Trae Young is a player who gets polarizing reactions from NBA fans. Although he is a very good point guard, some feel like he is always seeking fouls. Moreover, his shooting can sometimes be inconsistent. However, without him, the Atlanta Hawks are nothing. They would never have made the playoffs this season without him on the roster. He did his absolute best against the Boston Celtics, although it didn’t work out as they were promptly eliminated. Having said that, Young continues to have a bright future ahead.
Interestingly, Trae Young was part of numerous trade rumors throughout the season. There was this belief that he wasn’t happy to be in Atlanta anymore. However, he ended up staying with the team, much to the delight of fans. Now, the season is coming to an end which means free agency is almost here. Subsequently, we are getting a bunch of new rumors, involving the Los Angeles Lakers. This has made things even more interesting ahead of the July movement window.
Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics strips the ball from Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter of Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at State Farm Arena on April 27, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Jovan Buha of The Athletic is the one reporting on these rumors. As he explained, the Lakers are thinking of making a trade that would make Trae Young their point guard. “For what it’s worth, Kyrie Irving and Trae Young, two All-Star-level point guards, were both sitting courtside in Los Angeles for the second time this postseason,” Buha wrote. “Young, like James and Davis, is a Klutch client. The Lakers have had internal discussions about what a hypothetical trade offer for Young could look like this summer, according to multiple league sources not authorized to speak publicly.”
Of course, the Lakers are always involved in these types of rumors. That is how every single offseason plays out. Although, this will definitely persuade Lakers fans to be excited about next season. Let us know what you think of a potential Trae Young trade, in the comments section below.
LeBron James went out on his shield during Game Four of the 2023 Western Conference Finals. The 38-year-old Lakers superstar ended the game with 40 points, ten rebounds, and nine assists but lost 113-111 to the Denver Nuggets, completing a sweep.
The loss ended the 20th season for King James, which saw him break the all-time scoring record and also lead the Lakers on an improbable second-half run, nearly culminating in yet another NBA Finals appearance. What’s next for James? Possibly retirement.
Speaking in the postgame, James looked into his future and realized he had much to consider. The subjects to ponder included returning for a 21st NBA season.
“We’ll see what happens going forward,” James 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.”
Reporting from Game Four, Bleacher Report‘s Chris Haynes states retirement is indeed on the table for LeBron James. There is two years, $97 million remaining on LeBron’s contract, and he has long spoken about playing with Bronny James, who is set to be drafted next year. James is expected to take his time in making the decision.
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers went through a whole lot of hardship this season. Overall, this is due to the fact that they were terrible to start off the year. Although they eventually made it to the Western Conference Finals, the team was very bad at the beginning. This was mostly due to the horrible fit of Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley. Once these two players left, the Lakers began to get a whole lot better. Unfortunately, their season came to an end last night at the hands of the Denver Nuggets.
Ultimately, the Western Conference Finals was a full four-game sweep. Although, it should be noted that this is not LeBron James’ fault. Instead, inconsistent play from Anthony Davis and some horrible shooting from the team’s role players led to catastrophe. Now, the Nuggets are on their way to their first NBA Finals in franchise history. Moreover, the Lakers are out and now, LeBron must figure out what his future in the league is. Subsequently, rumors are already being spread like wildfire.
BREAKING: Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is unsure if he’ll be with team when 2023-24 season starts in fall and retirement is under consideration, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport. https://t.co/7M3WuEzwOL
According to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, it is already being said that LeBron is contemplating retirement. During his postgame press conference on Monday night, LeBron did say he had a lot to think about. However, he didn’t explicitly say that retirement was on the table. “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.”
Some fans are theorizing that he will take a year off and heal his body before coming back to play with Bronny. Although this makes for good narrative building, it may not be rooted in reality right now. Only time will tell what LeBron James is going to decide. Let us know what you think he should do, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for all of the latest news and updates from around the sports world.
Shannon Sharpe is a huge LeBron James fan, and that is very well known at this point. Overall, he is someone who always goes to bat for LeBron on Undisputed. Moreover, he has been a fixture at Lakers games this season. Of course, he infamously got into an altercation with the Memphis Grizzlies. This included Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks, Steven Adams, and even Tee Morant. However, Shannon eventually apologized and the whole thing was put to rest. Either way, it is clear that Sharpe loves his Lakers.
