Tag: Larry Brown

Larry Brown named Commanders’ Legend of the Game for Week 13

A true Washington legend.

This week, the Commanders have a real legend of the game.

Sunday’s home game at Northwest Stadium will see former Washington Redskins running back Larry Brown honored as the legend of the game.

Brown was drafted 191 overall in the 1969 NFL draft by the Redskins. He had been primarily a fullback at Kansas State, so his running ability was not widely known. Brown had been a blocker and running only in short-yard situations, so not even Brown himself knew what would transpire when he became Washington’s starting halfback in his rookie season.

Head coach Vince Lombardi noticed Brown was always a step slow at the snap of the ball and ordered a hearing test. Sure enough, he was impaired in one ear, so Lombardi, with the NFL’s approval, had a hearing aid inserted into Brown’s helmet.

Brown flourished immediately, starting 13 of his 14 games in the 1969 season and gaining 888 yards on his 202 carries (4.4 YPC). It was in his second season that everyone in the NFL realized that Larry Brown was not only a starting halfback but also one of the most aggressive running backs in the league.

Brown led the NFL in 1970, averaging 86.5 rushing yards a game and also gaining 1,125 rushing yards. As a result, he was voted NFL All-Pro First Team.

A daring, slashing runner, Brown rushed for over 5,000 yards in his first five seasons in the NFL (the NFL played 14-game seasons from 1961 to 1978). At the peak of his career, Brown led the NFL in 1972, averaging 101.3 rushing yards per game and gaining 1,216 yards in 12 games. He also led the NFL in total yards from scrimmage that season with 1,689 yards.

He was rested the last two games as the Redskins had already clinched their division with an 11-1 record. As a result, Brown was voted the Associated Press MVP for the 1972 season.

However, Brown began suffering debilitating knee injuries that slowed him down in 1974-76. He barely played his final season, not starting any games, and was battered and beaten down. He only carried the ball 20 times in his last season, retiring after the 1976 season.

He officially was a Redskin for eight seasons, gaining 5,875 rushing yards and 35 rushing touchdowns. Brown was also a very adept receiver out of the backfield, on the receiving end of 238 receptions for 2,485 receiving yards and 20 receiving touchdowns.

How good was Larry Brown? No Washington player has yet to wear No. 43 since Brown retired from the NFL.

The Commanders have been naming former players as “legends” of the home games this 2024 season. Last week, they came under understandable scrutiny when they named Robert Griffin III the legend of the game, though Griffin only had one successful NFL season.

There will be no scrutiny this week. Larry Brown was a stud, a workhorse. Larry Brown is a true Washington Redskins “legend.”

The Steelers might already have their new offensive tackle on the team

Should the Steelers convert Darnell Washington to offensive tackle?

Back in 1971, the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted tight end Larry Brown in the fifth round of the NFL draft. Brown spent his first six seasons with the Steelers as a tight end, amassing just 48 receptions.

Head coach Chuck Noll didn’t give up on Brown. Instead, he converted the big strong run blocker into a right tackle where he started 85 games over the next eight seasons. He even made the Pro Bowl in 1982 and was enshrined into the Steelers Ring of Honor in 2019.

Why does all this matter? Because the Steelers currently have tight end Darnell Washington on the roster and he could be a prime candidate for a similar position change.

Washington was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft. Washington is a mountain of a man at 6-foot-7, 265 pounds and a devastating run blocker. Pittsburgh also drafted Washington’s teammate, offensive tackle Broderick Jones in the first round of the same draft and he is entrenched in the starting lineup after a strong rookie campaign.

But with the team releasing Chuks Okorafor and the inconsistent play of Dan Moore Jr. on the left side, there is still plenty of work to be done. It might not be a switch that can happen in a single offseason but we love the idea of Washington making the switch.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Larry Brown believes Sixers’ Allen Iverson could have been the GOAT

Larry Brown believes Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson could have been the GOAT of the NBA.

Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson is one of the best players the game has ever seen. Even at his small size, he was a giant in the game. The Hall of Fame guard averaged 27.6 points and 6.1 assists during his time in a Sixers uniform and he took home an MVP award in 2001.

