Rockets forward Dillon Brooks took exception to the idea that teammate Amen Thompson could be viewed as a dirty player for the play that injured Warriors star Jimmy Butler in Game 2 of the Houston/Golden State series. Asked about the subject on Friday, Brooks suggested that Butler’s teammate Draymond Green was more to blame, as Kristie Rieken of The Associated Press relays.
“I think the dirty player is Draymond, giving him a little push as regular basketball players do,” Brooks said. “And Jimmy’s fighting in the air for a rebound and stuff happens. Amen’s not a dirty player. He has (nothing) to do with being a dirty player.”
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said after Game 2 that he and the Warriors “didn’t think there was anything wrong with the play,” suggesting that it was unfortunate but unintentional. Kerr and his players didn’t think much of Brooks’ claim about Green, given the reputation that the Rockets forward has earned himself over the years.
“Dillon said that? Interesting,” Kerr replied when informed of Brooks’ remarks.
“It’s a little ironic, isn’t it?” Moses Moody said of Brooks’ comments, per ESPN.
We have more from around the Western Conference:
- If Butler is forced to miss Game 3 as a result of his pelvic injury, will the Warriors lean on Jonathan Kuminga as his primary replacement? Sam Gordon of The San Francisco Chronicle weighs that question, given that Kuminga had been out of the rotation for three games and made just 4-of-12 shots from the field in his return to action on Wednesday. Anthony Slater of The Athletic also touches on that topic in a story with Kelly Iko of The Athletic that explores the keys to the series going forward.
- In addition to the front office members reported earlier this week to be departing the Pelicans amid a basketball operations shake-up, veteran scout Chico Averbuck, who has been with the team since 2020, is leaving the organization, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link). Averbuck had strong ties to former head of basketball operations David Griffin, Scotto notes, having also worked with Griffin in Cleveland.
- The Grizzlies were left searching for answers after blowing a 29-point first half lead and losing Game 3 to Oklahoma City on Thursday. Scotty Pippen Jr. said the game – which also included a Ja Morant hip injury – was “definitely frustrating,” while Santi Aldama, asked if it was the worst loss he has ever experienced, replied, “It would be hard to find another one like this.” William Guillory of The Athletic has the full story, with more quotes.
Not sure Brooks is the person you want defending you lol
Brooks is mostly defending his teammate. Bc it’s absolutely asinine to believe Amen Thompson is a dirty player or purposely hurt Jimmy. Even Kerr said no one on their staff felt it was on purpose. Unfortunately the internet will run with any narrative for clicks and slander someone for an accident.
You do know there is a video on YouTube showing a bunch of dirty plays by Thompson. Only his 2nd year and 5 reckless plays. FYI watch the video from under the basket no push by Green just a reckless play if he didn’t do it on purpose.
Arc man I get it you’re a GS fan. But there’s no way in hell he was being dirty or “reckless.” You have bodies going for a rebound. There’s no one at fault. Brooks imo is wrong for insinuating Draymond did anything wrong. Your fan base defended Zaza until they were blue in the face when he hurt Kawhi and that was infinitely more “reckless” than what Amen did.
I like both the Thompsons being also born in OAK, but he tries to squeeze between 2 bigs when he clearly had no space and tripped on feet. Its a reckless play where he had very little chance of influencing the play and a high chance of hurting himself or others crashing into traffic like that. I dont think he was trying to do anything to anyone he was just a young player trying too hard. I doubt he makes that play 5 years from now.
Im fine with the NBA adding a flagrant anytime a player takes the legs out of a player in the air. I think those plays are some of the most likely for a more severe injury of any in basketball so getting them out of the game as much as possible would be a benefit to the league.
Now Brooks pulling down Payton in the 22 playoffs and breaking his arm is the definition of a dirty play hitting a airborne player from behind…..
Are we really going to say fighting between bodies to try and get a rebound is reckless? That’s insanity to me. When players have high effort, they’ll try and outwork anyone for a rebound/lose ball. It’s funny how people want high motor/aggressive players, but when they play hard they’re reckless. We don’t want the NBA to be soft but get upset when it’s not soft.
You can tell when theres no space for you to go where the only outcomes are a foul on you or an injury to someone…
Arc legit question – have you looked at a compilation of Greens dirty plays? Not trying to hate but your bias has got you in the grip it seems. I’m a rockets fans obviously so I’m sure I’m biased too. I guess a more diplomatic question is why don’t you apply the same scrutiny to Green/Warriors that you do Thompson/Houston? Jalen Greens play was so much more obvious and worse for example.
