basketball

LeBron James Calls Out NBA Officials

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For years, fans around the league have complained about how LeBron James has been officiated. Many feel as though he does not get the same calls that other superstars get. When you compare him to players across the league, he doesn’t get a ton of free throws. Overall, this has been very frustrating for his fans.

Now, however, it seems like his teammates are having problems as well. For instance, while attempting the last shot of the game last night, Russell Westbrook was held by Joel Embiid. Many thought it was a foul, although the NBA came out and sided with its referees. In the tweet below, it was noted that this has happened frequently to the Lakers.

LeBron James Responds

LeBron James ended up seeing this tweet and decided to respond. Clearly, he feels very strongly about this subject. He has seen this stuff throughout his whole career, and at this point, enough is enough. Overall, LeBron feels nothing but frustration over all of this.

“: And all year they keep telling me to my face on the court, “I didn’t see it” or “It wasn’t a foul”. It’s not making sense to me seriously! Frustrating as hell man! Anyways keep going Squad!” LeBron wrote.

The Lakers are struggling with more than just the officiating at this point. The team just can’t seem to keep it together for more than five games at a time. Consequently, they can’t get anywhere close to the playoffs.

Let us know what you think of LeBron James’ remarks, in the comments down below. Does he have a point? Additionally, be sure to stay tuned to HNHH for all of the latest news and updates from around the sports world.

LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a foul call during the second half of the game against Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena on January 12, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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Draymond Green Gets Real About Jordan Poole Relationship

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Draymond Green was one of the biggest stories at the start of the year. Of course, this was for all of the wrong reasons. If you remember, the Golden State Warriors star punched Jordan Poole during a practice session. Subsequently, the footage leaked online which made everything worse.

Since that time, it seems as though cooler heads have prevailed. Poole and Green still have good chemistry, and the Warriors seem to be improving. However, there are still rumblings about Green’s future. Having punched a teammate, there is no guarantee he is brought back next season.

Draymond Green #23 and Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors walk to the bench during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on October 25, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 134-105. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Draymond Green Speaks

Recently, Green got to speak with Taylor Rooks for Bleacher Report. During this interview, Green spoke at length about his relationship with Poole. As he explained, it is not perfect, however, it is getting considerably better. Needless to say, there are no hard feelings.

“We go to work every day together,” Green said. “Our lockers are right next to each other, that never changed. We ride the same buses together, we change in the same locker room on the road together — none of that has changed. Did it change our relationship, of course. Absolutely. That’s still a work in progress. I’ll always be willing to continue to do that work because I was wrong.”

Green also noted that he is realistic about the situation. For instance, he doesn’t think Poole is going to want to hang out with him outside of the game. It’s a fair point, although this isn’t unique to just them.

Let us know what you thought of the Poole and Green situation, in the comments down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from around the sports world.

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Russell Westbrook Roasted Over Horrible Last Shot Attempt

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Russell Westbrook has made some pretty bad shots as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. Overall, numerous fans have shown a sort of distaste for him over the years. Unfortunately, Russ has been unable to truly shake these criticisms. Even in his new role off the bench, Westbrook just hasn’t been able to be the guy the Lakers need.

Consequently, when Russ makes a mistake, the fans are ready to let him know. That is exactly what happened Sunday night as Russ missed the last shot to beat the 76ers. Instead, the Sixers won the game and made the Lakers look terrible. In the video clip below, you can see just how poor Westbrook’s attempt at the basket truly was.

Russell Westbrook Responds

According to reporter Kyle Goon, Russell Westbrook spoke about his last shot after the game. Subsequently, he blamed Joel Embiid, claiming that Embiid fouled him. Westbrook believes had Embiid let go of him, he could have easily made the game-winning lay-up.

“Russell Westbrook said in the locker room that the final play was a shot attempt that was obstructed by Joel Embiid grabbing his right arm,” Goon wrote. “Westbrook showed a handful of reporters a screenshot of the play where Embiid appears to be grabbing him.”

