lakers

Shaquille O’Neal Supports LeBron James Statue Outside Crypto.Com Arena

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LeBron James has played for the LA Lakers since 2018. The 2022-23 season was his third with the team, meaning he has spent more time in LA than he did with the Miami Heat. However, LeBron, who turns 39 this year, has had a mixed tenure with the team. Outside of their 2020 NBA title during the pandemic-impacted season, the Lakers have been far from juggernauts in the Western Conference.

However, one of the many topics currently circulating within the Lakers fandom is whether LeBron deserves a statue outside Crypto.com Arena. The plaza in front of the Lakers’ home court contains a number of statues honoring Lakers legends such as Shaq, Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. However, there is plenty of resistance to the idea of LeBron getting a statue there too. Despite this, there is a prominent voice very much in favor of seeing LeBron be immortalized there.

Shaq Supports LeBron Statue

Speaking to Brandon Robinson of Bally Sports, Shaq gave his take on a LeBron statue. “If they wanted to give him a statue, I’d be fine with that,” the Lakers legend began. “He did win a title with the Lakers and lot of people say that it doesn’t count. LeBron has broke the record [scoring record] and he broke the record as a Laker. He’s a great player, great ability and he did what he was supposed to do as a LAKER. But the thing about the Lakers is that Laker fans are real greedy, Okay you got us this bubble championship, but when are you going to give us another? It’s always that.”

As a Laker, LeBron is averaging 27.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8 assists per game. Those are all career highs when looking at his per-team stats. Granted, he played much longer and at a much different point in his career for Cleveland but the point stands. As Shaq mentioned, LeBron won a championship and broke the all-time scoring record while wearing the gold and purple of LA. Even as his career inevitably winds down, LeBron still playing at an elite level. Depending on how the next few seasons pan out, LeBron could arguably retire as a Laker. But what do you think – does LeBron does a statue outside Crypto.com Arena? Let us know in the comments. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.

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JJ Reddick Reveals Chris Paul’s Best Championship Chances

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Chris Paul is one of the greatest players to ever grace the NBA. Drafted out of Wake Forst in 2005, Paul is a 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBAer, seven-time NBA All-Defensive First Team player, five-time NBA assists leader, and six-time NBA steals leader. He has gone from prospect to star to veteran leader. However, injuries derailed his 2022-23 season, his third with the Suns. The only things missing from Paul’s resume are an MVP and an NBA title.

On June 7, it was reported that Paul had met with Suns’ leadership about his future with the team. As part of those conversations, Paul was informed that he could be waived before June 28th. Paul is owed $30.8 million if he is on the roster on June 28th. He is only owed $15.8 million if the Suns cut or trade him. While it is not a done deal, many experts expect the Suns to move on from Paul.

JJ Reddick Weighs In On Chris Paul’s Next Move

Speaking on First Take, JJ Reddick shared his thoughts on where he thinks Paul should go, if Paul wants to retire with a ring. “The two best places I think for him to win a championship is Phoenix … and the Los Angeles Lakers,” Reddick said during a two-minute monologue. Both options are valid and intriguing choices. The championship window for the Suns is closing fast and this offseason could very well shut it completely. They are $79 million over the salary cap and have a lot of bloated contracts, like Paul’s on the books. The Suns went all-in to win 2023 and came up well short. While Reddick’s logic makes sense, there are a lot of balls in the desert area.

Meanwhile, the Lakers have shown what they can do at full strength, running all the way to the Western Conference Finals. There are championship aspirations, sure. However, the ability to get past teams like the Nuggets remains to be seen. Paul is 38 and doesn’t have that many years left most likely. Is he, and his contract, something the Lakers want to take on? Furthermore, where do you think Chris Paul will go? Let us know in the comments below.

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Source Claims LeBron Will Be Back Next Season

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After being swept in the Western Conference Finals, LeBron was very open about contemplating retirement this offseason. That decision could determine the direction of the Lakers’ offseason. LeBron is about to start a two-year extension with Los Angeles which will pay him $46.9 million next season and $50.65 million in 2024/25 if he picks up his player option.

No one is quite sure what LeBron will do. He looked all of his 38 years at several points during the playoffs. Furthermore, this season marked the first of LeBron’s career where he did not receive at least one MVP vote. However, LeBron has also expressed the desire to play at least one season alongside his son Bronny. James’ eldest son will play just 1.7 miles from Crypto.com as he spends a year at USC. Despite this speculation, sources are starting to talk about which way LeBron is leaning.

