basketball

Draymond Green Disrespects Kobe Bryant, Tells Shaq How The 2016 Warriors Would Beat His Lakers

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“Which great team would beat this great team?” is a timeless and entertaining, if not pointless, sports argument. The media gets hours and hours of content with this very prompt because it’s easy and fun to think about. Though it’s entertaining to speculate about how opposing basketball styles and eras would fair against each other, we’ll never get to witness them play, so a definitive response will never be possible. This subject was recently discussed by Shaquille O’Neal and Draymond Green, the star of the Warriors, on The Big Podcast with Shaq.

In a seven-game series, O’Neal questioned whether one of his championship teams, the Lakers, and one from the Warriors would prevail. Green discussed the matchup that, in his opinion, would be most effective in slowing down O’Neal. Draymond broke down the scheme to stop Shaq. What resulted was a question about who would be guarding Shaq’s partner in crime, Kobe Bryant. Drayomds reply was taken as disrespect as the big man had to check Draymond with quickness.

Read More: Jusuf Nurkić Responds to Draymond Green’s Subtle Shade

Draymond Gets Checked By Shaq For Kobe Bryant Disrespect

“I do think there were defensive schemes that we could have thrown at you to affect you,” Green replied to Shaq, who looked puzzled. “One is not letting you get the ball. So we gonna guard you with a guy in front of you a guy behind you…” O’Neal interrupted, telling Dray that it had already been tried before in the past and didn’t work. Draymond brashly replied, “Yeah I wasn’t on the court though.”  After mentioning the shooters he was surrounded by, O’Neal agreed with Green when he brought up the point that NBA players weren’t making three-pointers as frequently as they do in the modern game.

O’Neal questioned Green on who was defending the legendary Kobe Bryant following some more back-and-forth, during which Green stated his belief that the Dubs would win the series. When Green eventually answered, he said, “Klay,” to which O’Neal was ready to drop the subject entirely. “We’ll continue this conversation on your podcast,” O’Neal told Green, basically putting a pin in that comment. Overall, Shaq doesn’t think Klay holds a candle to Kobe Bryant, and rightfully so.

Read More: Draymond Green Challenges Tyrese Haliburton After Terrible Game 5

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Angel Reese Holds The Larry O’Brien Trophy, Says It Reminds Her Of Kobe Bryant

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Angel Reese is a dynamic player both on and off the court. The Chicago Sky standout and WNBA newcomer is showcasing her skills in the WNBA, which propelled her to stardom at LSU. She is also making moves off the court. She recently announced that she had become an owner of the DC Power Football Club alongside the likes of LeBron James. She has serious stars repping hard for her as well. Rapper Latto showed up to support the Bayou Barbie at her WNBA debut last week. Megan Thee Stallion hung out with the hooper this weekend at her concert in Chicago and even brought Reese on stage and twerked on her.

Recently, Angel Reese was able to hold the NBA’s Larry O’Brien Trophy, which is the ultimate price of the NBA playoffs. Reese was able to hold and see the trophy firsthand and remarked that it holds a special memory for her and many hoop fans. Reese said that Larry O’Brien reminded her of the late great Kobe Bryant. Reese made some touching remarks when holding the trophy, which has been making the rounds as the NBA playoffs heat up.

Read More: Megan Thee Stallion Twerks On WNBA Star Angel Reese At Her Chicago Concert

Angel Reese Says The Larry O’Brien Reminds Her Of Kobe Bryant

Reese said when holding the prized trophy, “What’s up Larry (Larry O’Brien Trophy)? Nice to meet you. When I hold Larry it reminds me of Kobe Bryant. Kobe and Shaq playing together, winning championships together.” She continued, remarking on the excellence the trophy holds saying, So cool being able to see my reflection and all the great teams and great players that have played on all these teams. It’s so cool, I love this. Hopefully one day I can get my own WNBA championship.”

An whole generation was motivated by Kobe Bryant. Even now, he continues to be recognized and remembered. Reese is obviously appreciative of the late Lakers great. Before entering the 2024 WNBA Draft, Angel Reese became a star while playing women’s basketball for LSU. Reese and other rookies, including Cameron Brink, Kamilla Cardoso, and Caitlin Clark, have contributed to the WNBA’s increased popularity. Overall, Angel Reese wants to be a champion like Kobe one day.

