Donovan Mitchell said it right after Thursday’s Cleveland Cavaliers win over the Memphis Grizzlies that included a melee after Dillon Brooks deliberately hit him in the groin: “The NBA has to do something about it.”
Normally, a cheap shot to the groin from another player might be a fineable offense if there’s no history from the offender.
But there’s history. This is Dillon Brooks — not known for his shot selection — whose dirty fowl on Gary Payton II in last season’s playoffs broke the then-Warriors’ guard’s elbow.
And when you hear from Mitchell there are other cases of Brooks being dirty that players around the league have noticed, it’s time for the NBA to take a stand and hand down a suspension that will draw the line at what Brooks can and can’t do.
#Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell on Dillon Brooks
“The NBA has to do something about it.” pic.twitter.com/T0elQEXNKi— Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) February 3, 2023
#Cavs Donovan Mitchell on Dillon Brooks:
"A line has to be drawn. The NBA has to do something about it. I’m not the only person this has happened to and there’s no place for that in this game. … If you just can’t guard somebody, then just say that. Just get a switch."
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) February 3, 2023
This reminds me a bit of Draymond Green back in the 2016 Finals, when a shot to LeBron James’ groin led to a one-game suspension, after a series of dirty plays led up to that moment. The NBA didn’t hesitate in the middle of its championship series when things got to far, and it shouldn’t hesitate in the middle of the regular season.
A one-game break might not seem like a lot, but it’s a warning shot: More of moves like that groin punch and it’ll be a longer suspension.