Iverson and coach Larry Brown bumped heads a lot. The two of them loved the game of basketball, but they did not see eye-to-eye on many topics about the game. Their unlikely marriage worked to the point of Philadelphia reaching the finals in 2001 with Iverson on a rampage.

NBA TV created a documentary on the ’01 Sixers called “Everything but the Chip,” and Brown and Iverson discussed their relationship. Brown even mentioned Iverson could have been the GOAT of the NBA if he did a better job of helping Iverson:

Allen Iverson: I was the cause of 99.9% of it. Now his, what was it .1? Might have been major, but my (expletive) just overrode all of that.

Larry Brown: If I would have done a better job of making Allen understand, then we might be talking about the greatest player who ever played the game.

Iverson still carved out one helluva career in the NBA. He was a feared player every time he stepped on the floor. Despite he and Brown not having the smoothest relationship, they made it work enough for the Sixers to succeed.

[lawrence-related id=80666,80659,80655]

Washington history’s in the NFL playoff’s Divisional Round

Looking back at Washington’s win over Green Bay in the 1972 divisional round.

It’s time for the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.

50 years ago, the 1972 Washington Redskins became the first team in Washington history to play in a Super Bowl.

During the divisional round, the Redskins had earned home-field advantage due to finishing 11-3 and NFC East champs. Coming to town were the NFC Central Champion, Green Bay Packers (10-4).

On a cool Christmas Eve, Washington’s defense shut down the powerful Packers running game, defeating the Packers 16-3.

The Packers had gained 2,127 rushing yards in 14 games. Washington coach George Allen concerned about the Packers strong running game, determined he would remove middle linebacker Myron Pottios from the starting lineup.

Allen would replace Pottios with defensive tackle Manny Sistrunk, meaning the Burgundy and Gold was switching from a 4-3 to a 5-2 with an extra defensive tackle.

The Packers powerful inside running game had been led all season by the duo of John Brockington and MacArthur Lane. Allen felt he could get away with the move because he did not feel Packers quarterback Scott Hunter was an effective enough passer. The Redskins would plan on attacking the Packers at their offensive strength, taking it away, and take it away they did.

Lane would generate 56 yards in his 14 carries, including a long of 18 yards. Brockington enjoyed no success whatsoever, as his 13 carries generated a mere 9 yards.

Meanwhile, Washington’s workhorse running back Larry Brown did not break a big run, with his longest being only 13 yards, but Brown did accumulate 101 yards in his 25 carries.

The Packers knocked Redskins quarterback Billy Kilmer out of the game in the first quarter on what today would be ruled a helmet-to-helmet infraction. Green Bay also led on Chester Marcol’s 17-yard field goal in the second quarter.

However, Billy Kilmer found Roy Jefferson for a 32-yard post-pattern touchdown and Curt Knight’s 42-yard field goal gave Washington a 10-3 halftime lead.

Knight added field goals from 35 and 46 in the second half, as Washington controlled the line of scrimmage. Roy Jefferson enjoyed collecting five receptions for 84 yards.

Washington at Giants 50 years ago: Sonny Jurgensen and Billy Kilmer

The Giants and Washington, 50 years ago, Billy Kilmer replacing the injured Sonny Jurgensen at quarterback.

Sonny Jurgensen, Billy Kilmer, the Commanders and the Giants have been in the news this week.

Boy, does THAT bring back memories.

Similarly to this 2022 season, Washington in 1972 was coming into the road game against the Giants feeling really good about themselves. After an early season 24-23 loss at the Patriots, George Allen had reinserted Sonny Jurgensen as his starting quarterback. Washington had defeated the Eagles 14-0 and romped the Cardinals in St Louis 33-3.

In Sonny’s third start, the offense started slowly against Dallas, falling behind 13-0 and 20-7, but then Sonny, Larry Brown and Charley Harraway played key roles in a terrific come-from-behind 24-20 victory in front of a frenzied home crowd at RFK.

