basketball

Kevin Durant Dons Suns Jersey For The First Time

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Kevin Durant is one of the best players in the entire NBA. Overall, some fans would say that he is the best player in the league right now. However, there are a plethora of people who believe this is just a step too far. Although, he should definitely earn top-five consideration when you think about everything he does for his teams. Durant is simply one of the best players ever, and now that he is on the Phoenix Suns, he turns them into real contenders.

Unfortunately for the Suns, he won’t be able to play a game for them until after the All-Star break. This is due to the fact that he is nursing an injury right now. He has had this injury since before the Nets traded him. That said, the Suns knew what they were getting when they acquired KD. After all, they still have Devin Booker and Chris Paul, which is enough for them to get by over this upcoming stretch. Once the playoffs hit, then the Suns will truly shine as a team.

Kevin Durant Is Ready

While Durant doesn’t have an exact timeline for his return, that has not stopped the Suns from filming some content with their new star. In the video clip up above, Durant can be found wearing his brand-new Suns jersey. Overall, he looks pretty great in the jersey, and we’re sure fans are very excited to see him in those colors. In fact, Durant is having his introductory press conference today, which will be a whole lot of fun. Although there might be some difficult questions sent KD’s way, we’re sure we will get some insight into his departure from Brooklyn.

As it stands, it is a very good time to be a fan of the Phoenix Suns. They are the current favorites to win it all, and if they make it happen, then that fanbase will finally get what they’ve wanted for years. Arizona sports teams have had a hard time winning titles, and we’re sure those fans would appreciate at least one. Let us know what you think of seeing KD in a Suns jersey, in the comments down below.

Another Look

Lil Wayne Added To “NBA 2K23” MyTeam Mode: Trailer

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Lil Wayne is a huge basketball fan who has always let his fandom be known. Additionally, he is considered to be one of the best rappers ever. Depending on your tastes and your upbringing, you may even consider Wayne to be the GOAT. Overall, that is simply a debate for a whole other day. Although, it is important to note the context in which Wayne operates him. He is someone that many fans look up to, and over the years, he has provided us with a ton of phenomenal albums and anthems.

If you play video games like 2K, you know that Wayne is an artist who typically gets featured on soundtracks. Many of his songs are perfect for when you first boot up the game and you peruse the various lobbies. Overall, it is a testament to his artistry that after this long in the game, he can still come through with tracks that grab the attention of the youth. That said, Wayne is now going to be an actual character in NBA 2k23.

Lil Wayne In 2K

In a new post on Twitter, the game revealed that Wayne will be part of the MyTeam mode. This mode allows players to draw card packs where they can then add valuable members to their team. Now, Lil Wayne will be getting his own card which makes him a playable character. However, if you want to unlock him, you will have to complete his Spotlight Challenge. For now, it seems like the Lil Wayne card will only be available during Season 4. That said, NBA fans will now get a chance to have the legendary rapper on their team.

Throughout the years, 2K has done some interesting things when it comes to characters that enter the game. For instance, the game has had J. Cole on the cover. Moreover, J. Cole has even lent his voice to the MyCareer mode. Moving forward, this makes us wonder which other celebrities we might see in the game at some point. Let us know who you would love to see in the 2K games, in the comments section down below.

Closer Look

Stephen A. Smith Delivers Surprising Lakers Hot Take

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Stephen A. Smith is someone who is known to deliver some wild hot takes from time to time. Overall, he is a joy to watch every day on First Take. However, it is clear that not everyone appreciates what he brings to the sports world. There are a lot of people out there who believe his opinion is worthless. Of course, this is a bit of a strong thing to say. This is mostly espoused by people who have no interest in punditry whatsoever. Although, for those who love these kinds of shows, Stephen A. is the absolute best.

This season, Smith has had to talk a lot about the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers have not been very good, but they do have LeBron James, which makes them noteworthy. Throughout the year, the Lakers have tried to improve the team. Recently, they did just that with a whole host of trades. Last night, the Lakers beat the New Orleans Pelicans in a blowout, and now, people are seeing the Lakers differently. Smith is among these people and he made a very interesting revelation today.

Stephen A. Makes A Prediction

Simply put, Smith believes the Lakers should be seen as a title contender of sorts. However, there are some caveats here. He doesn’t see them as better than the Phoenix Suns or the Denver Nuggets. However, if they can make the play-in, then there is a real chance that they give the top teams a run for their money. Stephen A. likes how the Lakers are built right now, and he is giving Rob Pelinka a ton of credit. For now, though, it remains to be seen if the Lakers can even sustain their play long enough for a playoff push.

No matter what, the purple and gold will be the team to watch over the coming months. Hopefully, they are able to show everyone what they are made of. As for Stephen A., he will continue to hold out hope that the Lakers will be part of his First Take NBA playoffs coverage. Let us know what you think of the Lakers’ future chances, in the comments down below.

