While no rumors have come out stating wise, Zach Lowe of ESPN reported that The King plans on completing his career with the Lakers. Lowe said that James’ recent comments calling for the front office to make a roster change should be seen as the four-time champion being transparent about his waning patience with losing as much as the Lakers over the past few seasons.

The Lakers have a strong chance of getting back to .500 as they host their next five games against the Mavericks, 76ers, Kings, and Grizzlies. There’s a reason for hope due to the Lakers’ 10-8 record at home.

If anyone can help lift those Lakers team into the play-in tournament, it’s James. The future Hall-of-Famer is showing no signs of slowing down at 38-years-old, averaging 29.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game on 51.0 percent shooting from the field. He’s dropped back-to-back 40-point games against the Hawks (47) and Hornets (43).

The Lakers will host the Mavericks on Thursday.

The post REPORT: LeBron James Plans on Finishing Career with the Los Angeles Lakers appeared first on SLAM.

AD has missed 12 straight games as of Saturday due to a bone spur fractured off the navicular bone in his right foot and a stress fracture. The Lakers are on a season-best five-game winning streak, improving to 7-5 without Davis in the lineup.

New story: Lakers star big man Anthony Davis will begin the ramp-up process this week to work towards a return, league sources told ESPN. There’s optimism he could be back in the lineup within a couple of weeks https://t.co/8GOqqIttzy

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 9, 2023

Davis suffered his foot injury on Dec. 16 when they last played the Denver Nuggets. Since then, the Brow has been limited to spot shooting this far while rehabilitating his foot, per McMenamin.

AD’s ramp-up process will include aquatic pool workouts and running on an altered-gravity treadmill to keep Davis’ total weight off his foot while it continues to heal, according to McMenamin. The Lakers are reportedly optimistic Davis could take only a couple of weeks before he can be penciled in for a potential return to game action.

Davis was averaging 27.4 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game on 59.4 percent shooting from the field.

The post REPORT: Anthony Davis to Begin Ramp-Up Process in Preparation of Return appeared first on SLAM.

The home win came despite LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Lonnie Walker being absent from the lineup. Instead, the Lakers relied on Dennis Schroder, Russell Westbrook, Thomas Bryant, and Austin Reaves to deliver the four-point win.

Reaves was particularly important for the win after contributing 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists, including a inbounding dime to Westbrook for a clutch and-one layup to give the Lakers a 110-106 lead with 14.2 seconds remaining. Reaves’ dish earned some significant praise from head coach Darvin Ham during postgame interviews.

In fact, the clutch play led Ham to call the second-year guard an “all-time inbounder,” per Michael Corvo of Clutch Points. When Reaves heard what his first-year head coach said, he said “it means a lot for him to have trust in me in that position to make the right play.”

“It’s great, I mean, if we [score] off of that every game it’s a win, so it means a lot for him to have the trust in me to put me in that position to make the right play,” Reaves said per Spectrum SportsNet.

“I [saw] Russ was open, semi-open, so I threw it to him,” Reaves joked about his decision-making process in threading what was essentially the pass that led to the game-winning score.

The Lakers will look to extend their winning streak when they play the Hawks (18-20) on the road.

The post Darvin Ham Calls Austin Reaves An ‘All-Time Inbounder’ appeared first on SLAM.

And rookie head coach Darvin Ham has indicated that he will continue to lean on the four-time MVP until Davis returns and the Lakers are healthy.

“I just want to ride him,” Ham said, per ESPN. “And he allows you to do that because he takes such great care of himself. So, it’s a great luxury to have.”

While AD has missed the last nine Lakers contests, James has taken over and has averaged 35.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game. The King has put up back-to-back 40-point outings in the previous two games and led the Lakers to a 6-5 record over the last 11 games, eight without AD. The future Hall-of-Famer has maintained dominance because of his famously rigid body maintenance.

“At 18 and 20, you’re just doing it off straight-up energy and straight skill,” he said when comparing his younger self to now, per Yahoo Sports. “But at 38, for me, it’s mental. How much rest I can get from day to day, get my optimal sleep, get the right food in me, treat my body right.”

While The King’s dominance has been amazing to watch, Ham has to be careful that he doesn’t rely too heavily on James. The future Hall-of-Famer has more basketball behind him than ahead of him, and he’s dealt with more leg injuries than ever.

The Lakers have a soft schedule between Jan. 3 and Jan. 15, with four of them being played at home. Right now, the Lakers are just four games back of the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference and are set to host the Heat and Hawks on Wednesday and Friday, respectively.

The post Darvin Ham: ‘it’s a Great Luxury to Have’ LeBron James appeared first on SLAM.

After the Lakers’ 112-98 loss to his former team, the Miami Heat, the four-time MVP was asked to share how much longer he thinks he will play in the NBA. James led the Lakers in points (27), rebounds (nine), and assists (six) against the team that he played his best basketball for. The Lakeshow is reeling after making so much ground to get back to being a play-in tournament team.

“I don’t have a number,” James said, per ESPN. “I know as long as my mind stays in it, I can play at this level for a minute. Now, that’s up to my mind. My body is going to be OK because if my mind is into it, I will make sure my body is taken care of, and I’ll continue to put in the work.”

The absence of Anthony Davis (out for 7-10 days due to a foot injury) has contributed to the Lakers losing for the ninth time in their last 13 games. James and the Lakers (14-21) are in 13th place in the Western Conference, and it’s already been reported that the Lakers’ front office will likely stay put at the trade deadline due to concerns that making “win-now moves” could compound their past mistakes.

The Lakers’ fortunes will ultimately decide how much longer he stays in the purple-and-gold. He has two years and $97 million left on his current contract. Not to mention that he has a player option for that final year. The one thing that can alleviate Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss’ concerns that the King will leave them high and dry is getting back to playing winning basketball.

After all, winning is the true fountain of youth, and James ultimately identifies with the sentiment.

“I’m a winner, and I want to win,” James said. “And I want to win and give myself a chance to win and still compete for championships. That has always been my passion. That has always been my goal since I entered the League as an 18-year-old kid out of Akron, Ohio.

“And I know it takes steps to get there, but once you get there and know how to get there, playing basketball at this level just to be playing basketball is not in my DNA. It’s not in my DNA anymore. So we’ll see what happens and see how fresh my mind stays over the next couple years.”

James’ Lakers tenure has been highlighted by winning his fourth title in 2020 and becoming the first player in League history to win a Finals MVP with three teams. However, as a member of the purple-and-gold, the Lakers have also missed the playoff twice and lost in the first-round of the playoffs for the first time in 2021 after dragging the Lakers into the play-in tournament.

They’ve also been criticized for trading away the farm to acquire Davis and not trading Russell Westbrook last summer.

Front office exec Rob Pelinka declared at Laker’s media day that it would be his duty to field a competitive team around James. The four-time champ has been able to beat Father Time while averaging 27.8 points per game, good for ninth in the League. While his longevity and commitment to keeping his body at peak fitness are legendary, it’s only a matter of time before James’ game starts to decline.

So the matter of building a team that can defend and shoot the ball competently is of the utmost importance. The other vital step in keeping James will be convincing Lakers leadership that it’s better to build a championship culture, and team will create better results instead of trying to buy one and selling the farm for All-Star talent.

“Let me be abundantly clear: We have one of the great players in LeBron James to ever play the game, and he committed to us on a long-term contract, a three-year contract. So, of course, we will do everything we can, picks included, to make deals to give us a chance to help LeBron get to the end,” Pelinka said. “He committed to our organization. That’s got to be a bilateral commitment, and it’s there.”

The Lakers can get back on track with a road win against the Atlanta Hawks (17-18) on Friday.

The post LeBron James on His Mental Approach Going Into His 38th Birthday appeared first on SLAM.

The Lakeshow gave up 51 points in the third quarter, the most any team gave up in the NBA this season. L.A. went into the fourth quarter down 19, and Dallas had the flow of the game well within their grasp. The road trip losing streak and progress to making the playoffs have halted after Anthony Davis suffered a foot injury that’ll keep him out for at least another week.

The Lakers are now 13th in the West and looking for answers. Coming into the season with a new head coach in Darvin Ham, the plan was to play through AD more often and Ham decided that utilizing Russell Westbrook off the bench as a sixth man would be the best course of action after a tough first year in the purple-and-gold.

With the trade deadline quickly approaching, the Lakers are reportedly leaning towards standing pat and saving their draft capital for other deals, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic. Furthermore, Buha reports that the Lakers front office, led by Rob Pelinka, is weary of compounding their “previous mistakes with more win-now moves.”

Reinforcements via trade would obviously help, and the Lakers are still evaluating their options on a dormant trade market. At the same time, it becomes increasingly challenging to justify trading a first-round pick if the group continues to struggle. The front office doesn’t want to compound its previous mistakes with more win-now moves.

With that being said, the Lakers and Pelinka have plenty of time to contemplate the best course of action with the deadline set for Fed. 9. At 13-20, the Lakers are most likely headed towards a fight for the play-in tournament for the second time since LeBron James joined the Lakers during the 2018-2019 season. Since he joined, the Lakers have made the playoffs twice, winning their 19th championship in 2020.

Although James and Davis have played at a high level, the Lakers are still a top-heavy team. Their offense is ranked 20th in the League (111.6 offensive rating) and 20th in defense (113.6 defensive rating). Whatever moves they make must remedy their middling play on both ends. They will likely have to trim around the edges to make that happen; Westbrook, Davis, and James are all owed money that’s hard to move off their books.

The Lakers have a chance to stop the bleeding when they play the Magic on Tuesday.

The post REPORT: Lakers Front Office Weary of Making ‘Mistakes with More Win-Now Moves’ appeared first on SLAM.

ESPN Sources: The pain has subsided in past several days in Anthony Davis’ foot and he’s expected to rest it for another 7-to-10 days and have it re-evaluated and see if he can return to play. For now, there’s hope that a procedure can be avoided. https://t.co/4B2RXiAZTV

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 23, 2022

The Lakers initially announced that he could be out indefinitely with a stress injury in his foot, but Woj’s report suggests otherwise. At the time of his injury, AD was putting the Lakers on himself and playing like a man possessed after posting

The Brow was averaging 27.4 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game on 59.3 percent shooting from the field when he went down with the foot injury he suffered at the beginning of the month.

The post REPORT: Anthony Davis Set to Undergo Reevaluation in 10 Days appeared first on SLAM.

Let’s get it!

Anthony Davis (right foot) is Out At Least One Month After Suffering A Foot Injury On Friday:

According to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic, Antony Davis will reportedly miss at least one month after suffering an undisclosed right foot injury.

AD has been dominant this season while helping the Lakers surge to a 6-4 stretch over their last 10 contests. The Brow is averaging 27.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game on 59.3 percent shooting from the field and has dropped 19 30+ games with one 44-point game against the Bucks and a dominant 55-point effort against the Wizards.

Before he got hurt, AD had a three-game streak of scoring at least 30 points that were broken when he suffered his foot injury against the Nuggets.

Lakers are bracing for an indefinite absence for the Lakers star, sources say, after he sustained the right foot injury in Friday’s win over Denver. Davis has played arguably the most dominant ball of his career this season. https://t.co/WCTr2y7eNp

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 18, 2022

Devin Booker Puts Up a Historic 58-Point Effort to Beat New Orleans:

Devin Booker lifted the Suns over the Pelicans 118-114 after dropping a season-best 58 points. It was the second time this season that Book scored 50 points after he posted 51 against Chicago on Nov. 30.

He’s now the sixth-youngest player to score 12k points in his career, trailing only LeBron, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, and Tracy McGrady.

“Once I get it going a little bit, shooting over a hand is the right play,” Booker said per ESPN.

.@DevinBook‘s second 50-point game of the season. pic.twitter.com/CMwBniJ5Mv

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 18, 2022

Nikola Jokic Posts His 81st Career Triple-Double After Dropping 40-27-10 Against the Hornets:

Nikola Jokic (40 points, 27 rebounds, and 10 dimes) f***ed around and got his fifth triple-double of the season to lead Denver to a 119-115 win over Charlotte on Sunday night.

The two-time MVP sealed the W with two game-winning free throws with 13 seconds left on the clock. Nuggets head coach Mike Malone said he didn’t know Jokic was putting up massive numbers but knew that Jokic was having “another Nikola Jokic stellar performance, efficient,” and praised Jokic for his “ability to make every one of his teammates better,” and called Joker a “generational talent.”

“To be honest, I think it’s because of our defense, and I was just in the right spot to rebound the ball,” Jokic said per ESPN. “It’s not that I was grabbing for them or whatever, chasing for them. It just happened, you know? I wish it could be every night, to be honest.”

Triple double # 8️⃣1️⃣

40-27-10

m.v.p pic.twitter.com/ljQpTIVCHl

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 19, 2022

Jordan Poole has a Career-High Night For the Ages:

Jordan Poole hung a career-high 43 points on 14-23 shooting from the field and 5-11 from beyond the arc. He also handed out six assists and scored career-best 25 points in the first half to lead the Warriors past the Raptors. The 126-110 win was the Dubs’ first win in five attempts without Stephen Curry in the lineup. ˝Golden State also snapped their three-game losing streak and are now 3-14 on the road.

“He was incredible on both sides of the ball,” Draymond Green (17 points and nine rebounds) said per Yahoo Sports. “And when you connect the game like that, things will go your way. We all know what a special talent he is. He’s been going through some growing pains. To see him come out tonight and have the game that he had – especially with Steph being down and us needing to get a win – was really huge.

“His effort on the defensive end carried over to the offensive end.”

What a night for 3️⃣.@googlecloud || Player of the Game pic.twitter.com/lKxkgmnlJz

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 19, 2022

WNBA Won’t Expand in 2024:

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert told The Athletic that the League’s plan for franchise expansion will be delayed until at least 2025. The commission is in touch with 10 investor groups discussing potential arenas, practice facilities, season ticket markets, and potential corporate partners.

Engelbert said that a new team would need around 18-24 months to hire coaches and executives and bring on players through an expansion draft, among the many preparations it takes to build a professional basketball franchise. Although expansion is delayed, Englerbet said it’s still a part of the W’s long-term plans and reiterated that the WNBA is on a growth trajectory.

Toronto, Nashville, and the Bay Area (Oakland and San Francisco) are on the short list of expansion cities.

“I’m a big, big believer in: let’s transform the economics, and then we’ll expand, not expand and then hope that economics transform,” she said per Front Office Sports. “We want to bring new owners in that are going to be successful in standing up a franchise that can compete for a championship.”

The post NBA Weekend Recap: AD is Out, Devin Booker and Jordan Poole Put Up Season and Career Best Performances appeared first on SLAM.

So what could the answer be for this Lakers squad? Many fingers are surrounding the NBA point to Detroit Pistons forward Bojan Bogdanovic, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Bogdanovic has been a huge part of this young Pistons team, as the eight-year veteran just signed a two-year extension with them. Acquiring Bogdanovic maybe a goal for the Lakers, but that doesn’t mean Detroit is willing to give him up.

According to Shams, the Pistons have “expressed — significant reluctance about moving Bogdanovic” to any of the dozen teams that have inquired about trading for the 33-year-old forward. It is also important to note that Bogdanovic is in the midst of having the best season of his career statistically. He’s averaging career highs in points per game (21.0), field goal percentage at (50.8), and 43.7 percent from 3-point range.

In addition to that, The Lakers were previously connected to potentially acquiring Bogdanovic before the 2022-2023 season started via trade with the Utah Jazz, but nothing went through.

Coming off a 38-point outing in a loss to the Lakers, where he shot 12 of 22 from the field (54.5 percent) and also buried six threes, you could really see why the Lakers have been pursuing him so favorably. However, Detroit does not seem to have any real urgency to move Bogdanovic and has actually expressed this to rival teams.

This will be an exciting development to see what takes place within the coming days as the NBA trade deadline is quickly approaching.

The post REPORT: Lakers Are Keen On Pursuing Bojan Bogdanovic At the Trade Deadline appeared first on SLAM.

When he thinks about who he sought out for advice on how to reach their level of superstardom and legendary status, KD pointed out the game Kobe put him on to as an up-and-coming centerpiece on the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“Really, just don’t be a crybaby,” Durant said Wednesday, per ESPN. “I was at that age at 23 where I thought the world revolved around me. And I know we’ve talked a lot about Kobe; he was real humble in how he approached the game, how he approached his teammates, just life in general. So I learned just from watching his movements.

“He was an example; he didn’t say much, but he was an example just by how he moved, and I try to emulate; like I said, him and Mike are two dudes I emulate on and off the court what they do, and I know it will make me better.”

The subject and memories of the Black Mamba came up because Hornets head coach Steve Clifford compared th two former Finals MVPs to each other. He specifically called out how the two legendary hoopers are “very similar in terms of the way work,” how they’re “both students of the game,” and he’s noticed that Durant and Bryant are both passionate and “care deeply about the results more than they like individual numbers.”

When Durant heard about Cliffords’ analysis, he was appreciative.

“It’s hard to fill them shoes and be a Kobe Bryant,” Durant said. “But Kob is somebody I’ve been around and still study to this day. And basically, I just try to copy everything he does, same with Michael Jordan. Those two guys just set the tone for everything you want to be as a basketball player. So I just simply try to copy them as much as I can.”

Another Kobe disciple and a close friend and teammate of Durant also notice the similarities. Irving noticed the sacrifices Durant and Bryant made in the pursuit of greatness. Irving also reflected that for Bryant and Durant and players chasing greatness, there are similarities like “the hours that are put in,” as well as “the way that they prepare” and, of course, “how serious they take what they do.”

“And they’re very competitive, Kobe and KD. Obviously, with Kob transitioning in the last few years, he would definitely be giving us some gems to continue on, and you can tell that K got a lot of advice from him and watched him a lot.”

The post Kevin Durant Shares the Advice Kobe Bryant Gave Him appeared first on SLAM.

The Lakers took on the Washington Wizards on the road, and Davis was in his bag as he went off for 55 points on 22-30 shooting from the field (73.3 percent), 17 rebounds, and three blocks. With yesterday’s performance, Davis now joins Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal as the only two Lakers in team history to record 40+ points and 10+ rebounds in back-to-back games.

He’s also the first Laker to score 40 points in back-to-back games since Kobe Bryant did it in 2013. Davis’ season-high effort had the road crowd chanting MVP, and his teammates backed it up with their post-game comments;

“Jayson Tatum is playing his a** off, but when you’re talking about people in the MVP race or category, that probably will change after tonight,” Lakers guard Patrick Beverley told ESPN. “Davis should be up there for sure.”

LeBron James also chimed in with his thoughts on Davis and the MVP race, stating;

“He’s been unbelievable, man, on both sides of the floor, I mean, playing like the MVP of this league. Just straight dominance.”

When Davis was asked if his goals this season included winning his first MVP award, he said his main goal is to win a championship and that “the rest will take care of itself.”

“To win a championship, that’s it. If your mindset is on winning a championship, the rest will take care of itself. That’s always been my thought. I put the team first over any individual awards or accolades that come with it. So if we continue to do what we do and win basketball games, the rest will take care of itself.”

It’s great to see AD showcasing his true potential and talent out there on the court again after battling a series of nagging injuries. Laker nation, hold on to your seats because it looks like the LakeShow is coming back!

The post Anthony Davis Is Focused On Titles: ‘the Rest Will Take Care of Itself’ appeared first on SLAM.

The Lakeshow struggled on both ends of the floor. They allowed the Pacers to score 32 points in the final frame and scored 22, shooting 8-22 from the field. While Anthony Davis scored 25 points on the night, he was only able to take two shots in the final quarter. Head coach Darvin Ham held himself accountable for the Lakers’ fourth-quarter woes.

“That falls on me,” Ham said per MSN. “That falls on me. I’ll take responsibility for that”.

Davis, who rounded out his 25 points with 13 rebounds and six assists, believed Ham was not the sole bearer of blame. 

“It’s not just on him. It’s on us, too,” Davis said per MSN. “I mean, we got enough years in the League for the guys that were on the floor late game to execute. Obviously, he’s a coach, you take the blame. But it’s on us players to go out there and execute.

“We know what we’re doing. We’re talented enough and smart enough on the floor to win a basketball game like that — So it’s not on him.”

LeBron James recorded 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists in his third game back from a groin injury.  He agreed with Davis that there is more to the loss than Ham’s shortcomings.

“Everything has to go wrong in order for you to lose a game like that, and everything went wrong,” he said per ESPN. 

The Lakers look to bounce back during their six-game road trip featuring match-ups against the Bucks, Cavaliers, and 76ers.

