Bronny James received some meaningful regular season minutes in Tuesday night’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, and it did not go as planned.
On Wednesday, Stephen A. Smith had to sound off on ESPN’s First Take about just how poorly Bronny played.
“I am pleading with LeBron James as a father. Stop this. We all know Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad,” Smith said.
Bronny played 15 minutes in Tuesday’s loss, was 0-for-5 from the field, had three rebounds and an assist that was good for a -8 rating in the box score. After the game, he told reporters that he was surprised by getting real minutes in the first quarter, and head coach JJ Redick apologized, stating that he put Bronny in a very tough spot.
But Smith’s rant on this entire saga was perfect. The Los Angeles Lakers gave the sports world and the James family an incredible moment on NBA Opening Night when Bronny and LeBron became the first father and son duo in NBA history.
But this has become the most-discussed second-round pick in the history of the sport. Bronny was selected No. 55 overall. It’s wildly unfair to expect him to contribute meaningful minutes to any NBA roster, let alone the Lakers, who are eyeing a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
There’s no need for him to be on this stage, regardless of how banged up or undermanned the Lakers might be.
ESPN’s top basketball talker should not have to be forced to get on his show and break down in gruesome detail just how bad the No. 55 overall pick is playing because it’s to be expected.
Leave nepotism out of it for a second. We’re talking about a 20-year-old kid who did not play much college basketball, has some innate tools and traits of a good basketball player, but is a complete project that needs time to develop. But because of his last name—and because of who his dad is—top sports talk personalities are forced to talk about him after every single failed outing. It’s unfair to everybody involved.
It’s clear that he needs to develop—and that was happening with a few good performances strung together in the G League with South Bay.
Let Bronny develop. At this point, there are countless G League success stories of players that were not ready to play in the Association right away, but when their time came, they were ready to be everyday NBA contributors.
Right now, Bronny playing meaningful NBA minutes is nothing more than a gimmick and it’s a little bit sad. Sure, he worked tremendously hard. We’ve seen that he has all of the tools required to be an elite player in the G League, even as a rookie.
Allow him to continue his development down there, out of the spotlight, and one day he could be playing meaningful NBA minutes as a contributor.
Stephen A. Smith Shouldn’t Have To Beg LeBron James to End Bronny James Experiment
In a recent episode of ESPN’s “First Take,” Stephen A. Smith made a plea to LeBron James to end the controversial Bronny James experiment. The experiment involves LeBron’s son, Bronny James, playing high school basketball while constantly being under the spotlight and scrutiny of the media and fans.
Smith argued that Bronny James should be allowed to grow and develop as a player without the added pressure of living up to his father’s legacy. He believes that LeBron should prioritize his son’s well-being and future over his own desire to see him succeed in the spotlight.
While LeBron has been supportive of Bronny’s basketball career, Smith believes that it’s time for him to step in and protect his son from the excessive attention and pressure that comes with being the son of an NBA legend.
It’s clear that Stephen A. Smith is passionate about this issue and he shouldn’t have to beg LeBron James to do what’s best for his son. Let’s hope that LeBron listens to Smith’s plea and makes the right decision for Bronny’s future.
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Stephen A. Smith, LeBron James, Bronny James, NBA, basketball, ESPN, sports analysis, father-son relationship, athlete development, media commentary
What follows is a stab at a first draft of history — a thumbnail sketch of who and what seems to have been helped and hurt through one of the most shocking moves the NBA has ever seen. We begin with the team that, yet again, lands the brightest superstar:
WINNER: Lakers exceptionalism
Strip out the spin, and here’s what’s left: The Los Angeles Lakers just traded a 31-year-old big man in his 13th season, a pair of 21-year-old guards not widely seen as future stars, a 2029 first-round draft pick and the Clippers’ 2025 second-round pick … for one of the five best basketball players on the planet.
Through six NBA seasons, Luka Dončić ranks third in league history in points per game, 12th in assists per game, and fourth in assist percentage and triple-doubles. He’s made the All-NBA First Team for the last five seasons, and has finished in the top five in MVP voting three times. He was the unquestioned best player on an NBA Finals team seven months ago. He is 25 years old and under contract through the end of next season (with a player option for 2026-27), giving the Lakers a long runway to work out a new longer-term extension to ensure that he will be the signature superstar of the NBA franchise most associated with signature superstars for the foreseeable future. (Which, in fairness, given the state of play in an NBA where Luka friggin’ Dončić just got traded, might not be as long as you’d think.)
This is a dream scenario for a Lakers franchise whose hopes for perennial championship contention after signing LeBron James and trading for Anthony Davis had resulted in one title, one Western Conference finals berth and three play-in tournament appearances in five seasons. As excellent as Davis has been and still is — I just voted for him to start in the All-Star Game two weeks ago — the Lakers have outscored opponents by just two points in nearly 4,600 minutes when he has played without LeBron since his arrival in L.A. in 2019. Not two points per 100 possessions; two points total.
Those numbers have trended more positively over the past two seasons, as James has finally started to show some more signs of slowing down and begun actively referring to Davis as the Lakers’ best player. But it was reasonable to wonder whether a version of the Lakers built around AD — an elite finisher and high-end defensive anchor who isn’t the sort of shot creator who all but guarantees a top-flight offense by himself — could sustain bona fide contention as he moved toward his mid-30s. If he was the price of doing business to land Dončić — whose Mavericks have finished in the top 10 in offensive efficiency in four of the last five seasons, and routinely scored at top-five-or-better levels with Luka at the controls — then it’s a price you gladly pay if you’re the Lakers.
Davis has long represented effective excellence, but Dončić offers breathtaking brilliance. And for decades — from Mikan and Baylor to West and Wilt, from Kareem and Magic to Shaq and Kobe, and from LeBron, now, to Luka — breathtaking brilliance has been the Lakers’ brand. Whatever this deal doesn’t guarantee, it does ensure that, for at least the next few years, the brand remains strong.
