Hoops Wire

Tag: LeBron James

  • Cavs’ Darius Garland Named Eastern Conference Player of Week

    Cavs’ Darius Garland Named Eastern Conference Player of Week

    Cavaliers guard Darius Garland has been named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from Monday, January 6, through Sunday, January 12.Darius Garland, Dean Wade, Cavaliers, Cavs, NBA

    This marks Garland’s second Player of the Week honor this season and the third of his career, making him the fourth player in franchise history to earn the award three or more times.

    He joins LeBron James (42), Kyrie Irving (4), and Donovan Mitchell (4) in that distinction. Garland’s recognition also marks the 70th time a Cavalier has won the weekly award.

    Garland led the Cavaliers to a 2-1 record this past week, helping the team improve to an NBA-best 33-5, marking their best start in franchise history and tying for the sixth-best start in NBA history.

    Over the week, Garland averaged a team-high 26.0 points and 7.7 assists in 32.3 minutes, shooting .528 from the field, .409 from three-point range, and .929 from the free-throw line.

    He was the only player in the NBA to average at least 20 points and seven assists while shooting at least .500 from the field, .400 from beyond the arc, and .900 from the foul line during the week.

    Garland opened the week with 18 points and seven assists in a 32-minute performance against Oklahoma City on January 8, helping to snap the Thunder’s 15-game win streak.

    On January 9, Garland recorded a season-high 40 points on 14-of-22 shooting, including 4-of-7 from three-point range, along with nine assists and two steals in a 36-minute effort against Toronto. The performance marked his second career 40-point, 9-assist game and extended Cleveland’s winning streak to 12 games.

    Garland closed the week on January 12 with 20 points and seven assists in a loss to Indiana.

    This season, Garland is averaging 20.9 points, 6.7 assists, and 1.11 steals in 30.2 minutes per game, shooting .498 from the field, .429 from three, and .917 from the free-throw line.

    He is the only NBA player averaging at least 20 points while shooting .490 from the field, .400 from three, and .900 from the foul line. His .917 free-throw percentage ranks third in the league.

    Kings big man Domantas Sabonis won the award in the West. Sacramento is on a seven-game win streak.

  • Michael Jordan Told ESPN’s Michael Wilbon To Stop Criticizing LeBron James: ‘Don’t Take A Shot At LeBron, That’s Just Garbage’

    Michael Jordan Told ESPN’s Michael Wilbon To Stop Criticizing LeBron James: ‘Don’t Take A Shot At LeBron, That’s Just Garbage’

    NBA icon Michael Jordan told Michael Wilbon of ESPN to stop criticizing LeBron James. 

    LeBron is one of the most scrutinized players in NBA history.

    Jordan, who is friends with Wilbon, once told the ESPN commentator to leave LeBron alone. 

    Jordan and LeBron are two of the best players in NBA history.

    The GOAT debate between Jordan and LeBron is among the most discussed topics in basketball discourse. 

    Jordan has career averages of 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 0.8 blocks with the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards. He won five MVPs, one Defensive Player of the Year Award, six championships, six Finals MVPs, three steals titles and 10 scoring titles with the Bulls in the ’90s. 

    Meanwhile, LeBron has career averages of 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers. He’s a four-time MVP, a four-time champion, a four-time Finals MVP, a one-time scoring champion and a one-time assists champion. 

    Jordan, who went 6-0 in the NBA Finals, is first in NBA history in points per game, fourth in steals, fifth in field goals and second in player efficiency rating. He holds the NBA record for most points (63) scored in a postseason game. 

    LeBron, who grew up idolizing Jordan, is first in NBA history in points, fourth in assists, eighth in steals, second in field goals, seventh in 3-point field goals, fifth in triple-doubles, seventh in points per game and third in player efficiency rating.

    LeBron is the only player in NBA history to rank top five all-time in points and assists, the only player to win three Finals MVPs with three different teams, the only player with 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 10,000 assists and the only player to score 40,000 points. 

    With the Cavaliers and Heat, LeBron never lost to the Bulls in the postseason. 

    When Jordan was asked about the LeBron comparisons back in 2020, he said, “We played in different eras.”

    “We played in different eras,” Jordan said. “He’s an unbelievable player. He’s one of the best players in the world, if not the best player in the world. I know it’s a natural tendency to compare eras to eras and it’s gonna continue to happen. I’m a fan of his. I love watching him play. 

    “But as you can see, our league is starting to expand on very talented players. And I think he’s made his mark. He will continue to do so over a period of time, but when you start the comparisons, I think it is what it is. It’s just a standard of measurement. I take it with a grain of salt. He is a heck of a basketball player without a doubt.”

    Jordan made 14 All-Star teams, 11 All-NBA teams and nine All-Defensive teams during his career. 

    Meanwhile, LeBron has made 20 All-Star teams, 20 All-NBA teams and six All-Defensive teams. 

