nba draft

Is Bronny James Declaring For The NBA Draft? Rich Paul Gives Update On USC Freshman’s Thinking

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Rich Paul has stated that Bronny James’ draft decision will be based on “team interest” and not projected draft position. “I don’t value a young player getting into the lottery as much as I do getting him on the right team in the right developmental situation,” Paul told ESPN. Furthermore, Paul noted that LeBron James’ long-stated desire to play with his son will not factor into the decision. However, Paul did note that LeBron would be “head over heels” if it happened “organically”. This comment also appeared to put to bed the idea that LeBron would leave the Lakers to play with Bronny.

It has been a less-than-ideal season for Bronny James. Entering college as a top-15 recruit, the start of his season was derailed by a cardiac arrest suffered last July. While that congenital defect has reportedly been addressed, Bronny will still have to get clearance from the NBA’s Fitness to Play panel. Additionally, Bronny has simply not played like an NBA prospect. He has averaged 5/2.8/2.4 a game for a Trojans team that has fallen well short of expectations. Projected to finish second in the Pac-12, USC is second-last in the division with two games left on the schedule.

Read More: Lebron James Watches Bronny’s USC Game While Doing Media Interviews

Austin Rivers And Stephen Jackson Feud Over Bronny James

Of course, Bronny’s NBA fit remains a heated point of discussion. Stephen Jackson took offense to Austin Rivers’ rationale behind why LeBron and Bronny shouldn’t play on the same team if Bronny makes the move to the NBA. “Difference is you trash, Bronny not. You can’t compare to him scrub. And your daddy not LeBron. Shut up,” Jackson wrote in the comments on an Instagram post reporting Rivers’ original comments. Rivers later replied to the former NBA player. “All smiles…I didn’t even have to fight my own battles with ignorance, yall corrected it for me!! Thank you for not siding with delusion. Have a blessed day,” Rivers wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

However, Jackson’s reaction was bizarre given that Rivers had been arguing that Bronny doesn’t need the added obstacle of playing in his father’s shadow. “I don’t want to see Bronny play with [LeBron]… Him getting drafted & playing with his dad, I don’t want that negativity to come his way. He doesn’t deserve it… [He needs to] play somewhere where he can niche out his own identity,” Rivers told NBA Today.

Read More: Bronny James Hits Three In Front Of Booing Crowd, But Fans Still Call Cap On His Skill

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SOURCE SPORTS: NBA Eyeing to Make 2024 Draft a Two-Night Event

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2023 NBA Draft Was Most-Watched Ever

The NBA Draft will look different in 2024. According to ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski, the NBA is finalizing plans to make the draft a two-night event.

The new format would split the first and second rounds of the draft into consecutive nights on June 26 and 27. Final approval must be made from the National Basketball Players Association.

The reason for the change would be an additional look at programming for television rights and allowing more time for team transactions.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: NBA Eyeing to Make 2024 Draft a Two-Night Event first appeared on The Source.

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Stephen A. Smith Defends Malika Andrews Over Brandon Miller Draft Coverage

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While it had mostly died down by the time of the draft, Brandon Miller’s one-and-done college career was marred by controversy. The Alabama freshman was at least tangentially involved with the shooting of a young woman in Tuscaloosa earlier this year. While the extent of his involvement was debated, he was considered a material witness. Furthermore, he had allegedly brought the killer’s gun to him when asked. Controversially, Miller missed almost no time as head coach Nate Oats firmly stood behind his star player.

Jump forward to the draft and ESPN‘s Malika Andrews got a lot of heat for bringing up Miller’s link to the case on draft night. Andrews didn’t say anything especially heinous. Namely, she asked how his link to the case, which remains open, could affect how teams view the player. “How does this factor in, if at all, into how teams are evaluating him?” Andrews asked on the network’s broadcast. Now one of her ESPN colleagues has stepped up to defend (yes, two months after the draft).

Read More: Stephen A. Smith Reveals Kyrie Irving Confronted Him Over Issues With His Father

Stephen A. Smith Defends Malika Andrews

“She’s getting crucified during the Draft because… Brandon Miller…bringing up somebody’s past. She had an obligation to ask those questions. She did her job. If she doesn’t do her job, she’s off the air.” Stephen A. Smith said in a recent podcast appearance. Smith is totally right. As much as you might want journalists to “stick to sports”, you aren’t doing your job as a reporter if you aren’t addressing the whole situation. This isn’t something that happened five, ten years ago. This is an open murder investigation into something that happened this year. Additionally, it doesn’t matter how tangential Miller’s link is to the case – he is linked to the case and that’s what matters.

