Aaron Rodgers Skips Jets Mandatory Mini-Camp In Shocking Unexcused Absence

Superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers was conspicuously absent from the New York Jets’ required minicamp, which got underway on Tuesday. Just minutes ago, Jets head coach Robert Saleh spoke with media about No. 8’s decision to cancel the team practice. He said that although he was aware that the four-time MVP would not be there because of a “very important event in his life.” It was still “unexcused.” Players who skip required minicamp are fined, thus Rodgers’ decision will probably have a financial cost.

Saleh stated he was okay with Rodgers’ absence despite not showing up, even though he acknowledged it would be great to have all of his players there. Although it’s unknown what Rodgers is doing in his place, we have little doubt that it will be revealed shortly. After tearing his Achilles tendon in the opening game of the 2023 season, Aaron Rodgers is preparing for his spectacular return. During OTAs, he appeared to be approaching 100 percent.

Read More: Aaron Rodgers Believes The Government Created HIV

Aaron Rodgers Skips Jets Mandatory Mini-Camp In Shocking Unexcused Absence

Haason Reddick, the edge rusher, was also absent on Tuesday, but that was to be expected as he is still waiting on a new deal. But it sounds like Aaron Rodgers will be back soon, Jets supporters, so inhale deeply. On Monday, Rodgers visited the facility for his physical and to fulfill his commitments for picture day. Rodgers, along with defensive end Haason Reddick, was one of two notable excused absences. Penalties apply to both. “Aaron and I spoke before OTAs started. He’s been very good in communication, he’s been here the entire time,” Head Coach Robert Saleh said. “It’s unexcused, but he had an event that was very important to him, which he communicated to me.”

For the previous two offseasons, Rodgers has been a fixture at optional workouts, where he has preached the value of developing team camaraderie and removing distractions, which makes his absence all the more noticeable. After recovering from Achilles surgery for nine months, the four-time MVP took part fully in three weeks of OTA workouts. Rodgers and Reddick will be fined $16,953 for skipping the first day of the minicamp and $33,908 for missing the second day since it is required. Reddick has previously lost out on a $250,000 incentive for working out.

Read More: Aaron Rodgers & Jimmy Kimmel Beef Explained: COVID-19, Jeff Epstein & More

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Plies Asks Caitlin Clark Fans An Important Question

Caitlin Clark is the hottest name in women’s sports right now despite her WNBA team, The Indiana Fever, being 3-10. Clark’s name is a lightning rod for controversy. She has her own fans who generally don’t care about the WNBA but only her being a part of it. There has been a lot of talk about Caitlin Clark growing the game, but is it really growing the game if it’s just one person people care about? That is the basic question rapper Plies posed to his timeline yesterday.

Plies asked a question, presumably while watching the Connecticut Sun blow out the Indiana Fever. He asked, “The 10,000 CC Fans At This Connecticut Game! Don’t Even Cheer For No Other Players That Scores Other Than Her. So How Is This Growing The Game??? (Not Being Funny Asking A Serious Question).” he observed that the fans at the game only cared about Clark and would rarely cheer for the other team or her teammates. The Fever was playing an away game, but the fact that some believe that the majority of fans don’t even care about anyone else may be a big concern. Plies is just curious about what fans think of the situation, hence the question.

Read More: Stephen A. Smith And Andraya Carter Get Into Heated Debate About Caitlin Clark Being Snubbed From The Olympic Team 

Plies Asks Caitlin Clark Fans An Important Question

Many fans replied to Plies’s question about Caitlin Clark. Many of the replies cite the record attendance and ratings for the WNBA and attribute it all to Caitlin Clark’s influence. One user compared her to Tiger Woods, who brought in millions of new golf fans. The big difference is that Tiger Woods was a dominant force in the jump, and Clark is still finding her footing in a physical league. The Caitlin Clark fans are seemingly more and more fans of the individual and could care less about the actual sport. This is why coverage of the WNBA leans so heavily toward talking about Caitlin Clark’s treatment in the league. Rather than the actual basketball that’s being played.

Overall, Plies asked an interesting question. Growing the game is the big thing fans keep bringing up, but from a neutral perspective, it seems like building a house on sand. What happens if Clark is just a middling player who can score and doesn’t dominate like she did in college? What if Caitlin Clark fans look at other teams like Sun, who are dominant, or the Las Vegas Aces, who have the best women’s basketball player on the planet? All in all, it’ll take some time to see if putting all of the WNBA’s eggs in one basket was a smart move. 