Unfortunately for Westbrook, fans were not trying to hear any of this. In the tweets below, you can find various posts in which people were livid with Westbrook. Overall, he has become an easy target for basketball fans, and his latest efforts certainly did not help. If you’re a Lakers fan, you probably had steam coming out of your ears last night.

For the Lakers, this season has been one step forward, and two steps back. They remain outside of the playoff race, and these losses are not helping their case.

Let us know what you thought of the play, in the comments down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from the basketball world.

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Kyrie Irving Calls Out Nets Critics

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Kyrie Irving and the Nets are going through a lot right now as Kevin Durant is out with an injury. Losing your best player is never easy, but now, the Nets have to figure it out. Prior to the injury, the Nets had battled to second place in the Eastern Conference. Subsequently, they could be on their way back down.

On Sunday night, the Nets struggled against the Oklahoma City Thunder. By all accounts, the Thunder are a team they should be defeating. However, Kyrie only put up 15 points, and largely struggled throughout the match.

Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets drives with the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on January 06, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Kyrie Reacts

Following the game, Kyrie spoke to reporters about the game and whether or not there was something the Nets could do better. Additionally, Irving was asked about KD and whether or not his absence will hurt this team long-term. Overall, Irving was not impressed with the notion that his team is in trouble.

“I don’t think we’re gonna struggle without Kevin [Durant] out,” Irving said. “That’s not my belief. I know guys in the locker room don’t believe that and this isn’t last year at all. The comparison just gotta stop.”

Irving went on to say that his team is more than capable of filling any gaps. There are some amazing talents on the Nets, and Kyrie strongly believes in his teammates.

“Invite the growth that can happen here. Guys can definitely fill in some shoes, play some different roles, and it gives us a chance to really grow as individuals,” Irving said. “Some guys have been in this position, some guys have not. It was all glory, glory last week when we were winning game after game and now we’re answering questions about potentially struggling.”

Let us know what you think of the Nets’ chances, in the comments section down below.

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Alabama Forward Darius Miles Charged With Murder

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Authorities have charged Alabama men’s basketball player Darius Miles with the capital murder of a 23-year-old woman. He was booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail on Sunday afternoon.

Tuscaloosa Police Capt. Jack Kennedy says that the shooting occurred in the Strip off University Blvd near campus on Sunday morning. The victim has been identified as Jamea Harris.

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – MARCH 05: Darius Miles #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide drives with the ball against the LSU Tigers during a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on March 05, 2022 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

In addition to Miles, police booked another man named Michael Lynn Davis for the shooting. The two allegedly opened fire into a car, in which Harris was a passenger. One of the suspects, who has not been identified, was shot in return fire from the car.

“At this time, it appears that the only motive was a minor altercation that these individuals had with the victim as they were out on the Strip,” Kennedy said in a news conference Sunday evening.

Miles last played for Alabama on December 20, 2022, when he scored two points in Alabama’s 84-64 win over Jackson State. On Saturday, the school announced that Miles would miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury. Alabama is ranked fourth in the country.

The University of Alabama has since kicked Miles off the team. The school addressed the incident in a statement after the arrest.

“The University of Alabama’s utmost priority is the safety and well-being of the campus community,” the statement read. “We are grieved by the incident that occurred near campus last night and extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family and friends.”

The school is also offering counseling services for students.

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NBA Reacts To Ja Morant’s Insane Dunk Against The Pacers

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The Memphis Grizzlies’ All-Star guard made a massive splash in the NBA during last night’s (January 14) game, which pit them against the Indiana Pacers. Ja Morant wowed the NBA with his poster dunk on Jalen Smith. Moreover, some are calling it the dunk of the year (it’s barely two weeks into January, but let Twitter live). Still, the highest praise may come from some of the legends and basketball figures that praised the feat.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 14: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies dunks the ball over Jalen Smith #25 of the Indiana Pacers in the third quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on January 14, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Even considering his 6’3″ height, the 6’10” Smith stood no chance against Morant’s rush to the rim. Although he missed previous attempts at this kind of dunk, this is indisputably one of the best in his career. Given the bombastic moment, the dunk went viral online, with Hall of Fame Kevin Garnett giving his props.

