Patrick Mahomes Picks The Dallas Mavericks Making the NBA Finals Over The Minnesota Timberwolves

The NBA’s Western Conference Finals begin tonight. The Minnesota Timberwolves face off against the Dallas Mavericks in what looks like an incredible matchup. The star power is there as the series will feature rising stars Anthony Edwards, Kyrie Irving, and Luka Doncic. The Dallas Mavericks have been frequented by Super Bowl Champion Patrick Mahomes on a number of occasions this season and in the playoffs. Today, the MVP QB put himself on the record. He picked the Dallas Mavericks to move on to the NBA finals.

Today, while making an appearance on First Things First on Fox Sports, Mahomes talked some hoops with Kansas City Chiefs superfan Nick Wright. The quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs and his spouse, Brittany, watched game three of the Mavs’ NBA postseason second-round match from courtside at the American Airlines Center. Mahomes is a Texas boy, so it’s understandable that he has some ties to the Mavs. Patrick Mahomes is standing firm behind his favorite NBA team and thinks Luka and Kyrie have what it takes to get it done.

Read More: Patrick Mahomes Weighs In On Viral NFL Vs NBA Debate With Surprising Take

Patrick Mahomes Is Standing With The Dallas Mavericks

Nick Wright, a Chiefs superfan, asked Patrick Mahomes if he thinks his Mavs can finish it off. Patrick Mahomes gives credit to the Minnesota Timberwolves, who he says are led by Anthony Edwards, who has been “dominant.” He also gave credit to the Wolf’s defense, which has been their calling card throughout the playoffs. The superstar QB says it’s going to be a hard series, but Dallas has what it takes. He credits the Mavericks trade deadline moves as one of the big factors in their success. he says the trades added another level of athleticism to the roster. Patrick Mahomes says if Luka plays like Luka and Kyrie plays like Kyrie, then the Mavs will get it done.

The Mavericks vs. the Timberwolves should be the best playoff matchup so far. It will be interesting to see how the Mavs deal with the size and length of the Wolves, whose swarming defense sent the MVP and the defending champs home. Overall, this matchup is shaping up to be a must-see TV for NBA fans. Let’s see if Mahomes’ prediction comes to fruition.

Read More: Patrick Mahomes And His Wife Attend Wild Start To Their Soccer Team’s NWSL Season

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Draymond Green Disrespects Kobe Bryant, Tells Shaq How The 2016 Warriors Would Beat His Lakers

“Which great team would beat this great team?” is a timeless and entertaining, if not pointless, sports argument. The media gets hours and hours of content with this very prompt because it’s easy and fun to think about. Though it’s entertaining to speculate about how opposing basketball styles and eras would fair against each other, we’ll never get to witness them play, so a definitive response will never be possible. This subject was recently discussed by Shaquille O’Neal and Draymond Green, the star of the Warriors, on The Big Podcast with Shaq.

In a seven-game series, O’Neal questioned whether one of his championship teams, the Lakers, and one from the Warriors would prevail. Green discussed the matchup that, in his opinion, would be most effective in slowing down O’Neal. Draymond broke down the scheme to stop Shaq. What resulted was a question about who would be guarding Shaq’s partner in crime, Kobe Bryant. Drayomds reply was taken as disrespect as the big man had to check Draymond with quickness.

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Draymond Gets Checked By Shaq For Kobe Bryant Disrespect

“I do think there were defensive schemes that we could have thrown at you to affect you,” Green replied to Shaq, who looked puzzled. “One is not letting you get the ball. So we gonna guard you with a guy in front of you a guy behind you…” O’Neal interrupted, telling Dray that it had already been tried before in the past and didn’t work. Draymond brashly replied, “Yeah I wasn’t on the court though.”  After mentioning the shooters he was surrounded by, O’Neal agreed with Green when he brought up the point that NBA players weren’t making three-pointers as frequently as they do in the modern game.

O’Neal questioned Green on who was defending the legendary Kobe Bryant following some more back-and-forth, during which Green stated his belief that the Dubs would win the series. When Green eventually answered, he said, “Klay,” to which O’Neal was ready to drop the subject entirely. “We’ll continue this conversation on your podcast,” O’Neal told Green, basically putting a pin in that comment. Overall, Shaq doesn’t think Klay holds a candle to Kobe Bryant, and rightfully so.