Read More: Caitlin Clark Breaks Silence On Olympics Snub: “It Gives Me Something To Work For”

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Shannon Sharpe Announces Massive Multi-Year ESPN Deal On “First Take”

Three-time Super Bowl winner and Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe has signed to a multi-year arrangement with ESPN. Sharpe’s role on First Take, ESPN’s popular morning discussion program with Stephen A. Smith and host Molly Qerim, will grow as a result of this new agreement. “Shannon Sharpe has been an incredible addition to the First Take team, enhancing the show’s dynamic with his engaging presence and insightful commentary,” said David Roberts, ESPN’s Head of Event & Studio Production​. “Shannon’s chemistry with Stephen A. Smith has elevated our debates and been another key reason First Take is the premier destination for morning sports discussion.”

Thanks in part to Sharpe’s contributions, First Take just achieved its most-viewed May ever and its 22nd straight month of year-over-year growth. Sharpe, who started working at First Take in August 2023, will also play a bigger part in a number of other ESPN shows that will be revealed later. Said Sharpe in a statement, “Being a part of this family has been a blessing. Everything about this relationship with ESPN, Stephen A., and First Take, has been tremendous. I look forward to expanding my role and showing more of the world what I have to offer. The show goes on!” Sharpe, Molly, and Stephen A. announced the news to kick off this morning’s First Take.

Read More: Shannon Sharpe Reveals Why LeBron James And JJ Redick’s Podcast Is Destined For Failure

Shannon Sharpe Announces ESPN Deal

Molly and Stephen A. Smith were both over the moon for Shannon Sharpe, and the group shared a special moment to open up First Take. Sharpe took in all the love and thanked everyone, then singled out Stephen A. Smith. He said, “Stephen A., I know this moment is not possible without you. As you mentioned to me earlier, you have bosses, but you extended the olive branch and let them know that you wanted me to be a part of this family.” Overall, Shannon Sharpe has been a fantastic addition to the debate program.

Sharpe’s ESPN contract will expire sooner than Smith’s current one, according to the rumored four-year arrangement. Smith’s contract with ESPN expires in July 2025, and during First Take last year, he made hints about seeing Sharpe take over. To be sure, the Hall of Famer has two really popular podcasts, Club Shay Shay and Nightcap, so it’s difficult to envision him wanting ESPN to be his full-time job. First Take is a fantastic side employment, but just as Smith frequently talks about comparable career objectives, Sharpe can aim higher thanks to his vast digital platform.

Read More: Ray J Disgusts Himself After Giving Shannon Sharpe Some NSFW Intel About Kim Kardashian

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LeBron James Shocks Kai Cenat And Druski By Calling During Live Stream

Kai Cenat’s live stream was star-studded on June 10. The online personality managed to get Kevin Hart and Druski to join him for a few hours of jokes and random conversations. Both men provide more than enough star power on their own, but things took an unexpectedly wild turn when Hart decided to show off his industry clout. He not only mentioned LeBron James, but he FaceTimed the superstar and got him to chat with Cenat and Druski on stream. Cenat and Druski reacted exactly like you think they would.

Hart tries to continue the conversation with LeBron James while Cenat and Druski celebrate in the background. They’re clearly starstruck by the encounter, and Hart is clearly trying not to laugh. Both Kai Cenat and Druski have praised the legendary athlete in the past. The latter even claimed that James was better than Michael Jordan during his appearance on the Club Shay Shay podcast. “I’m big on LeBron,” he admitted. “I like the way he got his whole career going and the way he’s just a social person. He’s not like Jordan and doesn’t like people and staying away from, the black people and stuff. No shade.”

Read More: Shannon Sharpe Reveals Why LeBron James And JJ Redick’s Podcast Is Destined For Failure

Kevin Hart Convinced LeBron James To FaceTime

 
 
 
 
 
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Kevin Hart dialed LeBron James up in the middle of the stream. The other two men can hardly contain themselves when the Lakers star picks up. Kai Cenat runs into frame and screams James’ name before clapping his hands. Druski, meanwhile said he was surprised to hear James swear. “When Bron started saying n**ga,” he asked. Hart explains the situation to James, telling him “the world know” that he says “n**ga,” which leads to a whole back-and-forth between the group. The excitement then takes over, and Cenat and Druski urge Kevin Hart to show his phone screen to the camera. He obliges, and James can be seen for a split second.

Kevin Hart, meanwhile has known LeBron James for over a decade. The most famous public interaction between Hart and James happened at the NBA All-Star Game in 2016. Hart was one of the celebrities in attendance, and James stole Hart’s drink to give to hometown hero Drake. Hart got the superstar back in his 2023 comedy special, Reality Check, however. The comedian poked fun at his receding hairline, and the fact that he could “count the hair on top of his f**king head.” It’s safe to assume the roasts will keep going back-and-forth, especially after the Cenat stream.