After the great comeback win over Dallas, Sonny led the Burgundy and Gold (5-1) to New York to face the Giants (4-2). In those days, the Giants played their games on the grass field of Yankee Stadium. Unlike modern-day field accommodations,  the Yankees had played 81 games on the field, and the Giants would play half of their six exhibition games on the field and seven regular season games. There was no time for the field to recover, and the NFL season was thus very destructive to a grass field.

In the first quarter, Jurgensen on a drop back went untouched; however, he stepped in an uneven spot on the turf and tore his Achilles tendon. Billy Kilmer took over, and Washington would lead by as much as 23-9, winning 23-16 for their fourth straight win.

Kilmer had taken over for Jurgensen, and George Allen’s best team (1972) would go on to win nine consecutive games, the NFC East at 11-3, and the NFC Championship before losing to the undefeated Dolphins in Super Bowl VII.

George Allen created his own narrative, and Jurgensen was treated unfairly as if he himself was divisive. Allen went as far to prohibit Jurgensen from the sideline during the Super Bowl, though Kilmer desired Jurgensen’s help.

Kilmer more than once defended Sonny, stating the two actually remained good friends and that Jurgensen was always attempting to help Kilmer as quarterback, wanting the team to win. George Allen was sometimes paranoid, but that is another story for another day.

This week we learned the present organizational leadership apparently knows little to nothing of this past bond between Kilmer and Jurgensen. Kilmer told Thom Loverro he would love to be a part of Sonny’s No. 9 being retired on Jan. 8, 2023, in the season finale against Dallas. “Nobody has said anything to me about what’s going on. I want to come up.”

After playing for Washington from 1964-74, Sonny was part of the radio broadcast team from 1981-2018.

Sorry, but I have to ask, will the organization understand that Frank Herzog, Larry Michael and Chris Cooley need to be there as well?

Dallas at Washington: 50 years ago

Washington hopes for a repeat performance against the Cowboys in Week 4.

50 years ago, the 1972 Washington Redskins became the first team in Washington history to play in a Super Bowl.

Playing in the NFC East meant facing Dallas twice during the regular season. The first match-up took place at RFK Stadium in Week 6 on Oct. 22, 1972.

Two things have stuck with me since my childhood about that day. The first was that after church that morning we ate lunch and then watched Game 7 of the 1972 World Series. That was back in the day when kids were encouraged by MLB to watch postseason baseball. All I recall about the game was I was rooting for the Cincinnati Reds at home, but they lost to the Oakland A’s.

When the World Series game had concluded, the 4 p.m. ET CBS national broadcast began the defending Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys at the Washington Redskins.

To this day, I recall being so frustrated thinking the Cowboys were going to blow out the Redskins. Dallas jumped out to a 13-0 lead, and it could have been worse, but the Washington defense held the Cowboys inside of the 10 yard-line twice resulting in two short Tony Fritsch field goals.

But Sonny Jurgensen who only attempted 16 passes on that October day would complete 11 with no interceptions and Washington would come back. Jurgensen connected with Larry Brown for a 19-yard touchdown pass narrowing the deficit to 13-7 at the half.

But Dallas again increased the lead to 13 (20-7) when Walt Garrison scored from one yard. Larry Brown then took a toss to the left side, got a great block from fullback Charlie Harraway, cut back and scored a 34-yard touchdown making the deficit 20-14.

Curt Knight’s 42-yard field goal brought Washington even closer to 20-17. Jurgensen then lead the Redskins on an 80-yard drive in seven plays, the final a 13-yard touchdown run by Harraway.

Washington had twice come back from 13-point deficits to win 24-20. The win elevated Washington’s record to 5-1 and dropped Dallas to 4-2. It was the third consecutive win for Washington.

LeBron James takes veiled shot at Russell Westbrook?