Subsequently, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are now in the Western Conference Finals. They are set to play the Denver Nuggets, and you know Shannon Sharpe will be watching. Furthermore, he will be debating the series alongside none other than Skip Bayless. Bayless loves to underplay whatever LeBron is accomplishing. However, Shannon is always there to remind him of who continues to be a shining example of success in the league. Today, they discussed what a title might mean for LeBron’s standing with the Lakers.
Of course, LeBron James is the best player to ever wear a Lakers uniform. Although, that does not mean he is the greatest Laker ever. That is a designation reserved for players like Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Kareem, and even Shaq. That said, Shannon Sharpe believes LeBron can become a top-five Laker in the franchise’s history. In order to make this happen, he will need to win the title this year. Additionally, he will need to get a Finals MVP. This is a tall order, especially since Anthony Davis appears to be the number one option right now.
Before LeBron can even win an NBA title, he has to get through Nikola Jokic first. The Nuggets big man has been on another level this season. Moreover, the Lakers would have a tough opponent in the NBA Finals. It could very well be a quick series, and not in the King’s favor. Either way, fans will be watching, and Shannon Sharpe will be around to defend the legacy. Let us know who you think will win the series, in the comments below.
With the conference semifinals finished, it’s time for an NBA Conference Finals prediction. Only four teams remain in the playoffs as each one searches for a crucial victory to get them to the Finals, where they can taste the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Ironically, these four teams are the exact teams that stood in these positions three years ago during the bubble: Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, and Boston Celtics. It’s been an upset-filled playoff as a seven and eight seed have somehow made it this far. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Steph Curry, Ja Morant, De’Aaron Fox, Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, and others are eliminated, but Jimmy Butler, LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, and Jayson Tatum remain.
These star players have dragged their teams to the Conference Finals. Many of them are probably exhausted from the work they’ve had to put in to get here. However, as the late, great Kobe Bryant once said: “The job’s not finished.” These teams would like to have two more series and end with a ring to cement their place in history. Here’s which teams will actually be able to do just that.
NBA Conference Finals Prediction: It’s Denver’s Ring To Lose
By most metrics, the Denver Nuggets are the best team remaining. They have arguably the most complete roster. They also have, with ease, the best player left in Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets dispatched Kevin Durant and withstood a historic Devin Booker series to win against the Phoenix Suns in six games. While the Suns were missing Chris Paul and DeAndre Ayton in Game 6, the series wasn’t all that difficult for Denver.
On the other side, it’s a miracle that the Lakers are still standing. They took on the second-seeded Memphis Grizzlies and ousted them, thanks in part to the disrespect Dillon Brooks (who won’t be re-joining the team) showed LeBron James. Waiting next for the Lakers was Steph Curry and the reigning world champions, the Golden State Warriors. They dispatched them in six games without struggling all that much, either.
Can The Lakers’ Magic Continue?
Anthony Davis and LeBron James are possibly a stronger duo than any other team in the league. However, they don’t have the depth to take on Denver. While Anthony Davis is a defensive threat, no one has been able to stop Jokic. Denver has come up short the past few seasons and Jokic has been arguably the best player in the world during that time. They’re due for a championship if there ever was such a thing.
Jokic is the kind of player who can carry a team all the way. Fortunately, he doesn’t have to do it alone. His complementary pieces in Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. give them a nice starting lineup. Even Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is playing well. The Lakers have been on a magical run. It’s one that would go down in history if it were to go all the way. Unfortunately, a juggernaut stands in their way once again.
NBA Conference Finals Prediction: Denver Nuggets in seven games
NBA Conference Finals Prediction: Miami’s Luck Runs Out
The Miami Heat have had an impressive run to the Conference Finals. They withstood the play-in tournament to earn the eighth seed. They went on to dismantle the number one-seeded Milwaukee Bucks with relative ease. Jimmy Butler reminded everyone why he’s considered one of the best in the game in the process. They followed it up by dispatching the New York Knicks, too. They enter as major underdogs (+400 to Boston’s -525) in the series.
The Boston Celtics just had one of the more intense and enjoyable (from a fan perspective) series of the entire playoffs. They found themselves down 3-2 to the newly crowned MVP and his Philadelphia 76ers. Boston also trailed late in Game 6. They came back, Jayson Tatum said he was one of the best in the world. He followed that statement up with 51 points in Game 7 (a new Game 7 record) to seal it.
Will Boston Redeem Last Year’s Finals Loss?