Read More: LeBron James Has Conflicting Feelings About Kyrie Irving Making The NBA Finals

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Kendrick Perkins Fires Shots At LeBorn, Calls Him Sensitive For Unfollowing Him

Every time a prominent NBA player follows or unfollows another prominent NBA player, the Twitter account NBA Alerts announces the change. Throughout a season, there are many good reasons why media people and active athletes might follow and unfollow one another, but occasionally, an update sticks out. LeBron James reportedly made the decision to unfollow several users on X on Friday, including ESPN NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins, Ben Simmons, and Blake Griffin. On Monday, the First Take crew made the perplexing choice to discuss LeBron James unfollowing ESPN commentator Kendrick Perkins on social media for 12 minutes.

On his podcast Mind the Game a few days prior to the NBA Finals, LeBron James gave Dallas Mavericks player Kyrie Irving kudos for reaching the championship round once more. James complimented him and said that although he was happy for him. In the 2016 NBA Finals, the two helped the Cleveland Cavaliers pull off an incredible comeback victory over the Golden State Warriors. Perkins called James out for purposefully interrupting the discourse, as Perkins understood the remark to be. LeBron apparently unfollowed Perk after this comment. Then, on Monday, First Take invited Perkins to discuss being unfollowed despite the NBA Finals going on.

Read More: Kendrick Perkins Goes In On Defensive Player Of The Year Rudy Gobert

Kendrick Perkins Calls LeBron James Sensitive For Unfollowing Him

“Imagine unfollowing me on Twitter, but you still gotta wake up and watch me on TV every day because I ain’t going nowhere any time soon,” Kendrick Perkins said. “That’s no. 1. No. 2, I think LeBron James got sensitive over the last couple weeks because I’ve been calling him out or have to speak on certain things that he may disagree with — like the firing of Darvin Ham or the coaching search for the Lakers, or even having to touch on the Bronny James situation when it comes down to dealing with the draft.” Perkins clarified that he was dissatisfied after years of publicly defending James.

Kendrick Perkins said, “Bron, I’ve been knowing you since 1999, brother.” He continued, “We played AAU basketball together… We played in the McDonald’s All-American Game together. We were in the same draft. You have my phone number! If you had a problem with anything I said, we could’ve picked up the phone and had a conversation, but instead, you took to the public. You knew the world was gonna see it, eventually, that you unfollowed me because they have all these stalkers that have their stuff on alert. We’re living in weird times.” Overall, Big Perk might be the most sensitive person in this situation.

Read More: Kendrick Perkins Says He Wishes LeBron James Would Retire

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Shannon Sharpe Reveals Why LeBron James And JJ Redick’s Podcast Is Destined For Failure

Shannon Sharpe has two successful podcasts, so he is familiar with what makes a good show. However, the success of Nightcap and Club Shay Shay is not really due to anyone’s intelligence of any specific subject matter. Of course, Sharpe has an edge and offers insight and understanding about football that goes beyond the surface. The same is true for Chad (Ochcino) Johnson. However, each show’s entertainment value is its primary selling point. Shannon Sharpe said on First Take today that Lebron’s podcast with JJ Redick won’t survive because it is solely about Xs and Os and not entertainment.

For this reason, Sharpe provided his evaluation of the Mind the Game podcast with LeBron James and JJ Redick. On Monday’s First Take, Sharpe contended that James and the Los Angeles Lakers’ prospective head coach would need to change their conversational approach from discussing Xs and Os. Sharpe appears to believe that the podcast won’t last very long if that’s all they talk about. The podcast is more of a mission of educating and celebrating the game of basketball by sharing knowledge, but Shannon Sharpe does not care and says it won’t last long doing that.

Read More: Ray J Disgusts Himself After Giving Shannon Sharpe Some NSFW Intel About Kim Kardashian

Shannon Sharpe Says LeBron James And JJ Redick’s Podcast Will Fail

“I know you said that he and JJ had that podcast — Mind the Game — and it’s supposed to be Xs and Os,” Sharpe said. “Let me tell you something: if you ever want to start a podcast, and this is what I tell Stephen A., you’ve got to be able to adapt. You’ve got to be able to branch out. Because if all you talk about is Xs and Os, it ain’t gonna last very long.” Smith concurred, pointing out that Kendrick Perkins has been making similar statements for months. Even if a video of them drawing Xs and Os from three days ago on the account’s official YouTube channel has 428k views as of the writing of this piece, a basketball podcast about basketball seems like a bridge too far.