  • Heat’s Pat Riley, Jimmy Butler Headed For What Appears To Be Inevitable Conclusion

    Heat’s Pat Riley, Jimmy Butler Headed For What Appears To Be Inevitable Conclusion

    In the latest chapter of the Miami Heat’s ongoing saga, Pat Riley and Jimmy Butler have reached the breaking point of their relationship, one that seemed destined to end in a clash of NBA egos.Pat Riley, Heat, NBA

    As CBS Sports’ Bill Reiter highlighted, this collision course was years in the making, and the inevitable conclusion is now upon us. The Heat confirmed this last week, suspending Butler for seven games for “multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team,” while signaling that trade offers for the star are being entertained.

    Butler’s words after the Heat’s loss to the Indiana Pacers painted a grim picture of his future in Miami.

    When asked about his current state with the team, he dropped a bombshell: “Probably not” when asked if he could find joy playing with the Heat again. This blunt admission underscored the growing tension between the player and the organization.

    Looking back, this falling out has been years in the making. From Butler’s departure from Philadelphia in 2019 to his seemingly troubled history with team dynamics, he’s always been a player who demands excellence but often rubs his teammates and management the wrong way.

    The roots of this eventual split can even be traced to Riley’s infamous tough-love approach back in 2014 when he tried to keep LeBron James in Miami. Riley’s bluntness with LeBron was met with backlash, and LeBron ultimately chose to return to Cleveland.

    Fast forward to May 2024, after the Heat’s first-round playoff exit, and the tension was palpable. Riley once again used his no-nonsense rhetoric, dismissing Butler’s claims of what could have been had he been healthy, showing that both Riley and Butler have no issue speaking their minds, even if it alienates others.

    For a while, this dynamic worked — Miami made three Eastern Conference finals in the last five years and nearly captured the NBA title in 2023.

    But now, with Butler seemingly on his way out, the Heat are bracing for a new chapter, one that might see them without their star but still contending for relevance. Riley has long been known for his bold decisions, and even if he’s forced to part with Butler, he’s convinced that the Heat can still win without him.

    After all, Riley has navigated rocky relationships with the likes of LeBron, Dwyane Wade, and Shaquille O’Neal before, always managing to keep the team at the top of the league.

    Butler, for his part, is no stranger to self-reliance. He, too, thrives in moments that matter most, but his competitive, sometimes abrasive style doesn’t always mesh well with those around him.

    As Reiter put it, this high-stakes game of chicken between Riley and Butler has been inevitable. The two men are too similar — too driven, too competitive — to coexist in a long-term partnership.

    The Heat are now facing a crossroads, but one thing is certain: whether it’s with Butler or without him, Riley and the Heat are likely to remain a force to be reckoned with in the NBA.

  • Dribbles: Cavs Show Nation That, Yeah, They’re On Top Of NBA World Right Now

    Dribbles: Cavs Show Nation That, Yeah, They’re On Top Of NBA World Right Now

    CLEVELAND — Random dribbles from the Cavaliers’ thriller of a 129-122 home win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. …Jarrett Allen, Cavaliers, Cavs,. Thunder, NBA

    1. This game was everything you hoped for between the top two teams in the NBA standings. For the Cavs, of course, it’s even better with a win.

    1. Somehow, someway, the Cavs just found ways to get it done in the moments that mattered most. Jarrett Allen. Evan Mobley. Darius Garland. Max Strus and Ty Jerome. The big-time contributions were endless.

    3. The Cavaliers are 32-4, with 11 straight wins. Let’s just stop and think about that for a second. Remarkable. And on Wednesday, they passed their biggest test yet. The Thunder (30-6) are no joke, man. Quite the opposite.

    4. Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said it best: “Was that a great basketball game? Forget who won and who lost. Great for the game. Playoff atmosphere, pure competition. It was just a great game for the league, for the fans.”

    5. Atkinson spoke the truth. This one featured eight ties — and THIRTY lead changes. Neither team led by double digits. The Cavs’ biggest advantage was the final margin, seven points. They once trailed by nine. But you never felt like either team would put it away. Both were just that good.

    6. Allen was utterly dominant with 25 points on 9-of-11 shooting, and a game-high 12 rebounds. So much for the idea that the center position is a thing of the past. He played a massive role in saving the day.

    7. Atkinson compared Allen to an offensive lineman. “Knocking people out of the way, doing all the dirty work,” Atkinson said. “JA was incredible all around.”

    8. Of course, you could say the same about any number of Cavs. Mobley went for 21 points and 10 boards. Garland scored 18 and hit the final bucket, a running floater with 27.4 seconds to go.

    9. And we mustn’t forget about the often-unsung guys — Strus and Jerome. Each went 6-of-7 from the field, making big shot or big play after big shot or big play. Strus scored 17; Jerome 15. Everyone attacked the vaunted OKC defense relentlessly. 

