Retired (NBA)

LeBron James sits just 3,020 points behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the all-time scoring record, and there's a very real possibility the four-time NBA MVP and NBA champion finishes his career No. 1 on that list.

On Tuesday, Abdul-Jabbar spoke with longtime NBA reporter Marc Stein in a one-on-one on Substack. When asked how he'd feel if James passed his scoring mark, Abdul-Jabbar provided the following answer:

I'm excited to see it happen. I don't see records as personal accomplishments, but more as human achievements. If one person can do something that's never been done, that means we all have a shot at doing it. It's a source of hope and inspiration. Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile back in 1954. Since then, not only have 1,400 runners beaten that time, but the new record is 17 seconds less. We all win when a record is broken and if LeBron breaks mine, I will be right there to cheer him on.

Abdul-Jabbar has held the all-time scoring record since April 5, 1984, when he broke Wilt Chamberlain's mark of 31,419 points. The Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers big man ended his career in 1989 with 38,387 points.

James is third on the all-time scoring list with 35,367 points. Karl Malone is second with 36,928 points.

James, who turns 37 years old in December, is entering his 19th NBA season. He averaged 25.0 points on 51.3 percent shooting in 45 games last year.

James was a legitimate MVP candidate in mid-March before he suffered a high-ankle sprain when Atlanta Hawks forward Solomon Hill accidentally rolled into the Lakers forward's leg while going for a loose ball. He ended up missing 27 games that season overall.

It's unlikely that James would play a full 82-game season in his 19th NBA campaign. Even if he's injury-free, the Lakers would be wise to rest James here and there, especially in the NBA's first full campaign since 2018-19. James hasn't played an 82-game season since 2017-18, as injuries curtailed his 2018-19 season too.

However, it's realistic to see James surpassing Abdul-Jabbar by the end of the 2022-23 season.

Provided he plays a realistic 70 games per year, he'd finish his hypothetical 20th NBA season as the scoring champion if he averages 21.6 points per game. James' lowest point-per-game figure was during his rookie year when he posted 20.9.

Age and time may catch up to James at some point, but for now, the scoring title is very much in sight. Abdul-Jabbar will be there to cheer him on if so, but for now, James is looking for his fifth NBA title as the Lakers prepare for their Oct. 19 season opener at home versus the Golden State Warriors.

University of Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel denied Friday that he apologized to Chris Webber during a recent conversation.

In an interview with ESPN's Myron Medcalf on Wednesday, Webber said Manuel apologized to him for the manner in which the University of Michigan handled a 2003 investigation into Webber's accepting payment from booster Ed Martin during his time as a player with the Wolverines from 1991-93:

"I was told by the athletic director at the University of Michigan that he was sorry. And he wasn't even there at the time [I was playing]. He told me that he did his research and that he needs to apologize. His exact words [were] he needs 'to apologize to the 18-year-old Chris Webber because we didn't protect him.'"

In a statement (h/t Medcalf) released Friday, Manuel said he never apologized to Webber:

"I enjoyed the conversation with Chris when we met several years ago. But I can assure you I made no apology to Chris and, for those who may be curious, I never asked him to apologize to the University of Michigan. I wish Chris nothing but the best, and I'm happy that he's being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame."

Webber will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday.

For his role in the acceptance of improper benefits, Webber pleaded guilty in 2003 to criminal contempt. Weber said at the time that he repaid more than $38,000 to Martin after accepting a loan from him while at Michigan.

The University of Michigan disassociated from Webber and removed him from its record books, but the disassociation ended in 2013.

As a result of the Martin scandal, Michigan vacated its Final Four appearances in 1992 and 1993 when the Fab Five of Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson led the Wolverines to prominence.

Manuel was not the Michigan AD at the time of the investigation. He played football at the school from 1986-89 and was hired as athletic director in 2016.

Webber was one of the top players in the nation during his two seasons at Michigan, averaging 17.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 2.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

The Orlando Magic selected Webber No. 1 overall in the 1993 NBA draft and traded him to the Golden State Warriors on draft night.

C-Webb spent 15 seasons in the league, playing for the Warriors, Washington Bullets, Sacramento Kings, Philadelphia 76ers and Detroit Pistons.

Webber was a five-time All-Star, a five-time All-NBA selection and the 1993-94 Rookie of the Year. He averaged 20.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals in 831 career regular-season games.

The 48-year-old will be enshrined as part of a class that also includes Chris Bosh, Yolanda Griffith, Lauren Jackson, Paul Pierce and Ben Wallace.

Ahead of his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday, Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce addressed the video that got him fired from ESPN in April.

Andrew Marchand of the New York Post reported on April 5 that ESPN fired Pierce from his role as an analyst after Pierce posted a video on Instagram that appeared to show him smoking marijuana in the presence of barely clothed women.

