Month: June 2021

If you’re a Lakers fan, there was a lot to cheer about heading into this season. After winning the championship in 2020, the franchise has seemingly improved the roster. After bringing in Montrezl Harrell, Marc Gasol, and even Dennis Schroder, the team appeared to have more of an edge compared to their 2019-2020 roster. Not to mention, LeBron James and Anthony Davis were coming into the season with a year’s worth of chemistry under their belts, which has to count for something.

For the most part, the beginning of the season went as planned. The Lakers were battling for the number one seed in the Western Conference and aside from maybe the Clippers, there didn’t seem to be any teams that had the purple and gold figured out. Then, February happened. This is around the time that Anthony Davis got injured. His calf and ankle problems became a real issue for the team and it forced him to miss a significant amount of time. This ultimately put a huge burden on LeBron, who had to carry a team that frankly looked lost when AD wasn’t on the court. During this AD-less stretch, LeBron got injured and it put the Lakers in a severe hole that eventually forced them into play-in position for the postseason.

In typical LeBron fashion, he led his team to victory and for the most part, it seemed like his team had a real chance against the Phoenix Suns. After Game 3, they even had a 2-1 lead in the series and many pundits had the Lakers in the driver’s seat. Once again, the injury bug struck and the Lakers lost Davis, which pretty well ended the Lakers’ chances of moving on. The Suns blew out the Lakers in Game 5 and 6, and now, LeBron, AD, and the rest of the Lakers are sitting at home, where they are planning their vacations as the playoffs continue on without them.

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Despite winning a championship just a season ago, the Lakers are currently at a crossroads. They have LeBron locked up all the way until 2023, while Davis becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2025. As for the rest of the team, players like Dennis Schroder, Alex Caruso, Andre Drummond, Markieff Morris, and even Talen Horton-Tucker are all free agents. This means the Lakers front office has a lot to figure out, especially when you consider how their window is quickly closing. Let’s face it, LeBron is the leader and backbone of the team, however, he is 36 years old and by the time his contract runs out, he will be 38. While James has done a phenomenal job at defeating Father Time, he only has so many years left before it catches up to him. Once this happens, the Lakers window will have officially run out, which leaves the franchise with a very limited amount of time to find LeBron and AD some high-caliber teammates. This also begs the question: can LeBron and AD win another title together?

When it comes to the sports world, anything can happen. Of course, this isn’t exactly an answer more than it is a cop out. To answer the question truthfully, however, it will all come down to what the Lakers decide to do in the offseason. As for their current crop of free agents, young players like Caruso and Horton-Tucker would be smart to keep considering they are solid pieces that will continue to develop. As for Schroder, Drummond, and Morris, these are all players the team should either let walk, or use for a sign-and-trade scenario. Quite simply, Schroder and Drummond were abysmal for the Lakers and they would be much better off going after other pieces. Not to mention, if they were to use them in a sign-and-trade, they could very well get themselves a third star who would be the Chris Bosh of the Lakers big three. With teams like the Brooklyn Nets turning into a dominant super power, it’s clear that franchises like the Lakers need more than just two stars, especially when said stars are injury prone.

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Not to mention, the Western Conference is becoming a very scary place. The Utah Jazz look like a juggernaut this season, all while the Phoenix Suns have figured it all out with Chris Paul. The Denver Nuggets are also extremely strong and if it weren’t for Jamal Murray’s injury, this team would be bonafide title contenders. Add the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers into the mix, and you have yourself an absolute mindfield to traverse. With LeBron aging and Davis proving to be unreliable from a health perspective, the Lakers have absolutely no chance to get back to the Finals, if they don’t get a third star. As it stands, there are reports that Damian Lillard could very well become available, although this is more of a fantasy than anything else. Realistically, the Lakers have very limited options, and it will be up to General Manager Rob Pelinka to come through with some magic in the offseason.

This is not to take anything away from LeBron and AD. Both players are among the best in the NBA and when all is said and done, both will go to the Hall Of Fame, all while LeBron will remain one of the best players to ever step on a basketball court. Having said that, it’s important to remain realistic, and for now, the likelihood that both of these men will win a title together in Los Angeles again, remains very slim. 

Manny Pacquiao is one of the biggest legends in the history of boxing and at this point, he doesn’t have anything left to prove. Despite this, he is still interested in taking on fights and adding to his record. He is currently the WBA Super Welterweight title champion, and on August 21st, he will be putting this title on the line as he takes on rising superstar Errol Spence Jr., in what should be one of the most compelling bouts of the entire year.

There is a lot on the line for Spence here when you consider how he is undefeated and also holds the WBC and IBF Welterweight titles. If he loses, these belts will immediately go to Pacquiao, all while Spence Jr. will be forced to work his way back up.

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In order to promote the fight, Pacquiao recently took to Twitter with a hype video that shows some incredible highlights from the two fighters. Despite the obvious age difference here, this seems like it could be an evenly matched bout, which would greatly benefit the fans who watch.

This fight was certainly an unexpected one, and we’re sure there will be a ton of hype for it once August comes around. Let us know who you think is going to win, in the comments below.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z are among Hollywood’s most elite power couples. While they have been notoriously private about their relationship, even secretly getting wed back in 2008, they have made it more of a point recently to move as a powerful unit. As they continue to expand their empire, they only further solidify their stance as the most powerful couple in music. 

The rap mogul and global superstar are alleged to have recently purchased the most expensive car in the world, a true testament of their joint influence. In one of their more recent outings, Jay and Bey attended a Nets game in Brooklyn, twinning in their blinged-out fits and cozying up courtside. 

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At Saturday (June 5) night’s game, the Lemonade singer donned a glamorous oversized glittery jacket and an eye-turning short vinyl dress showing off her toned legs. Her jacket, designed by David Koma, included a crystal houndstooth print on it with embellished jewels and is estimated to be priced at around $10,000 USD. 

The songstress completed the look with black Christian Louboutins, a silver choker, and an anklet. Her hubby complimented Bey’s fit, sporting a simple black tee, jeans, and white sneaks. He packed on the ice as well, rocking a customary gold necklace, an expensive watch, and a basketball hat. 

They both also donned black face masks through the course of the game as they sat side by side to cheer on Jay’s home team. Check out photos from the power couple’s basketball date night. 

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Chad Johnson was a superstar wide receiver when he was in his prime and while his career may have ended a bit earlier than some would have expected, there is no doubt that he left a solid impact on the league. Now, at 43 years old, Johnson will be making his boxing debut tonight as he takes on Brian Maxwell during the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather Vs. Logan Paul fight.

Boxing is certainly a bit foreign to him although it seems like he could have a solid chance at winning tonight. As for his sporting career beyond tonight, Johnson is interested in going back to the NFL. After seeing Tim Tebow’s journey back into the league, Johnson believes he could make an impact on a team, and he’s also confident that his conditioning is where it needs to be.

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“I don’t think they would do it for the simple fact that they know I’m in tiptop shape and I would probably make the team,” Johnson said while appearing on The Ringer’s Slow News Day. “And I’m not trying to be arrogant. I’m not trying to be cocky. I could make all 32 teams if given the opportunity. Easily. Nothing has changed. Same size. Speed might have decreased a little bit. I’ve never been hurt before. I haven’t stopped moving, stopped being active since I haven’t played. Put me in the right situation and damn right I’d make the team.”

Johnson also said that he would love to play for the Kansas City Chiefs and that he would most likely be a third-down type of player. For now, it remains to be seen if he will pursue this comeback, although it is fun to imagine what it would be like if he were to come back.

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