Sports

Bill Walton Passes Away From Cancer At 71

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Multiple sources state that Bill Walton, a former NBA MVP and Hall of Famer who went on to become one of the game’s great commentators, has passed away from cancer. Walton was 71 years old. Before being chosen first overall in the 1974 NBA Draft, Walton was a standout player at UCLA under John Wooden. He played for the Trail Blazers, Clippers, and Celtics for ten seasons, missing five due to foot problems. If not for his health problems, Walton’s career might have placed him among the top echelon of Basketball players. Walton passed away on Monday, the NBA said in a statement, surrounded by his loved ones.

“Bill Walton was truly one of a kind,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “As a Hall of Fame player, he redefined the center position. His unique all-around skills made him a dominant force at UCLA and led to an NBA regular-season and Finals MVP, two NBA championships and a spot on the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.” The NBA commish added, “Bill then translated his infectious enthusiasm and love for the game to broadcasting, where he delivered insightful and colorful commentary which entertained generations of basketball fans.”

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

Bill Walton Passed Away From Cancer At 71

Prior to switching to college basketball in 2012, Walton worked as a main analyst for NBA games for ESPN and ABC when he first started there in 2002. In 2009, the American Sportscasters Association listed him among the best 50 sportscasters of all time. Additionally, he also worked for CBS and NBC. The 6-foot-11 Walton, selected first overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1974 NBA draft, spent ten seasons in the league, winning titles with both the Blazers (1977) and the Boston Celtics (1986). Over his career, he recorded 6,215 points (13.3 per game), 4,923 rebounds (10.5 per game), 1,034 blocks (2.2 per game), and 1,590 assists, all of which contributed to his double-double average. Additionally, Walton was a two-time All-Star who finished first in the NBA in blocks and rebounds in 1977. In 1986, he was named Sixth Man of the Year.

“What I will remember most about him was his zest for life,” Adam Silver said in his statement. “He was a regular presence at league events — always upbeat, smiling ear to ear and looking to share his wisdom and warmth. I treasured our close friendship, envied his boundless energy and admired the time he took with every person he encountered.” He concluded his statement by saying, “As a cherished member of the NBA family for 50 years, Bill will be deeply missed by all those who came to know and love him.” Overall, it is a sad day for the NBA as it grieves one of its seminal figures in Walton.

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Joe Budden Kept The Receipts On Old Kyrie Irving Stories

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After a home victory last night, Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks are one game away from the NBA finals. They’re up 3-0 on the Minnesota Timberwolves after stealing both games on the road and they’ll get the chance to sweep the Western Conference Finals series tomorrow at home. As deep playoff runs tend to, it’s sparked discussion about the legacies of some of the central players. That included Joe Budden, who is weighing in on Kyrie Irving.

Kyrie has played spectacularly in the series and will almost certainly get the chance to play for his second ring in this year’s finale. While Luka has potentially stolen much of the spotlight especially after his game-winning shot in Game 2, Kyrie’s status is also being re-assessed. Irving continues to be a controversial figure in NBA circles mostly for his tenure on the Brooklyn Nets. While there he made multiple controversial public comments that led to him being accused of antisemitism. The first headline Budden shares reads “He’s your headache now” to which he captions “best headache ever.” Check out all the posts he made reasessing old Kyrie posts below.

Read More: Joe Budden Walks Back Beyonce Criticism

Joe Budden Digs Up Old Kyrie Irving Hedlines

The Western Conference Finals isn’t the only series currently sitting at 3-0. Earlier this week the Boston Celtics took a commanding lead over the Indiana Pacers after stealing Game 3 on the road. Jayson Tatum’s Celtics remain undefeated on the road through this point in the playoffs having won 5 road games already. Later today Boston will have the chance to sweep the series. The status of the Pacers star player Tyrese Haliburton still up in the air. No team has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit in an NBA conference final series.