WINNER: Rob Pelinka!
“The sense around the league, when talking to rival scouts and front-office personnel,” Jovan Buha of The Athletic wrote on Jan. 21, “is that standing pat or making a half-measure trade (likely one or two second-round picks) is more likely than the Lakers going all-in and trading both of their future first-round picks that can be moved.”
Pelinka exited January seemingly holding a pair of first-round picks and not much else, reportedly looking for a serviceable center and some ball-handling help. He enters February with LUKA DONČIĆ — and he’s still got one of the first-round picks.
That’ll do. (Now he really needs that center, though.)
WINNER: Old-head wisdom
In his first on-the-record comments about the trade, Mavericks president of basketball operations Nico Harrison told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon that he pulled off the deal because “I believe that defense wins championships.”
Subsequent reporting cited “extreme frustration throughout the [Mavericks] organization about Dončić’s lackadaisical approach to diet and conditioning, which Dallas’ decision-makers believed negatively impacted his durability” … which is a long way of saying that they think the best ability is availability.
For all the new types of information that teams have access to and use in their decisions, sometimes the rationale is the same kind of stuff you might’ve heard from your coach, or your uncle, in the fifth grade. The game is always changing; the game, though, remains the same.
LOSER: Luka Dončić exceptionalism
However stunned you were to learn that Luka had been traded … imagine how stunned Luka must have been.
Again: top-five player, already likely on a glide path to the Hall of Fame, just entering his prime fresh off a first Finals appearance, firmly entrenched as the sun around which everything in Dallas orbited … until, suddenly, he wasn’t. According to the post-mortem reporting, Dončić didn’t request this trade; instead, it was the Maverickswho approachedthe Lakersabout it.
As longtime NBA insider Marc Stein put it, Dallas’ decision-makers had “decided that they no longer trusted Dončić as the heir to the franchise.” That sure seems like a dramatic, 180-degree change in the way Dallas’ brain trust, led by Harrison, viewed Dončić. That shift was predicated, according to a slew of follow-up reports, on concerns regarding Luka’s commitment to conditioning, the possibility that hard living and light work might conspire to expedite his aging curve, and — most notably — the downside risk of committing a five-year, $345 million supermax contract to a player who has missed 45 games over the past three seasons with a litany of ankle, knee, quad, hamstring, groin and calf injuries, the latest of which has kept him on the shelf since Christmas and ensured he won’t be eligible for year-end awards consideration this season. (Stein reports that Dončić had been eyeing a return next Saturday; we’ll see whether the trade changes that expected timetable.)
It’s easy to imagine a player of Luka’s caliber hand-waving those concerns. Remember: Dončić has been the wonder boy, the special one, the prince and the prize since before he could drive. From Slovenia to Real Madrid to Dallas, there has never been an environment in which his brilliance was not the most important element in the equation, the most important factor in determining what a franchise did — which, as often as not, wound up being “whatever Luka wants.”
Now, in one fell swoop, he has been moved, in the middle of the season, by the only NBA franchise he’s ever known, without his say-so. He has lost out on that supermax contract, which only the Mavericks could have offered him (though he does have a pathway to recoup most of that money over time). He has been stunned by a realization that must have felt like a bucket of cold water to the face: that, in an environment where franchise cornerstones will soon be commanding nearly half a billion dollars in salary under a collective bargaining agreement in which spending deep into the luxury tax imposes draconian team-building restrictions, even the special ones aren’t invincible. Even the wunderkinds can be left wondering what the hell just hit them.
Which brings us to …
WINNER: Big, bold bets
… how Dončić responds to that realization.
The Lakers are betting that his supernova talent, combined with what you’d imagine is a furnace of fury at having been sent out of Texas on a rail under cover of night, will produce an even better Luka: one fueled by the desire to make Dallas pay for this, devoted to getting into the kind of shape that shows he’s worth every penny the Mavs cost him, committed single-mindedly to the task of becoming the latest luminary to land with the Lakers and wind up in the promised land. They’re betting that the reward of paying Dallas’ asking price — even knowing that it’s probably not as much as Dallas could’ve commanded in an open market, and surmising that Dallas must be doing things this way for a reason — is worth the risk of whatever might come with Luka over the years.
The Mavericks? They’re betting that the guy they’ve seen behind the scenes for the last half-decade — the one routinely dinged for showing up to camp in subpar shape and playing at over-par weight, whom they’d become accustomed to seeing pull up with a hitch in his giddy-up multiple times a season, whose two longest playoff runs ended with him misfiring a hail of jumpers against eventual championship defenses — isn’t going to find better health or calisthenic religion as his career enters his second decade. They’re betting that, as painful as moving on from one of the greatest players in franchise history is, it’s less painful than it would be to pay him $345 million to miss a quarter of every season, with their pathways to contention dwindling year over year.
“We really feel like we got ahead of what was going to be a tumultuous summer,” Harrison told Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News.
One of those bets is going to go bust. It’s going to be fascinating to find out which.
LOSER:Mavericks fans’ estimation of Nico Harrison
It seems fair to say that the Dallas faithful aren’t too optimistic about their end of the deal bearing fruit:
Here’s where we’ll note — just for the purposes of being fair and balanced — that there was plenty of skepticism surrounding the first three huge trade-deadline moves of Harrison’s tenure: dealing Kristaps Porziņģis to the Wizards for Spencer Dinwiddie and Dāvis Bertāns in 2022; trading Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith and draft picks to Brooklyn for Kyrie Irving in 2023; and turning Grant Williams, Seth Curry and several first-rounders into P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford in 2024. The first trade turned the page on the failed Dončić-Porziņġis experiment and set the table for a conference finals run; the latter two sparked last June’s Finals trip.
Maybe, given that track record, fans should give Harrison the benefit of the doubt.
“I’m sorry [fans] are frustrated,” Harrison told reporters on Sunday. “It’s something we believe in as an organization that’s going to make us better. We believed it sets us up to win, not only now, but in the future. And when we win, I believe the frustration will go away.”
