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Dillon Brooks played hero in Grizzlies’ massive playoff win over Jazz

By Connor Muldowney

May 23, 2021; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) shoots the ball over Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) during the first quarter at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2021; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) shoots the ball over Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) during the first quarter at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a pretty quiet first two seasons in the NBA, Dillon Brooks turned the corner in Year 3. Despite it being a pandemic-affected season, the former Oregon Ducks looked like a budding star, starting all 73 games he appeared in, averaging a career-best 16.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.

As one of the most improved players in the league, he was a nice surprise for a young team looking to make that jump to the playoffs after years of mediocrity.

Brooks’ development seemed as if it was going to expedite that rebuilding process.

It was going to be tough to replicate that third-season jump but he did just that in 2020-21 with the Grizzlies, averaging a career-best 17.2 points to go along with 2.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He started all 67 games he appeared in for Memphis and helped lead them to the play-in tournament where it earned the eight-seed after beating the Warriors.

No one ever expects the eight-seed to upset the top seed in the conference, but the Grizzlies took that first game at Utah on Sunday and Brooks was a big reason for the “upset”.

Brooks scored a game-high 31 points with seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals. He also had the second-best plus-minus in the starting five at plus-14.

It’s good to see the former Duck excel like we all knew he could.

Dillon Brooks is just getting started

Although he’s not considered one of the stars of the NBA, he’s slowly rising into that group and he has a way of getting under the opponent’s skin.

Former teammate Mike Conley even said after the game that Brooks is a passionate player and he wears his emotion on his sleeve. If he’s on your team, you love it, but if he’s on the opposing team, you hate it. He’s becoming one of the more polarizing young players in the league.

Add that to his breakout last season and repeat performance this year and you have a guy who’s ready to become a star and really put the league on notice.

Maybe the 2021 NBA Playoffs will serve as his coming out party.

Next. Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2021 season. dark

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