Rajon Rondo on LeBron James: 'I’ve never seen anybody take care of their body like him'

By HoopsHype | November 26, 2024

Rajon Rondo: I've never seen anybody take care of their body like him. Rest and diet—I mean, the little cliché things—he does them all. The way he lifts, the way he goes at the weight room, the way he attacks his on-court and off-court workouts—it's professional. Again, if you spend that type of money on your body, and when no one's looking, you're still doing the right thing, then you're able to stay in shape and have the longevity to a career like his. Dropping four triple-doubles in a row? Things like that. I mean, obviously, he's arguably the greatest player of all time. For me, I saw it every day in his regimen. He was very disciplined. He goes above and beyond what the average player—or even some great NBA players—have done that I've seen. Not only that, but the skill, the knowledge, and the know-how. It makes him super, upper-echelon, you know what I m ean? It's that discipline that takes you to a whole other level because these young guys coming in are more athletic and explosive. Yet, he's still able to manipulate the game, get to his spots, and outsmart everybody.Source: YouTube What's the buzz on Twitter? Tim Bontemps @TimBontempsNew ESPN story: From the staying power of Steph, LeBron and KD to the undeniability of Nikola Jokic, the impact of depth – in good and bad ways – across the league and injuries piling up, here are the biggest takeaways from the NBA season's opening month.espn.com/nba/insider/st… – 10:40 AM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankinPhoenix Suns rookie Ryan Dunn's upcoming defensive assignments:Tuesday: LeBron James (Lakers).Wednesday: Cam Thomas (Nets).Saturday: Stephen Curry (Warriors)."I got to come off 45 off-ball screens and get my wind up for that game, which I'm excited for." #Suns pic.x.com/OPWxpcRxfE – 8:29 PM StatMuse @statmuseThis season, Harrison Barnes has won Player of the Week more than— Wemby— Luka— Steph— LeBron— KD— Shai— Ant— Brunson— KAT— LaMelo— Cade— Harden— Dame— Trae— Sengun— Saboniscombined. pic.x.com/T1ixUGlKyj – 5:29 PM Jorge Sierra @hoopshypeThe Lakers have a good record, but also a negative point differential after a mostly easy schedule and with LeBron and AD basically missing no games. – 4:47 AM Khobi Price @khobi_priceHalftime: Lakers 63, Nuggets 57.Austin Reaves: 14p/4a. LeBron James: 13p/6a/4r.LAL's lead could've been significantly bigger if LeBron's layup with 32 seconds left or 3-pointer with 2 seconds left rolled in. Jokic leading Nuggets with 17p/9r. – 11:34 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburnI'm surprised Malone didn't stagger Peyton Watson to match LeBron's minutes tonight.Russ has been guarding LeBron, and while he made a nice play or two early, he's been overmatched so far.On the other end, Dario Saric is a -12 in 4 minutes. – 11:18 PM Khobi Price @khobi_priceLeBron James is up to 13 points 5-8 shooting after that pull-up 3 in transition, giving the Lakers a 46-38 lead before the Nuggets called timeout.LAL's on a 17-2 run over the last two minutes. – 11:18 PM Mike Trudell @LakersReporterA 10-0 Lakers spurt with Jokic resting turned a 7-point deficit into a 39-36 Lakers lead.Key play was LeBron drawing a clear path foul on Russell Westbrook and hit both FT's, then Vincent found D'Angelo Russell for a corner 3 to cap a 5-point possession. – 11:13 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburnAlright Nuggets fans, it's time for Game 15 of the season against the Los Angeles Lakers.Malone still going for 433.Murray going for a slump buster.No AG to guard LeBron/AD will make things difficult.Let's Basketball. – 10:40 PM Mike Trudell @LakersReporterRui Hachimura is back in the starting lineup after missing the previous four games, as JJ Redick hinted prior to the Orlando game.Reaves – Reddish – Hachimura – LeBron – AD will start. – 8:50 PM More on this storyline Sasha Vezenkov on the NBA: "I'm happy because, like, I did it. I owe it to myself to try against the best because it's totally different from watching it from the TV. The talent is incredible. I was one of the guys who was saying, like, 'They don't play defense; they are not like this or that.' But that's totally wrong. That's a myth. They're the best players in the world, 100%. The schedule and the whole environment are so tough. Every night, you have to guard guys like Anthony Edwards, LeBron James, De'Aaron Fox, or Jimmy Butler—superstars every single night. It's really tough, but I'm happy I did it. I was in a great environment. I can say, like, Sacramento is a city just for basketball. I enjoyed some parts of it, even though some parts were difficult. But if I had to do it again, 100%, I'd still do it." -via YouTube / November 26, 2024 I was always curious, before Game 5, when you're down 3-1, was there any moment where he said something or something happened that made you guys feel like, 'We're gonna do this, we're gonna come back and win this in seven'? IMAN SHUMPERT: When we were on the bus, Bron basically said, 'We're gonna go there, we're gonna win, and then we're gonna win at home. After we win at home, that's gonna put the pressure on them. They kind of don't even want to win it in Cleveland; they're gonna want to win their last one at home. So, either they get this one at home, or we're automatically gonna get six because nobody wants to come back to Cleveland and do it.' What they didn't realize was, he just broke the game down mentally for us: 'We're gonna win this game. I guarantee y'all we're gonna win this game. I don't care what we gotta do—we're winning.' And then, when we got back there, that's when it happened. Draymond didn't play. That's right. Everybody was like, 'Wait a second, y'all lose superpowers when this man isn't around. Ain't no pointing at the sky no more, ain't no tough guys. Nobody on y'all team wants to fight anymore. All y'all completely changed.' Their personalities changed. -via YouTube / November 26, 2024

Charles Barkley Wonders Why 5-Time Champion Gets Left Out Of LeBron-Jordan Debate

The greatest NBA player debate usually comes down to Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

TNT analyst Charles Barkley believe one superstar deserves more consideration for this title. A few years ago, Barkley claimed the late Kobe Bryant belongs in this discussion. He thinks Bryant is perhaps a better challenger to Jordan than James.

"As much as I like LeBron, he's one of the greatest that I've ever seen," Barkley said during a TNT segment that aired before 2020. "Why do they just brush him past Kobe Bryant? These guys always say, `Well, Charles ain't on this list because he don't have a ring. That's fair. I accept that. But Kobe's got five rings and he's the closest I've seen to Michael Jordan.

Barkley made the comments before James won his fourth championship in 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant still has one more championship, but James has the edge is nearly every career statistical category. The fact James is playing at a high level in his 22nd season gives him another case for the title of greatest player ever.

Still, Barkley thinks Bryant should get more credit.

