Bryce James, Son of NBA Superstar LeBron James Chooses Arizona University Over Multiple Schools
Bryce James, the youngest son of NBA superstar LeBron James, will be playing Division 1 college basketball after officially announcing his commitment to the Arizona Wildcats. We discuss it here!
Bryce James Commits to the University of Arizona
By: Joshua Martin
Bryce James, the youngest son of NBA superstar Lebron James, will be playing Division 1 college basketball after officially announcing his commitment to the Arizona Wildcats on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
BREAKING: Bryce James has announced on Instagram that he has committed to Arizona 🔥🏀 pic.twitter.com/HGVZy2lqMr
— Rivals (@Rivals) January 1, 2025
Bryce played shooting guard at Sierra Canyon (California) and is considered to be a three-star recruit at the position in the class of 2025. According to reports, James selected Arizona due to Head Coach Tommy Lloyd’s ability to develop players and his patience with that process. He previously made visits to USC, where his older brother Bronny played for a season and also Notre Dame earlier last fall. The Fighting Irish, Ohio State and Duquesne also made offers to James throughout his recruitment.
Lebron took to social media to express his excitement about the news of his son’s commitment.
Bryce James began his high school career at Sierra Canyon before moving to Campbell Hall in May 2023. He later moved to Notre Dame High before returning to Sierra Canyon in November of 2023. The 6-foot-4, 165 pound guard currently holds an NIL deal from Klutch Sports, who have been a long representative of his father.
Bryce is a bit of a different athlete than his brother Bronny, which yields to great potential if he remains patient and develops.
"Bryce James is the son of Lebron James and that means, like his older brother Bronny, he's under the microscope. Bryce needs to be given time and space to run his own race though. He may not be the dynamic athlete or playmaker some expect at first, but he is a fundamentally sound player with solid perimeter size and a good early skill-set.” - 247Sports Director of Scouting Adam Finkelstien
Bryce becomes the second player to verbally commit to the Wildcats, joining five-star small forward Dwayne Aristode, who signed his national letter of intent in November.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
Bron and Bronny Share the Court as King James Reflects on a Special Moment
LeBron and Bronny James made NBA history as the first father-son duo to share the court during the Lakers' win over the Timberwolves, creating an unforgettable moment in their basketball journey. We discuss it here!
LeBron & Bronny James talks to Taylor Rooks after the first father son duo in NBA history.
Photo Cred: Harry How/Getty Images
By: Joshua Martin
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has created countless memories over his legendary 22 year NBA career but sharing the court with his son Bronny during Tuesday night’s victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves might be the one that stands out from the rest. LeBron and Bronny became the first father-son duo in NBA history to appear in a game together with 4:00 left in the second quarter.
“That moment, us being at the scorer’s table together and checking in together, something I will never forget. No matter how old I get, no matter how my memory may fade as I get older or whatever, I will never forget that moment.”
Bronny, the 55th pick of last year’s draft, said sharing the floor with his dad made playing in his first career NBA game even more memorable. The two of them almost had a moment when Lebron passed the ball to Bronny on the wing for a wide-open three pointer but unfortunately the 20 year old’s jumper did not fall.
“I tried not to focus on everything that was going on around me and tried to focus on going in as a rookie and not trying to mess up. But yeah, I totally did feel the energy, and I appreciate the Laker Nation for showing the support for me and my dad.”
Bronny went scoreless in his NBA debut and secured only one rebound, while his dad tallied 16 points, five rebounds and four assists in the victory. Anthony Davis led the way for the Lakers on opening night with 36 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks.
“This is the first time we had a LeBron moment that was something huge and we won. Every other thing we’ve always lost, so it kind of kills the moment. But it was a special moment for everybody.”
The Lakers will look to keep the positive momentum going as the season progresses. Their next game is Friday at Crypto.com Arena versus Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
Lakers Draft Bronny James, Creating First Father-Son Duo in NBA History
The Los Angeles made history by selecting Bronny James in the second round of this year’s NBA draft, becoming the first team to potentially have a father-son duo play in the league. We discuss it here!
December 15th, 2019: LeBron "Bronny" James Jr. (0) plays in the high school basketball game between St. V. Irish and Sierra Canyon Trailblazers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH.
Photo Cred: Mark Alberti/1022 Project
By: Joshua Martin
This year’s NBA Draft may go down as one of the most memorable drafts of all time. Not only did we see a plethora of potential stars walk across the stage but in the second round at pick number 55, The Los Angeles Lakers made history. With the 55th selection the Lakers chose Bronny James, making he and Lebron the first father son duo to play in the league simultaneously.
Bronny James is selected 55th overall by the @Lakers in the 2024 #NBADraft presented by State Farm!
— NBA (@NBA) June 27, 2024
Watch the Second Round on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/BnxozT7CGj
Multiple videos and stills surfaced of Lebron, Savannah, Bryce and LeBron’s mother, Gloria James, huddling around Bronny as he watched his name get called. The former USC Trojan could be seen wiping away tears as his mother handed him his official Lakers Draft Night hat.
Bronny James emotional with his family after being drafted 🙏pic.twitter.com/xidyce5nhl
— NBA World (@NBAW0RLD24) June 27, 2024
Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka spoke on this historical moment
“In the history of the NBA, there’s never been a father and a son that have shared an NBA basketball court and that feels like something that could be magical. We know, and have to respect of course, that LeBron has a decision on his opt-out…but if it worked out that he was on our team next season, NBA history could be made. And NBA history should be made in a Lakers uniform.”
L.A.’s second superstar Anthony Davis shared similar sentiments. Admitting that Bronny will be fine, highlighting his on court abilities and his willingness to create his own path and not thrive off of the successes of his legendary father.
“He’s very good defensively. He can read the floor very well. I think he’s a really good playmaker. I saw him work out a couple times besides the [Klutch Sports] pro day and working with a big — his reads, reading the defense, making the right passes — that was really impressive to me. I think he’s going to be fine, man. But one thing about Bronny, from what I’ve seen and what I heard, he wants to create his own path and he doesn’t want to be — even though he’s LeBron James‘ son, he don’t want be seen as that. And I think having that mindset and trying to create his own path is going to work out for him. … Who knows, he might come in and be ready to play for us.”
During Bronny’s short collegiate stint at USC, the guard averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 19.4 minutes per game. His playing time and draft stock took a major hit after suffering from a cardiac arrest incident and surgery. His recovery sideland him for almost 5 months, making his basketball career murky at best.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
USA Basketball Announces Star Studded Olympic roster
USA Basketball unveils a star-studded Men’s National Team for the 2024 Paris Olympics, featuring icons like LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant. We discuss it here!
Team USA celebrates after winning the gold medal game during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Saitama Super Arena.
Photo cred: Kyle Terada/ USA TODAY Sports
By: Joshua Martin
Exactly 100 days before the Olympic Opening Ceremony, USA Basketball officially announced their Men’s National Team for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The most successful nation in Olympic basketball history is seeking its fifth consecutive and 17th total gold medal. This year’s roster features NBA & Olympic champions, multi-time All-Stars, and MVPS, headlined by future Hall of Famers LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant. Invoking thoughts of the hallowed ‘Dream Team.’
Greatness Unites.
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) April 17, 2024
The 2024 USA Men's National Team is here.
🇺🇸 #USABMNT pic.twitter.com/I2jOLsrcQv
Fresh off of a NBA Play-In Tournament victory against the Pelicans, the team will be anchored by Lakers forward and four time NBA MVP Lebron James. James makes his return to Olympic competition eight years after capturing the gold at Rio in 2016. The four time NBA champion also won gold with the squad at London in 2012.
Durant returns after setting the record for most points scored in men’s Olympic history at Tokyo 2020 in 2021, surpassing the previous mark held by Carmelo Anthony. Now at age 35, the Suns forward could pass up Anthony again. Breaking their tie for the most gold medals(4) won by a male basketball player at the Olympic Games.