Read More: Angel Reese Joins LeBron James And Becomes A Co-Owner Of The DC Power Football Club

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Chris Paul Is Possibly Gearing Up To Team Up With LeBron James On The Lakers

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Current Warriors guard Chris Paul might be linking up with his close friend LeBron James in Los Angeles this offseason. LeBron always dreamed of playing with all of his NBA pals. He once stated that he wished Paul, Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and himself could all play on the same team one day. He got to play with Wade on two separate occasions but never CP3 or Carmelo. Now, Chris Paul and LeBron James may be teammates after all these years, as CP3 joining the Lakers is becoming a real possibility.

Chris Paul to the Lakers is becoming a possible move for both parties this offseason. Thanks to Chris Paul’s $30 million salary for the next season, the Golden State Warriors have some flexibility. Paul’s $30M contract, which is about to expire, might be crucial to making a significant trade happen if Golden State decides to go after another top player. Golden State may decide to cut Paul and let him become a free agent if they are unable to find a trade partner. In comes the Lakers, who would scoop up Paul for the veterans minimum.

Read More: Gilbert Arenas Breaks Down Issue With Chris Paul & Tony Brothers

Chris Paul Might Be Joining LeBron James

In a recent interview on Jovan Buha’s Buha Block, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report said that Paul would be a viable summertime option for the Los Angeles Lakers. He said of the move, “Chris Paul will probably be a free agent,” Pincus said. “There is a reasonable chance he gets traded or just cut by the Warriors. LeBron [James] and him obviously have a close relationship. There is a universe where the Lakers sign Chris Paul. I don’t think it’s outrageous…” He continued, saying, “I would be remiss without mentioning Chris Paul as a real possibility. It makes a lot of sense to me… Is Chris coming for the minimum? I don’t know… I don’t want to say he comes cheap to the Lakers, but in the absence of a better offer I could see that.”

In any case, it would be logical to presume that Paul will become a free agent prior to the start of the upcoming season. It certainly seems possible for the veteran point guard to join the Lakers at long last. Chris Paul famously had his move to play on the Lakers with Kobe Bryant vetoed by the NBA in 2011. it is a controversial moment in NBA history. Overall, CP3 might finally be a Laker in his advanced NBA age.

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NBA News: TNT Loses NBA Rights, “Inside The NBA” Is Coming To An End

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It is rumored that NBA executives plan to negotiate $7.4 billion annual broadcast deals with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon. Furthermore, this would be a serious setback for TNT. As talks go into the “final stage,” rumors state that the NBA is formalizing written contracts with each of the three corporations this week. Inside the NBA, fans who watch TNT are sure to be outraged by the news. The show, featuring Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson as commentators, is reportedly set to end.

If these negotiations go through, the upcoming season of the program will be its last. There are currently rumors that Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of TNT, may file a lawsuit. The league’s most valuable series of games, which include the NBA Finals, a Conference Final, weekly primetime matchups, and the WNBA, are reportedly worth $2.8 billion to ESPN annually. NBC is expected to pay $2.6 billion a year for the “B” package. The package is expected to feature a program named Basketball Night in America that will run on Sunday nights following the NFL season. Additionally, the report says that NBC will guarantee two primetime spots each week, a conference semifinal and a conference final.

Read More: Charles Barkley Jokes About TNT Sadly Losing The NBA

Inside The NBA Is Likely At It’s End

The WNBA, first-round playoff games, and the In-Season Tournaments would all be included in Amazon’s contract. Furthermore, their deal is reportedly valued at up to $2 billion. It is anticipated that the deal’s final details will be worked out throughout the coming week. Charles Barkley has said of TNT potentially losing the NBA, “Barkley was a little less certain, adding: ‘It’d be sad (if the show ended). We don’t know… I hope it does (continue). Not just for me and Kenny, Ernie, and Shaq, but for the real people who work there, it sucks right now to be stressful.”

Fans have been grieving the iconic show’s likely demise by posting clips of their favorite moments on social media. When TNT’s contract runs out next season, it will definitely be the end of an era. Overall, this is sad news for NBA fans. Ultimately, Inside The NBA will continue to cover the NBA throughout the next season, so fans should be sure to cherish the iconic show while it’s still on.