The Celtics are a much better team than the Heat. Where the Heat is led by Butler and Bam Adebayo (two admittedly great players), the Celtics are led by two elite players in Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Both teams are extremely well-coached and this should be an entertaining series where everyone forgets that Miami is an eight-seed. Still, the Celtics’ talent should win out.
Tatum will be guarded by a top defender in Butler. Humbly, he is one of the best players in the world, though. If he’s being shut down, too, the C’s have other stars that can carry the load. They’re too deep and the Heat are too thin for their unprecedented run to continue. They should be applauded for making it this far, but it likely ends here. Both teams have been to a Finals recently (Boston last year and Miami in 2020 in the bubble). Ultimately, this means talent will win out.
NBA Conference Finals prediction: Boston Celtics in seven games
When it comes to the GOAT debate in basketball, no one seems to engage in it more often than Stephen A. Smith. Overall, this debate is extremely annoying. Although it never goes anywhere, people insist on having it. LeBron James and Michael Jordan are neck and neck for GOAT status. However, it depends on which generation you grew up in. If you grew up in the 2000s and 2010s, LeBron is your guy. If you watched basketball in the 80s and 90s, you pick Jordan. Needless to say, there is no convincing anyone of changing their position.
Stephen A. has always been adamant that his mind is made up in the GOAT debate. He will forever be choosing Michael Jordan. After all, those six titles in six NBA Finals speak for themself. However, Stephen A. will still talk about the NBA Mt. Rushmore on First Take. Typically, LeBron is on there, although last week he said Steph Curry could replace him. After going up 3-1 against the Warriors on Monday night, Smith has changed his tune on LeBron. In fact, it seems to be a drastic shift in perspective.
As you can see in the clip above, Stephen A. says “it would warrant a discussion” as it pertains to LeBron passing Michael Jordan for GOAT status. Of course, the caveat here is that James wins a fifth NBA title this season. At this point, the possibility most definitely exists. Overall, the Lakers are likely going to knock off the Warriors. Subsequently, they will play either the Nuggets or the Suns, who don’t look so good right now. From there, the Sixers, Heat, Celtics, and Knicks are all showing some vulnerability in the postseason. It won’t be easy, but it can happen.
Whether or not Stephen A. actually changes his mind, remains to be seen. If LeBron does win a title this year, and scores a ton of points while doing so, it will be hard to vote against him. Let us know who you think the NBA GOAT is, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from around the sports world.
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers were not looking too good earlier in the season. However, they have completely managed to turn things around for the better. Overall, the Lakers are now in the second round of the playoffs, and they are about to knock off the Golden State Warriors. After a 104-101 win last night in Los Angeles, the Lakers lead the series 3-1. Subsequently, the series is headed back to San Francisco for what could be a decisive Game 5. If the Lakers win, they are off to the Western Conference Finals.
Although the Lakers won the game, it did not come without some adversity. Early in the third quarter, the Lakers did not look very good. The Warriors built a strong lead, only for it to evaporate in the final frame. As it turns out, a bench player for the Lakers is who came out and dominated the Warriors. Lonnie Walker IV had spent much of this series on the bench. However, as soon as he got minutes, he put up 15 points in the final quarter to turn the game around and secure a victory for the purple and gold.
Following the game, Chris Haynes of TNT asked LeBron about his teammates and who helped the team get the W. Of course, the Lakers superstar was quick to point out Walker. Overall, he praised the depth player for always staying ready. “I hope Lonnie Walker’s the first. I hope Lonnie Walker’s the first,” LeBron James said. “It’s not even about tonight. I’ve been telling him, I said, ‘Lonnie, stay ready. We’re gonna need you at some point.’ For him to be as young as he is, for him to have that professionalism, come out, stay ready when his number is called. We don’t win that game without Lonnie Walker tonight. That’s for sure.”
With this kind of depth, it will be very difficult for any of the teams left in the postseason to knock off the Lakers. Of course, the Boston Celtics have a great case, however, aside from them, the Lakers could very well win the whole thing. Although, that road is not going to be all that easy. Let us know if you think they will close this series out, in the comments down below.
T.I. is an Atlanta legend and will forever be seen that way. Overall, he has classic records and some classic songs that will forever be iconic. Additionally, through his fame, he has been able to secure friendly relationships with people outside of hip-hop. For instance, the artist is good friends with none other than LeBron James. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar is currently battling the Golden State Warriors in the playoffs. However, it was his actions as a Cavalier that have always stuck with Tip.