The undisputed greatest shooter of all time will make his Olympic debut when he steps on the court at Paris 2024. Curry, a four time champion and two time MVP, previously won gold while representing the USA in international competition at the FIBA World Cup and was expected to play at the Rio games but withdrew due to ankle injuries.
The team will be coached by Golden State Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr. Los Angeles Clippers Head Coach Tyron Lue, Miami Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra and Gonzaga coach Mark Few will serve as his assistants.
The USA team will hold a training camp and exhibition games in Las Vegas in early July, before traveling to Paris. The Opening Ceremony for the 2024 Paris Olympics will take place on July 26th with men’s basketball play beginning the following day.
The official roster is listed below.
LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns)
Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)
Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)
Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers)
Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Jrue Holiday (Boston Celtics)
Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)
Kawhi Leonard (Los Angeles Clippers)
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
LeBron James and Maverick Carter Introduce a New Men's Grooming Line
Basketball icon LeBron James and his longtime business collaborator Maverick Carter are teaming up to debut a fresh collection of men's grooming essentials. We discuss it here!
Maverick Carter and LeBron James poses during a photoshoot.
Photo Credit: Ike Edeani for Bloomberg Businessweek
By: Joshua Martin
According to sources, James and Carter’s SpringHill Company will team up with the global beauty company Parlux for the upcoming collection. Parlux recently made waves for partnering with Drake for his “Better World Fragrance House”.
The line will feature products inspired by SpringHill’s Emmy award-winning show, The Shop. The collection will feature hair, beard and skincare essentials. Consumers can also expect vegan and cruelty-free range styling pomade, shave cream, hydrating facial lotion, moisturizing shampoo, conditioner, exfoliating face wash and more!
LeBron James is launching a men's grooming brand called The Shop.
— CPG WIRE (@cpgwire) February 13, 2024
The seven-product collection was developed with Parlux, a New York-based manufacturer of beauty products.
The Shop will launch exclusively at Walmart in the spring.
More info ➡️ https://t.co/8kevFlU1mu pic.twitter.com/u1Gwysx1pf
Appropriately named “The Shop Men’s Grooming Line”, all products will be available for purchase on Walmart’s website April 1st. All items will be priced under $10 per product with the idea being, providing men of all ages affordable personal care that works.
The Shop co-creators Paul Rivera and Randy Sims recently explained the line was inspired by the “barbershop experience.”
“We created The Shop out of a deep love and passion for the barbershop experience. Our show was designed to bring people inside the shop for the debates, the arguments, and the therapy you can only get at a true neighborhood spot. Now, we want to give people another side to the experience.”
President of Parlux, Lori Singer, praised the collection for being vegan and cruelty free while also adding that this partnership with LeBron is a great way to build The Shop’s “community”.
“From our very first meeting, Parlux saw the tremendous potential and opportunity for The Shop to create a grooming line as a natural extension of the show and their community.”
The Shop is gearing up for its seventh season on the Uninterrupted YouTube channel, while fans can expect the new collection to hit stores in April at Walmart.
Check out episodes below.
"Failing right now is not an option" | Anuel, Tracee & Aldis Talk Defining Greatness | THE SHOP
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
What's Next For USA Basketball?
The USA basketball team has left the World Cup Games for the second consecutive time without a medal as they lost the Bronze Medal game in overtime to Canada. We discuss it here!
Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
By: Vince Wilson
The USA basketball team has left the World Cup Games for the second consecutive time without a medal as they lost the Bronze Medal game in overtime to Canada. This is only Canada's second medal in international basketball competition since 1936, behind a dominant performance from Shai Gileous Alexander who had 31 points and 12 assists. After starting 4-0, the USA team stumbled to the finish line losing 3 of their last 4 including close losses to Lithuania and Germany finishing 4th Place with a 5-3 record.
The emergence of Anthony Edwards and Austin Reeves were the only bright spots for the USA team as the team looked overwhelmed and incohesive. The USA team can still redeem themselves in the upcoming Olympic Games as they won gold both times. They missed a medal in 2006 and 2019, although many are feeling a need to revamp the team, and maybe the coaching, as the team lacks the star power and roster balance to compete. Coach Kerr’s small ball five guard rotations were continuously outplayed by bigger teams and seemingly unable to stop anyone defensively. Germany’s big man and NBA journeyman Daniel Theis scored 21 points after only scoring 21 or more six times in his entire NBA career. Canada’s Dillon Brook’s 39 points were more points than he’s ever scored in any NBA game.
Dillon Brooks scored 39 points against Team USA, making 7 of his 8 attempts from 3-point range while drawing "MVP" chants from the crowd.
Photo Credit: Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images
With USA’s ‘C’ team failing to medal, the question is, what’s next for USA Basketball?
LeBron James has entered the chat with a tweet. LBJ posts a cryptic ‘eyes emoji’ over an NBA CENTRAL tweet that has sent the sports world into a frenzy. LeBron James was a part of the disappointing 2004 Bronze team before joining forces with the late great Kobe Bryant for the Redeem team in 2008 and bringing back gold to the States. LeBron hasn’t played in international competitions since 2016 and it looks like he may be eyeing a comeback and last dance for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Many are hoping the recruiters can get Durant, Curry, Tatum, and the NBA’s elite to join him and bring back the Gold to the USA. Throw in the God of USA Basketball, Carmelo Anthony, and we may see the medal again.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
LeBron James Expresses Gratitude Amidst Bronny's Medical Emergency
LeBron James expresses gratitude after Bronny's cardiac arrest, while the sports world shows support and love to the James family. We discuss it here!
The James family takes a picture at the 31st annual ESPYS awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on July 12, 2023. (Kevin Mazur/ Getty Images)
By: Adonis Armstrong
In his first public statement since Bronny James experienced a cardiac arrest, LeBron James expresses gratitude to everyone who sent well wishes and prayers to his family.
TMZ Sports reported on July 25th that the 18-year-old athlete experienced a medical emergency during a workout at the University of Southern California on the previous day, July 24th. “Medical staff was able to treat Bronny and take him to the hospital. He is now in stable condition and no longer in ICU,” A family spokesperson issued the statement.
In May, Bronny joined the university's basketball team as the No. 19 recruit, and the James family expressed their gratitude to USC's staff while requesting privacy in their initial statement. LeBron mentioned in a recent tweet that they will share further details when they feel comfortable doing so. “I want to thank the countless people sending my family love and prayers,” he captioned. “We feel you, and I’m so grateful. Everyone doing great. We have our family together, safe and healthy, and we feel your love. Will have more to say when we’re ready, but I wanted to tell everyone how much your support has meant to all of us!”
I want to thank the countless people sending my family love and prayers. We feel you and I’m so grateful. Everyone doing great. We have our family together, safe and healthy, and we feel your love. Will have more to say when we’re ready but I wanted to tell everyone how much your…
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 27, 2023
Following the news about Bronny's situation, numerous individuals in the sports world, including Damar Hamlin, extended their love, support, and encouragement to the James family. In a tweet, the Buffalo Bills safety captioned, “Prayers to Bronny and the James family as well. Here for you guys just like you have been for me my entire process.”
Prayers to Bronny & The James family as well. 🙏🏽 here for you guys just like you have been for me my entire process.
— 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 (@HamlinIsland) July 25, 2023
We at 247LC are sending the James family all the strength and positivity during this challenging time. Wishing Bronny a swift recovery, and looking forward to seeing you back in action soon.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
Recap of the 2023 ESPYS
2023 ESPYS recap celebrated sports excellence and inspiring athletes with awards, performances, and heartfelt recognition. We discuss it here!
Angel Reese at the 2023 ESPYS
By: Joshua Martin
The ESPYS are a time where some of the most famous athletes from around the world come together to celebrate the past year in sports. The 31st edition of the annual celebration of the sports world’s elite was once again held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California.