Read More: Draymond Green Challenges Tyrese Haliburton After Terrible Game 5

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Angel Reese Holds The Larry O’Brien Trophy, Says It Reminds Her Of Kobe Bryant

Angel Reese is a dynamic player both on and off the court. The Chicago Sky standout and WNBA newcomer is showcasing her skills in the WNBA, which propelled her to stardom at LSU. She is also making moves off the court. She recently announced that she had become an owner of the DC Power Football Club alongside the likes of LeBron James. She has serious stars repping hard for her as well. Rapper Latto showed up to support the Bayou Barbie at her WNBA debut last week. Megan Thee Stallion hung out with the hooper this weekend at her concert in Chicago and even brought Reese on stage and twerked on her.

Recently, Angel Reese was able to hold the NBA’s Larry O’Brien Trophy, which is the ultimate price of the NBA playoffs. Reese was able to hold and see the trophy firsthand and remarked that it holds a special memory for her and many hoop fans. Reese said that Larry O’Brien reminded her of the late great Kobe Bryant. Reese made some touching remarks when holding the trophy, which has been making the rounds as the NBA playoffs heat up.

Read More: Megan Thee Stallion Twerks On WNBA Star Angel Reese At Her Chicago Concert

Angel Reese Says The Larry O’Brien Reminds Her Of Kobe Bryant

Reese said when holding the prized trophy, “What’s up Larry (Larry O’Brien Trophy)? Nice to meet you. When I hold Larry it reminds me of Kobe Bryant. Kobe and Shaq playing together, winning championships together.” She continued, remarking on the excellence the trophy holds saying, So cool being able to see my reflection and all the great teams and great players that have played on all these teams. It’s so cool, I love this. Hopefully one day I can get my own WNBA championship.”

An whole generation was motivated by Kobe Bryant. Even now, he continues to be recognized and remembered. Reese is obviously appreciative of the late Lakers great. Before entering the 2024 WNBA Draft, Angel Reese became a star while playing women’s basketball for LSU. Reese and other rookies, including Cameron Brink, Kamilla Cardoso, and Caitlin Clark, have contributed to the WNBA’s increased popularity. Overall, Angel Reese wants to be a champion like Kobe one day.

Read More: Angel Reese Joins LeBron James And Becomes A Co-Owner Of The DC Power Football Club

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Chris Paul Is Possibly Gearing Up To Team Up With LeBron James On The Lakers

Current Warriors guard Chris Paul might be linking up with his close friend LeBron James in Los Angeles this offseason. LeBron always dreamed of playing with all of his NBA pals. He once stated that he wished Paul, Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and himself could all play on the same team one day. He got to play with Wade on two separate occasions but never CP3 or Carmelo. Now, Chris Paul and LeBron James may be teammates after all these years, as CP3 joining the Lakers is becoming a real possibility.

Chris Paul to the Lakers is becoming a possible move for both parties this offseason. Thanks to Chris Paul’s $30 million salary for the next season, the Golden State Warriors have some flexibility. Paul’s $30M contract, which is about to expire, might be crucial to making a significant trade happen if Golden State decides to go after another top player. Golden State may decide to cut Paul and let him become a free agent if they are unable to find a trade partner. In comes the Lakers, who would scoop up Paul for the veterans minimum.

Read More: Gilbert Arenas Breaks Down Issue With Chris Paul & Tony Brothers

Chris Paul Might Be Joining LeBron James

In a recent interview on Jovan Buha’s Buha Block, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report said that Paul would be a viable summertime option for the Los Angeles Lakers. He said of the move, “Chris Paul will probably be a free agent,” Pincus said. “There is a reasonable chance he gets traded or just cut by the Warriors. LeBron [James] and him obviously have a close relationship. There is a universe where the Lakers sign Chris Paul. I don’t think it’s outrageous…” He continued, saying, “I would be remiss without mentioning Chris Paul as a real possibility. It makes a lot of sense to me… Is Chris coming for the minimum? I don’t know… I don’t want to say he comes cheap to the Lakers, but in the absence of a better offer I could see that.”

In any case, it would be logical to presume that Paul will become a free agent prior to the start of the upcoming season. It certainly seems possible for the veteran point guard to join the Lakers at long last. Chris Paul famously had his move to play on the Lakers with Kobe Bryant vetoed by the NBA in 2011. it is a controversial moment in NBA history. Overall, CP3 might finally be a Laker in his advanced NBA age.

