Lakers' Anthony Davis Says He Understands Aaron Rodgers, Packers Trade Drama
May 5, 2021
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 3: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates during the game against the Denver Nuggets on May 3, 2021 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
Anthony Davis' love of the Packers is well-publicized, but he empathizes with Aaron Rodgers wanting out of a bad situation in Green Bay.
The Los Angeles Lakers star made comments on the Rodgers situation Tuesday while streaming himself playing Call of Duty.
“Man, I don’t want to talk about Aaron Rodgers right now,” Davis said. “C’mon chat, don’t do that to me chat. Don't do that to me chat. I thought we were better than that, man...y'all know how I feel about that. But if anybody understands, chat, you know I understand.”
Rodgers requested a trade from the Packers at the end of the 2020 season, but news of his desire to leave Green Bay became public last week ahead of the 2021 NFL draft. The Packers have been steadfast in saying they have no plans of trading their star quarterback, who is under contract through the 2023 season.
Davis faced a similar situation when he made his trade request from the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2018-19 season. The Davis-New Orleans fiasco was even more awkward because his request came midseason and resulted in the NBA intervening and forcing the Pelicans to play him, despite the team wanting to sit him down the stretch.
Davis eventually got his way, and it's possible Rodgers will get his as well. That said, just don't expect Davis to be as happy for Rodgers as he was for himself.
Lamar Odom Says Kobe Bryant Helped Him Pay Gambling Debt After Scolding Him
Apr 15, 2021
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 13: Former NBA player, Lamar Odom hugs Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers after the game against the Utah Jazz on April 13, 2016 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Former NBA star Lamar Odom recounted how Los Angeles Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant helped him pay back a gambling debt he had incurred.
Appearing on All The Smoke with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, Odom was responding to a question about some of the last conversations he had with Bryant, who was killed in a helicopter crash in January 2020.
The discussion begins around the 56-minute mark (warning: NSFW language):
Odom explained how he had been gambling and owed more money than he could afford to absorb. He said he was reluctant to reach out to Bryant but "gathered up the strength and put my pride to the side."
Odom said Bryant "went in" to scold him before indicating he'd have his representatives resolve the matter.
Odom and Bryant were teammates for seven seasons on the Lakers. They helped Los Angeles win back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010.
Following Bryant's death, the 2010-11 Sixth Man of the Year reflected on his relationship with the Hall of Famer.
"On the court he taught me how to carve out defenses and how to take my time," Odom wrote on Instagram. "How to make winning my ultimate goal. Off the court he taught me to sign my own checks lol. ... Even though our relationship wasn’t father/son, it was more like him being a teacher and me being his brother."
LaMarcus Aldridge Retires from NBA After 15 Years Because of Irregular Heartbeat
Apr 15, 2021
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 10: LaMarcus Aldridge #21 of the Brooklyn Nets warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Barclays Center on April 10, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Seven-time All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge has retired from the NBA because of issues that stem from an irregular heartbeat.
In his announcement Thursday, Aldridge said he played during the team's 126-101 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on April 10 "while dealing with an irregular heartbeat."
"Though I'm better now, what I felt with my heart that night was still one of the scariest things I've experienced," he said.
Nets general manager Sean Marks said in a statement that the team "fully supports LaMarcus' decision":
Aldridge was limited to 63 games as a rookie in 2006-07 after suffering from dizziness and a rapid heartbeat during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Doctors diagnosed him with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the condition is "fairly rare" and is caused by "an extra electrical pathway" in the heart that can lead to a more rapid heartbeat.
Despite the diagnosis, Aldridge enjoyed a 15-year career and rarely experienced any major health issues. A minor heart arrhythmia briefly sidelined him in 2017.
In his prime, the 35-year-old was one of the NBA's premier power forwards. Sportsnet noted he's one of 14 players in league history with at least 19,000 points, 8,000 rebounds, 2,000 assists and 1,000 blocks. He's third in Portland Trail Blazers history in points (12,562) and first in rebounds (5,434).
When injuries derailed the career of Brandon Roy, Aldridge was the bridge until the Blazers could return to relevancy with Damian Lillard.
Aldridge retires having averaged 19.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. While he expanded his offensive repertoire in recent seasons, he remained a bit of a throwback by doing most of his damage from mid-range.
7-time All-Star, retires with 19,951 career regular-season points. Anyone who has been a fan of the NBA for the last 15 years can close their eyes and see LA operating in his office on the left block. Enjoy that family time, stay healthy, will miss watching you play. https://t.co/rM5SU6r6lE
Signing with the Nets allowed him to chase the championship that had eluded him with the Blazers and Spurs. A title appears to be well within reach for Brooklyn, which is one game behind the Philadelphia 76ers for first place in the Eastern Conference.
