NBA Jan 6, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; The NBA logo on the floor before the game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Golden State Warriors at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Memphis Grizzlies star Dillon Brooks made headlines this week when he called out LeBron James after the Los Angeles Lakers lost Game 2 of their playoff series.

Brooks caused quite a stir, but one former NBA star says he is glad that someone is finally getting tough with the NBA superstar and isn’t playing nice anymore.

Former Indiana Pacers great Stephen Jackson says current NBA players are too nice to King James and want to be his friend.

“Where were y’all when ‘Bron was shooting airballs from free throw line. I’m happy somebody wanna compete and not be friends,” Jackson said under LeSean McCoy’s Instagram post.

“I love guys that wanna compete. Too many players let Bron score. They wanna be friends.”

Brooks admitted he likes getting under James’ skin and the pair were seen trash talking to each other throughout Game 2.

“He wanted to say something when I got my fourth foul. He should’ve been saying that earlier on. I poke bears. I don’t respect no one ’til they come and give me 40.” James ended up with 28 points in the loss.

King James doesn’t seem to be bothered by all the talk.

“On Saturday, it’s back to the four lines and what happens between the four lines,” he said.

The series is tied at one game apiece with Game 3 Saturday night in Los Angeles.

{New York Post Sports}

About Stacey Mickles

Stacey is a 1995 graduate of the University of Alabama who has previously worked for other publications such as Sportskeeda and Saturday Down South.