Geoff Clark
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Usually, NBA front offices throw coaches under the bus after playoff failures (see: Now-former Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer). But, not the Memphis Grizzlies. No, these fools are using F Dillon Brooks as the scapegoat.
This is a polarizing topic in the NBA community. Did Brooks look like an idiot trash-talking LeBron James after Game 2 of the Lakers-Grizzlies 1st-round playoff series? Yes. Of course. It was moronic.
While almost no one is a fan of Brooks or thinks highly of his game. Plenty of former NBA players have taken issue with how the Grizzlies handled their business. And rightfully so.
I actually agree with most of what J.J. Redick said in the video above. The Grizzlies are acting like Brooks is the only problem when, in fact, there are other reasons they got punked by the Lakers in the playoffs.
First of all, Memphis is a terrible shooting team and garbage when running a half-court offense. This falls on the front office and, to a lesser extent, coach Taylor Jenkins. Brooks is a bad outside shooter but he wasn’t the only one.
Furthermore, the Grizzlies were missing two rotational players in backup forward Brandon Clarke and starting big Steven Adams. A bigger issue for Memphis was how much it needed Adams in the first place.
Also, the Grizzlies’ best player, Ja Morant, got suspended for flashing a gun on Instagram while at a strip club. This was probably the most ridiculous off-the-court story in the NBA this season and that’s saying a lot.
All-in-all, Memphis is just an immature team. From the front office down to the locker room. My rant is over. No one gives a crap about Dillon Brooks.
But, what you might care about is making money off of Dillion Brooks’ situation. Allegedly, DraftKings Sportsbook lists odds for who Brooks’ next NBA team will be. Let’s discuss the favorites.
Odds for Dillon Brooks’ next NBA squad
For the record, the reason why I used the word “allegedly” is that I don’t have access to DraftKings as a resident of communist California to verify these odds. The odds below could be DraftKings just trying to get social media engagement.
Cleveland Cavaliers (+700)
The Cavs could use some edge from Brooks. They have a bunch of finesse players and Cleveland also got punked in the 1st round by the NY Knicks.
Cavaliers guards Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland aren’t tough guys. Neither are Cleveland bigs Evan Mobley nor Jarrett Allen. Brooks does two things none of those guys like to: D up and rebound.
Brooks is a solid on-ball defender and a wing, which is the preeminent position in the NBA. According to CleaningTheGlass.com, Memphis’s rebounding rate increased by 3.5% when Brooks was in the game this season.
He’s not solving all of their problems — the Cavs still need another shot creator and shooter — but Brooks brings something to the table Cleveland needs.
Phoenix Suns (+800)
Speaking of needing defense, the Suns play Swiss-cheese defense. Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton aren’t trying to play any defense. Someone has to do the dirty work in Phoenix.
To be fair, KD and Booker have played exceptional defense in the Suns-Nuggets 2nd-round playoff series. But, given their responsibilities on the offensive end of the floor, Phoenix could use a junkyard dog like Brooks.
Miami Heat (+1300)
If any franchise can change Brooks from a nuisance to a productive player, it’s #HeatCulture. Miami has several undrafted players who probably wouldn’t be in the NBA if it weren’t for Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra.
Brooks sucks but he’s definitely an NBA player. If the Heat can find a use for randoms named Gabe Vincent, Haywood Highsmith, and Cody Zeller, they Brooks can certainly find a role in Miami.
Best value for Brooks’ next team: Dallas Mavericks (+1500)
I don’t know WTF Dallas is doing. The Mavericks traded away all their depth for Kyrie Irving who instantly tanked their season. You’d think “Why would Dallas want two cancers in the locker room?”
Well, I don’t understand why the Mavs traded for Kyrie in the 1st place. If Irving leaves in free agency, Dallas has more money to spend. If not then the Mavericks need more defense since Kyrie and Luka Doncic don’t defend.
Listen to the ‘OutKick Bets with Geoff Clark’ podcast HERE.
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I hear him and Miles Bridges are looking for a point guard for their BIG3 team.