However, Aldridge will be unable to join the Nets in their quest for the NBA Finals.
A place in the Hall of Fame could be waiting for the 6'11" big man. In addition to his seven All-Star appearances, he was an All-NBA player on five occasions and made nine trips to the postseason.
His HOF candidacy might be a toss-up. Basketball Reference puts his probability at 50.9 percent based on his production and achievements on the court.
Lakers Rumors: Anthony Davis Could Return from Injury in Around 2 Weeks
Apr 11, 2021
TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 06: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on prior to the game against the Toronto Raptors at Amalie Arena on April 06, 2021 in Tampa, Florida.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis could be nearing his return to the court.
Davis, who has been out since mid-February after suffering a right calf strain and an aggravation of his right Achilles tendinosis, may be playing again within the next 10 days to two weeks, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on NBA Countdown (h/t ESPN's Dave McMenamin).
Team doctors will re-evaluate the eight-time All-Star when the Lakers return to Los Angeles on Thursday, per Wojnarowski. L.A. is currently on a seven-game road trip that ends Tuesday against the Charlotte Hornets.
Wojnarowski added more remarks about Davis later in the show: "He's made great progress, they expect Thursday's evaluation to go well, and then it'll just be a matter of ramping him back up there."
The Lakers can't get Davis back soon enough. The big man has averaged 22.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, and L.A. has gone 17-5 when he plays 25 or more minutes. The Lakers are just 15-16 otherwise.
L.A. isn't in any danger of missing the playoffs, although it has slipped down the Western Conference standings to fifth.
That's unideal, but it's more important for the Lakers to get Davis back healthy for the stretch run and be as close to 100 percent as possible for the postseason.
Until then, the Lakers do have a tough schedule to navigate if Davis doesn't return until late April. The slate includes a pair of home games against the team with the NBA's best record in the Utah Jazz as well as two road matchups against the 28-22 Dallas Mavericks.
Following its Saturday tilt with the East-leading Brooklyn Nets, L.A. also has two road games up ahead against the New York Knicks and Charlotte Hornets, who are currently in playoff position.
Davis and the Lakers are looking to win back-to-back NBA titles after beating the Miami Heat for last year's championship.
Video: Shaquille O'Neal Pays off Man's Engagement Ring at Zales Jewelry Store
Apr 7, 2021
Former NBA player Shaquille O' Neal is interviewed on the red carpet for Shaq's Fun House, Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, in Miami. This carnival themed music festival is one of numerous events taking place in advance of Miami hosting Super Bowl LIV on Feb. 2. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal did a good deed for a man trying to pay off his engagement ring.
After video of O'Neal paying off the man's ring when viral on social media, the three-time NBA Finals MVP addressed the situation Tuesday night on Inside the NBA:
"I'm just trying to make people smile... That's all."@SHAQ helped a young man out at a local jewelry store by paying for his engagement ring. pic.twitter.com/eK8n0YHGb7
According to O'Neal, the young man was asking the sales clerk at Zales how much he still owed on the ring.
O'Neal, who was in the store at the same time, overheard the conversation and decided to pay the unspecified amount. He added that he "didn't mean for that to get out because I don't do it for that."
Even though this particular moment went viral, O'Neal noted that he does similar things like this for people each day.
"Whenever I leave the house, I just try to do a good deed," he said.
Vanessa Bryant, Daughter Natalia Get Tattoos to Honor Kobe and Gigi
Mar 24, 2021
FILE - In this Nov. 21, 2017 file photo, from left, Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant, wife Vanessa and daughter Natalia Diamante Bryant are seen before a Connecticut-UCLA NCAA women's basketball game in Los Angeles. Kobe Bryant's widow on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, sued the owner of the helicopter that crashed in fog and killed the former Los Angeles Lakers star and their 13-year-old daughter Gianna last month. The wrongful death lawsuit filed by Vanessa Bryant in Los Angeles Superior Court said the pilot was careless and negligent by flying in cloudy conditions Jan. 26 and should have aborted the flight. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)
Vanessa and Natalia Bryant recently got tattoos honoring Kobe and Gigi Bryant.
Vanessa posted an image on her Instagram page of a tattoo across her right forearm that reads "Mambacita."
In a separate video post on Instagram, Vanessa showed her daughter, Natalia, getting the word "Muse" tattooed on the inside of a finger on her right hand.