Even if a video of them drawing Xs and Os from three days ago on the account’s official YouTube channel has 428k views as of the writing of this piece, a basketball podcast about basketball seems like too unique a notion. The podcast probably won’t appeal to everyone, but James would have launched a podcast much sooner if he felt the need or wanted to discuss other topics. Not to mention Redick’s incredibly popular podcast, The Old Man and the Three. Overall, Shannon wants more hot takes and opinionated arguments in his podcast consumption.

Read More: How Many Kids Does Shannon Sharpe Have?

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NBA YoungBoy’s Son Continues To Flash His Boxing Talents & Fans Have Jokes

NBA YoungBoy has a boxing prodigy in the making with his son KJ. The three-year-old son is also the child of Yaya Mayweather, the daughter of world-famous boxer, Floyd Mayweather. Over the last several months, the young boy has gone viral for how fast he is learning the extremely physical sport. Earlier this year, KJ and Floyd were seen sparring in adorable fashion, as Kentrell Gaulden Jr. was working on target practice. Fast forward to today and we see now that he some serious punching power. In the video below, KJ is whaling on a dummy, with nearly every hit making the target touch the floor.

Fans were quick to make some hilarious jokes in The Neighborhood Talk‘s comments section on IG. A lot of them made references to NBA YoungBoy’s wild personality they certainly had us rolling on the floor. “Hands like his granddaddy and a temper like his daddy. God Bless the playground 😂😂”, one user writes. “Naw cuz if he hit my son I’m pressing charges j/k😂😂😂😂”, another kids.

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NBA YoungBoy’s Son UFC Bound?

 
 
 
 
 
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Others were taking notice of KJ saying, “That’s why you must pay for this!” in the clip. “That’s why you must pay for this” is a wild saying for a toddler 😂😂😂”. That is when other observers in the comments came in and said that his classmates just need to be nice to him. “Yea, them lil kids need to just leave him alone, because he trained and prepared 🥴😂”. If NBA YoungBoy is seeing this, or Floyd for that matter, they must be proud of KJ.

What are your thoughts on NBA YoungBoy’s son’s boxing skills in the video? Do you think he is destined to make it to the UFC one day? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding NBA YoungBoy. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.

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Stephen A. Smith And Andraya Carter Get Into Heated Debate About Caitlin Clark Being Snubbed From The Olympic Team

Stephen A. Smith is doubling down on his Caitlin Clark takes, proving no matter what expert on women’s basketball he speaks to, he will not change his mind. First Take addressed the news that Clark has been left off of Team USA’s roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics, as was to be expected on Monday’s broadcast. Though Smith joined the discussion after Andraya Carter, Chiney Ogwumike, and Shannon Sharpe offered their opinions, it wasn’t for lack of passion or interest; rather, the ESPN personality chastised USA Basketball for failing to take into account the commercial benefits of having Clark on its roster.

“This is about what I will personally label ‘The Idiocy of Team USA Women’s Basketball.’ How dare you make this decision. It’s stupid,” Smith said. “Caitlin Clark does not deserve a spot ahead of any of the players on this roster — if we’re talking just basketball. You know we’re not.” Stephen A. Smith continued, addressing Ogwumike and Carter in particular, both of whom had supported USA Basketball’s choice, drawing comparisons between Team USA’s roster selection process and his creation of First Take.

Read More: Stephen A. Smith Says Fans Aren’t Ready To Support Will Smith After Chris Rock Slap Despite “Bad Boys: Ride Or Die” Making $100 Million

Stephen A. Smith And Andraya Carter Get Into Caitlin Clark Debate

“I think y’all are spectacular. But as spectacular as you are about talking the game of basketball, is that why you think I call for you to be on First Take?” Smith said. “It ain’t just because of your expertise. It’s because you’re great television. You matter. You draw an audience… you make decisions marketing.” He continued, “I want people watching. I want eyeballs. I want advertising dollars. Why? Because [Sharpe] will get paid. Y’all will get paid. And guess who else will get paid? You see where I’m coming from? That’s what it’s about. Stop acting otherwise. We know this.” he concluded, saying, “You don’t sit up there and pass on Caitlin Clark. Team USA, it was a dumb decision.”

Carter remained steadfast in her belief that Team USA had the right to put basketball before marketing. However, that only made Stephen A. Smith want to give the former Tennessee guard some uninvited career advice. “Andraya, I strongly suggest you re-think such positions, especially when it comes to you. Because marketing matters,” he said. “I am telling you right now you are going to be underpaid for the rest of what I believe will be an illustrious career unless you get your mind right about that marketing. It matters.” Andraya Carter replied swiftly, “I hear you, Stephen A. But I will not sacrifice my basketball knowledge and my integrity in terms of the game for marketing,” she said. “My marketing is doing just fine.” Overall, it was a heated debate today on First Take.