The glass-half-empty view, though: Maybe those moves only worked as well as they did because the Mavericks had Luka friggin’ Dončić.
“You better be sure his body is going to fall apart,” an Eastern Conference executive told Bontemps. “That’s all I’m going to say.”
Speaking of bodies not falling apart …
WINNER: Anthony Davis’ years-long quest to not play center
In the short term, Davis gets to line up next to the rock-solid Gafford; in the long term, he can slot in alongside sophomore game-changer Dereck Lively II. No more 35-minute nights of banging bodies at the 5. Mission accomplished! (And lest we wonder if AD’s cool with the move … he waived a $5.9 million trade kicker to get it done while giving Dallas brass more flexibility to make further moves and work the buyout market. Seems like he’s on board!)
Harrison has reportedly wanted Davis for some time, targeting the Lakers as a Dončić destination specifically — rather than opening the Luka bidding to every team in the league — because L.A. could offer AD: an in-his-prime, two-way star who combines high-efficiency interior scoring, elite rebounding and the capacity to defang opposing offenses whether protecting the rim or erasing space on the perimeter. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, who coached AD as an assistant on the title-winning 2019-20 Lakers, can now deploy massive frontcourts featuring the 6-foot-10 Gafford, (eventually) the 7-1 Lively, the 6-10 Davis and 6-7 Washington up front, and a range of 6-5 to 6-7 swingmen (Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, Quentin Grimes, Spencer Dinwiddie, the newly arrived Max Christie, the just-returned Dante Exum) on the wing next to Irving.
It remains to be seen whether playing AD at the 4 with non-shooting 5s like Gafford and Lively results in too much offensive congestion for Dallas to consistently generate high-value looks in the half-court — though, with that complement of guards and Washington shooting 38% from deep on nearly five attempts per 36 minutes, there’s at least some cause for optimism about the ecosystem into which the Mavs would plop those two-big tandems.
What seems clear, though, is that the Mavs are gonna be friggin’ huge, should be better equipped at locking down the paint and could have the ingredients of a top-five defense … which, if Kyrie, AD and Co. can brute-force their way into an above-average offense, would give them roughly the same formula that propelled them to last season’s phenomenal finish and Finals run. And having Davis under contract on an extension through at least 2027 gives Dallas a multi-year window in which to maximize a construction that Harrison seems to think gives the Mavs a better chance of contention than it had before Saturday.
“He fits our timeframe,” Harrison told reporters Sunday. “If you pair him with Kyrie and the rest of the guys, he fits right along with our timeframe to win now and win in the future. And the future to me is three, four years from now. The future 10 years from now, I don’t know. They’ll probably bury me and [Kidd] by then. Or we’ll bury ourselves.”
LOSER: LeBron James, Lakers prime mover
For all the talk over the years about James operating as his teams’ de facto GM, orchestrating every move from behind the scenes just as he would manipulate the pieces on the chessboard on the floor, he reportedly had no idea this blockbuster was coming:
LeBron James learned of the Davis-Doncic trade after the Knicks game when it broke while he was out to dinner with his family, sources close to James told ESPN. James was surprised by the news, is processing it and had no idea it was in the works, sources said.
Whether you believe that or not, the nature of a blockbuster that imports a player 15 years James’ junior — one that Pelinka heralded as the arrival of “a one-of-a-kind, young global superstar who will lead this franchise for years to come” — lays bare a new state of affairs in Lakerland. As Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times wrote in the aftermath of the deal, “The trade […] means that getting James another run at a title in the short term is not the Lakers’ top priority.” Which, naturally, invites questions about what LeBron’s priorities might be, and whether we might find they’ve changed come the summer.
As unbelievable as it is that LeBron is averaging 24 points, 7.6 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game on 51/38/77 shooting splits at age-40, and about to start in his 21st All-Star Game, nobody knows how long he can keep this, or some version of this, up. Before Saturday, the looming specter of the end of King James’ reign cast a long shadow over the Lakers’ future. As of Sunday, though, that future will now be illuminated by another shining superstar — one the franchise expects will supplant James as its leading light. For the last six years, the Lakers have been LeBron’s team. This deal says that, soon enough, that won’t be true anymore.
Reasonable people can disagree over whether Dončić at this stage in his career is a better running buddy for James than Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were back in 2010, or Irving and Kevin Love were in 2014, or Davis was in 2019. What is clear, though, is that outside of making his way to Denver, LeBron was not going to find a better playmaking partner than Luka — one of the few players alive with a credible claim to being James’ equal as a facilitator in the pick-and-roll; in forcing a defense to commit multiple bodies to stopping him in order to open up something juicy on the weak side; in predicting and executing the kinds of passes that only a handful of players ever have even seen; in solving and breaking even the most complex coverages in real time.
LeBron can no longer guarantee a top-10 offense or a playoff berth on his own; a healthy Luka effectively can. I don’t know how long LeBron wants to keep playing. A partnership with Dončić, though, gives him yet another megawatt young partner who could help him remain in the mix for deep playoff runs for however long he does.
L.A. entered Sunday giving up 115.7 points per 100 non-garbage-time possessions without Davis manning the middle, according to Cleaning the Glass — a rate of defensive (in)efficiency that would sit 22nd in the NBA for the full season. It’s difficult to see things getting much better if head coach JJ Redick has to construct lineups around the 40-year-old James, the oft-derided Dončić and the oft-targeted Austin Reaves, especially without Christie, an ascendant on-ball defender at the point of attack, and without a high-end rim protector behind them. (Sorry for the stray, Jaxson Hayes.)
