It is a day that ends with the letter “Y” which means once again, Memphis Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks did something indefensible.
Brooks, who was suspended for his cheap shot on Gary Payton II during the NBA’s postseason last year, has now managed to make himself an enemy of several franchises around the league.
Whether it is by disrespectfully dancing on an opposing team’s logo or just by prematurely calling his own team a dynasty before ever winning a title, he is no stranger to upsetting a crowd.
Although he is considered the heart and soul of the Grizzlies, he makes a lot of head-scratching decisions — including his shot selection. He made another one on Thursday when he clearly punched Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell in the groin.
No one in their right mind would consider this an excusable move — except for TNT’s Reggie Miller, who decided to stand up for the ugly action:
Spida and Dillon Brooks get CHIPPY 😳 pic.twitter.com/jGhYHa8VAS
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 3, 2023
Miller, who some consider one of the dirtiest players in NBA history, was on the call for the game alongside Kevin Harlan.
After watching the replay of Brooks’ suspension-worthy cheap shot, Miller somehow came to the conclusion that Mitchell was actually the aggressor in this scenario.
While he could have just echoed Harlan and said “boink” as well, the five-time All-Star instead inadvisably decided to get egg all over his face instead.
This was a particularly frustrating take from Miller considering that last year, he incorrectly suggested that New Orleans Pelicans wing Herb Jones had an intentionally dirty hit on Deandre Ayton. As I wrote at the time:
“Miller seemingly went out of his way to say Jones was malicious … People know Miller, and by proxy, many trust him. Not as many know Jones, so when they hear a Hall-of-Famer like Miller suggest Jones is a dirty player, that is damaging and unfair.”
Jones, unlike Brooks, has no history of that type of behavior and officials reviewed the call and did not come to the same conclusion.
Miller isn’t going to be able to shape public opinion on Brooks; most people have already reached the obvious consensus that his tendencies are suspect.
But fans were quick to note the absolute lunacy of Miller defending Brooks:
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Reggie Miller somehow watches 7 different replay angles and doesn’t realize Brooks went out of his way to nail Mitchell in the balls.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 3, 2023
I can not stop laughing at Reggie Miller siding with Brooks as we watch him sock Donovan Mitchell in the groin pic.twitter.com/2slP7ssbl6
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) February 3, 2023
Reggie miller might be the worst commentator in basketball pic.twitter.com/3WRCkzcW0N
— lol (@AntmanfIies) February 3, 2023
Reggie Miller’s somber “yeah” after the boink takes this to an incredible level lmao https://t.co/EMMzGwMan8
— Hanif Abdurraqib (@NifMuhammad) February 3, 2023
reggie miller stammering and trying to be serious as a dude gets punched in the nuts while kevin harlan yells BOINK is perfect tv no notes
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) February 3, 2023
Totally disagree with Reggie Miller. That looked intentional. A crotch shot is always going to start a fight, but add a groin injury on top of it? I’d have thrown the ball at him, too.
— Jason Lloyd (@ByJasonLloyd) February 3, 2023
Does anyone watching this game agree with Reggie Miller?
Brooks clearly knew what he was doing, from every angle I'm looking at.
— Justin Termine (@TermineRadio) February 3, 2023
eject dillon brooks and reggie miller
— russbengtson.eesh (@russbengtson) February 3, 2023
What is wrong with Reggie Miller? That was the most intentional shot to the batteries of all time.
— Steve Alexander (@docktora) February 3, 2023
Reggie Miller is an idiot. No chance this wasn't on purpose. pic.twitter.com/vPxv6XoonW
— Stratton Hickcox (@StrattonH) February 3, 2023
How tf does Reggie Miller not see what Brooks did lmao
— Tony Pesta (@Tony_Pesta) February 3, 2023
Reggie Miller is the only commentator in life who would say “mmmm we’re not sure if that Dillon Brooks nut shot was intentional”
bro WHAT?
— Trysta Krick🐺 (@Trysta_Krick) February 3, 2023
Reggie Miller is giving Dillon Brooks A LOT of grace. Brooks knew what he was doing.
— Hunter Patterson (@HuntPatterson_) February 3, 2023
Reggie Miller cannot be serious lmao
— Jordan Zirm (@JordanZirm) February 3, 2023
Don’t listen to Dipstick Reggie Miller who might literally be the dirtiest player in NBA history.
— Ced™ (@cedfunches) February 3, 2023
Reggie Miller thinks that was an accident and someone somewhere has a bridge for sale.
— Mark Schwab (@MarkSchwab) February 3, 2023
Reggie Miller claiming Dillon Brooks didn't know what he was doing when he threw his arm up as he was rolling into Donovan Mitchell is ridiculous.
— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) February 3, 2023