Close Source Says LeBron Stays

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 22: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers sits on the bench prior to game four of the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena on May 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

A source “close to James” has told ESPN that he believes that LeBron star will be back next season and fulfill his contract. While his payout is astronomical, that would allow the Lakers to attempt to run it back next season. “I would say this resoundingly clear: Our intentions are to keep our core of young guys together,” Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka said Tuesday.

Furthermore, the Lakers would likely prefer to keep LeBron, as it would be one less contract they would have to worry about. The Lakers will already be pursuing an extension with Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and DeAngelo Russell. Furthermore, they have longer-term options to worry about, such as extensions for the likes of Anthony Davis and Jarred Vanderbilt. However, we won’t know for a while what LeBron plans to do next year. He was most recently spotted at the high school graduation of his son Bronny. What do you think LeBron will do? Let us know in the comments.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Lakers Front Office Examining Potential Trae Young Trade

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trae young 2

The NBA Playoffs aren’t over yet, and fans of the Los Angeles Lakers are already working toward their next championship roster. Could Trae Young be the answer?

The Athletic’s Jovan Buha reports the Lakers front office has had “internal discussions” about potentially landing the Atlanta Hawks superstar guard via trade.

The Lakers just got swept out of the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets and during the city, their point guard help, in D’Angelo Russell, was lacking. The point guard role is imperative for the Lakers to either reduce the ball-handling load of LeBron James if he returns or to add another superstar to the purple and gold if Bron retires.

Previously, The Ringer’s Kevin O’Conner revealed the Hawks front office “has the green light from ownership to do whatever it wants to with the roster, which includes considering trade opportunities involving.”

To fuel the potential fire, guess who was courtside at Game Four of the Western Conference Finals?

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Lakers Front Office Examining Potential Trae Young Trade appeared first on The Source.

Los Angeles Lakers Hope LeBron James Doesn’t Retire

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The Lakers’ season came to an abrupt end on Monday night, in a 113-111 loss that sent the Denver Nuggets to their first-ever NBA Finals. In the dying seconds of the game, LeBron had two attempts to tie the game and send it to overtime but missed both. In a muted press conference, LeBron was broached with an almost expected question – would he be back next season?

“We’ll see what happens going forward,” LeBron said. “I don’t know. I don’t know. I’ve got a lot to think about, to be honest. Just for me personally going forward with the game of basketball, I’ve got a lot to think about. Appreciate it.”

Lakers Hoping To Keep LeBron Next Season

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 22: LeBron James #6 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers react to a Laker foul during the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets in game four of the Western Conference Finals at Crypto.com Arena on May 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

“We all know that [James] speaks for himself, and we’ll look forward to those conversations when the time is right,” GM Rob Pelinka said. “LeBron has given as much to the game of basketball as anyone who has ever played. When you do that, you earn a right to decide whether you’re going to give more. … Obviously, our hope would be that his career continues, but we want to give him the time to have that inflection point and support him along the way.” Elsewhere, head coach Darvin Ham weighed in as well. “Coming off a tough loss like that, the work we’ve put in this season, I think I was ready to retire after last night, too.”

“We ultimately got knocked out by a team that has great continuity,” Pelinka continued. “They’ve got a group of players that have been together for several seasons, and it shows in the way they play. We feel like we’ve got special players in the locker room that enjoy playing with each other. We know there’s more growth and improvement in that group, especially if we get a training camp together.” The GM added, “I think there’s proof in concept that this was a really good team. But we’re not going to rest on our laurels. If there’s opportunities to get even better, we’re always looking to improve. But we have a core that’s highly successful, and that’s a good starting point.”

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Kris Jenner Supports Tristan Thompson At Lakers Game

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Kris Jenner was in attendance during the Lakers’ loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals on Monday night. She sat alongside Corey Gamble. During the game, Tristan Thompson saw some of the most minutes on the court he’s gotten during his entire stretch with the team. He finished with four points and a single rebound in 10 minutes of action. Despite his effort, the Nuggets won 113-111 to advance to the NBA Finals.

Thompson signed with the Lakers back in April, locating him back near his ex, Khloé Kardashian. When rumors started to fly that the two were back together, Khloé put a halt to the idea. “Stop pushing this narrative. It’s tiring. But I suppose You guys will continue the narrative you want regardless of what I say so what’s the point,” she wrote on Instagram. “It’s exhausting but I learned people will only understand to the level of their own perception. Most are stuck at believing the lies because it’s the narrative they want to fuel. Have fun…. Some things are just as simple as they seem. A family member supporting another family member ESPECIALLY during a difficult time in life.”