Recently, T.I. was on the show Broken Play where he revealed why he is such a fan of LeBron James. Overall, it boils down to a moment in 2009, where LeBron ate dinner at T.I.’s grandmother’s house. This just so happened to be not long before her passing. “I’ma always be a LeBron James fan and I’ll tell you why,” T.I. explained. “The last Mother’s Day my grandmama was alive, LeBron came to my grandmama house and sat on my grandmama porch, right on Bankhead. [He] ate barbecue and kicked it with me, my grandmama and all my cousins.”
From there, T.I. went on to say that this was in the middle of the playoffs, which made it more special. Furthermore, LeBron left an impression on the artist’s grandmother. There were times when she would ask where LeBron was and what he was up to. Needless to say, James has a huge heart. “Right before they kicked the Hawks’ ass and went on to the Goddamn Eastern Conference Finals, and that’s the year that she died,” he added. “She always, ‘Where that tall fella?!’ Yeah, LeBron came to Bankhead. He wasn’t a billionaire at the time, but he left that billionaire residue. So I’ma always be a LeBron fan.”
These stories are always heartwarming to hear. These days, it feels like we are constantly inundated with bad news. However, there are other times when the news cycle is actually positive. This just so happens to be one of those instances. Stay tuned to HNHH for all of the latest news and updates from around the music world.
If the Met Gala belonged to anyone this year, it may have just been Doja Cat. The California-born starlet made her debut at the fashion-forward event in 2023, choosing to honour Karl Lagerfeld by showing up dressed as his beloved cat, Choupette. The genre-bending artist took her feline duties very seriously, meowing the entire way through a red carpet interview with Emma Chamberlain. What she took far less seriously, however, was Anna Wintour’s no-smoking rule. Cameras caught Doja hitting her vape while waiting to chat with the press, earning her both plenty of laughs and some backlash.
Now that the Met Gala (and the after-party the “Woman” songstress hosted with Diddy) has concluded, she’s been free to focus on other endeavours. Among them is her upcoming Hellmouth album, which she’s long been teasing on social media, though her hints have often provided more confusion than clarity. We have yet to hear any of the songs from the tracklist, though Doja has teased some potential titles. It’s become clear that the release date is quickly arriving, as the 27-year-old was spotted filming a music video in Los Angeles this week.
Doja Cat Takes Over Los Angeles Streets for Visual Shoot
It remains unclear what song the visual will accompany, though it shows Doja taking over the city streets in an ultra-cropped top and low-rise jeans, cameras capturing her every move. Just a few days ago, her Instagram feed lit up with a carousel that appears to contain still images from the same shoot, in which the Grammy Award winner’s neck is covered in an impressive collection of flashy silver chains.
Seeing as her caption provided little more information than a stopwatch emoji, we remain without a release date for the time being. Still, the visual era leading up to her project’s premiere has been gearing fans up for the new, more confident persona the “Kiss Me More” collaborator has been stepping into as of late. Are you eager to hear what Doja Cat has in store for her Hellmouth album? Let us know in the comments, and tap back in later for more pop culture/hip-hop news updates.
Game One of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors was as good as advertised. The Lakers emerged from the opening set as the winner, 117-112.
Coming into the game, the talk was about the fifth playoffs matchup between LeBron James and Stephen Curry. The game’s true star was Anthony Davis, who erupted for 30 points and 23 rebounds. He also added five assists and four blocks.
Davis is now the fifth player in Lakers history to drop 30 and 20, joining Shaquille O’Neal, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Elgin Baylor.
“The Lakers franchise over the years, over the course of their existence, has always had dominant big men, dominant guys that have been a force at the rim,” James said. “That’s why their jerseys are in the rafters. AD will be up there when he’s done playing. The No. 3 will be up in the rafters. He continues to show why he’s one of the best players that we have in this league.”
“The guys gave the ball to me in the right spots,” Davis added. “A lot of it came out of pick-and-roll, post-ups, some offensive rebounds. Just being aggressive when I do catch [the ball], looking to score, looking to play make to the other guys.”
James finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds, D’Angelo Russell and Dennis Schroder added 19 points for the Lakers. Curry had 27, Klay Thompson had 25 points, Jordan Poole brought 21 off the bench, and Kevon Looney added 10 points and 23 rebounds.
| Doja Cat was spotted in LA shooting a music video 