What do you think of Joe Budden holding onto receipts about Kyrie Irving now that the Mavs are approaching the NBA Finals? Do you agree with him that the perception around Kyrie should shift because of this playoff run? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: A Look At Joe Budden’s Dating History

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Mike Tyson Suffers Apparent Medical Emergency On Plane Ahead Of Jake Paul Fight

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Witnesses claim that on Sunday, May 26, Mike Tyson experienced what seemed to be a medical emergency while traveling from Miami to Los Angeles. “Mike had some kind of medical emergency on the plane and paramedics boarded,” says the eyewitness. They said, “Before the paramedics arrived the flight issued an announcement asking for a doctor — the message even came on everyone’s screens.“ The heat in Miami caused the jet to become overheated, causing a two-hour delay before takeoff. According to the eyewitness, Mike, was traveling on American Airlines flight 1815, sporting a matching short-sleeved cabana outfit with a blue and white design.

Before being brought to the gate at the scheduled boarding time of 5:10 p.m., Mike was at the Admirals Club, but because of the delay, he was escorted away. At 6:30 p.m., the eyewitness reports that he finally boarded the aircraft. Tyson had a very scary medical scare during the flight, which his witnesses recalled. The passengers had to wait to disembark while the paramedics attended to Mike. Thus, the plane’s arrival at LAX was delayed by an additional 25 minutes.

Read More: Mike Tyson Reveals Grueling Training Regimen For Jake Paul Fight

Mike Tyson Has Medical Scare Mid-Flight

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – MAY 16: Mike Tyson speaks onstage during the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Boxing match Arlington press conference at Texas Live! on May 16, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images for Netflix)

The eyewitness continued, “He was in first class, but we were an exit row.” Additionally, they said, “They asked us to stay on the plane and landed so paramedics could enter. [The stewardess] said something like, ‘He’s a really important passenger so we wanna make sure he’s OK.’ I knew it was him, but I just mouthed the words ‘Mike Tyson’ and she nodded her head yes.” Mike Tyson’s representation said in a statement to In Touch, “Thankfully Mr. Tyson is doing great. He became nauseous and dizzy due to an ulcer flare up 30 minutes before landing. He is appreciative to the medical staff that were there to help him.”

It is just a few months away from Mike’s much-awaited matchup with Jake Paul, which is set to take place on Saturday, July 20, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Despite the fact that Jake, 27, is younger than Mike, 30, the YouTuber had already declared he had no intention of taking it easy on the legendary boxer during the fight. All in all, we hope Mike is ok after the incident. Overall, its not a good sign for Tyson to be having medical scares before his anticipated fight.

Read More: Jake Paul Says He Is Not Going To Hold Back Against Mike Tyson: “The Legend Must Fall”

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Steph Curry And Ayesha Curry Welcome Their 4th Child Into The World

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Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry announced to his Instagram followers that he and his wife Ayesha had welcomed a newborn boy into their family. The black-and-white image showed what appears to be Curry’s hand wrapped around the child’s small arm. Curry reports that his child arrived a bit sooner than anticipated. He was born on May 11 and is already content, healthy, and adjusting to life as a member of their growing family of six. Steph also revealed the name of his little son, Caius Chai Curry.

For some admirers, Ayesha’s pregnancy may seem to have happened quickly because she didn’t disclose her pregnancy until March when she revealed it in a Sweet July magazine cover story. After their third child was born in 2018, she and Steph decided to try again last year. But she told the tabloid they felt they were done having kids. Caius joins older siblings Riley Elizabeth, 11, Ryan Carson, 8, and Canon W. Jack, 5. Overall, Steh and Ayesha’s family is growing once more. The announcement is a major one for the greatest shooter in NBA history. 

Read More: Steph Curry Expecting Fourth Child

Steph Curry Welcomes 4th Child

Steph Curry and Ayesha Curry made a joint Instagram post on Sunday, May 26, announcing the arrival of their fourth child, a boy named Caius Chai. They said that on May 11, their kid was delivered prematurely. “Our sweet baby boy decided to make an early arrival!! He’s doing great and we are finally settling in at home as a family of 6! So grateful!” Steph wrote the caption on a black-and-white photo of the newborn’s foot being held. “Caius Chai 5/11/24” the NBA star wrote at the end of the caption. In her cookbook announcement, Ayesha announced her pregnancy in Marc, saying, “Getting to experience this through [Canon’s] eyes and through Ryan and Riley’s eyes has been so cool,” she shared. “Their perspectives are so different, and it’s been the most exciting thing.”

