Luka Doncic to get a fan ejected for the Mavs Wednesday night loss to the Suns became a much bigger story at the post-game presser. Doncic found himself in a back-and-forth with ESPN‘s Tim McMahon, who had covered the ejection as soon as it happened. “You’ll be the first one to always put something bad about me,” Doncic shot at the veteran journalist. Furthermore, Doncic called McMahon’s report “not true at all”. McMahon, who began his career as a Mavs beat reporter, attempted to defend his past coverage of Doncic.
Per McMahon, Doncic had asked security to removed a Suns fan after the fan yelled “Luka, you’re tired. Get your a– on the treadmill!” However, Doncic alleged that the comment was far from the worst thing the fan had said. While he refused to repeat the fan’s other comments, Doncic noted that the fan had been insistently heckling him the entire game, and the treadmill was the one that pushed him over the edge.
Luka Dončić and Tim MacMahon go back and forth about him tweeting about Luka asking for a fan to be ejected in the second half, after cursing at him the whole game.
However, Doncic’s post-game beef with McMahon was not the only thing to come out of the blowout Suns win. There was also a brief on-court scuffle involving Kevin Durant. After a defensive collision, the Mavs’ Grant Williams appeared to knock KD to the ground. Jusuf Nurkic appeared to shove Williams, who was also shoved by Durant after the veteran picked himself up off the court.
The game was a close one going into half-time. However, Phoenix then outscored Dallas 42-20 in the third frame and ran away to a 23-point win. While Donic had 34, only two other Mavericks reached double-digit scoring. The Mavs four other starters combined for a total of 30 points. Meanwhile, Devin Booker sounded off for 46 points, condemning Dallas to their third consecutive loss. Next up for Dallas is a road game in Atlanta. The Suns, on the other hand, will look to extend their win streak to eight as they travel to Indiana.
Fans online have compared a recent image of Tyrese Haliburton in a flat cap and puffer jacket to the signature fashion of Yasiin Bey. However, more specifically, fans have used the candid photos to reference Bey’s ongoing beef with Drake. “Mos Def hearing “Passionfruit” in Target,” one person wrote on X over a photo of Haliburton appearing to protest a call at a recent Pacers game.
The comments are a hilarious addition to the feud between the two rappers. Bey recently said that Drake’s music is the sort of music that’s perfect for a Target run. Obviously, Drizzy, who is also beefing with Metro Boomin, didn’t take too kindly to the comments from the rapper and actor. And now one of the NBA’s biggest rising stars is catching heat just for having a nice sideline fit. Haliburton, who is likely set to be named an All-Star this week, is currently nursing a hamstring injury.
Additionally, amid the beef, Drake added to the growing collection of “tripod bro” videos, giving fans a vlog in which he shows off his nighttime routine. Drizzy mixes himself a drink, takes in some art, hits the hookah, and goes swimming. The entire thing is weirdly neon giving much of the apparent lighting in his home. Furthermore, he soundtracked the entire thing with “Virginia Beach”, a track from 2023’s For All The Dogs. The tripod bro trend has gone viral in recent weeks, with male lifestyle vloggers doing “a day in the life” style content.
However, there were also layers to Drake’s vlog. He tagged Drew Walls, a lifestyle influencer who is often seen going to Target in his videos. This, combined with the inclusion of “Virginia Beach”, appeared to be more shots at Bey for his aforementioned comments. However, as a result, fans are now clamoring for Drake to do another video. This time, they want content showing him going to Target.
Draymond Green was the most notable name missing from the initial 41-player pool for the Team USA Men’s Basketball Olympic Roster. The exclusion of Green, who won gold in 2016 and 2020, was surprising given that his club head coach, Steve Kerr, is also the national team coach. However, USA Basketball executive director explained that it was Green’s on-court antics keeping him out of contention at the moment. “His contributions have been significant, and he is a real part of the legacy of this organization for his excellence. But I think just in lieu of sort of what’s transpired this year, we made a decision to not have [Green] on this list with this particular point in time with the process,” Hill said in a media Zoom call.
Green will be able to play his way into the roster over the next few months. The team isn’t expected to be picked up May at the earliest. Meanwhile, the rest of the list is a veritable list of bona fide NBA talent. LeBron, Steph Curry, Jayson Tatum, and Joel Embiid all appear on the list. However, there is also a cache of younger stars like Walker Kessler, Chet Holgrem, and Tyrese Haliburton.