    10. Along with that, the Cavaliers held their ground in the final moments against a team that plays similarly to them. Ball movement. Strong perimeter shooting. A major star in guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. 

    11. The man known as SGA did score a game-high 31. He’s truly amazing. But not all was lost for the Cavs. “I think that was about the best job you can do on him,” Jerome said. “Took 27 shots to get those 31 points. Only had like four free throws (4-of-4). Can’t expect to do better than that on him.”

    12. No Cavs regular-season game had been this wildly hyped since the days of LeBron James. It was flexed onto ESPN, meaning it wasn’t scheduled to be on national TV originally. But the network couldn’t resist. Again, it lived up to the buzz. 

    13. And again, the Cavs won despite being really challenged by the best in the West.

    14. More Atkinson: “It’s like the guys were saying in the locker room, We don’t win this game last year. That says a lot about their maturity and their growth.”

    15. Last year, Garland may not have felt confident enough to drive and put the game away. Mobley may have shot fadeaways as opposed to going so strong to the hoop. And the Cavs may have buckled if Donovan Mitchell had struggled as badly as he did Wednesday (3-of-16 shooting, 11 points, four fouls).

    16. No matter, Mitchell is always the pro’s pro, the ultimate leader, and spoke proudly of his teammates afterward — especially Allen, Mobley and Garland. “It was a group effort,” he said, “but I’m not going to stop talking about those three in particular.”

    17. Mitchell also addressed the hot topic of whether the Cavaliers are getting enough love from the media’s heavy-hitters. “We belong here,” he said. “I don’t think we are waiting for the national media to say we belong. We know.”

    18. Meanwhile, Garland sort of downplayed the win, and you could tell he was doing it on purpose. “We’re excited, we knew it would be a good test for us,” he said, smiling. “But it’s another game. We have another one tomorrow.”

    19. Well, he’s right about that much. One night after getting best-in-the-west OKC, the Cavs host the Toronto Raptors. So, anything resembling a celebration will be short-lived. But this is the NBA. The guys in Cleveland know that. And from the looks of things, they understand it better than anyone.

    20. Jalen Williams added 25 points for the Thunder, who had a remarkable 15-game winning streak snapped. Isaiah Hartenstein added 18 points and 11 rebounds. This team really does remind me of the Cavs. Finals preview? Hey, you never know.

    21. So forget about market size, traditional powers, the stars of yesteryear. This is the new NBA, and based on Wednesday’s game, it’s a really cool NBA. With the Cavs currently at the very top.

    22. Final word from Atkinson: “Listen, I think the parody is great in this league. To see all that talent out there tonight. … Great win for the Cavs.”

  • Lakers’ Uneven Season Continues In Loss To Shorthanded Mavs

    Lakers’ Uneven Season Continues In Loss To Shorthanded Mavs

    The Los Angeles Lakers’ momentum came to a screeching halt on Tuesday night, falling 118-97 to the wildly shorthanded Dallas Mavericks, dropping LA to 0-2 on their Texas road trip.LeBron James, Lakers, Mavericks, Mavs, NBA

    After a heart-wrenching 119-115 loss to the Houston Rockets earlier in the week, the Lakers now sit at No. 6 in the Western Conference, down from No. 4 when they began the trip. They had been riding high with eight wins in their previous 11 games, but the recent struggles have exposed vulnerabilities, even after upgrading their roster.

    “It sucks, obviously, especially knowing where we were and how well we’ve been playing,” LeBron James said, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

    The Lakers entered the trip with hopes of building on a recent stretch, having acquired Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks.

    But things are as uneven now as they were before the trade.

    Against Houston, the Lakers trailed by as many as 22 points in the first half and were never able to fully recover, eventually losing to a Rockets team missing top young player, Jabari Smith Jr. The loss to the Mavericks on Tuesday was even more perplexing, considering the Mavs were without their two stars — Luka Doncic (calf strain) and Kyrie Irving (back injury).

    Dallas, despite missing those key players, outscored the Lakers 63-47 in the second half, pulling away to secure the win.

    “Obviously, they killed us with any iso stuff,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “They shot 52.3% from the field and nearly as well from 3-point range, going 18-for-38 (47.4%).”

    The Lakers’ defense has been a concern for much of the season, and on Tuesday night, it was exposed once again. James, who finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, credited Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd — a former Lakers assistant — for orchestrating a great game plan.

    Specifically, Kidd directed his players to target Austin Reaves in isolation situations, and the results were evident.

    “I felt like they just put people in pick-and-roll who they wanted in pick-and-roll and they tried to exploit matchups,” James said. “And when we got into rotations, we didn’t make enough second efforts.”

    Reaves, who scored 15 points but shot just 5-for-14 from the field (4-for-11 from 3), took accountability for his poor performance.

