Anthony Davis 'On Another Planet' as LeBron James, Lakers Defeat Pistons
Dec 12, 2022
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 11: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers high-fives teammate LeBron James #6 during the game against the Detroit Pistons on December 11, 2022 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 2022 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers closed out their six-game road trip with a 124-117 win over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, and it took another herculean performance by star big man Anthony Davis to earn the victory.
Davis finished with 34 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and a block to help Los Angeles snap a three-game losing streak and improve to 11-15. Lakers star LeBron James recorded a team-high 35 points.
In his last five games, Davis has crossed the 30-point mark four times. The only anomaly is when he was forced to exit last Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers because of an illness after playing just a single quarter.
NBA Twitter showed love to Davis after another impressive performance, as the 29-year-old is performing at a level that has many believing he's one of the best players in the league:
LeBron James and Anthony Davis are both playing at an extremely high level, and the Lakers won’t make a trade to make sure their performances don’t go to waste.
When the Lakers give the ball to AD they score …. But then they just suddenly stop going to AD & think they can shoot. It’s so frustrating cause it’s so easy but the Lakers make it hard
The Lakers have had trouble maintaining momentum this season, as the team's roster still has some holes. However, having Davis in the lineup at full strength gives Los Angeles a superstar who can be the best player on the court each time he steps on it.
Davis and the Lakers will look to keep the momentum going when they return to action on Tuesday at home against the Boston Celtics, who have the best record in the NBA at 21-6.
Knicks Rumors: Lakers, Heat, Bucks Have Expressed Interest in Cam Reddish Trade
Dec 8, 2022
New York Knicks forward Cam Reddish during an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
It was less than a year ago that the New York Knicks acquired forward Cam Reddish in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks, but the team has reportedly been fielding offers to ship him away for quite some time.
"[S]everal teams have expressed interest in trading for Reddish since the Knicks acquired him in January 2022," SNY's Ian Begley wrote. "The Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks are among the teams who reached out to New York in that span."
Reddish was removed from the Knicks rotation this week and hasn't played since last Saturday's 21-point loss to the Dallas Mavericks. New York has won back-to-back games since then and has a 12-13 record.
On Wednesday, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News reported that the Knicks were working with Reddish and his representatives to secure a deal for him. However, the 23-year-old later said that he wasn't trying to force his way off the team.
"I haven't requested any trades," he said, per Peter Botte of the New York Post. "I have not. Y'all seem to know more than me, for real. I don't know what y'all talking about, but I haven't requested no trade, nothing like that."
Reddish has failed to make an impact since he entered the league as the No. 10 overall pick in 2019. The Duke product has a career average of 10.2 points on 39.3 percent shooting from the field and 32.3 percent from beyond the arc. Still, he is young and he has the potential to develop into a contributor in the right situation.
The Bucks are one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, but they could use some extra firepower to compete against the defending conference-champion Boston Celtics. The Heat have been bitten by the injury bug early in the season and lack depth.
Begley noted that the Lakers and Knicks had engaged in discussions recently about a potential trade that would've required a third team to complete. Los Angeles has an open roster spot after waiving Matt Ryan and desperately needs to add shooting.
For now, Reddish will continue to ride the bench when the Knicks return to action on Friday against the Charlotte Hornets (7-18).
Lakers' LeBron James Says Memories with Cavs 'Will Never Be Forgotten' After Loss
Dec 7, 2022
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 6: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 6, 2022 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 2022 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James discussed his appreciation for the Cavaliers and the city of Cleveland following a 116-102 loss to the Cavs on Tuesday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
"It's always love coming back here," James told reporters. "The memories that I have here will never be forgotten."
The Cavaliers are essentially the hometown team of James, who is an Akron, Ohio, native. They made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft out of high school, and he met and exceeded all of the massive expectations placed on him.
LeBron's first run in Cleveland lasted for seven seasons from 2003 to 2010 before he memorably signed with the Miami Heat in free agency. James went to four straight NBA Finals with the Heat and won the first two championships of his career.