"We're living in the moment and he's got (one) ring than LeBron," Barkley said. "I've said this, in my Top Five, Kobe's No. 6. LeBron is No. 7. And that's no disrespect but I'm not gonna move LeBron past Kobe. I don't think that's fair."

Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Back In The Day Hoops On SI. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com

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NBA Scout: LeBron James, Lakers Are 'Perfect Fit' for Dalton Knecht

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

Los Angeles may have found the "perfect fit" in one of their rookies this season.

The 23-year-old No. 17 pick out of Tennessee, Dalton Knecht, has been gaining recognition from several NBA scouts for his role on the 2024 Lakers squad.

"The Lakers are a perfect fit for him — if he keeps making shots when LeBron passes to him," one NBA scout told ESPN's Marc Stein. "We have seen it for many years: As long as you make shots, LeBron will like you. He's also got AD [Anthony Davis] to protect him defensively and JJ [Redick] is a great coach for him because, as a player, JJ was him."

The 6'6" guard has been a perfect addition to the Lakers, embracing his role as a rookie among superstars and contributing to winning in any way he can.

Knecht has averaged 11.5 points this season with 2.8 rebounds while shooting 51.5 percent from the field and a stellar 93.3 percent from the free-throw line.

The rookie posted a career-high of 37 points last Tuesday against the Utah Jazz, shooting 9-of-12 from beyond the arc and 75 percent from the field.

He has proven to be a reliable go-to option off the bench and has even earned some recent starts, averaging 33.6 minutes per game over the last five contests.

Knecht and the Lakers will aim to bounce back from a 127-102 loss to the Denver Nuggets as they face the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday at Footprint Center.

LeBron James, Lakers Criticized By NBA Fans in Loss vs. Westbrook, Jokić, Nuggets

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

Following the Denver Nuggets' 127-102 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night, Lakers fans had plenty to say about LeBron James and the team as they dropped their second straight game at home.

Denver's Nikola Jokić and Russell Westbrook continue to strengthen their revamped team, improving to 9-6, while the Lakers dropped to 10-6 on the season.

Jokić finished the night with 34 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists while shooting 12-of-20 from the field. Michael Porter Jr. contributed 24 points and 11 rebounds and Westbrook added 14 points off the bench.

On the other side of the court, LeBron James posted 18 points, six rebounds, and seven assists while shooting 7-of-17 from the field. Austin Reaves added 19 points and six assists.

Anthony Davis finished the night shooting 6-of-19, marking just the third time this season he has shot below 50 percent.

The Lakers pulled their starters with under five minutes left in the fourth quarter, effectively throwing in the towel to the disappointment of their fans.

With the 25-point loss to their Western Conference rivals, Lakers fans are beginning to question the team's grit and its continuous struggles against the Nuggets.

On Tuesday, the Lakers will seek redemption as they face the 9-7 Phoenix Suns on the road.

LeBron James says he will have a break from social media after citing ‘negative takes’

CNN  â€" 

LeBron James announced on Wednesday that he’s taking a break from social media.

The Los Angeles Lakers star made the announcement on his X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram accounts, writing: “Getting off social media for the time being. Y’all take care.”

Prior to that, James had shared a post from Rich Kleiman, Kevin Durant’s business manager, which questioned why the media was covering sports through “negative takes.”

Kleiman wrote: “We can all acknowledge that sports is the last part of society that universally brings people together. So why can’t the coverage do the same? It’s only click bait when you say it.

Related article LeBron James puts timeline on potential NBA retirement, says he will not play ‘until the wheels fall off’

“When the platform is so big, you can make the change and allow us all an escape from real life negativity. I for one find it all a waste of breath.”

Earlier this week, James, the NBA’s all-time leading points scorer, described how “everybody on the internet called me a liar all the time” for praising rookie Dalton Knecht’s college performances at Tennessee.

Knecht scored a career-high 37 points in the Lakers’ 124-118 win over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, tying the NBA rookie record of nine three-pointers in a single game.

It is unclear when James will return to social media.

Last week, the 39-year-old hinted at his retirement in the near future, telling reporters that he’s “not going to play that much longer, to be completely honest. I don’t know how many years that is. If it’s one year or two years, whatever the case may be.”

Despite turning 40 next month, James is still among the best players in the league, averaging 23.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 9.4 assists so far this season.

LeBron James Says 'Everybody On the Internet' Thinks He Lies

LeBron James attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Netflix's "Starting 5" at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on September 23, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.Generate Key Takeaways

For years, LeBron James has been accused of being a liar.

Basketball fans couldn't tell if he was reading The Autobiography of Malcolm X or just carrying it for optics. After Takeoff died in 2022, he claimed to have introduced his Miami Heat teammates to the Migos in 2010, although the group was already buzzing at the time.

But now the basketball giant has grown tired of the accusations of being untruthful.

The Los Angeles Lakers star held a locker room press conference following the team's 124-118 win against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday and was asked what he saw in new teammate, rookie Dalton Knecht, when he praised him last year.

"I don't know. The same shit I said last year," James said around the 2:30-minute mark below. "Everybody on the internet calls me a liar all the time. They say I lie about every fucking thing. So what am I now? I've been said it."

After making reporters laugh with his response, the four-time MVP further commended Dalton Knecht, who formerly played for the University of Tennessee's Volunteers.

"I watched Tennessee a lot. I did not think he was going to fault us; I thought it would be impossible," James continued. "I have no idea how that happened, but very grateful and very happy that he is here."

James was previously called out about his alleged lying streak by Jalen Ramsey on a 2022 episode of The Shop. During the conversation, James accused the Los Angeles Rams of stealing his Madden playbook and using it for games.

"Bron you know what they saying on Twitter right now," Ramsey joked at the time. "You be cappin."

"I always speak the truth, baby. I only speak the truth," James replied.

Lakers Locker Room in Disagreement: LeBron James and JJ Redick View Anthony Davis’ Missed Free Throws in Totally Different Lights

On Thursday, the Lakers' six-game win streak came to an end in heartbreaking fashion, as they lost 119-118 to the Magic. They had a two-point lead with 20 seconds left on the clock when Anthony Davis got the opportunity to ice the game with two free throws. However, he missed both before Franz Wagner hit a three-pointer to give his team the lead. The Lakers superstar had another chance to win the game but air-balled his buzzer-beater, ending the Lakers' perfect start at home.