The post ‘That Falls On Me’: Darvin Ham Takes Responsibility for Lakers’ Late Game Collapse appeared first on SLAM.

After Lakers guard Austin Reaves tried to lay the ball up strong against Suns star shooting guard Devin Booker, Reaves was met with a block from Booker, and it seemed like a bit of trash talk added to it. As the whistle was blown and the next possession was about to commence, Reaves was just about to roll over and get up off the hardwood when Suns center Deandre Ayton stood over him and seemed to have some words for Reaves as well.

Then like lightning out of a bottle, Patrick Beverley sprinted over to Reaves and shoved Ayton from behind to the ground. That is when everybody on the court comes together; there are more words, some pushing, and shoving, but that’s just basketball. After things calmed down, the refs gave Booker a flagrant 1 foul and ejected Beverley from the game.

The Suns went on to win 115-105; then, in a postgame interview with NBA on TNT, Booker had a message to send to Beverley. Booker was asked what he thought about how everything unfolded during that heated moment in the game,

“It was more than it was supposed to be. Pat need to stop pushing people in the back, man; push ’em in the chest. That’s all I gotta say.”

Patrick Bev also spoke to the media following the game and had a lot to say following his ejection via ESPN.

“Got a person on the ground, two people looking over mean-mugging and puffing their chest out, and referees don’t get into it to kind of separate it, control the game, so I’m going to stand up for my teammate. I’m not going for that s—. Obviously, it’s unfortunate that it happened on national tv, but you know me. Regardless of what’s going on, I’m a big fan of protecting my teammates. I’m a foxhole guy. I put on my jersey, and I commit to the team, I commit to the city, and it’s kind of my motto. I’m a foxhole guy. Very unfortunate situation, though.”

Reaves also commented on the situation postgame, saying that he told Beverly that he appreciated him five times afterward.

“He’s a team player,” said Reaves. “He rocks with who he rocks with. Whoever is on his team, you respect him. You love him. You’re glad he’s on your team. When he’s not, he’s a pest, does all that stuff, all those little things. But I just respect him for who he is and standing up for me.”

Suns coach Monty Williams also shared his thoughts postgame saying;

“It’s just happening too many times. I just think the league needs to look at those kind of plays. They’re just unnecessary. There was obviously some tension, but with us, it’s happening too many times. You know, when you push a guy when he’s not looking like that, that’s not called for. There’s going to be physicality; there’s going to be tension in games; that’s just the nature of basketball.”

The final person to give their take on the situation was Ayton, who simply said;

“He ain’t hurt me, he didn’t take nothing out my pocket, and I ain’t react.”

The post Lakers and Suns Comment on Heated Exchange Between Deandre Ayton and Patrick Beverley appeared first on SLAM.

The team sits at 5-10, struggling to meet the outsized expectations the Lakers typically face. With LeBron James currently sidelined and being evaluated daily with a groin injury, the Lakers desperately need someone to step up. Well, Lakers center Anthony Davis has answered the call.

Davis has been critical in the Laker’s current three-game winning streak. Earlier on in November, it was reported that the team was working on getting Davis more touches and being a more featured option. Now it looks like the coaching staff’s new schemes are really paying off.

In the last three Lakers games, Davis has scored 30 plus points while shooting above 60 percent from the field and ten plus rebounds in each of their wins. Davis went off for 37 points (15-25) and 18 rebounds versus the Brooklyn Nets, 38 points (10-16) and 16 rebounds versus the Detroit Pistons, and then last night had 30 points (12-19) and 18 boards versus the San Antonio Spurs.

Davis’ recent stretch has added him amongst Laker greats Shaquille O’Neal and Elgin Baylor as the only three Lakers in franchise history to record 30+ points and 15+ rebounds in 3+ games.

In a postgame interview with ESPN, Davis spoke on the effect James’ absence has had on his game and that James even told him that he’s “playing like his old self.”

“Obviously, when he’s out, or I’m out,” Davis said. “We take it upon ourselves to kind of, as much as we can, fill that void.”

Lakers coach Darvin Ham even commented on AD’s recent performances saying, “AD is playing out of his mind; he’s in a great rhythm.”

It’s great to see the Laker’s offense finally start to come to life here in these last few games. If Davis and company can keep up their recent stretch of offensive dominance until James returns, the Lakers will, without a doubt, begin to be back on track in a very tightly contested Western Conference.

The post Anthony Davis: ‘Playing Like His Old Self’ During Three-Game Win Streak appeared first on SLAM.

The Lakers’ meeting was an open forum with multiple voices involving figures like LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley, and Anthony Davis on the players’ side, then Darvin Ham, Phil Handy, and Chris Jent from the coach’s side. Davis said the meeting was full of “conversations that was 2-10 should have.” He highlighted that the meeting was about what everybody can do to get “better collectively.”

“Everybody chimes in,” Ham said, per ESPN. “No idea is a bad idea. The only bad idea is not having an idea. We all pour in together. No one is taking personal shots or talking about attacking people’s character — it’s just attacking what we can do better. We attack the mistakes. How can we be better, how can we be a better basketball group.”

The meeting led to Davis scoring a season-high 37 points and 18 rebounds (10 offensive) while the team shot 40.7 percent from beyond the arc. Defensively, the Lakers held the Nets to 45 percent shooting from the field and 25.9 percent from long distance and held the Nets to score 103 points, tied as the season-low points the Lakers have allowed.

“Lot of emotions,” Davis said when asked to describe the meeting. “Guys voicing their opinions. Some back and forth. But it was all for the nature of trying to get better. So even though it might be a back-and-forth, it was, ‘OK, I hear what you’re saying, you hear what I’m saying. So now, what’s the solution?’ Instead of just constantly butting heads. So it was some good dialogue.”

Ham said that there’s a balance that has to be struck when emotions come into play. He specifically said, “you have to be careful because passion can slip into being emotional.” Furthermore, Ham reiterated he wants the Lakers “to be passionate,” but he doesn’t want the Lakers “to be emotional.”

Westbrook believes the Lakers “are moving in the right direction” after the meeting. Davis brought up Westbrook’s decision-making in the Lakers’ loss to the Kings during their team meeting. Beverley said credit should go to James and his leadership because he “started to get on guys in the right way and guys in the locker room responded.”

Davis stated that the Lakers are still adjusting to Beverley’s leadership style but let it be known that the team has to listen because it’s about the contents of the advice, not where it comes from.

“You got to listen; you can’t hear what they’re saying; you got to listen to what they’re saying,” Davis said. “You can’t [think], ‘Oh, he’s yelling, so now I’m going to get closed off.’ — When someone’s trying to help you, we know we’re all in it for one goal, and that’s to win. So you got to take the message and not the tone of the person’s voice.

“The main guy who a lot of us had to get used to for that was Pat. But he gives good messages. And he said this thing one time, he was like, ‘If I yell I LOVE YOU, you’re not going to get mad, you know what I’m saying?’ So, listen to the message and not the tone.”

The Lakers still sit second-to-last in the Western Conference but have an opportunity to climb out of their hole when they play the Pistons (3-12) and then a date with the Spurs (6-9) five days later, who they play on Nov. 20, and back-to-back on the Nov. 25 and 26. Davis later said that the Lakers’ “spirits are high” and want to “put a string of wins together.”

The post READ: Details Behind the Lakers Team-Wide Meeting appeared first on SLAM.

The two sides have yet to come up with an agreement, but negotiations may have to pick up soon now that another team has entered the frame. The Lakers’ neighbors, the Los Angeles Clippers, have been rumored to be interested in acquiring Turner as well, according to Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus.

Clippers big man Moses Brown is the only pure big man after Ivica Zubac on the Clippers’ roster, but head coach Ty Lue has only gone to him for eight games this season. Instead, Marcus Morris has been the go-to backup center for Zubac so far.

With no depth at the center position and not having the services of Kawhi Leonard for most of the early campaign, Los Angeles has still managed to hold on to a record of 8-6, which is good enough for the seventh seed in the Western Conference. The team’s early woes are starting to show that losing Isaiah Hartenstein in the offseason was huge.

Adding Turner to the mix will work wonders for the Clippers. The Pacers’ big man is averaging 17.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks a game. The move would immediately make this Los Angeles team one of the best defenses in the league when healthy, with Turner playing alongside the likes of Leonard and Paul George. Only time will tell if they are willing to pull the trigger on the pursuit.

Los Angeles will be in action tonight as they take on the Dallas Mavericks at 8:30 P.M.

The post REPORT: Clippers Interested in Trading for Myles Turner appeared first on SLAM.

Westbrook had 14 points, 12 assists, and six rebounds off the bench en route to the win. Westbrook’s time on the floor included a timely block in isolation defense on Durant near the end of the first quarter, and he forced a key Durant turnover in the fourth quarter.

KD dropped 31 points, nine boards, and seven dimes in defeat. After the game, Durant praised his former teammate, particularly Brodie’s defensive effort.

“He’s just going to hack me the whole time. He’s been doing that shit since we were 18-19,” Durant said. “But more than anything, to see the role Russ is playing right now, he’s just affecting the game in so many different ways. 12 assists tonight, four turnovers, 14 points. He came in there and put his imprint on the game, so it’s fun playing against him regardless of what setting it is. It’s always been like that between us.” 

Russ and the Slim Reaper spent eight seasons playing together as the building blocks for the OKC Thunder. They were in contention for a championship for much of their stretch together, and in the six seasons since their breakup, they’ve both gone on to have even more success and add to their Hall of Fame careers. 

The Lakers snapped a five game losing skid with their win on Sunday night and moved to 3-10 on the season, the second-worst record in the Western Conference. The Nets were surging entering the game, but they now fall to 6-8 on the season. 

Both teams have a long break this week. The Lakers do not play again until Friday night against the Detroit Pistons. The Nets continue their road trip on Thursday night against the Portland Trail Blazers. 

The post Kevin Durant Praises Russell Westbrook for Imposing His Will in New Role appeared first on SLAM.

Coming to NBA arenas this fall, the return of the League’s most terrifying two-way players.

Kawhi and PG cover SLAM 240. https://t.co/aTFojIRsVL pic.twitter.com/NnTVfLdhve

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 17, 2022

Moving forward, Leonard is still set to miss his 10th consecutive game on Saturday versus the Brooklyn Nets, but he is undoubtedly making progress towards a return soon after participating in a 5-on-5 workout on Friday, according to LA Clippers head coach Ty Lue. 

“Not tomorrow,” Lue said of Leonard possibly returning on Saturday, per ESPN. “But it’s gonna take a few more (workout) opportunities to get that in. Then kind of reassess him to see how he’s feeling after we go to medical and just kind of see if we check all the boxes – He played 5-on-5 with some of our guys, some of the players, and some of the coaches. The first time he was able to get on the floor and play 5-on-5, and he looked pretty good. Still have a ways to go, but that was the first sign of positivity of him getting on the floor, playing 5-on-5.”

pic.twitter.com/TV2MFHiLhL

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) October 24, 2022

Without Leonard, Los Angeles is 6-4. Teammate Paul George has been leading the way for the team while averages of 25.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. With George holding it down, for now, fans are left wondering how lethal this squad can be when his co-star returns from injury. The Clippers currently sit as the sixth seed in the West.

The post Kawhi Leonard Progressing Towards Return After 5-on-5 Workout appeared first on SLAM.

Lakers coach Darvin Ham says LeBron James will be day-to-day with his groin injury. Ham says the MRI showed that James has a strained left adductor. Of note: By virtue of a scheduling quirk, James could take eight days off in this next stretch and only miss two games.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 10, 2022

Per McMenamin, the Lakers’ scheduling will allow James to miss two games over the next eight days. According to Jeff Stoots of InStreetClothes, the average time lost for the groin strain James suffered is typically 3.5 games.

King with the 6-for-6 start to the game pic.twitter.com/YAWvCszwtW

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 10, 2022

James is averaging 24.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game on 45.7 percent shooting from the field and 23.9 percent from beyond the arc. The Lakers (2-9) will host the Kings on Friday at 10:30 PM EST.

The post Darvin Ham Says LeBron James Will Be Day to Day With a Groin Injury appeared first on SLAM.

AD attempted two shots during the Lakers’ 114-110 home loss to the Cavaliers on Sunday. The 2011 national champion finished the game with 19 points and 12 rebounds on 7-12 shooting from the field. Davis went 4-5 from the field during the first quarter as the Lakers outscored an opponent (36-30) for the first time this season. Davis then went 1-2 in the second, while the Lakers scored just 36 combined points during the second-half.

AD is averaging 22.5 points and 11.1 rebounds on 52.9 percent shooting from the field. The Lakers, especially LeBron James, have repeatedly mentioned wanting to run the offense through The Brow.

“Obviously, it starts with AD and getting him more touches,” LeBron James said via Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “Our focal point is and always should be to make sure he touches the ball throughout the course of possessions, quarters, halves.”

When asked about getting Davis more involved, Coach Darvin Ham said that the Lakers have a playbook that features “a bunch of sets where AD can be featured.” Russell Westbrook said he would “leave it up to the coaches to figure out the best for them to utilize him.” Westbrook also admitted that he’s going to “do the best job” he can to make reads that will “make the game easier for him” while they’re on the court together.

Ham explained that veterans on the team, including Davis, have the ability to course-correct as they see fit.

“We have a playbook. We have a menu and a bunch of sets where AD can be featured,” Ham said. “You have to just be organized.”

Ham continued to touch on that point by saying Davis has his “blessing” to “scream out, call his own number” when he believes he has an ideal matchup. Ham also highlighted that the Lakers “tried to get” AD “going” and that their struggles in getting Davis going in the second-half aren’t from a lack of trying.

“And sometimes the game dictates things to go in another way. They go on a run, and then we’re trying to play faster to try to possibly score more. So it’s a lot of different variables that go into that. It’s not like, ‘OK, you’re just not calling plays for AD.’ That’s not the case.”

The post Lakers Working to Get Anthony Davis ‘More Touches’ as ‘Featured’ Option appeared first on SLAM.

His energy and enthusiasm for the game seem to be revived, and the Lakers are playing inspired basketball. Lakers Coach Darvin Ham is intent on continuing with this formula for the foreseeable future. 

“Trust me, Russ had a hell of a night, man. In the last three games, he’s been phenomenal,” Ham said following the game. “One of my goals, selfishly, is to get him in the sixth man of the year conversation. And why not start now?”  

Darvin Ham said one of his goals is to get Russell Westbrook in the conversation for Sixth Man of the Year

— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) November 3, 2022

In Wednesday’s win against the New Orleans Pelicans, Westbrook had 13 points, nine dimes, and eight boards on 60 percent shooting in only 25 minutes. He led another second-quarter run at the end of the quarter to give the Lakers a cushion heading into the half. He was nearly perfect, aside from his six turnovers. 

Westbrook is the all-time triple-double leader, an NBA MVP, an NBA 75 member, and one of the greatest players of all time. Westbrook putting his ego to the side and prioritizing the name in the front of his jersey rather than the back is indicative of the values Ham looks to instill in his team. 

“You have to know that the team comes first,” Ham said per the Athletic. “It sounds a little old school and cliche, but the name on the front of the jersey has to matter the most. It’s just a long season.” 

Westbrook has been receptive of the realignment and recently told the media that his move to the bench has been “beneficial for everybody.”

“My job is to find ways to continue to make the team better, whatever that is that night. Whether it’s assisting, rebounding, scoring, defending,” Westbrook told Spectrum Sportsnet. “I’m a person that prides myself on doing everything each and every night and I want to be able to have that trickle down effect on the guys that I’m on the floor with.”  

The Lakers have their first winning streak of the season and will get their first chance to continue their winning ways tomorrow against the Utah Jazz. 

The post Darvin Ham Wants to Get Russell Westbrook into ‘the Sixth Man Of The Year Conversation’ appeared first on SLAM.

He may have encountered some bumps in the road fighting multiple injuries, including a broken foot that prevented him from playing at all last year. However, through five games of his comeback season, Williamson has proven that the talent is still there and that he’s going to be one of the best players in the League for years to come.

CJ Zion pic.twitter.com/1pV3p974k4

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) November 3, 2022

After the Lakers beat the Pelicans 120-117, LeBron James (20 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists) was full of praise for Williamson. The former Duke Blue Devil scored a team-high 27 points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished out seven dimes to his teammates. The four-time MVP believes that Williamson “is on the verge of being great” and that his performance on Tuesday “showed why he’s gonna be who he’s gonna be.”

“Zion is on the verge of being great — he’s going to be great in this League for a long time. Tonight he showed why he’s gonna be who he’s gonna be.”

"Zion is on the verge of being great, and he's going to be great in this league for a long time…"

LeBron James on Zion Williamson after their battle in the Lakers' OT win! pic.twitter.com/jcXEL8AAmB

— NBA (@NBA) November 3, 2022

James said that Williamson is the type of talent the League has “never seen before,” while comparing his physical talent — “his size, his spend, high athleticism” — to NBA legends like Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“He’s in great shape right now — a great talent, someone we’ve never seen,” James said of Williamson, per Sporting News. “We’ve never seen a talent of his size, his speed, high athleticism — just like Giannis. Just like a (Charles) Barkley or Shaq (O’Neal). There’s certain talents in our League that you’ve never seen before.”

Lakers’ LeBron James on Pelicans’ Zion Williamson: “He’s in great shape right now… We’ve never seen a talent of his size, his speed, his athleticism. Just like a Giannis. Just like a Barkley or Shaq. There’s certain talents in our league that you’ve never seen before.” pic.twitter.com/JmQXeCs1VR

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) November 3, 2022

He also said guarding Williamson and trying to prevent him from going to the rim with his dominant left hand is comparable to saying the same about other tough-to-guard lefties like Manu Ginobli or Lamar Odom.

“It’s so funny when you hear people say, ‘stop him from going left’ … It’s the same thing I heard for so many years with (Manu) Ginobili — Lamar Odom — When you’re great, it doesn’t matter what you do, they’re going to figure out a way.”

Zion pic.twitter.com/ex7KmFc0K4

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) November 3, 2022

For the season, Williamson is averaging 22.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game on 50.5 percent shooting from the field while playing 31.2 minutes per contest.

The post LeBron James: Zion Williamson ‘On the Verge of Being Great appeared first on SLAM.

This was his second consecutive game coming off the bench, and he once again looked like himself, with his usual mix of fire, passion, tenacity, and athleticism. Westbrook finished with 18 points, eight boards, and eight assists on 50 percent shooting from the field (and from three) in 32 minutes. He led a seminal 17-point spurt to give the Lakers the lead at the end of the third quarter, and the Lakers never looked back from there. No one was happier for him than Coach Darvin Ham. 

“I’m so happy, man,” Ham said, per The Athletic. “I can’t even imagine what that kid is going through. One of the biggest things about me getting this job was for him to get that respect that he deserved because a lot of what went on last year was not his fault. And everything, all of the blame, was placed on him.”

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Westbrook was serenaded in cheers by the Lakers home crowd on their way to Ham’s first win as head coach. He called for them, and they answered, getting rowdy and raucous; they energized a decisive second-half run on both sides of the ball. The relationship between Lakers fans and Westbrook has been contentious up to this point, but Westbrook hasn’t let it take away his joy. He could be seen smiling, dancing, and celebrating all game long. 

“One thing I never will let happen is people outside of my family, [the] people that support me, take my joy,” Westbrook said via the Los Angeles Times. “Always have fun and embrace this game and embrace the gift I’ve been given to be able to go out and compete. And yes, winning makes you feel better about yourself. But when you’re losing, it’s not as much fun. Tonight was a night where we were able to have a chance.”

Whether or not this move to the bench will be a long-term move for Westbrook continues to be seen, but the first two instances have drawn better results than his earlier performances this season. His All-Star teammates, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis, have commended his lack of ego and for his sacrifice. Westbrook is prepared for whatever comes his way. 

“Like I’ve mentioned since Day One, whatever is needed from me to help the team win, that’s what I’ll do,” Westbrook said.

The Lakers are now 1-5 on the season, and they’ll get their first chance to improve on that Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans.

The post Darvin Ham Says He’s ‘Happy’ For Sixth Man Russell Westbrook Coming Off First Win appeared first on SLAM.

AD dropped 23 points and 15 rebounds, and Brodie posted 18 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in 32 minutes off the bench. LeBron James led the Lakers in scoring with 26 points, six rebounds, and eight assists on 10-22 shooting. The Lakers also knocked down a season-high 13 three-pointers on 43.5 percent shooting from deep.

