Joe Budden Says LeBron’s Finals Competition Was Better Than MJ’s

“Every team LeBron beat is way better than all the teams that Jordan beat.” Joe Budden proclaimed this recently on an episode of his Joe Budden Podcast. This debate has been ongoing for about a decade now, and one of LeBron James’ recent triumphs has re-sparked it again. On Feb. 7, LeBron became the all-time leading scorer in NBA history. Surpassing Laker legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James’ epic two-point fade-away against the Oklahoma City Thunder got him over the mountain.

After this feat, voices from all across Hollywood congratulated LeBron. Shaq, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Rihanna, Fat Joe, and more all chimed in on Bron’s record-breaker. Even Michael Jordan, who many debate is the only player ever better than James, had a few words. “Congratulations to LeBron on this incredible achievement. It’s a testament to his hard work, longevity, and his great skill,” MJ said. So, even if they may have a rivalry in the GOAT debate, Bron and MJ can still put their pride to the side at times.

Joe Budden’s Take

Just a few weeks after James practically called himself basketball’s GOAT, Joe Budden seemed to concur. Continuing on his aforementioned Bron vs. MJ rant, Budden explained the discrepancy between their competition. “Roll ’em all in a pack and smoke ’em. All of them teams is trash, stop it. Utah twice, Karl Malone, stop it. The Sonics, stop it. Stop it, he beat up on f**kin’ Dale Ellis and them. Shut the f**k up! He don’t know what it’s like when some killers walk in the gym. Oh sh*t that’s Klay, oh sh*t that’s Steph, Draymond. Oh sh*t, Durant there too. N****s just wildin’ over there!”

Budden asserts that players from the late-2010s Golden State Warriors were much more difficult to play than any teams Jordan played in his NBA Finals appearances. In his quote, Budden mentions Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz and the Seattle Supersonics, led by Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp. At the time, both squads were thought to be elite. However, LeBron played against the Warriors in four straight NBA Finals, only winning one of those matchups. Jordan finished his career 6-0 in NBA Finals. Do you think Joe Budden makes a valid point?

JJ Redick Had Stephen A. Smith Stuttering During LeBron Debate

JJ Redick has quickly become one of the best NBA personalities on ESPN. Although he wasn’t a massive superstar, he still has a great eye for the game. Overall, his analysis is typically always spot on, and he has very little patience for bad hot takes. Furthermore, he hates it when previous decades of NBA basketball are elevated over the current era. Redick knows just how hard it is to be effective now, and he makes that clear whenever he speaks. Even if people like Chris “Mad Dog” Russo disagree, you will always see Redick advocating for his position.

The show that Redick truly shines on, however, is none other than First Take. Although this is Stephen A. Smith’s show, there is no doubt that Redick always steals the spotlight. This is because he and Smith engage in some pretty testy debates. The vast majority of the time, Redick comes out on top with empirical evidence. Overall, this leaves Smith dumbfounded as he will just move the goalposts to fit his position. On Tuesday, Redick called him out for doing just that.

JJ Redick Dominates Debate

In the clips above, Smith and Redick were debating about whether or not it is bad for LeBron’s legacy if he misses the playoffs this year. Smith said it would be a hit, while Redick argued it wouldn’t be. That’s when Redick asked if MJ going 37-45 with the Wizards was a blemish on his record. Consequently, Smith didn’t have much to say and immediately began to stutter as he wasn’t sure where to go with it. Subsequently, Redick told Smith that he is constantly moving the goalposts in relation to LeBron. Stephen A. did not take too kindly to this, although he didn’t offer much in terms of a rebuttal.

It was yet another instance of just how amazing Redick is at his job. He knows how to deliver good TV and he is showing no signs of slowing down. In many ways, he is ESPN’s NBA version of Dan Orlovsky. A rising star that people love to watch analyze the game. Let us know what you think of the job Redick has done, in the comments down below.

[Via]

Charles Barkley Gives His Take On NBA GOAT Debate

Charles Barkley is one of the best players to ever step on an NBA court. Although he is not a top 10 player, most would put him solidly in their top 20. Had he won an NBA championship or gone to more NBA Finals, he probably would be higher. However, Barkley still had an amazing career that cannot be discounted. He had some pretty wild numbers throughout his reign in the league, and he will always be respected by real basketball fans. That said, Barkley is still a controversial figure thanks to his person on TNT.