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Skip Bayless Actually Says Something Nice About The Lakers

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Skip Bayless is an avid hater of LeBron James. Additionally, by extension, Skip isn’t so fond of the Los Angeles Lakers. Pretty well all year, he has been detailing how this Lakers team just isn’t very good. Moreover, he has had some harsh words for players like Russell Westbrook. For the most part, however, Skip’s beef has been with LeBron who he feels has spent too much time going for the scoring record. Needless to say, Skip is a huge LeBron hater and that will likely never change.

As it stands, the Lakers are facing a very interesting test of their will. They have a ton of new players on the team, and they need to go on a big winning streak soon. Overall, they are looking to make the playoffs and that will require going on a big winning streak. On Wednesday, they started that journey with a blowout win over the Pelicans. As it turns out, that win actually impressed Bayless. So much so that Skip had to talk about it on Undisputed today.

Skip Bayless Reacts

During a debate with Shannon Sharpe, Skip noted that this win deserves a 9 out of 10 on the impressive scale. Overall, this is a very good score for Skip, who loves to undercut everything James does. However, Bayless truly believes the Lakers could be on the up and up with their new-look roster. “That was BY FAR the best the Lakers have looked all season long,” Bayless proclaimed. It was hard for Sharpe to disagree with this assessment given how big of a win it was. The Lakers have struggled to blow teams out, although that doesn’t appear to be the case anymore.

No matter what, this next stretch of basketball is not going to be easy for the Lakers. They are a team that needs to win 67 percent of its games, which is much easier said than done. Hopefully, for LeBron and that fanbase, they can get it done. Let us know what you think the Lakers’ chances are, in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the sports world.

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LeBron James Reacts To Recent Lakers Additions

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LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are staring down an incredibly difficult final stretch to the season. Overall, they are 13th in the Western Conference and they need to find a way to get into the playoffs. While they may only be five games back of third place, it is still going to be hard for them. After all, there are only 23 games left, which means they need to go on an insane run to end the year. Although, they do have some new pieces that could make this potential run a whole lot easier.

For instance, the Lakers traded Russell Westbrook for Jarred Vanderbilt, D’Angelo Russell, and Malik Beasley. Furthermore, they also picked up Mo Bamba in a trade for Patrick Beverley. Needless to say, these are some solid new players to give LeBron and Anthony Davis. Moreover, in LeBron’s first game with these new pieces, the Lakers won in a blowout. Simply put, the Lakers could be cooking up something very interesting here.

LeBron Offers Praise

LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers scores against Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Crypto.com Arena on February 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

According to Michael Corvo of Clutch Points, LeBron had some nice things to say about his new teammates. Additionally, he offered some support to all of the Lakers players who have been traded over the past few weeks. “I think our skill sets all kind of fit each other,” James said of his new players. “I shout out and salute the guys that left. Russ, Pat, JTA, DJ, and Thomas … We all started the season together and tried to work to make things happen and be the best that we could. So, I salute those guys and their commitment.”

James has seen numerous players come and go on the Los Angeles Lakers. Only time will tell whether or not these new guys can handle the pressure. After all, playing with LeBron is no easy task. Hopefully, everyone is able to co-exist with one another throughout this final stretch. Stay tuned to HNHH for more news from around the sports world.

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Kevin Love To Get Bought Out, New Suitor Revealed

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Kevin Love has had his fair share of issues with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Overall, Love was brought in thanks to LeBron James. When James returned to the Cavs in 2014, he wanted a roster that could compete with the best of them. Subsequently, this led to a trade that brought K-Love. In those early years, Love played very well with the team. However, once LeBron left in 2018, it became clear that he didn’t want to be there anymore. Unfortunately, Love never actually got traded or let go. It is 2023, and he is still technically under contract with the franchise.

For years, there have been talks about buying out Love’s deal. Well, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the buyout has finally occurred. The Cavaliers are looking to finalize the deal which would allow Love to become a free agent. Although he spent nine years with the franchise, Love will be very eager to simply move on and go somewhere else.

Kevin Love Moves On

Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 24, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Love is someone who has only played for two franchises. These teams include the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Cavaliers. Needless to say, he has not played for the most attractive markets. However, it seems like his fortunes could be on the verge of changing. It is now being revealed that Love is looking to sign with the Miami Heat. They are a team looking for some depth ahead of the playoffs, and Love has proven to be a decent option. Only time will tell whether or not other teams decide to join the fun.

For Cavs fans, this is the end of an era. He was the last remaining player from that 2016 championship team. Overall, he might not have had a great end to his career in Cleveland. However, he was part of a legendary team that will always be celebrated. Let us know where you think Love should play, in the comments below. Also, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from the sports world.

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Russell Westbrook Talking With These Teams

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Russell Westbrook is one of the most talked about point guards in the entire NBA. Unfortunately for Westbrook, this isn’t always for the best reasons. During his last few years with the Lakers, he has not been great. Overall, there is this narrative surrounding him that is fairly negative. People aren’t rocking with him the way they used to, and no one knows whether he can still be effective in the league. Subsequently, his future is truly up in the air.