In the absence of a new 7-foot anchor in the paint — which I’d expect Pelinka to continue searching for between now and Thursday’s buzzer (sorry again, Jaxson) — I’d anticipate Redick and Co. to lean into switching, trying to leverage the liked-sized-ness and physicality of groupings featuring James, Dončić, recent addition and longtime Luka buddy Dorian Finney-Smith, new arrival Maxi Kleber, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish. Whether a switch-almost-everything approach with aggressive help and an attempt to force more turnovers can generate anything close to a league-average defense remains to be seen. It might not need to be much better than that, though, because …
WINNER: The Lakers’ half-court offense (as presently constituted)
With AD unavailable for Saturday’s matchup with the Knicks, the Lakers leaned heavier into smaller lineups, with Finney-Smith operating as a small-ball 5 (which he did throughout his tenure in Brooklyn, and at times in Dallas) alongside some combination of James, Hachimura and Vanderbilt, with Reaves, Christie and Gabe Vincent in the backcourt. Against the drop-coverage-heavy Knicks, Finney-Smith drilled five of six 3-pointers; the Lakers went 19-for-40 from deep as a team; and James, all 40 years and 21 seasons of him, went for 33-11-12 in an impressive double-digit win.
You can kind of mind’s-eye it from here: Luka on the ball in LeBron’s place; LeBron bumping up a slot, moving from point to power forward and playing more like Draymond Green as a short-roll playmaker in the pick-and-roll; Finney-Smith or Kleber spacing the floor at the 5; acres of space and opportunities for two of the most visionary playmakers in recent NBA history to seize and exploit. Sprinkle in Hayes — a consistent high-efficiency finisher in the two-man game dating back to his days in New Orleans, and a nice above-the-rim target for a lob-threat-loving playmaker like Dončić — and you’ve got the makings of an offense that could rise from eighth in half-court scoring efficiency up toward the top of the league … which, for the record, is where the Mavs have lived for most of the last half-dozen years, especially with Luka at the controls.
Harrison might not be wrong that defense wins championships, but in this era — one where the last two titles were won by overwhelming offenses, and the two before that went to a defense-snapping chaos agent in Stephen Curry and a defense-destroying battering ram in Giannis Antetokounmpo — you’ve also got to be able to short-circuit and unlock the elite defenses you’ll see along the way. In James and Dončić, Los Angeles now boasts two of the very best 16-game offensive players in the world; if the Lakers can get to mid-April, you can bet they’ll feel pretty confident about their chances of making it to June.
On the other side of the coin:
LOSER: The Mavericks’ shot creation (as presently constituted)
Whatever problems Dončić created for the Mavericks behind the scenes or on defense, he solved damn near every one of them on offense. His presence on the court all but ensured that everybody else got delicious looks on which to feast:
Wow. Here’s Dallas’ shot chart with Luka on-court (but excluding Luka’s shots) vs off-court.
Without him, the Mavericks’ offense could go from feast to famine.
Davis, for all his skills on the offensive end, has played his best basketball as an elbows-and-in finisher of what others (largely James and Reaves) create for him; self-created, unassisted field goals have accounted for less than 40% of his offensive diet in every season of his career. Without Dončić, Dallas now has one (1) player averaging more than four assists per game: Irving, who is about to turn 33, who has missed significant time every season for seven seasons (and four teams) running, who has already been battling shoulder and back issues for the past couple of months, and whose effectiveness waned considerably by the time he ran up against the longer and more athletic Celtics in the Finals.
Outside of Kyrie, the Mavericks’ top playmaking options are Dinwiddie and Jaden Hardy — both fine enough players capable of producing in spurts, but hardly high-end facilitators who can serve as the backbone of a top-quality offense. Getting back Exum, a really nice connective-tissue passer and playmaker who’s missed most of this season due to injury, should help … but only so much. This Dallas roster was a race car built to be steered by one driver, and that guy races for another team now. Building a new kind of car on the fly is an awfully tall task; if Harrison, Kidd, Irving, Davis and Co. aren’t equal to it, the result could be the Mavericks stalling out — and a premature end to their time as a contender.
WINNER: Those looking for fresh trade speculation
The Lakers now definitely need another big man and, after pairing Luka with LeBron, don’t really seem to need Reaves’ ball-handling and shot creation, and still have a first-round pick to play with. The Mavericks now definitely need more ball-handling and shot creation, and now have an extra first-round pick to play with. Ladies and gentlemen, start your trade machines!
On a long enough content-generation timeline, even the juiciest rumored names can get kind of stale. An out-of-nowhere move like this one shakes the table, gets the blood pumping and injects fresh energy into the proceedings. (Jimmy Butler and Pelle Larsson to Dallas for P.J., Klay, Naji, Dwight Powell and some picks, anyone?)
Everything we thought we knew before Saturday night turns out to have been wrong — and, like, galactically so. Just imagine what new worlds we can imagine and destroy between now and Thursday.
The recent trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks involving Luka Dončić and LeBron James has sent shockwaves throughout the NBA community. Let’s break down the biggest winners and losers of this blockbuster deal.
Winners:
1. Dallas Mavericks – The Mavericks land the biggest star in the NBA in LeBron James, who will bring his championship pedigree and leadership to a young and talented Dallas team. Pairing James with Dončić gives the Mavericks a dynamic duo that could potentially dominate the Western Conference for years to come.
2. LeBron James – LeBron gets a fresh start in Dallas, where he will have the opportunity to play alongside one of the brightest young stars in the league in Dončić. With a strong supporting cast around him, LeBron has a chance to add to his already impressive resume and potentially bring another championship to Dallas.
3. Los Angeles Lakers – While losing LeBron James is a huge blow, the Lakers acquire the young and dynamic Luka Dončić in return. Dončić is a generational talent who has already proven himself as one of the best players in the league. With Dončić leading the way, the Lakers have a bright future ahead.
Losers:
1. Los Angeles Lakers – Losing LeBron James is a significant loss for the Lakers, as he was the face of the franchise and a key contributor to their success. While acquiring Dončić softens the blow, it will be tough for the Lakers to replace the leadership and production that LeBron brought to the team.
2. Luka Dončić – While Dončić lands in a new and potentially promising situation in Los Angeles, he will have big shoes to fill in replacing LeBron James. The pressure to perform at a high level and live up to expectations will be immense for the young star.
