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SOURCE SPORTS: LeBron and Lakers Will Open NBA Season Against Denver Nuggets on Ring Night

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LeBron James will get a chance for revenge when his Los Angeles Lakers open the NBA season by taking on the reigning champion Denver Nuggets on their ring night. The 2023-24 NBA season will tip off at Ball Arena moments after the Nuggets raise their championship banner. It will be the 21st NBA season for LeBron James.

Game 2 of the season-opening double-header will see the Phoenix Suns’ new trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal take on the new-look Golden State Warriors, who have added former Sun Chris Paul to Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson.

The rest of the opening week matchups are below. What are you excited to see?

The post SOURCE SPORTS: LeBron and Lakers Will Open NBA Season Against Denver Nuggets on Ring Night first appeared on The Source.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: LeBron and Lakers Will Open NBA Season Against Denver Nuggets on Ring Night appeared first on The Source.

NBA Season To Open With West Coast Blockbusters

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The NBA has announced that the 2023-24 season will officially begin on October 24. What’s more, they will skew tradition to open with a slate of purely Western Conference matchups. The official tip-off will occur in Denver, where the Nuggets will raise their championship banner before taking on the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s a rematch of the Western Conference Finals, in which the Nuggets swept the Lakers so hard that LeBron considered retiring.

However, that game is almost serving as a lead-in to the night’s real marquee matchup. The Phoenix Suns will take on the Golden State Warriors. This means that Chris Paul will be facing his old team on night one. Furthermore, we will get out first look at Phoenix’s new Big Three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal.

Read More: Druski launches sports management agency

NBA Promises Hyped Opening Week

However, the fun continues over the first days of the new season. October 25 sees the new-look Celtics take on the Knicks. Meanwhile, Victor Wembanyama makes his debut in an in-state matchup against Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks. That’s followed by the Sixers taking on Milwaukee to kick off October 26, which also features LeBron taking on KD as the Lakers face the Suns. The first half of the week very much feels like it will help establish who’s legit in this year’s title races.

Furthermore, October 27 is a day dedicated to playoff rematches. The Heat, who may or may not have Damian Lillard, take on the Celtics. That is followed by the Kings taking on the Warriors. Of course, the Kings came so close to beating the Warriors in the first round of the playoffs, only to choke a 3-1 series lead. Finally, October 28 sees the Knicks back in action, this time taking on Zion Williamson and the Pelicans. Then the Suns have their third game of the week as they face the Utah Jazz. Which matchups are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Enes Freedom Says He’d Put Up Ridiculous Numbers In The WNBA During Anti-Trans Rant

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Anthony Davis Signs Three-Year Extension With The Los Angeles Lakers

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The Brow is staying in Los Angeles for the foreseeable future. Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN that Anthony Davis had signed a three-year extension with the Los Angeles Lakers worth $270 million. The contract, that keeps AD in LA through 2028 is the richest per-year contract in NBA history, coming in at $62 million a year. Davis entered the offseason with two years and $84 million left on his current contract. The new extension will trigger in 2025.

Injuries have plagued Davis’ last few seasons. He has failed to reach the 60-game milestone in the past three seasons, playing 56 games in 2022-23. Despite this, he remains a core part of the Lakers’ championship roster alongside LeBron James. In the 2022-23 season, Davis put up 25.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. Davis has played in LA since a blockbuster brought him over from the Pelicans in 2019. “Couldn’t think more highly of Anthony Davis as a Laker and as a player,” GM Rob Pelinka said recently. “He’s helped deliver a championship to our franchise. He’s been an incredible captain and leader.”

Read More: Terrence Williams Receives 10-Year Prison Sentence For NBA Fraud Scheme

AD Preparing For Future Without LeBron?

Up until this point, Davis and LeBron had their contracts running concurrently after both signing extensions following their 2020 championship. However, Davis is now on the books until 2028 while LeBron has a player option in for the 2024-25 season. A number of other Lakers signings this offseason are also on contracts that expire in 2025. Could it be that the Lakers are preparing for a future without LeBron, be it due to retirement or other circumstances?

LeBron has made it very clear that he wants to play alongside his son Bronny before he leaves the NBA. Given that the Lakers likely won’t have a first-round pick in 2024, it’s unlikely that Bronny lands with the team. Of course, this is also dependent on Bronny’s recovery and future following his cardiac arrest last month. However, many experts believe that LeBron will decline his 2024-25 player option and sign with whichever drafts his son. As this is a well-known scenario, it could be that the Lakers are setting themselves up to retain at least one cornerstone veteran for the near future.

