Latest news with #DillonBrooks
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Naji Marshall names Dillon Brooks among select few ‘real dogs' of NBA
In a newly released podcast episode of The Young Man and the Three, Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall singled out Houston Rockets counterpart Dillon Brooks as being among a select few 'real dogs' in the current NBA. Known for strong defense, Marshall said there are a lot of 'fake dogs' in the league, at least for the moment. However, he did note a few outliers. Advertisement When asked about 'real dogs' that are worthy of a hat tip, Marshall replied (9:10): I go Jimmy Butler, Giannis (Antetokounmpo). I get Dre, Draymond Green. James Johnson... James Johnson's different. Like, it's a different animal. Not even going to say a dog. He's the hunted man versus the gorilla. That's James. He's the gorilla. There's two more. Dillon Brooks is a dog. I give it to him. And me. Beyond his strong defense, Brooks also connected on a career-best 39.2% of his 3-point attempts in the 2024-25 season — and he did so on career-high volume (6.3 attempts per game), as well. Best of all, those numbers had a strong link to winning, as Brooks played in 75 of 82 games (all starts) for a Houston squad that finished with the second-best record in the Western Conference (52-30). Marshall was then asked about smaller players in the league, such as New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado. 'I can't forget about Jose,' Marshall replied. 'Jose is a dog. Jose's one, for sure.' Advertisement The complete episode can be listened to below. The conversation features extended back-and-forth analysis between Marshall and Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III, who Marshall previously played alongside and remains close friends with. Marshall knows a thing or two about hard work, having built a solid NBA career in the aftermath of going undrafted in 2020. In his recently completed fifth season, Marshall averaged a career-best 13.2 points (50.8% FG), 4.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 steals. He played in 69 games for the Mavericks and started 31 times, which led to a career-high 27.8 minutes per game. More: 'Sometimes you, sometimes me, and always us': Dillon Brooks on Houston's mindset This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Naji Marshall names Dillon Brooks among select few 'real dogs' of NBA
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jock Landale on Dillon Brooks' impact in Houston: ‘One of the best teammates I've ever had'
At 39.7% from 3-point range on 6.3 attempts per game, veteran Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks had a elite shooting season in 2024-25. Both figures were the best of any season in his eight-year NBA career. 'He had a career year this year that nobody talks about, because we had so much other stuff going on, positively,' Rockets teammate Jock Landale said on a newly released episode of the Ausmerican Aces NBA Show. Advertisement Of course, Brooks was also a big contributor to that 'other stuff.' As a hard-nosed, tough defender, Brooks was one of the key cogs in a Houston defense that ranked top five all season. That propelled the Rockets from a 41-41 finish in 2023-24 (No. 11 in the Western Conference) to a 52-30 record in 2024-25 (No. 2 in the West). In comments on the podcast, Landale praised Brooks for his approach: I don't say this lightly: He's one of the best teammates I've ever had in my life. Great guy. Prepares himself for war every single night. He just doesn't care who he ticks off. There would be games where I'd say to him, 'DB, you're so much better when you lock in on the game and don't worry about all the rah rah.' And he'll just be like, 'There's a method to the madness. Just wait, just watch.' He's completely psychotic, but it works, and he's an integral part of the team. We all feel the intensity drop off when he's not around. That's super real. He's an enforcer, a tone setter for us. With our young group, they probably needed that a little bit. Brooks is under contract with the Rockets for two more seasons at just over $20 million annually. Landale also has two years left on his deal at $8 million annually, though both are non-guaranteed. Both men are now 29 years old, with each having joined the Rockets during a transformative 2023 offseason that also featured the signings of Fred VanVleet at point guard and Ime Udoka as head coach. Since then, the Rockets have gone from last place in the West to a force, and the cultural impact from those newcomers has played a vital role in that success. Advertisement More: Naji Marshall names Dillon Brooks among select few 'real dogs' of NBA This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Jock Landale on Dillon Brooks: 'One of the best teammates I've ever had'
USA Today
19-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Naji Marshall names Dillon Brooks among select few ‘real dogs' of NBA
