LAS VEGAS — USA faced off with their North American rivals Wednesday night in an exhibition game that took place in Las Vegas, as the international teams are preparing for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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The game was a grind-it-out-game as the Canadians lineup, which features multiple lockdown defenders, led by NBA steals leader Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, only allowed the Americans to score one point up until the five minute mark of the first quarter. That is to say, just like their NBA rivalry, things got a little chippy between Canada's Dillon Brooks and USA's LeBron James.
Just a little over one minute into the game, Dillon Brooks shoved LeBron to the floor, seemingly simultaneously tripping the 39-year-old. Then a handful of possessions later, LeBron got his turn, giving him a shoulder check.
Look at Dillon Brooks' right foot. What in the world is he doing? pic.twitter.com/aP2lvs8fob
— Jason Timpf (@_JasonLT) July 11, 2024
LeBron James laying NFL-like blocks on Dillon Brooks to get Stephen Curry open for three 😂💀
LeBron vs. ‘Dillon the Villain’ 🍿 pic.twitter.com/qaQoDLQxcP
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) July 11, 2024
The two have been going at it vs. each other ever since Brooks, then a member of the Memphis Grizzlies, called LeBron "old" ahead of their 2023 Western Conference first round playoff matchup. Then subsequently in Game 3 of that series, the self-proclaimed villain was ejected seconds into the game after he hit LeBron below the belt.
Brooks' antics certainly kept up, as he also interrupted Devin Booker's postgame interview, by walking right in front of the camera.
Aye I’m ngl Dillon Brooks might be the craftiest villain we’ve ever seen 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/lrv9g958t9
— 🏆LakersGuru🏆 (@GuruLakers) July 11, 2024
To point out, right from the jump, the fans in attendance were certainly rooting against Brooks, as boos showered in the arena whenever he would touch the ball.
"It's normal," Brooks said. "They know who I am, they want to boo me. It's normal."
Related: LeBron James And Steph Curry Team Up On Team USA To Take Down Canada In Olympic Exhibition Game