Some of the more popular awards are Best male athlete, Best female athlete, the prestigious Jimmy V award for Perseverance, the Pat Tillman award for Service and the Arthur Ashe award for Courage.
Alongside the celebration of the championship players, there were musical performances by Lil Wayne and H.E.R.
WEEZY HAS THE #ESPYS JUMPING 👏 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/9qcekwQYIb
— ESPN (@espn) July 13, 2023
The Kansas City Chiefs took home the award for best team thanks to their Super Bowl LVII winning effort earlier this year and the team’s quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, once again took home the award for best NFL Player (he won in 2019 after his first MVP season).
LSU’s superstar forward Angel Reese won Best Breakthrough Athlete. Reese made headlines during the NCAA tournament where her “you cant see me” and “ring me” celebrations took the world by storm. Despite the backlash, her talents propelled her to the top of the list of the best breakthrough athletes.
"Another natty is coming, period." 💅
— ESPN (@espn) July 13, 2023
You heard it at the ESPYS first❗️ pic.twitter.com/A7VxH0Eq41
Carmelo Anthony, alongside the famed ‘Banana Boat Crew’ , was honored for his accomplishments on and off the court.
Shortly after LeBron James let the world know that he doesn't plan on retiring anytime soon and that he has more to give to the game of basketball.
"Lucky for you guys, that day is not today."
— ESPN (@espn) July 13, 2023
Go off, Bron 😂 pic.twitter.com/4X1Fqs0PqX
Last but not least, The Buffalo Bills training staff was honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service due to their actions that saved the life of safety Damar Hamlin. An emotional Hamlin introduced the staff that was responsible for saving his life.
Damar Hamlin presenting the Pat Tillman Award for Service to the Bills' training staff at the @ESPYS is pretty awesome. pic.twitter.com/Lbt5B6yTYF
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 13, 2023
Below is the list of complete winners.
Best Athlete, Men’s Sports: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Best Athlete, Women’s Sports: Mikaela Shiffrin, Ski
Best Breakthrough Athlete: Angel Reese, LSU Women’s Basketball
Best Record-Breaking Performance: LeBron James surpasses Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for NBA career scoring record
Best Championship Performance: Lionel Messi, Argentina – World Cup Final
Best Comeback Athlete: Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
Best Play: Justin Jefferson with the Catch of the Century
Best Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Best College Athlete, Men’s Sports: Caleb Williams, USC Football
Best College Athlete, Women’s Sports: Caitlin Clark, Iowa Women’s Basketball
Best Athlete with a Disability: Zach Miller, Snowboarding
Best NFL Player: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Best MLB Player: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels
Best NHL Player: Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
Best NBA Player: Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Best WNBA Player: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Best Driver: Max Verstappen, F1
Best UFC Fighter: Jon Jones
Best Boxer: Claressa Shields
Best Soccer Player: Lionel Messi, Argentina/PSG
Best Golfer: Scottie Scheffler
Best Tennis Player: Novak Djokovic
SPECIAL AWARDS
Jimmy V Award for Perseverance: Liam Hendriks
Arthur Ashe Award for Courage: U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team
Pat Tillman Award for Service: Buffalo Bills Training Staff
SPORTS HUMANITARIAN AWARDS
Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award: Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee Bucks) and Lauren Holiday (retired U.S. Women’s National Team)
Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award: Jordan Adeyemi, Ashley Badis, Rishan Patel
Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year: San Antonio Spurs
Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award Honorees: Dr. Richard Lapchick
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
The Next Generation of NBA Stars Find New Homes
Exciting NBA draft with major trades and standout prospects, including Victor Wembanyama as the top pick, sets the stage for team improvements and sparks intrigue for the coming season. We discuss it here!
Victor Wembanyama during the French championship, Betclic elite basketball match between Paris and Metropolitans 92 (Mets or Boulogne-Levallois) on May 16, 2023 in Levallois, France.
Credit: Victor Velter Via Shuttertock
By: Joshua Martin
This may be the most entertaining draft we've had in some time. Trades galore leading up to draft night already had organizations putting together plans to improve their teams now and for the future. Marcus Smart now plays for the Grizzlies, CP3 is now a Warrior, Jordan Poole was shipped off to the Wizards and Kristaps Porzingis is officially a Boston Celtic. That’s a lot of moves. Despite the moving of well established, big name players, the NBA Draft is all about the young guys and this year there was a clear no-brainer for the number 1 pick.
Victor Wembanyama is a once in a lifetime prospect and was the clear favorite to go to the Spurs at 1. Wemby is a freak of nature, standing at 7’5” with a 8 foot wingspan he is the most highly touted incoming player since Lebron James. He may not turn the Spurs into a playoff team in his first year but he couldn't have found himself in a more perfect situation. In San Antonio, he will play and learn from one the greatest coaches of all time in Greg Poppavich and he will get plenty of opportunities to showcase his skills on a squad that's in desperate need of a talent influx, thus the number 1 pick. As a player comp, I can see him evolving into a more durable Porzingis with a lot more ball skills and shot creation. He also has the potential to become a defensive force, If he can add bulk to an otherwise wiry frame, the Spurs may be adding more championship banners to the 5 they already have.
Wemby may have dominated the pre draft headlines but this draft was about more than one prospect. To round out the top five, the Charlotte Hornets selected versatile forward Brandon Miller at 2, the uber athletic point guard Scoot Henderson went to the Portland Trail Blazers at 3, the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons selected two twin brothers, Amen and Ausar Thompson, with the 4th and 5th picks respectively. Despite not being known for putting the ball in the basket, both brothers are long and rangy. The game has changed so much that non shooting perimeter players really don't have a place in the modern NBA but both have the propensity to transform into legit defensive stoppers.
Biggest Winners
Mavericks
The Mavericks started off a successful draft night by moving the horrendous Davis Bertans contract, drafting Duke center Dereck Lively II at 12 overall and acquiring former Sacramento Kings big man Richaun Holmes. The Mavs are winners because they were able to gain a little bit of cap flexibility and address some of their defensive woes with the selection of LIvely II, a mobile big man with size and the potential to become a defensive player of the year winner.
Washington Wizards
Gone are Bradley Beal, Kristaps Porzingis. In are former NBA champion Jordan Poole, Tyus Jones, a bunch of mid level veterans and a slew of draft picks. The Wizards selected forward Bilal Coulibaly with the 7th overall pick, a defensive stopper with obvious holes in his offensive repertoire. Many may look at this as a reach but the Wizards are allowed to take a few risks, especially since they have fully embraced a rebuild that was long overdue.
Biggest Losers
It's hard to label teams as losers on a night filled with so much hope and promise. However there are two squads that left their fan bases with more questions than answers.
The OKC Thunder had a whooping 17 1st round picks over the next 3 years heading into last night's draft. Despite a solid pick at 10 with guard Cason Wallace. Oklahoma City fans have to wonder if they are facing a forever rebuild. Shai is an ALL NBA type of talent and most teams will try to find veteran stars to maximize the talent of the younger players. Not the Thunder who seem to be adamant at stockpiling assets without actually cashing them in. Acquiring high valued prospects is never a bad thing but eventually OKC needs to make a move that will put them in serious playoff contention before they miss their window to improve in a always competitive Western conference.
The Portland Trail Blazers took the best available prospect at 3 with their selection of Scoot Henderson but Dame Lillard has explicitly announced he doesn't plan on waiting on younger players to develop. He wants to win now and not any of the moves the organization has made this offseason has made that dream a reality.
“I don’t have much of an appetite for bringing in guys two and three years away from really going after it.”
Calling the Trail Blazers losers may be a little misguided but one cant help but wonder, “What are they going to do?” With rumors swirling, the Blazers could have appeased both Dame and Blazers fans with a draft day trade. I mean it's not like they didn't have the assets. The Blazers are at a crossroads and will be quite interesting to see how it all unfolds in the coming months.
