When Kawhi Leonard became a Toronto Raptor for the first time in the summer of 2018, he looked shellshocked. "There's just more questions you have to ask me in order for me to tell you about myself," he said, introducing himself to an organization and city he reportedly had no interest in joining.
Leonard had fallen out with his former team, the San Antonio Spurs – one of the most respected franchises in professional sports – due to differences in opinion about an injury that had limited him to just nine games in the 2017-18 season. The Los Angeles native had hoped to end up in southern California, but instead the Raptors risked it all by swapping franchise cornerstone DeMar DeRozan for one year of an injured, malcontent Leonard. It worked: Leonard led the Raptors to their maiden championship on the back of a historic playoff run, averaging 30.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.9 **** ists and 1.7 steals en route. Leonard won his second finals MVP to go alongside the one he had claimed with the Spurs when he helped them to the **** le in 2014.
Related: LeBron James is everything Philadelphia wants. And everything it can't stand | Bryan Armen Graham
"The narrative of not wanting to come to this city is gone," the team's president, Masai Ujiri, said at that 2018 press conference, speaking to insecure Raptors fans who had watched American players like Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, and Chris Bosh leave Toronto since the franchise opened its doors in 1995. "We should move past that. Believe in this city. Believe in yourselves … We are proud of who we are."
But even a historic season wasn't enough to convince Leonard to stay north of the border. After a long and contentious free-agency period managed by his uncle, Dennis Robertson, Leonard spurned the reigning champions in favor of his hometown Los Angeles Clippers. "There wasn't as much anger in 2019 as there was with Vince Carter or some of the other guys who left," says Bruce Arthur, who has covered Leonard since 2018 for the Toronto Star. "I think he was given a little bit of special dispensation because he was going home, because he had delivered a **** le, and because I never felt like there was ever a connection outside of Kawhi the basketball player, with Toronto."

#SPURS #vince #carter #believe

76ers' fatal flaw that will doom 2027 NBA championship chances appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
While the New York Knicks are the defending NBA champions and they should raise their championship banner with the confidence that comes with winning the franchise's first **** le in 53 years, the Philadelphia 76ers appear to be in a position to steal their thunder.
After adding Jaylen Brown and LeBron James in the offseason, the Sixers are the team that **** ody will be able to take their eyes off of as the season gets underway. Many observers believe this dynamic team — that also includes Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe — will be the best in the league.
When it comes to flat-out talent, the Sixers certainly will be able to make a great argument. But things like chemistry, familiarity and defense will also have an impact. One or more of those factors could scuttle Philadelphia's plans to become the best team in the Eastern Conference and the next NBA champions.
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#sixers #able

With eight different teams the winners over the past eight seasons, it is hard to predict who takes home the NBA's Larry O'Brien Trophy in June.
If there is to be a ninth different name in as many seasons, you might look to San Antonio Spurs, with Victor Wembanyama leading the team to the Finals last season before coming unstuck against the New York Knicks.
Maybe the Philadelphia 76ers off-season moves to acquire Jaylen Brown and sign the NBA's all-time leading scorer LeBron James is an attractive pick, or perhaps the Cleveland Cavaliers.
As the season tips off, the first British-born coach in the NBA, Tim Lewis will be hoping he can ******* ist Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves to their first NBA ******* le.
Lewis has been something of a journeyman in basketball.

#seasons

The Los Angeles Lakers took a gamble on making Walker Kessler the top NBA offseason addition this past summer. Kessler is a tremendous defender, but he's struggled with offense. Health has also been a huge concern after Kessler played just 5 games last season with the Utah Jazz before entering free agency. However, one rival coach believes the Lakers are now a "problem" for the rest of the league with Kessler.
Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman revealed why he has a stronger fear of the Lakers this season:
"It's just a constant thrust on the rim. It's a problem. Obviously, that's how Luka (Doncic) likes to play. You have to get overaggressive with your low man. Because Luka is a problem, obviously, and so is (Austin) Reaves. That's the problem, and what that does is create a secondary problem. You have to over-rotate to guard these guys.
I think their offense is gonna be really, really good this year. They all fit each other really well. And I thought Kessler in Utah, you saw signs of this already, especially when the guys would actually play, their main guard… On the other end, [Kessler] is a problem defensively. I think they were smart to know what they wanted, and they went and got it."
Adelman expects Doncic and Reaves to effectively run the Lakers offense, despite losing LeBron James and other starters. Kessler was then credited for the main reason the Lakers will be better defensively. One of the top West coaches having a fear of the Lakers presenting problems should provide hope for concerned fans.