Davis deserves plenty of credit for guiding the Lakers through a gutsy win. AD is battling through lower back soreness that’s forced him to labor up and down the court. However, the Brow still found a way to gut it out against the back-to-back and reigning MVP, Nikola Jokic (23 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, and two blocks), a player that could wear you out thanks to his physicality and ability to beat you multiple ways.

“Huge impact, man, the way he fought through that,” Ham said, per The Athletic. “I care about his body. I want him to be the AD that we all know he can be on that championship run. He showed it tonight. His tenaciousness on defense. Timely shot-making. Communicating.”

+2, AD. pic.twitter.com/FCxHmxFVOh

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 31, 2022

The eight-time All-Star also scored eight points in the fourth to help the Lakers fend off a charging Nuggets team looking to mount a comeback. The tough win drew some cheers and applause for Davis, who left everything on the court. Especially after a scary moment where, after AD tapped in a missed shot, he audibly groaned as his back flared up.

When Ham asked Davis if he wanted to come out, Davis said, “no. Hell no. I got you. I’m with you.” Ham remarked how “determined” Davis was “to finish this game.”

“You saw on that putback, it kinda just comes and goes, these little shocks that go,” Davis said. “But at that point, it’s like you’re playing off of adrenaline. So, I know tonight, maybe tomorrow, I’m probably going to feel it more. But it’s all manageable. Just gotta do what I can to make sure I’m on the floor to help the team win.”

Postgame, David admitted he was in a “pretty good amount of pain” but also reiterated that the pain he was feeling was manageable. He also said he dislikes the injury-prone label he’s received over the last two seasons and was candid about the mental toll all the injuries took on him.

Ham said he doesn’t need the two-time block leader to be a “hero.” Davis said he’s “in a great space mentally” and that he’s not letting his injury “stop me” while imploring that he’s “doing everything I can to make sure I can go out there and play, and we’ll deal with the rest when that time comes.”

The Lakers are now 1-5 with clashes against the Pelicans, Jazz, Cavaliers, and Clippers coming up.

The post Anthony Davis On Playing Through ‘Manageable’ Back Injury appeared first on SLAM.

To push the panic button right now is an over-exaggeration. Despite the endless drama centered around its players, Lakers superstar LeBron James believes there have been encouraging signs at one end of the floor that keeps them close games.

“For the first three games, it hasn’t,” James said regarding the team’s shooting, per Lakers Daily. “We still can’t shoot a penny in the ocean, but it hasn’t stopped us from competing and defending. That’s given us a chance in all three games to win.”

Dialed in pic.twitter.com/GaiApLt1C7

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 23, 2022

The Lakers rank at the top of the League in steals averaging 11.3 a game. It’s partly thanks to Patrick Beverley and Russell Westbrook, who is averaging over two steals a game. However, Anthony Davis’ third-best steals (2.7) and fourth-best blocks (2.3) around the League have given the Lakers a chance at victory in the new year.

James fully supports the defensive play thus far when opponents try to get easy buckets inside. However, the number of fouls given up, especially against the amount they gave up against the Portland Trailblazers, won’t rest easy with the four-time champion.

“I think it’s understanding that no one is on an island by themself,” said James. “When guys penetrate, we try to get multiple bodies in front of bodies, and if the ball is on the ground or it’s loose, we try to get good hands in there — when you’re defending at a high level like we are, we can’t allow teams to get easy buckets by going up there and not facing the defense with free throws.”

Transition Bron lookin' scary pic.twitter.com/VOYJW2NzcK

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 21, 2022

According to James, the frustrating losses have been put in the past, but if the team looks to avoid missed back-to-back playoffs, they must turn defense into offense. Easy buckets off fast-break opportunities could do wonders for the aging group, and it’ll likely lower the habit of shooting 39 three attempts a game.

The Lakers are back in action Wednesday night to face the two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and his Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center.

The post LeBron James Likes Lakers ‘Competing and Defending’ Amidst 0-3 Start appeared first on SLAM.

One solution the Lakers are reportedly looking at is trading for Hornets guard Terry Rozier, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. According to Charania, the Lakers’ interest in Rozier “remains high. The Lakers and Hornets reportedly “held discussions about a possible three-of-four team” over the summer, but Rozier’s “availability will be entirely predicted on the franchise’s direction for the future and its play as the season goes on.”

Terry Rozier with 2⃣3⃣ points so far this game. @T_Rozzay3 | @drpepper pic.twitter.com/QbBFfVzze3

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) October 22, 2022

Acquiring Roizer could help the Lakers alleviate their deep shooting woes. The Lousiville product is a career 37.6 percent shooer from beyond the arc, this season he’s hitting triples at a 40 percent rate on 5.5 attempts per game. He’s also averaging 23.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game on 39.5 percent shooting from the field. Rozier’s tough play had helped Charlotte get off to a 2-1 start.

Scary Terry with the and-one @T_Rozzay3 pic.twitter.com/VdohMvtaY8

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) October 22, 2022

The Hornets are set to play the Knicks (1-1) on Wednesday.

The post REPORT: Lakers Have a ‘High’ Level of Interesting in Acquiring Terry Rozier appeared first on SLAM.

“I’m definitely not going to sit here and harp on what we can’t do every single game,” James said, per ESPN, when asked about his team’s shooting struggles. “That’s not a leader. What I know we can do? We can defend our a** off. We did that tonight, which gave us an opportunity to win, and we just couldn’t make it happen. But I’m OK with that.”

This is all kind of ironic because, in this same game, James moved up to No. 10 in the NBA on the all-time made three-pointer list. A huge career accomplishment, no doubt, but even though it is another impressive milestone for James, 20 points on 7-17 shooting from the field in 37 minutes of action was not enough to help secure victory for the Lakers.

“If we’re reliant on [sufficient outside shooting] every single game, then we’re in trouble,” James said. “So I’m not worried about that or thinking about that. It’s how hard we play, how aggressive we play, how determined we are to go out and compete every night. And we got to defend. When we defend, we’re going to give ourselves a good chance to win.”

With just 2 out of 82 games played so far in the 2022-2023 NBA season, Lakers fans should remain optimistic. It is still early on in the season, and every team needs time to gel in the beginning. Team chemistry is something that cannot be built in just one, two, or even ten games. At the end of the day, James, Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis, Coach Darvin Ham, and company will figure everything out.

The post LeBron James Won’t ‘Harp On’ What Lakers Can’t Do appeared first on SLAM.

The SLAM 240 cover star opened up about why coming off the bench was the correct choice. In a post-game interview with Ohm Youngmisuk, Leonard said the following;

“You gotta gradually play minutes in order to get the ACL strong,” Leonard said. “Once you start playing 38 minutes first game, it could easily weaken up, but I’m listening to the doctor with that. It’s a long season. We wanna get in the playoffs and want me to play in the playoffs.”

We must also remember that Leonard missed the entirety of last season with an ACL injury, which is no small feat to return from. Returning from an injury like that is not easy, and some players never return the same. Leonard also mentioned that the idea came about from looking at data and running simulations in practice subbing in and out of games.

The NBA season is still young, and if Leonard and the Clippers want to maximize their chances come playoff time, they need their stars healthy.

When asked by another reporter what it was like to come into the game in the middle of the second quarter, Leonard said he didn’t “think 15 minutes would be long” after waiting “82 games last year.”

“I waited 82 games last year, so I didn’t think 15 minutes would be long. This is how I started my career. Act like I was in foul trouble, and once I check in the second quarter, it’s time to play basketball.”

In just 21 minutes off the bench, Leonard played well. The Klaw dropped 14 points and seven rebounds on 6-12 shooting in the Clippers’ 103-97 season-opening win against their hometown rivals.

No timetable was revealed for how long Leonard plans to come off the bench instead of starting. However, we all know the old saying, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” and if this is the strategy that guarantees a winning season plus a healthy Leonard come playoff time for the Clippers, plus the fact that it was a decision being considered by both team and player then why be in a rush to change it?

The post Kawhi Leonard Speaks On Decision to Come Off the Bench Versus Lakers appeared first on SLAM.

Westbrook has started every game he’s played since he was a rookie. Because of that, Westbrook has developed a routine during his decorated 14-year career. Brodie said he wasn’t sure how to warm up and prepare himself pregame after being told that he was coming off the bench against the Kings.

“I’ve been doing the same thing for 14 years straight,” said Westbrook per ESPN, who’s started 1,005 out of 1,022 games in his career. “Honestly, I didn’t even know what to do pregame. Being honest, I was trying to figure out how to stay warm and loose — That’s something I just wasn’t accustomed to.”

On Thursday, Ham pushed back on any narrative suggestion that his decision-making led to Westbrook suffering his leg injury. He told reporters that the Lakers and his staff would “in no way, shape or form put a player — in harm’s way.”

“Let me be clear with this,” Ham said before his team fell to the LA Clippers 103-97 on Thursday night. “The Lakers, myself, my staff, we would in no way, shape, or form put a player or an employee in harm’s way. Physically, mentally, spiritually. We don’t stand for that. We’re not about that. That’s not who we are.”

Ham went on to say that the two had a “brief discussion” about Westbrook’s comments and have “moved on” and that they have a “better understanding now.” As a former player, Ham said he understands “respect” and “routine” are essential to the nine-time All-Star. However, he did acknowledge that he has Lakers-specific goals that he needs Westbrook to meet.

“He’s been around a long time. He’s been a high-level player for a very long time. So, I know what that’s about and how that is,” Ham said. “But on the other hand, you have to be prepared to do whatever your team needs you to do. And that’s called being a professional. So, however, we choose to use him, there has to be a willingness there to sacrifice for your teammates and overall good of the team if that course of action is going to lead to success.”

Westbrook started the Lakers’ 103-97 loss to the Clippers, the seventh straight Hallway Series game they’ve lost. The triple-double king shot 0-11 from the field and 0-16 from distance in 31 minutes of action but found other ways to help the Lakers by contributing two points, three rebounds, four assists, and four steals.

Ham reiterated that he had a “good plan in place” for Westbrook’s role moving forward but added that Brodie’s “minutes can go up, minutes can go down” depending on the 2017 MVP’s performance.

The post Darvin Ham: Lakers Would ‘in No Way, Shape or Form Put’ Russell Westbrook ‘in Harms Way’ appeared first on SLAM.

The two LA franchises have experienced a big bro-lil bro since the inception of the two rivals. The Lakers played the big brother role, winning nine titles since the Hallway Series began in 1983-84. However, the little brother Clippers have caught up in the last decade, becoming a perennial playoff contender while the Lakers floundered due to front-office shakiness and numerous coaching changes.

Since the 2013-14 season, the Clippers have dominated the series, 32-7, against their down-the-hall big bro. Beverley went 10-5 against the Lakers during his four-year tenure with the Lakers. When he was asked about what he remembered and cherished the most about the Hallway Series, Beverley said that he cherished “winning most of them.

When asked how those lessons can apply now that he’s a Laker, Beverley noted that the Lakers “have to stick with the gameplan.”

“The key is sticking to your gameplan, whatever that gameplan is,” Beverley said matter of factly. “Being on the other side is definitely gonna be fun tonight, for sure.”

Patrick Beverley reflects on being part of the LA battles with the Clippers: “Winning most of them.” pic.twitter.com/Ck26pgpsuB

— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) October 20, 2022

The Hallway Series resumes Thursday when the two Western Conference foes meet at Crypto.com Arena at 10 P.M. PT.

The post Patrick Beverley Reflects on the Hallway Series as a Clipper appeared first on SLAM.

We’ll have to wait and see what happens, but for now, here are seven takeaways from last night’s action.

Revenge SZN: Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are looking even better

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been a nightmare for teams on both sides of the ball for a few years now. They have three ECF trips under their belt and a recent appearance in the NBA Finals — they’re not supposed to still be getting better. After showing up to opening night rockin’ some pretty eye-catching fits, Brown and Tatum dropped a combined 70 points (dropping 35 points apiece) and solidified the dub over Philly.

Both were attacking from every part of the floor. Having two dynamic players like Brown and Tatum gives the Celtics a good chance to get back to the Finals and maybe even win it this time. 

Ring Night: The Warriors may be poised to make another championship run

On ring night, the Warriors look good. Damn good. Stephen Curry is still just as good as he’s always been, and the Warriors’ weapons all kept them afloat and out of reach. The Dubs had their trademark explosive third quarter, and signature contributions from Klay Thompson, Jordan Poole, Curry, and Andrew Wiggins on offense guided them to a win. Draymond Green and Kevon Looney anchored a strong defensive performance. Their young core (Moses Moody, James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga) came in off the bench and provided valuable minutes. Sheesh, the Warriors are deep. 

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The Beard drops a 30-piece on Opening Night

James Harden has been a picture of perfect health for the majority of his NBA career, but during his tenure with the Nets, and leading into his tenure with the Sixers, Harden was dealing with a nagging hamstring injury that sapped away a lot of his explosiveness and his ability to change speeds that made him so difficult to contain during his days in Houston. Houston Harden showed up in Boston last night for Philadelphia.

He finished the game with 35 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists on 64.2 percent shooting from the field and 12/12 shooting from the line. Some may say vintage Harden; we say he’s back. 

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LeBron James speaks on Lakers’ Shooting Troubles:

The Los Angeles Lakers Big 3 finished with 77 of 109 points as the remainder of the team struggled to score all game with their limited spacing. Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis also shot a combined 4-16 from three, while the Lakers as a whole shot 10-40. After the game, The King was quick to recognize this deficiency in the Lakers’ offense, citing a lack of “lasers.”

Moving forward, the Lakers need better shooting performances if they do not want to repeat their fate from last season. 

Honoring No. 7: Jaylen Brown Speaks on Bill Russell’s Legacy

The legendary Bill Russell, and 11-time NBA Champion (twice as a head coach of the Celtics), passed away this past summer. The Boston Celtics legend had his No. 6 retired around the League, and every team is wearing a “6” patch on their jersey to honor him. The Celtics took each step, however, intent on honoring their greatest player. Jaylen Brown took a few moments to commemorate Bill Russell before the game, honoring him as a player, a father, a leader, and a man. 

Coaching Debuts of Mazzulla and Ham:

Darvin Ham and Joe Mazzulla both made their head coaching debuts on opening night. Mazzulla won his first game, and Ham lost his. Mazzulla is an interim head coach, for now, following Ime Udoka’s season-long suspension by the Boston Celtics.

Near the end of their contest against the Celtics, Stan Van Gundy joked that Mazzulla now has the best winning percentage in NBA history. This is true and looks to remain true, at least through his next game. Ham, on the other hand, has the tall task of coaching a veteran Lakers team back to promise. There are some positive takeaways to be had from the team’s performance but look for tweaks in the next few games as they look to find their footing. 

FREE BG 

October 18th marked the beginning of the NBA season, but it was also Britney Griner’s 32nd birthday. Stephen Curry took some time to bring awareness to her wrongful incarceration in Russia during his direct address to the fans in attendance as well as the fans watching on TV at home. The fight for Griner’s freedom continues to be a major point of emphasis as the season begins. 

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The post 7 Takeaways From Opening Night appeared first on SLAM.

When the Lakers were set to play their preseason finale, multiple reports said Ham intended to bring Westbrook off the bench against the Sacramento Kings. Westbrook has started every NBA game he has played since his rookie year. 

In what later became a 47-point loss, Brodie only played 5 minutes off the bench. He strained his hamstring early on and never returned. After the Lakers suffered an opening day 123-109 loss to the Golden State Warriors a few days later, Westbrook told reporters that he “absolutely” attributed this injury to his temporary bench role. 

“I’ve been doing the same thing for 14 years straight. Honestly, I didn’t even know what to do pregame. Being honest, I was trying to figure out how to stay warm and loose — That’s something I just wasn’t accustomed to,” Westbrook said after their regular season debut 123-109 loss against the Golden State Warriors. 

Westbrook has played in 1,022 career games and has started 1,005 of them. A bench role later this season is not off the table with improved depth at the point guard after the additions of Patrick Beverly, Dennis Schröder, and the return Kendrick Nunn.

However, in last night’s game, Westbrook showed flashes of why the Lakers traded for him in the first place. In 31 minutes, Westbrook had 19 points and 11 rebounds on 58 percent shooting. He kicked in three assists and a steal as well. 

Both his coach and his teammate, Anthony Davis, maintain the game against Sacramento was just an experiment and an exploration of their options. When asked about his decision to start Westbrook on opening night, Ham was complimentary of Russell Westbrook. 

“You want to start the game off the right way in terms of your energy and being in attack mode, and no one better than him,” Ham said, who spoke to reporters before Westbrook did after the game. “I mean, it’s what we have, and we got some key guys hurt. It’s Game 1; give them a chance to go out and compete at the highest level. I thought he was solid. I thought he was solid. A couple possessions I wish I can get back, but overall, I thought he was solid.”

AD stated he didn’t think Westbrook’s realignment to the bench was ever intended to be a real option. Despite the loss, the Lakers Big 3 looked more fluid in their offensive execution, and they thought so too. 

“I think we played well,” Davis said. “We wanted to come out, and everybody be aggressive.”

LeBron James added, “I thought we all just kind of played free. And it resulted in all three of us pretty much being efficient from the floor.”

If the Lakers are to right the ship, Westbrook must be healthy and play well. He’s sending the message that he does that best from the starting five.

The post Russell Westbrook Believes Coming Off the Bench ‘Absolutely’ Caused Hamstring Injury appeared first on SLAM.

Scratching that championship quest was the Golden State Warriors, who came back down 3-1 in the Western Conference Finals against the Thunder. A stunning turn of events in the series led to Durant departing from Oklahoma City, to join that same Dubs squad.

Forming a Big 4 in San Francisco with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, Durant dealt with his own criticism when he made the move. Now, KD has shared his thoughts on the negativity surrounding his former teammate for Westbrook’s recent play with the Los Angeles Lakers.

“The dialog around our game is just so toxic at this point,” said Durant on the ETCs podcast. “I get criticism [on the court] but it’s starting to turn into something else now.”

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At age 33, Westbrook averaged 18.5 points, the third lowest average in his career. While the Lakers’ performance last season wasn’t entirely on Westbrook, critics (and haters on the internet) have placed a lot of the blame on him.

“When you’re playing alongside the biggest figure in L.A in LeBron James everything you do is gonna be magnified,” said Durant. “…If people don’t trust that your team is gonna be good…you have to be on point every time.”

Both Westbrook and Durant, as of now, have remained with their respective team’s of last season, but the expectations they are assumed to bring to the table remain.

Photo via Getty Images.

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After winning the chip, the veteran forward draped himself in a Mexican flag, proudly honoring his Mexican heritage. 

Toscano-Anderson broke many Warriors fans’ hearts after he decided to sign with the Lakers for the 2022-2023 season.

In five preseason games, he averaged 5.0 points, 3.0 boards, and a whole lot of competitive fire in 18.3 minutes.

“Juan is doing some amazing, competitive basketball-playing,” Lakers Coach Darvin Ham said, per Andscape. “You need those kinds of guys that can get you 50-50 balls, take charges, and put bodies on bodies knowing that they may not be the one who gets the rebound or stat or whatever.”

“They still sacrifice for their teammates. You can’t have enough of those guys in your locker room. And Juan Toscano-Anderson is at the top of the list of everything he does. His attitude, [the] energy [he] brings to work every day. His teammates are very fond of him.”

Not only does JTA’s character shine on the court and in the locker room, but he is trailblazing a path for Mexico and basketball. 

“Things don’t happen overnight,” Toscano-Anderson said. “Basketball is a growing sport in Mexico, there; there’s a lot of financial interest in it — I know there are guys that can do it for me, but it’s a different world now in regard to marketing and advertising. I’m opening doors to bridge the gap between the U.S. and Mexico.”

Toscano-Anderson is the first Laker of Mexican descent. For a city that is 75 percent ethnically Mexican, is populated by over five million Mexicans, and has the largest Hispanic, JTA’s arrival is momentous. While the Lakers have aired Spanish-speaking broadcasts since 1993, the franchise has not had a Spanish-speaking player since Kobe Bryant retired in 2016.

Although he was not Hispanic, Bryant energetically embraced the Mexican community in Los Angeles.

“If there was a guy that understood the love, the passion, the loyalty of the Hispanic community, especially towards the Lakers, it was Kobe.” former Lakers Spanish television announcer Adrian Garcia Marquez said. 

Being the first Spanish-speaking player since Kobe and being half-Mexican, JTA can connect to L.A’s Hispanic and Latino roots.

“There are probably more Mexicans watching the Lakers than any other demographic. That’s very important, not only for myself in the Lakers, but in L.A. for [the] Mexican community, the Latino community,” Toscano-Anderson said. “I don’t want to call myself an ambassador, but somebody who’s representing and who can speak the language. I’m representing full throttle. I can speak the language; I represent my culture, everything.”