All in all, The Victor Wembenya era starts now. Good luck rookies, we will be watching!!
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
LeBron James and I PROMISE School Announces Housing for Students and Families
LeBron James and I PROMISE School introduce game-changing 'permanent' housing initiative to support students and families in need. We discuss it here!
LeBron James (credit: D Dipasupil/Filmmagic)
By: Adonis Armstrong
LeBron James is widely recognized as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. But his impact extends far beyond the basketball court. In recent years, LeBron has made significant efforts to address social issues and uplift his community. June 8th marked a significant milestone for LeBron James and his family foundation, along with community partners, as they celebrated the inauguration of the I PROMISE Housing development. This long awaited project serves as a complementary venture to the renowned I PROMISE school in Akron, embodying their collective commitment to empowering the community. A symbolic ribbon cutting ceremony marked the beginning of a new chapter in their mission to uplift and support the residents of Akron.
Recognizing the housing crisis and economic disparities in various neighborhoods, LeBron decided to leverage his influence and resources to make a positive change. His housing project focuses on providing affordable and safe housing options for families who face financial hardships.
I Promise Housing by @EANDC330 is officially OPEN. 💚💛
— LeBron James Family Foundation (@LJFamFoundation) June 9, 2023
We heard our family’s needs for a safe, affordable, and supportive place they could call home... and EANDC alongside many community partners helped make that dream a reality.
I Promise Housing will be all of that and more… pic.twitter.com/xbOFCi5PdU
At the symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony, which marked the beginning of a new chapter in their mission to uplift and support the residents of Akron, the presence of James' mother, Gloria James, alongside community leaders, signifies the realization of their shared vision. The collaboration between the East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation (EANDC) and the LeBron James Family Foundation has brought to life a remarkable $16 million development. This visionary project stands as a testament to their relentless dedication to the improvement of the community and the creation of a brighter future for its residents.
Within the captivating modern-day structure lies a collection of 50 well-made residential units. Offering a range of two, three, and four-bedroom layouts, this modern building stands as a testament to thoughtful design and functionality. Tenants fortunate enough to call this place home are granted access to a lineup of amenities, including community and fitness rooms, secure bicycle storage, specialized units catering to mobility and sensory needs, and the convenience of fiber optic Wi-Fi available in all apartments.
The collaboration between the LeBron James Family Foundation and EANDC extends beyond the physical housing development. Together, they are dedicated to offering comprehensive support to tenants through a range of services. This includes access to job and family services, medical and mental healthcare provisions, educational and career advancement training, as well as financial literacy programs. With a shared vision for the future, the ultimate aspiration is to empower these tenants to transition from renting to homeownership, fostering long-term stability and self-sufficiency.
Continue to strive for greatness LBJ!
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
Carmelo Anthony Announces Retirement from the NBA
Carmelo Anthony announces retirement from NBA, reflecting on his legendary career and leaving a lasting legacy. We discuss it here!
Carmelo Anthony (credit: Andreas Branch)
By: Joshua Martin
Ten-time all star Carmelo Anthony has officially announced his retirement from the NBA via an emotional video recap of his career where the caption simply read “Thank you #STAYME7O” During the video Melo mentioned that his on the court legacy pales in comparison to the love he has for his son, the game of basketball and the fans who supported him throughout his career.
Thank you #STAYME7O pic.twitter.com/4au8cOd13s
— Carmelo Anthony (@carmeloanthony) May 22, 2023
People ask what I believe my legacy is,” Anthony said. “It’s not my feats on the court that come to mind, all the awards or praise. Because my story has always been more than basketball. My legacy, my son … I will forever continue through you. The time has come for you to carry this torch.” - Carmelo via video address
The 38-year-old last played during the 2021-22 season where he was impressive coming off the bench for the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 13.3 points and 4.2 rebounds in 69 games.
Carmelo Anthony suits up for the Los Angeles Lakers. (Daniel Dunn / USA TODAY Sports)
During his prime, Carmelo was arguably one of the greatest scorers of his era. Earning him numerous all star selections, in addition to a scoring title in 2013 with the Knicks.
Carmelo played seven seasons in New York, he also spent time in Denver where he was selected number 3 overall by the Nuggets in one of the more memorable draft classes of all time, that saw Lebron James go number 1, Hall of Famer Chris Bosh at 4 and future hall of famer Dwayne Wade at 5.
The 75th Anniversary team member made stops in Houston, Portland and Oklahoma City as well, en route to a Top Ten finish in total points scored in league history.
Though uber talented, playoff success eluded CarMelo the majority of his career. The best chance he had at a title was in 2009 where the Nuggets fell short to the eventual champions, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. He only made it out of the first round one other time.
His performances with the USA Olympic team has definitely bolstered the 6 '7'’ forwards resume. The three time olympic gold medalist is the all time leader in appearance with 31, first in rebounds and second only behind Kevin Durant in points scored internationally.
Carmelo Anthony celebrates during the Olympics. (ESPN)
But where does he rank all time?
Being born in the late 1900’s, I had the privilege of watching Melo’s career unfold right before my eyes. From his days at Oak Hill Academy where he went toe to toe with longtime friend and rival LeBron James in a Nationally Televised high school game, to a National Championship victory after an impressive tournament run during his lone college season at Syracuse where he was named the Most Outstanding of the 2003 Final Four, all the way to his clutch performances at Madison Square Garden. Carmelo has always delivered!!
Carmelo Anthony celebrates after a three point shot at Madison Sqaure Garden. (Brad Penner / USA TODAY Sports)
However when discussing the greats, where will Carmelo Anthony end up? He was never known for his defense and I'm sure Nuggets fans haven’t forgotten how he forced his way out of Denver for greener pastures in New York. And let's gloss over the season he spent with Russ and PG13, as Carmelo was clearly out of his prime and the thoughts of a big three quickly materialized into a big two and a half.
Hindsight being what it is, Melo probably should have waited on a contract extension that prevented him from potentially teaming up with Dwayne Wade and Lebron during the 2010 offseason.
Nevertheless, a trip to the Hall of Fame is undeniable for the legend who averaged 22.5 points per game during 19 seasons. The 6 time all Nba selection sits 9th on the all time scoring list with 28,289 points.
In my opinion, Melo is in the top ten at his position. Not too many players had his pension for putting the ball in the hoop. The true definition of a “go to scorer”. Thanks Melo for the memories.
Carmelo Anthony celebrates as player for the Denver Nuggets. (Barry Gossage / Getty Images)
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
Bronny James Commits to USC
Bronny James makes his college decision by committing to USC, igniting a new era of basketball for the Trojans. We discuss it here!
December 15th, 2019: LeBron "Bronny" James Jr. (0) during the H.S. basketball game between the St. V. Irish and Sierra Canyon Trailblazers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH. Mark Alberti/1022
Credit: 1022 Project via Shutterstock
By: Joshua Martin
After much speculation, it's official!! Bronny James Jr., the eldest son of NBA Legend LeBron James, is staying on the West Coast and attending the University of Southern California.
Bronny wrote in his instagram caption “Fight On ✌🏿 #committed” while dawning his Sierra Canyon High School basketball uniform in the Trojans’ locker room.
After the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of the western conference semifinals, LeBron said in a postgame press conference that his son picked “a great university.”
“Unless it was one of my great-grandmothers or great-grandfathers or someone way before my time, to my knowledge this is the first one out of the James Gang to go to college.”
Basketball is family ❤️
— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2023
LeBron speaks on Bronny's college commitment. pic.twitter.com/VgELV0vTWv
Currently James Jr. ranks as a top 5 point guard according to ESPN and as a Trojan, Bronny has a chance to develop his impressive on ball defensive skills, while also honing his scoring ability and playmaking skills.
