It’s widely known in NBA circles that Dillon Brooks is among the most petty and contentious players in today’s game.
Known for cheap shots, trash-talking and overachieving everywhere he goes, the NBA’s most-hated villain cherishes his role in the league.
The embattled history between Lakers star LeBron James and the NBA’s most-hated villain Dillon Brooks is well documented, culminating in Brooks sitting courtside during Monday’s Game 4 loss for the Lakers. Getty Images Not only did Brooks attend Game 4 of the Lakers-Thunder series, he sat courtside and made sure he had a great view of his longtime rival: Lakers star LeBron James.
As James was shooting free throws midway through the first quarter, cameras caught Brooks sitting underneath the basket and arrogantly chuckling. It appears Brooks had some choice words to say before the cameras turned to him, but James appeared to ignore the entire indident.
The history between the rivals is well-documented, with run-ins as recent as December 2025 when two meetings between the Lakers and Suns ended with a war of words and in-game flare ups.
“He likes people that bow down,” Brooks said following Phoenix’s 125-108 win. “I don’t bow down. So, that either entices him or it aggravates him — either-or.”
Two weeks later in a 116-114 victory, James had to be physically restrained during an altercation with Brooks. The result was Brooks not speaking to media postgame but responding by calling James a “social media junkie” a few days later.
While the Lakers were swept by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the defending champion Thunder, Brooks’ Suns team met the same fate in the first round when they too were swept by Oklahoma City.