Toscano-Anderson is embracing the L.A. community, and the L.A. community is embracing him. Known for murals of Laker greats – Kobe, Shaquille O’Neal, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, and more – the city recently added a Juan Toscano-Anderson mural. On the outside wall of a Mexican bakery, JTA dons a Lakers jersey with a Mexican flag wrapped around his shoulders, and Mexico City’s Tenochtitlán pyramids and downtown L.A. in the background.

“I went to the reveal of the mural. That was really dope,” Toscano-Anderson said. “I’m very appreciative of that. It’s LA, man, City of Champions. That was really cool. I couldn’t believe it, to be honest. I didn’t have anything, nothing like that before. It was more than just the sports thing. It was about that community embracing me there.”

Born to an African American father and a Mexican mother, JTA wants to be a positive role model for both Mexican American and African American kids. 

“It’s been magnified that I’m Mexican, but I also want people to know that I’m just as proud of being Black.”

“I’m Black every day. The way I dress, the way I talk. My sauce. I’m a Black man when I step out on America — Black is beautiful; I’m proud of being Black as well. Being Black makes me who I am.”

For Oakland, Los Angeles, and Mexico, Toscano-Anderson’s impact has not gone unnoticed. The community-oriented forward plays in his first game as a Los Angeles Laker tonight against the Golden State Warriors. The second NBA player of Mexican descent to win a title, Toscano-Anderson will be honored and receive his championship ring.

The post Juan Toscano-Anderson On the Love He’s Received From L.A.’s Latino Community appeared first on SLAM.

Dennis Schroder underwent a procedure to repair a ligament in his thumb today, according to Lakers coach Darvin Ham. He is expected to be sidelined 3-4 weeks, per Ham.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 17, 2022

Schröder didn’t travel with the Lakers for their preseason finale against the Sacramento Kings due to the injury. The Lakers were reportedly concerned that the thumb injury could be a long-term issue for Schroder.

Schröder is back in Los Angeles after signing a one-year deal. He left the Lake Show in free agency to sign with the Boston Celtics. Schröder averaged 13.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.6 rebounds during the 64 games he played between Boston and Houston. He missed the last seven games of the season due to a shoulder injury.

The Lakers open the 2022-23 season against the defending champion Golden State Warriors.

Photos via Getty Images.

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After back-to-back disappointing seasons since their championship win in the 2020 NBA Bubble, the Lakers aren’t considered title favorites for this upcoming season. Reasons for it include an aging LeBron James, key talents being injury prone, and the distraction around Russell Westbrook and his play.

The list goes on, but Davis believes it comes down to the trust of each individual to perform at a high level.

“We just go out there and play basketball and perform, but it’s also the truth,” said Davis when talking about the criticism towards the team. “I mean, no one has us winning it this year besides us in this organization.”

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Last season, Davis played 40 games averaging 23.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks. His play wasn’t much of a factor, as the Lakers had a 17-23 record with him in the lineup. The numbers may look impressive for Davis, but the durability must be there to win his second championship in three years.

New additions like Patrick Beverley and Lonnie Walker IV should improve the offensive and defensive load if either of the Lakers stars goes down. Davis is confident Beverly, Walker IV, and other team members are satisfied with their roles and will do whatever it takes to succeed and help the Lakers make a deep playoff run.

“We feel like we’re the underdogs,” Davis said. “And I think everybody on this team has something to prove. I feel like everyone on this team has a chip on their shoulder and is going to come out ready to play this season.”

The Lake Show starts a new season away from home against the NBA champion Golden State Warriors, a game that could determine how well the team has improved through the off-season.

The post Anthony Davis Confident in ‘Underdog’ Lakers Heading into New Season appeared first on SLAM.

There’s a hope that Westbrook can play freer and faster with ball in his hands on second unit — and have to worry less about fitting away from ball around the starting group. It is certainly an idea they’ll continue to discuss with start of regular season next week.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 14, 2022

The Westbrook sixth-man experiment will help Ham see if the former MVP can anchor a bench unit beginning on Friday. According to the Woj, the Lakers hope that moving Westbrook to the bench can help him play freer and faster as the anchor of the second unit.

Westbrook (five points, four assists, three rebounds, and one block) started the Lakers’ preseason game against Minnesota. The 33-year-old point guard was a scapegoat for last season’s 11th-place finish despite averaging 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game. The main culprit for the Westbrook slander was the triple-double kings’ inefficient three-point shooting and lack of explosiveness at times.

When the Lakers hired Ham over the summer, the rookie head coach said he believed Westbrook has a “ton left in that tank” and that he has a “wholehearted plan” to get the best out of Westbrook this season. Westbrook’s preseason finale performance will likely help determine Brodie’s role once the regular-season begins.

The Lakers play the Warriors next Tuesday on the season’s opening night.

The post REPORT: Russell Westbrook Set to Come off the Bench Against Kings appeared first on SLAM.

A change in putting Anthony Davis as the primary center for the team may be what is needed. In his three preseason games, Davis has averaged 19.3 points per game, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game on 52.6 percent shooting from the field. He spent some of his time in these games playing at the five, although his preferred position is at the four.

On Tuesday, Coach Darvin Ham told the media that he is seriously considering starting Davis at center moving forward after practice. Following Los Angeles’ loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, the Lakers big man expressed his thoughts on the idea.

“It is what it is,” said Davis. “At the end of the day, we’re trying to win basketball games, and if that is the best situation for us to win basketball games, then that’s what we’ll look at. Me and coach had a conversation about four or five, a couple conversations doing practices and things like that. I think he’s still trying to figure out the rotations as well, and right now, it looks good when I’m at the five — If I have to play the five, it’s totally fine. I don’t care.” 

Even though the 29-year-old is willing to do what the team needs to win basketball games, he made it known shortly after that the Lakers’ head coach knows what position he prefers to play.

“I’m pretty sure he heard, ‘AD wants to play the four,’ so he knows where I stand.”

The Lakers will conclude their preseason tour on Friday against the Sacramento Kings.

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“It’d probably be disrespectful to say it,” O’Neal told CNN’s Becky Anderson. “But I would like to go back home. I’ll leave that to the viewers to figure out [what it means]. I would like to go back home.”

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Home can mean many places for O’Neal as he played for six NBA franchises, played college basketball at LSU, and was born in Newark, NJ. O’Neal’s first professional “home” was with the Orlando Magic, where he was selected number one overall in the 1992 NBA Draft. He established himself in just four seasons averaging 27.2 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game.

O’Neal and his crew brought the Magic to its first NBA Finals appearance in 1995 but couldn’t get it done against Hakeem Olajuwon’s back-to-back Finals-winning Houston Rockets. Nonetheless, the city of Orlando could still have great respect for their best center of all time, and the fans could settle on him taking over the organization.

O’Neal’s next ‘home’ is where many saw him become the legendary figure he is in the history of basketball, the Los Angeles Lakers. O’Neal won multiple championships in Los Angeles with the late-great Kobe Bryant. The pair blossomed into the most dominant duo of their time, and in the 1999-2000 season, O’Neal won his first season MVP award.

The history of the Lakers would undoubtedly be held in good hands with O’Neal at the helm, but that won’t happen any time soon.

A final team to note as one of Shaquille O’Neal’s ownership probabilities is the Phoenix Suns. Though his time in the desert wasn’t the highlight of his career, he still showed what he had in the late stage of his career — making an All-Star appearance in 2009 and averaging 17.8 points as a 37-year-old.

The Suns have been under media scrutiny recently after team owner Robert Sarver was suspended a year after an independent investigation found he helped foster a toxic workplace culture based on racist and misogynistic behavior. Sarver recently revealed he was planning on putting up the Suns and Mercury for sale due to the investigation.

O’Neal has his options, but for now, he can give back to the community and continue investing in the several businesses he owns. No franchise is a long shot for the four-time champion, but an ownership decision may come sooner than expected.

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With Father Time catching up, no one knows how long the four-time NBA champion can carry the load for the Lakers. In fact, The King made it known not long ago that he is ready to take a backseat.

In 2017, he was ready to “give the keys” to his former teammate Kyrie Irving when they played against the Cleveland Cavaliers. When things didn’t end up working out, James made his way to LA, where you can now see him having that same trust in his current teammate Davis.

AD recently told Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports that the future Hall of Famer has been “in his ear about taking over the reins of the team.” The 29-year-old is most certainly capable of doing so. It’s all about staying healthy and getting his three-point shot back to its standard form. As a career 30.3 percent shooter from behind the arc, Davis shot the deep ball at 18.6 percent last season.

With these hurdles standing in the way of the former NBA champion, he has accepted the challenge.

“I’m excited for this challenge and what’s ahead,” said Davis. “I think we have a great group of guys to get the job done. It’s now about putting in the work – I went into this summer focusing on strengthening my body. I have to be on the court and at my best to put us in position to be our best. I’m ready to do that.”

The Lakers will open up their season on Oct.18 versus the Golden State Warriors.

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The off-season spelled uncertainty for Westbrook’s future with the team but trade talks stalled. Tensions rose all summer as the friction between championship expectations and the Lakers’ small championship window played out for everyone to see. New coach, new teammates, new system, new season, same Russ. Westbrook is still ready to do what he has always done: his job. 

“I don’t need to,” Westbrook told ESPN about feeling wanted by the Lakers. “I just need to do my job; whether I’m wanted or not doesn’t really matter. I think the most important thing is that I show up for work and I do the job like I’ve always done it: be professional and go out and play my ass off and compete.” 

Westbrook is the all-time triple-double king with 194 triple-doubles. He had 10 last season en route to averaging 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game. While this may be a career year for any other player, it was nearly disastrous for Russ and the Lakers as they missed the playoffs. Despite Westbrook playing 78 games, the trio of Westbrook-LeBron-Davis only played 21 total games together. After only 21 games, Westbrook is still optimistic about where they can go as a big 3. 

“There’s so much optimism on how we can be great, how AD, LeBron, myself– can be unstoppable in my opinion,” Russell Westbrook says. 

Russ knows better than anyone that his first season with the Lakers was not what anyone had in mind. It was hardly the dream to be booed by Lakers fans in his hometown arena in front of his friends and family in the crowd. But Westbrooks owns that too.

“I’m going to make mistakes. I’m [occasionally] not going to have good games. There will be times and stretches when I don’t play well. I’ve owned that, and there were times last year I could’ve played better, and I own that part of it. Moving into this year, I feel even more prepared than I was in years past. That’s what I’m looking forward to the most. That right there will get me past any struggles that come my way.”  

Westbrook will have the reinvent himself with a new head coach after former boss Frank Vogel was fired shortly after the season ended, and Darvin Ham was named his successor. Westbrook had a summer full of conversations with Ham about building “connection” and “trust” and finding a way for the former MVP to impact winning on their team. Westbrook is ready for whatever. 

“I’m all-in on whatever it takes for this team to win,” Westbrook says. “I’m prepared for whatever comes my way.” 

After a season that went anything but according to plan, being prepared for whatever is possibly the best thing Russell Westbrook can do.  

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Schroder unceremoniously left the franchise shortly after the season but is returning to Los Angeles because he reportedly feels like there is some unfinished business with the Lakers.

“LeBron [James] said he was glad he got me back,” Schroder said via Basketnews. “It’s unfinished business. That year when I was there, there were no fans. There was Covid; everybody was hurt. This year hopefully, everything stays good, everybody stays healthy, and then we’ll try to go for something.”

Schroder also revealed that he and his team had been negotiating his return to the purple and gold for the last three months.

“I’ve been talking to the Lakers for the last three months. I knew I was going back, but I wanted to take my time,” Schroder explained.

Schroder played with the German national team during the FIBA Eurobasket tournament, where he led Germany to a bronze medal finish, its first EuroBasket medal since 2005.

Dennis Schroder was on a mission in #EuroBasket

22.1 PTS
7.1 AST
2.3 REB
1.1 STL

Germany’s MVP en route to the bronze medal pic.twitter.com/shRbx2g7jJ

— FIBA (@FIBA) September 19, 2022

Schroder will likely come off the bench behind Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverly as a pass-first point guard off the pine.

Last season, Schroder averaged 13.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game on 39.3 percent shooting from the field and 32.8 percent from deep while playing for the Celtics and Rockets.

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Though many believe the acquisition of the former MVP has yielded disastrous results, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green thinks it’s just a matter of time until Westbrook returns to form and contributes to an 18th banner.

“Who wouldn’t ask for Russell Westbrook?” Green said, per the Checc’n In Podcast, after being asked whether he believes LeBron James asked for Westbrook to be traded to the Lakers. “You’d be out of your mind not to ask for Russell Westbrook.”

Westbrook, who is due $47 million this season, has been involved in many trade talks just one year after being sent from the Washington Wizards for Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, and the No. 22 overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft from the Lakers. The deal hasn’t worked out thus far, but Green believes the reason for that is because of how on-the-ball dominant each of the three superstars is.

“I 100 percent think the fit is terrible,” said Green. “I don’t think you could talk to Russell Westbrook right now, and Russell Westbrook wouldn’t think the fit is terrible — just, because the fit is terrible, don’t mean you don’t go for it. Because guess what, if you go for it and it works, then you got a championship.”

The star power of the Lakers is undoubtedly one of the best in the League, but the Lakers finished 33-49, 11th in the Western Conference. Many Lakers fans worry Westbrook’s turnover issues and inability to hit shots at the rim will hold back the Lakeshow.

Health issues were also a more significant issue last season. James and Davis missed a significant amount of time sitting on the sidelines last season, missing a combined 68 games without one of them appearing on the court.

Meanwhile, Westbrook averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists last season, per ESPN. Coach Darvin Ham has confirmed that he thinks Westbrook “has a ton left in the tank” and that he has a “wholehearted plan” to utilize Westbrook to the best of his abilities. Davis, James, and Westbrook also chopped it over the phone to reconfirm their commitment to each other as well

Green may be a rival, but he certainly notices the potential this squad has. With former MVPs and defensive player of the year caliber players, the Lakers are expected to make a playoff run this upcoming season, but if all fails again this season, the NBA world will likely call for the Lakeshow to move on from Westbrook and trade him elsewhere.

The post Draymond Green Defends Lakers Trade for Russell Westbrook: ‘Who Wouldn’t Ask?’ appeared first on SLAM.

To achieve their vision – the Larry O’Brien trophy in Salt Lake – a rebuild was necessary. After moving Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers, veterans Bojan Bogdanovic, Mike Conley, Rudy Gay, and Jordan Clarkson remain on Utah’s roster.

According to Tony Jones of The Athletic, the Jazz and Lakers are currently in ongoing trade talks for the sharp-shooting Bogdanovic.

“Those conversations continue to evolve, we’ve continued to be in touch with them directly and their representation,” Zanik said, per Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune. “Obviously, there’s been a lot of change this summer, so it’s natural for us to have those conversations.”

The 6’7″ forward averaged 18.1 points, 4.3 assists, 1.7 rebounds, and shot 38.7 percent from beyond the arc. In addition to the Lakers, the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, and New York Knicks have expressed interest in Bogdanovic. If Bogdanovic is moved to the Lakers, it will be the second trade of the season between LA and Salt Lake. Earlier this summer, Utah gave up Patrick Beverley for Talen Horton-Tucker and Stanley Johnson. 

As the Jazz continue to prioritize and acquire young talent, it is no surprise that they have made Bogdanovic and their remaining vets available.

“We wanted to give the organization every opportunity to build the greatest base of flexibility, young players, and assets going forward to make really good decisions so that we could reach the ceiling that we want to get to,” Zanik said.

The new-look Jazz begins their 2022-23 season on Oct. 19 against the Denver Nuggets.

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“Whatever role they want to give me, I’ll be happy to take,” said Reaves when talking to Shams Charania about his possible personal goals going into the 2022-23 season. ” Try to do that to the best of my ability, but (starting), especially as a Laker with the guys that we have, is cool. At the end of the day, I just want to win and accept whatever role they want me to have.”

With the many injuries the Lakers faced last season, it was up to the then 23-year-old undrafted rookie out of Oklahoma to spark productivity off the bench. Reaves did that as he finished last season with a scoring average of 7.3 points a game on 45.9 percent shooting from the field, 83.9 percent from the charity stripe, and 31.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Reaves also added some highlights to his play last season, most notably stunning the Dallas Mavericks by hitting an overtime game-winner. He finished with 15 points that night and went 5-6 from downtown, the last attempt being the winning shot. The Laker faithful had just been promised a talented young asset, and the hype around him was real, but he still had to prove he had what it takes to play at the highest level.

“Playing with him [James] is very easy,” said Reaves. “He puts you in the right spots to be successful, and for the team, he orchestrates the whole game — To share the ball and these moments with him is very special to me.”

Reaves has shown James he’s capable of the spotlight; in the season finale against the playoff-bound Denver Nuggets, he dropped 31 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists. The triple-double mounted another overtime win for the Lakers, and although the game had no implications, it definitely showed what Reaves is capable of.

Reaves enters his second year in the League, and with playoff expectations, as always, around the Los Angeles Lakers, he must prove he has the competitive spirit to perform when it matters most. Growing up a Kobe Bryant fan, Reaves has already been influenced by the challenges in the NBA season, especially when wearing the purple and gold. If he earns a starting spot, Reaves has shown he’s capable of meeting the Lakers’ challenge.

The post Austin Reaves Broke Down His Goals for Next Season and What it’s Like Playing with LeBron James appeared first on SLAM.

Anthony, who played last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, averaged 13.3 points per game on 44.1 percent shooting from the field. The ten-time NBA All-Star has been linked to multiple teams in the past few weeks, like the Brooklyn Nets and the Denver Nuggets. Melo was recently linked to the Boston Celtics after Danilo Gallinari suffered a Torn ACL. 

One of Melo's filthier go-to moves back when he was in Denver SHEESH #STAYME7O pic.twitter.com/PlO0XQldf5

— CTRL the Narrative (@ctrlnarrative) September 12, 2022

According to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe, the possibility of the Celtics signing the veteran is gaining “traction.” The Brooklyn Nets have also been a potential suitor. In fact, Kevin Durant has wanted Anthony to be a Net for quite some time now. As hinted by Brian Lewis of the New York Post, “If they (Nets) wanted to appease Durant, they could bring in Carmelo Anthony, a move he’s wanted them to make.”

Howard is another player who has made a name for himself in the NBA that remains a free agent. Howard, similar to Anthony, played for the Lakers last season. He averaged 6.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game on a stellar 61.2 percent shooting from the field. The veteran is still a great addition to have for teams around the association, particularly ones that are looking for a rim protector. 

The former Defensive Player of the Year told Bally Sports’ Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson that he would be interested in joining the Brooklyn Nets, a team in need of more size at the center position.

Dwight Howard’s name has been mentioned in blogs recently as a potential Brooklyn Nets off-season signee.

I asked him if he had any interest in the Nets. His response to @BallySports was: “Yes I am.”

“Would love that.”

Howard’s an NBA Champ & an eight time All-Star. pic.twitter.com/OV0VelA5Nq

— Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) July 27, 2022

Griffin, a six-time NBA All-Star, also finds himself without a team with a new NBA season a month away. The 33-year-old played for the Brooklyn Nets last year and averaged a career-low of 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game on 42.5 percent shooting. Griffin also played a career low of 17.1 minutes per game.

The chances of the former Oklahoma Sooner returning to the Nets is unlikely, but being a solid piece off the bench for another squad is something that can be seen in Griffin’s future.

Training camp is set to begin on Sept 24.

The post Carmelo Anthony Amongst Three All-Stars Still On the Free Agent Market appeared first on SLAM.

According to Windhorst, the Lakers have had several talks on possible three-way deals, just not with Utah or New York.

“From what I am told, while it would make sense for the Knicks to have done a three-way deal with the Jazz and Lakers, I am told that that was never part of the talks,” Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective Podcast. “There were three-team constructions between the Jazz and Knicks for Donovan Mitchell where players would go to a third team. They obviously didn’t do a deal, but the Lakers were never directly involved with that.”

The Lakers instead have reportedly been involved in negotiations with the Pacers, Spurs, and a few other unnamed teams that are reportedly interested in acquiring the all-time triple-double king. The Lakers are reportedly persistent in not attaching their next two trade-eligible first-round picks, from the 2027 and 2029 NBA Draft, in a Westbrook deal.

At this point, it’s more likely that the Lakers will keep Westbrook and his expiring $47.1 million contract this season and explore their options once the trade deadline approaches in February.