Bronny’s decision was interesting to say the least. Especially since the Trojans haven't made it to a Final Four since 1954 and hasn't had a deep tournament run in decades. One could only speculate that the allure of staying close to family and the bright and sandy beaches of SoCal played a major role in his decision.
Ask yourself. How often has college basketball been the topic of conversation for fans of USC’s athletic program? It’s usually the coliseum for a Trojan football game on saturdays. With Bronny on campus, the buzz around the Galen Center is destined to become a fever pitch.
Unlike most prospects, Bronny’s game has been under the microscope since becoming a rising freshman at Sierra Canyon High School. Initially, many believed his growth was small and incremental but after an impressive performance at this year's McDonald's All American game, the adulation of Bronny’s game has been on the rise. And rightfully so.
The 6-foot-3 athlete has great speed and lateral quickness and the explosiveness that should transition nicely to the college game. A pure shooting stroke with range and the mental capacity to out-think opponents at the amateur level.
USC’s basketball program has been buried behind the dominance of its cross town rival UCLA with its 11 National Championships over 60 seasons. The Trojans have had their moments but even the best USC teams can't hold a candle to the squads that dominated the sport during the Wooden era. We are now living in a new reality. As of now, Bronny provides USC with the sort of glitz and glamor it has never had.
Opting to avoid traditional blue blood programs, it's obvious Bronny wants to be a part of history. If the Trojans are successful next season, Bronny could help snap a 70 year Final Four drought, a 39 year PAC 12 title drought and it's been 53 years since USC finished in the top 5.
“Obviously, his dad didn’t go to school. His mom didn’t go to college. It’s super cool. … USC is getting a great kid. He’s there to play basketball, [but] they’re going to be super surprised at how great a kid he is, even though they’ve been recruiting him for a while.”
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
Kevin Durant Signs Lifetime Deal with Nike
NBA star Kevin Durant joins an exclusive group of Nike athletes, including Michael Jordan and LeBron James, as he signs a lifetime deal with the brand. We discuss it here!
By: Adonis Armstrong
Today April 28th, Boardroom, the media network of NBA star Kevin Durant, announced that he had signed a lifetime contract with Nike, thereby joining an exclusive group of basketball players who have signed with the brand, such as Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Durant, who is 34 years old, will now be associated with Nike for the rest of his career.
The partnership between the basketball star and Nike began in 2007. Over the years, they have collaborated on 15 signature shoe releases, with the 16th expected to come out soon. In addition to footwear, Nike has also worked with Durant on his family foundation and EYBL program, showcasing the depth of their partnership beyond just the basketball court.
A true honor to be in the game for life with @Nike https://t.co/VNj1IJUVWG
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) April 28, 2023
“When I first signed with Nike, I couldn’t have dreamed of how far we’d go in this partnership. We’ve done amazing work creatively and philanthropically,” Durant said on the deal. We’ve traveled the world together and built a business that will now last forever. I’m excited for the future and honored to be in rare company with this deal.
The newly signed lifetime deal between Durant and Nike includes their continued partnership on community and philanthropic projects, as well as footwear and apparel. Nike's EVP of Global Sports Marketing, John Slusher, commented on Durant and the agreement in a statement.
“As one of best basketball players in the world, Kevin Durant has been an important part of the Nike family for the past 16 years. We look forward to continuing to serve the next generation of athletes together,” he said.
As Durant closes out a new deal, he aims to add another Larry O’Brien championship trophy to his resume after helping the Phoenix Suns advance to the second round of the NBA playoffs by defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 4-1. He and the Suns will face the Denver Nuggets in the second round, beginning this Saturday, April 29th.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
First Week of NBA Playoff Basketball Recap
The NBA Playoffs kicked off with a bang we take a closer look at the highlights and lowlights of the first week, from unexpected upsets to standout players and controversial moments. We discuss it here!
By: Joshua Martin
A week’s worth of NBA Playoff basketball is officially in the books and well… This might be the most compelling first round we've ever seen.
From marquee players suffering untimely injuries, to blowouts of the 20 plus point variety, stompings and suspensions, this year’s playoffs have featured a little bit of everything so far.
We all know things can change quickly and so will our opinions on each of these remaining teams. But that's the beauty of postseason basketball: one game, one series can change the narrative around any organization.
Here are some of my observations…
The Knicks are legit and have their sights on a ECF berth.
It's amazing what great point guard play can do for a once moribund franchise. Jalen Bronsun might be the greatest off season acquisition of the past few years. He, along with Josh Hart, Julius Randle, Mitch Robinson and R.J. Barrett has revitalized the New York Knicks and has them in position to pull off the upset in this 4 versus 5 seed matchup. A suffocating New York Knicks defense forced Donavon Mitchell to have one of the worst performances of his playoff career in game 4, going 5 for 18 from the floor, with his teammates also turning in lackluster performances.
“The way we lost sucks. We can’t hang our heads and ultimately give up. We’re not that type of group. Like I said, we’ll be ready for Game 5.” - Donavan Mitchell, Yahoo Sports
“Spida” Mitchell deserves our collective benefit of the doubt but the way the Knicks are playing, it's hard to envision the Cavaliers climbing out of a 3-1 hole.
The Best Series of The first round has been the Warriors vs the Kings.
The Kings are maturing right before our eyes. The coach of the Year Mike Brown and the league’s most clutch player De'aaron Fox are going toe to toe with the defending champs and don't seem to be phased by the bright lights of the postseason at all. Draymond’s stomp on the chest of Kings big man Domantas Sabonis, forced the dubs emotional leader to sit in game 3 but the Warriors protected their home court and head back to Sac-town tied 2-2. Albeit with controversy, with Steph Curry inadvertently calling a timeout without realizing they were out of them after a challenge call didn't go in the Warriors favor moments earlier. Kings Forward Harrison Barnes eventually missed the game winning 3 point shot but the events leading up to the potential buzzer beater left many wondering who was to blame for such a crucial gaffe in such a pivotal moment.
Dub-Nation can collectively take a deep breath as the mishap is only a footnote in what has been an excellent series. The Kings have home court advantage with 2 of the next 3 games in Sacramento and the Warriors have been notoriously awful on the road this season. In order for them to advance they will have to win at least one game on the road.
The Bucks aren’t going anywhere without a healthy Giannis.
A back contusion has forced Giannis Antekounmpo to miss the last two games for the Milwaukee Bucks and they are in serious trouble. “Playoff Jimmy” is a real thing and the resilient with yesterday he scored a Miami Heat playoff record by scoring 56, the battle tested Miami Heat are showing the league how important it is to have your Superstars available during the final stretch of the season. Two blowout victories have the Heat in position to pull off the ultra rare feat of a 8 seed upsetting a 1 seed. The Greek Freak did return for Game 4 but it wasn’t much the Bucks could do to contain Jimmy, but it’s still not over anything is possible.
Are the 76ers for real?
The Philadelphia 76ers were undoubtedly the most impressive team during the first week of games. Not only did they sweep their opponent, the Brooklyn Nets, but they did so without Joel Embiid in game 4 because of injuries. James Harden and Tyrese Maxey blitzed the Nets by constantly attacking the interior and setting up teammates for easy shots. We even got a Tobias Harris sighting, as he is often the forgotten man on a team filled with talent and trustworthy vets. After trading away KD and Kyrie, no one expected the Nets to truly contend with the East’s elite but give the 6ixers credit, they took care of business and now one of the title favorites gets a much needed break as they await the winner of the Hawks versus Celtics series.
RusselL Westbrook quiets critics with impressive play, momentarily.
Russ may be having the greatest stretch ever in his hall of fame career. He has shot 54% from the floor and is currently 8 of 16 from three in this first round series against the Suns. We can expect those numbers to taper off a little but one thing is for sure, Russ never cheats us on effort. The L.A. Clippers have once again been devastatingly hit with the injury bug and all in all honesty should be getting blown out by this Phoenix Suns team littered with allstars and future hall of famers. Currently, as the lone “star” on a team filled with championship aspirations, Russ’s amazing play has the Clippers competitive.