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Dwight Howard Compares LeBron James And Kobe Bryant’s Teammate Vibes

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Dwight Howard played with some of the NBA’s greatest during his 18 years in the league. This included seasons with LeBron and Kobe during Howard’s multiple stints with the Lakers. Howard played with Kobe during the 2012-13 season and with LeBron during the 2019-20 and 2021-22 seasons.

During a recent appearance on My Expert Opinion, Howard broke down the vibes each legendary player gave off as a teammate. “LeBron almost act like someone from the south side of Georgia,” Howard said. “We act kinda like twins — joking, silly, have a good time. We get on the court, we still gonna have a good time but we’re gonna dominate. Kobe ain’t bullshitting with nobody, he might not come in the locker room and talk, and everybody like, ‘So, he just gonna walk all the way past us, not dap nobody up, give a head nod or nothing? He’s just walked past us,” Howard noted.

Read More: Dwight Howard responds to child neglect, sexual assault allegations

Howard Reflects On Kobe And LeBron Partnerships

However, Howard’s comments weren’t intended as a knock against Kobe. “As I got older, I started to realize more of how he [Kobe] felt,” Howard said. “And as a young ballplayer, you’re not seeing that. You think the game lasts forever. When you get older, you see I ain’t got the same amount of time and energy to put into this, that, and the third. It seemed like we fell out, but it wasn’t really like we fell out, we just had some disagreements on the court, like any other team and any other teammate.”

Despite this, it’s not the first time in recent months that Kobe’s mentality has been brought up. Charles Barkley recently used it to explain why he didn’t think Kobe would have been a good fit for Inside the NBA. “I don’t know if he was built to have fun,” he said. “He was a great person, I liked him, rest in peace. But like, he was a real serious guy. And the problem you have, if you’re gonna do our show, I don’t think people understand, we’re on from seven to two in the morning. Nobody wants to be damn serious from seven to two in the morning, ok?,” Barkley told the New Heights podcast.

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Nike LeBron Witness 8 “Lakers” Exclusive Look

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The Nike LeBron Witness 8 is a basketball shoe that pays tribute to the legendary LeBron James. Known for his immense impact on sneakers and the game of basketball, LeBron James has inspired countless fans and athletes worldwide. The LeBron Witness 8 embodies the essence of LeBron’s relentless playing style and determination. It features a design that provides excellent support, traction, and responsiveness on the court. With its simple and functional construction, this shoe allows players of all levels to perform their best.

The LeBron Witness 8 showcases a range of colorways, including the exclusive “Lakers” edition, which celebrates LeBron’s time with the Los Angeles Lakers. These sneakers are a testament to his incredible skill and success throughout his career. Whether you’re a basketball enthusiast or simply admire LeBron James, the Nike LeBron Witness 8 is a reliable choice that delivers both performance and style. Lace-up a pair and step onto the court with the same confidence and determination as the King himself.

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“Lakers” Nike LeBron Witness 8

As always, thanks to @kicksdong for providing the images and information on this pair. As expected, this pair features the core colors of the Los Angeles Lakers: black, purple, and yellow. The sneakers feature a purple rubber sole and a black responsive midsole for playing basketball. The upper features black mesh with purple overlays on the tongue, laces, and around the sock liner. Yellow accents can be found on the Nike Swoosh and the lace locks. A King James emblem is likely on the tongue, although nothing confirmed.

Sneaker Bar Detroit reports that the Nike LeBron Witness 8 “Lakers” is going to drop at some point in 2023. Also, the retail price is expected to be $160 when they release. Further, let us know what you think of this sneaker, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the sneaker world. We will be sure to bring you the biggest releases from the biggest brands.

Read More: LeBron James Coaches Son Bryce At Nike Peach Jam

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Darvin Ham Declares Teams That Passed On Him “F*cked Up Royally”

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Darvin Ham is entering his second season as an NBA head coach. After over a decade as a bench coach, Ham was named as the successor to Frank Vogel. He led the Lakers all the way to the Western Conference Finals in this first season, despite the team entering the playoffs as a seven-seed. Furthermore, Ham demonstrated his ability to manage veteran players like LeBron and AD.

However, Ham’s name had been floating around as a head coach candidate for several years prior to the Lakers grabbing him. In fact, as many as 10 teams considered Ham before passing on him. While speaking to ESPN‘s Marc J. Spears, Ham had a very clear message for those teams.