“I just don’t think the Lakers believe right now there’s a Westbrook trade that they have, even with their picks, that elevates them,” Windhorst said. “The feel around the league is right now, and that can change in a week; the feel around the league from executives I talk to right now is that they’re going to try to make the best of what they have and hope for situations to change in their favor.”

The Lakers missed the playoffs r after finishing the injury-riddled 2021-22 season at 33-49. During the offseason, the Lakers relieved Frank Vogel of head coaching duties and hired Darvin Ham.

The Lakers hope that Ham can help the team improve defensively, build the offense around Anthony Davis, and find a way to help Westbrook thrive after he averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game on 44.4 percent shooting from the field. Ham has told reporters that he believes Westbrook has a “ton left in the tank” and has a “wholehearted plan” to utilize Westbrook to his full potential.

Ham also believes that recently acquired Patrick Beverley and Westbrook can start games together if they both play defense. Beverley believes he can mesh “perfectly” next to Westbrook when the 2017 MVP plays out of the post and in transition.

The Lakers open the season against Golden State on the same night the Warriors will receive their 2022 NBA championship rings.

The post REPORT: Lakers Haven’t Found Russell Westbrook Trade That ‘Elevates’ Team appeared first on SLAM.

Pat Beverley and Russell Westbrook greeting each other after Pat’s press conference pic.twitter.com/p02AC9O1kh

— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) September 6, 2022

Although Beverley and Westbrook have a sordid past as opposing forces, Beverley noted that “he’s super excited” to play with a hyper-competitive guard like the king of the triple-double. The former Arkansas Razorback told reporters how he thought he could mesh “perfectly” with Westbrook as a shooter, particularly as a right corner shooter when the 2017 MVP is playing out of ATO’s, post plays, or in transition.

“I think I was asked this question two or three years ago about someone I always wanted to play with and (Westbrook) was the first name,” Beverley said. “Obviously I been knowing Bron since I was a rookie in this League so obviously I wanted to play with him but just a player with that competitive spirt, that fire, that will, that dog, that nastiness, that grit, to have a running mate like that, I’ve never had that so I’m super excited to see where it goes.”

“Obviously like any relationship or any marriage, we’re gonna have tough conversations, that’s what comes with winning but I’m excited about this conversations, I’m excited about the practices. I’m just excited to compete with someone like that.

.@patbev21 said he was "super excited" to play with @russwest44 and thinks they will be a "perfect" fit.

Watch the full presser: https://t.co/uRHkfFa5Mz pic.twitter.com/7BP9WnNSQ9

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) September 6, 2022

Beverley also joked around that because he made the playoffs with the Timberwolves that LeBron James and Anthony Davis were playing with him. Coach Darvin Ham was also generous with his praise and expectations of a Westbrook-Beverley backcourt, saying that if the two play defense there’s “definitely” a possibility that the two guards could start games together.

The Lakers hope that with their new additions at head coach and with younger more athletic role players surrounding Westbrook, James, and AD, the Lakers can have a resurgent season and make a playoff run.

The post Patrick Beverley ‘Super Excited’ About Playing With Russell Westbrook appeared first on SLAM.

The pivot from being a professional hopper to a college student came after his former teammate, Ray Allen, a fellow avid golfer who Smith called a “great motivational speaker,” inspired Smith to challenge himself to get an education while the two were on a trip in the Dominican Republic.

“I was working like I was literally trying to make the league all over again,” Smith said per Complex. “It was fun as hell. When I got my first A in class, it was like me dunking on somebody or hitting a game-winner.”

Smith’s pivot gained more significance after his oldest daughter told him she was proud of him for going back to school, a moment that made Smith emotional.

The proud moment fulfilled a part of Smith’s purpose in pursuing a college degree. The former Sixth Man of the Year wanted to set an example for his daughters to “know they’re worth” that they can get a higher education no matter where they are in life.

“She looked at me and told me, ‘Daddy, I’m really happy you went back to school,’ I had to get up and walk away,” Smith said. “My oldest has seen it all. She’s seen the good and the bad. She’s been in the thick of it. So when she told me that, it really had me choked up.”

“It was for me but more importantly, what I’ve done was for them to understand you can… For one, you can always get your education no matter how old you are. It was also to understand your self-worth, especially for young Black women in this country.”

As J.R. Smith continues to evolve away from the game where he’s had great moments (two titles, 2013 Sixth Man of the Year) and massive blunders (Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals), Smith can move on knowing that he’s defying what people mischaracterize him as. No matter what anyone may think about the “100 percent fact” that the NBA has moved on from him, Smith has found his purpose.

The post J.R. Smith Talks Infamous Game 1 Moment and Relationship With Ray Allen appeared first on SLAM.

On Tuesday, Mike Scotto of Hoopshype reported that Indiana was prepared to offer Myles Turner and Buddy Hield for Westbrook, Talen Horton-Tucker, and two first-round picks. The Pacers were also willing to take on Daniel Theis’ contract. Horton-Tucker and Stanley Johson were traded to the Utah Jazz last week for Patrick Beverley, who addresses the defensive and long-range shooting concerns many had about the Lakers.

However, according to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, Utah seems to be a “more likely” landing spot for Westbrook. During a recent podcast appearance, Buha reported that Indiana is offering up Myles Turner and Buddy Hield.

“As far as Westbrook’s trade market, I’ve heard Indiana and Utah are the two most likely destinations,” Buha said. “I think Utah is, from what I’ve been told, more likely than Indiana. There are several permutations there with Indiana where it could be Myles Turner and Buddy Hield together or one of the two.”

Although acquiring Hield and Turner would further alleviate the Lakers’ immediate need for shooting and versatile defenders, trade negotiations were reportedly described as “dead” earlier this summer, per Bob Kravitz. With training camp coming up, LA and Indiana could re-engage in trade talks. Hield averaged 15.6 points per game on 40.6 percent shooting from the field and 36.6 percent from beyond the arc.

His ability to stretch the court and Turner’s shooting capabilities (33.3 percent shooting) could help Westbrook regain his efficiency at the rim and make his job easier as he surveys the hardwood for dunkers or shooters. Last season, Westbrook was the scapegoat for the Lakers’ failure to make the playoffs after averaging 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game while shooting 44.4 percent from the field 29.8 from long-distance.

That said, Utah is headed for a rebuild after trading Rudy Gobert and making it clear that they are willing to part ways with All-Star guard Donovan Mithell this off-season. If Mitchell is traded, Utah will likely have draft capital and players that could be used to sweeten up the pot in a three-team deal packaged around Westbrook and Mitchell.

The Lakers are reportedly keen on helping to resurrect Westbrook’s career despite the swirling trade rumors. Newly hired Coach Darvin Ham told reporters he has a “wholehearted plan” to bring the best out of Brodie, while Westbrook reportedly had a phone call with LeBron James and Anthony Davis to smooth over their commitment to playing with each other on the Lakers.

The Lakers hope the hiring of Ham and the signing of younger, more athletic talent will help them return to the playoffs after a disastrous 2021-22 campaign full of injuries and drama surrounding their Big 3.

The post REPORT: Utah and Indiana Emerge as Trade Partners for Russell Westbrook appeared first on SLAM.

At 37-years-old and entering his 19th NBA season, James doesn’t have much else to accomplish other than the all-time leading scorer and chasing the shadow of Michael Jordan’s six championships. If there is one goal, one pipedream the King wants to reach, it would be playing in the NBA with his oldest, Bronny James.

Bronny is a 17-year-old rising senior at Sierra Canyon High School and is a consensus top 50 high school prospect as he enters his final year of high school play.

WHOA!!!! Just kids from Akron!!!! The Chosen One x The Chosen Sons #JamesGang #TheLegecyContinues Jeffery A. Salter @SInow
https://t.co/m7YE9nHthw pic.twitter.com/ShWIvGWO86

— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 30, 2022

Bronny would be next in an emerging line of second-gen hoopers that began with Rick Barry’s three sons, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Domantis Sabonis, as well as the four NBA sons on the Warriors roster in Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Gary Payton II.

It remains to be seen if Bronny or his younger brother, Bryce, will have the chops to play in the best pro basketball league in the world. Bronny has gradually become a better player as his HS years have gone by, and he’s garnered scholarship offers from Kentucky, Memphis, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, and USC. Bryce recently received an offer from Duquesne University.

“I like to throw things out in the airwaves,” James said per Sports Illustrated. “But I’m not one to [say] what’s going to happen in the next two to three years. I am a visionary, but I’m also a guy that lives in the moment.”

Funny enough, the idea of LeBron and Bronny sharing the court didn’t rise until that fateful day in February when he told The Athletic he’d like to play his last year in the NBA with his oldest son and that “it’s not about the money at that point.” According to LeBron’s wife Savannah, “no, we hadn’t talked about” the subject, while the idea seemed “pretty cool” to their oldest son.

Savannah herself knows that idea is something that is “near and dear” to her superstar husbands heart.

“We don’t even really talk about the future too much. I put it in the air because I like to talk to the basketball gods out there and see if things can come to fruition. I’ve always set out goals in my career, talked to the basketball gods, and they’ve listened to all of them. Hopefully they can listen to this last one, too.” LeBron James said.

With all that being said, the reality of the men in the James Gang playing in the NBA together is a few years away. Bronny isn’t draft-eligible until 2024, and Bryce won’t be of age until 2027. A key detail that the four-time Finals MVP is keenly aware of. Aware enough to coily throw out the possibility of playing until he’s 43, joining Tom Brady as an elite athlete playing at a high level into their 40’s.

“I feel like I could play for quite a while. So it’s all up to my body, but more importantly, my mind. If my mind can stay sharp and fresh and motivated, then the sky’s not even a limit for me. I can go beyond that. But we shall see.” LeBron said.

For now, Bronny and Bryce will have the eyes of millions on them while on the high school scene. From the actual hardwood to social media where videographers and photographers searching for a viral shot or mix will be capturing them from the sideline. It’s a reality that their Hall-of-Fame father dealt with as a high schooler. For better or worse, so will they.

The post LeBron James Open to Playing Until 2027: ‘It’s All Up to My Body, More Importantly, My Mind’ appeared first on SLAM.

The Jazz are trading Patrick Beverley to the Lakers for Talen Horton-Tucker, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 25, 2022

The trade is expected to be finalized sometime this Thursday morning, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.

Patrick Beverley is returning to LA — this time, with LeBron James and the Lakers pic.twitter.com/SHY6XGLIAa

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 25, 2022

Beverley will be playing in LA for the first time since he was a Clipper. Beverley played for the crosstown rival from 2017-2021 and is expected to bring his much-needed defensive presence and bulldog mentality to the Lakers’ locker room. First-year Coach Darvin Ham has made it clear that his main priority other than revitalzing confidence with Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis is to improve the Lakers’ defensive standing.

Acquiring Beverley will do just that. Over the past five seasons, Beverley has held opponents to 41.9 percent shooting as the closest defender, second best among players that have defended 2,000 shots, per ESPN.

Beverley has one year and $13 million remaining on his contract. His expiring deal will give the Lakers significant salary-cap space to build around Davis and James, who will be the only players on the Lakers’ books in 2023-24. The Lakers could have as much as $88 million in salary to pay for the 2023-24 campaign. The projected salary c

With THT off the Lakers’ books next summer, they could have as little as $88.9 million in salary for 2023-24. The projected salary cap is $133 million for 2023-24.

— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) August 25, 2022

Beverley was reportedly eager to join the Lakers via trade, per ESPN, and was thrilled to learn of the impending deal. The late summer deal helps Utah inch closer to their rebuild after acquiring Horton-Tucker; the franchise is reportedly expected to remain active on the trade market and will likely still be seeking a trade partner for Donovan Mitchell.

Horton-Tucker averaged 10 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists last season. Johnson put up 6.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.

The post REPORT: Jazz Trades Patrick Beverley to the Lakers to Accelerate Rebuild appeared first on SLAM.

That news came just a day before the Nets announced that Kevin Durant had decided to rescind his trade request and that he and the franchise “have agreed to move forward with our partnership.” The Nets are likely confident KD and Kai, combined with the healthy returns of Ben Simmons and Joe Harris, the free agent acquisitions of Royce O’Neal and T.J. Warren, and re-signing Patty Mills and Nic Claxton, will help the team make a return to title contention.

However, there is one team that lost out on some superstar talent after Brooklyn decided to keep Irving on the roster, the Lakers. The Lakers were reportedly keen on acquiring Irving through trade this offseason and set up negotiations with third teams like the Pacers and Spurs to make it happen. Trade talks never materialized, though, and now the purple-and-gold will have to search the market a little longer to find more talent.

“We told you a month ago it was not gonna happen,” Charania said about an Irving-Lakers trade during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. “As of right now, the Lakers are open to anything that will make their team better. So if there’s a deal out there and they can go get multiple different players, that makes the team better.

"We told you a month ago that Kyrie to the Lakers wasn't gonna happen.. the Lakers are open to anything that will make their team better" ~@ShamsCharania#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/Swjio4siWD

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 23, 2022

Charania added that the Lakers would be looking to add rotation players that they can plug into their lineup. The insider believes players like Patrick Beverly and Bojan Bogdanovic will be targeted in trades during the season.

“Those are the type of moves you’re gonna see the Lakers try to make. I don’t think that they’re done necessarily. I think they’re still gonna try to get this team better. Yes, Kyrie Irving to the Lakers, for now, is not a thing.”

The Lakers will look to improve after adding rookie head coach Darvin Ham, who they hope can turn around Russell Westbrook’s Lakers tenure and help Anthony Davis get back to his top-five player status after a rash of injuries doomed his season and the Lakers’ title hopes over the last two seasons.

The post REPORT: Lakers Will Stay On the Market After Kyrie Irving Trade Talks Stalled appeared first on SLAM.

Gasol joins Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem O’NealJabbar, and Wilt Chamberlain as the most noteworthy big men to ever grace a Lakers uniform. The Lakers will honor Gasol when L.A. hosts the Memphis Grizzlies on March 7.

A six-time NBA All-Star, Gasol and the legendary Kobe Bryant played a crucial role in L.A.’s back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010. He averaged 18.6 points per game in each of those NBA Finals series and averaged 17.7 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game on 52.2 percent shooting from the field over 429 games with the Lakers.

Gasol started his NBA career in Memphis but was traded to Los Angeles during the 2008 season, where he instantly made an impact. His career also featured stints in Chicago, San Antonio, and Milwaukee, but none more iconic than his seven seasons in the purple and gold. Gasol also had a prestigious international career with Spain, winning two silver medals and one bronze in three Summer Olympics appearances and a gold medal in the 2006 FIBA World Cup.

After multiple All-Star appearances and two championships over an illustrious career in Los Angeles, No. 16 will forever be honored in the Lakers’ rafters. 

PhotoLakers’etty Images.

The post Lakers to Retire Pau Gasol’s No. 16 Jersey in March appeared first on SLAM.

BREAKING: Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has agreed on a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension – including a player option for the 2024-2025 season, @KlutchSports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN. James had been entering final year of deal worth $44.5M.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 17, 2022

The deal includes a 15 percent trade kicker, making James the highest-earning player in the history of the NBA. With the signing of the agreement, James will be set to make a grand total of $532 million in guaranteed money.

The two-year, $97.1M extension, which includes a 15 percent trade kicker, makes LeBron James the highest earning player in NBA history with $532M in guaranteed money. He surpasses Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant. pic.twitter.com/UUHMspiKZp

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 17, 2022

The deal will keep James in LA while his son, Bronny, completes his high school basketball career at Sierra Canyon High School. James has made it abundantly clear that one of his remaining career goals is to play on an NBA court with his oldest son. James will be 39-years-old by the time Bronny is eligible to enter the NBA Draft if the one-and-done eligibility rules stay as is.

The post REPORT: LeBron James Signs Two-Year Deal That Makes Him Highest Earning Player in NBA History appeared first on SLAM.

Sources: NBA’s 2022-23 Opening Night, Oct. 18 on TNT:

– 76ers at Celtics
– And as previously reported: Lakers at Warriors

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 16, 2022

Per Charania, the upcoming season will begin on October 18, with the four inter-conference foes facing off against one another. The Celtics and 76ers will kick off the action on TNT, while the Warriors will host the Lakers on the same night they conduct their ring ceremony.

The Warriors and Lakers are facing off for the second year in a row after opening up the season against each other last season. The Warriors won three Out of the four times the Western Conference titans faced off last year. The Sixers and Celtics split their season series. The Heat eliminated the 76ers team finishing the season with an identical 51-31 record. The C’s advanced to the Finals but fell to the Warriors in six games.

The Warriors and Celtics will have their Finals rematch on December 10.

Golden State-Boston NBA Finals rematch dates for the 2022-23 season, per sources:

Dec. 10 in Golden State
Jan. 19 in Boston

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 16, 2022

The Christmas Day matchups will be highlighted by a second-round playoff rematch between the Grizzles and Warriors and a playoff rematch between the Bucks and Celtics. The Grizzlies and Warriors have been jaw-jacking since the Warriors won the Finals, and Draymond Green and Ja Morant made it clear on Twitter that they wanted this matchup on Christmas.

Sources: NBA’s 2022 Christmas Day schedule:

Bucks at Celtics
76ers at Knicks
Suns at Nuggets
Lakers at Mavericks
Grizzlies at Warriors

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 14, 2022

The 22-23 season should be fun with the healthy return of stars like Kawhi Leonard, the heightened expectations for the Lakers, and the title defense of the Warriors. Not to mention how the Bucks and Celtics will respond after tough losses in the playoffs.

The post REPORT: Opening Night Schedule for 2022-23 Season Leaked appeared first on SLAM.

James had emphasized the importance of unity and cohesion for the team this year, citing that last year the team didn’t have that element which led to more losses than expected.

According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, the meeting also had a crucial component that James and Ham mutually agreed on: running the offense through Anthony Davis. The team seems pleased with Davis’ offseason work and hopes he can take on the lead role.

The team will also expect a bump in three-point accuracy from Russell Westbrook, who shot 29.8 percent from three last year. Remember that the triple-double king hit corner triples at a 43.8 clip last season.

Haynes also added the meeting was deemed “productive and informative.” General Manager Rob Pelinka also attended the hour-long session and expressed his desire to have James retire as a Laker.

The post REPORT: Lakers Meet with LeBron James; Agree to Run Offense Through Anthony Davis appeared first on SLAM.

The first bit of criticism O’Neal received was from his Hall-of-Famer dad, Shaq, who wasn’t a fan of Shareef leaving college early “at all.” and admitted that although he hadn’t spoken about his plans to play professionally with his dad since they’re both adults Shareef believes “we’ll get through it.”

“He didn’t like that idea at all,” O’Neal said. “It sucks that he didn’t like that idea, but I’m a grown man, I’m 22 years old, I can make my own decisions. It was right in front of my face. I’m not backing up from it. I’m going to go get it if I see it. That’s just how I’m built. I take everything the same way. I took my heart surgery the same way. Being cleared was right in front of me, being healthy was right in front of me, and I went for it. I’m not backing down from nobody. I know he’s an NBA legend; I know he’s my dad, but it was right in front of me; I had to go get it. So, if he likes it or not, it’s not really going to stop me from doing what I want to do.”

Fun Fact: Shaq wanted Shareef to stay in school and not workout with the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/sCRbBmXM5u

— The Pettiest Laker Fan (@ThePettiestLA) June 21, 2022

The second bit of tough love O’Neal has had to deal with was from his father’s old teammate, Robert Horry. Big Shot Rob won three rings during his Lakers tenure as one of the most clutch shooters in franchise history. On a recent episode of his podcast, Horry said he wasn’t sure if O’Neal had what it takes to play in the League.

“I don’t know if he has that dog in him to go out there and take what he wants,” Horry said on The Big Shot Rob Podcast.

I know this outta love and no disrespect!!! I got you BIG SHOT but you know who raised me , I don’t quit. Always been taught to go get it and take it . Been heading in the right step …like I said I got you! Youll see https://t.co/QmbciWH46c

— Shareef O’Neal (@SSJreef) August 3, 2022

Shareef O’Neal responded by saying Horry knew “who raised me” and that he was “taught to go get it and take it.” by the self-proclaimed most dominant player of all time. The younger O’Neal finished off his response to Horry by saying telling the seven-time champion, “I got you! You’ll see.”

O’Neal recently signed a deal to play with the G League Ignite, a developmental team that’s been the breeding ground for recent lottery picks like Jalen Green, Jonathon Kuminga, and Dyson Daniels. O’Neal averaged 4.0 points per game while he played for the Lakers’ Summer League team.

The post Shareef O’Neal Responds to Criticism From Robert Horry: ‘You Know Who Raised Me” appeared first on SLAM.