Its not about Green a veteran that been around a long time and of course there is a lot of reckless plays by him. A 2nd year player that is racking up alot of dirty plays and a reputation is a big red flag. You can claim it wasn’t a dirty play but it was reckless and over agreesive play. Green did b not push him he went inbetween 2 players out of control. Udoka is on camera telling his players they are not calling fouls so be as agressive as you can. Shows the Refsare at fault for letting them get away with anything.
I don’t think Ime telling his team to play the cards they’re dealt is anything but good coaching. You already know what I think about the play that Butler was injured on. Ironically Ime said it best “you don’t run into somebody intentionally with your face”. He’s right. And I guess my point about Draymond is it’s only fair to treat him with equal scrutiny as you do Thompson and I don’t feel you do. That’s why I suspect bias. I’m still curious what you’d have to see to change your mind.
Even Udoka saw that the Refs were not calling fouls so he is saying pushing it even more being agressive. 3 players been hurt in the first round is a signal that the Refs just can’t let them play. How am I defending Green? Did i say he never done anything bad? NO You are just using green as an excuse for Butler’s injury. Its like Brooks calling Green a dierty player when every knows Brooks is even worse than Green. How about watching what Brooks is doing to Green? He is trying to get Green a T by pushing and flinging his arms at Green. That is not basketball but bush league stuff. If the same thing happened to a rockets player bya warrior’s player you would be here call the warrior player dirty. You know you would because you are parroting Brooks.
Green is the poster child for trying to hurt people. He’s kicked Adams in the nuts at least 3 different times. He’s done worse things than any Rocket, including Brooks, and more frequently than any player in modern history. It’s the old okay for me but not for thee adage. Until you reconcile that don’t expect your ref complaining to be taken seriously by anybody. That’s the issue. Again not trying to be rude. And if you apply a similar logic to refs maybe you’ll get the answer to why it’s being called that way and why your team isn’t in their feelings about it like you are. It’s logical man. And yes Green caused Butlers injury imo but I’ve tried to move on because I know it won’t change your mind.
Brooks broke a person’s arm. That is worse than anything Green has done. Green did nothing to cause Butler injury. Stop making up excuses for Rocket dirty plays.
Brooks is not worse than Green lol that’s hilarious. Brooks is just a lesser version of green. Draymond has punched ppl and put Rudy in a head lock. Kicked multiple players in the junk. I can be a Rockets fan and say “hey, Brooks is a little much and can sometimes be dirty” Draymond is 100% a dirty player. Every team needs someone like Draymond and Brooks. Don’t be mad about it. Just accept it Arc.
Just accept the Rockets play dirty and will do anything to win even if it means cheating. Brooks is 110% more dirty than Green. Give it up defending him you know his job is being the enfocer and agitator on the rockets and the young players are being influenced by him.
LOL
Arc what you have to got to accept if you’re trying to talk hoops is with Greens history you can’t call the Rockets anything you shouldn’t call yourself. It’s why your brain can’t process that Brooks isn’t as bad as Draymond. Once again I feel compelled to remind you even Green and Kerr wouldn’t agree with your take on this.
Green never broke a player’s bone Brooks has. case closed.
Did you see Brooks try to hit Steph’s injured hand after he made the three last night?
He should be suspended for the rest of the series.
Moody cooked Brooks there, lmao
I don’t the Warriors will have to lean on Kuminga as much as writer’s think. Podz was sick and is in his first playoffs. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him get 20pts and 5-10 rebounds. He has done it before. Post seems to keep getting better with each game, 15pts and 5-7 rebounds for him. Of course, Kuminga had the best game of his career this year against the Rockets. It’ll keep the Rockets from double teaming Curry.
But, the need to take care of the ball, minimize the turnovers.
Moody better watch out next game, you know Dillon is coming lol
Wouldnt be surprised if this is the game he gets ejected from. Its for sure happening this series.
I so much hope Kuminga can get out of GSW this summer and go some place where he can be the star player that he is, instead of wasting his talents in the Bay Area!
“Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said after Game 2 that he and the Warriors “didn’t think there was anything wrong with the play,” suggesting that it was unfortunate but (????) ———intentional. Kerr and his players didn’t think much of Brooks’ claim about Green, given the reputation that the Rockets forward has earned himself over the years.”