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Dwight Howard Wants Olympic Shot
Team USA excluded Draymond Green from their 41-player pool, with managing director Grant Hill believing it was best not to include him in the Olympic pool this time around, per @ByTimReynoldspic.twitter.com/IlURxQ8Ho2
One name also missing, though much less surprisingly, is Dwight Howard. Howard is currently out of basketball after leaving Taiwan and failing to sign with an NBA team. However, the former NBA starter made it clear last year that he was an Olympic shot. “I like what I see but don’t leave ya boy out. If ya leave me out I’m playing with Taiwan and I’m dropping 85 #nba #basketball #legends,” Howard wrote last year. There’s just one problem with this – Taiwan can’t qualify for the Olympics. Taiwan is not one of the 24 remaining teams that will compete for one of the four remaining Olympic spots this July.
However, Howard does plenty of international experience. In the late 2000s, Howard was a go-to pick for the national team. He won a gold medal at the Beijing Games in 2008 as well as a World Cup bronze in 2006. Despite this, his time out of the NBA as well as his ongoing legal issues mean that there is very little chance that Howard will be headed to Paris.
Fans have trolled Iman Shumpert after the former NBA player posted a defiant message of resolve aimed at his ex-wife. “10 toes chin up. You ain’t the first or the last shordy,” Shumpert wrote. However, fans were quick to troll him, saying that he “fumbled” Teyana Taylor. Shumpert’s previous tactic had been to dispute some of the claims that his now ex-wife had been making during divorce proceedings.
Iman Shumpert had previously asked the court to dismiss specific documents filed by Taylor in their divorce proceedings. The documents in question saw Taylor amend the reason for the divorce from “irrevocable broken bond” to “cruel treatment”. This implies that Shumpert was physically, mentally, or emotionally abusive toward Taylor. However, Shumpert has called for the documents to be dismissed, stating that Taylor has not proven the allegation despite the filing. It was just the latest chapter in what quickly became a nasty divorce case. Taylor originally filed for divorce only using their initials for privacy. However, Shumpert had the court amend the filing to include their full names and thus put everything out into the public sphere.
Iman Shumpert was a first-round NBA draft pick for the Knicks back in 2011. He had been a solid player at Georgia Tech, although the team only made a single March Madness appearance during his three years as a Yellow Jacket. While hailed as an elite defensive prospect, Shumpert never fully reached his potential. He was never a first-unit starter, with his single-season starts benchmark set at 58 starts in his third season. He would win a ring with Cleveland in 2016. However, he only appeared in 54 games, starting 5 of them and averaging about 24 minutes.
He married Teyana Taylor in 2016, although the pair had meet all the way back in 2011. “I did not like him at first. He had just got drafted. He was young and doing a lot. At the time, he was drunk and had his shirt off,” Taylor told Wendy Williams in 2018. However, the pair would get together in 2013 while Shumpert was rehabbing from injury.
Over the years, there have been many instances of drug violations by players in the NBA. The league, synonymous with excellent sportsmanship, has not been immune to the pervasive issue of substance abuse. Consequently, when caught, players have to face the consequences and are penalized. They are either suspended for several games or indefinitely banned from playing.
Throughout the history of the association, substance abuse has unfortunately maintained an enigmatic presence. From promising rookies to seasoned veterans, the league has witnessed the rise and fall of athletes who have succumbed to the allure of substances. While marijuana is no longer banned by the NBA, other drugs most definitely are. The most recent victim is Tristan Thompson, who was recently suspended for 25 games for substance abuse after he tested positive for ibutamoren and SARM LGD-4033. Here’s a list of seven other NBA players who have been taken off the court for drug violations.
LOS ANGELES – 1987: Roy Tarpley #42 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots a free-throw during the NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, California in 1987. (Photo by Mike Powell/Getty Images)
Born on November 28, 1964, Roy Tarpley was a talented and promising player in the prestigious league. However, he experienced a tumultuous career marked by personal struggles, drug violations, and ultimately, a ban from the NBA. His journey in the league began in the mid-80s when his skill as a power forward and center caught the attention of scouts. Subsequently, he was selected by the Dallas Mavericks as the seventh overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft.
Although he quickly made an impact on the team, troubles soon followed. Between late 1989 and 1991, Tarpley violated the league’s substance abuse policy three times. The first two times, he was arrested for driving while intoxicated and was duly suspended. However, the third time, in October 1991, he was permanently banned from the NBA for repeated violations and alleged cocaine use. Although he was reinstated two years later, Tarpley got banned for good after he violated the aftercare program. He sadly passed away at the age of 50 on January 9, 2015, due to liver failure.