Davis took the brunt of the blame for the loss but LeBron James came to his teammate's defense and claimed that the team didn't do enough over the 48 minutes to win. He insisted that they should've iced the game earlier, and said that an entire game cannot boil down to two shots at the charity stripe. He said,

"We put ourselves in a position to win, and we just didn't come through. It's a 48-minute game, you can't just point to the free throws. Obviously, we wanna try to close out the game, we had our chances, we missed them and you move on, but what we did in the third quarter, got outscored 29-21, we came out, lost the lead, and they took the lead in the 3rd. You cant just point to one thing."

However, not everyone agreed with James' point of view.

Lakers' head coach JJ Redick claimed that the loss yesterday night came down to the missed free throws in the fourth quarter. The Lakers converted only three of their nine free throws in the final period, and the rookie head coach believes those miscues were the reason for the loss. He said,

"There's certain losses that you can point to a lack of will and competitiveness and physicality, the Phoenix game and this game, it comes down to late game and it can swing on a couple plays, and frankly it swung on our missed free throws tonight."

Davis agreed with Redick and took responsibility for the loss. He claimed that him missing three of his four free throw attempts in the final minute cost the Lakers the victory.

"We lost the game, I missed 3 free throws down the stretch, they come down hit the three, take the lead. So my free throws are very important very crucial, and missed 'em."

Despite not seeing eye-to-eye on the reason for the loss, James, Redick, and Davis all agreed on the course of action for the Lakers: Put this game behind them, and prepare for the next one.

With the Nuggets visiting on Saturday, the Lakers face their sternest test yet. Denver has knocked LA out of the playoffs for two years running, and thus, has a huge psychological advantage. The Lakers are 1-12 against the Nuggets in their last 13 games but have faith that they can beat Nikola Jokic and Co. and bounce back from the loss to the Magic.

LeBron James leaves Lakers fans stunned after putting Jonathan Isaac on poster

There's nothing that quite gets LeBron James' competitive juices flowing than by witnessing his opponent pull off a highlight. During the Los Angeles Lakers' Thursday night contest against the Orlando Magic, James wasn't about to let himself get overshadowed by a mean dunk from Moe Wagner, as he came straight down the other end and replied with a nasty slam of his own.

James definitely saw red when he got Wagner switched on to him; the Lakers star easily blew by the Magic center, and then he was met at the rim by one of the best defenders in the NBA in Jonathan Isaac. But it did not matter. James may be a little over a month away from turning 40 years of age, but he can still get up there with the best of them as he put Isaac on a poster.

James has always managed to steal the thunder of other players following monster dunks from his opponents. Back in 2018, when he was still with the Cleveland Cavaliers, James decided to have the last laugh after Jayson Tatum posterized him in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. And then in early 2020, who could forget the time when James decided to launch from near the half-court line after a rookie Zion Williamson energized the crowd?

The 39-year-old Lakers star knows how important the psychological aspect of the game is, and he makes sure that his team wins the mind games and the morale push-and-pull that occur in every game. And perhaps, James' opponents will know better than to stand in his way when he's hell-bent on getting the momentum back in his team's favor.

It's a miracle that LeBron James is still as good as he is even though he's the oldest active player in the association. Even though he's no longer the athlete he once was, he remains elite even with a bit of a drop-off considering just how generational of an athlete he was during his prime.

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James' poster dunk garnered plenty of attention from Lakers fans on social media as a result, and deservedly so.

"LeBron old man poster he's lower than the defender at the rim that s**t looked cool as f**k it looked like Allen Iverson posters," X user @CarlosBerkley wrote.

"Imaging jumping HIGHER than LeBron and he still put you on a poster…at 39," @MikeWayneFLS added.

"LeBron's insane poster dunk might just earn him a random drug test tomorrow," @seensanero mused.

LeBron, Bronny James' Lakers Jerseys from Historic NBA Season Opener to Be Auctioned

Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

The game-worn jerseys of LeBron James and Bronny James—from the night they became the first father-son duo to appear in an NBA together on Oct. 22 against the Minnesota Timberwolves—are being auctioned at Sotheby's through Dec. 4.

The current bidding for the pair of Los Angeles Lakers' uniforms is $50,000.

Sotheby's does note that "due to a lack of media of Bronny without a warm-up jacket on, it is not possible to photomatch" whether the jersey was worn in the history-making moment against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The auction site did add that "'First Game 2D Half 10/22' is handwritten on the jock tag."

The father and son first appeared on the court together in the second quarter of that game.

"That moment, us being at the scorer's table together and checking in together, something I will never forget," LeBron told reporters after the season-opening game. "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."

LeBron James has ruined basketball, says a former Cavs star, drawing backlash from fans

LeBron James is one of the most celebrated athletes in basketball history, often hailed as one of the greatest players of all time. Known for his incredible skills, court vision, and versatility, LeBron has made a significant impact on the NBA since he entered the league in 2003.

With multiple championships, MVP awards, and an impressive career spanning over two decades, he has not only redefined what it means to be a superstar but has also influenced the way the game is played. However, his legacy is not without controversy, particularly regarding the trend of forming super teams that has reshaped the league.

LeBron's pre-game groove falls flat as Lakers stick to business

Recently, former Cleveland Cavaliers player Iman Shumpert stirred the pot by claiming that LeBron has "ruined basketball." In a candid chat on The Big Podcast With Shaq, Shumpert criticized James for initiating the super team phenomenon, arguing that it has negatively affected the sport.

When asked whether Steph Curry's dominance with three-pointers has caused problems, Shumpert quickly redirected the focus back to LeBron, emphasizing that his inclination to create super teams was a significant issue for the NBA.

Shumpert pointed out how players like Michael Jordan remained loyal to their teams, contrasting that with LeBron's approach. He lamented, "The person that ruined all of this was Bron... I felt like Bron was the guy that did it. I felt like when Bron made it okay for people to team up, it stopped making the star player have to come back with something added to their game."

This perspective highlights Shumpert's belief that LeBron's actions have fundamentally changed the competitive landscape of the NBA, making it easier for star players to join forces rather than striving to elevate their individual games.

LeBron's decision to join the Miami Heat in 2010, forming a super team with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, marked a pivotal moment in NBA history. It was the first time that elite players in their prime chose to come together, and this move set a precedent that many others have followed since. While some fans embraced this shift, viewing it as a new era of collaboration, others, like Shumpert, see it as a dilution of the competitive spirit that once defined the league.

After Shumpert's comments went viral, fans didn't hold back in expressing their opinions online. One fan remarked, "people still running with this false dumbass narrative Imao, and the fact that it's comi," showcasing the mixed reactions to Shumpert's viewpoint. Another wrote: "He is lucky that he won a championship in 2016 on the Cleveland Cavaliers with LeBron James on his team and his basketball career has average at best".

The backlash illustrates how deeply divided fans are on this issue, with many defending LeBron's choices and others echoing Shumpert's sentiments.

