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Dillon Brooks unhesitantly took shots at Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard following the Memphis Grizzlies' 131-110 home win over the Golden State Warriors. A reporter asked Brooks his thoughts on the Grizzlies needing veterans on the team in the wake of their recent off-court controversies.
Anthony and Howard are among the veteran free agents NBA teams can sign. However, Brooks doesn't consider them "real vets." He claimed they are only looking to find their way back into the league instead of carrying the responsibility of guiding a young team like Udonis Haslem does with the Miami Heat. Here's what Brooks said (via NBA Central on Twitter):
“Those guys are trying get back into the league. They're not trying to hone in on a guy and be a vet. A real vet is like Udonis Haslem.”
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Dillon Brooks has shown no remorse toward players from other teams previously. The trend continued with him calling out Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard, leaving NBA fans furious on online spaces. Many of them picked on Brooks for his arrogance, as one fan wrote on Twitter:
"does he have beef with like everyone? guy would have beef with a water bottle if he could."
More reactions followed:
Dillon Brooks and Memphis Grizzlies desperately need a veteran presence
Unlike what Dillon Brooks had to say about the Memphis Grizzlies lacking a veteran presence, the team desperately needs it. The Grizzlies are a young talented group, but not a single veteran in the locker room who has played for over 10 years. Steven Adams, at 29, is their oldest player, followed by Brooks, 27.
The team has achieved successful runs over the past three years, making the playoffs in 2021 and 2022. They are on course to make the postseason for the third consecutive year this season. Their ability on the court is up there with the best teams. However, the Grizzlies lack discipline off the court.
Their best player, Ja Morant, is currently serving a suspension for flashing a gun in an Instagram Live video. He has been caught up in two other controversies related to firearms over the last month. Meanwhile, some of the players have constantly displayed their arrogance through online platforms or interviews.
Dillon Brooks is at the forefront of it. His latest uncalled jab toward all-timers like Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard is a prime example. The Grizzlies have tremendous untapped potential, but they need a veteran on the team to help them grow and mature, which will help them focus solely on their on-court exploits.
Memphis has hit strides in putting themselves into championship contention, but without a veteran locker room leader, they could struggle to achieve their ultimate goal.