It’s very weird how quick sports fans will forgive and forget. People on social media calling Andrews a bitch and a roach, saying that she’s ruining “Miller’s special night”. She was literally doing her job. “How does this factor in, if at all, into how teams are evaluating him?” is a great way to ask this question. Why? Because it includes a clause to allow someone to literally respond, “I think there will be minimal impact on his evaluation.” Furthermore, Miller still went #2 overall in the draft. Clearly, this was a non-issue for teams. It just seems that people are mad that Andrews dared remind us of the very real external issues to this fake sports world.

Read More: Stephen A. Smith Upset Over Demarcus Cousins Treatment

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Cam’ron & Ma$e Go In On Fat Joe For “Dick From Kansas” Comment

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Cam’ron and Ma$e have been killing it as of late with their brand-new show It Is What It Is. At this point, the show is coming out on a more frequent basis. Overall, this has given the show a lot more visibility, and deservingly so. In many ways, these two are like the anti-First Take. The show format is similar, however, they are allowed to say whatever they want. This subsequently leads to some truly hilarious results. At this point, it feels like the show is on a truly unstoppable run.

Moreover, there are plenty of people giving them lots of fodder for jokes. One of those people is none other than Fat Joe. During the NBA Draft a couple of weeks ago, the rapper had praise for Gradey Dick, who was drafted by the Toronto Raptors. Unfortunately, he got hit with some jokes as he misfired his praise and said “I like Dick from Kansas.” Of course, the implications here were quite obvious, and it led to a whole bunch of clowning. With Cam and Ma$e being the kings of the “Pause” game, you know they had to chime in.

Read More: Cam’ron Likens Chad Ochocino To R. Kelly In Scathing Rant

Cam’ron & Ma$e Play The Pause Game

“Yo Crack, you know you my man. You got a flow, Joe. I was a fan in high school, n****,” Cam’ron said. “But you’re out of pocket, Joe. You know why, Joe? I would say this — pause this whole little scenario — it would be cr*zy if the n****’s name was Fred Dick — pause. But he got a whole other name, it’s Gregory or something like that. You could say, ‘I mess with Gregory from Kansas.’ He had two names, bro. A first name and a last name.” Ma$e and Cam continued to laugh during the whole segment, and it was yet another instant It Is What It Is classic.

For now, it really feels like the show cannot lose. Some would like to see them on ESPN, however, that would ruin the spirit of the show. Cam and Ma$e need to be unfiltered and ESPN would immediately begin to censor them. Hopefully, the right platform is able to give them the bag. Let us know what you think of the show, in the comments section below.

Read More: Cam’ron Teases New Show: “Dr. Phil, I’m Coming For Your Spot”

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Jay-Z Was The Reason Lou Williams Declared For The NBA Draft

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Lou Williams officially announced his retirement from professional basketball on Father’s Day 2023. His retirement video was narrated by his daughter. Drafted 45th overall out of South Gwinnett High School in Georgia, Williams was one of the last high school draftees to ever join the NBA. In 2006, the year after Williams was drafted, the league prohibited teams from drafting high school players. Williams spent the first 7 seasons of his career with the Sixers. While Williams was a solid contributor, he was part of a Sixers team trying to find its identity after the departure of Allen Iverson. This was highlighted by Williams leading the Sixers in scoring during the 2011-12 season, despite starting 0 games for the team.

He went on to win three Sixth Man of the Year awards over a 17-year career. However, Williams also left his mark on the music industry. Having recorded several singles himself, Williams featured on Meek Mill‘s Sixers hype track, “I Want It All”. Elsewhere, Drake‘s “6 Man”, from his 2015 mixtape If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, was about Williams. Speaking of music, Williams recently revealed that a chance meeting with Jay-Z led him to decide to enter the draft out of high school.

Jay-Z Opened Lou Williams’ Eyes To The Benefits Of Pro Play

Williams explained how Jay-Z lead him to forgo college on a recent episode of The Starting Five podcast. “My thing was, my senior year in high school, I started experiencing things. I had this one night — LeBron and Mav [Carter] introduced me to Jay-Z. I kicked it with Jay for a night, and I went to school the next day,” Williams explained. That experience opened his eyes. “I was looking around the class, like, ‘I’m nothin’ like none of y’all [and] I started experiencing different shit.”

He continued. “So I was like, ‘I’m not going to sit in another classroom after this,’” he continued. I literally can’t do it, you know what I’m saying? I don’t think that’s going to be the path for me.”That chance meeting led Williams to turn down an offer from the University of Georgia to go pro. All in all, Williams made $85 million from this NBA contracts. Furthermore, he leaves the game widely considered the best bench player/sixth man to ever star in the NBA. All because he met Jay-Z before he could legally drink. Furthermore, follow HotNewHipHop for all the latest music and sports news.