#adelman #luka

Hollywood superstar Ben Affleck ended up using MLB legends Roger Clemens and Nolan Ryan as examples of how athletes shouldn't act on camera.
All the best sports athletes have to face the camera at some point. They do it regularly for press conferences and media appearances, but those don't involve acting. For those at the very top, though, advertisements and endorsement deals mean they do have to act a little.
Some, like NBA superstar LeBron James or the NFL's Patrick Mahomes can do it well. Others have struggled with it at times. Often, they work with the biggest Hollywood superstars on such projects. Ben Affleck is among those, and he recently used two MLB stars as examples of what not to do.
Roger Clemens and Nolan Ryan are two of the greatest pitchers ever. Clemens built a 24-year career with 354 wins, 4,672 strikeouts and a record seven Cy Young Awards. Ryan pitched for 27 seasons, winning 324 games and setting MLB records with 5,714 strikeouts and seven no-hitters.
They were undoubtedly great at what they did. However, they weren't so good on camera, and that's exactly what Affleck pointed out.

#affleck #clemens #examples #athletes

Savannah James, entrepreneur and wife of billionaire basketball player LeBron James, is at the center of a viral social media debate about wealth and generosity after revealing that her long-time best friend flies in business class or coach while James sits in first class on trips they take together, dividing the internet over what the super wealthy should pay for among friends.
April McDaniel and Savannah James on May 17, 2025.
James, who owns a skincare brand and whose husband is worth an estimated $1.4 billion, and her best friend April McDaniel spoke to the "Mental Wealth" podcast about how their extreme difference in wealth impacts their friendship.
McDaniel, who owns a marketing agency called Crown + Conquer, said the pair live "two different lifestyles" and that she doesn't expect to fly in first class seats with James because "that's not in my budget."
McDaniel also said she and James plan trips around how she can make it work financially—"we don't just show up at Fashion Week week-of," she said.

#mcdaniel #class #week #friend

LeBron James' wife, Savannah, is under fire after her friend revealed that she doesn't fly first class with her. On an episode of Boardroom's "Mental Wealth" podcast, Savannah and her longtime friend and podcast co-host, April McDaniel, discussed money and how it affects their friendship. The pair's answers went viral online, sparking passionate responses from fans who believe Savannah isn't doing enough.
"My friends are very respectful of my situation. You know, if I'm like, 'We're going somewhere,' they already understand what it is," Savannah said on the Monday, September 28 episode of "Mental Wealth."
She continued, "There's no expectation of, like, taking care of something or, you know, just having me be responsible for them. It has never, ever been that."
As the conversation continued, Savannah's friend, McDaniel, revealed that their lifestyles are different. She said the differences show up when they travel, explaining that she flies business class while Savannah flies first class.
"We talk about this a lot because there's two different lifestyles that exist," said McDaniel. "Like we're not delusional to that. And I think Savannah has accommodated where I'm at."

#class #we 're

Recent trade acquisition Jaylen Brown is preparing for the 2026-27 NBA season, his first with the Philadelphia 76ers. Ahead of training camp, the former Boston Celtics forward was seen working out with famous shooting instructor Chris "Lethal Shooter" Matthews. Before Matthews became a famous coach, he played for Washington State and St. Bonaventure and also spent time in the NBA G-League.
In a video posted to social media, Brown was knocking down consecutive long-range attempts, giving Philadelphia fans something to cheer about prior to the team's season opener in October. Brown, who led the league in two-pointers attempted last season, is a career 35.8% shooter from beyond the arc. Last season, Brown shot slightly below that figure, converting on 34.7% of 3-point attempts.
Following a top-six finish in MVP voting a season ago, increased shooting efficiency from Brown will help him benefit as an off-ball contributor when LeBron James, Tyrese Maxey or Joel Embiid is in possession.
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#league

Kai Cenat has already conquered the Twitch world, becoming the platform's most-subscribed streamer with over 21 million followers. On Saturday, Sept. 12, he made his official foray into fashion as his clothing label, Vivet, held its first-ever runway show at New York Fashion Week, which was attended by Ms. Lauryn Hill, Law Roach, and Jaden Smith.
The 24-year-old influencer livestreamed the show across his social media channels, bringing in close to 800,000 viewers from Twitch alone. He's accumulated his following from livestreams where he'd do everything from acting out comedic skits, playing video games, talking to his fans or interviewing A-list celebrities like LeBron James, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Kevin Hart and Ice Spice.