“I’m obsessed with win or bust,” said James (h/t Darryn Albert of Larry Brown Sports). “What makes me have sleepless nights is when you don’t have everyone that feels the same way on your club. “It’s time when I wish I was a tennis player or a …

“I’m obsessed with win or bust,” said James (h/t Darryn Albert of Larry Brown Sports). “What makes me have sleepless nights is when you don’t have everyone that feels the same way on your club. “It’s time when I wish I was a tennis player or a golfer where it was literally like, ‘Look in the mirror, motherf–ker. It’s you versus you,’”

Source: Paolo Songco @ Clutch Points

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Greg Dickerson @gregdickerson13
LeBron James, Red Sox co-owner, says he hates Celtics fans because ‘they racist as f***’ sports.yahoo.com/le-bron-james-… via @Yahoo
@John_W_Henry what do u think of 1 of your partners calling fellow Boston fans like me racist? We’d like an answer..btw F* lebron doesn’t = racist – 10:32 PM
Shandel Richardson @ShandelRich
LeBron takes aim at Boston Celtics fans: si.com/nba/heat/miami… – 8:46 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
LeBron says he dislikes playing in Boston because Celtics fans are “racist as f***” nba.nbcsports.com/2022/07/15/leb… – 7:46 PM
Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
leaving it up to the capologists to add pieces to make this legal. Here’s my mega proposal:
Knicks: Mitchell
Pacers: Barrett, Toppin
Jazz: Westbrook (expiring), two picks from Lakers, one from Nets, two picks Pacers, two from Knicks.
Nets: Turner, Fournier
Lakers: Irving – 4:00 PM
Joe Vardon @joevardon
Fourteen of the most popular NBA players missed a combined 67 percent of available regular-season games last year, from Ben Simmons to Zion to Kyrie to LeBron. It’s a troubling trend, ⁦@The Athletic⁩ theathletic.com/3424723/2022/0… – 1:59 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Most playoff wins all time:
174 — LeBron James
161 — Derek Fisher
157 — Tim Duncan
155 — Robert Horry
154 — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar pic.twitter.com/0gKZZbIa9B – 1:57 PM

Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Looks like Tyrese Maxey is going through some workouts with LeBron. (via chrisjohnsonhoops on IG) pic.twitter.com/Sm7naZriYi – 10:10 PM

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Lakers owner Jeanie Buss says Kobe Bryant tweet wasn’t about LeBron James: ‘My heart was full of sadness’ nba.nbcsports.com/2022/07/14/lak… – 6:01 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Playoff leaders since 2000:
Points — LeBron James
Rebounds — Tim Duncan
Assists — LeBron James
Steals — LeBron James
Blocks — Tim Duncan
Wins — LeBron James
GOAT SF. GOAT PF. pic.twitter.com/6Y35oevDqT – 11:27 AM

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
LeBron James: I wasn’t knocking United States’ handling of Brittney Griner nba.nbcsports.com/2022/07/13/leb… – 7:01 PM
Kylen Mills @KylenMills
KD UPDATE: Ric Bucher is reporting that Steph Curry has reached out to KD several times about a reunion: “A league source says Curry has reached out several times to Durant, eager to improve his chances of winning a fifth championship and surpassing LeBron James.” #dubnation – 4:46 PM
LeBron James @KingJames
Everything I do always has a bigger purpose, much like @lifewtr, which makes me excited for the work we’ll do together!! Inspiring and championing others. More to come! 💧💪🏾👑 pic.twitter.com/LcnjtZkzqu – 1:36 PM

Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
If the Lakers can somehow make the Turner/Hield trade AND the Pat Bev trade, I’d be totally fine missing out on Kyrie. That’s just an awesome combination of shooting and defense around LeBron and AD.
But I have no confidence in the Lakers to make either trade, so Kyrie it is! – 1:11 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#NBA commissioner Adam Silver addresses Brittney Griner’s status in Russia amid LeBron James saying #WNBA star should question America’s support (w/videos) #Mercury azcentral.com/story/sports/w… via @azcentral – 11:04 AM
Marla Ridenour @MRidenourABJ
A “Family,” a funeral and a wedding: From @MBeavenABJ: Willie McGee set to step down as STVM AD to take job with LeBron James Family Foundation @LJFamFoundation @STVMAthletics beaconjournal.com/story/sports/h… via @beaconjournal – 9:28 AM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
41 of the past 43 NBA Finals series have featured at least one of these nine players:
Michael Jordan,
Larry Bird,
Magic Johnson
Hakeem Olajuwon,
Shaquille O’Neal,
Tim Duncan,
Kobe Bryant,
LeBron James,
Steph Curry
Moral of the story: You need an all-time great to win in the NBA – 9:13 AM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Maybe this is Kyrie’s camp trying to get LeBron to force a trade to Brooklyn? AK – 10:32 PM