Dolphins' Jonnu Smith says teammate Calais Campbell is 'like the LeBron James of the NFL'

The Miami Dolphins have battled their fair share of turbulence this season.

At one point, the Dolphins owned a 2-6 record. However, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's return from injury has stabilized the team's offense and has helped Miami win its past two games. 

During the offseason, former Miami Hurricanes star Calais Campbell decided to return to South Florida and signed with the Dolphins.

The six-time Pro Bowler is in the midst of his 17th NFL season, and the experienced veteran defensive tackle has made a profound impact on the 2024 Dolphins — if you ask one of his teammates. Tight end Jonnu Smith recently praised Campbell, 38, for continuing to showcase his ability to be a key contributor.

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Oct 27, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith (9) enters the field before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Hard Rock Stadium. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

"Calais is one of my favorite teammates in all the sports that I've played," Smith said during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show."

Campbell recorded his fourth sack of the year during Miami's 34-19 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 11. Campbell's four sacks are the most by any player on the Dolphins roster this season. He now has 109.5 career sacks.

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The veteran defensive lineman has also played an important role in Miami's run defense. But, Campbell's impact extends beyond the football field. The 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year has brought more leadership to the Dolphins locker room.

Nov 11, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Calais Campbell (93) leaves the field after the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

"He's like the LeBron James of the NFL right now as far as his age and the production that he brings to the game, still playing at a high level. I mean, the guy is 1,000 years old and playing like he's 21."

Campbell is among the short list of NFL athletes who have played the defensive lineman position who have been able to continue playing — let alone make an impact — once they reached their late-30s. 

Sep 8, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Calais Campbell (93) celebrates after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars  at Hard Rock Stadium. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

Smith, who was also teammates with Campbell in Atlanta with the Falcons last season, then described Campbell as the "best leader" he's "been around.

If Campbell is able to log two more sacks over the course of the Dolphins' seven remaining games, he will pass former Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald for 40th on the all-time list.

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The Dolphins will welcome the New England Patriots in Week 12 for an AFC East division showdown. 

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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

Shaquille O'Neal told why LeBron James is to blame for the NBA's decline and not Steph Curry

Published 15:37 19 Nov 2024 GMT

Steph Curry is widely considered to be the greatest shooter in NBA history.

The Golden State Warriors icon holds the record for the most three-pointers made in the league's history and his highlight reel includes dozens of jaw-dropping, game-winning shots from long distance.

It's an approach that has proven to be hugely successful for Curry, too. The 36-year-old point guard has won four NBA titles, two Most Valuable Player awards and one Finals MVP.

But Curry is often blamed for what many observers perceive to be an unattractive style of play that has developed in the NBA in recent years.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat guarded by Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics

Curry's shooting prowess has inspired copycats around the league, players and teams who aim to shoot long-range efforts with a high frequency but who do not possess the same level of skill as the Warriors' three-point king.

To many, the prevalence of three-point shots is off-putting and a detriment to the NBA as a product.

But when asked about whether he thinks Curry has impacted the game in a negative way due to his influence on the modern playing style, one of LeBron James' former team-mates instead cited the Los Angeles Lakers icon as a bigger reason for the NBA's declining entertainment factor.

Iman Shumpert, whose 10-year NBA career included a spell alongside James with the Cavaliers as well as stops with the New York Knicks, Sacramento Kings and Houston Rockets, believes James' decision to join the Miami Heat in 2010 – where he teamed up with fellow All-Stars Dywane Wade and Chris Bosh to form a 'big three' – was more damaging to the NBA than Curry's influence on three-point shooting.

"Has Steph [Curry] ruined the game? Because I also was asked this and I said 'the person who ruined all of this was [LeBron James]," Shumpert said during a recent appearance on Shaquille O'Neal's podcast, The Big Pod with Shaq.

"[LeBron James] went to Miami [Heat]. Now everybody thinking like it's cool, y'all could team up. Now you create the three-headed snake out of Steph Curry now. Once they beat us [Cleveland Cavaliers], the two-pointer was gone. If you really break it down. It's our fault. If we didn't lose that first championship, who's shooting threes?"

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images

Topics: Lebron James, Steph Curry , NBA, Basketball, LA Lakers

Bronny James Limited to 4 Points for G League Lakers with LeBron in Attendance

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

Bronny James made his second G League appearance of the season for the South Bay Lakers on Sunday night.

James struggled with his efficiency during the contest, finishing with four points on 2-10 shooting and missing both of his three-point attempts during a 127-122 loss to the Stockton Kings. He also recorded two rebounds, two assists and a block.

His two buckets consisted of a contested layup with his left hand as well as a fadeaway jumper in the second quarter.

LeBron James was in attendance, having a brief conversation with his son during halftime.

Fans reacted to Bronny's performance on Sunday.

It's been a slow start to the 20-year-old's G League career, as he previously recorded six points and shot 22.2 percent from the field during his first appearance with the team on Nov. 9.

As he transitions between the NBA and the G League, he's only expected to play in home games for South Bay. While it allows him to gain more experience in the association, it may also be affecting his scoring rhythm.

The younger James' next opportunity to improve in the G League will come on Nov. 24, as South Bay hosts Stockton once again.

VIDEO: LeBron James Didn’t Sugarcoat His Feelings When Asked About His Clutch Three-Pointers Against New Orleans Pelicans

LeBron James (Image Credit: Jovan Buha/Youtube)

LeBron James amazed everyone at the Smoothie King Center with his impressive performance. In the recent game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans, James faced some challenges early on but delivered a remarkable display of skill in the match's final minutes. His heroics led the Lakers to extend their winning streak to five games.

In the game's final minutes, James made an incredible three-pointer that put the Lakers ahead 98-97. He followed this up with another three-pointer, extending the lead to 101-97. During the post-game interview with Jovan Buha, James was candid about his feelings regarding his clutch three-pointers.

"Just living in the moment, being able to still make plays and make big shots at this point in my career. That's what you live for. You never will be able to get those moments back when you're done." James said.

James's contributions during crucial moments were essential to the Lakers' 104-99 victory over the Pelicans. The Lakers star finished the game with 21 points, 5 assists, and seven rebounds in 37 minutes of play.

James stands as the oldest active player in the league, yet he continues to demonstrate remarkable skill and endurance. Recently, he executed an astonishing shot from the opposite free-throw line during practice, showcasing his impressive abilities.

James consistently delivers strong performances, as seen in the recent game against the Pelicans. Another player who made significant contributions in the win against the Pelicans was Lakers forward Dalton Knecht. Knecht scored 27 points, had 2 assists, and grabbed 7 rebounds. Moreover, Lakers star James praised his impressive performance.

