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The Houston Rockets standout is eagerly anticipating his return to Memphis, and this particular date has long been marked on the calendar.

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Dillon Brooks is easily provoked. The swingman for the Houston Rockets is notorious for playing with a figurative chip on his shoulder and for being a vocal trash-talker, particularly when facing off against LeBron James, as seen in last year’s playoffs.

However, that was in the past, and Brooks was then a member of the Memphis Grizzlies. Since switching from Memphis to Houston in the summer, Brooks has had one specific game marked, underlined, and highlighted in bright yellow on his schedule — Friday night against the Grizzlies at FedEx Forum.

Brooks has eagerly anticipated this game and made it clear to reporters on Wednesday that he is highly motivated to showcase his skills against his former Grizzlies teammates in Memphis.

“I can’t wait to get back out there and (be) playing, and I’m excited,” he expressed. “And this has been circled on my schedule.”

Brooks was drafted by the Grizzlies in 2017, but his relationship with the franchise took a sharp decline last spring. During Memphis’ first-round upset loss to the Lakers, Brooks struggled with a 31 percent shooting accuracy and a 40-point loss in Game 6 in Los Angeles. He received a fine for smacking James in the groin during Game 3 and for refusing to speak to the media.

Reportedly, Memphis informed Brooks unequivocally that he would not be re-signed in free agency, and the Grizzlies have felt the absence of his energy and toughness. With a record of 6-17, Memphis is among the NBA’s worst-performing teams and is eagerly awaiting the return of point guard Ja Morant from a 25-game suspension.

Brooks’ significance to the Rockets

After Memphis parted ways with Brooks, the former Oregon Duck signed a four-year, $86 million contract with Houston, valuing his competitiveness and defensive prowess. The Rockets entrusted Brooks, along with newly-acquired point guard Fred VanVleet, to be the experienced leaders with a young team, and they have lived up to that expectation, perhaps surprising the Grizzlies.

Under new head coach Ime Udoka, the 12-9 Rockets currently rank seventh in the Western Conference. Brooks is enjoying one of his most productive seasons, showcasing an improved shot with a career-high 46 percent shooting accuracy. His three-point shooting rate of 39 percent is also the best in his seven-year career. Notably, the Rockets now lead the league in fewest points allowed per game and rank second in points allowed per 100 possessions, a significant improvement from their 28th and 29th rankings in the same categories last season.