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NBA News: TNT Loses NBA Rights, “Inside The NBA” Is Coming To An End

It is rumored that NBA executives plan to negotiate $7.4 billion annual broadcast deals with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon. Furthermore, this would be a serious setback for TNT. As talks go into the “final stage,” rumors state that the NBA is formalizing written contracts with each of the three corporations this week. Inside the NBA, fans who watch TNT are sure to be outraged by the news. The show, featuring Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson as commentators, is reportedly set to end.

If these negotiations go through, the upcoming season of the program will be its last. There are currently rumors that Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of TNT, may file a lawsuit. The league’s most valuable series of games, which include the NBA Finals, a Conference Final, weekly primetime matchups, and the WNBA, are reportedly worth $2.8 billion to ESPN annually. NBC is expected to pay $2.6 billion a year for the “B” package. The package is expected to feature a program named Basketball Night in America that will run on Sunday nights following the NFL season. Additionally, the report says that NBC will guarantee two primetime spots each week, a conference semifinal and a conference final.

Read More: Charles Barkley Jokes About TNT Sadly Losing The NBA

Inside The NBA Is Likely At It’s End

The WNBA, first-round playoff games, and the In-Season Tournaments would all be included in Amazon’s contract. Furthermore, their deal is reportedly valued at up to $2 billion. It is anticipated that the deal’s final details will be worked out throughout the coming week. Charles Barkley has said of TNT potentially losing the NBA, “Barkley was a little less certain, adding: ‘It’d be sad (if the show ended). We don’t know… I hope it does (continue). Not just for me and Kenny, Ernie, and Shaq, but for the real people who work there, it sucks right now to be stressful.”

Fans have been grieving the iconic show’s likely demise by posting clips of their favorite moments on social media. When TNT’s contract runs out next season, it will definitely be the end of an era. Overall, this is sad news for NBA fans. Ultimately, Inside The NBA will continue to cover the NBA throughout the next season, so fans should be sure to cherish the iconic show while it’s still on.

Read More: Charles Barkley Could Become A Free Agent If TNT Loses The NBA

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LeBron James Gives Advice To Caitlin Clark After Rough Start To Her Rookie Season

LeBron James, the star of the Los Angeles Lakers and an NBA great, discussed with Caitlin Clark this week his knowledge of what it takes to meet and beyond enormous expectations. On his Mind The Game podcast with JJ Redick, Lebron discussed Caitlin Clark and the noise around the WNBA rookie sensation. Clark has massive expectations of her, not just from her team but also from the entire league. Lebron is an athlete who probably had the most lofty expectations of any athlete ever. He is probably the right person to give advice to Caitlin Clark on how to handle the pressure.

One of the few players who achieved a similar amount of fame prior to joining the league may be Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark. Clark was an Iowa Hawkeyes superstar in college. In her four years in the program, she broke the NCAA scoring record and, in her senior year, scored just over 28 points per game, the most of any player in NCAA history. James recently discussed his thoughts on the Clark situation with JJ Redick on his podcast, Mind the Game. He expressed what he thought of her as a player and the pressures she is currently under.

Read More: Caitlin Clark WNBA Debut: A Rocky Start With Some Real Positives

LeBron James Praises Caitlin Clark Amidst Criticism

During his Mind the Game Podcast with JJ Redick, LeBron James offered the budding WNBA star some guidance. He said of Caitlin Clark, “My advice to Caitlin, and my advice to anyone that comes in with this level of notoriety, out-of-this-world expectation, whatever the case may be, be a horse, man. The Kentucky Derby. Put your blinders on, go to work, show up to work, punch your clock in, prepare yourself, work on your game, work on your craft.” He says she can’t give in to the noise and distractions. Lebron went on to say to be careful what you say because “…everybody is looking for you to say anything and they’re gonna splice it and cut it and make it a negative thing.”

LeBron also said that the evolution of the WNBA this season is due in large part to Caitlin Clark. He said, “Caitlin Clark is the reason why a lot of great things is going to happen for the WNBA… I’m rooting for Caitlin because I’ve been in that seat before.” he referenced the WNBA using chartered flights for the first time this season. Overall, LeBron’s advice is good advice for Clark. Clark is starting to really adapt to the WNBA. The Indiana Fever is far from being a good team, but the bones of a great one already exist.