Read More: Saint West Rocks Tristan Thompson’s Lakers Jersey While Sitting Courtside With Kim Kardashian

Kris Jenner At Crypto.com Arena

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 08: Kris Jenner attends a playoff basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on May 08, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)

With the loss, the Lakers suffered a sweep at the hands of the Nuggets. Afterward, LeBron James admitted that he will be considering retirement during the offseason. He appeared to be gassed toward the end of the game, scoring just nine of his 40 points in the second half. “I knew I could get to the finish line,” James told ESPN. “Obviously, I knew I had to deal with it and deal with the pain or deal with not being able to be myself before the injury, but there was nothing that made me feel like I couldn’t get to the finish line.”

Read More: LeBron James May Retire: Report

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LeBron James Reflects On Playoffs Loss & Future In The NBA

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After the Los Angeles Lakers lost the 2023 Western Conference Finals to the Denver Nuggets, LeBron James has a lot on his mind. In fact, just a few words from him reflecting on the defeat led many into a frenzy, speculating on his possible retirement. Moreover, numerous outlets and sourced reported that the NBA star is considering what his future in the NBA holds, and whether it’s time to hang up his jersey. Of course, losing a player of such magnitude that still puts up astonishing numbers 20 years into his career is a big development. Still, amid a lot of rumors and jumps to conclusions, the words that we can trust the most are his own.

“I don’t know,” LeBron James said when asked how he would “on a personal level… evaluate the season that [he] had.” “I love to play the game, I love to compete, I love to be out there for my guys, my teammates. Whoever I have that particular year. I think it was special in the fact that having a first-year coach, first-year coaching staff, to be able to take them to the Western Conference Finals, I think that’s dope for Coach Ham and his coaching staff going forward. That’s pretty amazing.

Read More: Get To Know LeBron James’s Family

Reports On LeBron James’ Potential Retirement

“For me, it’s all about availability for me and keeping my mind sharp and things of that nature,” LeBron James continued. “Being present on the floor, being present in the locker room and bus rides and plane rides, things of that nature. It’s challenging, it’s challenging for sure. It was a very challenging season for me, for our ball club. Obviously, we know whatever went on early on or whatever the case may be. It was cool, a pretty cool ride.

“But I don’t know,” he remarked. “I don’t know, I think it was okay. I don’t like to say it’s a successful year because I don’t play for anything besides winning championships at this point in my career. You know, I don’t get a kick out of making a Conference appearance. I’ve done it, a lot, and it’s not fun to me to not be able to be a part of getting to the Finals. But we’ll see. We’ll see. We’ll see what happens going forward. I don’t know. I don’t know. I’ve got a lot to think about, to be honest. Just for me personally going forward with the game of basketball, I’ve got a lot to think about. Appreciate it.”

The King Speaks

Of course, another factor in his decision is his will to one day play with his son, Bronny. Furthermore, as the league’s leading scorer and a stellar and influential player, his retirement would send shockwaves. Meanwhile, until we get confirmation from him, we will have to wait and see. For the latest news and updates on LeBron James, check back in with HNHH.

Read More: Five NBA Teams Bronny & LeBron James Could Join Forces On

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Nikola Jokić Leads Denver Nuggets To First NBA Finals In History, Beating The Lakers

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For the first time in NBA history, the Denver Nuggets are heading to the NBA Finals. While this is a huge disappointment for fans of LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, it was by no means a blowout win. In fact, records shattered left and right as Nikola Jokić and the rest of the Colorado team nabbed 113 points against the Lakers’ 111. For example, for 50 years, Wilt Chamberlain held the title of the player with the most triple-doubles in a single playoff. Until Game 4 of the 2023 Western Conference Finals, that is, as the Joker gained his eighth triple-double (and counting) in the postseason.

Elsewhere, James reached a career-high 31 points in the first half, as his teammates tried to match the energy and keep the Nuggets at bay. As far as that team, Jamal Murray scored 25 points and Aaron Gordon got 22, resulting in one of his best showings. Overall, it was an incredibly tight game with a lot of make-or-break moments, even if skeptics might think different from the 4-0 series sweep. Considering what was at stake for both teams, the showdown’s conclusion couldn’t have been more fitting- or earned.

Read More: Shannon Sharpe Reveals His Thoughts On LeBron’s Lakers Legacy

The Nuggets Beat The Lakers

With that in mind, now fans, commentators, and NBA experts look to the Eastern Conference Finals, where a similar situation is at hand. The Miami Heat are currently up 3-0 against the Boston Celtics as of writing this article, with the play-in team looking to sweep a team with one of the best records in the whole season. It’s been a tense few games, made even more personal when Jimmy Butler of the Heat taunted Celtics players Al Horford and Grant Williams as the Massachusetts team took a loss in Game 3. Still, the series has made for great displays of prowess and determination from both sides.