Naji Marshall names Dillon Brooks among select few 'real dogs' of NBA 'Dillon Brooks is a dog,' Dallas forward Naji Marshall says of his veteran counterpart in Houston. 'I give it to him. There are a lot of fake dogs.' In a newly released podcast episode of The Young Man and the Three, Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall singled out Houston Rockets counterpart Dillon Brooks as being among a select few 'real dogs' in the current NBA. Known for strong defense, Marshall said there are a lot of 'fake dogs' in the league, at least for the moment. However, he did note a few outliers. When asked about 'real dogs' that are worthy of a hat tip, Marshall replied (9:10): I go Jimmy Butler, Giannis (Antetokounmpo). I get Dre, Draymond Green. James Johnson... James Johnson's different. Like, it's a different animal. Not even going to say a dog. He's the hunted man versus the gorilla. That's James. He's the gorilla. There's two more. Dillon Brooks is a dog. I give it to him. And me. Beyond his strong defense, Brooks also connected on a career-best 39.2% of his 3-point attempts in the 2024-25 season — and he did so on career-high volume (6.3 attempts per game), as well. Best of all, those numbers had a strong link to winning, as Brooks played in 75 of 82 games (all starts) for a Houston squad that finished with the second-best record in the Western Conference (52-30). Marshall was then asked about smaller players in the league, such as New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado. 'I can't forget about Jose,' Marshall replied. 'Jose is a dog. Jose's one, for sure.' The complete episode can be listened to below. The conversation features extended back-and-forth analysis between Marshall and Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III, who Marshall previously played alongside and remains close friends with. Marshall knows a thing or two about hard work, having built a solid NBA career in the aftermath of going undrafted in 2020. In his recently completed fifth season, Marshall averaged a career-best 13.2 points (50.8% FG), 4.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 steals. He played in 69 games for the Mavericks and started 31 times, which led to a career-high 27.8 minutes per game. More: 'Sometimes you, sometimes me, and always us': Dillon Brooks on Houston's mindset
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Golden State Warriors Nearly Traded Draymond Green For An Unbelievable Package
Draymond Green has been a featured face of the Golden State Warriors for years, but the latest intel out of San Francisco has revealed that the 4x champion was nearly traded to the Grizzlies for an unexpected return. Reportedly, the Warriors were in the final stages of giving up Draymond in a swap for Steven Adams, Dillon Brooks, and Tyus Jones. "There was a deal in place [in Summer 2023] to send Draymond to Memphis… In that trade, Steven Adams would have come back to Golden State along with Dillon Brooks and Tyus Jones," said Logan Murdock on the Zach Lowe Show. "The reason why that deal fell through is because Tyus Jones got re-routed to Washington [in the Porzingis-Marcus Smart trade]." Advertisement The offseason has officially begun for the Warriors after a second-round defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves. With Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry, they'll be looking to add to their supporting cast this summer, but options are limited on the trade front. Recently, some Warriors fans have even been calling for a Draymond Green trade. And while Dray is not currently on the market, the Warriors have already tried to get rid of him in the past. The reported trade negotiations with the Grizzlies happened only two years ago, in the summer of 2023. Fresh off an elimination to the Lakers in the Conference Semifinals, the Warriors knew they needed to mix things up to stay competitive in the final stretch of Stephen Curry's career. After winning four championships and a Defensive Player of the Year, Golden State did not want to trade Draymond but something had to give for a team with one of the highest payrolls in the NBA. Of course, nobody would have expected the Warriors to deal with one of their biggest rivals at the time. Just a year prior, the Warriors and Grizzlies met in a brutal second-round series, and things got downright personal between Draymond, Dillon Brooks, and the other Grizzlies players. Advertisement Whatever the Warriors saw in that series, it was enough to convince them that they'd be better off with Dillon Brooks, Tyus Jones, and Steven Adams over Draymond Green. While Brooks brings the defense and toughness that Green provides, he's not nearly the same kind of playmaker, and he doesn't have any built-up chemistry with Steph. The same could be said for Steven Adams. As much as his size and strength would help the Warriors' frontcourt, he's not nearly as versatile as Draymond, who can play and defend all five positions on the court. Today, with Brooks on the Rockets and Tyus Jones on the Suns, it's already too late for the Warriors to revisit that trade, but they're probably better off with Draymond anyway. While he continues to blur the lines with what's appropriate on the court, his game is undeniable with averages of 9.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game on 42.4% shooting. He has set the tone on defense, allowing the Warriors to finish 7th in the West with a 48-34 record. At 35 years old, Draymond is approaching the end of his storied career, but he firmly believes that the Warriors can win at least one more championship with him, Steph Curry, and Jimmy Butler leading the way. Related: 9 Best Centers Golden State Warriors Could Realistically Acquire: One Blockbuster Trade Could Shock NBA World
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jimmy Butler says 'I don't like Dillon Brooks' after trash talk ignites Warriors' win over Rockets