Read More: Stephen A. Smith Gives Awful Announcing A Piece Of His Mind After Being Called Out For Embarrassing Knicks Mistake

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Dan Hurley Shockingly Turns Down $70 Million Contract Offer From Lakers

It seems like the Lakers have missed out on their top choice to replace Darvin Ham. Despite being offered a six-year, $70 million contract, Dan Hurley made the decision on Monday to stay at UConn and decline Los Angeles’ offer to become the team’s next head coach, according to ESPN. Hurley expressed he was “extremely impressed” with owner Jeanie Buss and general manager Rob Pelinka to ESPN on Sunday, saying the Lakers presented a “compelling case.” Along with his wife Andrea and UConn assistant Luke Murray, the two-time national champion was in Los Angeles on Friday to meet with the Lakers. Hurley has rejected the massive offer from the Lakers.

According to early reports, the Lakers were looking to add more bench stability to their team by pursuing JJ Redick, an ESPN NBA analyst without any prior professional coaching experience. The Lakers were reportedly “zeroing in” on the former NBA guard as the front-runner for the position, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Coincidentally, Redick and LeBron James of the Lakers co-host a podcast. Now we will see if the Lakers give JJ another look now that Dan Hurley has passed on the job.

Read More: JJ Redick Apparently Not The Frontrunner For Lakers Head Coaching Job, Dan Hurley Enters The Fray

Dan Hurley Turns Down The Lakers

The Lakers had been interested in Hurley, the two-time NCAA Tournament champion coach, since the start of the hiring process, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Despite Shams claiming that JJ Redick was the front-runner, it was apparently Huelry all along. According to the NBA insider, Pelinka and Buss were very excited about the UConn coach. They believed Hurley had excellent player development tools at his disposal and could develop young players. LeBron James was also someone who has been impressed with Hurley. Hurley signed a $32.1 million contract extension with UConn that spans through 2029 following his first national championship victory.

Dan Hurley has become the most sought-after coach in the sport following his historically successful back-to-back national title seasons. Hurley’s team dominated college basketball and produced the first repeat champion in 17 years. The return of a preseason top-five squad raises the prospect of a third consecutive UConn championship. Despite losing some talent, this seems to be a great opportunity to pass up. Overall, The Lakers have missed out on their guy.

Read More: JJ Redick Breaks Silence On Lakers Head Coaching Rumors

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James Harden Goes Viral With Hilarious Reaction To His Girlfriend Paije Speights Catching Bouquet At Wedding

Thanks to his response when his girlfriend Paije Speights accidentally caught the bouquet at retired NBA player Rajon Rondo’s wedding this past weekend, James Harden is once again headed for legendary meme status. The film of the humorous reception scene, in which Speights caught the bouquet of white flowers that almost fell at her feet, started making the rounds on the internet amid the happy news that Rondo had married his longtime partner Latoia Fitzgerald. The Clippers guard looked at her as if she had seen a ghost, and her man gave her a dumbfounded look.

Since collecting the bouquet is thought to indicate you’ll be the next to get married, fans couldn’t help but express their reactions to Harden seemingly seeing his life flash before his eyes. But as soon as Paije gave him an embrace, Harden’s eyes widened, and he became still. There’s a new meme circulating on social media that features Harden receiving a forehead kiss while staring emotionless. On Sunday, Paije shared her thoughts about the popular video on her Instagram Story.

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James Harden’s Girlfriend Paije Speights Catches Responds To Catching Bouquet At Wedding

As previously mentioned, Paije commented on the viral video on Sunday on her Instagram Story. “I wasn’t even participating, lol. I’m standing outside the circle in the back. The bouquet landed right at my feet. Hey, a win is a win,” she wrote. “I do this sh*t with no effort,” she added hilariously. Following their September 2022 engagement, Rondo and designer Latoia Fitzgerald tied the knot on Friday, June 7, on Lake Como in Italy. A star-studded guest list and family bopped along to Future’s “March Madness” as the pair entered their opulent location, reveling in their love. The two also swayed to the soothing sounds of smooth jazz after dancing to Usher’s “Superstar.”

It appears like James Harden and Paije are a real couple. In addition to forging her own path in fashion, Paije is a Detroit-born vocalist. In contrast to Harden, who is childless, Paije is the mother of Prynce, a four-year-old son from a previous committed relationship. Overall, James Harden has once again provided the internet with another classic reaction meme.

Read More: Kodak Black Posts IG Video Of James Harden Signing His Jersey

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