After reaching the NBA Finals once and winning no titles during his first run in Cleveland, James had some unfinished business, so he returned to the Cavs in 2014.
James' second stint in Cleveland yielded the greatest time period in Cavaliers history, as they went to four consecutive NBA Finals and won their first and only championship in 2016.
LeBron left Cleveland again in 2018 when he signed with the Lakers, and while he has experienced some of the greatest struggles of his career in L.A., he also led the Lakers to a championship in 2020, marking the fourth title of his illustrious career.
James is one of the greatest players of all time with 18 All-Star selections, four NBA MVP awards and four NBA Finals MVP awards, and his time with the Cavaliers will perhaps be the defining period of his career.
LeBron is still playing at a high level at the age of 37, but the Lakers have scuffled overall this season with a record of 10-13 after missing the playoffs in 2021-22.
As for the Cavs, they are a team on the rise with a 16-9 record, thanks largely to the offseason acquisition of All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz.
Lakers' LeBron James Calls Donovan Mitchell 'Special' After SG Scores 43 in Cavs' Win
Dec 7, 2022
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives past Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, left, and forward LeBron James during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
LeBron James was among the many impressed by Donovan Mitchell in the Cleveland Cavaliers' 116-102 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
"He's Mitchell," James told reporters after the game. "He's a special kid."
The story entering the game was LeBron's return to Cleveland, where he spent 11 of his 20 NBA seasons, but Mitchell stole the show with 43 points on 17-of-27 shooting, adding six rebounds, five assists and four steals.
Mitchell has thrived in his first season with the Cavaliers, ranking seventh in the NBA with an average of 29 points per game while emerging as a legitimate MVP candidate. On one of the biggest stages of the year, he scored a season-high and left his opponent in awe.
James scored 21 points with 17 rebounds in the loss, although he couldn't overcome Anthony Davis missing most of the game because of an illness.
NBA Twitter Loves Donovan Mitchell's Brilliance in Cavs' Win vs. LeBron James, Lakers
Dec 7, 2022
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 6: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 6, 2022 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 2022 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
LeBron James may be the franchise icon for the Cleveland Cavaliers, but he played second fiddle to the current star Tuesday.
Donovan Mitchell went into absolute takeover mode in the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and led the Cavs to a commanding 116-102 victory over James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Cleveland was up just two at the start of the fourth quarter, but Mitchell poured in 17 points in the final period alone with a combination of three-pointers, drives into the lane and transition opportunities, which left no doubt about the outcome by the end.
Social media had nothing but praise for the three-time All-Star as he drew MVP chants from the crowd and dropped 43 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals:
For first time in hoops history, Cavs have swept season series vs LeBron James. Just second home win over LeBron too. Donovan Mitchell with Cavs career-high 43 pts. It’s a new day in Cleveland.
From the Lakers' perspective, the loss snapped a three-game winning streak and dropped their record to 10-13 overall. They have played better of late in large part because Anthony Davis entered Tuesday's game with 10 straight double-doubles and averages of 34.2 points, 15.4 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game during that stretch.
However, he went to the locker room in the first quarter and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest with flu-like symptoms.
That left the Purple and Gold fighting an uphill battle the rest of the way. James did what he could with a double-double of 21 points and 17 rebounds, while Thomas Bryant played well in Davis' place with 19 points and nine boards.
Still, they had no answer for Mitchell in crunch time as the Cavaliers improved to 16-9 overall and an impressive 11-1 at home.
The Lakers will look to turn things around Wednesday as they continue their road trip against the Toronto Raptors, but it remains to be seen whether Davis will take the court. Mitchell and the Cavaliers remain at home to face the Sacramento Kings on Friday.
Donovan Mitchell 'Happy as Hell to Be' with Cavs After Offseason Knicks Trade Rumors
Dec 5, 2022
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 4: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up before the game against the New York Knicks on December 4, 2022 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Donovan Mitchell might have wanted to play for the Knicks, but he's perfectly happy with where he's at.
