Dillon Brooks Calls Out LeBron - Again - But the Numbers Tell a Different Story
Dillon Brooks isn’t exactly known for keeping things quiet when it comes to LeBron James. The 30-year-old Phoenix Suns forward stirred the pot once again this weekend, this time during a live Twitch stream with content creator N3on. When asked who he thought was the most overrated player in the NBA, Brooks didn’t flinch.
“I would probably say LeBron right now,” Brooks said. “I feel like he overrated right now, his time is coming to an end.”
That’s a bold take - and not just because it’s aimed at one of the greatest to ever lace them up. LeBron James, now 41 and in his 23rd NBA season, is the league’s all-time leading scorer, a four-time champion, and still very much a cornerstone of the Lakers’ identity.
But with Brooks, this isn’t a new storyline. It’s more like the next chapter in a long-running feud that’s moved from the hardwood to the headlines.
A Rivalry That Just Won’t Quit
The tension between Brooks and James has been simmering for a while. It really caught fire during the 2022-23 playoffs when Brooks, then with the Memphis Grizzlies, famously called LeBron “old” after Game 2 of their first-round matchup.
He added, “I poke bears. I don’t respect no one until they come and give me 40.”
That series didn’t go well for Memphis - or Brooks. The Lakers took it handily, and the Grizzlies' early exit was followed by Brooks’ departure from the team that summer.
After a two-year stint in Houston, Brooks landed in Phoenix as part of a blockbuster seven-team trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Rockets. And just like that, he was back in LeBron’s orbit.
Fast forward to December 14. Brooks drilled a go-ahead three with 12.2 seconds left, then went chest-to-chest with James - and got hit with his second technical of the night.
Ejected. The Lakers went on to win 116-114.
Three days later, Brooks doubled down, telling reporters, “He thinks people should think a certain way about him. I’m not going to play that way.”
The Numbers Speak Louder
Brooks is entitled to his opinion, no doubt. But calling LeBron “overrated” at this stage? That’s a tough sell when you look at the numbers.
Through 30 games this season, LeBron is averaging 21.9 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 50.2% from the field. That’s not just solid - that’s elite, especially for a player in his 40s.
For context, the average NBA player over 40 scores around 6.6 points per game. LeBron is tripling that output and doing it efficiently.
Brooks, to his credit, is having the best statistical season of his career. He’s averaging 21.1 points across 43 games for the Suns and has been on a tear lately, including a 27-point performance in a win over Cleveland on January 30 - his fourth straight game with 25 or more.
So yes, Brooks is backing up his talk with production. But when it comes to LeBron, the numbers aren’t showing any signs of decline. If anything, they’re reinforcing the idea that even at 41, he’s still one of the most impactful players in the league.
Next Round: February 26
Circle the date: February 26. That’s when the Lakers roll into Phoenix for what’s shaping up to be another heated showdown. Given the history, the recent trash talk, and the playoff implications starting to take shape, that game’s going to have some extra juice.
Don’t expect either guy to back down. Brooks thrives on this kind of edge.
LeBron? He’s made a career out of silencing doubters - with his play, not his words.
And if the past is any indication, when these two share the court, sparks usually follow.