Richard Dumas
20 Feb 1996: Richard Dumas of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during a game against the Orlando Magic played at the Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida. The Magic won the game, 123-104. Mandatory Credit: ALLSPORT USA /Allsport
In his prime, Richard Dumas was an insanely talented NBA player, but his career was derailed by drug violations. Playing in the position of small forward, Dumas joined the Phoenix Suns after being selected in the 1991 NBA Draft. However, shortly after, the player was briefly suspended for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, allegedly cocaine. Following his return, there was a period of calm in his career where he avoided suspensions and whatnot.
Unfortunately, that didn’t last for very long. In 1993, he was suspended again for the use of a banned substance and was only reinstated two years later. Upon his return, he joined the Philadelphia 76ers, but his stay there was short. The player violated a clause in his contract that prohibited him from consuming alcohol and was subsequently banned from the NBA. Afterward, he played for many teams in smaller leagues but ultimately retired from basketball in 2003.
Stanley Roberts
28 Nov 1997: Center Stanley Roberts of the Minnesota Timberwolves stands on the court during a game against the Denver Nuggets at the McNichols Arena in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets won the game 95-84.
Like Richard Dumas, Stanley Roberts was a part of the 1991 NBA Draft. He was selected by the Orlando Magic and was the 23rd overall pick of that set. After the 1991-1992 season, he went on to play for the Los Angeles Clippers from 1992 to 1997 before joining the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 1997-1998 season. He briefly played for Aris, a Greek team, in 1998. However, in 1999, he was back in the NBA, playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, but was soon banned after he tested positive for amphetamines. Although he was permanently banned at first, Roberts was eventually reinstated three seasons later.
O.J. Mayo
BOSTON, MA – FEBRUARY 25: O.J. Mayo #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 25, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
In 2008, O.J. Mayo got selected by the Timberwolves and was the third overall pick at that year’s NBA Draft. However, he was traded that same day to the Memphis Grizzlies, where he stayed until 2012. Subsequently, he joined the Dallas Mavericks for the 2012-2013 season, before settling with the Milwaukee Bucks from 2013 to 2016. In 2011, the NBA suspended Mayo for drug violations after testing positive for DHEA, but only for 10 games. However, in 2016, following another violation of their drug policy, the league banned the player. Although he was eligible to apply for reinstatement in 208, Mayo has not returned to the NBA since.
MIAMI, FL – JUNE 20: Chris Andersen #11 of the Miami Heat reacts in the third quarter while taking on the San Antonio Spurs during Game Seven of the 2013 NBA Finals at AmericanAirlines Arena on June 20, 2013 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Chris Andersen is another basketball icon briefly lost his place in the NBA due to drug violations. Also known as Birdman, the player joined his first NBA team, the Denver Nuggets, in 2001. He stayed with the Nuggets until 2004 when he transitioned to the New Orleans Hornets. However, in 2006, Andersen’s progression in the NBA was threatened after he was found guilty of violating the league’s substance abuse policy. It took two years before he was finally reinstated, but he managed to achieve success after returning.
Tyreke Evans
SACRAMENTO, CA – DECEMBER 26: Tyreke Evans #13 of the Sacramento Kings in action against the Los Angeles Lakers at Power Balance Pavilion on December 26, 2011 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
One of the more recent NBA stars, Tyreke Evans was found guilty of drug violations in 2019. While he was selected by the Sacramento Kings in 2009, by 2019, he was with the Indiana Pacers. Unfortunately for Evans, less than a year after he joined the team, he was banned by the NBA. Although he was reinstated two years later, Evans only briefly played for Wisconsin Herd of the NBA G League before being waived.
Jalen Harris
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 04: Jalen Harris #00 of the New York Knicks reacts during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on October 04, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Jalen Harris was drafted in the second round in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors. Subsequently, he was placed in Raptors 905 of the NBA G League. That was the team he played the 2021-2022 season with until he was banned by the NBA for drug violations. Harris was dismissed from the league on July 21, 2021, but was eligible to apply for reinstatement in 2022. After his application, he was officially reinstated on September 25, 2022, and now plays with the Windy City Bulls.
Tim Tebow could have left the NFL for a guest spot at Wrestlemania, the President of WWE has revealed. “When I was an agent, my prior profession, and I was trying to get into the WWE business. Paul had called me, unsolicited call, and this was when Tim Tebow had just gotten cut by the Patriots. He said, hey, what do you think about Tim Tebow against the Big Show at whatever that WrestleMania was after the Patriots run. I said, what’re you thinking? He offered some financial terms, I called Tim at the time, [asked] what do you think. Tim and I had, then, a top secret private meeting: Tim Tebow, myself, Vince McMahon, Triple H, in Anaheim, California about that. Ultimately, it didn’t happen,” Nick Khan told Pat McAfee.