Read More: Charles Barkley Could Become A Free Agent If TNT Loses The NBA

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LeBron James Gives Advice To Caitlin Clark After Rough Start To Her Rookie Season

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LeBron James, the star of the Los Angeles Lakers and an NBA great, discussed with Caitlin Clark this week his knowledge of what it takes to meet and beyond enormous expectations. On his Mind The Game podcast with JJ Redick, Lebron discussed Caitlin Clark and the noise around the WNBA rookie sensation. Clark has massive expectations of her, not just from her team but also from the entire league. Lebron is an athlete who probably had the most lofty expectations of any athlete ever. He is probably the right person to give advice to Caitlin Clark on how to handle the pressure.

One of the few players who achieved a similar amount of fame prior to joining the league may be Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark. Clark was an Iowa Hawkeyes superstar in college. In her four years in the program, she broke the NCAA scoring record and, in her senior year, scored just over 28 points per game, the most of any player in NCAA history. James recently discussed his thoughts on the Clark situation with JJ Redick on his podcast, Mind the Game. He expressed what he thought of her as a player and the pressures she is currently under.

Read More: Caitlin Clark WNBA Debut: A Rocky Start With Some Real Positives

LeBron James Praises Caitlin Clark Amidst Criticism

During his Mind the Game Podcast with JJ Redick, LeBron James offered the budding WNBA star some guidance. He said of Caitlin Clark, “My advice to Caitlin, and my advice to anyone that comes in with this level of notoriety, out-of-this-world expectation, whatever the case may be, be a horse, man. The Kentucky Derby. Put your blinders on, go to work, show up to work, punch your clock in, prepare yourself, work on your game, work on your craft.” He says she can’t give in to the noise and distractions. Lebron went on to say to be careful what you say because “…everybody is looking for you to say anything and they’re gonna splice it and cut it and make it a negative thing.”

LeBron also said that the evolution of the WNBA this season is due in large part to Caitlin Clark. He said, “Caitlin Clark is the reason why a lot of great things is going to happen for the WNBA… I’m rooting for Caitlin because I’ve been in that seat before.” he referenced the WNBA using chartered flights for the first time this season. Overall, LeBron’s advice is good advice for Clark. Clark is starting to really adapt to the WNBA. The Indiana Fever is far from being a good team, but the bones of a great one already exist.

Read More: LeBron James Praises His Son Bronny’s Performance During Last Week’s NBA Draft Combine

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LeBron James Praises His Son Bronny’s Performance During Last Week’s NBA Draft Combine

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Bronny had a productive NBA Draft Combine last week. He was facing some tough odds trying to get drafted before the combine, but now many believe he may warrant a second-round pick after his performance. Bronny was undersized, measuring 6’1 without shoes, but showcased an outstanding vertical. He excelled at the shooting drills, giving one of the best performances of the combine. During the scrimmages, he showcased his athleticism and willingness to defend, as well as his jump shot. What impressed his father, LeBron James, the most, however, was Bronny’s mindset throughout the process.

On the most recent episode of Lebron James and JJ Redick’s basketball podcast Mind The Game, the pair discussed how Bronny’s draft process was going. JJ remarked that LeBron’s eldest son showed a great level of maturity and self-awareness during interviews. Lebron loves the mindset Bronny had throughout the process, saying that he has dealt with adversity well and is showing what he can offer on the basketball court in the best way possible. It’s safe to say Lebron was happy with how Bronny has handled everything so far.

Read More: Angel Reese Joins LeBron James And Becomes A Co-Owner Of The DC Power Football Club

LeBron James Praises Bronny’s Mindset

JJ Redick started off the conversation by commending Bronny for having a mature perspective about his game and the players he compared himself to. Bronny had said he believed he could affect the game like Jrue Holiday or Derrick White, two defense-first players that stretch the floor. LeBron James says he wanted Bronny to figure out where his fit is on the court on his own. He praised his perspective as “a 19-year-old kid.” LeBron said of Bronny, “I just love his mindset… I wouldn’t be able to handle the scrutiny and all the things that he got going on at his age, at his level and with social media.”

Bronny’s draft stock rose quite a bit, with many mock drafts seeing him as a second-round pick now. He is also getting interest from teams to partake in individual workouts. Ther is also the fact that teams may try and lure Lebron to their franchise by selecting Bronny in the draft. Overall, bronny is trying to achieve his dream of playing in the NBA. After a turbulent freshman season at USC, LeBron’s son wants to prove he belongs in the NBA. All in all, according to LeBron, he has the right mindset.