Overall, the Lakers-Mavericks trade is a game-changer for both teams and will have a lasting impact on the NBA landscape. It will be exciting to see how LeBron James and Luka Dončić fare in their new environments and how this trade shapes the future of both franchises.
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Luka Dončić, LeBron James, Lakers-Mavericks trade, NBA trade winners, NBA trade losers, Lakers trade analysis, Mavericks trade breakdown, LeBron James trade impact, Luka Dončić trade news
The NBA world got bad news when New Orleans Pelicans star Dejounte Murray left Friday’s 118-116 loss to the Boston Celtics with an injury.
Following the game, it was announced that Murray will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season.
Via The Pelicans: “The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that guard Dejounte Murray has been diagnosed with a ruptured right Achilles tendon. An MRI taken last night confirmed the injury, which occurred during the first quarter of last night’s game against the Boston Celtics.
Murray will miss the remainder of the season. Further updates will be provided appropriately.”
Many people reacted to the news, and one person who sent out a post (via X) was Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.
His post had over 22,000 likes and 450,000 impressions in less than 24 hours.
James wrote: “. Speedy and healthy recovery to my lil bro!! Love man! “
Murray (who made the NBA All-Star Game in 2022) had been in his first year playing for New Orleans.
He finishes his season with averages of 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 2.0 steals per contest while shooting 39.3% from the field and 29.9% from the three-point range in 31 games.
The Pelicans have had a tough year due to injuries.
They are currently the 14th seed in the Western Conference with a 12-37 record in 49 games.
Following Boston, the Pelicans will resume action on Monday when they visit Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets in Colorado.
In a recent interview, LeBron James opened up about the heartbreaking news in the NBA and shared his thoughts on how it has impacted him and the league as a whole. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story. #LeBronJames #NBA #HeartbreakingNews
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LeBron James, NBA news, LeBron James response, basketball, sports news, NBA updates, athlete news, NBA player reaction, LeBron James interview
LeBron James shared a special moment with Allen Iverson’s mother, Ann Iverson, after the Lakers’ game against the 76ers. As he made his way off the court, LeBron stopped to embrace her in a warm, heartfelt hug. The emotional moment quickly caught fans’ attention, with many praising James’ gesture. The moment showed the Los Angeles Lakers veteran’s respect and appreciation for the NBA family and community.
LeBron James shared a special moment with Allen Iverson’s mother Ann
LeBron James. Image via: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
It was not the best of nights for Los Angeles Lakers veteran star LeBron James and his team faced a devastating 118-104 loss against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. Anthony Davis had to depart from the game following his injury during the game which left the Lakers short-handed to defend their game against the Sixers. However, James shared a special moment with Allen Iverson’s mother, Ann Iverson. Certainly, it was a special moment for NBA fans as James shared his heartfelt gratitude for the mother of the former basketball star who was also dubbed The Answer. James stepped out of the visitors’ locker room at Wells Fargo Center with a smile on his face. Before leaving, he took a moment to greet Iverson’s mother, Ann. The two shared a warm embrace and exchanged a few words. It was a touching courtside moment. Ann came prepared to meet James, bringing a few photos for him to sign. The Lakers star nodded to her request. As he signed, James mentioned that his son, Bronny James, had just left. Ann smiled, saying she would have asked the rookie for an autograph too.
After ensuring the ink was dry, LeBron carefully placed the photos in an envelope. The two shared another warm hug before posing for pictures. Before parting ways, Ann told King James that she was proud of him, capping off a heartfelt exchange. While the moment was beautiful, he and his team failed to secure the victory against the Sixers. As Davis was missing from action after about 10 minutes of play, James shared that it was tough to lead the team without the 31-year-old center/forward. “When our best player goes out, it’s always challenging,” James said during the post-match conversation with the reporters. “If he’s out from the beginning, then we have a game plan set. We know what to expect [and] we know what our lineups gonna be. I didn’t realize until the second quarter when he didn’t come back in his regular minutes,” he continued. When speaking of the injury concern for Davis, he added, “Level of concern? He’ll be fine.” James added 31 points in the game where his son Bronny James also had the chance to play alongside his father. Bronny was, however, surprised to get the call to appear in the game, “I knew beforehand that I was coming in (and) getting some minutes, but I didn’t know before I got the call to come. It just came out of nowhere,” he shared adding, “…(I’m) just always trying to stay ready to play and always keep my mind right.” Also Read: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Philadelphia 76ers (01/28): Box score, player stats, game summary, and more The Lakers are set to face the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena, Washington, DC on January 30.
LeBron James shares a special courtside moment with Allen Iverson’s mother Ann after Lakers-Sixers clash
In a heartwarming display of sportsmanship and respect, LeBron James took a moment to greet Allen Iverson’s mother, Ann, after the Los Angeles Lakers faced off against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The two NBA legends shared a special bond on the court, with Iverson being one of James’ idols growing up. After the game, James made his way over to where Ann was sitting courtside and embraced her with a warm hug.
The moment was captured on camera and quickly went viral on social media, with fans praising James for his class and humility. Ann was visibly touched by the gesture and was seen wiping away tears as she thanked James for taking the time to show his appreciation.
It’s moments like these that remind us of the power of sports to bring people together and transcend rivalries. LeBron James may be a fierce competitor on the court, but off the court, he continues to show why he is not only a great player but also a great human being.
As the NBA community continues to celebrate the legacy of Allen Iverson, it’s moments like this that remind us of the impact he had on the game and the lasting bonds he created with his fellow players. LeBron James’ gesture towards Ann Iverson is a testament to the respect and admiration that players have for each other, regardless of team allegiances.
In a league often defined by rivalries and intense competition, it’s refreshing to see moments of kindness and compassion shine through. LeBron James’ special moment with Ann Iverson serves as a reminder of the power of sports to bring people together and create lasting connections that transcend the game itself.