Read More: LeBron James Praises His Son Bronny’s Performance During Last Week’s NBA Draft Combine

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LeBron James Praises His Son Bronny’s Performance During Last Week’s NBA Draft Combine

Bronny had a productive NBA Draft Combine last week. He was facing some tough odds trying to get drafted before the combine, but now many believe he may warrant a second-round pick after his performance. Bronny was undersized, measuring 6’1 without shoes, but showcased an outstanding vertical. He excelled at the shooting drills, giving one of the best performances of the combine. During the scrimmages, he showcased his athleticism and willingness to defend, as well as his jump shot. What impressed his father, LeBron James, the most, however, was Bronny’s mindset throughout the process.

On the most recent episode of Lebron James and JJ Redick’s basketball podcast Mind The Game, the pair discussed how Bronny’s draft process was going. JJ remarked that LeBron’s eldest son showed a great level of maturity and self-awareness during interviews. Lebron loves the mindset Bronny had throughout the process, saying that he has dealt with adversity well and is showing what he can offer on the basketball court in the best way possible. It’s safe to say Lebron was happy with how Bronny has handled everything so far.

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LeBron James Praises Bronny’s Mindset

JJ Redick started off the conversation by commending Bronny for having a mature perspective about his game and the players he compared himself to. Bronny had said he believed he could affect the game like Jrue Holiday or Derrick White, two defense-first players that stretch the floor. LeBron James says he wanted Bronny to figure out where his fit is on the court on his own. He praised his perspective as “a 19-year-old kid.” LeBron said of Bronny, “I just love his mindset… I wouldn’t be able to handle the scrutiny and all the things that he got going on at his age, at his level and with social media.”

Bronny’s draft stock rose quite a bit, with many mock drafts seeing him as a second-round pick now. He is also getting interest from teams to partake in individual workouts. Ther is also the fact that teams may try and lure Lebron to their franchise by selecting Bronny in the draft. Overall, bronny is trying to achieve his dream of playing in the NBA. After a turbulent freshman season at USC, LeBron’s son wants to prove he belongs in the NBA. All in all, according to LeBron, he has the right mindset.

Read More: JJ Redick Is Reportedly The Front Runner For The Lakers Coaching Job, Compared To Pat Riley

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Fat Joe Is Standing Behind His Beloved Knicks After Heartbreaking Playoff Exit

Despite the Knicks’ valiant efforts in the semifinal NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers, they were unable to secure a victory. In a high-stakes game seven at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks battled hard but were ultimately outplayed by the Pacers, losing by a significant 21 points. The team’s performance was hampered by a series of injuries, which further added to their challenges. However, even in the face of their elimination from the 2024 Playoffs, Fat Joe’s support for his beloved team remains unwavering.

Fat Joe said of the Knicks season on Instagram Live after the game, “I’m proud of my team. So proud of them. Unfortunately, you gotta lose to win.” He continued, “Like we saw with OKC and we saw with all these other young teams, for some reason, they gotta lose to get that experience — to get that final instinct so they could win.” Overall, Fat Joe is proud of his beloved team and is looking forward to an even better season next year. Sometimes, teams are unlucky, and the Knicks were super unlucky on the injury front. Fat Joe is confident they will respond big time next season. 

Read More: Fat Joe Still Hasn’t Made Money From The Platinum Album He Dropped Two Decades Ago

Fat Joe Sends Message To The Knicks

 
 
 
 
 
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He began by congratulating the Pacers on their victory and then explained why Knicks supporters were so fervent about this season. Fat Joe said, “When you lose 29 years — 29 years in a row! 29 years since the last game 7 — everyone wants to say the Knicks fans are exaggerated, we go too crazy. Nah, we been loyal fans. The arena been sold out for 29 years. A lot of y’all so-called real fans from other teams, y’all arenas be empty and you only come around when they winning at the end. Not Madison Square Garden! Sold out for 29 years.” The Knicks players’ many injuries during the series, which he believes finally put a stop to their season, were then described in detail.

He said, “We ain’t got nothing to be sad about, we got nothing to be upset about,” he concluded. “We overachievers. I wanna salute the coach, I wanna salute the players, I wanna salute the fans. Hell of a run this year. We’ll be back next year.” The Knicks will be back, and with a few smart decisions, they could be back better than ever. Jalen Brunson proved he is a superstar. They have depth and assets to flip. Overall, Fat Joe is right to be optimistic about the Knicks next season. 