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He's been a pro for a while. I talked about it last year, so it's no surprise to me. His shooting, his finishes, he can get it off versus anybody," James said (via Daniel Starkand of Lakers Nation).

LeBron James on Dalton Knecht: pic.twitter.com/9LLw5fbrOb

— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) November 17, 2024

Following the recent win over the Pelicans, the Lakers now hold a strong 9-4 regular-season record. Their upcoming matchup against the Utah Jazz promises to be thrilling.

Also Read: REPORT: Lakers Superstar LeBron James And Netflix Being Sued For Allegedly Stealing Some Of The Clips

Why Draymond sees similarities between LeBron and Sharks' Celebrini

Why Draymond sees similarities between LeBron and Sharks' Celebrini originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Draymond Green is perhaps the biggest Macklin Celebrini fan in the world.

And if th e four-time NBA champion hadn't already made his case clear, he took the time to expound to reporters on the Sharks rookie center's greatness after the Warriors' 123-118 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Chase Center.

How so?

Green compared Celebrini's current scenario with the Sharks to that of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James' with the Cleveland Cavaliers when he was an 18-year-old NBA rookie in 2003.

"When you're being compared to the greats at 18? Man," Green told reporters. "LeBron James was compared to the greats at 18, and he outlived it. Mack has that thing, and I think to be compared to the greats at 18, whatever people's hopes are or thoughts of what he will become, he'll outdo that. And I'm looking forward to watching it."

Prior to being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, Celebrini flourished at Boston University, where he became the youngest-ever winner of the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey's top player.

As a result, Celebrini, who turned 18 in June, has drawn comparisons to future Hall of Famers such as Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews by leading NHL analysts.

But Green detailed how he knew of Celebrini's star potential for years, as Macklin's father, Rick, joined Golden State in 2018 as the team's director of sports medicine and performance.

"Well, I've known him since he was 10 years old," Green said. "When you see someone walk in with their hockey stick the moment you meet them.

"I had a conversation with him and was like, 'Yo, you're going be the No. 1 pick … at 12.' And to see that come to fruition, and to know the work that he's put in and everything that he's up against, like, what a special talent to be 18 years old, and there's nights where he's the best player on the ice.

"I mean, wow."

A fierce competitor himself, Green pointed to Celebrini's mentality and tenacity on the ice as key strengths in his game, which he claims the Sharks center has possessed since his USHL days in Chicago.

"I went to see Mack play when he was playing with Chicago when we were in Chicago," Green recalled. "This dude came in and chucked him. Crazy chuck.

"And Mack came back down the court and chucked the dude. The dude didn't fall. He went right back at him and skated to the penalty box. When your best player has that type of attitude, it sets up your organization for success."

Green, who Cele brini recently called a "super fan" of his, has demonstrated his support for the future of San Jose multiple times this season.

On Friday, the Warriors star forward did so again – and it probably won't be his last. After all, he expects nothing short of greatness from Celebrini for years to come.

"He just seems so much more advanced," Green concluded. "His brain is as good, if not better, than his skill set.

"And his skill set is one of the best in the league already. I'm impressed by him, to say the least. I'm looking forward to watching him chase greatness."

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NBA Cup takeaways: LeBron James extends triple-double streak, DeAaron Fox drops 60, Jalen Brunson saves Knicks

The 2024 NBA Cup continued on Friday night and what a night of wild action it brought with 11 games on the slate. We had a 60-point game, a game-winning shot and block, and the third-longest winning streak to begin a season extended. 

Before we get to the main takeaways, here are all the results from Friday night's NBA Cup action, and you can find the Cup standings here. 

Heat 124, Pacers 111

Magic 98, 76ers 86

Pistons 99, Raptors 95

Hawks 129, Wizards 117

Cavaliers 144, Bulls 126

Knicks 124, Nets 122

Lakers 120, Spurs 115

Rockets 125, Clippers 104

Pelicans 101, Nuggets 94

Thunder 99, Suns 83

Warriors 123, Grizzlies 118

Timberwolves 130, Kings 126 (OT)

Cavaliers remain perfect

The Cleveland Cavaliers improved to 14-0, the longest winning streak in franchise history at any point in a season, with Friday's 144-126 home win over the Chicago Bulls. The Cavs, now 1-0 in the NBA Cup, are well over halfway to the best start in NBA history, which belongs to the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors who won their first 24 games.

The final score on Friday was deceiving. This was a four-point game with under three minutes to play, but the Cavaliers closed on a 21-7 flurry to make it look a lot more lopsided on paper. 

Cleveland's 14 straight wins to open the season matches the 2002-03 Dallas Mavericks and the 1957-58 Boston Celtics for third on the all-time list. The Cavaliers can match the second-best start in history, which belongs to the 1993-94 Houston Rockets -- who went on to win the championship -- if they can beat the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday for a 15th consecutive win. 

Cleveland got past Chicago without the services of Evan Mobley, who was out with an illness. No big deal. All fellow big man Jarrett Allen did was put up 24 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks on 11-of-15 shooting. 

Pair that with 66 combined points from Donovan Mitchell (37) and Darius Garland (29) on 11-of-20 3-point shooting, plus 22 points and four more 3-pointers off the bench for Caris LeVert, and the Cavs, who shot 43 3-pointers and connected on them at a 48% clip, had plenty of offense to go around.

Chicago was led by Coby White (29 points and six 3-pointers) and Nikola Vucevic, who continued his splendid start to the season with 25 points on 11-of-16 shooting. 

Brunson, Bridges save Knicks

The New York Knicks are doing all they can to tread water right now. The offense has been spectacular, the defense has been anything but, and it has added up to a 6-6 record after Jalen Brunson hit a game-winner to defeat the Brooklyn Nets, 124-122, on Friday.

New York, which is tied with Orlando atop the East's NBA Cup Group A with a 2-0 record, didn't make it easy on itself. After leading by 21 in the closing seconds of the third quarter, the Knicks managed just four points over the first four-plus minutes of the fourth quarter. The drought allowed the Nets to come back, and the Knicks found themselves trailing by a point when they called a timeout with 11 seconds left in the game. 

That's when Brunson did his thing, isolating against Dorian Finney-Smith in the left corner, clearing space with a swing through, and rising up for the go-ahead 3-pointer. 

The shot didn't officially end it, however, because the Nets, now down two, still had six seconds to work with. It looked like Dennis Schroder was on his way to a game-tying layup as he raced back down the court and got behind Knicks forward Mikal Bridges with a clear path to the rim. But Bridges stayed in range and was able to block Schroder's shot from behind to finish Brooklyn off. 