Steph recently revealed to the Associated Press that he and Ayesha attempted to schedule the birth of their newest kid to coincide with the NBA star’s debut at the Olympics in Paris. It will be a busy summer for Steph despite not playing in the playoffs. Steph is getting ready for the Paris Olympics and is now taking care of his newborn. All in all, Steph and Ayesha are welcoming their newest addition to their family, and the NBA star is used to balancing hoops and family at this point. 

Read More: Sonya Curry Net Worth 2024: What Is The Former Volleyball Star & Mother Of Steph Curry Worth?

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Travis Kelce Booed During Mavericks-Timberwolves While Patrick Mahomes Gets Standing Ovation

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Sunday night, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-107 to take a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals, and they did it with a couple of NFL stars sitting courtside. Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce both sat courtside during last night’s Western Conference matchup. The Chiefs duo, who have won three Super Bowls in the previous five years, appeared to be enjoying themselves immensely as they watched Kyrie Irving and Luka Dončić show out in crunch time once again for the Mavs. Meanwhile, as Kelce and Mahomes appeared on the Jumbotron, fans at America Airlines Arena enjoyed themselves immensely by booing Taylor Swift’s boyfriend. 

As the spotlight turned to Travis and his teammate Patrick Mahomes, who was seated courtside, the crowd’s reaction was a mix of applause and jeers. Travis, seemingly taken aback but still sporting a grin, was the unexpected focus of attention. When his QB was revealed, the audience reacted much more warmly. There was a lot of applause, and Mahomes got up to hype the crowd. He was surrounded by admirers, and his wife Brittany was by his side. Overall, the crowd did not feel Kelce at all, but they were happy to see the best quarterback in football.

Read More: Travis Kelce Defends Harrison Butker After Controversial Speech That Included Remarks About Taylor Swift

Travis Kelce Booed And Patrick Mahomes Cheered At Mavs Game

Before the game, the Mavs apparently made fun of Kelce on Twitter by saying, “Our guy Pat and @taylorswift13’s boyfriend in the house!” Who knows why the Dallas audience was more welcoming to Pat than to Travis Kelce, but it could have something to do with Mahomes’ being a Texas Boy. The quarterback stood out at Texas Tech. Mahomes has also been a frequent guest at Mavs games and recently picked them to make it to the NBA finals. He is clearly a Mavericks fan. As for Kelce, the hate probably comes from his elevated celebrity status due to his involvement with Taylor Swift.

Also seated with Travis and Pat Mahomes was their new teammate, Hollywood Brown. Brown is the latest target for the superstar quarterback, and he got some bonding time with his team’s two leaders. The Mavs are up 3-0 on the Timberwolves. Patrick Mahomes will more than likely be present in Dallas for Game 4. Overall, we can understand if Travis Kelce doesn’t show up again. 

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

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Stephen A. Smith Fires Back At Jaylen Brown After Being Called Out For Slanderous Source

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On First Take on Friday, Stephen A. Smith revealed some derogatory remarks on Boston Celtics player Jaylen Brown that he had heard from an “NBA source.” The segment has caused quite a stir on social media, becoming a huge talking point over the weekend. Smith, Kendrick Perkins, and Jay Williams debated on Friday whether Brown was the NBA’s most underappreciated player. He mentioned in closing remarks that he had received a text from an NBA source. According to the unnamed insider, Brown isn’t underappreciated—rather, “he’s just not liked.”

“I wanted to read to y’all what an NBA source just sent me,” Smith said. “He said, ‘Jaylen Brown, it’s not so much that he’s underrated, it’s that he’s just not liked because of his I-am-better-than-you attitude. He knows it. It’s the same reason he is not as marketable as he should be.’ That’s what an NBA source just sent me.” Smith continued by noting that while he personally liked Brown, he did question whether the source’s claims were accurate. The remarks started a beef with NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas, who called what Stephen A. did slander. Brown eventually responded on Twitter, quoting a video of the remarks with “State your source.” Now, Stephen A. has responded.