#twitch #lauryn

The 2026-27 season is quickly approaching for the Philadelphia 76ers as they have their eyes on ending a long ***** le drought after the big additions made in the offseason. The Sixers will field one of the more talented rosters in the league and will look to get to the mountaintop in 2027.
It's now time to look ahead to the new season and time to break down each position for the Sixers in an effort to preview what the season might look like. Sixers Wire will look at the centers now and take a look at what the Sixers bring to the table at the position:
Sure, the Sixers have some shiny new players in Jaylen Brown and LeBron James, but all of this still comes down to the health of Joel Embiid. The big fella is still a dominant player when he can get on the floor as evidenced by his 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.9 ***** ists he averaged in 38 games in the 2025-26 season. Embiid being able to return early from an appendectomy completely changed that Round 1 series with Boston when the Sixers rallied from a 3-1 deficit. He averaged 28.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 7.0 ***** ists in Round 1 against the Celtics as he spurred the rally for Philadelphia.
When Embiid is right, there aren't many players in the league who can slow him down. He has lost a step defensively as a result of the injuries and surgeries he's had to undergo has robbed him of a lot of speed and athleticism, but Embiid is so smart and able to find new ways to be effective on defense. He is still one of the top players in the game and should be treated as such. If he's right and healthy, the Sixers take an even bigger leap forward.
The Sixers will rely on third-year big man Adem Bona as they did in the 2025-26 season. He averaged 4.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks as he was able to establish himself in coach Nick Nurse's rotation. He will have competition, though, as the Sixers did add bouncy Ariel Hukporti early in free agency. Also, in his third season, Hukporti will look to find an opportunity in Philadelphia.

#look #still

LeBron James has spent more than two decades setting records that once looked out of reach. Yet former NBA center Olden Polynice believes one of the game's rare statistical feats should have belonged to James long before Russell Westbrook made it his own.
Polynice is not questioning James' greatness. His argument is almost the opposite. He believes James had so much size and all-around ability that failing to post a full-season triple-double stands out as a strange omission from an otherwise historic career.
Speaking on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Polynice said James should have reached the milestone before Westbrook ever did. He pointed to James' unusual combination of strength, skill and playmaking as the reason.
Jan 31, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) and guard Russell Westbrook (0) react during overtime against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
"I love LeBron. I really do. I think he's one of the greatest ever. Ever," Polynice said. "What he's doing right now we've never seen before. And I won't even get into the off the court. He's by himself over there."

#james #lebron

LeBron James has faced criticism throughout his basketball career. On Friday, former NBA lottery pick Olden Polynice took aim at LBJ for falling short of a certain statistical feat.
Appearing on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Polynice (who was drafted eighth overall by the Chicago Bulls in 1987) gave James his props but proceeded to chastise the 22-time NBA All-Star.
"I love LeBron. I really do. I think he's one of the greatest ever… But, at the same time, I can still be critical of him on some things. One in particular: I thought LeBron should have averaged a triple-double way before Russell Westbrook. That's my personal opinion."
Polynice, who transitioned to coaching after playing 15 seasons in the NBA, went on to make an explosive claim about LBJ's career.
"Believe it or not, this is going to be the weirdest thing ever uttered. I believe LeBron James underachieved."