Mitchell played in front of a Madison Square Garden crowd on Sunday for the first time since the Knicks' failed pursuit of their hometown star, saying it's nice to play in front of family but he's glad to be a Cavalier.
“I think more so playing in front of my family and friends,” Mitchell told reporters. “What’s done is done, and I’m happy as hell to be where I’m at. At the end of the day, this decision was made and I don’t think I’ve been happier since I’ve been in the league. But I think for me it’s always going to be motivation to come back and play well in my hometown, but you could say that about anybody. But with what happened this summer, it’s over with, it happened and I’m happy to be with the Cavaliers.”
The three-time All-Star finished with 23 points, five assists and four rebounds in Cleveland's 92-81 loss. Mitchell finished with an ugly 8-of-22 shooting line as the Cavs shot just 34.9 percent from the floor.
The Knicks spent the offseason as the overwhelming favorite to land Mitchell in a trade with the Utah Jazz. They ultimately balked as Utah's asking price and Cleveland swooped in to make a shocking blockbuster.
“Who doesn’t want to be home, next to their mom,” Mitchell told reporters in September when asked if he wanted to play for the Knicks. “I haven’t lived at home since I was in the eighth grade and I went to boarding school, so it would have been nice.”
From a basketball perspective, Mitchell's move to the midwest has paid off. The Cavs are 15-9 and sit in third place in the Eastern Conference, while the Knicks are languishing as the No. 10 seed at 11-13.
Shams: Bucks' Khris Middleton Could Return From Wrist Injury Friday vs. Lakers
Nov 30, 2022
Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) plays against the Detroit Pistons in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Detroit, Friday, April 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Milwaukee Bucks guard Khris Middleton could make his season debut as soon as Friday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers, as Shams Charania reported on The Pat McAfee Show:
Middleton has been recovering from offseason wrist surgery.
The Bucks were originally hoping the three-time All-Star would return at some point in November, as Charania and Eric Nehm of The Athletic reported prior to the season opener. It's now clear he won't return until at least Dec. 2, but he is "close" to a return, per Charania.
Middleton hasn't played for the Bucks since suffering an MCL sprain in the first round of last year's playoffs, missing the team's final 10 postseason games. Milwaukee was eliminated by the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Bucks have fared well without him this season, going 14-5 to sit in second place in the Eastern Conference. Grayson Allen has taken on a bigger role on the wing, while Jevon Carter has played well at point guard to allow the team to go with a smaller lineup.
Getting Middleton back would still be a significant boost for Milwaukee, as he's one of the best two-way players in the NBA.
The guard finished last season averaging 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game, shooting 37.3 percent from three-point range. The team was 5.2 points per 100 possessions better with Middleton on the court rather than off it, per Basketball Reference.
Middleton was also a key part of the Bucks winning the 2021 NBA title, averaging 23.6 points per game during the playoff run.
If Middleton can return soon and stay healthy, Milwaukee will be a dangerous team for the remainder of 2022-23.
NBA Trade Rumors: Pistons Taking 'Early Calls' on Saddiq Bey Before Deadline
Nov 23, 2022
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Saddiq Bey #41 of the Detroit Pistons brings the ball up the court during the second quarter of the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2022 in 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
The Detroit Pistons have reportedly "taken early calls" on forward Saddiq Bey, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
Fischer added the team is "intent on further evaluating Bey" before making any moves, but the organization is at least considering making a deal after he was nearly untouchable in past years.
Bey is averaging 14.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists through 17 games this season, a decline across the board after averaging 16.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 2021-22.
After shooting 34.6 percent from three-point range last year, Bey is now hitting just 29 percent of outside shots.
The 23-year-old has still showcased his upside during the season, reaching 20 points in five of his 17 games. He scored 28 in an October win over the Golden State Warriors.