Brunson and Bridges each finished with season-high scoring totals, Brunson with 37 and Bridges with 22. Bridges, who has shot lights out from inside the arc this season but had yet to get his 3-point stroke going (30% entering Friday), made four of his seven 3-pointers, while Brunson finished 12-of-20 overall and 10 of 12 from the free throw line with 16 fourth-quarter points.

DeAaron Fox scores 60 in loss

Fox lit up the Timberwolves for the first 60-point game of the 2024-25 NBA season, which included a 20-point barrage in the fourth quarter as the Kings, playing without DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk, rallied from a 16-point deficit at the end of three to force overtime, where the Kings ultimately fell short against Minnesota, 130-126. 

Interesting note here on 60-point performances from our Sam Quinn: 

In all of NBA history, only 25 teams have lost a game in which one of their players scored 60 points. However, five of those games have now come in the calendar year of 2024 alone. Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker, Stephen Curry and Jalen Brunson all lost such games between January and March of 2024. Brunson and Curry also did so in overtime. 

LeBron posts another triple-double

That's a career-high four straight trip-dubs for James, who finished with 15 points, 16 rebounds and 12 assists in the Lakers' 120-115 win over Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. This LeBron-running-point experiment is working out pretty well. 

Imagine that. One of the best passers and overall smartest players in history at 6-foot-8 who continues to possess incredible scoring leverage is an effective offensive orchestrator. Who woulda thunk it? Perhaps the Lakers didn't need to go get Russell Westbrook to "take the playmaking load" off James' shoulders. Never question putting the ball in this guy's hands. I don't care how old he is. 

The Lakers are 1-0 in the NBA Cup, tied atop the West's Group with Oklahoma City (OKC, which defeated the Suns 99-83 on Friday, has the edge by virtue of its plus-16 point differential to the Lakers' plus-five).

AD's MVP season continues

Anthony Davis hung 40 points and 12 rebounds on San Antonio. For the season, Davis is averaging 31.1 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks on ... get this ... 56/42/80 shooting splits. Yes, Davis is making 42% (well, 41.7 if you want to get technical) of his 3s. He's 10 for his last 14 from deep over his last five games!

Davis is just an absolute beast on both ends and has to be near the top of any credible MVP discussion.

Harden ties Ray Allen for career 3s

With a step-back corner 3-pointer at the 2:21 mark of the first quarter, LA Clippers guard James Harden tied Ray Allen for second all-time with 2,973 career triples. 

Somehow Harden failed to make another one the rest of the way as the Clippers fell to the Rockets, but it won't be long before Harden ranks above every 3-point shooter in history not named Stephen Curry. 

Warriors keep rolling

Are the Golden State Warriors seriously this good? With a win over Memphis on Friday, they moved to 10-2 on the season (2-0 in the NBA Cup, good enough for first place in the West's Group C). They didn't even need a big game from Stephen Curry, who finished with just 13 points on nine shots. Curry did pile up eight rebounds, five assists and four steals, and he was a game-high plus-nine. His impact, even when he's not scoring, is always elite. 

Buddy Hield, who has been throwing flames all season, led the Warriors with 18 points on 4-of-8 3-point shooting. Golden State played 12 players at least 11 minutes and nobody over 30, and six guys scored double-digits. The depth of this team is unmatched across the league. 

76ers are in the tank

If you thought Paul George and Joel Embiid finally getting on the court was just going to magically fix the mess than has been the Philadelphia 76ers this season, think again. 

The Sixers are now 0-2 with George and Embiid in the lineup together (and just 1-5 with George), with the most recent shellacking coming at the hands of the Orlando Magic, 98-86, on Friday. The Sixers, now 2-10 overall, sit in last place of the East's Group A with an 0-2 NBA Cup record and a minus-24 point differential so far. 

George and Embiid combined to miss 21 of their 30 shots and 11 of 14 3-pointers on Friday. Embiid was able to drum up 20 points because he made 10 free throws. Tyrese Maxey is out, and it remains a pretty sad state of affairs in Sixers land. 

NBA Cup format reminder ...

With the 30 teams split up in six five-team groups, everybody will have played at least one game by the end of Friday. And with only four games in group play, there isn't much margin for error. Here's a summary of how the tournament works:

The NBA's 30 teams have been split into six five-team groups: Three groups in the Eastern Conference and three groups in the Western Conference.

Teams will play the other four teams in their group in round-robin style play on Tuesdays and Fridays between Nov. 12 and Dec. 3.

Eight teams (the six group winners plus one wild-card team from each conference) will advance to the knockout round. The standings will be determined by overall record, head-to-head record and point differential if a tiebreaker is needed (there are even more tiebreakers if necessary). 

The knockout round will be a single-elimination bracket. The four East teams will be on one side of the bracket, the four West teams will be on the other. The final between the East and West winners will be held on Dec. 17 in Las Vegas.

The NBA Cup will continue on Nov. 19 with six games, including the unbeaten Cavs against the reigning champion Celtics.

LeBron James gives surprising update on retirement timeline

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)AP

It appears the end of LeBron's James' remarkable career may be getting closer.

That

That's according to the man himself.

The 39-year-old Lakers star appeared to address his career timeline following a win against the Grizzlies on Wednesday night in which he posted a triple-double with 35 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds.

"It's not me, it's the mind," James told reporters. "Wherever my mind is is how the rest of my body's gonna go or whatever the case may be. I don't know, I'm not gonna play that much longer to be completely honest. I don't know how many years that is, if it's one year, two years, whatever the case may be."

For the season, James is still as good as ever, averaging 24.3 points, 9.4 assists and 8.1 rebounds for the 7-4 Lakers.

So, while it's hard to see him hanging up the shoes anytime soon, this is year 22, and he's already accomplished the goal of playing with his son, Bronny.

James, who has often been concerned with legacy and the state of the NBA, seemed to indicate he didn't want to outstay his welcome.

"I said the other night that I'm not playing until the wheels fall off. I'm not gonna be that guy. I'm not gonna be the guy that's disrespecting the game because I want to be out there on the floor. That's not gonna be me," he said.

James comments come after ESPN basketball insider Shams Charania reported that next season could be James's last in his hi storic career. Charania did also indicate that James may wait to see if his younger son Bryce can make it to the NBA in the next couple years.

James and the Lakers take on Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs on Friday.

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LeBron James hints at retirement timeline after historic streak: 'I'm not going to play that much longer'

LeBron James made the sort of history he makes frequently on Wednesday: he became the oldest player to accomplish a feat his younger counterparts practically never reach. This time, it related to triple-doubles. James is up to 116 of them in his career, but more importantly, he's now done so three games in a row. That makes him the oldest player ever to do so, breaking a record previously owned by ... himself. Nearly five years ago, James broke the exact same record with three straight triple-doubles during the 2019-20 season.