    “The first half was god-awful,” Reaves said. “The second half I thought was better. But I can’t allow that. I was just really, really bad on both sides of the ball tonight.”

    Anthony Davis, who has been the Lakers’ most consistent performer this season, didn’t fare much better. He finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds but shot just 7-for-18 from the field and struggled to make an impact defensively.

    Redick pointed to the missed layups and easy baskets at the rim as part of the problem. Dallas outscored the Lakers 52-40 in the paint, an area where the Lakers had hoped to dominate with Davis anchoring the defense.

    Davis, clearly frustrated with his performance, declined to speak to the media after the game.

    Finney-Smith, who had a solid game, suggested the Lakers could have used more vocal leadership, especially on defense. He pointed to the lack of communication and the need for better help defense, particularly when Reaves was getting targeted in the pick-and-roll.

    “We got to do a better job of talking behind guys, giving them confidence so defenders can crawl up in ball handlers and force them to the rim,” Finney-Smith said. “And we got AD down there, so we got to use it.”

    Basically, it’s clear the Lakers have work to do. While they’ve flashes of brilliance this season, the inconsistencies on defense and missed opportunities at the rim have been glaring issues. They’ll return to Los Angeles for their next eight games, starting with a home matchup against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday.

    James, who has been around long enough to know the grind of an NBA season, kept things in perspective.

    “We got another game in, s—, less than 48 hours,” James said. “So, we can’t really dwell on it too much. That’s the name of the game in the NBA. You see what you could’ve done better, but you got to get ready for the next opponent.”

    It’s a sentiment that the Lakers must carry with them as they try to regroup and get back on track.

  • NBA Trade Rumors: Heat, Jimmy Butler, Nets, Cam Johnson, Pelicans

    NBA Trade Rumors: Heat, Jimmy Butler, Nets, Cam Johnson, Pelicans

    When it comes to the Jimmy Butler drama, NBA insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN describes Heat president Pat Riley as a no-nonsense figure, uninterested in being swayed by star players.NBA, Miami Heat, Jimmy Butler, Cavs, Cavaliers

    His reputation for strong leadership is exemplified by past decisions like letting Dwyane Wade walk in 2016 over a contract dispute and refusing to replace head coach Erik Spoelstra when LeBron James implied it in 2010. Riley’s approach to Butler’s trade request could mirror this past bluntness.

    Riley and the Heat do not tolerate being “pushed around,” Windhorst noted, even if it means letting a star player like Butler leave for nothing, similar to what the Clippers did with Paul George.

    While it might not be ideal to let a max-salary player walk, Windhorst highlights that under the NBA’s current Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Heat might lean toward this path if trade offers for Butler fall short.

    NETS

    Forward Cam Johnson is one of the most sought-after NBA trade targets — but talks involving Johnson are expected to be more complicated and time-consuming than others, such as Dennis Schroder or Dorian Finney-Smith, per Windhorst.

    The Nets see Johnson as a potential long-term piece, especially if they land impactful players in the future. But rival executives suspect Brooklyn might be posturing, Windhorst noted, and Johnson could be traded if the right offer comes along, given his contract was structured to be trade-friendly.

    Brooklyn’s position on Johnson, while optimistic, appears to be a negotiating tactic. Multiple suitors are expected, driving up the price as teams anticipate a bidding war.

    • A bidding war between the Grizzlies and the Lakers for Finney-Smith created “hard feelings” between the two teams, according to Windhorst. While this doesn’t rule out future deals, this tension is an important backdrop as the teams remain active in trade talks.
    • Basically, Memphis could still be in the running for Johnson, though the past bidding wars with the Lakers may affect negotiations.

    PELICANS

    William Guillory of The Athletic identifies three Pelicans as essentially untouchable: Herbert Jones, Trey Murphy, and rookie Yves Missi.

    On the other hand, while Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, Jordan Hawkins, and Jose Alvarado are not officially in the untouchable category, they are also seen as unlikely trade candidates at this point, Guillory noted.

    • The Pelicans could be active in the market, but their most valued players are likely safe from NBA trade discussions. This makes the rest of the roster — especially players like Williamson and Murray — potentially available, should the right offer materialize.
  • Full Court Cleveland: Talkin’ Cavs, All-Stars, Schedule, Mike Brown, LeBron, More

    Full Court Cleveland: Talkin’ Cavs, All-Stars, Schedule, Mike Brown, LeBron, More

    It’s 2025 and the Cavaliers are really rolling. Can they keep it going? Well, sure. But the schedule does get tougher in January, it seems.

    At least, it does in terms of opponent winning percentages. I joined Rafa Hernandez-Brito and Nick Pedone to discuss all things Cavs and take a look around the NBA in the latest Full Court Cleveland from the BIG PLAY Sports Network. Check it out here or in the video directly below.