The Lakers’ side of things is where they would be willing to take on Randle if they cannot move Westbrook for Kyrie Irving. Randle would be a player the Lakers would value as a complementary piece next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Randle’s salary for 2022-23 is set to be $23.76 million, $23.3 million less than what Westbrook will make this upcoming year.

Randle is two years removed from his lone year as an All-Star, All-NBA Second Team selection, and a Most Improved Player of the Year award.

The Lakers have been linked to Irving in recent weeks and may need the help of other teams to move Westbrook to take on Irving. Irving has also been involved in trade rumors following Kevin Durant’s trade request away from the Brooklyn Nets.

This hinders the development of the Knicks and Jazz’s talks to scoop Mitchell. The Lakers have also been searching for a third team if they were to deal away Westbrook. San Antonio was rumored to be the third team at one point, and now the Knicks have been identified as the other potential third suitor.

The post REPORT: Knicks to Explore Trading Julius Randle if They Land Donovan Mitchell appeared first on SLAM.

LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Westbrook reportedly had a phone conversation during the first weekend of the NBA Summer League. During that phone call, the three superstars expressed “their commitment to one another” amid trade rumors and an underwhelming finish last season, per Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports.

Haynes reported that Westbrook has never requested a trade out of Los Angeles. The nine-time All-Star and 2017 League MVP is set to earn $47 million next season before he hits the open market as an unrestricted agent in 2023.

Westbrook has been linked to multiple teams, most notably the Brooklyn Nets, in a possible trade surrounding Kyrie Irving, but The Athletic’s Shams Charania and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski shot down any substantial traction on an Irving to L.A. deal earlier this month. That news came three days after Haynes reported the Lakers and Nets were “actively engaged” in Westbrook-Irving trade talks at the time.

Newly hired Lakers Coach Darvin Ham, who was hired in early June, spoke with Marc J. Spears of Andscape earlier this month and said he has a “wholehearted plan” on how to use Westbrook next season. He said he thinks Westbrook will “flourish” with the Lakers.

Westbrook averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game on 44.4 percent shooting from the field and 29.8 percent shooting from three-point range last season. The Lakers will look to bounce back this season after last year saw L.A. end with an underwhelming 33-49 record and fail to make the playoffs.

The post REPORT: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook Held Phone Call to Confirm Commitment to Lakers appeared first on SLAM.

Last season, the Lakers (33-49) finished 11th in the Western Conference. The Lakers roster was, on average, 30.0 years old, the oldest in the League, and was led by LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook. Davis and James missed pockets of times with various injuries, particularly Davis, who came under fire for his relative lack of availability throughout this season and his entire Lakers tenure.

The first move the Lakers made this offseason was to fire former coach Frank Vogel and then hire longtime assistant coach Darvin Ham. Ham will be tasked with flipping the Lakers around into a defensive juggernaut and helping Westbrook turn his Lakers career around after the 2017 MVP failed to live up to Lakers standards last year. Ham, in particular, has publicly stated he believes Westbrook “has a ton left in the tank” and that he has a plan on how to get the best out of Westbrook.

“Absolutely,” Buss said when asked if she liked the Lakers’ move to hire in Ham. “I’m a big believer in Darvin Ham. When you’re at the Board of Governors meetings and governors say to you, ‘We interviewed your guy; you got a great coach.’ Or, ‘He worked for us; you got a great guy.’ His reputation around the League brings me a lot of pride to hear other people say how much they admire him. We got a really good coach.”

Buss also talked about the Lakers’ offseason execution, missing Kobe Bryant, and her relationships with Magic Johnson, Phil Jackson in her Q&A with NBA.com.

The post Lakers Owner Jeanie Buss Speaks on Hiring Darvin Ham: ‘I’m a Big Believer in Ham’ appeared first on SLAM.

One major factor in helping the Lakers undergo a massive turnaround next season will be what Ham intends to do with Russell Westbrook at point guard. The triple-double king is coming off an up and down season where he absorbed a lot of blame for the Lakers’ regular-season struggles and their tumble down the Western Conference standings.

Westbrook averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game on 44.4 percent shooting from the field and a 29.8 percent shooting from three-point range.

Heading into this next season, Ham said he plans to deploy Westbrook as the starting point guard of the Lakers. Ham also told Marc J. Spears of Andscape a little bit about his plans to use Westbrook, remaining mum on specific details but said that criticism of Westrbook and counting him out at 33-years-old would be “premature”.

“Counted out prematurely. Counted out. Prematurely.” Ham said about the disapproval the 2017 MVP received last year. “I’ve had some great interactions with Russ, in person, over dinner, over the phone, over text messages. I love Russell Westbrook, man. Just his mentality, his approach. Just to see him, a guy of that magnitude and everything he’s done in the league to get hated on.”

But being me, I got a wholehearted plan, a clear plan on how I’m going to use him. I showed it to him, sat down, brought stuff up for him. I think he’s going to flourish. We ain’t going to try to curtail his energy. We’re just going to diversify it, redirect it.

“I got a wholehearted plan, a clear plan on how I’m going to use him. I showed it to him, sat down, brought stuff up for him. I think he’s going to flourish,” new #Lakers coach Darvin Ham on Russell Westbrook. Ham also answers whether Russ will start. https://t.co/51ZOP7UtZ7 #nba

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) July 7, 2022

Ham also spoke about his thoughts about LeBron James and Anthony Davis, calling James “one of one” and a “rare commodity.” When AD came up, Ham called the 29-year-old forward the “biggest factor” and said he’s looking forward to The Brow “having a huge year this year.”

When it comes to championship expectations for next year, Ham says that he plans on building “winning habits” daily and will be “preaching daily preparation” to the Lakers daily. He also said that he will also be making sure to achieve a balance during the tough days of the regualr season. If they go on a three-game losing streak, Ham will take the team out and them “check out the African American museum” instead of conducting a “kick-ass practice”.

The details of the plans could all sound pretty good to the Lakers roster and their fans. Ham will have a different cache with the Lakers roster as a former player. As a first-time head coach of an older roster headline by James, Davis, and Westbrook, putting the ideas into reality will be a different story.

Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, Vice president Rob Pelinka, and James will have to put their faith in Ham to be the solution they need to regain relevancy.

The post Darvin Ham on Russell Westbrook’s Role Next Season: ‘I Got a Wholehearted Plan’ appeared first on SLAM.

Westbrook, who has spent the past three years on three different teams, will spend one more season in Los Angeles alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Last season the Lakers went through an injury-riddled 33-49 season that was punctuated by a mediocre defense and failure to meet title expectations despite adding future Hall-of-Famers like Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwight Howard.

Westbrook averaged 18.5 points (his lowest total since 2009-10), 7.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists on 44.4 percent shooting from the field.

The Lakers didn’t have much wiggle room going into the offseason despite multiple trade rumors coming surrounding the franchise, but continuity and internal growth will benefit the team for next season.

Of course, the Lakers are the oldest team in the NBA at an average 30-years-old. Westbrook will be 34 by the time the season starts and will be playing his 15th in the League. After a rough first year in the City of Angels, he will look to rebound next year.

The post REPORT: Russell Westbrook to Stay in Los Angeles appeared first on SLAM.

Shareef spoke to the media Monday after his pre-draft workout with the Lakers, and the topic of his father came to the forefront.

“I felt like in college; I wasn’t getting enough opportunity. I wasn’t feeling like myself in college,” Shareef said. “I got that invite to the G League Elite camp, and that opened a lot of doors for me. I feel like it really brought me back and kind of showed a little bit (of) what I can do. And once I started getting calls from teams to work out, I was like, ‘Man, this is what I want to do.’ I mean, I’m here; it’s right in front of me, so just go for it. So I continued to work.”

But his father, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1992 draft, preferred the 22-year-old to spend another year in college.

“He didn’t like that idea at all,” O’Neal said. “It sucks that he didn’t like that idea, but I’m a grown man, I’m 22 years old, I can make my own decisions. It was right in front of my face. I’m not backing up from it. I’m going to go get it if I see it. That’s just how I’m built. I take everything the same way. I took my heart surgery the same way. Being cleared was right in front of me, being healthy was right in front of me, and I went for it. I’m not backing down from nobody. I know he’s an NBA legend; I know he’s my dad, but it was right in front of me; I had to go get it. So, if he likes it or not, it’s not really going to stop me from doing what I want to do.”

Shaq didn’t graduate from LSU before being drafted to the NBA but eventually returned to LSU to complete his degree. He then received his master’s at the University of Phoenix online and a doctorate at Barry University in Florida.

“He knows I’m working out with teams. But I’m not going to lie; we ain’t talked about this. I’m kind of just going through it. He didn’t do any pre-draft workouts; he just got straight on the [Orlando Magic], so it’s a different grind.

“So, he didn’t want me to do this, and I know he probably doesn’t want me saying this, but sorry. We’re both grown; we’ll get past it.”

The younger O’Neal played 37 collegiate games in one season with UCLA and his father’s father’s alma mater, LSU. He has career averages of 2.6 points and three rebounds per game on 40.5 percent shooting from the field. 

The post Shareef O’Neal Says Father ‘Didn’t Like the Idea’ of Him Staying in Draft appeared first on SLAM.

But Draymond Green apparently doesn’t see the 2022 Finals against Boston as fierce as previous challenges, such as defeating LeBron James in the NBA Finals. Green opened about the mental hurdles it takes to defeat James per the Athletic:

“It doesn’t compare to mentally playing against LeBron James, who I think is arguably the smartest guy to ever play this game,” Green said. “Not one of; he is arguably the smartest guy to set foot on a basketball court. To say that it compares to that, it’s disrespectful to LeBron, and it’s a lie to you.”

Green, a three-time champion with the Warriors, had to defeat the four-time Finals MVP in three of his five NBA Finals appearances to secure his rings. Green’s first Finals loss came from the infamous 2016 Finals, where Golden State blew a 3-1 lead, and the second loss came against Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 NBA Finals.

The Warriors and the James-led Lakers have also met in the 2021 play-in tournament for the seventh seed in the Western Conference playoffs. James ultimately led the Lakers to a win after hitting a clutch fadeaway three to secure the Lakers’ date with the Suns in the first-round of the playoffs.

Green did acknowledge that Boston is challenging in their own way, per Yahoo Sports:

“Now, in saying that, they do have a guy over there in Marcus Smart who is extremely smart, who it’s like a chess match going up against him. He is kind of the brain of that team. I think every team you kind of have that guy,” That’s the brain of that team, and they have that in Marcus Smart, a guy who I have a tremendous amount of respect for and his basketball IQ. So it’s a challenge for sure. Ime [Udoka, Celtics coach] is extremely smart. We know his pedigree.”

Green and the Warriors will look to wrap things up in Thursday’s Game Six in Beantown. If Boston wins Game 6, the series will shift to San Francisco for a win-or-go-home Game 7 in Chase Center.

The post Draymond Green Speaks On Facing LeBron James Versus Closing Boston appeared first on SLAM.

Among the players present at Ham’s intro to LA as a head coach was Russell Westbrook.

Westbrook struggled more than many expected this season, averaging 18.5 points per game and shooting 44 percent from the field and 29.8 from the 3-point range. Westbrook drew the ire and blame for the Lakers missing the playoffs, and he was even pulled from the Lakers’ closing-time lineup by former coach Frank Vogel. Some fans and media even called for Westbrook to be traded.

When asked about the Brodie, Ham said he expects to see Westbrook on the roster and expects the former MVP to play like the tenacious, high-energy player that he’s been, though he might have to do it more off of the ball.

“Don’t get it messed up. Russell is one of the best players our league has ever seen,” Ham said. “He still has a ton left in that tank. I don’t know why people tend to write him off. I’m going to approach him like every player I’ve ever encountered. We’re going to talk about our running habits with the ball without the ball.

“Again, share the load defensively and offensively. Defensively is where you’re going to see us make our biggest leaps and bounds. We have to commit to the defensive side of the ball, or we don’t have a chance to do anything. The offense won’t even matter if we don’t get stops.”

“Russ is one of the best players our league has ever seen. There’s still a ton left in that tank.”

Lakers new Head Coach Darvin Ham on Westbrook. pic.twitter.com/gYCmWMaeZF

— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 6, 2022

General manager Rob Pelinka endorsed Ham during the press conference, saying how impressed he was with how Ham spoke about “sacrifice” and “toughness.” Ham’s main priority will be to turn their defense around, but as far as the Lakers’ offensive style, Ham said he wanted to use the “four out, one in” alignment that’s helped the Bucks and Hawks thrive under Ham’s former boss, Bucks Coach Mike Budenholzer.

The post Darvin Ham On Russell Westbrook: ‘He Still Has a Ton Left in That Tank’ appeared first on SLAM.

Wallace spent the previous year as an assistant coach under Penny Hardaway at the University of Memphis. Before that, he was the head coach at Charles E. Jordan High School in North Carolina from 2019-21. He also had a stop as an assistant coach with the Detroit Pistons from 2013-14.

Wallace played 16 seasons in the NBA, where he was a four-time All-Star and a member of the Detroit Pistons championship squad that defeated the Shaq and Kobe Lakers in the 2004 NBA Finals.

Hardaway told The Commercial Appeal that he knew Wallace would leave if Ham had gotten a head coaching position in the NBA.

“I think Rasheed might be going to LA with Darvin Ham. That was the deal from the beginning. If Darvin had gotten a job last year, Rasheed had already promised him that he was going to go with him. So, I’m thinking this year, with him getting the Lakers job, [Wallace] might still be going along with that process,” said Hardaway.

Wallace is the first known name to join Ham’s staff in LA. Ham and Wallace were teammates on the 2004 Detroit Pistons championship team.

The post REPORT: Rasheed Wallace to Join Darvin Ham’s Lakers Coaching Staff appeared first on SLAM.

2021-22 All-NBA teams:

First: Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum

Second: Joel Embiid, Ja Morant, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, DeMar DeRozan

Third: Karl-Anthony Towns, LeBron James, Chris Paul, Trae Young, Pascal Siakam

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 25, 2022

Although Jokic is the reigning MVP, he wasn’t the leading vote-getter for All-NBA First Team, Antetokounmpo was. The Greek Freak received all 100 votes for one of the forward spots on the First-Team. Jokic and Joel Embiid, who finished as runner-up for the ’21 and ’22 MVP, split votes as the First-Team center. Embiid ended up being named as the center for the Second-Team.

Antekounmpo was not only the lone unanimous All-NBA selection this season, but he also became the first player over the last 50 years to be a unanimous selection to the All-NBA First Time in four consecutive seasons, according to ESPN Stats and Information research.

Doncic became the fourth player in NBA history to earn his third First-Team selection before turning 24-years-old, joining Kevin Durant, Tim Duncan, and Max Zazlofsky. Jokic, Antetokounmpo and Doncic were joined by Jayson Tatum and Devin Booker. According to the NBA, this is the first time since 1954-55 that the First-Team comprises players at least 27-years-old or younger.

Booker and Tatum earned the First-Team nod for the first time in their career. This is the first overall All-NBA selection for Booker and Tatum’s second nod. Tatum is the first Celtic to make All-NBA First-Team since Kevin Garnett did it in 2008. He’s also the youngest Celtic to earn an All-NBA First-Team selection since Larry Bird in 1980.

The Second-Team is rounded out by Stephen Curry, Ja Morant, DeMar DeRozan, and Durant. Chris Paul, Trae Young, LeBron James, Pascal Siakam, and Karl-Anthony Towns filled out the Third-Team. James picked up his record 18th All-NBA nod, placing him ahead of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, and Tim Duncan for most All-NBA picks, and became the first player in League history to make the All-NBA in his 19th+ season.

Paul is the first guard since Bryant to make an All-NBA team in his 17th+ season.

The post Nikola Jokic Headlines 2021-2022 All-NBA Teams appeared first on SLAM.

According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, although it’s not known if Jackson is actually on the list of coaching candidates that the Lakers will be looking to hire, it does speak well of Jackson’s reputation and acumen that The King has, at least according to reports, given his vote of support for the hiring of the former Warriors coach.

The last time Jackson was on the sideline, guiding the Dubs to a 51-31 record in the 2013-2014 season before they lost in the first round to the Clippers. Over his three seasons as Golden State’s head coach, Jackson led the Warriors to a 121-109 regular-season record and a 9-10 record in the postseason in their two playoff appearances with him at the helm.

Jackson was subsequently let go after their short run in the playoffs and replaced by Steve Kerr, who led the Warriors to three titles. Kerr has given Jackson credit for building that team into what it is on the defensive end.

Despite a Big 3 of James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, and other future Hall of Famers like Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard, the Lakers mustered a 33-49 record. They missed the playoffs for the second time in four years during James’ LA tenure. The reason is bad defense, lack of continuity and health, and bad roster fit overall.

James’ 30.3 points per game were the only bright spot, which helped move him to second place in the all-time scoring list, right behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

The post REPORT: LeBron James Would Be ‘Very Enthused’ If Lakers Hire Mark Jackson appeared first on SLAM.

“I think it’s unfortunate, to be honest because I’ve never had an issue with any of my coaches before,” Westbrook said on Monday per ESPN. “I’m not sure what his issue was with me, or I’m not sure why, but I can’t really give you an answer to why we really never connected.”

Westbrook averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists on the season and struggled with his efficiency, shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 29.8 percent on 3.4 3-point attempts a game. The Lakers (33-49) finished 11th in the Western Conference and missed the playoffs for the second time in the last four seasons despite a loaded roster led by Westbrook, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis.

Do the Lakers owe Russell Westbrook an apology? pic.twitter.com/VoZFOprZ0Q

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) April 5, 2022

This disconnect between Vogel and Westbrook came to the forefront as Vogel was reportedly permitted to bench Westbrook in the fourth quarter of close games. The news came as the fourth-year coach of the Lakers was facing increased scrutiny and questions of job security as the Lakers dealt with piling injuries and a turnstile defense.

“When I first got here, the ability to be able to do what I’m able to do for a team and an organization wasn’t given a fair chance,” Westbrook said about his role.

Westbrook is eligible to sign a $47 million player option over the offseason. Although his intentions to resign aren’t clear, he admitted that his production didn’t meet his standards after averaging a triple-double in his lone season with the Washington Wizards. The main thing that will lead him to resign is how the Lakers will fill the void at head coach and figure out the play style that the new coach will implement.

RUSS SAID WE AIN’T DONE YET. (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/kOjVasfaDA

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 19, 2022

The post Russell Westbrook Says He ‘Wasn’t Given a Fair Chance’ In First Season With Lakers appeared first on SLAM.

The Lakers will reportedly relieve Frank Vogel of his head coaching duties on Monday, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Frank Vogel has coached his final game for the Lakers, a decision that’s expected to be shared with him as soon as Monday, sources tell ESPN. Lakers’ search expected to be lengthy and expansive with no clear initial frontrunner.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 11, 2022

The happy feelings Vogel and the Lakers brought to LA after winning a championship in 2020 were quickly gone after the Lakers concluded a disappointing 33-49 season on Sunday with a 146-141 overtime win against the Nuggets. The Lakers were eliminated from the play-in tournament by the Suns last week,

According to Woj, the Lakers’ final decision is expected to be shared with Vogel as soon as Monday. During his postgame presser on Sunday, Vogel said he wasn’t told about his future with the Lakers.

“I haven’t been told s—, and I’m going to enjoy tonight’s game, celebrate what these young guys did in terms of scratching and clawing and getting back in this game and getting a W, and we’ll deal with tomorrow, tomorrow,” Vogel said, per ESPN.

Most of the Lakers’ struggles can be attributed to porous defense, injuries, and the lack of continuity that comes with all the Lakers’ injuries throughout the season. Because of that lack of continuity, the Lakeshow finished the season in the bottom 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Their Big 3 of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook only played 21 games together, going 11-10 in those games.

Thank you, Coach. pic.twitter.com/8eb4Ia9ZqI

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 11, 2022

Additionally, the Lakers were the only team not to have a single five-person lineup play 100 minutes together, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Vogel built the Lakers into a defensive juggernaut through his first two seasons in LA, guiding the team to the best and third-best defensive rating in the 2020-2021 and 2019-2020 seasons, respectively.

Los Angeles lost 18 of 24 games following the All-Star break, worse than only the Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets, and Indiana Pacers.

The post Lakers Announce Dismissal of Frank Vogel as Coach appeared first on SLAM.

Lakers say LeBron James will miss the remainder of the season for continued healing of his ankle sprain and expected full recovery.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 8, 2022

The four-time MVP is expected to make a full recovery over the offseason. The Lakers (31-49) were eliminated from the play-in tournament after the Suns beat them on Tuesday. Their loss guaranteed the Spurs would have a spot as the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. The Lakers have the Thunder and Nuggets left to play during the regular season.

