LOS ANGELES -- Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks believes the perception of him as a "villain" factored into him being called for a flagrant foul 2 and ejected early in the third quarter of Saturday's Game 3 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Brooks, who declined to comment after the game, explained after Sunday's practice at USC's Galen Center that his left hand striking LeBron James' groin was an accident as he attempted to steal the ball as the Lakers star dribbled up the court.
Brooks said he never received an explanation from referee Marc Davis, the crew chief, for the flagrant 2 calls but speculated that his reputation influenced the decision, as well as Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden being ejected after striking the groin area of Brooklyn Nets forward Royce O'Neale in Game 3 of that series.