Dillon Brooks has never shied away from confrontation, and once again, the outspoken wing made it clear why LeBron James remains a frequent target of his trash talk. This is not new territory for Brooks, as he has a history of provoking James in multiple instances.
Dillon Brooks Explains Why He Isn’t Afraid To Trash-Talk LeBron James
During a Thursday live stream with Agent, Brooks was asked about his history of jawing with James. In a clip shared by the Fearbuck X handle, Brooks gave a blunt explanation, tying his confidence directly to King James’ age and his place in his career.
“If it was LeBron five years ago, then it’d be different,” Brooks said. “Miami Bron, you’re not really talking trash to him, ’cause he’s got more game to him, more agile. Right now, he’s like old.”
Brooks’ comments reflect a belief that James is no longer the same physical force he once was. While Brooks acknowledged how dangerous LeBron was during his prime, especially in Miami, he suggested that today’s James is easier to provoke.
James was indeed an unstoppable force in Miami. Alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, he steered the Heat to four NBA finals and two straight championships.
By contrasting “Miami Bron” with the current version, Brooks implied that age has changed the dynamic. James is now 41 and in his 23rd NBA season, a league record.
Incidentally, Brooks’ trash talk toward James is nothing new. The most prominent instance dates back to the 2023 NBA Playoffs when Brooks was with the Memphis Grizzlies. After a Lakers win, Brooks famously called James “old” and said he did not respect anyone until they scored 40 points against him.
The Lakers went on to win that series in six games. After eliminating Grizzlies, James responded with a viral Instagram post that read, “If you ever see me fighting in the forest with a Grizzly bear, HELP THE BEAR,” a clear jab at Brooks.
The back-and-forth did not end there. On Dec. 2, 2025, Brooks again took shots at James following a win over the Lakers. After the game, Brooks mocked James’ on-court celebrations and body language.
“He likes people that bow down,” Brooks said at the time. “I don’t bow down to him. So that either entices him or it aggravates him.”
Brooks even shrugged at James during the game, drawing loud boos from the Crypto.com Arena crowd.
Brooks Nowhere Near James in Career Stats
Despite the trash talk, the two players’ resumes could not be more different. James is a 21-time All-Star, four-time NBA champion, and four-time finals MVP. He is also the NBA’s all-time leading scorer with 42,746 career points and is currently the league’s oldest active player.
While age has brought some physical decline, James remains productive. This season, he is averaging 22.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and seven assists per game while shooting over 50% from the field. However, he missed 14 games earlier in the season due to sciatica, and his movement is not as fluid as it once was.
Brooks, on the other hand, has built his reputation on defense and edge rather than accolades. He has never been an All-Star but earned Second Team All-Defensive honors in the 2022–23 season.
Against the Lakers this year, Brooks has backed up his talk with production, leading his team in scoring in both victories. The Suns hold a 2-1 edge over James and the Lakers so far.
The rivalry will get another chapter on Feb. 26, when Brooks and James meet again.