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The Los Angeles Lakers have little else to play for other than a championship at this point. Yes, young talents like Dalton Knecht and Max Christie can continue their development and evolve into difference-making role players, but time is not on the organization’s side. The ongoing presence of LeBron James and Anthony Davis requires LA to move with purpose, hence why the NBA trade deadline is such a pivotal occasion.
Both stars have either directly or indirectly communicated their desire for general manager Rob Pelinka to add some reinforcements. Davis specifically wants a new center, that way he can slide over into the power forward position on a regular basis. James, on the other hand, mentioned a couple of weeks ago how the Lakers have little room for error because of how the roster is constructed.
Fans themselves also clamor for organizational action. So, one can argue that Pelinka is feeling some degree of pressure, or at least urgency, from all sides. Longtime columnist and television personality Skip Baylessdoes not think an impactful deal is necessary, however. He is calling for James and Davis to fully embody their superstar nature.
Skip Bayless weighs in on Lakers’ trade deadline situation
“The trade deadline is February 6, Thursday and LeBron and AD have both taken turns saying they need help,” Bayless said on his weekly podcast, via ClutchPoints. “And I’m calling BS on both of them. Even their agent Rich Paul dropped hints with the media– LeBron and AD, they’re a player or two players away from being contenders. Seriously? The Lakers have two of the best players in basketball.”
“They are complaining about needing more help,” he said. “Stop it you don’t need any help. You just need to play. Just be you, you guys are blessed… You got two top-10 players on your team. You got something nobody else has.”
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Can LA really contend without making moves?
While fans can and will quibble about player rankings, LeBron James and Anthony Davis are undeniable powerhouses. The former is scoring nearly 24 points on 51.2 percent shooting while dishing out 9.0 assists and grabbing 7.5 rebounds per contest in his 22nd NBA season. The latter is averaging 25.7 points, 11.9 boards and 2.1 blocks through 42 games.
Davis’ abdominal injury, which he suffered versus the Philadelphia 76ers on Jan. 28, will likely cost him a couple of more games. Given the relatively short recovery length, this development might not do anything to incentivize Rob Pelinka at the trade deadline. Bayless believes the burden will always fall on the top guys’ shoulders, anyway.
He is right in asserting that these two future Hall of Famers must carry much of the workload if the Lakers are going to make everyone nervous in the West. An additional All-Star is probably not bursting through Crypto.com Arena this year. But, there are certainly areas of need that could be addressed in the coming days.
Los Angeles head coach JJ Redick can use another big man, one he can trust more than some of the current options. Another shooter couldn’t hurt, either, as the team ranks 19th in 3-point shooting percentage (35.3).
Regardless of what transpires between now and Thursday, James and Davis are expected to carve out a favorable path for the Lakers. The franchise is ahead of where it was last season, residing in fifth place with a 27-19 record. But if this group slips up in the second half of the campaign, fans will also look back to Pelinka’s deadline activity. A pivotal stretch awaits.
Skip Bayless has never been one to shy away from controversial opinions, and his latest message for Lakers’ superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis is no exception.
In a recent segment on his show, Bayless had some strong words for the dynamic duo, criticizing their performance in the recent game against the Phoenix Suns. Bayless called out James and Davis for what he perceived as lackluster effort and poor decision-making on the court.
“I don’t know what was going on with LeBron and AD in that game, but they were seriously lacking in energy and focus,” Bayless said. “They need to step up and show why they are considered two of the best players in the league.”
The outspoken sports commentator also went on to question the chemistry between James and Davis, suggesting that they need to work on their cohesion as a team in order to achieve success in the playoffs.
While Bayless’ message may be harsh, it certainly serves as a wake-up call for the Lakers’ star duo. With the playoffs just around the corner, James and Davis will need to step up their game if they want to lead their team to another championship.
It remains to be seen how James and Davis will respond to Bayless’ criticism, but one thing is for certain: the pressure is on for the Lakers’ superstars to prove their doubters wrong and show why they are considered two of the best in the game.
The Knicks’ first loss in six games could prove doubly costly.
LeBron James recorded a triple-double Saturday night in what potentially could be his final career game at Madison Square Garden, and the Knicks couldn’t overcome an injury to two-way forward OG Anunoby as their five-game winning streak came to an end with a 128-112 loss to the Lakers.
The defeat was exacerbated by Anunoby suffering a noncontact injury and limping to the locker room with what the Knicks later termed a sprained right foot after he dropped to one knee upon receiving a pass on the perimeter 1:22 into the third quarter.
The 40-year-old James registered his 122nd career triple-double with 33 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds for the Lakers (28-19), who were without injured All-Star center Anthony Davis.
LeBron’s son, rookie Bronny James, even made his MSG debut and scored late in the game after the crowd was chanting his name.
“It speaks to who he is and his career,” Tom Thibodeau said about LeBron James before the game. “Twenty-[two] years to do it the way he’s done it, everywhere he’s been, if he’s on the team they’re a threat. So they always have a chance.
“Obviously Anthony Davis is a huge part of that, as well. But it’s just the way [James] can bring out the best, not only out of himself, but the people who are around him.”
Josh Hart had 26 points, 13 rebounds and 11 against the team that drafted him in 2017 to notch his seventh triple-double of the season.
But leading scorers Jalen Brunson (17 points) and Karl-Anthony Towns (11) combined to shoot 10-for-30 from the floor for the Knicks (32-17). Precious Achiuwa contributed 15 points and 15 boards off the bench.
The Knicks’ remaining strength of schedule entering the game was the highest in the Eastern Conference, with an opponents’ combined winning percentage of .526 over the final 34 games, and tied for fourth-hardest overall in the league, according to Tankathon.
Thibodeau’s team posted a strong finish to complete January with a 9-6 record, and they already had taken care of the Kings, Grizzlies and Nuggets with a fifth straight formidable foe, the Rockets, slated to finish off the five-game homestand Monday night.