James has missed five of the last six games since spraining his left ankle against the Pelicans nearly two weeks ago. The King averaged 30.3 points per game in 56 appearances, the most a player has averaged in his 19th season ever, and the most James has averaged since his third season in the NBA (31.4). Because James played 56 games, he isn’t eligible to claim the scoring title if Joel Embiid, the League’s current scoring leader, were to dip below him.

When James played, the Lakers went 25-31. This season will be the first time since his rookie year with the Cavs that a James-led team will finish with a below .500 record in the games he played. The Lakers will fail to make the playoffs in James’ four-year tenure with the team for the second time.

“He’s done everything in his power, and to his ability, beyond what can be reasonably asked of a team’s best player,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel told ESPN when asked about James’ season last month. “He’s done it on the court, he’s done it with his leadership and keeping everybody engaged in the fight.

“And I don’t think anybody can say anything other than he’s given everything that he can give to this year’s team.”

The post LeBron James Will Miss Rest of Season Due to Ankle Injury appeared first on SLAM.

Charlotte has been increasingly mentioned by league insiders as a team to watch on the Russell Westbrook trade front, per @TheSteinLine

(Via https://t.co/VLnvss1q1X) pic.twitter.com/NwN6opDBiq

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 7, 2022

The former League MVP will receive more than $47 million for the 2022-23 season if he decides to pick up his player option with the Lakers. After the Lakers’ 121-110 loss to the Phoenix Suns, Westbrook expressed his interest in returning to the squad for the 22-23 season.

Westbrook’s insertion alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis didn’t pan out as most expected, with the Lakers failing to advance to the postseason. The all-time triple-doubles leader averaged 18.5 points, 7.4 boards, and 7.1 dimes on 44.4 percent shooting from the field.

The post REPORT: Charlotte Hornets Team to Watch in Potential Russell Westbrook Trade appeared first on SLAM.

With the Los Angles Lakers officially eliminated from the playoffs on Tuesday night, head coach Frank Vogel may be one of those coaches.

According to recent reports from Jake Fischer from Bleacher Report, the Lakers are not expected to retain Vogel at the end of the season. They are already looking for new candidates to fill the position.

“Now, as the finish line for this tumultuous 2021-22 campaign mercifully arrives, the Lakers are still expected to part ways with embattled play-caller Frank Vogel, sources told B/R, and the anticipated vacancy on Los Angeles’ bench has produced no shortage of potential candidates linked to fill the position.”

Because of a San Antonio Spurs victory over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, the Lakers will not participate in the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2019.

According to Fischer, replacement options are already being named by some reporters. NBA reporter Marc Stein wrote that Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder is a name being thrown around by many within the League.

A few other candidates linked to the job by Fischer include Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers and Lakers senior basketball advisor Kurt Rambis, who coached the Lakers in 1999.

“There will certainly be other candidates to replace Vogel. Multiple league figures contacted by B/R referenced the possibility that Laker’s senior basketball adviser Kurt Rambis returns to the sidelines after several previous coaching stops in the League,” Fischer wrote.

The Lakers are currently in 11th in the Western Conference with a record of 31-47 and only have three games remaining before their season – and possibly Vogel’s tenure with the team – come to an end.

The post REPORT: Lakers are Expected to Let Go of Frank Vogel at End of Season appeared first on SLAM.

The 121-110 loss was the Lakers’ seventh straight, with four of the last five coming without injured LeBron James on the court while he recovers from an ankle injury. James will miss the playoffs for the fourth time in his career, missing the postseason in 2004, 2005, and 2019.

The 2021-2022 campaign has been a debacle, from various injuries to key pieces like James or Anthony Davis, the front office adding Russell Westbrook over DeMar DeRozan or Buddy Hield, allowing key pieces to leave or not working the trade deadline, to the scrutinization of Frank Vogel’s job security. The season just plain hasn’t gone the way the Lakers and their fans thought it would, with many expecting the Lakers to contend for their 18th title.

“Extremely disappointed,” Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said per The Athletic. “Disappointed for our fan base. Disappointed for the Buss family, who gave us all this opportunity, and we want to play our part in bringing success to Laker basketball, and we fell short. We were eliminated tonight, and I can say it’s not been due to a lack of effort. We have all put in the work. Our guys stayed fighting right until the end.

“In terms of being eliminated, we brought integrity to the process. We just fell short through a disjointed season. So, we’re all disappointed.”

The trio of James, David, and Westbrook only played 21 games together this year, and the Lakers went 11-10 with their Big 3 playing together. Westbrook has been the most available out of the three, playing 78 games and averaging 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game on 44.4 percent shooting from the field.

This season the criticism has been higher than ever for Mr. Triple-Double. He’s been benched during the closing minutes of close games, criticized for his poor shooting and defense, and has felt concerned for the physical well-being of his loved ones after fans harassed his family. Westbrook has a $47 million player option that he can sign this summer, and he’s been publicly optimistic about running it back with Bron and AD.

“Yeah,” Westbrook said. “I mean, that’s the plan. But nothing is promised. You kinda gotta take one day at a time, each day. And like I’ve said all season long, you gotta play the cards you’re dealt. Yes, we want to be able to see what that looks like, what that entails over the course of an 82-game season. But we’re not sure if that’s guaranteed, neither. So I just hope that we have a chance to be able to do something.”

The Lakers have three games remaining on their schedule, ending the regular season against the Nuggets.

The post Russell Westbrook On Returning to the Lakers: ‘That’s the Plan. But Nothing is Promised’ appeared first on SLAM.

Davis has played 39 games this season, missing more than a month of playing time due to a knee injury he suffered against the Timberwolves. He returned for 10 games before injuring his foot and missing another month and a half after injuring his foot against the Jazz.

The Kentucky product played 36 games during the 2020-2021 season after a short offseason following the Lakers’ 2020 title in the Orlando Bubble. AD reinjured his knee during the first round of the playoffs against the Phoenix Suns.

“This is what I’ve learned about injuries: Last year, when I wasn’t playing, people were saying ‘AD’s giving up on his team. It’s the playoffs. AD has to play. He’s got to play.’ And when I went out there to play, got hurt again, they said, ‘Who was his trainer? Who let him play?’ Davis said per the LA Times.

“So, what the [expletive] do you want me to do? When I play, it’s a problem. It’s a problem when I don’t play. At the end of the day, I’ve got to do what’s best for me and how my body feels. And we go from there. I’m not worried about who’s saying what or who thinks this about me because none of them have stepped on the floor and played. And the ones that did play, they should understand.

“These aren’t little ticky-tack injuries.”

The Brow has gotten the injury-prone label placed on him before arriving in LA. The past two seasons have added more proof to the viewpoint. However, the injuries were possibly more freak accidents. He stepped on the foot of Rudy Gobert while LeBron James accidentally knocked Jaden McDaniel into Davis’ leg.

With just four games left in the regular season, the Lakers (31-47) are two games behind the Spurs for the final spot in the play-in tournament. Davis has averaged 23.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game when he’s been healthy.

The post Anthony Davis on Injury Criticism: ‘These Aren’t Little Ticky-Tack Injuries’ appeared first on SLAM.

In fact, Los Angeles has the eighth-worst record in the NBA at this point. 

If the Lakers are going to make the play-in, they’ll need to climb one spot in the standings and earn the tenth seen. The team currently in that slot is the San Antonio Spurs. 

On Sunday night, the Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets while the Spurs beat the Portland Trail Blazers. This just created even more of an uphill battle for Los Angeles in its pursuit of the postseason. 

With just four games left in the 2021-22 season for the Lakers, they’re a full two games behind San Antonio for that final play-in spot. Not only will they have to get close to winning out, but they’ll also need the Spurs to lose quite a few of their final games. 

At this point, the Lakers no longer fully control their own fate. In a season filled with injuries, it may all be for nothing. Additionally, the Lakers don’t even own their first-round pick in the upcoming draft which is projected to be in the top ten. 

The post Lakers Lose Again, Lowering Chances Of Making Play-In Tournament appeared first on SLAM.

As Anthony Davis — out since Feb. 16 with a foot sprain — progresses toward a game-time decision vs. New Orleans on Friday, LeBron James is hopeful to test out his ankle sprain and try to make a return to the lineup too, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 31, 2022

The same news goes for LeBron James, who Woj says is hopeful he can test where his ankle is and make his return on Friday too. Neither AD nor Bron will play when the Lakers face the Jazz on Thursday. The return of their All-Star duo couldn’t come at a better time with the Lakeshow looking to move up in the play-in tournament. They are currently a half-game behind the Spurs and 1.5 games behind the Pelicans for the ninth seed.

The Lakers (31-44) are 10th in the Western Conference as of Thursday and have the third-toughest remaining schedule over their final seven games. Their upcoming opponents combine for a .563 winning percentage.

The post REPORT: Anthony Davis Close to Becoming a Game-Time Decision appeared first on SLAM.

Our full interview w/ the legend Pau Gasol (@paugasol) is LIVE on all platforms. We could've listened to him talk for hours.

Listen: https://t.co/fZCk1KNFWh

Watch: https://t.co/2QKop0lR8t pic.twitter.com/AvggEaNLhW

— TheOldMan&TheThree (@OldManAndThree) March 25, 2022

“I’m exploring a potential role with a team,” Gasol said. “I’ve been going a little bit under the radar with the Warriors, and they’ve kind of opened their doors for me to come in and be part of meetings, see the guys a little bit, and talk to some of the guys.”

The seven-footer suited up for the Grizzlies, Lakers, Bulls, Spurs, and Bucks during his remarkable 18-year NBA career. As a player, Gasol was selected to the All-Star game six times, was a four-time All-NBA selection, and was named the Rookie of the Year. To top it all off, Gasol won two titles with the Lakers.

The post Pau Gasol Looking to Pursue ‘Under the Radar’ Role with Warriors appeared first on SLAM.

Bron has a left ankle sprain that he sustained Sunday night against the New Orleans Pelicans, while Davis has been out since suffering a right mid-foot sprain on February 16 against the Utah Jazz. However, things seem to be trending upwards for the former Kentucky Wildcat, as he participated in his first full live practice since the Jazz game.

“We’re at a point now where it’s really about how he responds to that and the level of soreness he has coming out of his first live work,” Coach Frank Vogel said, elaborating on Davis’ condition to ESPN.

This year, the Lakers have struggled when their superstar duo isn’t on the court. They hold an 0-3 record when both don’t suit up and have below .500 records when one of the two isn’t playing: 6-13 without James and 14-23 without Davis.

“It’s been that type of year,” Vogel said. “It’s one of those things that’s out of our control. It’s unfortunate. But we have to lock in, and again like we’ve done all season, we have to shift our identity on the floor with regards to who’s in and who’s out.”

The Lakers will play in Dallas on Tuesday at 7:30 PM EST.

The post LeBron James and Anthony Davis Listed as Doubtful For Tonight’s Game appeared first on SLAM.

“We’re excited to announce our partnership with Nike is going to continue!” Vanessa Bryant wrote in her official announcement Instagram post. “I am so proud that my husband’s shoes are still the most worn by players on NBA courts and that the demand for his shoes remain so desired by his fans around the world.”

After a brief split starting in early 2021, the world will again have full access to Nike products of the late Kobe Bryant as well as Gianna. https://t.co/sgXA7T6ddb

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 24, 2022

The shoe and apparel company will reportedly be donating all net proceeds of Gianna Bryant’s sneakers to the Mamba and Mambacity Sports Foundation, and are working towards establishing a youth basketball center in Southern CA. The new agreement comes nearly a year after the Kobe Bryant Estate, and Nike couldn’t agree to a new deal after his five-year, post-retirement endorsement extension with Nike expired in April 2021.

Contract talks stalled after the Bryant estate pushed Nike to produce a higher volume of Kobe’s for the re-release as well as the expansion of Kobe’s to include kid sizes. Another key element in contract negotiations was its commitment to launching a new basketball facility in the Black Mamba’s name.

According to ESPN, Nearly 20% of NBA players have worn Kobe’s since the Black Mamba, Gianna, and seven others passed away in a January 2020 helicopter crash. During the 2019-2020 campaign, 102 of the 322 total players competing in the League’s Orlando bubble wore Kobe’s. Nike also plans on starting several initiatives plan to honor Bryant’s legacy.

“Kobe Bryant means so much to so many of us, not just NBA fans but globally beyond the game,” John Donahoe, Nike’s president, and CEO, said in a statement. “His impact in growing the sport, particularly encouraging women and young people to pick it up, endures as one of his deepest, lasting legacies. Together with Vanessa, we hope to honor Kobe and Gigi by championing a new generation for many years to come.”

Nike will not only be re-releasing all 11 Kobe’s, including six potential post-career silhouettes, but the company will also be launching a line of sneakers for Gigi Bryant too. The first releases could arrive as soon May 1, which would fall on Gigi’s 16th birthday. The Gigi sneaker colorways will be styled similarly to the Mamba Ballers team colors, and will include gold accents, they were originally produced just before Bryant’s contract expired but were never released.

“The first new shoe from the partnership, the Kobe 6 Protro ‘Mambacita Sweet 16’ will honor Gigi Bryant,” Nike said in a statement. “All proceeds from the shoe will benefit the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation.”

The post Vanessa Bryant Announces Nike and Kobe Bryant Estate Have Reached a New Deal appeared first on SLAM.

After suffering what could be considered the worst season of his career, the final moments of the Lakers’ loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves was a real low point for one of the NBA’s top 75 players.

Westbrook rebounded with a triple-double, scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, helping the Los Angeles Lakers snap an 11-game road losing streak with a massive 128-123 win over the Toronto Raptors. But the Lakers, particularly Brodie, had to overcome adversity to get it.

With less than ten seconds left in regulation, Westbrook shot a three-pointer from the left wing that hit the side of the backboard that Toronto rebounded as they called timeout. Then Russ saved the game by hitting the biggest shot in months for Los Angeles Lakers.

RUSS SAID WE AIN’T DONE YET. (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/kOjVasfaDA

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 19, 2022

After the game, Westbrook broke down the play while explaining how leaning on his faith allows him to press on through tough times.

“A lot of times with your misses, when they’re bad misses, that get a lot of attention and stuff,” A Lakers reporter asked. “The shots that are kind of high off the backboard. How do you not let that stuff affect your confidence?”

Westbrook: “I got 23,000 points. How about that?”

“On nights like tonight is why I stay true to my faith and I’m thankful to be able to go out and play.” Russ walks us through his game-tying triple and talks about the viral photo of Drake reacting to his three. @LakersReporter pic.twitter.com/Xwt5lDAJPN

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 19, 2022

Russell Westbrook and the Lakers take on the Washington Wizards on Saturday night.

The post Lakers Escape With OT Win Thanks To Huge Play by Russell Westbrook appeared first on SLAM.

Assist number 10,000 for LeBron went to Melo. Legendary .

(via @Lakers) pic.twitter.com/2Ysdqr8va3

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 14, 2022

“To now sit alone at a statistical category in this league that I’ve really modeled my game after being able to score, rebound and assist,” James said per ESPN. “I sit alone at a stat is pretty like — I’d say ‘cool,’ but it doesn’t quite make sense to me.”

To accomplish a career triple-double in career totals is crazy. To have done so with the weight of expectations The King entered the League with as an 18-year-old is even crazier.

He’s knocking on the door to becoming the all-time leading scorer in NBA history. He’s won four titles, four Finals MVPs, and four regular-season MVPs. The kid from Akron has also been named to 17 All-NBA teams, six All-Defensive teams, and 18 All-Star games. As Ohio’s favorite son, perhaps ever, James put the accomplishment into perspective postgame with assembled media.

“I get lost for words anytime things like this are happening to me because of where I come from,” he said. “I automatically start thinking to my hometown of Akron [Ohio] and my upbringing and where I come from and the dreams that I had of being in this league and playing at the highest level.”

The only thing that could damper James’ mood is that the Lakers (29-38) lost to the Suns, 140-11. He finished the blowout loss with 31 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. They look to get back on track against the visiting Raptors on Monday.

The post LeBron James Starts 30k-10K-10K Club appeared first on SLAM.

The Washed King scored 50 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 122-109 victory over the Washington Wizards. At 37, he now is the oldest player in NBA history to have multiple 50 point games in a season, passing Bernard King. LeBron James-led teams have won for the 12th straight time when James has scored 50+ in a night.

He’s now the first Laker player to hit the 50 point plateau in back-to-back home games since the late Kobe Bryant did so in April 2007. James also scored a season-high 56 in a win over Golden State last weekend.

The King is unconscious. 50-piece. (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/plIhZwsmx9

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 12, 2022

“We just needed to pick our energy up and get more detailed about how we wanted to attack the Wizards. We did that, especially in the third quarter,” said James on taking over the game offensively, per ESPN. “I was able to hit a hot streak at one point. I just tried to stay in that zone as long as possible and hit a couple.”

Frank Vogel spoke on what many NBA counterparts are thinking about James’ brilliance, including The King personally erasing a seven-point halftime deficit with 12 straight points as a part of a 22-8 Lakers run to put the game away.

“He’s really good at basketball, that LeBron James,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. “I think what stands out to me is the league has never seen a player at his stage of his career do what he’s doing. Just an incredible, unbelievable, epic performance.”

King James Takeover (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/dGvTd29U9d

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 12, 2022

James and the Lakers go back on the road to take on the team with the NBA’s best record in the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.

The post LeBron James Leads Lakers Comeback With Second 50 Point Performance in Three Games appeared first on SLAM.

The Westbrook criticism has gotten so immense that he has spoken out against his critics over the last week and talked about the ill effect it has had on him and his family.

Through all the noise, one player in Westbrook’s corner is Stephen Curry, who spoke to Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes on Thursday about Westbrook, noting how “proud” he of Westbrooks’ ability to handle a tough season in the spotlight.

“I told him when we played them in L.A. a couple of days ago that I respect how he’s handled the whole year, just in terms of everything he’s been saying and how he’s been handling himself and protecting his family,” Curry told Yahoo Sports. “It is the nature of the beast. And in a certain perspective, they build you up to break you down. The real ones who have done amazing things in this league know what that means. He’s a professional, and I’m proud of the way he’s conducting himself, and I’m there for him.”

Curry and Westbrook just recently played each other, with the pair squaring off on Sunday evening in a Lakers 124-116 win over the Warriors. Curry ended the evening with 30 points, while Westbrook ended the night with 20 points on the opposing end.

The criticism of Westbrook has gotten to a point where his wife, Nina Westbrook, took to Twitter to call out Fox Sports’ Skip Bayless for being “extremely childish.”

Part of the reason for the seemingly never-ending Westbrook slander is due to the lackluster season the Lakers have had. The Lakers are fighting to stay in the playoffs right now, sitting at ninth in the Western Conference with a record of 28-37, just three games ahead of the 11-seed Portland Trail Blazers, but 5.5 games adrift of the eight-seed Los Angeles Clippers.

It’s also not been the best season for Westbrook personally, either. So far this season, Westbrook is averaging 18.3 points and 7.2 assists per game, well below his career averages of 22.9 points and 8.5 assists per game.

It hasn’t been all bad recently for Russ, though, as he joined the exclusive 23,000 point club on Wednesday night, just one of 33 players to achieve such heights in NBA history.

The Lakers will get the chance to improve upon that record on Friday night when they host the Washington Wizards (29-35) at 10:30 p.m.

The post Stephen Curry on Russell Westbrook: ‘I Respect How He’s Handled the Whole Year’ appeared first on SLAM.

Instead, Melo’s long midrange jumper missed. Bron said he preferred Anthony’s shot because it was a better shot postgame.

“I could have forced a reverse layup, but I wasn’t in a position to feel like I could’ve gotten a great look,” explained James. “I could’ve gotten a decent look. And I feel like Melo’s look was a lot better than mine. So it’s literally that simple.”

Breaking down the play, the King decided to give up the game-winner because the Rockets collapsed around him. Still, Anthony was wide open on the wing, and upon receiving James’ pass, Melo’s shot attempt, a pull-up jumper after pump-faking his defender out of his way missed the mark. Even though the game didn’t end the way the Lakers wanted, you have to live with the decision the four-time MVP made.

The decision so late in the game has become synonymous with James’ game. And a reason that so many detractors say he isn’t the GOAT. However, James has hit seven career buzzer-beaters, five of them in the playoffs, the most all-time. He has also hit 97 go-ahead/game-tying shots in the final minute of games, the second-most in NBA history behind only Kobe Bryant.

