Houston Rockets small forward Dillon Brooks has claimed the Memphis Grizzlies made him the scapegoat after the team got eliminated from the playoffs last season, while also saying he doesn’t mind being labelled a villain, according to SI.
Brooks left Memphis in free agency after the team after the team publicly announced they did not want him to return ‘under any circumstances,’ which led NBA analyst Kenderick Perkins to blast the Grizzlies for the team’s ‘very disturbing’ handling of the situation.
Brooks beefed with several players during the Grizzlies playoff run most notably LeBron James
‘What I didn’t like about Memphis was they allowed that so they can get out of the woodwork, and then I’m the scapegoat of it all,’ said Brooks.
‘That’s what I didn’t appreciate. And then ultimately they’ll come to me on the low, as men, one on one and tell me something, but then not defend me when everything went down.’
During the playoff run with the Grizzlies, Brooks a reputation as one of the league’s most hard-nosed defenders and as one of the NBA’s most antagonizing villains due to spats with LeBron James, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson.
Rockets small forward Dillon Brooks accused the Memphis Grizzlies of scapegoating him
After last season ended Memphis said they didn’t want Brooks back ‘under any circumstances’
Brooks joined the Rockets on a four-year $80million contract this offseason following his departure from the Grizzlies.
Although he does not necessarily want the villain label, Brooks also stated he doesn’t he doesn’t mind it.
‘Everyone wants to hate on something,’ says Brooks. ‘We didn’t have our whole squad, and they did.
‘People forgot about that. Just threw it on me. The bad guy? Villain Brooks? He doesn’t want the label. But he’ll wear it. ‘Everyone can’t be the hero. I’d rather be what was chosen for me.’
Brooks has put up similar numbers to his final season in Memphis during his first nine games as a Rocket.
The 27-year-old is currently averaging 13.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and two assists per game.
Last season with the Grizzlies Brooks averaged 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assist.