Still, James’ teams now have posted a 24-9 record in 33 career games at the Garden in the regular season in his 22-year NBA career. He also played in one playoff series against the Knicks in 2012 with the Heat.
After receiving a respectful ovation during pregame warmups, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer got to the rim right away and scored the first points of the game before adding two assists and a midrange bucket as the Lakers grabbed an early 17-10 lead.
The Knicks pulled even at 23-all on Precious Achiuwa’s three-point play, and the sides were tied 32-32 through 12 minutes.
James finished the period with 13 points and Rui Hachimura had 12 of his 21 points, while five different players netting at least five points for the Knicks, led by seven by Anunoby.
Towns’ 3-pointer gave the Knicks a short-lived two-point lead midway through the second, but former Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith responded with back-to-back treys to put the Lakers back on top en route to a 59-54 edge at intermission.
After Anunoby departed early in the third, the Lakers pushed their cushion to nine on three free throws by Austin Reaves (27 points).
Miles McBride converted a four-point play before James answered with a triple from the corner.
Hart recorded his 10th assist with a bounce pass to Achiuwa for a dunk and buried a 30-footer at the buzzer to pull the Knicks within 91-89 entering the final period.
But the Lakers opened the fourth on a 13-4 spurt, and Gabe Vincent’s second 3-pointer of the quarter gave them 109-97 advantage with 8:10 remaining.
Hart’s transition dunk off a steal cut the deficit to seven just past the midpoint, but James sank another 3-pointer to get the Lakers’ lead back to double digits.
LeBron James dominates as Lakers rip Knicks who also lose OG Anunoby to injury
In a highly anticipated matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks, LeBron James put on a show as he led the Lakers to a dominant victory. The Lakers came out firing on all cylinders, with James showcasing his elite scoring and playmaking abilities.
Not only did James put up impressive numbers, but he also played a crucial role in getting his teammates involved and setting the tone for the game. The Lakers’ defense was also on point, stifling the Knicks’ offense and forcing turnovers.
Unfortunately for the Knicks, the night took a turn for the worse as OG Anunoby suffered a devastating injury during the game. The loss of Anunoby was a huge blow to the Knicks, as he has been a key contributor on both ends of the floor.
Despite the loss of Anunoby, the Knicks fought hard until the final buzzer, but ultimately fell short against the Lakers. The Lakers’ victory was a testament to their talent and depth, with James leading the charge and proving once again why he is considered one of the greatest players of all time.
Overall, it was a thrilling game that had fans on the edge of their seats, but in the end, it was LeBron James and the Lakers who emerged victorious.
NEW YORK (AP) — LeBron James made his 2,500th 3-pointer Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, becoming the seventh player in NBA history to reach that total.
The NBA’s career scoring leader made his first 3 of the night midway through the third quarter of what was his 10th triple-double of the season with 33 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists. The Lakers defeated the Knicks 128-112.
James had moved ahead of Kyle Korver into seventh place when he made his 2,450th on Dec. 4 in a game in Miami. Next on the list is No. 6 Reggie Miller, the Hall of Fame Indiana Pacers star who had 2,560.
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Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has added another milestone to his legendary career, becoming just the seventh player in NBA history to reach 2,500 career 3-pointers. James achieved this feat during the Lakers’ recent game against the Golden State Warriors, solidifying his status as one of the greatest shooters in league history.
With this accomplishment, LeBron joins the elite company of players such as Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, Stephen Curry, and others who have made a significant impact from beyond the arc. Known for his versatility and ability to score from anywhere on the court, James continues to defy age and expectations as he continues to rack up impressive statistics in his 19th NBA season.
As the Lakers make a push for the playoffs, LeBron’s shooting prowess will undoubtedly be a key factor in their success. Fans and analysts alike marvel at his ability to consistently improve and adapt his game, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest players to ever step foot on the hardwood.
Congratulations to LeBron James on this incredible milestone, and here’s to many more 3-pointers in the future! #LeBronJames #NBA #Lakers #Milestone #GOAT
LeBron James loves playing at Madison Square Garden, and he gave the New York fans another show on Saturday when he led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 128-112 win over the New York Knicks with a 33-point, 11-rebound, 12-assist triple-double.
This was James’ 10th triple-double of the season, which is second only to Nikola Jokic (22), and his second since turning 40, which is the most in NBA history by a 40-year-old. Furthermore, it was his fourth career triple-double at MSG, which is second only to Larry Bird (six) for the most by a visiting player.
“It’s the mecca of basketball, the greatest arena in the world,” James said during his post-game interview. “Seen so many athletes come here and play the game of basketball, seen so many entertainers come here and rock the house, so many performers, and I’ve been blessed in my 22 years to be a part of this history in this building.”
James scored a driving layup for the first basket of the game, and neither he nor the Lakers looked back. They led for the majority of the night before pulling away late in the fourth quarter for a comfortable win. James shot 14 of 26 from the field, and while he did most of his work in the paint, he also made three 3-pointers, including a ridiculous fadeaway off one leg.
“I have no idea how I’m still doing this, Lisa,” James told ABC’s Lisa Salter after the win. “Man above’s given me some great gifts, I’m trying to take full advantage of it. I put all the work, all the dedication into the game and it’s given me so much. But I have no idea how I’m still doing this at this level.”
With the victory, the Lakers continued their mid-season hot streak. They’ve now won eight of their last 10 to improve to 28-19 on the season, which is good for fifth place in the crowded Western Conference. All of a sudden, they’re just one game back of the Denver Nuggets for a top-four seed, which would come with homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
In a dominating performance at Madison Square Garden, Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar LeBron James recorded a triple-double to lead his team to a big win over the New York Knicks.
LeBron was firing on all cylinders, finishing the game with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists. His impressive stat line helped propel the Lakers to a 118-108 victory over the Knicks.
