LeBron James hits Dillon Brooks with ‘too small’ celebration in vintage Lakers victory over Rockets
LeBron James once again reminded Dillon Brooks that he's the true king of the NBA.
The 38-year-old James was in vintage form on Monday, scoring a season-high 37 points while adding six rebounds, eight assists and three steals in the Los Angeles Lakers' 105-104 home victory over the Houston Rockets.
On a sports day that mostly belonged to NFL games, James was a must watch, thrilling the Lakers crowd - which included his son, Bronny - and sinking a go-ahead free throw with 1.9 seconds left inside crypto.com Arena.
“That's the LeBron we’ve all come to know and love over these 21 years,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said.
Brooks keeps challenging James.
James keeps hammering Brooks.
READ MORE ON NBA
For all the back-and-forth chatter between the two, there's also increasing mutual hardwood respect.
James received a technical foul for shoving Brooks, then unleashed a 'too small' gesture after scoring on him, crouching and then putting his hand on the floor.
“He's a great competitor," James said. "I like going against him. And he was hooping tonight for sure. He shot the ball exceptionally well and kept them in the game."
Brooks scored a team-high 24 points on 9-of-21 shooting while sinking six 3-pointers.
Most read in Basketball
The Lakers improved to 8-6 as Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves backed James with a combined 44 points.
The Rockets fell to 6-5 but continued to play like a much improved team that has clearly benefited from several offseason additions.
“I liked how we battled back and kept fighting," Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. "We just didn't play smart at the end."
James has been on a tear in recent games, scoring at least 28 points in four of his last five contests.
He has 72 points on 27-of-41 shooting in back-to-back games and has been one of the NBA's best overall players during the early season.
James has again reminded the basketball world -- and Brooks -- why The King of the NBA.
“But I just came here to make movies though! Ain't that what y'all said right !?!?" James posted on social media.
Then he dropped in 37 points, scored a game-winner and celebrated in front of his son, while reminding Brooks that he's still too small to go at The King.
“Sometimes you need to remind people," James said. "So that’s what it was."