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Jarred Vanderbilt of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dillon Brooks of the Phoenix Suns during an NBA game.
It’s been less than three weeks since the Phoenix Suns‘ offseason started early, but Dillon Brooks is already taking shots at some players. Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt caught a stray from Brooks during a recent live stream on Twitch.
In an appearance on RayAsianBoy’s live stream, Brooks was asked to name a “dumb” NBA player. The Suns star didn’t hesitate to name Vanderbilt, saying that they already have beef, and he doesn’t care what anybody says.
“Dumb? I’m going to throw a shot, I can’t even lie,” Brooks said. “This guy doesn’t even like me, to be honest with you, who cares. Jared Vanderbilt on the Lakers. They call him Vando.”
Brooks then further explained his answer while also calling out Vanderbilt’s offense by dropping a crazy take.
“I just think he’s got way more potential that’s he’s not untapping,” Brooks said. “He’s like 6’9″, bro, and he’s mobile, but he has no (offense). I got to guard (Ray) tougher than I had to guard him.”
Vanderbilt has a player option for next season, which means he could be a free agent if he opts out. He’s coming off a tough campaign for the Lakers, and Brooks’ words about him is a source of motivation.
GettyDillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the second half of the NBA game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Mortgage Matchup Center on January 30, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
On January 29, 2024, the Houston Rockets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 135-119. Dillon Brooks was still playing for the Rockets at the time, and he got Jarred Vanderbilt riled up and ejected from the game in the first half.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Brooks got under Vanderbilt’s skin in the second quarter. The Lakers forward shoved Brooks after Austin Reaves made a basket. He was called for a technical foul, and just moments later, he was whistled for another one after poking his finger in the side of Brooks’ head.
One Lakers player told McMenamin that Vando wasn’t happy with being called a “p***y” by Brooks.
“He talks and says whatever he wants to the refs, to players and at the end of the day, we’re men,” Anthony Davis said. “No man is going to talk towards another man the way he was talking to Vando. So, Vando did what he had to do.”
It wasn’t a serious beef at the time, but with Brooks’ latest comments, it will be interesting to see how Vanderbilt responds next season.
In Game 1 of the Lakers’ second-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jarred Vanderbilt suffered a finger injury. Vanderbilt fully dislocated his right pinky finger after hitting the backboard while trying to block Chet Holmgren‘s shot.
The dislocation pierced through his skin, which was witnessed by several Thunder players. Vanderbilt ended up missing Game 2, but he was cleared to play in Game 3. He had a splint on his finger and was considered day-to-day.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, they were swept by the defending NBA champions in four games.
Juan Paolo David Juan Paolo David is a sports journalist covering basketball for Heavy. He has a decade of experience writing about the NBA and WWE. He's currently based in the Philippines. More about Juan Paolo David
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