When Jimmy Butler hit the ground in Game 2 of the Warriors' first-round series against the Rockets, it didn't look like he'd be back on the court any time soon. So when Golden State cleared him to return from his pelvic contusion for Game 4 on Monday, it seemed very reasonable to question just how much the six-time All-Star could contribute in the heat of a nasty, physical series against a Houston team that would be fighting tooth and nail to avoid falling into a 3-1 hole. 'A lot of pain,' Butler said of the days following his Game 2 fall, which included round-the-clock treatment to try to get him back on the floor. 'And then I woke up today, and I was good enough.' For most of the early going, it didn't look like it. Butler had just four points on three field goal attempts, two rebounds, two assists and a block in the first half, with Golden State getting outscored by seven points in his 18 minutes — a dramatic departure from the franchise-shifting all-around impact he has made since arriving in the Bay back in February. Sometimes, though, all it takes to light a fire is one little spark. Like, say, some spirited trash talk from one of the NBA's preeminent antagonists. After Butler and Rockets forward Dillon Brooks exchanged, um, unpleasantries during a pair of Tari Eason free throws, Butler made the verbal physical, delivering a hard foul from behind on Brooks to prevent a breakaway dunk. (Given how many official reviews we saw during the second quarter, it seemed surprising that the refs didn't head to the monitors on that one.) Brooks missed both free throws, but another Golden State giveaway and fast-break dunk sent Houston into halftime up seven … and sent Butler into the locker room with a bit more gas in his tank. 'People start talking to you,' Butler told reporters after the game. 'Then good things happen.' Like, say, scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter, hitting the game-icing free throws and skying to grab the rebound that sealed a massive Game 4 win. Butler's first shot of the second half was a midrange pull-up bank shot over Brooks. It cashed, part of an 18-1 run to start the second half that got him and the Warriors off to the races. 'I mean, I like it,' Butler said after the game. 'I think we all like when people start chirping. It's been this way this entire series. I don't think it's going to change.' Don't get it twisted, though: Just because Butler's comfortable with some verbal jousting, that doesn't mean he's got any reservoir of fond feelings for his counterpart. Well, not for this particular counterpart, at least. Jimmy Butler said he got going because 'people' started talking. Is 'people' Dillon Brooks?'Yep.''I don't like Dillon Brooks. He's a fierce competitor. I'm a fierce competitor. But ain't nothing fun about that.' — Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 29, 2025 "No, we're not having fun," Butler said. "Get me on the record with this: I don't like Dillon Brooks. We're never having fun. I'm a fierce competitor. He's a fierce competitor. There ain't nothing fun about that." The heightened competition led Butler to raise his level, scoring or assisting on 32 of the Warriors' 59 second-half points. "I think what was most important, when the time was right, everybody on our side looked to get him the ball,' Warriors star Draymond Green told reporters. 'When you [got] him the ball, he made great things happen for himself or for others. It was huge.' That included the final seven, with Butler beating Brooks at half-court in transition, driving into the paint and finishing through contact from Jabari Smith Jr. … JIMMY BUCKETS. — Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 29, 2025 … before drawing a three-shot foul on Brooks with 58.1 seconds to go in a tie game: Jimmy Butler in clear pain after this 3-point attempt and foul 😳 — TrendingSportsPodcast (@TrendingSportsP) April 29, 2025 Butler made all three freebies, putting Golden State on top in the final minute. And with the Rockets down one and the game in the balance, after Green forced an Alperen Șengün miss, it was Butler who soared in from the corner to make sure that a Houston team that has dominated the offensive glass in this series wouldn't get one more look. THIS JIMMY BUTLER III REBOUND AFTER DRAYMOND'S STOP 🤯An elite hustle play from the Warriors star 😤 — NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2025 'I told Dray, 'If you get a stop, I will get the rebound,'' Butler said. 'He got the stop, and I got the rebound.' After grabbing the board, taking the foul, hitting two more free throws and watching Fred VanVleet's last-gasp look at a would-be game-tying 3-pointer come up short, Butler finished with 27 points on 7-for-12 shooting, six assists, five rebounds and a block in 40 minutes. It was the second playoff game of his career with at least 25 points, five rebounds and five assists without a turnover; only 10 players in NBA/ABA history have more. 'The first three quarters, he couldn't move,' Green told reporters after the game. 'Not sure how he started moving in the fourth quarter.' Well, spite can be a hell of a motivator. So, too, can the chance to take a 3-1 lead in a best-of-seven set — a position that, across NBA history, has led to a series victory 95.5% of the time. Golden State now has three chances to close the Rockets out, starting with Game 5 on Wednesday in Houston. The sooner they can take care of business, the more R&R Butler will get before a Western Conference semifinals matchup with either the Timberwolves or Lakers — and, Monday's second-half heroics aside, it sounds like he could use it. 'I'm not going to say that I'm not hurting,' Butler said. 'It's a good pain whenever it's all toward winning. I feel like they got me here to help do something special. If I'm out there on the floor, I'm expected to produce and help win.' That's exactly what he's done since arriving in mid-February: The Warriors are now 25-8 when Butler plays, and 25-6 — a 66-win pace — when Butler, Green and Stephen Curry are all in the lineup. One more win sends them to the second round — and sends Brooks, and the rest of the Rockets, on an early summer vacation. 'Fun is winning,' Butler said. 'Fun is competing. And it's gonna be fun whenever we get four.'