In an interview with Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated published Tuesday, Pierce said his longtime agent, Jeff Schwartz, suggested he take the video down so as not to hurt his Hall of Fame chances.

Pierce refused and explained why:

"Come on, I didn't do anything illegal. These motherf--kers in the Hall of Fame, some did [cocaine], f--king battery. What the f--k did I do? I was just having a good time. All the people coming after me, half you motherf--kers do the same s--t. You're just hiding it. And you all are married while you're doing it. I'm divorced. I'm retired. I'm having fun."

Pierce added that if he had been left out of the Hall of Fame because of the video "it would be the biggest stiff job in Hall of Fame history."

In terms of his on-court accomplishments, there is no question Pierce deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

The 43-year-old spent 19 seasons in the NBA with the Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Clippers. During his career, he was a 10-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA selection.

He also led the Celtics to an NBA championship in 2008 and was named NBA Finals MVP that season.

During the 2008 Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, Pierce outdueled Kobe Bryant and averaged 21.8 points, 6.3 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.8 three-pointers made and 1.2 steals per game.

In 1,343 career regular-season games, Pierce averaged 19.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.6 three-pointers made and 1.3 steals, while shooting 44.5 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from beyond the arc.

Pierce also ranks 16th on the all-time NBA scoring list with 26,397 points and 20th in steals with 1,752.

Nicknamed "The Truth," Pierce is preparing to take his true and rightful place among the greatest players, coaches and contributors in basketball history.

When Pierce gives his speech in Springfield, Massachusetts, on Saturday, he will be part of a 16-person class that also includes Chris Bosh, Chris Webber and Ben Wallace.

While ESPN's The Last Dance documentary chronicling the Chicago Bulls dynasty of the 1990s focused on Michael Jordan, the Dennis Rodman segments were among the most memorable.

Fans interested in more details about The Worm will reportedly be in for a treat.

Justin Kroll of Deadline reported Monday that Rodman is one of the executive producers for the upcoming movie 48 Hours in Vegas, which is based on his trip to Las Vegas during the 1997-98 season when the Bulls won the championship.

While Rodman's off-court headlines, including the trip to Sin City, always stood out, he was a critical part of Chicago's second three-peat and was the ideal complement to Jordan and Scottie Pippen as arguably the best rebounder in NBA history.

His defense was also key against Karl Malone and Co. during the 1998 NBA Finals win over the Utah Jazz.

Rodman, a Hall of Famer, was a seven-time rebounding champion, five-time NBA champion, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, two-time All-NBA selection, eight-time All-Defensive honoree and two-time All-Star.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was over the moon to see the NCAA rule former NBA swingman JR Smith eligible to join the North Carolina A&T men's golf team.

So happy and proud of you my brother @TheRealJRSmith!!!! Love you kid! Best of luck you student/athlete 🙏🏾💪🏾✊🏾👑🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 GO AGGIES ⛳️ TEAM https://t.co/3OJr6nnzGo

— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 24, 2021

Smith and James spent four seasons together with the Cleveland Cavaliers and were teammates during the Los Angeles Lakers' title run at the Walt Disney World Resort bubble in 2019-20.

That was the last year Smith played in the NBA. With his career done, he enrolled at North Carolina A&T and petitioned the NCAA to golf for the Aggies. Playing professionally in the NBA didn't preclude him from competing collegiately in a different sport.

"It was probably one of the most exciting feelings I've had in a while," Smith said to The Undefeated. "I really didn't know how it was going to go. ... But to be able to actually call myself a student-athlete is a great feeling."

Allen Iverson is in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, but he doesn't even think it was his best sport.

The 11-time NBA All-Star told Shannon Sharpe on Club Shay Shay that he would have been a legend if he stayed with football.

"Not being cocky, not being arrogant, I think—no I know—that I would have been a better player in football than I was in basketball," Iverson said.

Iverson said that football was his "first love," joking that he probably would have actually lifted weights if he stuck with the sport.

The Virginia native was a two-sport star growing up, leading Bethel High School to a state football championship while being named the Associated Press Player of the Year in both football and basketball.

Allen Iverson was also The Answer on the football field 🔥

(via @timelesssports_) pic.twitter.com/N5OkEAmo89

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 5, 2020

Iverson previously told Bleacher Report that he planned to go to Notre Dame to play football. As a mobile quarterback, he might have been a precursor to Michael Vick, who came out of nearby Newport News, Virginia, a few years later.

Considering how good he was in basketball, it's difficult to imagine the type of career Iverson could have had on the gridiron.

The Boston Celtics are retiring the No. 5 jersey in honor of Kevin Garnett.

The team announced Friday it will hold a ceremony coinciding with its game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 13.

