The Phoenix Suns have been on vacation for some time now with the playoffs rumbling on, but not Dillon Brooks.
Rather than go to The Bahamas or wherever else he thinks is cool, "The Villain" instead showed up court side to watch LeBron James get swept out of the postseason with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Brooks actually does not hate LeBron according to the man himself
The Canadian international recently appeared on a stream that we've never heard of and which only ages us more, and was asked point blank if he hates LeBron. His response in saying that "no, I don't" was genuine as he laughed while saying it, which should put this rivalry to bed.
Ray asked Dillon Brooks if he really hates LeBron 😭 pic.twitter.com/V3rPWyqsew
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) May 13, 2026
Brooks went a step further in admitting that he doesn't know James like that so they're not friends either, and that he was present to see him get swept because their series versus the Oklahoma City Thunder was similar to what happened to his Phoenix Suns. Competitive to start each game, before being blown away.
You can take Brooks at his word here if you want, and really he has always seemed like a competitive guy but also somebody who is self aware.
This is the same player who said last summer they understood why the Houston Rockets traded him for Kevin Durant, so he is not delusional.
But it also feels like James brings out a competitive fire in Brooks that goes beyond what he shows on a nightly basis, and he has always tried (and generally failed) to get one over on the all-time great.
It is possible to want to challenge yourself against the best while also not hating your opponent like that as well. That's called being competitive, and we know Brooks has always been that.
This was also an opportunity for Brooks to stoke even more flames and kick LeBron while he was down considering his future in Los Angeles is unclear, but he chose not to do that. Yet more proof it is not real hatred, and something that is confined to the court.
There is also a possibility, however slim, that the two could be teammates one day as well. James could yet be on the move while the Suns may not be up for extending a player in Brooks who is coming off a career year and may never get any better.
No hate here then, or love. Only pure competition.
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