Tebow’s time in New England only lasted the summer of 2013. with Tebow being cut at the 53-man roster deadline. That means that Tebow was being considered for April 2014’s WrestleMania XXX. According to Khan, Tebow was being considered for a fight against Big Show. However, as the now WWE President noted, the fight never came together. Instead, Big Show would end up finishing second at the inaugural Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
However, another pro athlete who could be headed to Wrestlemania is Joel Embiid. The NBA fined Embiid $35K for “repeatedly making an obscene gesture on the playing court” in November 2023. The gesture in question was the “DX Crotch Chop”, something first seen in the WWE by the D-Generation X stable. Embiid broke out the move after scoring off a foul in the third quarter in the Sixers’ home opener against the Blazers. Earlier this year, in January, Embiid was fined $25K for making the same gesture in a similar situation against the Nets.
Despite being out $35K, Embiid has gotten an invaluable invitation out of the moment. After news of the fine broke, Triple H, one of the best known DX wrestlers, hit Embiid up on Twitter. “Hey @JoelEmbiid – I know a place where you can do that all day, and everyone will love it. WrestleMania 40 is right there in Philly…,” the wrestler wrote. Furthermore, the milestone wrestling will touch down in the City of Brotherly Love this April.
Jalen Green’s ascent in professional basketball is a narrative of sheer talent, hard work, and strategic growth. Since his debut, Green has been turning heads with his athletic prowess and basketball IQ, rapidly becoming one of the most talked-about players in the NBA. As of 2024, his journey through the ranks of professional basketball and his ventures beyond the court have accumulated a net worth of $5 million, as reported by Equity Atlas, signifying his rising status in the sport.
The Court Chronicles: Green’s Basketball Journey
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 29: NBA commissioner Adam Silver and Jalen Green shake hands after. Green was drafted by the Houston Rockets during the 2021 NBA Draft at the. Barclays Center on July 29, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
Given his stellar performance in high school and the G League, Green’s entry into the NBA was marked by anticipation. His selection in the NBA Draft was just the beginning of a promising career. Known for his explosive athleticism and scoring ability, Green has been making significant contributions to his team. His growth as a player is evident in his game-by-game performance. It shows a blend of skill and determination that makes him a formidable presence on the court.
Rising Star: Accolades & Acknowledgments
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 29: Jalen Green poses for photos on the red carpet during the 2021. NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on July 29, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
In his relatively short time in the NBA, Green has already started to carve out a name for himself. His on-court achievements and improvements have not gone unnoticed, with nominations for various awards and recognition from teammates and opponents. His ability to impact games, whether through scoring, defense, or playmaking, has made him one of the key players to watch in the league.
Beyond The Buzzer: Green’s Off-Court Life
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 07: Jalen Green #4 of the Houston. Rockets dunks the ball against the Toronto Raptors during the first half at. Toyota Center on October 07, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Away from the basketball court, Green’s life is as dynamic and engaging as his athletic career. His involvement in community initiatives and youth programs reflects his commitment to giving back, using his platform to influence positively. Moreover, Green keeps his personal life relatively private. It is a testament to his balanced approach to managing the demands of a rising sports star.
Jalen Green’s journey is a testament to his hard work, on-court brilliance, and off-court endeavors. His career in the NBA, marked by rapid growth and promising potential, is complemented by his commitment to personal development and community engagement, making him a standout figure in professional basketball.
Maricet Espinosa Gonzalez, a two-time Pan American judo champion, has died at the age of 34. “With great pain, the university community of Cuban sport receives the news of the passing of the outstanding Cuban judoka Maricet Espinosa González. On behalf of our teachers, workers, and students we extend our deepest condolences to their families, friends, and colleagues,” the Cuban Sports University said on social media. Espinosa Gonzalez reportedly died as a result of a heart attack.
Espinosa Gonzalez was the Pan-American champion in 2013 and 2014, as well as the silver medalist at the 2016 Games. Also in 2016, she represented Cuba at the Rio Olympics, losing in the second round of the Women’s 63kg Judo competition. Espinosa Gonzalez had surgery on January 21. However, it is unknown at this time if that was in any way related to her death.