#believe

Stephen Curry has made up his mind about re-signing with the Warriors, Veteran reporter says originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
One of the biggest questions surrounding the Golden State Warriors is whether Stephen Curry is re-signing with the team or if he'll head into free agency after the 2026-27 season. He's obviously the face of this franchise, along with Draymond Green, so it would be a huge blow to see him go.
But, this is the NBA, and just look at what happened with LeBron James leaving the Lakers after eight seasons. So, anything can happen in this league.
Now, one veteran Warriors beat writer is **** erting that he knows exactly what Curry will do when it's time to sign on the dotted line. He says Curry is staying in Golden State.
Longtime NBA journalist and The Athletic columnist Marcus Thompson II spoke with HoopsHype about his new book, "Game Changers: The GOATs Who Revolutionized Basketball," and during the talk, he discussed Curry's future.

#state

It started with yelling about toilets. Steve Ballmer was so serious about turning the Los Angeles Clippers into a serious franchise for the first time in their existence that he wanted to make sure no fan ever waited in a long line to use the bathroom when the team opened its new arena. Ballmer's drive to win eventually led the Clippers to courting Kawhi Leonard in free agency, fresh off leading the Toronto Raptors to a 2019 NBA championship. Leonard wanted to live in Los Angeles, yes, but he also wanted Paul George as his running mate, so the Clippers shipped out a boatload of draft picks and future two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to get him.
Leonard's people also made it known that their client wanted the type of big endorsement deals his off-putting, robotic personality couldn't land legitimately. Leonard's now infamous Uncle Dennis Robertson never tried to be subtle about his desire to secure similar off-court bags to the ones Kawhi's contemporaries like LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant were landing on their own accord, and leaks of his demands circulated as soon as Leonard hit free agency.
The Clippers became so entangled in pleasing Leonard that it led to blatant salary cap circumvention, first reported by investigative journalist Pablo Torre. The NBA found enough evidence supporting Torre's claims that it hammered the Clippers with the most severe penalty in league history, stripping five future first-round draft picks, suspending executives including Ballmer, and more. That figured to be the end of the story, with the Clippers spending the next decade trying to climb out of the abyss. Torre continued to hint that there was another shoe to drop, and now that it's here, the Clippers might be in much bigger trouble than anyone first believed.
The Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into the Clippers, according to the New York Times, and it's already issued one subpoena. While the scope of the investigation is unclear for now, the fact that the feds are watching the Clippers for under-the-table dealings potentially makes this a much bigger deal than simply breaking NBA rules.
How does breaking NBA rules amount to a federal crime by the Clippers? While there's a lot left to come out, the main idea is that the Clippers committed some level of fraud. Daktronics was a publicly traded company, the only one of the four tied up in the Leonard scandal to fit that description, while Aspiration, Lockton Insurance, and Boingo Wireless were not. Publicly traded companies have a fiduciary duty to their shareholders to disclose big investments, and it sure feels like that never happened when dealing with Leonard.

#ballmer

A lot of teams made big swings this offseason to try to put themselves in position to get closer to a **** le. While it's easy to think about the major part of a transaction, it's key to remember just how much it can impact an entire roster. How many more options do we have now? Are we stronger on both ends of the floor?
Teams may open doors for questions about fit, but they did it for a reason: We think this is going to outweigh those flaws at the end of the day.
With training camp getting closer and closer — can you believe it? — the challenge of a season is upon us. Let's break down some of the biggest swings we saw this summer.
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It's one thing to turn Paul George into Jaylen Brown, but also turning that into LeBron James is the headline. Of course it is; you're not supposed to be able to add all of that to a team led by Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. What makes this a big swing, though, is the combination of trying to open up a championship window at the same time as attempting to formulate championship talent into a team.

#think

Megyn Kelly took shots at Sandra Bullock on Thursday for being afraid for her kids' safety because they're Black.
The "Megyn Kelly Show" host went after the "Practical Magic 2" star for comments made during the film's press tour. The actress said she was "uber paranoid" for the safety of her two children – who are both Black – in America right now. Kelly was quick to take issue with that, saying Bullock is feeding into the real problem.
"She has two children, both adopted, I think, from Louisiana. She wants you to believe, just like LeBron James said that Black men are being hunted in the streets of America… that they're being hunted in the streets of America," Kelly said. "She is a low-information voter, obviously, who has bought the lies about police, the false narrative that has besmirched them, defamed them and gotten Black Americans killed, thousands of them. Thousands killed because of fake narratives about the police that caused the police to pull back, especially in underserved communities."
"Minorities wind up dying. Low-income minorities, in particular, wind up dying because crime is unleashed on them by effectively woke white liberals like Sandra Bullock, who pushes false narratives that make her feel better about herself," she continued. "She's going to score points with Hoda [Kotb], but she doesn't give a s–t what happens to the people in Harlem or Downtown Chicago. And trust me when I tell you, her children are not in danger."
Earlier this week, Kotb got teary eyed with Bullock and her co-star Nicole Kidman when she said the star's choice to adopt her children Louis and Laila pushed the "Today" host to make the same decision.