It's the sort of thing only James could accomplish, but it was also a reminder that he won't be doing this forever. James is 39. He's comfortably the NBA's oldest player now. He'll turn 40 in December, and he'll soon break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's minutes record. This is coming to an end sooner or later, and as James hinted after Wednesday's win over the Memphis Grizzlies, it's time for the basketball world to start thinking more in terms of "sooner" than later.

"Obviously, it's the mind; wherever my mind is, is how the rest of my body is going to go, whatever the case may be, I don't know. I'm not going to play that much longer, to be completely honest," James said. "One year, two years, whatever the case may be. I said the other night that I'm not playing until the wheels fall off. I'm not. I'm not going to be that guy. I'm not going to be the guy disrespecting the game because I just want to be out on the floor."

This mostly stands up to both James' previous statements on the matter and the reporting done by others. ESPN's Shams Charania said that James would play two or three more years before the season began. As recently as Sunday, James said that he wouldn't "do it until the wheels fall off."

But the longer he keeps breaking records, the harder it is to believe that he's nearing retirement. James is still a top-20 scorer in the NBA. He ranks fourth in the league in assists and the Lakers are 7-4 under new coach JJ Redick. He's on track for a record 21st All-Star selection at this rate, and with a few roster tweaks, he could potentially go on another playoff run. James may not be at his peak, but he's still among the very best players in the NBA. There's no reason to believe he can't continue to help teams for years to come.

But all good things come to an end, and James has other ambitions. He has said openly that he hopes to own an expansion team in Las Vegas, and he is involved in a number of other businesses as the first active NBA player to ever become a billionaire. James is busy. He may not be showing it, but he's getting older. Enjoy these record-breaking performances while you can, because there may not be that many more of them left.

Looking for more NBA coverage? John Gonzalez, Bill Reiter, Ashley Nicole Moss and special guests dive deep into the league's biggest storylines daily on the Beyond the Arc podcast.

Has LeBron James matched Michael Jordan’s greatness in year 22 of his career? | The Herd

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LeBron James, Lakers rally past Grizzlies to remain unbeaten at home

LOS ANGELES — If there were doubts about LeBron James' ability to consistently string together strong performances in his 22nd NBA season, he's more or less erased them this week.

James had 35 points and recorded his third consecutive triple-double on Wednesday night, leading the Lakers to a 128-123 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies as they remained unbeaten at home this season.

"Just being very patient and taking what the defense gives me, I've been doing it for a while," said James, who turns 40 next month. "So I understand time and score. I understand the waves and the swings of the game. So it's nothing new to me."

The Lakers (7-4) improved to 6-0 at Crypto.com Arena, their most consecutive home wins to start a season since 2010-11.

"He's mastered the game," Coach JJ Redick said of James. "And we don't win that game, obviously, without him."

With Anthony Davis in foul trouble, James (14 assists and 12 rebounds) once again led the Lakers in the game's most precarious moments, helping keep them afloat for most of the fourth quarter.

"He's the master of the game," forward Rui Hachimura said of James. "He always reads the game, he doesn't force anything. He just goes [with] the flow. He can pass the ball, he can score, he can defend, he can rebound, everything."

But when James and Davis were on the court together late, the Lakers closed out the Grizzlies. James and Davis scored or assisted on 19 of the Lakers' final 23 points to secure the win.

Davis scored 11 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter and added 14 rebounds, three assists and three blocked shots in 32 minutes. Hachimura and Dalton Knecht each scored 19 points, while Austin Reaves finished with 18 points and six assists.

The Lakers jumped out to a 38-26 lead after the end of the first quarter behind James' hot start, which included a buzzer-beating 3-pointer before the opening period ended.

But the Lakers' defense took a step back from there, in part because of their ball security.

The Lakers had seven turnovers in the second quarter, helping Memphis outscore them 38-27 in the period to trim its deficit to 65-64.

Jaren Jackson Jr. (29 points, seven rebounds) hit a 3-point shot early in the third to give the Grizzlies their first lead since early in the first, 67-65.

"We kind of lost our way there in the third quarter," Redick said.

Knecht kept the Lakers in the game by scoring eight points in the final three minutes of the third, including a pair of 3-pointers.

"He was the catalyst for our comeback," Redick said of Knecht. "He was fantastic, not just shooting the ball. We've been challenging him lately to just be tougher, be more in tune with our game plan. Not gonna say it was perfect, but baby steps. And he was great."

James opened the fourth by assisting Knecht on a 3-pointer for his 10th assist and the rookie's final points of the night, cutting the Grizzlies' lead to 96-94. Knecht finished 5 for 5 from behind the arc as the Lakers hit a season-high 20 3-point shots.

"They just said the same thing that they always say: just keep shooting the ball and play with confidence," Knecht said. "JJ has a lot of trust in me and just to go out there and do what I do and shoot the ball, get to the rim, find teammates. And, I got the hot hand. Bron was finding me in transition and I was just letting that thing fly."

The teams battled for most of the fourth, with neither leading by more than five in the quarter's first eight minutes, before the two-man game between James and Davis, as well as late shot-making from Hachimura and Reaves, put them over the top.

Memphis got 48 points from its bench, led by Marcus Smart (15 points, six assists) who made his return after missing the last two weeks because of a sprained ankle.

The Lakers will play back-to-back road games against the San Antonio Spurs (Friday) and the New Orleans Pelicans (Saturday) to close out the week. The matchup against the Spurs is the Lakers' first NBA Cup game, which the Lakers won last year in the NBA's inaugural in-season tournament.

"I know it kind of was the hype around us last year, but we're approaching each game – regular-season game or Cup game – as the same," Davis said. "I don't think just because it's a Cup game that we should change how we approach it. We should approach each game the same way and that's how we're going to approach it."

Originally Published: November 13, 2024 at 10:10 PM PST

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers Begin NBA Emirates Cup Title Defense

LeBron James raises the NBA Cup trophy after the Los Angeles Lakers won the league's initial ... [+] in-season tournament. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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The second annual NBA in-season tournament — rebranded this year as the Emirates NBA Cup — began its five-week run with eight games in group play Tuesday night.

The tournament, which features flashy playing surfaces, advancement bonuses and a championship trophy created by Tiffany & Co., will conclude with the championship game Dec. 17. Cup games are played every Tuesday and Friday.

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are the defending champions, and they were so invested in the initial Cup that they hung the title banner in the rafters of the Crypto.com Arena alongside their 17 NBA championship flags.