Read More: JJ Redick Is Reportedly The Front Runner For The Lakers Coaching Job, Compared To Pat Riley

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Angel Reese Joins LeBron James And Becomes A Co-Owner Of The DC Power Football Club

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Angel Reese is making moves on and off the court. The WNBA rookie and Chicago Sky star is settling into the league nicely, showing everyone the talent that made her a star at LSU. She has linked up with major stars like Latto, who showed up to her first WNBA game, and Megan Thee Stallion, who hung out with Reese at her Chicago concert. Now, Angel Reese is making major business moves. The Sky forward is now a part of the ownership group if the DC Power Football Club of the United Soccer League. 

Angel Reese’s debut season is only getting better and better. Because of her exceptional play on the court, she was just named ESPN’s top rookie of the first week of the season. She is currently celebrating yet another significant off-court achievement. Reese is officially a co-owner of a soccer team in the United Soccer League. She now holds a stake in the United Soccer League’s Washington DC Power Football Club. She is one of the founding owners of a team that hopes to make a big splash in American soccer. 

Read More: Latto Pulled Up To Angel Reese’s WNBA Debut In Style

Angel Reese Is Now The Proud Owner Of A Soccer Team

Angel Reese put out a statement on the announcement. She said, “I’ve always wanted to impact sports, not just women’s basketball. I’ve always said I wanted to have part ownership of something. Obviously, basketball is my main thing, but growing up in the DMV area, I’ve loved sports, always, so being able to be a part of the Power FC soccer (team) is going to be so cool.” Growing up so close to DC in Baltimore, this is obviously an important matter to the Bayou Barbie. 

She also added, “ I’m invested in soccer. A lot of my friends play soccer as well. I’m super excited for this partnership, and a lot of young black women don’t have these opportunities.” The DC Power Football Club is one of eight clubs that will play in the USL Super League’s first season, which begins this summer, according to sources. LeBron James is also one of the founding owners of the team. Overall, Angel Reese is making major moves, and fans love that she is taking the world by storm. 

Read More: Megan Thee Stallion Twerks On WNBA Star Angel Reese At Her Chicago Concert

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LaMelo Ball Has Been Sued For Allegedly Running Over A Fan’s Foot

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LaMelo Ball has had a rough couple years. The NBA superstar has struggled to stay healthy on the court, and now, he’s been dragged into a potential court case involving an injured fan. On May 21, a lawsuit was filed against Ball for an incident dating back to October 2023. The lawsuit was filed by Tamaria McRae after an incident in which the athlete allegedly damaged the foot of her son Angell. The news broke via WSOC-TV reporter Jason Stoogenke.

Tamaria claimed that Angell McRae was waiting to greet members of the Charlotte Hornets during the team’s annual Teal and Purple Day. LaMelo Ball is Angell’s favorite player, and he approached Ball with the intention of getting an autograph. Tamaria claims that Ball rejected the request for an autograph and promptly sped off without giving Angell so much as a second look. “[Angell] was like, ‘LaMelo, I love you. I love you, sign my … give me your autograph. Can you sign it for me?,’” she recalled.

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LaMelo Ball Reportedly Ignored The Fan’s Autograph Request

LaMelo Ball got in his car and sped away. According to Tamaria, however, he did not give Angell enough time to get out of his way. The 11-year-old’s foot was allegedly smashed by Ball’s car and subsequently shattered. “I just seen my son kind of go down and I thought maybe he’d dropped something,” Tamaria recalled. “When you see your children hurt, it hurts you. It’s been rough. It’s been real rough. I mean like I’m a strong person. This broke me. This right here, it really did.”

Tamaria claimed that the incident not only affected her son physically, but psychologically as well. “For a while, I couldn’t even recognize who my child was,” she told WSOC-TV. “Because, like depression, not being able to go outside and play.” Tamaria tried to file a claim with Ball’s insurance, but the NBA star’s insurance was apparently missing crucial information.

As such, Mrs. McCrae is suing both LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets organization. The family’s lawyer, Cameron DeBrun, assert that they are not trying to capitalize on Ball’s celebrity. “I’d say if that was the case, we would have done this a long time ago,” he noted. “They had no desire to seek legal action. They wanted healing.”