#kelly

A longtime NBA journeyman recently named Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry as one of the league's top five players. In an interview with HoopsHype, 14-year NBA veteran Danilo Gallinari spoke about his career and the current state of the NBA. When asked to give a top-five list of current players, Curry was the first name he said. "Current Top 5, I always, I guess I always go with the old heads first: Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James. And then I put Anthony Edwards and Nikola Jokic."
Gallinari, a former No. 6 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, played for eight different franchises, with his longest stop coming in Denver. Despite suffering two ACL tears during his career, the Italian forward put together an impressive resume, playing in 777 career games, averaging 14.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.9 ***** ists and 0.7 steals while shooting 42.8% from the floor and 38.1% from beyond the arc. His strongest campaign came with the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2018-19 season, where he averaged 19.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.6 ***** ists and 0.7 steals. Gallinari's final season came during the 2023-24 campaign, where he played for three different teams, the Wizards, Pistons and Bucks.
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#current #first

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers have announced their promotional schedule for the 2026-27 season, featuring player bobbleheads, championship memorabilia and celebrations honoring some of the franchise's most recognizable figures.
The giveaways begin Nov. 1, when fans in attendance will receive a Luka Dončić bobblehead. The promotion will celebrate Dončić winning the 2025-26 NBA scoring ***** le.
Austin Reaves will receive his own bobblehead night Dec. 27, two days after the Lakers host LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers in a Christmas Day matchup at Crypto.com Arena.
The Lakers will also introduce the League of Stars program. The new season-long initiative will recognize former players and coaches who contributed to the franchise's history.
Norm Nixon will be the first honoree Dec. 14, followed by former Lakers coach Paul Westhead on Jan. 14 and Kurt Rambis on March 17. Fans attending each game will receive a throwback bobblehead featuring that night's honoree.

#season

LeBron James is one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, and his move to the Philadelphia 76ers has sparked plenty of questions about where he'll call home during the NBA season.
While reports have linked James to several possible locations, his long-term plans as a Sixer remain one of the more intriguing storylines surrounding his arrival in Philadelphia.
Damon C. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist reporting on trending, breaking and service-related topics across the Mid-Atlantic region for the USA Today Network.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Where does LeBron James live? What to know about his plans as a Sixer

#philadelphia #lebron #sixer #damon

Luka Doncic is back in a position where he is the lone star of his team, and he has been fully focused on fulfilling his responsibilities as the leader.
The Los Angeles Lakers parted ways with LeBron James, who decided to become a free agent, ending his eight-year tenure with the historic franchise.
Left in Hollywood is Doncic, who will now be the team's main star—a role he embraced and carried out during his 6.5 seasons with the Dallas Mavericks. The Slovenian is not wasting any time. He made it clear what type of teammates he wanted around him, and once the roster was ***** embled, he made sure to welcome each and every one of them.
One of the Lakers' biggest challenges this season is the fact that more than half of the roster is new. Doncic is addressing that by bringing his old and new teammates together for bonding activities and mini-camps.
The NBA training camp will not officially open until September 29, but the six-time All-Star has taken the initiative to get an early start with his team. He flew nearly all of his teammates to Slovenia and, according to reports, paid for their plane tickets.

#star #time #made #roster

LeBron James had several options as a free agent before landing a two-year contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. Before James' 24th NBA season, there were rumors about which team he would join after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers.
Teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and the Golden State Warriors were linked as potential landing spots. The Minnesota Timberwolves were also in the mix in his free agency decision. James could have joined Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball and Rudy Gobert, forming a dynamic superteam in the Western Conference.
According to The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski, James was close to signing a deal with the Timberwolves. Krawczynski revealed on CLNS Media's Celtics Daily with Bobby Manning that one major move changed everything.
Apr 18, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts against the Houston Rockets during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
"There's a very good chance that if they don't make that trade, LeBron James is in Minnesota this year, and not Philadelphia," Krawczynski said.