    Along with the Cavs, we take some time to analyze LeBron James‘ comments about playing at a high level until he’s 45-47 years old — as well as the firing of Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown, formerly of the Cavaliers (twice).

    Interestingly, Brown was the coach of the first Cleveland squad to reach the Finals. A squad, of course, that featured LeBron.

    As for LeBron’s current team, yes, the Lakers made a trade. Did it make them any better?

    Finally, along with all that, we take a deep-dive on the Cavs, including our take for how many players they deserve to have in the All-Star Game (yes, we assumed some people still care about All-Star Weekend).

    If so, just know that we all think the entire Core Four of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen should go.

    Check it all out on the latest Full Court Cleveland. And let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

  • National NBA Insiders Saying They Believe in Cavs’ Potential for Deep Playoff Run

    National NBA Insiders Saying They Believe in Cavs’ Potential for Deep Playoff Run

    If you ask ESPN, the Cavaliers can really go places — this season. Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Cavaliers, Cavs, Raptors

    Actually, the Cavs have already gone plenty of places, racing to a 15-0 start and recording an NBA-best record of 29-4. That’s also a franchise best.

    But most of the buzz about them has been limited to Cleveland and Cavaliers fans. No big surprise, there. The national media wants drama, and lots of it. The Cavs have none.

    Instead, they’re just playing basketball the way it might be described on Wikipedia, with ball movement, teamwork, determination and all-around smart play under first-year coach Kenny Atkinson.

    Finally, some of the national media is taking notice and showing belief. We know this because ESPN ran a roundtable featuring NBA insiders, with one of the questions being as follows: Which newcomer contender is best positioned for a deep postseason run?

    The Cavs received some love. Let’s take a look.

    “The Cavaliers have the league’s best record heading into the new year and they look poised for a deep run in the East,” wrote ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk. “They look like they have everything they need: a prolific star scorer, a high-scoring backcourt, incredible size and length, veteran shooters and defense.

    “Donovan Mitchell has proven he can get hot in the playoffs when healthy. Though all the talk entering the season revolved around the Celtics, Knicks and Sixers, the Cavs are building a cushion atop the East standings and have shown little signs of slowing down.”

    ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, who covered the Cavs during the LeBron James era, also weighed in.

    “The Cavaliers are no fluke, beating up on an Eastern Conference that’s weaker than the West,” he wrote. “They have star power in the backcourt (Mitchell and Darius Garland) and frontcourt (Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen). They can go 10 deep, and that’s not counting Max Strus, an elite role player who has missed most of the season because of an ankle injury.

    “They have the second-best point differential in the league behind Oklahoma City. Their coach, Kenny Atkinson, has been waiting for a chance to prove himself since being unceremoniously ousted by the Brooklyn Nets during the Kevin Durant–Kyrie Irving failed experiment.

    “Add in a great postseason home-court advantage thanks to an electric fan base, and the road to the Finals in the East could go through Cleveland.”

    Finally, the Cavs were also the pick of ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.

    “The Thunder arrived as a contender last season, when Oklahoma City was the No. 1 seed in the West. Cleveland is on that path now,” MacMahon wrote. “There seems to be an assumption that the Celtics’ return to the Finals is a certainty, but it’d be foolish to dismiss the Cavaliers as a serious threat.

    “There is nothing fluky about Cleveland’s league-best 29-4 record. The Cavaliers are in rare air with a net rating of plus-11.6, which ranks behind only this season’s Thunder (11.9) and last season’s Celtics (11.7) among teams in the past decade.”

  • Patrick Beverley Claims Negative Lakers Fans Actually Decrease Players’ Trade Value

    Patrick Beverley Claims Negative Lakers Fans Actually Decrease Players’ Trade Value

    Former NBA guard Patrick Beverley isn’t one to be at a loss of words. Quite the opposite, actually.Patrick Beverley, Lakers, NBA

    And Beverley offered a theory on why the Lakers have struggled to find a third “star” to pair alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

    The Laker fans, the real ones, they know basketball because they’ve seen it a lot, they’ve been through it a lot,” Beverley said on his podcast, via HoopsHype. “What they don’t understand is their effect on making their own team better.

    “They talk so bad about their players that they actually decrease their value. So now when a trade comes (…) and any team like, we like we had (Mavericks owner) Mark Cuban on he said it was plenty of teams that he would love to do deals with, if you want to make a trade with the Lakers, ain’t nobody just giving you sh*t.”

    For the record, the Lakers just pulled off a deal earlier in the week in which they acquired forward Dorian Finney-Smith and guard Shake Milton from the Nets in exchange for guard D’Angelo Russell and some second-round picks.

    Whether that actually moves the NBA needle in LA remains to be seen.

    “Any trade you have has to be that someone go, ‘No we want this, no and we want this,’ obviously because you’re the Lakers, no one’s trying to help the Los Angeles Lakers as far as trade-wise, management-wise, and getting players that they want back,” Beverley added. “‘OK cool, we know you guys want this guy? He’s (worth) a second-rounder to every other team but to the Lakers he’s (worth) two first rounds.’ No one’s trying to help the Lakers.”