First I think the word (NOT) was omitted here. That play was not intentional. Amen is young anf aggressive not dirty. You have to be in the L yrs before owning dirty. Like Dra and Brooks have. So give it a Freakin break.
I know Jimmy wants to play. Team better do what’s right. You will need him for series. Don’t worry about one gm. Time for Kuminga to shine. This is a team game. So everyone needs to step up. That’s how you get the best out of Kuminga.
Thompson is a great talent. I wouldn’t want to antagonize him. He and Green will come to play. Without Jimmy best thing. Is to have a HOF Curry night. He could go for 40. Team has to support him. Not just pray he saves them. Jimmy is the one who gets everyone involved on O and D. That goes unnoticed by most fans. Both teams have something to prove. Should be a good game.
Ugh yeah, definitely left out a word there. It’s fixed now, thanks.
Yes sir Luke …. You know these Warrior fans . haha
Warriors/Draymond can never raise a question of a dirty play given there’s an entire rule set built around the dirtiest play in league history – aka Zaza Pachulia. I seem to remember Draymond defending that piece of trash.
I was going to stay out of this conversation because I believe stuff happens unintentionally and I don’t think even dirty players like Draymond and Dillon Brooks want to intentionally hurt a guy.
They’re just making their presence known. And these guys that are defense first get mixed up in a lot of scrum type situations, but I don’t think anyone wants to cause an injury.
But I have to say this. When the Zaza play came out as supposedly intentional, someone put a video together with LeBron doing the same thing to curry. Sticking his foot out to the area where he lands. There’s other examples too.
And if you look at Zaza‘s reaction, He can’t believe a foul was called because he never touched him with his hands. I don’t think Zaza is a dirty player at heart.
That was just an unfortunate thing just like this Jimmy Butler play was an unfortunate thing and the Ja Morant plays getting hurt are unfortunate things.
But do you call Danny Green a dirty player for going up and contesting Klays wide open layup and tearing his ACL? I don’t think anyone would call Danny Green dirty. Stuff happens.
That’s just the way it goes when you have superior athletes.
Sometimes it’s a great play like LeBron blocking Andre Iguodala on that layup and sometimes you bump a guy in the air and he loses his balance like Danny Green and Klay Thompson and 100 other place that are similar.
Point is I don’t think these guys are out to hurt anyone on purpose.
Brooks is only saying that to take the heat off Thompson. The league should be concerned that Udoka was telling his players if they are not going to call fouls be more agressive. Udoka admitting his players are getting away with fouls. So game 3 there will be a lot of whistles and some Ts.
Stop crying lol. You are running out of kleenex ….
Both games Warriors have more fouls than Rockets. Dra at this age is a half step slower. So he is constantly grabing or doing something illegal. No ine is dirtier than Dra right now.
Its a tough series. Stop with the excuses. Man up
It will be interesting to see if the refs try to slow the Rockets’ constant fouling strategy tonight based on the pushback from multiple teams due to the injuries.
Unfortunately for the Warriors, tonight’s crew chief James Williams has demonstrated an inability to get calls right, even on challenges.
Curry needs to put the business on Fred today. That is a easy matchup to put the Warriors in control of the series.
Waaaaaa waaaaaA waaaaaa ohhhwaaaaa
Ohhhwaawaaaaaa waaaaaaa waaaaaaaa
After tonight San Francisco will be out of Kleenex.
Make sure all Warrior fans buy extra for tonight ..
Waaaaawasaaa waaaaaa Wasaaaaaaa Wasaaa
you do know its best out of 7 not 3.
Exactly…. so why all the crying. Since gm 1 Warriors fans are complaining about this or that. Lose tonight and it will be endless crying ….. nobody on this board cries and complains and has more excuses than Warriors fans. Just look it up. Nanny Up already
You just made that up. Even Udoka is on video s telling his own playersthey are not calling fouls. So you are saying Udoka is wrong?
Watching last night’s game where the road Rockets got most of the calls despite their constant fouling was “interesting”.
Podz hit in the face resulting in the trainer having to treat him, but “somehow” there was no review.
It’s always Draymonds fault…
Always… ;)
Gotta love the NBA. “Man up.” “Play physical.” and then the next second someone is whining about being touched and how bad the referees are calling the game.