LeBron James says altercations with Dillon Brooks were ‘about competing’ | NBA on ESPN

LeBron, I'm honestly not quite sure where to start with this evening. Ultimately, you get the job done. Where do you want to start? How did it all happen? I think the last two days of practice put us in a position and put us in a mindset of being very physical. Obviously, that fourth quarter allowed them to get back into the game because we put them to the line, you know. The clock continues to run. They're able to set their defense. We got behind the eight ball a lot in the fourth quarter, but I thought for the majority of the game, our physicality was good. Obviously, some history between you and Dylan Brooks going at it over the years. He ends up hitting the three, and he came up and made illegal contact as they ruled. What did you see throughout the game in that play and the significance? Nothing. Just compete. That's all it's about. Compete. This is the best form of competition. It's the big boys. It's the NBA. No boys allowed. It's all about competition. We're out there competing, and we were able to get the last laugh. In the third quarter, you hold them to 15 points, and then through most of the fourth quarter, the defense was there, too. What do you see from Vanderbilt, from Jackson Hayes, from LaRavia, some of the subs? Our bench was spectacular. We don't win this game without them. Energy, effort, hustle plays, 50-50 balls. Vandy was all over the place, man. He gave us everything tonight, and Jackson was all over the floor. It looked like he was coming in through the rafters at some of those plays he had tonight. Big-time game from our bench. We needed that. Last one for you. Obviously, the final couple of seconds there, you get fouled right about where we're standing, and you know that you have to make at least two. How do you clear the mechanism, forget the missed technical, or does it get to that point? I just go up and trust the routine and trust the reps I've done over my whole life. It's nothing different for me. Just go up there and make them. My team, count on me, count on Luka, count on A.R., and it's our job to go up there and make big plays and big-time moments. Appreciate it, bro. I appreciate it.