Kevin Durant on Westbrook:
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) April 22, 2023
"When he retires, people are gonna tell the truth about how they feel about his game. Right now, [they] make a joke out of Russ."
Chris Paul:
"I feel like the only people to do that is the people who don't know basketball."pic.twitter.com/7EuCCoVgg2
Strong words from his former teammate Kevin Durant and longtime friend Chris Paul.
Lebron and AD leading Lakers resurgence.
Despite lackluster play from a few of their mid season acquisitions, the Lakers are enjoying a 3-1 series lead after last night thrilling overtime heading in game 4. LeBron had a game for the ages with his 20 point 20 rebound performance last night. Behind the magnificent play of Anthony Davis and the consistency of Lebron James, the Lakers may be the scariest team in the western conference. The on court antics of Dillon Brooks has dominated headlines but no one can deny the legitimacy of their title hopes, especially since the team made drastic changes to their roster a few months ago acquiring the likes of D’Angelo Russel, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasly. The Grizzlies have been snake bitten with major injuries to their frontcourt with Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke not being able to suit up and recently Ja Morant injured his hand after a hard fall in game 1. The basketball gods seem to be favoring the Lakers as much as any team in recent memory. Inconsistent play from the Grizzlies and injuries have the Lakers super confident and they should be. I hope “Dillon the Villain” realizes it's never a good idea to come at the King.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
Like Father Like Son Bronny James Shines in the McDonald's All American Game
Bronny James Jr. impresses at McDonald's All American Game with LeBron James in attendance. We discuss it here!
Bronny James and Lebron James
Alex Birens De Haan via Getty Images
By: Joshua Martin
The McDonald's All American Game is an annual event that hosts some of the best highschool seniors from across the country. Every year highly touted prospects showcase their skills with hopes of making the same impact on the March Madness stage as soon as next year.
This year’s game had the basketball world buzzing, as fans in attendance and those watching from home got a chance to see some of the game’s future stars.
Sierra Canyon High School (California) was well represented on both sides - Judea Watkins scored 25 points and led the West ladies squad to a 110 - 102 victory over the East - with many in attendance eager to see Bronny James Jr., son of the NBA’s all time leading scorer and Los Angeles Lakers superstar Lebron James.
Talk about a full circle moment! 20 years after his first appearance Lebron was in the building to support his son.
LeBron James in the McDonald’s All American game (2003)
Garrett Ellwood via Getty Images
Despite receiving some scrutiny about whether or not he deserved to be on the squad, Bronny left no doubt that he has a legitimate game and the poise to handle the pressures of being the son of “King James”. On the biggest stage Bronny delivered!
Bronny's first bucket had LeBron hyped 😤 @SCNext #McDonaldsAllAmericanGame pic.twitter.com/Wds9olUo96
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 29, 2023
The 6’3” guard displayed his impressive stroke from deep, draining 5-for-8 totaling 15 points in the East’s 109 - 106 victory over the West. Social media attendees showered Bronny with praise pinpointing his feel for the game.
There’s going to be a point when people can’t deny Bronny James.
— Justin Byers (@Justin_A_Byers) March 29, 2023
15 points (5/8 3P) for projected top-10 pick Bronny James showing why he's so highly regarded by some with an outstanding McDonald's All-American game showing. Also played strong defense and showed off his advanced feel for the game. pic.twitter.com/clsCGAyngd
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) March 29, 2023
Despite not officially declaring to a school, many believe he will sign with Ohio State University with USC and Oregon also in the running. The real question is will he make it to the NBA?
What the scouts are saying??
From what I can gather, he isn’t the second coming of his dad but he does possess solid size to become a capable combo guard with elite defensive potential. He has a smooth jump shot, a vocal leader with tremendous work ethic with an incredible feel for the game.
Bronny James and Lebron
Joe Robbins via Getty Images
There is no secret that Lebron wants to play with his son. Back in 2022 Lebron told the Athletic so in an interview, insinuating he will be willing to take a lower salary to make it possible.
“My last year will be played with my son. Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.” - The Athletic
It is very rare that father son duos even appear in the league let alone play together. Lebron doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon with his Lakers fighting for their lives in the uber competitive Western conference.
With all we've seen from Goat James, we shouldn’t be surprised if he accomplished something that has never been seen. So far so good. Bronny can play…
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
Recap of the 2023 NBA All Star Weekend in Salt Lake City
Recap of the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City featuring Rising Stars Challenge, Celebrity Game, HBCU Classic, Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest, Slam Dunk Contest, and the All-Star Game with Jayson Tatum as MVP.
By: Joshua Martin
Lebron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, Ja Morant, and more!!
Salt Lake City, Utah was this year's destination the entire NBA world ascended upon for this year’s All-star weekend. The NBA’s brightest stars and celebrities alike were center stage as they showcased their abilities across a packed weekend full of exciting events for basketball fans.
Friday Night
The Jordan Rising Stars Challenge featured four teams coached by former NBA stars. Team Pau, Team Deron, Team Joakim and Team Jason competed in a mini tournament involving 21 rookie and second year NBA players along with a few players from the G League. Team Pau won the tournament while Pelicans Guard Jose Alvarado took home the tournament MVP trophy. .
The NBA Ruffles All Star Celebrity game featured a cross section of athletes and entertainers, which included Grammy Award winning rapper 21 Savage, musicians Cordae and Jonelle Monae, NFL Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson and recently retired MLB player Albert Pujols. The MVP of the game, D.K. Metcalf, was a clear overwhelming presence on the court and instantly became a crowd favorite with his powerful dunks. Team Dwayne Wade, NBA Legend, defeated Team Ryan Smith, Governor of Utah, in a highly competitive game that came down to a half court heave at the buzzer.
Saturday Night
NBA x HBCU Classic
The highly anticipated NBA HBCU Classic between Grambling State University and their long time rival Southern University gave a much needed spotlight to Historically Black Colleges. On the campus of the University of Utah, Grambling captured the victory as NBA analyst Stephanie Ready and Hall of Famer Grant Hill called the game. Southern Head coach Sean Woods applauded the NBA for the exposure.
“The NBA has given us this platform, but this isn’t the end. We’re getting more TV exposure, so you’re starting to see really big-time games. And with the transfer portal now, we’re getting transfers coming in from Power 5 schools. The talent pool is rising in our league.”
As part of their ongoing commitments to HBCUs, NBA and AT&T each donated $100,000 to Grambling State and Southern University.
In the 2023 KIa Skills Challenge, Team Jazz (Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler, and Collin Sexton) defeated Team Antetokounmpo (Thanasis and Alex Antetokounmpo, along with Jrue Holiday) and Team Rooks (Paolo Banchero, Jaden Ivey, and Jabari Smith) in front of their hometown crowd after trailing early.
The 2023 Starry 3-Point Contest featured some of the best shooters in the league today. The 8-man field included Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat, Buddy Heild of the Indiana Pacers, Kevin Hueter of the Sacramento Kings, Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz, Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, Julius Randle of the New York Knicks, and the eventual champion Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers. “Dame Dolla” defeated Buddy Heild with a moneyball on his last rack in the final round. Lillard, who is a superstar in this league, said winning the event undoubtedly made him one of the greatest shooters ever.
“I think all the best shooters in the history of our game, most of them have one of these… I just wanted to get it done at least one time. So I’m happy I got it, now I can retire from it.”
Damian Lillard | Patrick T. Fallon via AFP
Initially viewed as an afterthought, The 2023 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest was the best it's been in years. Philadelphia 76ers guard dazzled the crowd with his gravity defying dunks and creativity. Not to mention he completed all of his attempts on the first try. Houston Rockets forward Kenyon Martin Jr., New York Knicks big man Jericho Sims and New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III held their own but were no match for McClung who sealed his impressive night with an incredible 540.