James, Anthony, and the Lakers look to redeem against the Wizards on Thursday.

The post LeBron James On Passing Potential Game-Winner to Carmelo Anthony appeared first on SLAM.

“It’s going to mean a lot. Me and Kuz are already trying to picture what it’s going to be like,” Caldwell-Pope told NBA.com. “We know it’s going to be a lot of emotions because of the championship run we had with the team and our friends that are still there. There’s going to be a lot of emotion and a lot of fun.”

Since moving to Washington, Kuzma has become the third leading scorer on the Wizards, averaging 17.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game on 45.7 percent shooting from the field. He’s looked at several times to be the Wizards’ second-best player after Bradley Beal. KCP has continued to thrive in his usual role as a Three-and-D threat, scoring 12.3 points per game on 39.1 percent shooting from deep.

“The team and organization really lean on me,” Kuzma said. “Everyone respects my basketball acumen here with being able to win a championship and to have winning habits. People respect that. On top of that, everybody believes in me. They really allow me to be myself. They want me to impact the game by doing it all. Having that confidence from everybody makes it easier for me.”

At this point of the season, the Wizards (29-35) and the Lakers (28-37) are fighting for a spot in the play-in tournament. Neither team expected to be in a position so late into the season after the Wizards were thought to be a playoff threat after GM Tommy Sheppards’ masterful orchestration of a Westbrook trade and acquiring Kuz KCP, Spencer Dinwiddie, Montrezl Harrell, and Aaron Holiday.

However, all but KCP and Kuz were moved at the deadline.

For the Lakers, they were believed to be a championship contender after acquiring Westbrook. The season has been full of drama and disaster as the Lakers have struggled just to stay at .500, let alone be a guarantee for a playoff spot. Blame has been spread everywhere to coaching, the front office, and the players themselves.

With all that being said, Kuzma described the return game as “we have to win that game” Kuzma also depicted the end of the LA trip as an “exciting time.” and Caldwell-Pope admitted he would have “some extra juice” when they play the Lakers on Thursday.

“I don’t really play the ‘what if,'” Kuzma said. “I’m cemented as a winner, and I’m cemented as a Lakers champion. For me, it’s not about ‘what if.’ It’s time to move on. It’s time to improve my game.”

“No hard feelings. I’m at peace,” Caldwell-Pope added. “I’m happy where I’m at.”

The post Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Have ‘No Hard Feelings’ About Trade to Wizards appeared first on SLAM.

The Brodie made history early in the contest despite the Lakers giving up a 13-0 run to start overtime at the Toyota Center in a crushing 139-130 loss to the Houston Rockets.

With this layup, Westbrook became one of 33 players to surpass the 23,000 mark in NBA history. He is only the second point guard to accomplish the feat after NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson. He is now chasing Lakers icon Elgin Baylor who scored 23,149 points.

Russell Westbrook is now one of 33 players in NBA History to exceed 23,000 career points. pic.twitter.com/GOUrnhsuXu

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) March 10, 2022

Russell Westbrook finished with 30 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out six assists. He also tied the game with a 15 footer that eventually sent the game into overtime. Westbrook was efficient, shooting 11-21 from the field, knocking down seven of his eight free throws attempts.

Russ ties it up in Houston pic.twitter.com/zzykyqOlEI

— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 10, 2022

The Lakers (28-37) desperately need this type of effort consistently from Westbrook for the last 17 games of the season. With this loss to Houston, they have lost six of their last seven games and 13 of their previous 17. The Lake Show go into their matchup Friday night against the Washington Wizards (29-35) as the 9th seed in the Western Conference standings, only a game and a half ahead of the New Orleans Pelicans, who sit in 10th place.

The post Russell Westbrook Joins 23k Club After Scoring 30 in the Lakers’ Loss to Rockets appeared first on SLAM.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James (knee soreness) will return tonight against the Houston Rockets, league sources tell @YahooSports.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) March 9, 2022

At 37-years-old and after years of action in the League, the days of the King’s health is guaranteed are over. Since coming over to LA, James has dealt with various leg injuries, notably missing 27 games in the 2018-2019 season with a groin injury. Even with Father Time encroaching, James has managed to dominate still, putting up 29.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 6.2 assists.

Just last week, James scored 56, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished three assists in a 124-116 dub over the Warriors that ended their four-game slide. The Lakers (28-36) have 18 games remaining to take the eighth seed from the Clippers (34-33).

The post REPORT: LeBron James Cleared to Return Against Rockets appeared first on SLAM.

There have been high expectations for the Lakers (28-36) this season, especially with the addition of Westbrook. Westbrook’s performance, in particular, has become the subject of constant critique and scrutiny. The criticism has gotten to a point where his wife, Nina, stood up for him on social media after Skip Bayless, co-host of Skip & Shannon: Undisputed on Fox Sports 1, referred to Westbrook as “Westbrick.”

After the Lakers lost to the Spurs on Monday, 117-110, Russ said he felt it was necessary to protect his last name and the legacy that comes with it after he and his wife were told at a parent-teacher conference that his son, Noah, was proud of his last name and tells everyone, “I’m a Westbrook. That’s my last name.”

“It hit me, like damn. I can no longer allow people—saying Westbrick, as an example—shaming my name. My name is a legacy for my kids. It’s a name that means more, not just to me but to my wife, my mom, my dad. The ones that kind of paved the way for me,” Westbrook said. “That’s just one example. It kind of hit myself and my wife in a place where it’s not great, man. And I think a lot of times I let it slide, but now I need to put a stop to that and put on notice that there is a difference, and every time I do hear it now, I will make sure that I address it and make sure that I nip that in the bud.”

“I stand behind my wife with how she’s feeling…it’s reached a point where it’s really weighing on my family.” @russwest44 shares his thoughts on the comments made by his wife saying she and her family are “harassed on a daily basis”. pic.twitter.com/ize5TLvVnb

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 8, 2022

While it’s evident that the season hasn’t gone as planned, Westbrook has cemented himself as one of the all-time greatest basketball players after becoming synonymous with the triple-double, winning an MVP, sticking with the Thunder for 11 seasons, and helping to lead them to a Finals appearance in 2012.

The Lakers will take on the Houston Rockets on Thursday.

The post Russell Westbrook Speaks Out About Harassment: ‘It’s Really Weighing on My Family’ appeared first on SLAM.

“It’s been challenging for us this year defensively… we’ve had a lot of breakdowns, we’ve lost a lot of games because our defense has broken down, but it’s also been our offense at times.”

The Lakers rank 26th in points allowed per game (112.7), 27th in points allowed in the paint per game (50.3), and 27th in points allowed off turnovers (17.0).

A lot of that has to do with the absence of Anthony Davis, who’s out for a month due to a mid-foot sprain.

A clear picture is painted using FiveThirtyEight’s defensive Raptor metric that tightly measures player ratings. Of players who’ve played 505 or more minutes thus far (equal to at least eight minutes per game), Davis is one of only two players on the Lakers roster who has a score above a +1.0 defensive rating: +2.4. Austin Reaves (+2.1) is the other, while James is the only other player in the positive, at +0.4.

Lakers head coach Frank Vogel remains adamant that his team will continue to try and fight through the struggles.

“No stone unturned in terms of trying to find solutions to get this right,” Vogel said per ESPN. “But it hasn’t taken shape. There’s no quit in us. We will continue to persist. We’re trying to adjust and shift and find ways to win with Anthony out. We haven’t found that yet. But it’s not something that we can’t do. We just haven’t found it yet.”

Saturday night, the Lakers (27-35) host the struggling Golden State Warriors (43-20).

The post LeBron James on the Lakers’ Defensive Woes: ‘It’s Been Challenging’ appeared first on SLAM.

Barring an unlikely waiver claim before the 5 PM ET deadline today, center DeAndre Jordan is expected to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, sources tell ESPN. Lakers waived Jordan on Tuesday and Sixers have an open roster spot and desire to add another backup center.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 3, 2022

The Lakers waived Jordan on Tuesday. He averaged 4.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in 32 appearances for the Lakeshow. The Sixers reportedly intend on releasing Willie Cauley-Stein from his 10-day contract once Jordan is a part of the team.

The post REPORT: DeAndre Jordan Expected to Sign With 76ers appeared first on SLAM.

It takes a lifetime to perfect an unguardable shot. Here are some of @KingJames‘ best fadeaway jumpers as a Laker. pic.twitter.com/opI2CgmGJX

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 23, 2022

After the Lakers lost three games in a row, LeBron James was defiant about what he and the Lakers are capable of with only 21 games remaining and the 17-time champions in a fight to make the play-in tournament and ultimately make a run to the NBA Finals.

“We still have games to play,” James said per ESPN. “Until you stomp me out, cut my head off, bury me 12 feet under, then I got a chance. So that’s my confidence.”

At 27-34, James can’t afford to miss any more time to rest. The King has missed 17 games due to various injuries and recently sat out five games due to swelling in his left knee. According to ESPN, James has no plans to shut his season down and is committed to finishing the season no matter how it goes.

“The only way it’ll be back to full strength is with rest,” he said before the All-Star break. “And I don’t have the luxury of having rest. So it’ll wait ’til the offseason.”

As of Wednesday, the Lakers are the ninth seed in the Western Conference and are just two games ahead of the Pelicans and Trail Blazers. New Orleans is in a virtual tie for the last spot in the play-in tournament with the Trail Blazers.

LEBRON IS NOT HUMAN pic.twitter.com/DUMfzeALuh

— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) March 2, 2022

“Obviously, at the end of the day, we got to come in here and win ballgames, and we got to play better. But as long as we’ve got more games to play, we should have a chance,” James said. “So, that’s my confidence. I hate losing. I feel like poop right now. But tomorrow is a new day, and I’m going to be prepared and ready for the Clippers on Thursday. That’s just — that’s my mindset. That’s just who I am.”

The post LeBron James Has ‘Confidence’ in Lakers: ‘We Still Have Games to Play’ appeared first on SLAM.

“The door’s not closed on that,” James told The Athletic. “I’m not saying I’m coming back and playing, I don’t know. I don’t know what my future holds. I don’t even know when I’m free.”

During his last tenure with the Cavaliers, The Chosen One finally delivered on his promise to lead the Cavs to a championship after leading the franchise to a title in 2016, famously climbing back from a 3-1 hole to upset the 73-9 Golden State Warriors in seven games, the first such comeback in League history.

If he were to return for the third time, he’d be joining a young team that, barring an epic collapse, would be making their first playoff appearance since he left Cleveland to join the Lakers in 2018. Playing with an exciting core of Darius Garland, Caris LeVert, and Evan Mobley Bron will be a free agent after the conclusion of the 2022-2023 season.

“I think Koby and those guys have done an unbelievable job drafting and making trades,” James said. “I think big fella (Allen), that acquisition was amazing for them to make that trade. Obviously, Darius Garland is a big-time player. And I think the role that Kevin (Love) is playing right now has kind of uplifted those young guys, seeing a veteran that could sacrifice, a champion that’s won a championship, all the things that he’s done, to come off the bench and play this role. I am not surprised by anything that they’re doing right now.”

The King has averaged 29.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game in his third season with the Lakers (27-31) and 19th overall season. As a Cavalier, James won two MVPs, won a scoring title, made six All-Star teams with three All-Star Game MVPs, was named to 10 All-NBA teams, and made two All-Defensive teams.

The post LeBron James On Return to Cleveland: ‘The Door’s Not Closed On That’ appeared first on SLAM.

Anthony Davis has a mid-foot sprain and will be evaluated again in four weeks, team says.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 18, 2022

This latest injury for the Brow continues a trend of leg injuries that’s started to plague him since last year. After leading the Lakers to a championship in 2020, Davis has played just 73 games out of a possible 130 due to various injuries. AD has averaged 24.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.1 blocks, playing 35.1 minutes per game since joining the Lakers.

The saving grace for the Lakers is that Davis will be missing at least one week while everyone is resting during the All-Star break. From there, the Lakers will be missing Davis for 11 of their next 24 games. There’s still hope around the franchise that having a healthy team will help turn the franchise around, and they’ll play to the championship standard they set in the preseason.

For now, the Lakeshow will look to LeBron James to keep them afloat while Davis recovers. The Washed King scored 33 points, eight boards, six dimes, and two steals in 40 minutes in a 106-101 dub over the Jazz, scoring 15 in the fourth quarter after Davis went down.

When the Lakers return from the break, they will play the Clippers.

The post Anthony Davis Out For A Month With Foot Sprain appeared first on SLAM.

For the 19-year-old Kuminga, a chance is given to showcase his skills against the League’s brightest young stars. Kuminga is averaging 7.9 points and 2.8 rebounds in 14.3 minutes of run per game on the season.

Kuminga put many on notice in the Dubs’ weekend game against the Los Angeles Lakers, recording 18 points, nine rebounds, and one block in 25 minutes. However, what was most impressive is that he was given the dreaded task of guarding LeBron James — and he held his own. The King shot 33.3% percent from the field, the lowest field goal percentage he’s shot in a game this season when playing 35+ minutes.

Kuminga’s performance left teammate Klay Thompson impressed, per NBCSports.

“He just guarded LeBron James for however many minutes, gave us 18 on 11 shots, and almost a double-double — how many more 19-year-olds or 20-year-olds are doing that?”

Kuminga will look to continue his strong rookie campaign by delivering an outstanding performance in the Rising Star game this coming weekend.

The post Jonathan Kuminga Replacing Chris Duarte in the NBA Rising Stars game appeared first on SLAM.

James passed Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who previously held the record with 44,149 combined points, which included 38,387 in the regular season and 5,762 in the playoffs. James is clearly one of the best players in the history of the League, and continues to thrive even at 37 years old. 

Next up for James will be earning the outright regular season scoring record. He’s currently third all-time behind just Karl Malone and Abdul-Jabbar. Based on how he’s performed this season, James is on pace to surpass Malone this season Abdul-Jabbar next — in his 20th NBA season. 

When asked postgame about notching another career milestone, James mentioned he continues to surprise even himself with these accomplishments. 

“Throughout my career, whenever I’ve been linked with some of the greats, I’ve been in awe,” said James.  

Furthermore, Lakers coach Frank Vogel gave James the highest praise he could possible receive following the game. 

“To me he’s the greatest player ever to play,” Vogel said. “I still believe he’s going to lead us to great things this year.”

At the rate he’s going, James still has quite a bit of time left playing in the NBA. Especially with his son, Bronny James, set to enter the league in a couple of years, it wouldn’t be surprising to see James shatter more records before he hangs up his sneakers for the last time. 

The post Lakers’ LeBron James Passes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for Most Total in NBA History appeared first on SLAM.

It was reported that Westbrook was held out of the game just before the game due to back tightness, marking the first game he has missed this season. Some fans and media believed that Westbrook was not playing to avoid serious injury in case the Lakers could make a deal. Coach Frank Vogel skirted the question when The Athletic’s Bill Oram asked about Westbrook being potentially moved.

Frank Vogel, asked directly by @billoram if there’s a scenario in which Russell Westbrook isn’t on the team after tomorrow: “If there’s way to improve our team, we’ll improve our team. I’ve got nothing else to say about the trade deadline.”

— Sean Highkin (@highkin) February 10, 2022

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Westbrook had the same back issue when the Lakers lost 131-116 to the Milwaukee Bucks. After trying to play through the pain, he was subbed out with 2 minutes and 34 seconds remaining in the third quarter, never returning.

Westbrook felt the same tightness in his back on Tuesday night vs. Milwaukee, but played through it — and ultimately felt too much discomfort on a back-to-back vs. Portland tonight, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/W19CA3QyWn

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 10, 2022

Despite the widespread rumors, many believe that the Lakers will not be able to trade Westbrook for the assets they want. There aren’t many teams willing to take on Westbrook’s $44.2 million tab this season or his $47.1 million player option for next season. John Wall’s almost identical contract of $44.3 million and a $47.4 million player option for the following season is the only scenario that makes sense, but with a price.

The Houston Rockets reportedly will make the deal only if the Lakers are willing to give up their 2027 first-round pick and possibly more assets. Lakers executives have already panned the idea to give up the team’s draft picks to finish out the decade just to get rid of him.

Westbrook is averaging 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.6 assists this season.

The post Los Angeles Lakers Sit Russell Westbrook Just Before the Trade Deadline appeared first on SLAM.

According to ESPN, the Lakers are facing an uneasy admission that’s building up around the locker room: “The roster is not working, and something must be done to get the team back on course.”

The whooping the Lakers took only proved the mounting suspicion the Lakers realize maybe the truth. Milwaukee built a lead as large as 30 points, Giannis Antetokounmpo posted a dominant 44 point, 14 rebounds, eight assists, and two blocks night. Even four-time MVP LeBron James had to admit there’s a massive gap between the Lakers and the Bucks.

“It tells me we ain’t on their level,” LeBron James said. “I mean, I could have told you that before the game.”

“Obviously, you always kind of use games to see where you are at that moment, but we know where we are at this moment: sitting at a couple, few games under .500,” he said. “Haven’t played the basketball that we’d like to play.”

When the Lakers did wake up and start playing up to their championship standard, it came in the fourth quarter with James and Anthony Davis leading the way after Coach Frank Vogel sitting former MVP Russell Westbrook on the bench for the third time this season. During that stint, LA outscored Milwaukee, 37-28, cutting the lead to 10 after Malik Monk threw down a dunk midway through the final frame.

The Lakers comeback bid ultimately fell short, however, falling to the Bucks 131-116. In the closing seconds, Westbrook could be seen trying to brighten up the mood of his superstar teammates with pats on the head and shoulders of James and Davis.

“Listen, I want to help AD, I want to help Russ. AD wants to help me, help Russ, and Russ wants to help us,” James said about the exchange. “Obviously, lately, Russ hasn’t felt like he had an opportunity, or with the opportunities, he’s been given, he hasn’t helped us as much as he would like. We haven’t done a great job of helping him.”

Following the game, Westbrook, who accepted his previous benching, did not take too kindly to not being on the floor as the Lakers attempted to close in on upsetting the Bucks on Tuesday. When asked what he has to do for Vogel to play him late in the fourth quarter, Westbrook had this to say:

“I shouldn’t have to hit any benchmark, to be honest,” Westbrook said. “I’ve put a lot of work, and I’ve got a lot of respect in this game. I don’t got to hit a benchmark, or I shouldn’t have to. I’ve earned a right to be in closing lineups.”

According to Westbrook, some of the Lakers’ woes could be solved by “creating some consistency within our team, which we don’t have at the moment.” That remark might ring true once you realize Vogel put out a 27th different starting lineup in their 55th game of the season and that Westbrook, James, and Davis have all played together a grand total of 18 times this season.

With the trade deadline quickly approaching, the Lakers have only made Talen Horton-Tucker available to trade. They also decided they didn’t want to move Westbrook or make a midseason coaching change. It remains unclear if the Lakers have any assets that opposing franchises would like to acquire after trading away so much of their youth through the years.

The Lakers will look to get back into the winning column on Wednesday against the Trail Blazers (21-34).

The post Lakers Left Searching For Answers After Loss to the Bucks appeared first on SLAM.

Westbrook struggled throughout the game, only scoring five points on 1-for-10 shooting with six assists and four turnovers in 29 minutes. Westbrook’s fourth quarter production of zero points, missing his only field goal attempt and going 0-for-2 from the free-throw line. He spent the first six minutes and 30 seconds of the final quarter and all of overtime on the bench.

The Brodie seemingly took the benching in stride, stating the win was more important.

Russell Westbrook spoke after being benched in OT vs. the Knicks: pic.twitter.com/W0bb9zi9MR

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 6, 2022

“That [fourth quarter] stretch was part of it,” Vogel said to explain his decision-making via ESPN. “I think obviously Russ was having a tough night on both sides of the ball, and Bron was really going. So I knew the ball was going to be in Bron’s hands, and I felt like we were going to get more from a defensive perspective and off-ball action with Talen, so–you just make tough decisions in the spirit of whatever the team needs to win a game.”

When the Lakers lost to the Pacers, the mood around the Lakers was more mellow, so much so that Westbrook had to appear on Wojnarowski’s podcast to clear the air before LA played the Magic.

On his fourth-quarter benching, Los Angeles Lakers star Russell Westbrook tells ESPN: “Surprised, yes. I was disappointed I didn’t go back in, but I’m more disappointed that we lost the damn game.” Story: https://t.co/KFD0RSu00G

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 21, 2022

The game against New York was just the 17th game Westbrook has played with LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the lineup this season. The Lakers are 10-7 in those games.

The post Los Angeles Lakers’ Russell Westbrook Speaks Out On Overtime Benching appeared first on SLAM.