As it stands, Westbrook is playing for the Utah Jazz. For now, however, the team is simply sitting him until further notice. While the team has stated that they could very well keep him, they would rather buy him out, allowing him to go as he pleases. Although, some reporters like Shams Charania believe there is no market for Russ. That said, it is clear that some teams are actually very interested.

Russell Westbrook Future

Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 02, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Russ is currently engaged in conversations with four teams. These squads are the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, and even the Washington Wizards. Overall, there is only one real title contender here, and that’s the Clippers. Although, there is no real guarantee that this Clippers team goes anywhere considering their injury history. Either way, players like Paul George want to see Russ join the roster, which is a point in the point guard’s favor. No matter what, it is clear that this is going to be an interesting few weeks for Westbrook.

Hopefully, he is able to find an NBA home that truly wants him. We’re sure these past few weeks have been difficult for him and his family. It is clear that Russ can still play at a high level. Overall, he just needs a chance to showcase that. Having said this, let us know where you think Russ should play next, in the comments down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from the NBA.

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LeBron James Speaks Out On His Recent Injury

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LeBron James has had an emotional week if you want to put it lightly. Just last Tuesday, he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for first all-time on the NBA scoring list. Overall, this is one of the best records in the entire history of the league. It is unfathomable to think that James could have ever broken this record. Moreover, LeBron still has a few great years left in him, which means it is likely that he runs up his numbers. If you are a basketball fan, you can’t help but be grateful for the greatness LeBron has provided over the years.

Since breaking the record, James has been out of the Lakers lineup with a bit of an injury. He has been dealing with soreness in his foot that has threatened to derail the Lakers’ season. Although, James was able to return on Wednesday night against the New Orleans Pelicans. Throughout that game, the Lakers looked like a complete team as James scored 21 points in an 18-point victory. Subsequently, James gave reporters some updates on his injury and how he will be moving forward.

LeBron Reacts

“Just knowing there was no structural damage. No stress reaction, no stress fracture, no bone chips, breaks, anything like that. It was just something that happened, just wear down. … I was able to not stress it as much because I was not able to play the last three games,” LeBron explained. “My ankle and my foot feels really good right now. So it’s a good start.” This should come as very good news to the Los Angeles Lakers. Without LeBron, they would ultimately have no chance of actually winning anything.

Heading into this last stretch of the season, the Lakers will likely need to win 67 percent of their games in order to make the play-in. Overall, this is a very difficult task when you consider how bad the team has been this year. However, with a new roster surrounding LeBron, everyone seems very motivated to make it happen. Let us know what you think of the Lakers’ chances, in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from the sports world.

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Ex-Lakers Star Trevor Ariza’s Wife Asks For Restraining Order, Alleges Abuse

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Five months after filing for divorce, Trevor Ariza’s wife is asking for the court’s help. Bree Anderson reportedly married the former Los Angeles Lakers star in 2018, but in September, she officially requested to end her marriage. TMZ stated Anderson listed the reason for the split as “irreconcilable differences,” but RadarOnline reports she wants a restraining order against her ex. The outlet stated they looked at court documents that revealed Anderson’s accusations of domestic abuse.

Anderson is said to have filed a petition requesting the courts order Ariza to not only stay away from her but to block him from contacting her, as well. The pair share two children, and in her initial divorce filing, Anderson said she wanted physical and legal custody of the kids. In her new paperwork, she claimed she “fears for her safety” and doesn’t want Ariza in or near her home.

MIAMI, FLORIDA – JANUARY 23: Trevor Ariza #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action against the Miami Heat at FTX Arena on January 23, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Read More: Trevor Ariza Denies Child Abuse Allegations

Additionally, Anderson agreed to Ariza’s visitation with the children, but she asked for it to be supervised. She also noted that her ex “engaged in acts of extreme physical abuse towards me.” Anderson wrote, “He was verbally and emotionally abusive to me. Some of the abuse occurred in the presence of our children.”

Further, Anderson explained that she didn’t leave her husband in the past because she was finally dependent on Ariza. When she filed for divorce, Anderson hoped the alleged abuse would cease. However, she claimed it didn’t help her situation and said Ariza “threatens [her] on a regular basis.” The ex-Laker reportedly called her a “hoe” and “b*tch” with their kids nearby. Because he lives less than a mile from her residence, she is concerned for her safety.

Read More: CJ McCollum Hits Trevor Ariza Where The Sun Don’t Shine: Watch

Anderson also alleged that Ariza had gone into her home without permission. She also stated that Ariza won’t pay child support and has threatened to take their children from her. “He thinks he has the right to come and go from my residence as he pleases,” she said. Anderson accused her ex of throwing her onto a bed before choking her. In another incident, she claimed he repeatedly punched her. She referenced a text message where the baller allegedly admitted to being physically violent. Ariza has not answered his wife’s allegations publicly.

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