LeBron James deflects inquiries about Dillon Brooks’ taunting: “I’m not interested in the nonsense.”

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James dodged questions about Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks’ comments before Game 3 of the first-round series, cutting off his media presence with a simple message: “I’m not here for the bulls***.” ”

The 38-year-old Lakers star, whom Brooks called “old” after the Grizzlies won Game 2, spoke to reporters before the shooting in Los Angeles on Friday.

When asked about “evil Dillon,” the response of “The King” is blunt.

Lakers No. 6 said.

‘we appreciate that.’

There’s been a huge difference in opinions since Brooks called out James in the Memphis locker room, two days ago. TNT’s Charles Barkley has claimed he has no problem with the Grizzlies’ bad boy calling out James’ age, though Fox Sports analyst Skip Bayliss said he’d like to see the Lakers star “destroy” Brooks, who he said has no respect for anyone. something. Player “until they come and give me 40”.

Calling the best NBA player of all time – regular season and playoffs – “old” and just one more player might not sound very smart to most, but for Brooks, that’s just the Grizzlies defender trying to pounce on James.

Brooks is one of the best defenders in the NBA. He started the mind games before the Western Conference series was shut out in the first round, saying he wanted to take on James and the Lakers.

And Brooks didn’t hold back after the Grizzlies tied the series 1-1 without Ja Morant, pointing out that James is not the player who won titles in Miami and Cleveland. Brooks, 27, is in the final year of his contract.

“I’m making a name for myself,” Brooks said Wednesday night after their 103-93 victory over the Lakers.

Brooks’ solid history of flammable plays includes the blatant 2 flop on the brink of the 2022 playoffs that shelved Warriors guard Gary Payton II with a shoulder injury.

Golden State coach Steve Kerr called the play “sloppy”. Cavaliers All-Star Donovan Mitchell also pleaded with the NBA to “do something about” Brooks’ actions after a shot to the groin in February led to a Flagrant-2 attack on a Memphis guard. Both players were ejected when Mitchell responded by hitting the basketball at the instigator.

Brooks and James mingled in tough exchanges on the court several times on Wednesday. James recorded 28 points and 11 rebounds in the Game 2 loss in Memphis.

“I was waiting for it, I was expecting him to do that Game Four, Game Five, but he wanted to say something when I got the fourth error,” Brooks said. “I should have said that earlier.”

“You know, I am a bears goose.” I don’t respect anyone until they come and give me 40. I pride myself on what I do defending and taking any challenge that is on the board. If it was LeBron, if it was AD (Anthony Davis), if it was who. I play with my heart – he knows it. The rest of the NBA knows that. I know my buddies know that.

Other non-accidental Brooks’ All-Stars include Blazers guard Damian Lillard and Warriors guard Steph Curry.

Brooks said Wednesday that he knows James is a “legend” for a reason, but he won’t back down – or back down – on the series.

It’s a legend. It’s LeBron James. But when I’m on this floor, Brooks said, you’re just another player to me. I don’t care who you are. You’re only 6-8 and 270 lbs. and you’re a basketball player.

Game three is on Saturday in Los Angeles.