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Wallo Tells NBA Superstar Kevin Durant Wild Story About Seeing Someone Drop The Soap In Prison

NBA superstar Kevin Durant is currently enjoying his off-season. After being swept out of the first round of the NBA playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves, the renowned hooper has a lot of time on his hands. His future in Phoenix is really up in the air. The Suns have fired tier coach Frank Vogel and recently hired Mike Budenholzer to replace him. Stephen A. Smith has alleged that Durant isn’t happy in Arizona and could soon possibly find his way out. He is always at the forefront of trade rumors, and this offseason will be no different. While sitting down for a podcast, Kevin Durant was treated to a prison story by podcast host Wallo. 

Kevin Durant was recently a guest on Gillie & Wallo’s podcast. Kevin Durant has been a guest before and stopped by to have a real talk with the two hosts. At some point, Wallo decides to drop some stories about prison on Durant. Why? Who knows. Wallo proceeded to tell KD about the first time he ever saw someone drop the soap. Wallo, who has been to prison, seems to love to talk about it. He couldn’t resist telling KD about the time he had witnessed someone “drop the soap.”

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Wallo Recounts Soap Drop Story To Kevin Durant

Wallo shares his hilarious prison shower story with Kevin Durant. He explained how tense it was the first time he witnessed someone drop the soap in the prison showers. Wallo explained that it had happened to the gentlemen in front of him, and the whole room had gone quiet. He then explained how an old head in the back started singing Mystikal’s classic “Shake Ya Ass.” The whole shower started getting excited, and Wallo started to say a prayer, asking god to get him out of the situation. KD, Gillie, and Wallo had a good time laughing at the prison story. 

Overall, the story was funny, but it also begs the question of how it came up in the first place. Kevin Durant seems to enjoy his appearances on the podcast. Additionally, Gille and Wallo definitely enjoy KD coming on to chop it up. All in all, it was a funny and wild story to tell an NBA superstar. 

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JJ Redick Is Reportedly The Front Runner For The Lakers Coaching Job, Compared To Pat Riley

After the firing of Darvin Ham last month, the Laker’s coaching search began with a list of potential head coaches floated around. Among the names mentioned, the most curious was JJ Redick. JJ Redick is currently working as a podcaster and NBA analyst for ESPN. He has a podcast with Lakers superstar LeBron James, where the pair go in-depth on basketball and the NBA. Many fans have been impressed with JJ’s basketball acumen, which really shines when talking to LeBron. Now, JJ is reportedly the frontrunner to lead the purple and gold. 

Insiders within the league, bound by confidentiality, have revealed that the Los Angeles Lakers have commenced their search for a new coach. In recent days, the Lakers have conducted formal interviews with several potential candidates, including JJ Redick, James Borrego (associate head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans), and Sam Cassell (assistant coach of the Boston Celtics). These three individuals have emerged as the frontrunners, with Redick currently leading the pack.

Read More: LeBron James And JJ Redick Clown Colin Cowherd Over Backwards Hat Comments

JJ Redick, a television commentator and former player, has generated enthusiasm for the job across the league. League insiders claim that the Lakers are enamored with Redick’s potential and see him as a Pat Riley-like coaching candidate who could lead the team for years and aid it in the near future. LeBron James and Redick co-host the podcast Mind The Game, and James has stated that he will not be participating in the team’s coaching search. The Lakers have also scheduled meetings with assistant coaches David Adelman of the Denver Nuggets, Micah Nori of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Chris Quinn of the Miami Heat.

Given their closeness, many have speculated that the Lakers may hire Redick to placate James. Rich Paul, the CEO of Klutch Sports, who represents James, stated on Monday that this is untrue. “LeBron James and JJ Redick, they do a podcast together,” Paul told The Athletic. “That does not mean that (James) wants Redick as his head coach.” JJ Redick is certainly an interesting and inspired coach. He clearly knows basketball, and the Lakers may opt to bet on his potential and his current rapport with LeBron as the best choice for the job. Overall, JJ to the Lakers is now in the realm of possibility. 

Read More: JJ Redick And Ty Lue Among Names Considered For New Lakers Head Coach

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