Furthermore, Espinosa Gonzalez’s death comes just six days after that of another Olympian. Canadian pole vaulter Shawn Barber was a world champion, Pan-American champion, and Commonwealth silver medallist. “More than just an incredible athlete, Shawn was such a good-hearted person that always put others ahead of himself. It’s tragic to lose such a good person at such a young age,” Barber’s agent said after the news of the pole vaulter’s death broke. Barber was 29 at the time of his death but had been suffering some health issues.
Barber took home world championship gold in 2015 but was unable to translate that into Olympic success. He finished 10th in Rio He retired from professional athletics following the conclusion of the 2018 season. He had earned a bronze medal in the Diamond League that season. Furthermore, Barber came out as gay in 2017 and was well-regarded for his vocal advocacy and visibility as a queer athlete. Barber was residing in Texas at the time of his death and had been living there for many years.
The Tennessee Titans have hired Brian Callahan as the team’s new head coach. Callahan joins the Titans after five seasons as the offensive coordinator in Cincinnati. “This is an exciting time for our franchise, and we’re thrilled to have Brian as our head coach. We went through a thorough candidate search and Brian stood out as the best person to lead our football team. I want to thank the other candidates who were part of this process and wish them well moving forward,” Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said.
Quarterback development was a key factor for the Titans as they moved forward with Will Levis as their presumptive starter. Callahan’s time in the NFL has included coaching Peyton Manning during the Broncos’ Super Bowl win in 2015 and the rise of Joe Burrow with the Bengals. He also helped coach Matthew Stafford and Derek Carr to new heights in their already-established careers. The Titans parted ways with Mike Vrabel earlier in the offseason after back-to-back seasons of disappointment for the team.
The Titans become the third team to fill their head coaching vacancy. Both New England and Las Vegas opted for internal replacements. The Patriots promoted former star linebacker and groomed Belichick protege Jarod Mayo to replace Bill Belichick. Meanwhile, the Raiders opted to retain interim head coach Antonio Pierce, who had a 5-4 record with the team after taking over midway through the 2023 season.
However, that leaves a number of vacancies as yet unfilled. Atlanta appears to be leaning towards Belichick after interviewing him twice last week. Meanwhile, the Chargers have been linked with Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh. However, that leaves Seattle, Carolina, and Washington without a clear frontrunner. Some of the interview processes have been delayed by interview rules concerning playoff teams. Coaches from the Chiefs, Niners, Ravens, and Lions cannot be contacted until after the Conference Championship games this weekend.
Travis Kelce has revealed that his “heart hands” celebration during the Chiefs’ divisional round playoff game was aimed at Bills fans, not Taylor Swift. “The Bills — coming into their house, they want to make it rowdy. Did it get a little disrespectful? One-thousand percent. One-thousand percent. Did it get a little extra? One-thousand percent. Some things were said about the families — some pretty inappropriate things were said about Pat Mahomes. It was pretty wack. I don’t hate you guys like you hate us. It’s all love, baby. It’s all love,” Kelce explained on the New Heights podcast.
The immediate assumption was that the celebration was aimed at Kelce’s girlfriend, Taylor Swift. It’s a gesture Swift herself has popularized at her concerts. Furthermore, Kelce himself was spotted doing the gesture at Swift’s concert in Argentina last year. However, Kelce has now set the record straight and explained he was showing love to the Bills Mafia during a charged playoff game.
Standing between the Chiefs and a third Super Bowl appearance in the last four years is the white-hot Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens finished the regular season 13-4, their best records since their 14-2 2019 campaign. After massive promises from Lamar Jackson in the pre-season, Baltimore has become one of the hottest teams in the league. However, they are treading relatively new ground. Sunday marks their first conference championship game since their Super Bowl-winning season in 2012.
However, the dynastic Chiefs, fresh off another tough back-and-forth against Buffalo, will be more than ready to take on the gauntlet thrown down by Baltimore. The Ravens are only favored by -3.5 and the over/under of 44.5 indicates that this game could quickly devolve into a defensive slugfest. The Ravens beat the Chiefs in their last meeting back in 2021 but have a 4-7 all-time record against the team. Who are you picking to reach the Super Bowl? Let us know in the comments.
(@Chavito316) 
but don’t leave ya boy out
. If ya leave me out I’m playing with Taiwan and I’m dropping 85 
#nba #basketball #legends,” Howard wrote last year. There’s just one problem with this – Taiwan can’t qualify for the Olympics. Taiwan is not one of the 24 remaining teams that will compete for one of the four remaining Olympic spots this July.
