Dillon Brooks was ejected on Tuesday early into the Houston Rockets’ preseason opener against the Indiana Pacers at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The veteran forward blamed his reputation for his unceremonious exit.
Brooks was called for a flagrant foul penalty two after he delivered a blow to the groin of Pacers big man Daniel Theis (video here). Brooks was tossed less than five minutes into the contest.
The 27-year-old was asked after the game about the play that led to his ejection. Brooks believed that his league-wide image as a villain played a role in the referees’ final decision.
“I tried to navigate a screen,” Brooks said, via the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen. “I might have tapped him below the waist. But he got right back up. I don’t know. It’s weird that every time it happens to me, I get picked on. I guess it’s part of reputation.”
Brooks also stated that the blow was not intentional but rather a byproduct of his aggressive style of play.
The Rockets acquired the former Memphis Grizzlies wing in a sign-and-trade deal during the offseason that yielded Brooks a hefty sum of guaranteed money.
Rockets fans are hoping Brooks and fellow offseason addition Fred VanVleet can help change the losing culture in Houston. Brooks’ preseason ejection isn’t a great start.
