on Tuesday on injured guard Marcus Smart, who has missed the team’s first two preseason games due to ab soreness. “It’s day-to-day. It’s kind of light core work right now,” Jenkins said (Twitter link via Michael Wallace of Grizzlies.com). “Just being smart, anticipate a little bit more ramp up as week goes on.”
- In a conversation with Kelly Iko of The Athletic, Spurs wing Keldon Johnson spoke about his desire to become a better defender, what his role will look like in 2023/24, and his first impressions of Victor Wembanyama.
- In case you missed it, you can vote on the 2023/24 win totals for all five Southwest teams right here.
“It’s weird that every time it happens to me, I get picked on,” says the guy who got ejected multiple times for the exact same offense last season, including in the playoffs. And is known for fouling rather than getting a switch, to the point of getting called out by fellow players.
Dillon does it deliberately. It’s his way of saying don’t pick me or you will pay. It’s so obvious. He will pay the price for it.
Green is ready to bust out this yr. Winning is coming, hang in there.
Wemby head buts, flexes at Chet ……
Yet loses head to head stats. And the game.
Chet plays 16 mins. Wemby plays 19 mins.
Chet ain’t no Yokic or Embiid ……
link to youtu.be
Wasn’t sure exactly what wemby was flexing or why, both look like they are moving in slow motion. Both will get destroyed by the joker and jojo.
They have a history with one another that’s why. It’s not that hard to understand.
Maybe try playing defense with your hands up.
– Mark Jackson
Chet has got some attitude. I like that. But he really needs girth and strength. Really needs about 40-50 LBs.
Zion is listed on Basketball reference.
At 284 LBs …… if this is true. He won’t last the yr again. 245-250 should never be over that. I don’t see him having a career. He doesn’t care enough to watch his weight. The Saints can use a DE ……