Ham Blasts Teams That Didn’t Hire Him

Darvin Ham
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 22: Head coach Darvin Ham speaks to LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first 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)

“I listed the teams that, according to my unofficial count, had interviewed Ham without offering him their head coaching job. All nine of them. My list featured the Celtics, Hornets, Bulls, Pacers, Timberwolves, Magic, Kings, Wizards, and Clippers,” Spears wrote in his newsletter on Substack. Reportedly, Ham then added the Hawks as a tenth team. In reference to this list, Ham told Spears that all of the teams listed had “fucked up royally” in not hiring him. As for the Lakers, Ham is very clearly on a championship or bust path while he still has LeBron. The team has signed Gabe Vincent, Jaxson Heyes, Taurean Prince, and Cam Reddish this offseason. However, 2024 might be their last chance to win with LeBron.

The consensus opinion among pundits is that LeBron will likely push for a trade next offseason to join Bronny on whatever team drafts him. It’s unlikely that the Lakers will have the chance to grab him. If they pick too high in the first round, the Pelicans will likely use their option to take the pick for themselves. However, too low a pick in the first and it’s unlikely that Bronny would still be on the board. Essentially, the Lakers would have to aim for a first-round playoff exit or low lottery finish to acquire Bronny.

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Lamar Odom Considering Coaching At His Alma Matter

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Lamar Odom is potentially about to become the head coach for his former New York High School, according to a TMZ source. He has been in talks with Redemption Christian Academy, located in Troy, NY. The former L.A. Laker power forward is seriously considering the position after he reportedly reached out to the school back in June acquiring about the current head coach. School faculty asked if he would be willing to take up the position, in which he would start in August and coach for four months during winter basketball season.

Redemption Christian Academy is where Lamar Odom played for his senior high school year. Parade Magazine named him the National Player of the Year for that season, where he put up a gaudy average stat line of 25 points, 17 rebounds, 12 assists, and five blocks. He also went to the McDonald’s All-American game that year and was invited to the 1997 Magic Johnson Roundball Classic. He then was drafted by the L.A. Clippers with the fourth overall pick in 1999.

Read more: Khloe Kardashian Reveals How She Still Feels Bad For Tristan Thompson & Lamar Odom

Lamar Odom & His Potential Coaching Prowess

Odom’s NBA career took a lot of twists and turns, both on and off the court. He played for four teams and with the Clippers twice to begin and end his time in the National Basketball Association. In the middle, he played the majority of his career in Los Angeles but as a Laker. In the purple-and-gold, Lamar Odom won two NBA Championships in 2009 and 2010, as well as a Sixth Man of the Year award in 2011. He was the first Laker to ever win that bench honor.

Lamar played in Europe and Dubai to end his professional basketball days. He played one game in the original Big3 season but was deactivated by the league after an abysmal performance. Despite the fizzling out at the end, Odom was a solid role player for over a decade in the NBA. Sources from TMZ say the school has given Lamar only a few weeks to decide whether he wants to coach at his alma matter. If he opts in, he’ll move to New York for the season. He’s also looking to continue with his business degree, which would help with his Odom Recovery Group.

Read more: Lamar Odom Acquires Rehab Center

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Nuggets, Mavericks, And Lakers All Pursuing Bruce Brown

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Bruce Brown had a career year during the 2022-23 season. He appeared in 80 games and broke double-digits in points per game for the first time since being drafted in 2018. Furthermore, he was a key piece off the bench for the Nuggets during the playoffs, as they cruised to the NBA title. Brown had 11.5 points per game, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists during the regular season. The Nuggets represent the third team of Brown’s career. He was drafted by the Pistons, spent time in Brooklyn in the 2021-22 season before finding his way to Denver.

However, financial constraints in Denver meant that they were unable to pursue an extension with Brown before free agency, which begins on June 30. Meanwhile, Brown’s 2022-23 numbers have started to attract a number of big-name suitors once the signing period officially begins. As things stand, three teams are currently in the race for Brown.

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Bruce Brown’s Free Agency Suitors Revealed

Brown’s first suitor is a return to the Denver Nuggets. On the one hand, it’s the place where Brown has found the most success in his career so far. However, the Nuggets would be about to offer him $7.8 million, which is about $5 million less than his perceived market value. Meanwhile, the Lakers are “increasingly confident” that they would be able to acquire Brown’s services. However, the Lakers would either need to cut players or lowball Brown to acquire his services.

Read More: Despite wild rumors, Draymond Green is likely returning to the Golden State Warriors

That just leaves his newest suitor – Dallas. With Kyrie Irving’s future uncertain, the Mavericks have money to spend and a need for depth. Per Tim McMahon of ESPN, Brown is expected to meet with Dallas in the first days of free agency. While most Mavericks rumors are connecting them to bigs, Brown is definitely a cheaper option to better round out the roster. Where do you think Brown will land? Let us know in the comments. Furthermore, follow all the latest NBA news here at HotNewHipHop.

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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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