Dillon Brooks has once again poured fuel on his long running rivalry with LeBron James, openly saying that while he respected and feared James in his prime, he no longer feels the same way today.
Speaking during a Twitch stream with Agent 00, the Phoenix Suns forward drew a sharp contrast between the LeBron James of the past and the one he faces now.
“If it was LeBron five years ago, then it’d be different… Miami Bron, you’re not really talking trash to him, ’cause he’s got more game to him, more agile. Right now, he’s like old,” Brooks said.
The comment immediately revived a personal rivalry that has followed both players across teams and seasons. Brooks‘ willingness to challenge the NBA’s biggest name has long defined his reputation, and his relationship with LeBron James has been among the league’s most combustible.
Their animosity dates back to the 2023 NBA Playoffs, when Brooks was with the Memphis Grizzlies. During a first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooks publicly questioned James‘ standing, declaring he would not respect him until he proved it on the court.
The tension boiled over in Game 3, when Brooks was ejected after committing a flagrant foul below the belt on James early in the contest. The Lakers went on to win the series, but the friction never faded.
On-court clashes keep the rivalry alive
That edge resurfaced this season after Brooks joined Phoenix. When the Suns and Lakers met on December 14, the game turned physical almost immediately. Late in the second quarter, James bumped Brooks to the floor, a collision that set the tone for a heated finish.
Brooks responded when it mattered most, knocking down a go-ahead three-pointer with roughly 12 seconds remaining. Moments later, he stepped chest to chest with James, drawing a second technical foul and another ejection.
Despite Brooks‘ late heroics, James had the final word, calmly sinking two free throws to secure a 116-114 road win for Los Angeles.
The Suns got their response days later, as Brooks delivered 25 points as Phoenix dominated the Lakers 132-108 at home, giving him a chance to back up his bravado with a decisive performance.