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Los Angeles Lakers Rookie Takes Fun Shot At LeBron James

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The Los Angeles Lakers came up just short of pulling off a miracle season. The team battled injuries all season long. Including top players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis missing time. However, the team found its groove right at the start of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. The Lakers tallied two series victories before falling in the Western Conference Finals. Although the season didn’t end the way they hoped. The 2022-23 campaign wasn’t a complete failure.

Now the Lakers are in the same boat as everyone else. Every team in the league is looking for the right recipe to slow down Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. The road to the NBA Finals started with the 2023 NBA Draft. The Lakers introduced the newest members of their squad on Monday. As for Jalen Hood-Schifino, he is already jokingly taking pokes at the bear. Hood-Schifino was only seven days old when LeBron was drafted in 2003. A fact that the media just had to bring up during Hood-Schifino’s first press conference.

Read More: The 2023 NBA Draft Was Pure Chaos

Los Angeles Lakers Ready For Another Deep Playoff Run

Hood-Schifino said he had heard that fact before. “I did see that post on ESPN. I was like ‘Dang, LeBron’s old!” Did he just call LeBron old? Yes, he did. But this time, it was all in good fun. The rookie knows how iconic James is to the league and what he brings to the franchise. We know what happens if you call James old with malice behind your words. You get eliminated from the playoffs and then ran off your own team. Maybe Dillon Brooks will think twice the next time.

It’s no secret that the sands in the hourglass are fewer and fewer for James. On Monday, fans celebrated the 20 anniversary of the 2003 NBA Draft class. A class filled with talent from top to bottom. However, James isn’t worried about age, he’s worried about chasing another ring. A fifth to add to his already massive trophy room. Question is, can James and the Lakers reach the mountaintop one more time? Let us know what you think in the comment section. For the latest news in sports, keep it right here with HNHH.

Read More: Dwyane Wade Gives NBA Draftees Some Crucial Advice

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Victor Wembanyama Asks Advice From Spurs Legends

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Victor Wembanayma will need to make an immediate impact when he plays his first season in the NBA. The amount of praise on the newest number-one overall pick has him destined for greatness. However, saying someone is great and them being great are two separate things. But it feels like Wembanyama knows that. On Tuesday, a video was dropped on social media showing the French star already putting in the work in the gym. However, that is the only place to find success.

Numerous Spurs legends joined Wembanyama for a dinner recently in San Antonio. The franchise is already one of the more storied organizations in the league. With help from every guy who joined Wemby for the Dinner. A picture was snapped, including all the legends in attendance. The attendees were Sean Elliot, Manu Ginobili, David Robinson, and Team Duncan. On Tuesday, Elliot was a guest on The Dan Patrick Show. The Spurs legend shared what Wembanyama asked the table of legends.

Read More: NBA Draft 2003: Fans Look Back On Loaded Class 20 Years Later

Victor Wembanyama Already Wise Beyond His Years

When discussing what Wembanyama wanted to ask, Elliot was taken aback. “He asked us, ‘How can you get enough sleep on the road.’ What kind of young person asks that question? Most guys are like, ‘Hey, what’s the best club to go to in Philly or NY.” I would have most definitely been asking those later questions when I was 18 years old. However, Wembanyama is already turning heads with his maturity level at such a young age.

Even during the draft JJ Redick praised Wembanyama on his maturity and being able to handle himself. The rookie phenom was a recent guest on Redick’s podcast leading up to the draft. Now the time for talk is over. The Spurs will soon be hitting the court for Summer League. Of course, fans will get their first glimpse at the league’s newest sensation. However, the team has yet to announce how many games he will participate in this summer. For the latest news in sports, keep it right here with HNHH.

Read More: Drake Follows Toronto Raptors Rookie On Instagram After Shout Out At NBA Draft

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Dallas Mavericks Rookies On Playing With Luka Doncic

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The Dallas Mavericks had a frustrating end to the 2022-23 season. A team that was filled with great talent failed to reach the postseason. Not just great talent, but two of the greatest offensive weapons in the game today. It felt like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving could never cook up the perfect recipe in late-game situations. The season was a failure, and now the future of Irving in Dallas seems to be unknown. However, now is the time to look ahead to a better future.

The Mavericks made two selections in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft. With those selections, the team chose Duke’s Dereck Lively and Marquette’s Olivier-Maxence Prosper. The franchise is excited to bring in more young talent. But the hope is to surround them with veteran leadership like Irving and Doncic. On Monday, the Mavericks introduced their rookies to the local media. Both young men are excited about the opportunity. However, they’re also excited about one new teammate in particular.