#krawczynski #Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves was in Slovenia in August for a minicamp hosted by teammate Luka Doncic, and he has now made another trip abroad in September. Reaves' longtime girlfriend, Jenna Barber, posted pictures on Instagram on Sunday of the couple vacationing in Mexico with their friends.
Barber and Reaves can be seen relaxing on a yacht in a couple of the pictures, and they also spent time at a Señor Frog's restaurant with the group.
This could be Reaves' last vacation this summer, as the Lakers commence their training camp on Sept. 29. It will be time to get back to work pretty soon. That Slovenia minicamp was a bit more of a bonding trip, and it was needed with all the new faces on the Lakers' roster. They'll have close to 10 new players in the rotation.
Bronny James isn't one of the new faces, but he enjoyed the experience and made it clear the trip helped the team. Speaking of Bronny, his father LeBron James left the Lakers this summer for the Philadelphia 76ers.
LeBron's departure puts more pressure on Reaves, who is now the unquestioned second option behind Doncic. Now, the 28-year-old is coming off the best season of his career, having averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 **** ists, 1.1 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game in 2025-26.

#Lakers #barber #bronny #made

Delonte West is recognized as one of the NBA's most tragic stories, having fallen on hard times after his career was cut short in 2012. However, during his playing days, the guard was prolific enough to garner attention from one of the league's best.
West famously represented teams such as the Dallas Mavericks, the Seattle SuperSonics, and the Boston Celtics during his seven-year NBA career. Still, his stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers as LeBron James' teammate is discussed more often.
Delonte West's tenure in Cleveland began after being traded to the Cavaliers by the Seattle SuperSonics during the 2007-08 season. While speaking about joining the Cavs on a Kick livestream, West revealed that LeBron James recruited him during a game between Cleveland and Seattle. He shared:
"I was in Seattle, you know, half the year; at the end of the year, they went to Oklahoma. We were playing Cleveland out in Seattle like, you know, the first month of the season, and I was cooking. Then, I remember we were sitting at the foul line, and James, he was like, 'Man, you know I've been, you know, I followed you in college.' You know what I'm saying? He's like, 'You remember that time I came to Philly at the Palestra to watch you play?' And I was like, 'Yeah, I remember.'"
"He was like, 'Man, you want to come play with Cleveland?' I thought he was just doing a veteran trick," West continued. "I thought he was just trying to get me out of my game by, you know, getting familiarity, but he was serious."

#cleveland

The general expectation around the NBA is that the Los Angeles Lakers will take at least half a step backward this season without LeBron James. Last season, they went 53-29 and finished fourth in the Western Conference, but now, they may not have a true third scorer, and the belief is that they still lack enough plus defenders on the perimeter.
But the Lakers still do have a competitive roster, and in fact, their roster does look more balanced and versatile this time around. Derek Fisher, a guard who won five NBA ****** les with the Lakers back in the day, feels there won't be much of a drop-off this season with James now on the Philadelphia 76ers, via Lakers Nation.
"You think about the few organizations where LeBron has been, you tell me where their record has gotten dramatically better after he left," Fisher said during his show on 97.1 The Fan LA. "So it's not going to fall off that much because Luka [Doncic] is there. I think Luka and Austin Reaves are basically an All-Star backcourt that you can roll out every night, and then Walker Kessler is a young developing almost All-Star-ish type of big in terms of his elite defense and rebounding. So I think you have a chance…45 to 50 wins, a lot of things are going to have to go right, but it feels fair to me."
When James left the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010, they went 19-63 the following season and didn't make the playoffs until he returned for the 2014-15 campaign. The results were similar for the four seasons following James' second departure from the Cavaliers in 2018.
Kessler was L.A.'s big offseason addition, and by himself, he could improve its defense. It also brought in Quentin Grimes and Collin ****** ton to boost its offense and its backcourt, Sandro Mamukelashvili could be a nice utility big man, and Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams could be reliable 3-and-D role players. In addition, rookie guard Cameron Carr could break into the rotation before too long.