"It (Cup) is set within the context of the early season when everybody's hopeful, everybody still thinks they're really good, and people are still trying to figure out who they really are," Minnesota coach Chris Finch told NBA.com.

"So there's a lot of things going on when those games come. They for sure feel bigger than just any other regular-season game."

Emirates airline and the NBA completed a multi-year sponsorship agreement in February that extends the company's reach in professional sports.

The airline, a part of Dubai's state-owned Emirates Group, also sponsors professional soccer teams Arsenal, AC Milan and Real Madrid. Like players on those soccer teams, NBA jerseys will include Emirates branding in Cup games.

While the value of the NBA/Emirates deal is unknown, Emirates execute Boutros Boutros said the company estimates it will generate $500 million a per year in advertising revenue.

KING JAMES REPRISE

LeBron James was named the MVP of the inaugural NBA in-season tournament last season. (Photo by ... [+] Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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James was named the 2023 MVP after averaging 26.4 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists while shooting 56.8 percent from the field and 60.6 percent on three-pointers in seven tournament games, when the Lakers went 7-0.

The Lakers beat Indiana 123-109 in the championship game at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, also the site of this year's semifinals and finals.

"I'm going for it," James said of his motivation. "Yeah, why not? Why not? One game? Me and one game, I'm going for it. For sure."

Lakers players received $500,000 apiece for winning, and Pacers' players received $200,000 apiece.

Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton burst onto the national stage with his play in the NBA Emirates Cup last ... [+] season. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

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SIX GROUPS OF FIVE

The 15 teams in each conference were divided into three groups of five in a random drawing in July. The selection process was done by tiers, based on the previous year's record, so as to avoid bunching top teams together.

East Group A: New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Charlotte

East Group B: Milwaukee, Indiana, Miami, Toronto, Detroit

East Group C: Boston, Cleveland, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington

West Group A: Minnesota, Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento, Houston, Portland

West Group B: Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah, San Antonio

West Group C: Denver, Dallas, New Orleans, Golden State, Memphis

Phoenix's Kevin Durant is expected to miss early Cup games after making the all-tournament team a ... [+] year ago. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

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Each teams plays the other four in its group, two at home and two on the road, and the group winners plus the top second-place finisher from each conference will advance to the knockout round. Ties are broken by first head-to-head record, followed by point differential and total points scored. Points scored in overtime are not counted.

The 22 teams who do not quality for the knockout round will play opponents to be determined by group standings on Dec. 12-13 and Dec. 15-16.

The 2024 Cup quarterfinals will be held Dec. 10-11, with the semifinals on Dec. 14 and the final Dec. 17. The four quarterfinals will be played on the home court of the highest group finishers. All games but the championship game will count in the regular-season standings.

Anthony Davis is second in the NBA in scoring entering the 2024 NBA Emirates Cup. He made the ... [+] all-tournament team a year ago. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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PLAYER PERKS

Players are rewarded for how far their team advances, as determined by the collective bargaining agreement.

Players on the winning team receive $500,000 apiece, as last season.

Runnersup: $200,000 per player.

Semifinalists: $200,000 per player.

Quarterfinalists: $50,000 per player.

In addition, coaches participate in the distributions. A head coach will receive the same appoint as the players, depending on advancement. Assistant coaches are to receive 75 percent of the head coach's payout.

VIDEO: Female Fan Busted LeBron James For Being Thirsty & Eyeing Her All Game, And She Has The Video Evidence To Prove It

VIDEO: Female Fan Busted LeBron James For Being Thirsty & Eyeing Her All Game, And She Has The Video Evidence To Prove It Home » NBA » VIDEO: Female Fan Busted LeBron James For Being Thirsty & Eyeing Her All Game, And She Has The Video Evidence To Prove It

LeBron James may be envious of Scottie Pippen and his son as Bronny joins G League

Scottie Pippen Jr. has been making waves in the NBA, with his recent record-breaking performance drawing comparisons to another basketball prodigy, Bronny James.

As fans celebrate Pippen Jr.'s impressive achievements, they're reigniting debates about the contrasting trajectories of these two second-generation stars.

Scottie Pippen Jr. etched his name in the history books by recording a triple-double during the Memphis Grizzlies' 128-104 victory over the Washington Wizards.

His stat line-11 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds-not only secured the win but also marked the first time in NBA history that a father-son duo achieved triple-doubles.

His father, Scottie Pippen, accomplished the feat numerous times during his illustrious career with the Chicago Bulls.

The historic moment gained traction online after being highlighted by Bleacher Report. Larsa Pippen, Scottie Jr.'s mother, was quick to celebrate her son's milestone with fiery emojis on social media.

While Scottie Pippen hasn't publicly commented, fans can only imagine the pride he feels watching his son reach such heights.

The conversation around Pippen Jr.'s success inevitably led to comparisons with Bronny James.

Bronny, the son of NBA superstar LeBron James, has faced scrutiny ever since being drafted 55th overall by the Lakers in 2024.

Critics questioned whether his selection was due to merit or to retain his father, as Bronny's college stats at USC were less than stellar.

In contrast, Scottie Jr.'s journey to success has been a grind. After being waived by the Lakers and spending time in the G League, he has risen to prominence with the Memphis Grizzlies.

His rise has left some fans wondering if the Lakers made a mistake in letting him go.

"Bronny could NEVER," one fan commented online, reflecting a growing sentiment that Bronny might struggle to achieve similar success.

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LeBron James himself praised Scottie Pippen Jr.'s performance, acknowledging his time with the Lakers and South Bay Lakers as a strong foundation for his current success.

However, fans speculate that LeBron might envy the accolades Scottie Jr. is accumulating. One commenter quipped, "Scottie is what LeBron wished he had."

Others compared Pippen Jr.'s stats to Bronny's, noting that Pippen averaged 12.9 points per game last season, while Bronny managed just 1.0 points and 0.5 rebounds in his limited playing time.

Some fans humorously suggested that LeBron might be questioning his son's potential, writing, "Bron not getting dinner for a week."

Despite the criticism, Bronny has an opportunity to carve his own path. The Lakers recently announced that he will join the South Bay Lakers in the G League, with his first game slated against the Salt Lake City Stars.

According to reports, Bronny will only participate in home games, allowing for potential appearances in NBA matchups.

Fans remain divided, with some rooting for Bronny to prove the doubters wrong. "Yeah, I'm expecting Bronny to drop 57 points, 19 rebounds & 42 assists in his G League debut," one optimistic supporter joked.

While Scottie Pippen Jr. continues to shine, Bronny James' journey is just beginning. As the comparisons persist, both young stars will undoubtedly aim to create legacies of their own, regardless of the expectations tied to their family names.