Read More: Jaylen Brown Calls Out Stephen A. Smith For Reported Criticism, Gets Support From Isiah Thomas

Stephen A. Smith Claps Back At Jaylen Brown

Stephen A. Smith must have noticed Brown’s tweet since he went back to X to reiterate his position. “First off, that’s not happening. It’s journalism. Not revealing sources,” wrote the Smith. “Secondly, if you continue to watch the segment, I completely disagreed with them — as did Kendrick Perkins. The point we were actually discussing is how under appreciated you are and why that may be, which is why I read the quote. I even brought up how socially conscious you are, and how that may not be liked, knowing you’re a good brother. Also, that you’re a $300M man and you deserve it. But that doesn’t mean naysayers don’t get heard. That comes with the territory.”

In response to the original video, Kendrick Perkins expressed his frustration as well, stating that it omits their uplifting discussion about Brown’s off-court activities. Ultimately, Stephen A. is sure to address this drama in today’s edition of First Take. The anonymous source being able to just trash players with no consequences is nothing new. It was wild that Stephen A. even brought that quote up because it was so disparaging. Overall, the saga may continue this week.

Read More: Stephen A Smith Calls Out LeBron And Warns The Lakers Not To Trust Him In Their Coaching Search

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Jaylen Brown Calls Out Stephen A. Smith For Reported Criticism, Gets Support From Isiah Thomas

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Jaylen Brown called out Stephen A. Smith on X (formerly Twitter), on Sunday, after the media pundit criticized him on ESPN. When Smith claimed to have an NBA source who argued the Boston Celtics star has an “I am better than you” attitude and isn’t “marketable” because of it. Brown fired back: “State your source.”

NBA legend Isiah Thomas joined in with a message of support for the 27-year-old. “I have been a friend, mentor and advisor to @FCHWPO since he was a student at UC Berkeley he is 100 percent marketable and before you slander his name @stephenasmith tell your source to put their name on it or don’t speak on it. Let it be known,” he wrote.

Read More: Stephen A Smith Calls Out LeBron And Warns The Lakers Not To Trust Him In Their Coaching Search

Jaylen Brown Speaks With Jayson Tatum Ahead Of Game 3

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MAY 25: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics talks with Jayson Tatum #0 prior to Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 25, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Afterward, Smith clarified that he had no issues with Brown. Replying to Thomas, he wrote: “I have no idea what you’re talking about @IsiahThomas. I have been a fan of Jaylen Brown for years. Still am. What’s unfortunate is that YOU — who’s known for me decades — would choose to go on X to expressed whatever dissent you feel instead of calling me directly. But I get it. It’s a pattern several folks have used vs me recently, suddenly forgetting communication we’ve always had. So be it. I root for JB always—a great dude and player. But the @celtics have to close the deal.” Check out Jaylen Brown’s response to Stephen A. Smith below..

Jaylen Brown Fires Back At Stephen A. Smith

The back and forth comes as Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics are just one win away from reaching the NBA Finals. After Saturday night’s win in Indiana, they’ll have a chance to close out their series against the Pacers on Monday night in Game 4. Be on the lookout for further updates on Jaylen Brown and the NBA Playoffs on HotNewHipHop.

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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Angel Reese Reacts To Concerns Over Her WNBA Salary

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Angel Reese has addressed the drama surrounding her salary with the WNBA. Appearing on ESPN, she explained that she’s not too worried about her compensation and instead, she plays basketball for the love of the game. She’s currently playing on a four-year deal with the Chicago Sky worth $343K.

“I mean, obviously, people thought me leaving college–I would take a huge pay gap and pay drop,” she began. “I wasn’t getting paid in college, so that check that I do get here is a bonus, I mean, being able to play for what, four to five months, and get $75,000 on top of the other endorsements that I’m doing, I think it’s a plus for me, I mean, I play the game I love, not for the money, I play because I love basketball and genuinely love basketball. And now that I’m a pro and being able to continue to work with these brands long term, I think that’s something people don’t really realize.”

Read More: Angel Reese Divulges On Ground Slam During Game: “It’s Just Basketball”

The Chicago Sky Select Angel Reese During The WNBA Draft

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 15: Angel Reese poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected seventh overall pick by the Chicago. Sky during the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music on April 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

She also discussed getting endorsement deals. “I love that the brands want to work with us and continue to want to work with us,” she said. “I want people to know the deals don’t stop in college when you go to the pros, they continue, and I feel like they’ve even grown even more.” Reese joined the Chicago Sky in the 2024 WNBA Draft after the team selected her with the seventh overall pick.