    Maybe Beverley has a point. Maybe other teams want to help the Lakers even less than other teams. Maybe not, too. The idea in any trade is to rip off the other guy while telling him he’s getting a great deal. That’s unlikely to be exclusive to LA, and either way, the fans likely have little to do with it.

  • NBA Notes: Bryce James, G League Trades, Boban Marjanovic, Thunder

    NBA Notes: Bryce James, G League Trades, Boban Marjanovic, Thunder

    Bryce James, the youngest son of NBA star LeBron James, has officially committed to play his college ball at Arizona for the 2025-26 season.Bryce James, Arizona, NBA

    The 17-year-old senior guard, standing at 6’5″, is a three-star recruit and currently ranked No. 257 in his high school class.

    Bryce also received offers from schools like Ohio State and Duquesne, but ultimately chose to join coach Tommy Lloyd‘s Wildcats, a program that will give him the platform to continue developing his game.

    While expectations are always sky-high with a James in the family, Bryce’s game isn’t as polished as his older brother, Bronny James, was at this stage.

    Bronny, now a rookie with the Lakers, took the one-and-done route at USC before making the leap to the NBA.

    According to The Athletic’s Brendan Marks, Bryce is less physically strong and athletic than Bronny was at this age. That said, Bryce’s game still shows potential, but it’s clear he will need time to adjust to the college level.

    While it’s easy to get caught up in the hype surrounding the James family, this commitment signals that Bryce has chosen a program that will let him grow and develop without undue pressure to be a star from day one. 

    Elsewhere Around the NBA:

    G League Trades: A three-team deal shook things up in the G League, with the Stockton Kings (Sacramento’s affiliate) acquiring Chasson Randle from the Iowa Wolves, while sending Drew Timme to Long Island. The Long Island Nets, in turn, sent former NBA wing Amari Bailey to Iowa. 

    Boban Marjanovic to China: Veteran NBA center Boban Marjanovic is leaving the U.S. for the Chinese Basketball Association, signing with the Zhejiang Lions. After spending nine years in the NBA, including stints with the Rockets and a brief time with Fenerbahce in Turkey, Marjanovic’s size and skills will now be showcased on the other side of the world.

    NBA Draft Assets: ESPN’s Bobby Marks took a deep dive into NBA teams’ future draft assets, and the Thunder are at the top of the heap, with 13 first-rounders over the next seven seasons. Meanwhile, the Nuggets have the fewest incoming first-round picks, with only four over the next seven years. This puts OKC in a prime position to either draft their future stars or make significant trades to strengthen the roster.

  • Cavs Bounce Lakers In LA, Keep Right On Rolling Into New Year

    Cavs Bounce Lakers In LA, Keep Right On Rolling Into New Year

    The Cavaliers are sending a loud message to the rest of the league as 2025 tips off.Evan Mobley, Cavaliers, LeBron James, Lakers, NBA

    The latest example came on New Year’s Eve in Los Angeles, when they toppled LeBron James and the Lakers 122-110 and extended their winning streak to eight games.

    They’ve won each of those eight by at least 10 points.

    At 29-4, Cleveland still sits atop the NBA standings, pacing the league at a 72-win clip — just one game off the record-setting 73-win mark set by the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors.

    “This group, we know it’s about the playoffs,” Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters. “We’re not focused on being the regular-season darlings.

    “Our guys are locked in on the day-to-day process, and we’re keeping our humility in check. The record’s nice, but we haven’t done anything yet. It’s all about proving it when it really matters.”

    And right now, Cleveland’s doing everything it can to ensure they’re ready for that moment when the games matter most. Even on the tail end of a back-to-back after a late-night arrival, they came out firing, jumping out to a double-digit lead within the first six minutes.

    The Lakers — led by 35 points and nearly a triple-double from Austin Reaves — didn’t go away easily. But Cleveland maintained control for almost 47 minutes, their defensive resolve and an explosive third-quarter offensive outburst eventually putting the game away.

    Jarrett Allen was the undisputed star of the night, scoring 27 points on 12-of-14 shooting and grabbing 14 rebounds.

    “Star of the game, no question,” Atkinson said. “He brought high energy on both ends. People don’t talk about him enough, but he’s a key part of what we’re doing here.”

    Donovan Mitchell added 26 points, and Evan Mobley contributed 20 points and six boards in his return to Southern California, just a short drive from his former USC home.

    Max Strus, still managing a minute restriction after recovering from an ankle injury, was also a key contributor, scoring a season-high 15 points off the bench.

    Even with the Cavaliers holding a steady lead, the Lakers managed to make things interesting at times.