We've waited long enough. @KevinGarnett5KG, it's time to retire 5⃣ pic.twitter.com/4Pe9bwvecO

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 20, 2021

Boston has retired 22 numbers, including No. 2 for legendary coach Red Auerbach. Once Garnett's jersey is hanging in the TD Garden rafters, Nos. 0, 4, 7, 8 and 9 will be the only single-digit numbers available.

Garnett spent six seasons with the Celtics, averaging 15.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game. He was instrumental in the team's 2008 championship and 2010 trip to the NBA Finals.

The organization already retired Paul Pierce's No. 34 jersey, and it was inevitable Garnett would get the same treatment.

The Celtics' announcement will likely once again turn the conversation toward the Minnesota Timberwolves and whether they'll get to properly celebrate the greatest player in franchise history.

The Hall of Famer was blunt with The Athletic's Shams Charania and alluded to his ongoing friction with team governor Glen Taylor:

Glen knows where I’m at, I’m not entertaining it. First of all, it’s not genuine. Two, he’s getting pressure from a lot of fans and, I guess, the community there. Glen and I had an understanding before Flip died, and when Flip died, that understanding went with Flip. For that, I won’t forgive Glen. I won’t forgive him for that. I thought he was a straight up person, straight up business man, and when Flip died, everything went with him.

With Taylor on his way out, perhaps the Timberwolves can eventually mend the necessary fences with Garnett.

Basketball Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen is opening up his house to fans who want to watch the Olympics in style. 

According to the official listing by Airbnb, Pippen is renting out his house in Chicago for three one-night stays to have watch parties for the Tokyo Games. 

The dates listed for renting are Aug. 2, Aug. 4 and Aug. 6. Bookings will open on July 22. 

Here is what Pippen wrote in the listing: 

When you enter my home, you'll step into sport history—finding Olympic Games memorabilia from my time as a U.S. Olympian, plus items from Team USA's 2020 Medal Stand Collection that you can take home with you! During your overnight stay, you and up to three guests have the opportunity to watch the magic of the Olympic Games basketball competitions on NBCUniversal's broadcast networks and streaming services from my home theater, and channel your inner athlete on my indoor basketball court.

Along with the opportunity to stay in Pippen's house, guests will receive a virtual greeting from the Chicago Bulls icon upon check-in, access to the indoor basketball court, watch movies in his personal theater and swim in the pool outside where there is also a television set up to watch the Olympics. 

The rental price of $92 is a tribute to the Dream Team that Pippen was a part of at the 1992 Olympics. 

The Tokyo Olympics will run from July 23-Aug. 8. 

A 1980-81 Topps NBA Scoring Leader card featuring three of the greatest players in basketball history is set to fetch a hefty sum at auction.

The card—which features Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird, Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson and Philadelphia 76ers legend "Dr. J" Julius Erving—is graded a gem mint 10 by PSA, making it one of only 24 such cards in existence.

According to TMZ Sports, the auction began a few weeks ago on SCP Auctions and ends Friday. The expectation is that it will go for more than $500,000.

So far, seven bids have been placed on the card, and the leading bid is $353,694.

Adding to the rarity of the card is the fact that perforations separate each player, meaning it is likely many of the cards that were released are no longer fully intact.

The sports card collecting hobby has exploded since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, and it has shown no signs of slowing down.

Interest in the 1980-81 Topps Scoring Leader card is understandable since it is a pristine copy of a card showcasing three of the best to ever do it.

Bird is a 12-time All-Star, three-time NBA champion, three-time NBA MVP and two-time NBA Finals MVP.

Johnson is a 12-time All-Star, five-time NBA champion, three-time NBA MVP and three-time NBA Finals MVP.

Erving is a 16-time All-Star, one-time NBA champion, two-time ABA champion, one-time NBA MVP and three-time ABA MVP.

The trio of Hall of Famers figure to hold their value for many years to come in terms of cards, making the gem mint 10 1980-81 Topps NBA Scoring Leader card a quality investment despite the huge price tag.

Former NBA players Matt Barnes and Derek Fisher made major headlines back in 2015 when Barnes punched Fisher after learning that his former teammate was dating his ex-wife, Gloria Govan, and was around his kids without his knowledge. 

But Barnes said the feud has long been resolved and he's in a good place with Fisher, now the head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks. 

"We buried the hatchet, we spoke. To me—because they're still together—to me it’s about raising these twins the best we possibly can and co-parenting," Barnes said on the Charges With Rex Chapman podcast (h/t TMZ Sports). "So, now he and I are cool, on the same page. We communicate and see each other when we’re at events. They’ve been to my house for the twins’ birthday. I’ve been to their place."

Barnes pushed back on the notion that Fisher stole Govan from him as well, noting they were already separated (he had already filed for divorce). 

"Like, he started dating my ex-wife," he said. "That’s what it was. He didn’t steal sh-t from me. What I’m tripping off is you’re in my house that I pay for with my kids and you didn’t tell me."