During the Dallas Mavericks' loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night, controversial Grizzlies swingman Dillon Brooks once again made NBA headlines, as he earned his 18th technical foul by celebrating a dunk and directing a taunt towards Mavs swingman Theo Pinson.

Following the taunt, Brooks directed a few choice words at Pinson, telling the fifth-year pro that “he was a great player. Now he gets paid to cheerlead.”

With the NBA becoming more and more like the WWE this season, with players focusing on using podcasts as platforms to weigh in on the state of the NBA or direct shots at each other, the comments by Brooks are unsurprising.

As is the response from Pinson nearly a day later, in which he took to his Run Your Race podcast to respond to Brooks and question the 27-year-old's motivation for making those comments.

Article Continues Below
More Memphis Grizzlies News
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) waits for play to resume in front of his father, Tee Morant during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at FedExForum.
Grizzlies’ Ja Morant, family announce launch of new companyTomer Azarly ·
Cedric Coward arrives before the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
Grizzlies, Blazers trade grades for 2025 NBA Draft dealRishav Bhat ¡
Featured image Javon Small
Emotional reaction of Javon Small’s grandpa to Grizzlies pick goes viralDylan Fine ·
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks), Cedric Coward (Grizzlies), 2025 NBA Draft logo
Why Grizzlies see Giannis Antetokounmpo potential in Cedric CowardChris Dodson ¡
Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) shoots the ball in the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Grizzlies GM admits Desmond Bane trade is ‘great’ for MagicAbdullah Imran ·
ESPN reporter Malika Andrews after the in-season tournament championship between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Indiana Pacers at T-Mobile Arena.
Malika Andrews makes ‘Colin Cowherd’ gaffe for Cedric Coward pickRandall Barnes ·

For Theo Pinson, the answer not only is about Dillon Brooks playing into a villain role.

He also believes that a factor likely lies in the past, as he faced Brooks in college and got the better of him in the Final Four in 2017.

In that matchup, the North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the Oregon Ducks to eventually win the NCAA championship. Brooks would score 10 points in the loss while shooting 2-11 from the field but had two steals and a block. Pinson scored eight points on 2-8 shooting from the field but had eight rebounds and five assists.

“My man gets 30 minutes a game,” Pinson says. “I don't get 30 minutes a game. I'm pretty sure — I'm pretty confident in myself — that I could do what you do, or better, if I had the same opportunity.”

“If we were matched up mano y mano,” Pinson continues. “I'm winning that matchup.”