Angel Reese Speaks On Her WNBA Contract

 
 
 
 
 
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Check out Reese’s full comments on her WNBA salary above. Be on the lookout for further updates on Angel Reese and the rest of the WNBA on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Angel Reese Shushes Critics After Graduating From LSU: “Thought Somebody Without A College Degree Said Sum”

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Angel Reese Divulges On Ground Slam During Game: “It’s Just Basketball”

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Angel Reese received a very hard foul from Alyssa Thomas during the Chicago Sky’s game against the Connecticut Sun, which has caused a lot of conversation. In fact, it was an immediate point of contention and scrutiny in the game itself, as the refs ejected Thomas after the foul. However, its recipient reminded folks that basketball is just an obviously physical and hard-fought sport, and that not every blow struck has intentions of representing actual animosity. During the post-game interview and a simple tweet after the game, Reese cleared the air on the Thomas foul and gave her props for keeping things competitive and earnest.

“Not just ’cause I’m a rookie, I’m a player,” Angel Reese told reporters at the crowd during the Chicago Sky’s post-game conference. “I’m a basketball player, they don’t give a damn if I’m a rookie. I mean, I want them to come at me every day, I want them to come at everybody. I mean, they’re not supposed to be nice to me, I hope y’all know that. They’re not supposed to be nice to me or lay down because I’m Angel Reese or ’cause I’m a rookie. Like, thank you AT for sending the message to me, because I got back up and I kept going and kept pushing. Like, me and AT have been cool since we were in Maryland, so I know it’s not no hard feelings. I appreciate her for going at me every day. Or today.”

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

Angel Reese Speaks & Tweets About Alyssa Thomas’ Foul

 
 
 
 
 
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Elsewhere, though, Angel Reese is making it somewhat clear who she rocks with in basketball and who she doesn’t. We say “somewhat” because some fans thought that her shots at Charles Barkley equally applied to Caitlin Clark. As two of the biggest stars in women’s basketball right now, it’s natural for some competitive rivalry to form. But right now, it’s very hard to call whether that’s a media-fabricated narrative or a legit one.

Regardless, Angel Reese is rising high and fast, invoking the memory of Kobe Bryant when she got the chance to hold the Larry O’Brien trophy recently. There is seemingly no ceiling for her, and the outrage around this foul points to her superstar status. Hopefully these athletes can continue to keep competition passionate, interesting, and hard-fought without risking injury too much. At the end of the day, sports don’t need excessive contact for them to cause some scary scuffles every once in a while.

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

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Angel Reese Slammed To The Floor During Brutal Foul Leading To Ejection

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Angel Reese was choke-slammed to the floor by Alyssa Thomas during the Connecticut Sun’s 86-82 win over the Chicago Sky on Saturday night. The brutal foul led to an ejection for Thomas after referees accessed her a flagrant foul 2 for the hit on the star rookie. The two were battling down low for a rebound in the third quarter when Thomas put her arm around Reese’s neck and threw her to the ground. She exited the game with nine points, six assists, and six rebounds. Reese, who was the seventh pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, finished 13 points and five rebounds.

After the game, she spoke about the incident and appeared unphased by the harsh move. “It’s not just because I’m a rookie, I’m a player,” Reese said in her postgame press conference. “I’m a basketball player, they don’t give a damn if I’m a rookie. I want them to come at me every day.”

Read More: Angel Reese Takes Shot At Charles Barkley, Some Think It’s Aimed At Caitlin Clark

Angel Reese Matches Up With Olivia Nelson-Ododa

CHICAGO, IL – MAY 25: Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky and Olivia Nelson-Ododa #10 of the Connecticut Sun during the second half of a WNBA game on May 25, 2024, at Wintrust Arena on in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Reese added: “Thank you AT for sending a message to me. Because I got back up and kept pushing. Me and AT have been cool since we were in Maryland, so I know that it’s no hard feelings and I appreciate her going at me every day or today.” The game marked Reese and the Sky’s second loss of the season. They currently maintain a 2-2 record.

Angel Reese Suffers Hard Foul During Chicago Sky’s Loss To The Connecticut Sun

Check out the clip of Reese going to the ground as well as her reaction above. Be on the lookout for further updates on Angel Reese and the WNBA on HotNewHipHop.

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

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