Memphis Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks says being labeled a ‘VILLAIN’ contributed to his ejection

Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks has stated he believes the ‘villain’ perception around him played a part in his ejection in the Game 3 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday.

Brooks was ejected after he made contact with LeBron James’ groin and was called for a flagrant foul early on in the third quarter.

Following the game Brooks declined to comment on the incident, but after Sunday’s practice said he believes his reputation played a role in the ejection in a similar way to the fashion that James Harden’s did when he was called for a flagrant 2 after making contact with the groin of Brooklyn Nets forward Royce O’Neal.

‘The media making me a villain, the fans making me a villain and then that just creates a whole different persona on me,’ Brooks said. 

‘So now you think I intended to hit LeBron James in the nuts. I’m playing basketball. I’m a basketball player. So, if I intended — and that’s whatever is in the flagrant 2 category — if you think I did that, that means you think I’m that type of person.’ 

Dillon Brooks said he believes the ‘villain’ narrative around him played a role in his ejection

Brooks was ejected after making contact with LeBron James’ groin while reaching for the ball

Brooks also mentioned that he did not receive an explanation from officials as to why the play was ruled a flagrant 2 and he was ejected.

According to ESPN, league sources have already reviewed the foul and ruled that Brooks will not be suspended for the foul.

‘I knew I wasn’t going to be,’ Brooks said. ‘They can’t dictate this series like that. Marc probably had to call that cause of what happened [in Game 3] with James Harden, and that’s just unfair.

‘I get penalized, and I can’t help my team try to make a comeback in the second half.’ 

Grizzlies guard Ja Morant had also commented on the ejection and initially said he wouldn’t have been surprised if Brooks had been suspended.

‘With how they treat Dillon, I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if he is,’ Morant said.

‘I felt like he was ejected because of past ejections that was made in games before. I mean, if you look at the play, he was actually reaching for the ball and the crossover.

‘LeBron just went behind the back. Obviously, he got hit somewhere that’s tough for a man. But flagrant 1? OK, but ejection, I don’t agree with it at all.’

Brooks had spent the week antagonizing James but his rival came out on top on Saturday

The ejection against the Lakers marked the second postseason ejection of Brooks’ career, after he was also ejected during last season’s playoffs after a flagrant foul led to Warriors guard Gary Payton II being injured.

Brooks had also been banned for the next game following the ejection.

‘I’ve been dealing with this [for] two years now,’ Brooks said.

‘It is what it is. The fans can talk s***, whatever they want to. It doesn’t matter to me. I’m going to keep playing my game and get better and better each and every day and as long as my career goes.’