Over the years Barkley has been forced to give his opinion on the dreaded GOAT debate that we know all too well at this point. Every single day, it feels like someone is asked who the best between LeBron and Michael Jordan is. Furthermore, this is especially true now that James officially has the record for most points in NBA history. Everyone wants to give their hot takes on this topic, while every analyst is being sought out for their opinion.

Charles Barkley Weighs In

When it comes to Barkley, he is taking a more measured approach than he used to take in the past. Instead of scoffing at the idea of LeBron being the GOAT, Barkley is acknowledging that James has led his entire generation. “Kareem was the greatest in his generation, MJ was the greatest in his generation, and LeBron’s been the greatest in his generation. You can’t compare eras. It’s impossible,” Barkley said. All things considered, this is actually quite a bit of growth from Barkley. Clearly, LeBron has taught him that anyone can become the GOAT, regardless of the era they played in.

Of course, the GOAT debate is one of those subjective conversations that doesn’t actually mean all that much. At the end of the day, fans just want to enjoy the games. All of that legacy talk just takes away from the sport that everyone loves. That said, let us know who you think is the GOAT, down in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from around the sports world.

[Via]

Jeanie Buss Calls Out LeBron Fan For Online Harrassment

Jeanie Buss is always dealing with a lot as the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers. Overall, she is the one who must make massive decisions about the team. Moreover, this is doubly hard as her father turned the Lakers into a legendary franchise. She has massive shoes to fill, and it hasn’t always been easy. Although the team won a title in 2020, they have been some difficult seasons. For instance, the Russell Westbrook years were not kind to the team. These last couple of seasons have led to lots of criticism, and much of it has been directed toward Buss.

Unfortunately, some of this criticism has turned into straight-up harassment. Some people are constantly stocking Buss on social media so that they can get their hot takes off. Additionally, some people think it is a good idea to try and play GM in her DMs as if she is going to listen to them. One LeBron fan, however, got her attention. In the tweet below, @BronGotGame wrote “Jeanie Buss replied to my dm’s and I was just thanking her & Pelinka for the trades that went down, be thankful lady.” As you can see, Buss had a firm response to the fan, which is what prompted this public callout.

Jeanie Buss Reacts

Buss became aware of the tweet and came through with some receipts. She showed old DMs from back in November in which the fan called her “the worst owner in sports.” Needless to say, Buss was upset and wanted to set the record straight. “Here is an example of the harassing messages,” she wrote. “As I’ve said on this platform before, everyone is entitled to their opinion so I am not arguing about that. Its just that I don’t want my DM’s to be full of your pretend GM BS trade suggestions that’s all.”

Overall, you can’t help but feel for Buss here. Plenty of NBA fans are extremely toxic, especially in relation to the Lakers. However, she could probably be spending her time a lot more efficiently than beefing with a dude named LeBronchitis. Either way, hopefully, fans start to get the message. Let us know what you think about all of this, in the comments below.

[Via]

Stephen A. Smith Hits LeBron James With A Ton Of Pressure

Stephen A. Smith, just like many other pundits this season, has been forced to talk a lot about the Los Angeles Lakers. Overall, the Lakers have not been a particularly good team. However, they possess the likes of LeBron James, so they are a hot topic of conversation. Moreover, they made some big moves at the trade deadline, and there is an expectation that they will be a lot better toward the playoffs. That said, if the Lakers do miss the playoffs, then they will be clowned for eternity. It also doesn’t help that this would be their second year in a row missing the postseason.

Now that the All-Star Game has passed us by, there are only a few more days left in the All-Star break. Ultimately, this has given Anthony Davis, LeBron, and his teammates plenty of time to rest. For Stephen A., however, their return will be filled with a lot of expectations. As Smith explains, the pressure is on right now for the Lakers. In fact, Smith believes this could damage LeBron’s legacy if they cannot find a way to get into the show.

Stephen A. Gets Honest

“You’re LeBron James, and you’re Anthony Davis, and you’re healthy enough to be on the court. You don’t make the playoffs? That’s quite embarrassing,” Smith said. It is hard to disagree with this assessment. However, it needs to be stated that LeBron and AD cannot do it all. Furthermore, this roster was not well constructed at the start of the year. This put the team in a hole for a very long time. Ultimately, LeBron has been doing everything he can to make this work. It will now be up to everyone else to play their role and give the Lakers some sort of success.

With 23 games left, the Lakers will need to win at least 15 of those games to make it into the playoffs. If they cannot get that done, then LeBron will be out of the postseason, yet again. It will be interesting to see how he plays knowing his legacy could very well take a hit. Stay tuned to HNHH for more news from around the sports world.