Sunday Night
For the first time in All Star game history, the main event featured a pre draft where captains Lebron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo picked their teams. Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum led team Giannis to victory while also capturing the Kobe Bryant All Star MVP trophy by dropping 55 points, an all star game record previously held by Lakers forward Anthony Davis. The lack of defense and effort was jarring as the game has unfortunately dissolved into a glorified shootaround but that didn't stop JT from going after the award in honor of his childhood idol Kobe Bryant.
“It’s extremely special to me. My first All-Star Game was in Chicago in 2020 when they renamed the MVP after him and I remember telling myself that someday I got to get one of those.”
The captains played limited minutes because of minor injuries.
Overall, on a scale from 1 to 10, I'll give this year's All Star weekend a 7 with a few surprises here and there. The fans were amazing and in full force but maybe the NBA should look into some warmer locations. With no set destination for 2025, L.A. would be a dope changeup!! Let’s make that happen NBA!!
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
Lebron James Closes in on All Time NBA Scoring Record | Is He the Greatest?
Lebron James is now trailing only NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, for the NBA’s all time leading scorer title. His resume gives him a strong claim to be called the greatest ever. We discuss it here!
Lebron James Closes in on All Time NBA Scoring Record
Credit: Tinseltown via Shutterstock
By: Joshua Martin
As of January 17th, Lebron James has amassed 38,072 points over his illustrious 19 year NBA career. He is now trailing only NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who is currently the league’s all time leading scorer. Lebron passing Kareem is almost inevitable at this point but there are still many who are unsure where to place Lebron amongst the all time greats.
Let’s see…18x NBA All Star, 4x NBA MVP, 4x NBA Champion, Lebron’s has a literal laundry list of accolades that stretches as far as the Mississippi river. As his accomplishments continue to amass, some would say there is no debate.
However, sports fans love a debate and nothing stirs the emotions more than the never ending question… “Who is the greatest of all time?” With updated resumes here are a few that have a legit claim of G.O.A.T. alongside “King James”
Steph Curry
Wardell Stephen Curry II, a.k.a. the greatest shooter of all time, has single handedly changed the game of basketball forever. Currently playing in his 13th NBA, Steph has 4 Championships, 2 MVPs with one unanimous, and at this moment has amassed 3264 three pointers made and counting. The all time leader in 3 pointers made has impacted the game no like no other. If he continues to add to his already gaudy numbers, his case for GOAT will be even stronger. Wouldn't be surprising if Steph ages gracefully in the league due to shooting prowess, which has him in line to post even more insane statistics.
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan! Michael Jeffrey Jordan! From the iconic Jordan sneaker line, to his relentless approach to the game, MJ terrorized opponents during his career. The 6 rings along with 6 Finals MVPs. The last shot, that may or may not have been a slight push off. So many iconic moments that anyone with a pulse has heard of “Air” Jordan. 5x MVP, 10x Scoring Champion, 9x All Defensive Team. It's almost blasphemy to compare anyone to him. As time goes on however and resumes start to fill out, maybe MJ’s reign as the GOAT may have some legitimate competition. For the sake of this article maybe.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul Jabbar, the current NBA all time leading scorer, simply dominated during his 20 year NBA career. He finished as the all time leader in blocks, games played and minutes as well. Born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr., Cap accumulated 6 NBA Championships, A league record 6 MVPs, while also appearing in 19 all star games. Awarded the Presidential medal of Honor by President Barack Obama in 2016, the actor, best selling author and coach has a resume that makes his argument for the greatest of all time legit and will probably stand the test of time. Not to mention his amazing collegiate career.
O yeah, Magic Johnson, the Late Great Bill Russell…
*Sighs*, The debate continues…
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
Power to the Player: How Athletes Are Taking Back Their Agency
From player empowerment, tough contract negotiations, social justice advocacy, ownership amongst athletes, and more, we're witnessing a shift in sports culture. We discuss it here!
By: Prince Hakeem
Since ancient Greco-Roman times, athletes have been some of the most admired members of society. From Koroibos in the first Olympic games in 776 B.C. to LeBron James playing at an elite level in 2021, athletes have long enamored spectators with their god-like abilities and accomplishments.
These physical feats have garnered them riches, influence, and celebrity status. As a result, the concept of the athlete has grown as well. They've gone from being human marvels to the driving force behind today's sports business. More than anything else, the modern athlete has become a symbol—a representation of teams, countries, communities, and traditions. However, what happens when the people who embody these symbols become forgotten and their autonomy diminished.
Ironically enough, the same platform which grants privilege, success, and visibility often becomes their prison—turning them into prisoners of lofty expectations and coerced groupthink. In an increasingly individualistic American society, the line between "team first" vs. the athlete's goals and overall health is becoming blurrier. There's always been this tightrope within sports, especially with social media bringing it more into focus.
From player empowerment, tough contract negotiations, social justice advocacy, ownership amongst athletes, and more, we're witnessing a shift in sports culture. It's no longer "shut up and play ." Better yet, athletes have more control of their narratives and destinies than ever before. They now realize that the sports business model cannot function without them. It's led to more advocacy for radical approaches to the game, compensation, mental health, and legacy. You do not have to look far to find examples of this change.
For starters, look at the developments surrounding tennis star Naomi Osaka. Known for her shy demeanor, Osaka garnered a lot of attention back in June when she announced that she would not participate in press events ahead of the French Open. The 23-year-old cited mental health struggles as her reasoning.
"I've often felt that people have no regard for athletes' mental health, and this rings very true whenever I see a press conference or partake in one," she wrote in a Notes post. "We're often sat there and asked questions that we've been asked multiple times before or asked questions that bring doubt into our minds, and I'm just not going to subject myself to people that doubt me."
Naomi Osaka pulled out of the French Open after refusing to attend press conferences. Osaka says she suffers from depression and experiences, "huge waves of anxiety before I speak to the world's media."
TPN/Getty Images
This, however, did not stop controversy within tennis and the media from arising. Osaka was labeled "selfish" and "entitled" by several media members and old-guard veterans of the sport. The French Open organization hit her with a $15,000 fine and threatened "further and greater consequences if she continued to decline her media obligations." In response, Naomi took matters into her own hands, withdrawing from the tournament altogether.
Instead of giving any further explanation, she advocated for her well-being. Osaka leveraged her power and pulled out of Wimbledon as well. On a bigger scale, the major tournament groups missed an incredible moment. The French Open could have used the opportunity to send a message of support and compassion. It certainly would garner positive publicity, positioning the sport as progressive. They instead opted to "flex" their muscles of tradition to prove a point. Now Naomi sits in a better light-publicly- all because she chose to do what's best for her, sending a message for others to do the same.
The ability to act with agency is more feasible for some athletes to do than others. Someone like Naomi would have an easier time doing this due to the individual nature of their sport. An athlete making personal decisions within team sports is challenging. None more so than in football.
Football is a cultural focal point within American society. The sport has served as the vehicle for racial and social integrations, celebrating the ideals of community and teamwork. It is one of the last and oldest institutions where subordinating one's individual goals for a collective objective is essential. Altruistic-yes-realistic, not so much. Today's football is more about commercial success rather than small-town virtues and values. And when it comes to business, everyone with a stake in the game moves accordingly- in their best interest.
This form of advocacy can be seen with today's NFL stars. There is a multitude of reasons which explain why. It all starts with the NBA's LeBron James. The kid from Akron changed the sports landscape with his infamous "Decision" to join the Miami Heat. Since then, the league has transformed into a player and star-driven commodity. Superteams are the norm, and players leverage their skills to have a say in front office decisions. This influence has crept its way into the NFL.
