News broke on Tuesday that the Grizzlies informed wing Dillon Brooks that he would not be brought back “under any circumstances” next season.
Brooks is an impending free agent this offseason, who made waves in the team’s first-round loss to the Lakers for attempting to instigate LeBron James in the media and on the court.
Former NBA player Stephen Jackson did not agree with Memphis’ handling of the situation involving Brooks and his free agency this summer.
“For me, I think it’s bulls---,” Jackson said on the I AM ATHLETE podcast. “Yeah [Brooks] has got a chip on his shoulder. Yeah he said some things. But he ain’t the first player to do that. Ron Artest did it. I did it. Draymond [Green] does it. I don’t understand, I guess he poked the wrong bear.” Jackson continued.
“The things” that Jackson is referring to specifically is Brooks calling James old and telling reporters that he doesn’t respect a player offensively until they score 40 points on him. James never scored 40 in the series, but was a guiding force in helping the Lakers advance in six games.
“I don’t agree with that s---. I don’t agree with them coming out and saying that s---. Baltimore did the same s— with Lamar Jackson … tried to come out and demean him so nobody else would sign him. I’ve been in those shoes when people try to demean your character and say these certain things about you that don’t understand that this guy just like playing the game a certain type of way. Is he the most talented player? No. But he competes. He’s in the NBA for a reason. Y’all signed him, y’all brought him there for a reason. But don’t demean him now because he said some things or he might’ve ruffled y’all’s feathers…” Jackson added.
It will be an interesting offseason for the Grizzlies organization, which faced its fair share of controversies amid spurts of really productive play. It will also be interesting to see where Brooks lands in free agency, as his defensive prowess will likely be sought after elsewhere next season.