“When we look back on Ja’s in game dunk highlights when it’s all said and done it’s gonna be up there with some of the greatest ever,” the former Celtic tweeted.

Meanwhile, other NBA stars sought to share their mindblown reactions. Kyle Kuzma, forward for the Washington Wizards, agreed with Garnett’s statement. Also, Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant shared a collection of memes summarizing his thought. After all, a picture’s worth a thousand words, and a meme can be worth millions.

Also, former pro and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins reaffirmed his once-criticized support for the Grizzlies last season. He even advocated for a spot for Morant on the NBA All-Star Game roster this year. In fact, he’s third in fan votes in the guard category, right behind Luka Doncic and Steph Curry.

“The fans want to see HIGHLIGHTS… and that’s exactly what Ja Morant is going to give you,” he tweeted. “The MOST ELECTRIFYING PLAYER in the NBA!!!”

Still, there’s one other request people (and current players) have for Morant: please, please compete in the NBA Dunk Contest. Moreover, Donovan Mitchell urged him to do so on Twitter, and the All-Star weekend competition has one spot left. While many have cried out their excitement at the prospect, the likelihood seems low.

Regardless, what did you think of Ja Morant’s incredible dunk last night against Jalen Smith of the Indiana Pacers? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments down below. Also, as always, come back to HNHH for the latest in basketball news and highlights.

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Ja Morant Posters Jalen Smith For Dunk Of The Year Candidate

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Ja Morant threw down what was easily one of the best dunks of the year over Jalen Smith during the Memphis Grizzlies’ 130-112 win over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. Morant added 23 points and 10 assists to extend the team’s current win streak to nine games.

When asked whether the play was one of the best dunks of his career, Morant responded, “Yeah, easy,” before referencing the difficulty. He added: “It’s what everybody has been waiting for. I finally made it.”

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 14: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies dunks the ball over Jalen Smith #25 of the Indiana Pacers in the third quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on January 14, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Morant’s teammate, Desmond Bane added that he, “ain’t seen nothing like that one. That’s probably going to go down as dunk of the year.”

“Obviously we’re having fun out there, playing hard and playing together,” Bane further said.

Morant is currently in the midst of one of the best years of his short career. Following suit, he is gearing up for the release of his first signature shoe. The sneaker will make him the 23rd NBA athlete in history to receive his own signature sneaker with Nike.

Following Saturday’s win, the Grizzlies improve to 29-13, tied with the Denver Nuggets for the best record in the Western Conference.

“We’re not playing perfect basketball,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said of the winning streak. “I’m just glad our guys are finding different ways to win, whether we’re playing with a lead or playing from behind. Each game has presented a different challenge for us and our guys have stayed the course.”

The loss brings the Pacers down to 23-21 on the season.

Check out Ja Morant’s ferocious dunk from Saturday night below.

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Larsa Pippen & Marcus Jordan Post Up On Instagram

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Larsa Pippen and Marcus Jordan caused quite the conversation over the last few months. When the two Chicago Bulls descendants were first spotted in September, many took to social media to talk about their age gap and relationship. However, Larsa Pippen posted a picture with Marcus Jordan on her Instagram story along with some screenshots of them together. It’s clear they’re still going strong, yet the conversation doesn’t slow down.

MIAMI, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 03: Larsa Pippen and Marcus Jordan are seen during Travis Scotts performance at E11EVEN Miami during Miami Art Week on December 3, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for E11EVEN)

Moreover, Pippen captioned one of the pictures she posted with “11:11 on Friday the 13th, make a wish.”

Meanwhile, one of many who jumped into the Pippen-Jordan conversation is former NBA star Gilbert Arenas.

“She needs the attention,” he said. “She needs someone who’s going to look at her like she is the prize trophy. The only person that’s going to do that is the younger generation…No 55-year-old man is going to be excited about, c’mon. There’s going to be younger men. If this doesn’t work out, there’ll be another younger man.”