Read More: LaMelo Ball Gifts Adonis A Signed Jersey, Fans Have Mixed Reactions

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Wallo Tells NBA Superstar Kevin Durant Wild Story About Seeing Someone Drop The Soap In Prison

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NBA superstar Kevin Durant is currently enjoying his off-season. After being swept out of the first round of the NBA playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves, the renowned hooper has a lot of time on his hands. His future in Phoenix is really up in the air. The Suns have fired tier coach Frank Vogel and recently hired Mike Budenholzer to replace him. Stephen A. Smith has alleged that Durant isn’t happy in Arizona and could soon possibly find his way out. He is always at the forefront of trade rumors, and this offseason will be no different. While sitting down for a podcast, Kevin Durant was treated to a prison story by podcast host Wallo. 

Kevin Durant was recently a guest on Gillie & Wallo’s podcast. Kevin Durant has been a guest before and stopped by to have a real talk with the two hosts. At some point, Wallo decides to drop some stories about prison on Durant. Why? Who knows. Wallo proceeded to tell KD about the first time he ever saw someone drop the soap. Wallo, who has been to prison, seems to love to talk about it. He couldn’t resist telling KD about the time he had witnessed someone “drop the soap.”

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Wallo Recounts Soap Drop Story To Kevin Durant

Wallo shares his hilarious prison shower story with Kevin Durant. He explained how tense it was the first time he witnessed someone drop the soap in the prison showers. Wallo explained that it had happened to the gentlemen in front of him, and the whole room had gone quiet. He then explained how an old head in the back started singing Mystikal’s classic “Shake Ya Ass.” The whole shower started getting excited, and Wallo started to say a prayer, asking god to get him out of the situation. KD, Gillie, and Wallo had a good time laughing at the prison story. 

Overall, the story was funny, but it also begs the question of how it came up in the first place. Kevin Durant seems to enjoy his appearances on the podcast. Additionally, Gille and Wallo definitely enjoy KD coming on to chop it up. All in all, it was a funny and wild story to tell an NBA superstar. 

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JJ Redick Is Reportedly The Front Runner For The Lakers Coaching Job, Compared To Pat Riley

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After the firing of Darvin Ham last month, the Laker’s coaching search began with a list of potential head coaches floated around. Among the names mentioned, the most curious was JJ Redick. JJ Redick is currently working as a podcaster and NBA analyst for ESPN. He has a podcast with Lakers superstar LeBron James, where the pair go in-depth on basketball and the NBA. Many fans have been impressed with JJ’s basketball acumen, which really shines when talking to LeBron. Now, JJ is reportedly the frontrunner to lead the purple and gold. 

Insiders within the league, bound by confidentiality, have revealed that the Los Angeles Lakers have commenced their search for a new coach. In recent days, the Lakers have conducted formal interviews with several potential candidates, including JJ Redick, James Borrego (associate head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans), and Sam Cassell (assistant coach of the Boston Celtics). These three individuals have emerged as the frontrunners, with Redick currently leading the pack.

Read More: LeBron James And JJ Redick Clown Colin Cowherd Over Backwards Hat Comments

JJ Redick, a television commentator and former player, has generated enthusiasm for the job across the league. League insiders claim that the Lakers are enamored with Redick’s potential and see him as a Pat Riley-like coaching candidate who could lead the team for years and aid it in the near future. LeBron James and Redick co-host the podcast Mind The Game, and James has stated that he will not be participating in the team’s coaching search. The Lakers have also scheduled meetings with assistant coaches David Adelman of the Denver Nuggets, Micah Nori of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Chris Quinn of the Miami Heat.

Given their closeness, many have speculated that the Lakers may hire Redick to placate James. Rich Paul, the CEO of Klutch Sports, who represents James, stated on Monday that this is untrue. “LeBron James and JJ Redick, they do a podcast together,” Paul told The Athletic. “That does not mean that (James) wants Redick as his head coach.” JJ Redick is certainly an interesting and inspired coach. He clearly knows basketball, and the Lakers may opt to bet on his potential and his current rapport with LeBron as the best choice for the job. Overall, JJ to the Lakers is now in the realm of possibility. 

Read More: JJ Redick And Ty Lue Among Names Considered For New Lakers Head Coach

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