    James, celebrating his 40th birthday just a day earlier, sparked a brief surge with a clutch three-pointer that had the Staples Center rocking.

    But Allen quickly answered, scoring three straight baskets — including a pair of thunderous dunks that helped put the game on ice.

    “Great finish to a tough road trip,” Atkinson said. “This was the toughest one physically –back-to-back, travel, all that. But we’re playing well, and that’s what matters. To finish the year with three wins over teams like the Lakers, Nuggets, and Warriors (all on the road), you can’t ask for more than that.”

    The Cavs may have ended 2024 on a high note, but they remain focused on the larger prize ahead. With their chemistry and depth growing stronger by the game, Cleveland looks poised for something special come playoff time.

    “It’s an exciting group,” Atkinson said. “The energy and connection we have, it’s contagious. When you have a group this tight, you know you can accomplish something special.”

    Next up, the Cavs will look to keep their streak alive as they wrap up the road trip in Dallas on Friday night. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. EST.

  • Dribbles: Cavs Look a Lot Like Warriors of Old in Drubbing Dubs of Today

    Dribbles: Cavs Look a Lot Like Warriors of Old in Drubbing Dubs of Today

    Random dribbles following the Cavaliers’ 113-95 road win over the Golden State Warriors on Monday. …Dean Wade, Cavaliers, Cavs, Draymond Green, Steph Curry, Warriors, NBA

    1. This was the tale of two franchises headed in opposite directions. And the Cavaliers are the one that’s going the right way.

    2. They just keep proving it over and over and over again. This may have been their worst first half of the season, as they clunked their way to a 46-38 lead at the intermission. And they still won by 18 — and it could’ve been worse.

    3. Donovan Mitchell opened the third quarter with three 3-pointers. Evan Mobley added another. Next thing you know, the Cavs are on a 12-0 run. It seemed to happen faster than you could say “blowout.”

    4. It’s not often we see a Golden State crowd this quiet. But the once mighty Warriors are falling apart. They need to rebuild. They just don’t want to accept it. The league-leading Cavaliers (28-4) drove that point home.

    5. While the Cavs finally pulled it together on offense, it was their defense that won this game. Or at least kept it from being close in the second half. Dean Wade was magnificent on the wing — and everywhere, for that matter. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley did the dirty work underneath. Everyone else scratched, clawed, and held the Warriors to a miserable 33.3 percent shooting from the field.

    6. That included just 9-of-38 on threes. Steph Curry had just two points at halftime and scored only 11 meaningless points overall. For all the Cavs’ accomplishments on offense (and there were many), that may have been their most impressive stat. Curry is still a dangerous player. But his days of having his way with Cleveland are over.

    7. Meanwhile, Darius Garland was again fantastic, running the offense, coming up with timely buckets and simply playing like a seasoned winner. He recorded games-highs of 25 points and eight assists, without committing a single turnover.

    8. Garland will see San Francisco again later this season, as that’s the site of this year’s All-Star Game.

    9. Mitchell had 25 points, with 15 coming in the critical third. Allen went for 12 points and nine rebounds, and Wade scored 10, grabbed a career-high 13 boards and finished as a plus-22.

    10. Wade said he spent a lot of time in the weight room this past offseason, getting in a morning lifting session before working on his shot. We are seeing the fruits of that labor. Wade, Allen and Mobley (seven points) compiled two blocked shots apiece.

    11. Garland kept his analysis of the season short and to the point. “I’m happy, we’re winning basketball games,” he told FanDuel Sports Cleveland. “That’s all I can ask.”

    12. The Cavs have now won seven straight, each by double digits. And coach Kenny Atkinson‘s new team sure knows how to put on a clinic against his old one, as he spent three years as an assistant under Steve Kerr with the Warriors.

    13. But these Warriors (16-16) are fading fast, having lost seven of their last nine.

    14. Atkinson promised before the season that he had really learned a lot under Kerr and was a much different head coach than his previous stint with the Brooklyn Nets (2016-20). And he was pretty good then. But after watching today’s Cavs, you believe him.

    15. Ty Jerome added 10 points and four assists, and Georges Niang, Sam Merrill and Caris LeVert each contributed in their own way. Niang even passed for five assists in 20 minutes.

    16. Today, the Cavaliers are 8-0 against the Western Conference as they head to LA to face LeBron James and the Lakers on New Year’s Eve (9 p.m. EST).

    17. That’s right, the Cavs get LeBron on the second night of a road back-to-back the day after his 40th birthday. Sounds like a difficult task — and the kind of challenge this version of the Cavaliers can’t wait to tackle.

  • Cavs Take Down Fading Warriors With Ultra-Hot Second Half, Win Seventh Straight

    Cavs Take Down Fading Warriors With Ultra-Hot Second Half, Win Seventh Straight

    The Cavaliers have officially stepped into their own, and on Monday night, they delivered a statement that echoed the days when Golden State was the NBA’s dominant force.Darius Garland, Cavaliers, Cavs, NBA

    The Cavs crushed the host Warriors 113-95, improving to a league-best 28-4 while Golden State limps to 16-16, with just two wins in their last nine games.