The win showcased LeBron’s versatility and leadership on the court, as he controlled the game and made plays for his teammates throughout the night. His performance left fans in awe and solidified his status as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
The Lakers’ victory at the iconic Madison Square Garden was a statement win for the team and further solidified their position as a top contender in the league. With LeBron leading the way, the Lakers continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the NBA.
WASHINGTON — LeBron James walked through the hallway outside the Lakers locker room Thursday night and wondered how he was going to be able to mentally engage in the 48 minutes ahead of him.
He and his teammates were tired, the team playing for the third time in four nights across the country and facing the NBA’s worst team. It wasn’t going to be easy to be focused, not against the six-win Washington Wizards.
It’s the reality of the NBA, the grind of the schedule and bad opponents able to force teams into their worst habits.
They were going to have to find a different emotion.
With Anthony Davis back in Los Angeles beginning treatment on a strained abdominal muscle, James ensured the Lakers wouldn’t take the night off. James had 24 points and 11 assists in just 27 minutes, the Lakers easily beating the Wizards 134-96 to hand Washington its 16th consecutive loss.
“He was awesome. He was aggressive. He talked. Just his willingness to trust his teammates and create for others and create for himself,” Redick said. “And don’t overlook the fact, by the way, that he’s 40 years old in Year 22 with every accolade under the sun and he comes out on a Thursday night that’s a non-nationally televised game against a team that’s really struggling and he is the tone setter. It’s again, competitive stamina. It’s impressive.”
The Lakers (27-19) led by as many as 42 points as the Wizards (6-41) shot 31.9% from the field. Even without Davis, Gabe Vincent and Dorian Finney-Smith, the Lakers scored a season-high 78 points in the first half. Seven Lakers were in double figures, with Rui Hachimura scoring 22 and Shake Milton adding 21 in his best game as a Laker. With reserves playing the entire fourth quarter, Bronny James got a huge roar when he scored his second field goal of the season while getting fouled. Hachimura celebrated the bucket by wrapping LeBron in a headlock on the bench.
Hachimura said he and the Lakers see how much LeBron cares about his son and how he has encouraged him when he’s gotten limited playing time.
“I knew he wanted that so bad. So I knew like, as soon as he scored it, he was trying to, I think, hold it a little bit,” Hachimura said of LeBron’s reaction. “So that’s why I was like, ‘Come on, bro…’ But yeah, he’s my big brother. So of course, I was happy about it. It was a great moment.”
The game, though, was quickly secondary to good news on Davis, with Redick saying the injury isn’t considered serious. Before the game, Davis was selected by Western Conference coaches as an NBA All-Star for the 10th time. Redick said the Lakers hope Davis returns next week. Jaxson Hayes, starting in his place, scored 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
Finney-Smith, who was dealing with a shoulder contusion, said he hopes to play Saturday night when the Lakers play the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Redick said Vincent also could be back after missing three games.
“I think our guys will be ready to go Saturday night against the Knicks in the Garden,” Redick said. “Hopefully Do’ is available. Hopefully Gabe is available, but if not, next man up and continue to play the right way, which is what we did tonight.”
In a thrilling matchup against the Washington Wizards, LeBron James once again proved why he is one of the greatest players in NBA history. Despite facing a tough opponent, James didn’t take a night off and led the Los Angeles Lakers to a hard-fought victory.
From the opening tip-off, James showcased his incredible skill and determination on both ends of the court. Whether he was driving to the basket for a powerful dunk or setting up his teammates for easy baskets, LeBron was a force to be reckoned with throughout the game.
But it wasn’t just his scoring that made the difference. LeBron also made his presence felt on defense, coming up with key stops and steals to help the Lakers secure the win. His leadership and intensity on the court inspired his teammates to elevate their game and ultimately come out on top.
With this impressive performance, LeBron once again showed why he is considered one of the best players in the league. His relentless work ethic and competitive spirit are unmatched, and it’s clear that he is determined to lead the Lakers to success this season.
As the playoffs approach, LeBron’s performance against the Wizards serves as a reminder that he is always ready to step up when his team needs him most. Fans can rest assured that he won’t be taking any nights off as he continues to chase another championship.
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On Saturday evening, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are playing the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan.
James had 23 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while shooting 10/15 from the field and 1/2 from the three-point range in his first 24 minutes of playing time.
The four-time NBA Champion also made history.
Via The NBA: “Congrats to @KingJames of the @Lakers on becoming the 7th player in NBA history with 2,500 3-POINTERS MADE!”
James came into play with averages of 23.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 9.0 assists per contest while shooting 51.2% from the field and 37.9% from the three-point range in 43 games.
The Lakers have had a solid start to the season as the fifth seed in the Western Conference with a 27-19 record in 46 games.
They are 7-3 over their last ten (and most recently beat the Washington Wizards by a score of 134-96).
James finished the win with 24 points, three rebounds and 11 assists while shooting 9/19 from the field in 27 minutes.
The 40-year-old still remains one of the best 25 players in the NBA.
He is in his 22nd NBA season (and seventh with Los Angeles).
According to ESPN, James has gone 12-1 in his last 13 games at Madison Square Garden.
Following the Knicks, the Lakers will conclude their road trip when they visit James Harden and the LA Clippers on Tuesday evening.
They are 11-13 in 24 games away from Crypto.com Arena.
LeBron James Made NBA History In Lakers-Knicks Game
In a monumental matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks, LeBron James etched his name in the record books once again. The superstar forward made history by becoming the youngest player in NBA history to reach 36,000 career points.
James, known for his scoring prowess and ability to dominate on the court, achieved this incredible milestone at just 37 years old. His impact on the game of basketball is undeniable, and his legacy continues to grow with each passing game.
Fans and analysts alike marveled at James’ performance in the game, as he showcased his incredible skill and determination to win. The Lakers ultimately emerged victorious, but it was James’ historic achievement that stole the spotlight.
As one of the greatest players to ever grace the hardwood, LeBron James’ legacy will forever be remembered in the annals of NBA history. Congratulations to LeBron on this incredible accomplishment!
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