[Via]

Allen Iverson Divulges On Why He Takes LeBron Over Michael Jordan

Allen Iverson is someone who got to play against some of the GOATs of basketball. Overall, Iverson is held in high esteem by a lot of fans and players. Although he may not be a GOAT, there are people who want his opinion on the Michael Jordan Vs. LeBron James debate. At this point, the debate is extremely tired, however, it continues to rage on. This is especially true now that LeBron has eclipsed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the all-time scoring record.

During All-Star weekend, Iverson got to be part of some of the festivities. As someone who has played against both LeBron and MJ, some reporters were wondering how Iverson feels about these two. For instance, Marc J. Spears of Andscape asked Iverson directly who he would take between the two. For Iverson, it was a truly tough call. However, he opted to go with LeBron for the following reason.

Allen Iverson Speaks

Allen Iverson attends The Players’ Tribune + Heir Jordan Host Players’ Night Out At The Royale Party at Bounce Sporting Club in Chicago on February 13, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jeff Schear/Getty Images for Players’ Tribune)

“LeBron, I think, to me is the best overall basketball player that we’ll ever see,” Iverson said. “If you look in the dictionary and look up basketball player, there’ll be a picture of LeBron. But for me it’s so different because Mike was everything to me. He gave me the vision. He made me want to play basketball. He’s my everything. I wanted to actually be like him, like the commercial, ‘Be like Mike,’ I really wanted to be him. I’m still starstruck every time I see him. I’m still nervous every time. Because he’s Mike to me. He’s my guy. So there’ll never be no one at the top of my list besides Mike. But LeBron is just everything that you want in a basketball player. He’s a total package. He’s God’s gift to the basketball world.”

You can’t help but respect what Iverson has to say on this topic. James and Jordan are two legends of the game, and there is no denying that. Until the end of time, the GOAT debate will be ongoing. In the future, it will be interesting to see if anyone can capture the attention that LeBron and MJ once did. Give us your thoughts on Iverson’s take, down in the comments below.

[Via]

LeBron x Nike Air Max 1 “Liverpool” Revealed

LeBron James is not just an amazing basketball player. He is also a businessman who has his hand in a whole bunch of different industries. Overall, he has become a billionaire thanks to all of his endeavors. Although this can be overwhelming, he has done a great job of keeping tabs on all of his investments. One of his biggest investments has been in Liverpool FC. Of course, Liverpool is one of the most legendary soccer clubs in England, and they have had a whole bunch of success as of late.

Throughout the years, LeBron has showcased his love of Liverpool in various different ways. One of the best ways he has done this is through his sneaker deal with Nike. For the most part, he comes through with Liverpool colorways of his infamous LeBron signature line. However, there are other times when he will transplant the Liverpool aesthetic onto an already established and iconic Nike silhouette. Now, he is set to do that with the Nike Air Max 1.

“Liverpool” LeBron x Nike AM1

LeBron
Image via Nike

In the images above and below, you can see how this sneaker is going to look. Overall, it is quite nice and we’re sure the Liverpool fans out there will enjoy it. Firstly, this sneaker opens up with black leather on the toe box that wraps all the way around the lower part of the silhouette. Secondly, we get some teal overlays that are contrasted by a white toe box and cuff. Lastly, there is an injection of red in the lining of the shoe, as well as the visible Air Max unit. These elements all come together to create a nice and agreeable colorway.

Fans of this shoe will be able to cop it as of March 4th for a price of $180 USD. If you are a Liverpool fan or simply like this color combination, then these will be a must-cop. Let us know your thoughts on this sneaker, in the comments down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from around the sneaker world.

More Photos

Image via Nike
LeBron
Image via Nike

[Via]

LeBron James Has Some Advice For Victor Wembanyama

LeBron James was one of the most hyped prodigies ever when he was in high school. Overall, it was almost impossible for him to live up to the hype. However, he managed to do it as he is considered a top-two player to ever step on the court. Now, there is a new prodigy being hyped up over in Europe. Of course, we are talking about the 7’4″ Victor Wembanyama, who is an absolute beast out on the court. As it stands, he is expected to be the future of the entire NBA.

As someone who has been called a prodigy before, LeBron could certainly offer some advice to the young man. In fact, that is exactly what James did while speaking on Wembanyama recently. When asked by ESPN about the French superstar, LeBron had some great things to say. Mostly, James touched on how basketball is a business, and sometimes, a lot is expected of you. However, it is important to stay true to yourself and just have fun.