#james #fisher #luka #cavaliers

Luka Doncic's leadership for the Los Angeles Lakers gets a spotlight from Collin **** ton originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Now that LeBron James has left the Los Angeles Lakers, the team is now clearly centered on Luka Doncic. He is the superstar now, and he seems to be embracing the leadership role, with the four-time Finals MVP moving east to join the Philadelphia 76ers.
So far, so good for Doncic because he has been taking his new role seriously. In fact, he even brought a lot of his Lakers teammates to Slovenia in the summer. It was a big deal for Luka and his teammates because it shows he is willing to lead them in the 2026-27 season.
It was clear in the 2026 Playoffs that the Lakers would have gone further if they had a healthy Doncic. They managed to make it into the second round, but they fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a dominant sweep. James and Reaves tried their best, but they lacked the firepower.
While James has left the Lakers, Doncic is back and healthy. He was the #1 guy for the Lakers since they traded for him in February 2025. Now that LeBron is not on the Lakers, it is time for Luka to step up and be the star while also **** uming the leadership role.

#james #leadership #role #sporting

September has arrived. The offseason is almost over. Right now, these are the final weeks of serenity until the 2026-27 regular season arrives. Once the marathon starts, the next nine months will be packed with games on an almost every-night basis.
Now that the summer is about over, we can safely say the Philadelphia 76ers had the brightest fireworks that rival the 4th of July night. They completely transformed their team with the additions of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown. Alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese and VJ Edgecombe, it's easily the most star-studded starting five in the league.
The Sixers were part of arguably the two biggest moves of the offseason. First, they shocked the NBA world with a blockbuster deal. They landed Brown from the Boston Celtics for Paul George and four future draft picks. Fresh off a career year that saw him gain MVP buzz, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP joins an arch-rival.
Later on, Philadelphia eventually — to everybody's surprise — became the winner of the final James sweepstakes. The 41-year-old showed last season that he still has mileage left on his tires. He left the Los Angeles Lakers and left the Cleveland Cavaliers at the altar of a potential third reunion. Looks like he wants to compete for a ring in the final years of his all-time career.
Remains to be seen if that translates to wins, but the NBA schedule-makers have gone all out to parade the Sixers on the national stage. They're tied with the Lakers, New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs for most national TV games at a maximum of 34 appearances. One of those is at OKC.

#final #Lakers #almost

LeBron James teased a coming partnership with Polymarket on Saturday, becoming the latest name on a growing list of celebrities getting into business with the controversial prediction market industry.
"Welcome to Polymarket HQ. Coming soon," wrote James, captioning a 14-second video social media video that depicts him in an office elevator with floors labeled with names like "politics," "crypto," "culture" and "weather." The video ends with James smiling as he exits on the "sports" floor.
No other information about James' partnership with Polymarket has been disclosed, though the Athletic reports that it received a release from the platform saying more announcements will come Tuesday.
The partnership makes James the latest celebrity to tie themselves to the prediction market industry. The four-time NBA champion and founder of the SpringHill Company production banner, who is entering a record 24th season in the league, would be the first NBA athlete to sign a partnership with Polymarket. However, former champion and newly minted Miami Heat star Giannis Antetokounmpo announced a direct investment in rival platform Kalshi back in February. Additionally, tennis star Maria Sharapova and soccer legend Lionel Messi have both signed deals with Polymarket and Kalshi, respectively.
Prediction markets have looked to expand their profile outside of sports as well. In June, Timothée Chalamet was featured in a one-minute ad for Kalshi. Back in January, the Golden Globes broadcast featured an on-air partnership with Polymarket, displaying win probabilities for nominees that users could buy and sell predictions for and against on the platform.