Consistency has been an issue, however, averaging just nine points over his last five games while shooting 31.4 percent from the field. He's missed the last two games with an ankle injury.
The former Villanova star is eligible for an extension this offseason, which could force the Pistons to make a decision about his future.
Detroit remains far from contention after a 4-15 start to the season. The squad must determine if Bey will be part of the core going forward, or else he could be moved ahead of the trade deadline.
Report: Rivals Wonder If Pistons Shut Down Cade Cunningham to Land Victor Wembanyama
Nov 20, 2022
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 4: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 4, 2022 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 2022 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham is feared to have a stress fracture in his left shin and is considered to be out indefinitely, though he hasn't been ruled out for the entirety of the 2022-23 season.
However, rival executives are wondering whether the Pistons would prefer Cunningham to "shut it down for the future" in an effort to land the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, which would give them the chance to select highly-touted prospect Victor Wembanyama, per NBA insider Marc Stein.
Stein also noted that Cunningham's absence "could encourage the Pistons to trade Bojan Bogdanović to the highest bidder between now and the Feb. 9 trade deadline since there are no longer any illusions that this team is a viable contender for even a play-in spot."
The Pistons already own the NBA's worst record at 3-14, though the Houston Rockets may also get the opportunity to land the No. 1 pick this year as they currently sit last in the Western Conference with a 3-13 record.
Wembanyama is considered a generational talent, and he'll surely alter the trajectory of whichever team selects him.
The superstar French center made his United States debut in October, suiting up for the Metropolitans 92 against the G League Ignite in two showcase games. In the first game, he finished with 37 points, four rebounds and five blocks. In Game 2, he notched 36 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks and four assists.
Following his performance against the G League Ignite, an Eastern Conference scout told ESPN's Myron Medcalf that "we've never seen anyone like" Wembanyama before.
Wembanyama's talent has led many to believe teams will tank in an effort to land him. NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in October that he hoped that wouldn't happen.
"I know that many of our NBA teams are salivating at the notion that potentially through our lottery, they can get him, so they should all still compete very hard next season," Silver told reporters.
The Pistons have been one of the Eastern Conference's worst teams for more than a decade, but pairing Wembanyama with someone like Cunningham, in addition to Jaden Ivey, could help the team return to prominence sooner rather than later.
Still, there's no guarantee they land the coveted No. 1 pick, though they would get a pretty good consolation prize in Scoot Henderson if they were to land the No. 2 pick.
Cavs' Kevin Love to Be Evaluated Daily After Thumb Injury Diagnosed as Fracture
Nov 19, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during a game at the STAPLES Center on October 27, 2021 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 Credit: 2021 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Kevin Love suffered a hairline fracture in his right thumb and will be evaluated daily, per Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.
Love, a five-time All-Star, settled nicely into a bench role last season. Through 74 games in 2021-22, he averaged 13.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 39.2 percent from three-point range. Heading into 2022-23, Love told Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com he's "never had so much fun coming into work."
This year, he's posting 11.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists for the 9-6 Cavs, who sit fourth in the Eastern Conference after their offseason trade for star guard Donovan Mitchell.
Last season was the healthiest Love has been in quite some time. The 34-year-old veteran had struggled to stay healthy in previous years. He was limited to 25 games in 2020-21 because of a calf injury.
After signing a four-year, $120 million contract extension prior to the 2018-19 season, Love suffered a foot injury that forced him to miss 60 games that year.
The UCLA product is the only player remaining from Cleveland's 2016 NBA championship team. The Cavaliers chose not to trade him or buy him out because he remains an integral veteran presence in the locker room. Love is making $28.9 million in the final year of his contract this season.
Cleveland has a frontcourt full of youngsters with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, who are already seeing a hefty amount of playing time. Mobley finished second in Rookie of the Year voting last season with averages of 15.0 points and 8.3 rebounds.
The Cavaliers will continue to lean on their young forwards while Love is sidelined.