LeBron Speaks

LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks during the first quarter in the 2023 NBA All Star Game between Team Giannis and Team LeBron at Vivint Arena on February 19, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Kyle Terada – Pool/Getty Images)

“The most important thing [for him] is stay true to the game,” LeBron said. “And that’s one thing for me. I always tell myself, ‘I’m going to commit to the game. I’m going to train. I’m going to prepare myself physically, mentally, spiritually, to give to the game if you want to be great.’ The second thing is don’t forget to have fun because it becomes a business. It becomes a business right away. And he’s going through it right now, and it’s going to get even — I don’t want to say worse, but it gets even more demanding on you on the business side.”

At this point, it remains to be seen how Wembanyama will fare in the NBA. As a pro player in France, he has been fantastic. However, there is no guarantee that he is able to translate that to the NBA. Hopefully, he is able to have the same kind of success as LeBron. Let us know what you think of the French star, in the comments down below.

[Via]

LeBron James Reveals How Proud He Is Of Kyrie Irving

LeBron James is someone who has played for 20 years in the NBA. Overall, he has seen a lot of players come and go. Additionally, he has been able to play with some truly exceptional guys. This includes none other than Kyrie Irving. James and Kyrie were teammates on the Cleveland Cavaliers, and they even won an NBA title together. It was an amazing partnership that fans are very nostalgic for. Even now, LeBron and his fans yearn for that partnership to be rekindled.

In fact, when Kyrie demanded a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, LeBron made it clear that he wanted Irving on the Lakers. However, the Lakers never made the trade that James was asking for. Instead, he had to wait on a trade that sent Russell Westbrook to the Jazz. Subsequently, LeBron even told ESPN in an exclusive interview that he was disappointed to not have Kyrie on his team. Needless to say, if LeBron James could shake up the league right now, he would make sure that Kyrie is his point guard.

LeBron James Praises Kyrie

During the All-Star draft yesterday, LeBron made sure to draft Kyrie Irving to his team. The two of them shared a long embrace, and overall, it was a whole lot of fun. Afterward, LeBron was asked by reporters about his relationship with Kyrie. This is where James made it clear how much he loves the Mavericks star. “It’s always good to see him. I’m very proud of him. Very proud of the man that he has become in his life right now,” LeBron said. Overall, it was a huge endorsement of Kyrie, who has been through a lot over the past few years. Irving is someone who is still finding himself, and LeBron appreciates that growth.

Hopefully, Kyrie continues to find what makes him happy. He is now in Dallas which is a nice fresh start for him. Moreover, he is a free agent in the summer, which could lead to a reunion with LeBron. No matter what, it is an exciting time to be Kyrie right now. Stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from around the sports world.

[Via]

Stephen A. Smith Claims LeBron Killed The Dunk Contest

Stephen A. Smith is one of the more opinionated people in the sports world. Overall, this is exactly why he is so popular. He is someone who knows how to get people riled up with his opinions, and he has been on his game for years. Although he may be controversial, ESPN loves having him on board. He brings ratings to the station, and at this point, he carries the entire network on his back. It is a hard job, although someone has to do it.

Throughout this season, Stephen A. and his various co-hosts have had to talk a whole lot about LeBron James. LeBron and the Lakers are 13th in the Western Conference, however, they are always the center of NBA discourse. Overall, this has proven to be exhausting for most fans. However, it appears as though Smith loves talking about the purple and gold. They are a team filled with storylines, and LeBron is definitely a contributor to all of that.

Stephen A. Berates LeBron

Over the weekend, the NBA had its infamous All-Star weekend. This included the dunk contest in which Mac McClung was the victor. For many, his win was amazing. However, for others, it was a sign of how stars no longer want to do the dunk contest. Consequently, Smith decided to use this opportunity to go off on the King. In the video clip above, Stephen A. said that he feels like LeBron ruined the dunk contest. This is because superstars used to always participate in the event. Although, James never did, and because of his lead-by-example attitude, other stars followed suit. Simply put, Smith is blaming the free will of others on an innocuous decision by LeBron. While some may agree with Smith, it feels like a bit of a stretch.

Superstar players are more than welcome to participate, regardless of LeBron. Moreover, using LeBron as a blueprint for not joining the dunk contest is incredibly weak. If you want to find a reason for the poor turnout, look at the judges who come in with massive biases. Let us know if you agree with Smith, down in the comments section below.

[Via]