Read More: Kyrie Irving Bidding War Reportedly Non-Existent

Dallas Mavericks Young Stars Ready For The Challenge

When asked about the opportunity to play alongside Luka, Prosper had this to say, “Luka’s one of the best players in the world. Just playing with a guy like that, it’s just amazing. You can learn so much from a guy like that. He’s an unselfish player. He’s a player that loves to pass — loves to create. I’m just excited to be able to play with a guy like that, learn from him, and just compliment him.” Both rookies seemed thrilled to be paired with such a high-caliber player like Doncic.

The offensive side of the ball was not an issue last season for the Mavericks. The team showcased their offensive weapons on a nightly basis. However, stopping the other team from scoring was the main concern. Now Lively and Prosper will need to bring a strong defensive game to the table to make a quick impact. Does the future look bright in Dallas? Let us know what you think about the Mavericks draft picks in our comment section. For the latest news in sports, keep it right here with HNHH.

Read More: Kyrie Irving Reportedly Trying To Recruit LeBron James To Dallas

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Gilbert Arenas Opens Up On Victor Wembanyama’s Strength

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Gilbert Arenas was one of the more prominent names in the NBA during his career. The former Washington Wizards star made a name for himself as a bucket-getter. However, the height of his career was shortened due to injury. Leaving many to wonder what could have been if the Washington guard stayed healthy. Now, Arenas has rapidly grown into a star among the NBA media. With his show ‘Gil’s Arena‘ the former superstar breaks down today’s game from the perspective of someone who has played at the highest level.

The talking point for most in the NBA media landscape currently is phenom Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama was recently selected first overall in the 2023 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs. The French star has dazzled fans with highlights that no other player could accomplish. The mixture of his supernatural height and his athletic ability had scouts drooling over the opportunity to select him. However, if Webanyama had a negative on his record, it would be his muscle mass. But Arenas doesn’t see that as an issue.

Read More: Damian Lillard Reveals Future Plans With Portland Trail Blazers

Gilbert Arenas Calls Out NBA Big Men

During an interview on the ‘TMZ Sports Show‘ Arenas opened up on the opinion that Wembanyama has to get stronger. “If you can get buckets, you can get buckets. It doesn’t matter how strong you are,” stated Arenas. Arenas even went further to say that most of the big men in the NBA are trash. “He only has two people in the position that he’s going to be guarding, you got [Joel Embiid] and [Nikola Jokic]. That’s six games a year. That’s gonna be real tough for you. Other than that there’s no one in your position. Everyone sucks. Everyone’s trash.”

Certainly, Wembanyama will look to put on some size. However, players like Arenas believe that if he can score, it won’t be a rush to add the extra weight. The Oklahoma City Thunder welcomed Chet Holmgren to their franchise last season. Holmgren has a similar build to Wembanyama. However, Holmgren was sidelined with an injury that cost him the entire season. Do you believe putting on muscle is a priority for Wembanyama? Let us know in the comment section. For the latest news in sports, keep it right here with HNHH.

Read More: NBA Draft 2003: Fans Look Back On Loaded Class 20 Years Later

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NBA Draft 2003: Fans Look Back On Loaded Class 20 Years Later

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The 2023 NBA Draft just wrapped last week. Fans witnessed Victor Wembanyama hear his name called with the first overall pick. Wembanyama has already been advertised as the next big thing to step on the hardwood this coming season. However, many believe that this class was very top-heavy and filled with talent. But those statements have been said about many draft classes that have come before them. Although one class may stand the test of time.

Monday marks the 20th anniversary of the 2003 NBA Draft. A draft that is now remembered and revered as one of the greatest in NBA history. Of course, the number one overall pick that year was LeBron James. James has gone on to have a stellar career. At least, I think many would agree with that. Also names like Carmelo Anthony, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and David West were also called that night. Throughout the day, fans have been reminiscing on such a stacked draft.

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LeBron James Leads 2003 NBA Draft Class

Yes, this anniversary probably doesn’t sit well with Detroit Pistons fans. The franchise selected Darko Milicic with the second overall pick. Milicic’s career never panned out. Leaving fans to daydream over Anthony, Wade, and Bosh potentially playing for Detroit. However, nobody should expect every pick to turn into a Hall of Fame caliber player. But don’t tell that to a Pistons fan. The wound has to be still fresh from such a massive draft night miss.

Since 2003, many have wondered when the next superclass could make its way to the NBA. One has to wonder that if Wembanyama becomes the star he’s destined to be, could the rest of the 2023 class follow his lead? It would be poetic to see a draft class 20 years later become the next great generation of the NBA. However, someone has to take the mantle. James will enter his 20th year in the league this upcoming season. Time is ticking on the 2003 class. Who is ready to lead the next generation? For the latest news in sports, keep it locked in here at HNHH.

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