    Cleveland is 2-0 on its four-game swing through the West and has won seven straight overall — each by double-digits.

    What started as a gritty, turnover-filled first half quickly morphed into a Cavs’ showcase after the intermission. They led only 48-36 at halftime.

    But Cleveland flipped the script with a 12-0 run to open the third quarter, all of it coming from three-point range. By the time the Cavs were done, the lead had swelled to 20, and the game was effectively over.

    This isn’t just another hot stretch for the Cavs; this team has another gear few can match. The Warriors saw it firsthand in November, when Cleveland poured in 83 points in the first half, stunning even the great Draymond Green with their ball movement and offensive execution.

    On Monday, it was more of the same: relentless offense, suffocating defense, and an avalanche of three-pointers. Cleveland outscored Golden State 60-37 in the second half, shooting 52% from the field and 50% from deep.

    Darius Garland led the way with a game-high 25 points, adding eight assists and three steals. Donovan Mitchell wasn’t far behind with 23 points, 15 of which came during that explosive third-quarter run.

    Jarrett Allen fought through foul trouble to finish with 12 points and nine rebounds, while Dean Wade and Ty Jerome each scored 10. Even Evan Mobley, who had a rare off night with just seven points, had his moments. Wade also finished with a career-high 13 rebounds and was a plus-22.

    Golden State? It couldn’t buy a bucket. Shooting just 33.3% from the floor and a miserable 23.7% from three, the Warriors were led by Moses Moody’s 19 points, but it wasn’t nearly enough.

    The Warriors, who once built their empire on the third-quarter knockout, now find themselves on the receiving end of such punches.

    The rivalry that once defined an entire era of the NBA now feels like ancient history. For the Warriors, the glory days are fading. For the Cavaliers, well, they’re just getting started.

    Up next, the Cavs face LeBron James and the Lakers to close out the year. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. Tuesday.

  • LeBron Turns 40, Reminding Me Of ‘Amico Report’ Days And How Our Careers Began

    LeBron Turns 40, Reminding Me Of ‘Amico Report’ Days And How Our Careers Began

    Back in 2003, I was a sportswriter in Wheeling, W.Va. So I was covering a lot of high school sports — football, basketball, tennis, golf, volleyball, you name it. But I had NBA dreams.LeBron James, Cavaliers, Cavs, NBA

    So aside from a regular job, I began writing an NBA email newsletter. My wife came up with the name: “The Amico Report.” I wrote and emailed out The Amico Report every Wednesday at noon. It was free and worth every penny.

    Where was this newsletter delivered? To the email address of every NBA employee that I could find. That included then-commissioner David Stern. It included every league and team PR person, general manager, broadcaster, and so on. I even sent it to writers covering the respective teams.

    It took some time, but I built up a subscriber base of about 7,500. And I wasn’t making a nickel. But it was before Twitter and Facebook took over the internet, and it was a way to communicate my feelings and thoughts to the rest of the NBA and some fans. People started signing up on their own. NBA coaches and GMs started to email back and tell me how much they enjoyed it. It was just fun.

    And it eventually led to a full-time job covering the NBA. 

    When I think about LeBron James turning 40 today, I think about The Amico Report. After all, it was in that newsletter that I begged Stern to rig the NBA lottery — to help James get drafted No. 1 overall by the Cavaliers. It was a joke, of course, but it ended up coming true.

    Eventually, The Amico Report got its own billboard in downtown Cleveland across from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

    James to the Cavs. Austin Carr cried tears of joy. So did a lot of other people associated with pro basketball in Cleveland. As an Akron native living in Wheeling, I couldn’t wait to write more about James, the Cavs, and the journey of the league’s new face.

    I knew the newsletter would take off. And it did. As did James, who immediately lived up to the hype of being The Next Great NBA Superstar while at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.

    Who knew that several years later I’d be covering LeBron on a full-time basis, with someone actually paying me to be in the locker room and ask him questions? In fact, if I didn’t show up to cover NBA games, I’d get in trouble.

    I sure didn’t think that would ever happen. I just assumed that I’d be bouncing around small newspapers covering high school sports (and nothing wrong with either of those things) for the rest of my career.

    When LeBron came in, though, it helped to change the NBA from a league looking for an identity in the post-Michael Jordan era to one that could soar again. And frankly, it went a long way in helping change the entire trajectory of my career.

    So happy 40th, LeBron. And thanks. Without you, I might still be writing The Amico Report for free today. Now, instead, we’re two kids from Akron who have lived out our NBA dreams.

    (P.S. Here’s a look at The Amico Report, written in November 2003, shortly after LeBron’s first game.)