The Houston Rockets have great players and good defenders.
They also have Dillon Brooks, who can be a very good defender at times.
More than that, he’s earned a reputation for being an instigator.
However, unlike players like Bill Laimbeer or Ron Artest, he doesn’t seem to be feared, liked, or even respected by most of his peers.
Notably, Jimmy Butler just joined the long list of active NBA players who have taken a shot at the Canadian guard.
Following the Golden State Warriors’ win in Game 4, Butler made it loud and clear that he doesn’t care for Brooks in the slightest way.
“Get me on record for this, I don’t like Dillon Brooks… I don’t think anybody is trying to be friends with anybody on either team, that’s for sure,” Butler said.
Jimmy Butler:
“Get me on record for this, I don't like Dillon Brooks… I don't think anybody is trying to be friends with anybody on either team, that's for sure.”
(via @NBCSWarriors)pic.twitter.com/7KTrdMKcOd
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 29, 2025
Brooks entered the league as a hard-working 3-and-D player.
Then, he started writing checks he couldn’t always cash.
From calling LeBron James an old man and then dodging the media after James dominated him for an entire series, Brooks has starred in several comical and questionable incidents over the past couple of years.
Of course, all teams need an instigator, especially in the playoffs, and Brooks has done a solid job of getting into some players’ heads every now and then.
Even so, for the most part, they just ignore him.
The Rockets are now facing elimination.
The series will head back to Houston for a win-or-go-home Game 5, and Ime Udoka’s team will need much more from Brooks than just trying to get someone else ejected.
Butler just talked the talk, and he’s the kind of player who always walks the walk.
NEXT: Steve Kerr Reveals Rockets' Defensive Scheme To Beat Warriors' Offense