#polymarket

Nuggets predicted to trade for $198M Lakers' generational 6x All-Star to pair with Nikola Jokic originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers are entering the Luka Doncic era, as LeBron James will no longer be playing for the organization for the first time in a decade. Doncic has done everything possible to improve his conditioning and arrive at the upcoming season in the best shape possible.
It was noticeable last season that Doncic had already made improvements, but he still had some work to do to become fully conditioned. This year, Dirk Nowitzki has raved about Doncic's physique.
"The comments came as Doncic and his Lakers teammates traveled to his native Slovenia for a bonding trip and training camp in Ljubljana, giving fans an early look at the guard's conditioning ahead of a pivotal year. Doncic has drawn buzz as a potential MVP candidate, and Nowitzki clearly believes his protege is positioned for a big season," ClutchPoints' Miguel La Torre wrote.
The only concerning aspect of Doncic's situation for the Lakers is that he is not locked up for the long term. There is always a possibility that he could eventually want out if things do not go according to plan in Los Angeles.

#angeles #conditioning #year

The Los Angeles Lakers experienced a major roster overhaul this summer, replacing LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and Marcus Smart (among others) with Walker Kessler, Collin **** ton, Quentin Grimes, Kevon Looney, and Sandro Mamukelashvili.
Among the losses, however, backup forward Jarred Vanderbilt was not included, setting the stage for his fourth straight full season with the Purple and Gold. As much as the Lakers have tried to trade Vanderbilt, no teams have answered the call, forcing head coach JJ Redick to begrudgingly accept Vando's return for at least some of the 2026-27 campaign.
"The Lakers have been trying to find a taker for Vanderbilt, but no one has been eager to take on his contract," wrote Heavy's Sean Deveney. "It's possible the Lakers will use him in their rotation, much to JJ Redick's chagrin, and attempt to trade him during the season."
Vanderbilt, 27, was on three different teams before being sent to the Lakers in 2023. Known primarily as a wing defender, he seems like the ideal fit on paper for a Lakers team that has struggled to contain perimeter shooters. With a modest career stat line of 5.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.4 **** ists, 1.0 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game on 54.6% shooting from the field, Vanderbilt has never played a huge role on his teams, but he provides a spark off the bench as a 6'8″ athlete with natural defensive instincts.
Unfortunately, Vanderbilt's flaws as a shooter and scorer have kept him on the fringe of JJ Redick's rotation. With an average of 1.5 three-point attempts on 29.3% shooting per game, he failed to fulfill his role as a three-and-d wing, which made him virtually unplayable in the postseason. Without the confidence or ability to stretch the floor, Vanderbilt becomes more of a liability than anything else. If not for injuries, he might have played significantly less throughout the season, revealing just how much the Lakers value his impact.

#Lakers #wing

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are reportedly set to settle down in Ohio. The couple has purchased a $5.3 million lakefront mansion in Bratenahl, a Cleveland suburb. They reportedly bought their property four months before their big-fat wedding at Madison Square Garden. Swift and Kelce's new home has neighbors nearby, but as per a source, this won't affect their privacy.
According to Page Six's area source, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's privacy won't be invaded at their new house despite neighbors and fans nearby. "They will have privacy," the source said. They added, "[Cleveland Cavaliers mega star] LeBron James lived here in his prime and ******* ody bothered. It's the Cleveland charm." Nevertheless, locals are excited to have the "Bad Blood" hitmaker in the neighborhood.
"Everybody would love their grandkids to spot her at Shoreby Club," the source noted in reference to a nearby yacht club. However, the question is how much time Swift and Kelce will spend at their new place. "People are excited, but they want to know if they will really spend time there," the source stated. The source also wondered if there will be star-studded parties hosted by the Grammy-Award winning singer like her 4th of July bash.
Additionally, many are curious to know what the pair are planning for the property. The source called the mansion a "modest old home" for the upscale area. Moreover, they wondered whether the pop icon and footballer would go for a major renovation to make the house their own, despite the listing calling it "extensive renovation." The lakefront home reportedly has 8 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, and more than 21,000 square feet of living ******* e.
It underwent a yearlong renovation with almost every aspect of it replaced or restored. The transformation includes original door hardware, detailed walnut and oak carvings, cut glass leaded windows, and numerous fireplaces. Moreover, the third floor and lower level boast a game room and home theater in the original ballroom. The lower level also features a poker area, billiards room, temperature-controlled wine cellar and tasting room, bar, fitness center, and sauna. A stone terrace takes one to a bluestone patio and heated pool, facing the lake.

#home #privacy