Dillon Brooks recently signed with the Houston Rockets, agreeing to a five-year $86,000,001 deal with the Texas-based franchise. However, there was a point early in the offseason when many believed Brooks’ time in the NBA was over, after the Memphis Grizzlies made it clear that they had no intention of bringing him back. However, the basketball gods seem to be smiling at the 27-year-old, as he recently shut down some “haters” during a Pro-Am Summer League game in Toronto, just weeks after signing the Rockets deal.
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Following the end of the 2022-2023 season, reports emerged that the Grizzlies had made their thoughts on re-signing Brooks clear. They had no plans of bringing him back “under any circumstances”. An understandable decision, especially after Brooks’ decision to trash-talk LeBron James in the playoffs backfired. However, it looks like the 6’6 small forward has put that behind him and has channeled his energy into his offseason games.
Dillon Brooks drops 28 points in Pro-Am game shutting down ‘haters’
Returning to the team that originally drafted him, Brooks signed a five-year deal worth $86,000,001 with Houston. But even after that, the criticism continued. Many in the league, including a few respected analysts, believed that the signing of Brooks was a blunder on the Rockets’ part.
However, the feisty forward has let his game do the talking. Appearing in a Pro-Am Summer League game in Toronto, the former Grizzlies player shut down some “overrated” chants with a great performance. Dropping 28 points en route to a win, Brooks pretty much showed doubters exactly what the Rockets paid for.
A superb response to all of his haters, and perhaps a good little workout before he represents Team Canada in the upcoming FIBA World Cup.
The Memphis Grizzlies were looking to move on from Brooks for the last two years
Contrary to popular belief, the Memphis Grizzlies probably let Dillon Brooks go for reasons not related to cultural issues. Many were under the impression that the team culture the Grizzlies were building didn’t match with Brooks’ personality. However, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Memphis was looking to move on from him for the past two seasons.
Why, you might ask. Well, MacMahon believed it had a lot to do with issues Brooks had with shot selection. Issues that often led to the team’s demise in big games.
It certainly is a viable theory. But, either way, things seem to have worked out well for both parties at the end of the day. The Grizzlies have successfully moved on, bringing in a player many would consider an upgrade, in Marcus Smart. And Brooks gets a fresh start in The Lone Star State.