Mambacita was Gigi's nickname, given to her by Kobe and an homage to his Black Mamba nickname when he played with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kobe Bryant's Muse was the title of a documentary that aired on Showtime in 2015. It provided an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the many people who helped inspire and shape the Lakers legend's iconic NBA career.
Kobe and Gigi were among nine people killed in a Jan. 2020 helicopter crash while they were traveling to basketball game Gigi was playing in at Mamba Sports Academy.
Report: Pres. of Basketball Ops Tim Connelly, Nuggets Agree to New Contract
Feb 15, 2019
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 24: Tim Connelly of the Denver Nuggets speaks to the media during a press conference at media day on September 24, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly has agreed to a contract extension, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Connelly's contract was set to expire at the end of the 2018-19 season, per Wojnarowski, but he and the team agreed on a deal after a few weeks of conversation.
Hardwood Paroxysm reported that the entire front office has also received contract extensions.
Connelly was named the Nuggets' executive vice president of basketball operations and general manager in 2013. He was promoted to president of basketball operations in 2017.
The 39-18 Nuggets are second in the Western Conference and just two games behind the Golden State Warriors.
Denver's success is the result of Connelly's impressive multi-year rebuild, highlighted by the shrewd pick of future All-Star center Nikola Jokic in the second round of the 2014 NBA draft.
The 23-year-old big man is averaging 20.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 7.7 assists, so needless to say, that choice worked out.
That isn't the only smart selection the Nuggets have made in the Connelly era, however.
Second-year guard Monte Morris, who was taken 51st overall in the 2017 draft, is averaging 10.8 points and 3.9 assists in 25.0 minutes per game.
Gary Harris and Jamal Murray, who were selected in the first round of the 2014 and 2016 drafts, respectively, compose the Nuggets' starting backcourt.
The contract-extension news elicited much praise on Twitter, with Paul Klee of theGazette and Brody Logan of 9News supporting the move:
Nuggets 39-18 at the break. Jokic had 20/18/11 & the winner before his first All-Star game, turns 24 Tuesday. Great news for fans of Nuggets action ball and nice guys. https://t.co/wS8X6zDn5Mhttps://t.co/6hAnhzLbbo
Great move by the Nuggets to reward Tim Connelly for a great job and keep him locked up. Connelly's contract could have expired at the end of the season. #9Sportshttps://t.co/vAuP5V9EEw
Denver hasn't made the playoffs since 2013, but that streak is certain to break this year. The Nuggets also look like they will be perennial postseason contenders well into the 2020s.
Denver will go for its 40th win of the season when it visits the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, February 22.
Mike Malone to Coach Team LeBron in 2019 NBA All-Star Game over Steve Kerr
Feb 2, 2019
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 30: Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets reacts before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on January 30, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets coach Mike Malone will represent the Western Conference in the 2019 NBA All-Star Game while coaching Team LeBron after his team pulled out a 107-106 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.
A six-game winning streak has Denver tied with the Golden State Warriors atop the Western Conference at 37-15. Per ESPN's Marc J. Spears, Malone owns the tiebreaker over Golden State coach Steve Kerr.
Both the Warriors and the Nuggets were in action on Saturday night. After the Warriors pulled away from the Los Angeles Lakers for a 115-101 victory, Golden State star Stephen Curry sold out his coaching staff on social media:
Steph clowns Warriors owner and coaches for not wanting to work during All-Star Weekend 😂
Meanwhile, Kerr—who has served as a coach in two of the last four All-Star Games—admitted during his postgame press conference that the Denver game had his attention, per The Athletic's Anthony Slater:
Fortunately for Kerr and Co., the Nuggets were able to do them a favor and give them All-Star Weekend off. According to ESPN's Rachel Nichols, when informed of the final result, Kerr gave a fist pump and told reporters, "Have fun in Charlotte, guys."
For Malone, though, coaching in the All-Star Game is recognition of an outstanding first half. The Nuggets near the break in prime position to end a five-year playoff drought, as they have piled up the second-most victories in the NBA this season. They currently trail the Milwaukee Bucks by one game in the win column for the most in the league.
Since Malone took over in 2015, Denver has improved with each passing season and is on pace to do so once again this season. Last season (46-36) marked the team's first winning season since 2012-13.
Malone will not be Denver's lone representative in Charlotte. Center Nikola Jokic was named as a Western Conference reserve, his first All-Star selection.
The 2019 NBA All-Star Game will be held at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte on Feb. 17. Malone will find out who he is coaching on Feb. 7, when the All-Star Game draft will air on TNT.
