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Dillon Brooks of the Memphis Grizzlies turned himself in the most hated villain in the NBA this season. It kind of paid off because he received the most hate comments among players in the last two months, with Ja Morant coming in second and LeBron James in third.
According to data by BetOnline.ag (h/t NBA Central), Brooks had the most negative sentiment online with 78,805. His Grizzlies teammate, who also talked a lot during the regular season, had 62,422.
"The King" was third with 48,838 and it's not surprising considering he's the most polarizing player in NBA history. Draymond Green came in fourth with 39,201, while Ben Simmons rounds out the top five at 19,210.
Other players in the top 10 were Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic. It's perhaps surprising to find Steph Curry on the list at No. 13 since he's among the arguably nicer players in the NBA.
Memphis Grizzlies won't bring back Dillon Brooks next season
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported on Wednesday that the Memphis Grizzlies won't bring back Dillon Brooks, who will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
It wasn't surprising that the Grizzlies chose to move on from Brooks, but it was shocking to learn ahead of free agency. Both sides have until June 30 to negotiate a new contract, but it seems like they are ready for a fresh start.
Brooks' agent, Mike George, responded to Charania's report and called him a liar and a weirdo. Multiple personalities like JJ Redick, Stephen Jackson and Shannon Sharpe have defended Brooks and called out the Grizzlies for making him the scapegoat.
Miami Heat interested in Dillon Brooks?
It feels like Dillon Brooks' antics and his shooting struggles last season will likely affect his next contract. However, Brooks remains one of the top perimeter defenders in the NBA and a few teams are expected to take a look at him this summer.
NBA insider Chris Mannix even floated the idea that the Miami Heat could pursue Brooks in free agency. Mannix explained on 'The Bill Simmons Podcast' that Brooks fits the Heat's need for perimeter defending.
He said:
"Every time you see kind of Duncan Robinson running around there defensively or Tyler Herro before him, you know they could use a defensive-minded wing," Mannix said. "And I could see him finding his way down there and the Heat being aggressive and trying to get a guy at a relatively bargain basement price. That, to me, that feels like a frontrunner right now." (h/t Heat Nation)