Meanwhile, the East’s Game 4 will take place on Tuesday (May 23) at 8:30 p.m., and we’ll see how it differs from the West’s endgame. Regardless of who wins, the Denver Nuggets unsurprisingly set themselves up as a true force for the NBA Finals. We’re sure a lot of discourse will follow in the coming days before we get back to more nail-biters in the league’s post-season. For more news and the latest updates on the NBA, stay up to date on HNHH.

Read More: Nikola Jokic Becomes Highest-Paid Player In League History: Details

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Kim Kardashian And North West Watch Lakers Loss

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The Western Conference Finals have been tough for the LA Lakers. After dominating the Grizzlies and Warriors in the first two rounds of the playoffs, the Lakers appear to have met their match in the Nuggets. After falling to 0-2 after the opening games in Denver, the Lakers looked to right the ship as they took over hosting duties. However, it was not to be as the Nuggets took Game 3 119-108 and moved one step closer to the franchise’s first-ever Finals appearance. This is the Nuggets’ fourth time playing in the Conference Finals against the Lakers.

In attendance for the loss was a regular pair of faces for these playoffs. Kim Kardashian and North West have attended several Lakers home games during their Cinderella playoff run. This included speculation that Kim was dating a Laker thanks to her curve-hugging “I Love Nerds” top. The pair were once again in attendance as the Lakers eliminated the Warriors from the playoffs. Furthermore, Kim and her daughter have been spotted supporting Tristan Thompson, the former boyfriend of Kim’s sister Khloé. Thompson played 1 minute during the Lakers loss. Furthermore, Thompson has averaged 4.6 minutes across five appearances during the Playoffs.

Other Celebrities Attend Lakers Game

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 16: Kim Kardashian is seen on May 16, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

However, Kardashian was not the only celebrity in the stands at Crypto.com Arena. Sporting courtside seats were Grammy-winning artists Adele and Oscar-nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal. Adele was sat beside sports agent Rich Paul, widely considered one of the most powerful men behind the scenes in the sports world. Furthermore, Paul has a long-time friendship with Lakers star, LeBron James.

Elsewhere, Hollywood was further represented by Jack Nicholson, Denzel Washington, Robert Pattinson, and Eddie Murphy. Meanwhile, the music world saw the likes of Flea, Jennifer Hudson, as well as record exes David Geffen and Jimmy Iovine. Hopefully, Kardashian and her daughter can inspire some good luck for the Lakers as the series continues on Monday. No NBA team has ever started a series 0-3 and come back to win the series. Three teams have tied the series after being 0-3 down but none of them won Game 7.

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Jamal Murray Goes Off As Denver Nuggets Take 3-0 Lead

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The LA Lakers found themselves in a precarious position after two games of the Western Conference Finals. Despite playing dominantly through the first two rounds of the playoffs, they had seemingly met their match in the Denver Nuggets. Despite keeping both games close, the Nuggets had found a way to maintain their perfect playoff home record.

With the series heading to Crypto.com Arena, the Lakers needed to find a way to close out Game 3. After all, there were just three teams in NBA history to have tied a series after starting 0-3 down. Furthermore, it has been 20 years since that last happened, when the Blazers lost 4-3 to the Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs after starting 0-3 down. The Lakers needed to find the win that had eluded them thus far.

Jamal Murray Once Again Leads The Nuggets To Victory

Unlike the first two games of the series, there was no back-and-forth first quarter. The Nuggets raced out to a big lead, and the Lakers found themselves trailing by 12 at the end of the first. However, the Lakers bounced back in the second, making the adjustments that allowed them to cut the Nuggets’ lead to three at the half. The Lakers continued to keep it close through the third, taking another point off the Nuggets’ lead as the teams entered the final quarter. This is where the Lakers had failed to close out in the first two games of the series. Briefly, the Lakers took the lead but it lasted just 22 seconds as the Nuggets began to pull away. The Nuggets moved to series point with a 119-108 victory.

Much like in Game 2, the Nuggets relied on Jamal Murray as the Lakers focused their defensive efforts on Nikola Jokić. Murray led all scorers with 37 points, also adding 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Jokić had 24 points with 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Anthony Davis led the Lakers in scoring with 28 points, while LeBron and Austin Reaves both put up 23. But now the Lakers are in a difficult position. As mentioned, no team has successfully won a playoff series after starting 3-0 down. LeBron James, the leader of the Lakers, has been here three times before. At 2-0 down, he is 3-5 in the playoffs. But at 3-0 down? Of course, it’s an 0-3 record for the GOAT. The series continues in LA on Monday.

Twitter Reacts

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