The Memphis Grizzlies-Los Angeles Lakers series has been very entertaining. Primarily due to the great basketball, but that aside the rivalries have been intense. Especially the one between LeBron James and Dillon Brooks.
Both men have been going at it since Game 1. And, following Game 2 things got even more heated after Brooks decided to disrespect The King. He claimed that he doesn’t disrespect anyone who doesn’t score at least 40 points on him. Comments that sent the NBA world into an uproar.
Well, in Game 4, LeBron didn’t quite get to 40 points. But, he did manage to end the night with a 22-point, 20-rebound, and seven-assist stat line. And, according to Shaquille O’Neal a 20 and 20 night is as good as a 40-point game, clearly sending a message to the Memphis Grizzlies guard.
Shaquille O’Neal claps back at Dillon Brooks after a 20 and 20 night from LeBron James
The Los Angeles Lakers prevailed tonight with a 117-111 overtime victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. The win gives them a 3-1 lead as they head back to Tenessee and attempt to seal the series. However, things may have ended differently if it weren’t for LeBron James.
King James was firing on all cylinders in Game 4. He scored 20 points and grabbed 20 points in what was an incredible night for him. But, it’s still a far cry from what Dillon Brooks demanded of him. After all, the Grizzlies guard made headlines after he claimed he has no respect for anyone who can’t score 40.
Luckily for LeBron, while he does not need the help, his good friend Shaquille O’Neal clapped back on his behalf. Following his 20 and 20 night, Shaq stated on Inside the NBA that Brooks will have no choice but to respect The King now. Why? Because in his books, 20 plus 20 is 40.
While mathematically correct, 20 points and 20 boards don’t exactly add up to 40 points. But, Shaq’s point has been made, and regardless of whether or not he scores 40, LeBron is a player Dillon Brooks needs to respect.
LeBron made his feelings about Dillon Brooks known in Game 3
Game 4 certainly put the Lakers in the driving seat, but Game 3 was a fight for control. And, it was here that “lip-readers” saw the first interaction between LeBron James and Dillon Brooks since the latter’s disrespectful comments. Well, according to the experts King James went in on Dillon during the pre-match shootaround.
Granted, there is no way of knowing if that’s the truth. But, at the end of the day, it looks like this rivalry will continue to rage for at least until Game 5. And, fans around the world are here to see it.
