Credit: X

Credit: X

The Houston Rockets small forward Dillon Brooks has claimed that he was the scapegoat for the Memphis Grizzlies after their NBA playoffs elimination last season against the Los Angeles Lakers. The 27-year-old left the Grizzlies in free agency after the public announcement from the team wherein they didn’t want him to return “under any circumstances.”

Dillon Brooks signed for the Houston Rockets for a four year contract worth $80 million in the NBA offseason after averaging 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists for the Memphis Grizzlies last season. He had an incredible playoff run with the Grizzlies, becoming one of the biggest villains in the sport after having a spat with the likes of LeBron James and Draymond Green in particular.

Also ReadNBA suspends Warriors’ Draymond Green for five games without pay

“What I didn't like about Memphis was they allowed that so they can get out of the woodwork, and then I'm the scapegoat of it all. That's what I didn't appreciate. And then ultimately they'll come to me on the low, as men, one on one and tell me something, but then not defend me when everything went down,” Dillon Brooks was quoted as saying about his days at the Memphis Grizzlies.

Notably, he has been on an absolute tear at the Houston Rockets in the ongoing NBA season, averaging 13.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2 assists, which has resulted in six wins on the spin for the franchise. The Rockets are in fourth position in the Western Conference, just two games behind the Denver Nuggets.

Talking about him getting the villain label in the sport, Dillon Brooks said, “Everyone wants to hate on something. We didn't have our whole squad, and they did. People forgot about that. Just threw it on me. The bad guy? Villain Brooks? He doesn't want the label. But he'll wear it. Everyone can't be the hero. I'd rather be what was chosen for me. ”