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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Bryan Kalbrosky

Reggie Miller defended Dillon Brooks’ cheap shot on Donovan Mitchell and NBA fans were furious

Reggie Miller Dillon Brooks Donovan Mitchell NBA Herb Jones Kevin Harlan

It is a day that ends with the letter “Y” which means once again, Memphis Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks did something indefensible.

Brooks, who was suspended for his cheap shot on Gary Payton II during the NBA’s postseason last year, has now managed to make himself an enemy of several franchises around the league.

Whether it is by disrespectfully dancing on an opposing team’s logo or just by prematurely calling his own team a dynasty before ever winning a title, he is no stranger to upsetting a crowd.

Although he is considered the heart and soul of the Grizzlies, he makes a lot of head-scratching decisions — including his shot selection. He made another one on Thursday when he clearly punched Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell in the groin.

No one in their right mind would consider this an excusable move — except for TNT’s Reggie Miller, who decided to stand up for the ugly action:

Miller, who some consider one of the dirtiest players in NBA history, was on the call for the game alongside Kevin Harlan.

After watching the replay of Brooks’ suspension-worthy cheap shot, Miller somehow came to the conclusion that Mitchell was actually the aggressor in this scenario.

While he could have just echoed Harlan and said “boink” as well, the five-time All-Star instead inadvisably decided to get egg all over his face instead.

This was a particularly frustrating take from Miller considering that last year, he incorrectly suggested that New Orleans Pelicans wing Herb Jones had an intentionally dirty hit on Deandre Ayton. As I wrote at the time:

“Miller seemingly went out of his way to say Jones was malicious … People know Miller, and by proxy, many trust him. Not as many know Jones, so when they hear a Hall-of-Famer like Miller suggest Jones is a dirty player, that is damaging and unfair.”

Jones, unlike Brooks, has no history of that type of behavior and officials reviewed the call and did not come to the same conclusion.

Miller isn’t going to be able to shape public opinion on Brooks; most people have already reached the obvious consensus that his tendencies are suspect.

But fans were quick to note the absolute lunacy of Miller defending Brooks:

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