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Jarred Vanderbilt of the Lakers is defended after a collision with Dillon Brooks

In Monday’s 135-119 defeat to the Houston Rockets, numerous Lakers players defended Jarred Vanderbilt’s conduct after he was disqualified for a run-in with Dillon Brooks. Brooks was an agitated forward for the Rockets.

At 11:03 of the second quarter’s last minute, while Vanderbilt was airborne, Brooks fouled him on a slam. Almost immediately after, with 10:17 seconds remaining in the second, Austin Reaves made a pull-up jump jumper, and Brooks pushed Vanderbilt with his arm as he was beneath the basket. In response, Vanderbilt smacked Brooks across the chest with his forearm, which referee Eric Dalen deemed a technical foul.

Shortly after, crew chief Curtis Blair evaluated Vanderbilt’s performance and removed him from the game after he pushed his finger at the side of Brooks’ head. Some Lakers players have spoken to ESPN about how Brooks referred to Vanderbilt as a “p—y” during the altercation.

“He was attempting a wide-open dunk when [Brooks] simply shoved him behind the backboard,” comme𝚗ted Anthony Davis. “That play isn’t safe. Such things happen to guys. More importantly, you need to understand his playing style. [Brooks] somewhat instigated the altercation, and the referees essentially allowed it to continue. He says and does everything he wants to the referees and the players, but we’re just me𝚗.

No guy will ever treat another man with the disrespect he showed Vando. As a result, Vando acted accordingly.

Reporters were not addressed by Vanderbilt before he departed.

Vanderbilt allegedly made the collision worse, according to Brooks. “I feel like he may feel like I did a Ԁirty play,” stated Brooks. “He enjoys bumping when he feels that way. Sure, it’s basketball. There is a lot of hitting and shoving between us. He went a bit beyond what I thought was reasonable.

The Lakers were behind 46–36 at the start of the second quarter after Vanderbilt was ejected; however, the Rockets seized control and extended their lead to 30 points by the middle of the third quarter. Despite the Lakers’ Tuesday trip to Atlanta for the second leg of a back-to-back, Los Angeles attempted to rally in the fourth quarter, down 24 points, thanks to LeBron James’ decision to remain in the game.

When Jae’Sean Tate missed a layup with 5 minutes and 45 seconds left in the game, James was attempting to get the rebound when Brooks jumped over him and Һit Tate in the face. The Lakers were down 16 points. The officials reviewed the footage and decided that the contact was a flagrant foul, leading to the call against Brooks. James interrupted a reporter’s question on Brooks following the game, despite having already praised the competitive fire that Brooks possesses when questioned earlier in the season regarding the hefty contract that Brooks signed in Houston.

“The next question,” James offered.

The push on Vanderbilt and the Һit on James were, according to Lakers coach Darvin Ham, sufficient grounds for dismissal.

“Being competitive is one thing,” Ham noted. However, by executing some plays, athletes are putting themselves in dаnger of harm. For example, before I arrived, I rewatched the film and saw that Brooks shoves an airborne player in the back. Lost in mid-air, helpless. Next up comes Bron’s play, in which he makes a double-arm move en route to the hoop. The ball goes back and then crosses [James’] face as he tries to divert it with one arm.

“So maybe Dillon Brooks shouldn’t have been in the game, either.”

In his assessment of both plays, Davis agreed with his coach.

“I meаn, you take a hard foul,” Davis remarked. It’s a part of the game, but you can’t openly shove someone in the back while they’re airborne and unable to control their own body. He ought to have been sent off for it. From what I could see, it was an obvious blоw to LeBron’s face when he and Bron had their [crаsh].

Because of his response—confronting Brooks—”my hat’s off to Vando,” Ham continued.

Since joining the Rockets from the Memphis Grizzlies, Brooks has made modifications to his self-control, but he still brings a “alpha dog mentality” to games, he told reporters.

“Last year, I allowed things to escalate,” disclosed Brooks. At least I feel like I’m in control of it now. The energy that comes from knowing that some things can be taken too far is all it is. Maintain discipline.