Despite not having fully guaranteed contracts, players are more empowered in today's game. Thanks to tougher agents, higher standard salaries, the players union, and a stronger CBA, NFL stars can disrupt the system in their favor. Quarterback Tom Brady is a clear example of this. Towards the end of 20 years with the New England Patriots, Brady wanted to help provide some personnel decisions. He wanted the team to surround him with better offensive talent. By the fifth Super Bowl ring, he had more than earned that luxury.
However, he was met with disrespect and even multiple attempts to move on from him. Brady, in the end, had enough of begging the Patriots and went to an organization that respected his word. He leveraged his winning experience for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to get every receiver he needed for a seventh Super Bowl ring.
Coming off an MVP season, Aaron Rodgers is fighting for his career and legacy. The 37-year-old quarterback is currently in a stalemate with the Green Bay Packers. After years of keeping the organization competitive, Rodgers has had enough of general manager Brian Gutekunst and the front office's dismissive attitude towards him. The tension has been brewing for a while, most notably since the Packers' decision to draft Utah State's Jordan Love in the first round of the 2020 draft. An MVP season including 4299 passing yards, 48 touchdowns, and back-to-back trips to the NFC Championship game is what Rodgers has as a bargaining chip. And even that could not garner Rodgers enough cache to have input in offensive personnel decisions. So now he is using his status as a player to send a message to his team. He has gone on record claiming that he loves his teammates, coaches, and the fanbase. It is not about money or wanting his ego stroked. For Rodgers, it is about legacy and respect for his contributions to the game.
Additionally, athletes are now the source, thanks to social media. They hold their own press conferences on Instagram, make career announcements on Twitter, and dictate negotiations with just a "Like" button. Times have changed, probably for the better. These instances demonstrate how a shift in agency and power is good for the individual athlete and necessary for sports as a whole. It sends a message that doing what's best for oneself should be the norm, not a spectacle.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
NBA Finals: LeBron’s Legacy Won’t Be Done Justice this Season, Here’s Why!
LeBron and the Lakers are chasing an NBA title but low television viewership may not honor his legacy the way it should after an anticipated 4th title. Here’s why!
By: Baigen Seawell
In March, everyone was excited to see what was planned for LeBron James and the Lakers with the growing success the team saw as they inched closer and closer to the playoffs. But it was hastily halted, meaning we won’t be able to honor his legacy in the way we should be able to.
With the NBA, MLB, and NHL all being halted in March due to the COVID-19 Outbreak, many of the things we usually have been looking forward to have been tweaked. Our sports circadian rhythm has been put out of wack, and we’re trying to get it back.
Once we got our “new normal,” the talks began to start back up again. But for the NBA, there’s been the talk of one of the best to ever do it, and the legacy that he’s inching closer and closer towards.
But let’s be honest, this season is not the most idealistic way to honor the King’s legacy.
LeBron has entered his 17th season this year, and has not looked back. Over his career, he’s evolved the game, helping foster new stat lines and player performance ratings to follow in the league, along with a growth and popularity in the point-forward position.
There’s no doubt that he and his teammates are destined for a championship ring after the trials and tribulations the Lakers franchise faced. If they win, this will result in a 17th ring, more importantly, an honor to the late Kobe Bryant, who was LeBron’s closest friend and greatest rival.
The Miami Heat, who represent the Eastern Conference, stars one of the youngest players to ever compete in the Finals. At 20 years and 256 days old, Tyler Herro is a household name in his own right, taking on a veteran leading his team to victory. This should be the talk of the town, everyone should be tuned in.
But they aren’t. At least according to the numbers.
But from the media side, no one is watching this unfold in real time. Game 1 of the Finals was thought to be the lowest viewership in league history with 7.4 Million. Then Game 2, the numbers dipped to 6.1 Million. Finally in Game 3, the NBA Finals had an all-time low of 5.9 Million viewers.
This sucks. But it’s not a political agenda or whatever people will throw out there…
Like many other leagues, they’re all fighting for a spot on the television. The second game fell on a Friday, which usually doesn’t get too many views according to Sports Illustrated. Game 3 fell on the same day as the America’s Game: Football (I can’t even say I was tuned in that game).
While unfortunate, we are in a paradox where we are experiencing all sports at once, making it nearly impossible for most of us common folk to watch several games at once. I’m sure the average family doesn’t have a 10 TV set up just for the sake of watching every game possible. People also find themselves streaming more than watching live cable TV, especially in the wake of the pandemic.
The argument can be made that “the NBA has been down in viewership for years!”
But… so has everyone else. Sports viewership is not what it used to be.
So what does this mean for LeBron? Does this mean he plays for more seasons so his presence is felt the way that it should have been this season? Maybe. Maybe not. But the magnitude and celebration that should be given for his contributions to the league may be put on hold because, unfortunately, not enough people are tuned in this season, and that’s no one’s fault but the damned TV Guide.
On the flip side, he’s still one of the greatest, he’ll still be acknowledged, along with Caruso, Davis and the rest of the Lakers. If they win the Finals, they’ll still get the attention from every news source, especially Skip Bayless’. Kobe’s Legacy will be resurfaced and the significance of the Laker Dynasty will be rightfully so placed in the forefront, as they’ll be tied with Boston for the most championships.
Viewership wise, the King may not get the amount of eyes on him as he should. The legacy will be much sweeter when reminiscing on the whirlwind that was the 2020 NBA Season.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
Showtime Releases Official Trailer For LeBron James' 'Shut Up And Dribble'
LeBron James is set to release a major documentary, Shut Up and Dribble, which speaks about the political activism involving NBA players. Check out the official trailer here!
By: Omar Cook
LeBron James is set to release a major documentary that speaks about the political activism involving NBA players. Showtime released a new trailer for the docu-series Shut Up and Dribble which is inspired by a statement made Fox News host Laura Ingraham.
Ingraham was critical on LeBron taking an anti-Trump stance and said, “Must they run their mouths like that? Unfortunately, a lot of kids — and some adults — take these ignorant comments seriously,” Ingraham said on her talk show in Februrary. “And it’s always unwise to seek political advice from someone who gets paid a hundred million dollars a year to bounce a ball.”
“Oh, and LeBron and Kevin: You’re great players, but no one voted for you,” she continued. “Millions elected Trump to be their coach… So keep the political commentary to yourself or, as someone once said, shut up and dribble.”
LeBron responded by saying “We will definitely not shut up and dribble——I will definitely not do that. I mean too much to society, I mean too much to the youth, I mean too much to so many kids that feel like they don’t have a way out, and they need someone to help lead them out of the situation they’re in.”
These types of statements are extremely ignorant especially coming from people who are responsible for delivering the “news.” Shut up and dribble? Who gave you the power to say who should and should not make political statements? Last time I checked, we had freedom of speech in this country, and the freedom to express our own views, and whether you choose to agree with those views or not is on you.
LeBron has teamed up with Maverick Carter to executive produce the three-part series, with some other names on board such as Rich Paul, Martin Desmond Roe, Chris Uetwiller, Datari Turner, and Gotham Chopra. What makes this series even better, is that it’s narrated by Jemele Hill, who recently just left ESPN for her own ventures. Doing it for the culture!
In a press release, Showtime stated "The controversy [Ingraham's comments] serves as a prologue to the series as it chronicles the modern history of the NBA and its players, starting with the 1976 merger of the freewheeling ABA and the more conventional NBA——The league soon became an incubator for many of its top athletes to grow their brands beyond the court, becoming powerful players in commerce and fashion, and transcending the game to become cultural icons. Shut Up and Dribble charts this evolution through the experience of basketball players, who by taking control of their own destinies have helped to bring about social change and make their own statements in the current political climate."
LeBron using his platform to advocate for change and to speak up on issues plaguing America is exactly what we need from other people of influence. These are the type of things that change American culture for the better.
Shut Up and Dribble premieres on November 3on Showtime. Check out the trailer below!
Meet Joshua Martin, Senior Video Editor for 247 Live Culture!
Email: Joshua@247LCTV.com