Even with all the lovely posts, there was a time when Pippen dismissed rumors of a romance. She spoke on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen last December to talk about the alleged fling.

“I think a lot of people think our families were really close and intertwined, and they really weren’t.” Moreover, she said she “never really knew Marcus’ mom or them,” and “just recently met [the family] a couple years ago.” She went on to say that she and Marcus were just friends.

After returning to The Real Housewives of Miami, the 48-year-old took plenty of promo ops to discuss her relationship with Marcus.

“We are friends,” she told The Post. “We’ve been friends for the last couple of years. I’m in a place right now where I’m finally open to dating. Every time I’m seen out with someone, [people] make it out to be more than it actually is, and it’s normally nothing. So, yeah, I’m just dating right now and focusing on my businesses, my family, and having fun.”

Still, what do you think of Larsa Pippen and Marcus Jordan’s recent posts together? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments down below. Also, as always, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest on rumored (or confirmed) celebrity flings.

Lakers Reportedly Interested In These Two Point Guards

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LeBron James and the Lakers are a team in need of some help. With Anthony Davis injured, it has become difficult for the team to make a run. They are stuck at 13th in the Western Conference, however, they remain just 2.5 games out of sixth place, which is kind of remarkable. Overall, they can still make a big splash.

That being said, many are looking toward the Lakers as the trade deadline arrives soon. The trade deadline could be a big deal for the team as there are plenty of teams looking to buy and sell. When it comes to the Lakeshow, they are seen as more of a buyer than anything else.

LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers drive to basket against Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at Crypto.com Arena on January 12, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Lakers Want Point Guards

According to reporter Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today, there are two point guards that the Lakers are interested in. These two guards are Fred VanVleet and Kyle Lowry. The Raptors and the former Raptors are highly skilled at their positions and are seen as upgrades over Russell Westbrook.

Additionally, both of these point guards are being put on the trading block. The Raptors know VanVleet can walk at the end of the year. Moreover, the Heat don’t want to pay Lowry anymore. Having said that, both could be the perfect players to trade Westbrook for.

Kyle Lowry #7 of the Miami Heat embraces Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors following their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on April 3, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)

The Lakers still have plenty of time to make a decision. Having said that, fans want to win now, and they aren’t going to tolerate another losing season, especially with LeBron at the helm.

Let us know who you think the Lakers should pursue, in the comment down below. Additionally, keep it locked to HNHH for more news from around the NBA.

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Enes Kanter Freedom Hit With $530K Bounty From Turkish Government

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Enes Kanter has become an interesting figure over the last couple of years. Originally, he was seen as a political figure within the NBA due to his status in Turkey. Kanter was very vocal about his distaste for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Consequently, there was a warrant for his arrest inside of the country.

Overall, Kanter has become much more political since that time. For instance, he has become a mouthpiece for the Republican party. He is a fixture on Fox News, and he loves to attack liberals and LeBron James. Needless to say, he has found a lucrative career outside of basketball.

Enes Kanter Freedom attend the Algemeiner 50th Anniversary J100 Gala at The Ziegfeld Ballroom on November 29, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

Enes Kanter Vs. Turkish Government

According to the New York Post, Kanter is now dealing with a whole new problem. He has been hit with a massive $530K bounty from the Turkish government. Essentially, they want him detained and they want to reward the person who captures him.

“I’m not the only one. There are so many innocent journalists, academics, athletes, activists and educators on this list. Now their lives are in danger because of the Turkish government,” Kanter told Turkish Minute. The former NBA star now believes that he is always in danger as numerous people will want the bounty money.

Enes Kanter Freedom attend the Algemeiner 50th Anniversary J100 Gala at The Ziegfeld Ballroom on November 29, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

Regardless, Kanter vows to continue speaking out about his beliefs. He isn’t scared to criticize his home country, even if it means putting himself in their crosshairs. For the time being, it is clear that he will remain in the United States.

This is a developing story, so be sure to stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the sports world.

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