More on this storyline

On the latest episode of “The Shop,” James was asked rather bluntly: “Why do you hate Boston?” “Cause they racist as f–k,” James responded. “They will say anything. And it’s fine. It’s my life, f–k I’ve been dealing with it my whole life. I don’t mind it. I hear it. If I hear somebody close by, I check them real quick, then move onto the game. They’re going to say whatever the f–k they want to say.” -via New York Post / July 15, 2022
StatMuse: Playoff leaders since 2010: Points — LeBron James Rebounds — LeBron James Assists — LeBron James Steals — LeBron James Blocks — Serge Ibaka Wins — LeBron James King James has been dominant. pic.twitter.com/EUeRdX0dhL -via Twitter @statmuse / July 15, 2022
It’s a trend that includes many of the league’s biggest names and practically all the MVP candidates. Over the past three seasons, it’s clear that too few players are ready to play: Kevin Durant has played zero, 35, and 55 games; Stephen Curry has played 5, 63, and 64; LeBron James has played 67, 45, and 56. -via TrueHoop / July 15, 2022
According to multiple sources, the trade that is closest to happening involves Kyrie Irving being sent to the Los Angeles Lakers and Russell Westbrook being routed to the Spurs. To facilitate that trade, the sources tell me the Spurs want an unprotected first round pick from the Lakers. -via SpursTalk / July 15, 2022
Speaking on the Point Forward podcast with co-host Evan Turner, Iguodala went on a relatively lengthy rant pertaining to all the negativity that has surrounded the Lakers star. At this point, Iggy could not help but call out all of Westbrook’s haters: “When these headlines hit or certain news hits the wire, sometimes you gotta take a step back and say, ‘Why would this be put out?’” Iguodala said, via NBA reddit. “I get pissed when they always have Russell Westbrook’s news like ‘This package went, they declined it. This team declined Russell Westbrook, this team declined Russell Westbrook… What are you really trying to do to this man? What did he do to y’all? ‘Cause, y’all just constantly keep doing this. What are you trying to accomplish?” -via Clutch Points / July 13, 2022

LeBron James takes veiled shot at Westbrook?

“I’m obsessed with win or bust,” said James (h/t Darryn Albert of Larry Brown Sports). “What makes me have sleepless nights is when you don’t have everyone that feels the same way on your club. “It’s time when I wish I was a tennis player or a …

“I’m obsessed with win or bust,” said James (h/t Darryn Albert of Larry Brown Sports). “What makes me have sleepless nights is when you don’t have everyone that feels the same way on your club. “It’s time when I wish I was a tennis player or a golfer where it was literally like, ‘Look in the mirror, motherf–ker. It’s you versus you,’”

Source: Paolo Songco @ Clutch Points

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Greg Dickerson @gregdickerson13
LeBron James, Red Sox co-owner, says he hates Celtics fans because ‘they racist as f***’ sports.yahoo.com/le-bron-james-… via @Yahoo
@John_W_Henry what do u think of 1 of your partners calling fellow Boston fans like me racist? We’d like an answer..btw F* lebron doesn’t = racist – 10:32 PM
Shandel Richardson @ShandelRich
LeBron takes aim at Boston Celtics fans: si.com/nba/heat/miami… – 8:46 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
LeBron says he dislikes playing in Boston because Celtics fans are “racist as f***” nba.nbcsports.com/2022/07/15/leb… – 7:46 PM
Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
leaving it up to the capologists to add pieces to make this legal. Here’s my mega proposal:
Knicks: Mitchell
Pacers: Barrett, Toppin
Jazz: Westbrook (expiring), two picks from Lakers, one from Nets, two picks Pacers, two from Knicks.
Nets: Turner, Fournier
Lakers: Irving – 4:00 PM
Joe Vardon @joevardon
Fourteen of the most popular NBA players missed a combined 67 percent of available regular-season games last year, from Ben Simmons to Zion to Kyrie to LeBron. It’s a troubling trend, ⁦@The Athletic⁩ theathletic.com/3424723/2022/0… – 1:59 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Most playoff wins all time:
174 — LeBron James
161 — Derek Fisher
157 — Tim Duncan
155 — Robert Horry
154 — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar pic.twitter.com/0gKZZbIa9B – 1:57 PM

Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Looks like Tyrese Maxey is going through some workouts with LeBron. (via chrisjohnsonhoops on IG) pic.twitter.com/Sm7naZriYi – 10:10 PM

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Lakers owner Jeanie Buss says Kobe Bryant tweet wasn’t about LeBron James: ‘My heart was full of sadness’ nba.nbcsports.com/2022/07/14/lak… – 6:01 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Playoff leaders since 2000:
Points — LeBron James
Rebounds — Tim Duncan
Assists — LeBron James
Steals — LeBron James
Blocks — Tim Duncan
Wins — LeBron James
GOAT SF. GOAT PF. pic.twitter.com/6Y35oevDqT – 11:27 AM

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
LeBron James: I wasn’t knocking United States’ handling of Brittney Griner nba.nbcsports.com/2022/07/13/leb… – 7:01 PM
Kylen Mills @KylenMills
KD UPDATE: Ric Bucher is reporting that Steph Curry has reached out to KD several times about a reunion: “A league source says Curry has reached out several times to Durant, eager to improve his chances of winning a fifth championship and surpassing LeBron James.” #dubnation – 4:46 PM
LeBron James @KingJames
Everything I do always has a bigger purpose, much like @lifewtr, which makes me excited for the work we’ll do together!! Inspiring and championing others. More to come! 💧💪🏾👑 pic.twitter.com/LcnjtZkzqu – 1:36 PM

Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
If the Lakers can somehow make the Turner/Hield trade AND the Pat Bev trade, I’d be totally fine missing out on Kyrie. That’s just an awesome combination of shooting and defense around LeBron and AD.
But I have no confidence in the Lakers to make either trade, so Kyrie it is! – 1:11 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#NBA commissioner Adam Silver addresses Brittney Griner’s status in Russia amid LeBron James saying #WNBA star should question America’s support (w/videos) #Mercury azcentral.com/story/sports/w… via @azcentral – 11:04 AM
Marla Ridenour @MRidenourABJ
A “Family,” a funeral and a wedding: From @MBeavenABJ: Willie McGee set to step down as STVM AD to take job with LeBron James Family Foundation @LJFamFoundation @STVMAthletics beaconjournal.com/story/sports/h… via @beaconjournal – 9:28 AM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
41 of the past 43 NBA Finals series have featured at least one of these nine players:
Michael Jordan,
Larry Bird,
Magic Johnson
Hakeem Olajuwon,
Shaquille O’Neal,
Tim Duncan,
Kobe Bryant,
LeBron James,
Steph Curry
Moral of the story: You need an all-time great to win in the NBA – 9:13 AM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Maybe this is Kyrie’s camp trying to get LeBron to force a trade to Brooklyn? AK – 10:32 PM

More on this storyline

On the latest episode of “The Shop,” James was asked rather bluntly: “Why do you hate Boston?” “Cause they racist as f–k,” James responded. “They will say anything. And it’s fine. It’s my life, f–k I’ve been dealing with it my whole life. I don’t mind it. I hear it. If I hear somebody close by, I check them real quick, then move onto the game. They’re going to say whatever the f–k they want to say.” -via New York Post / July 15, 2022
StatMuse: Playoff leaders since 2010: Points — LeBron James Rebounds — LeBron James Assists — LeBron James Steals — LeBron James Blocks — Serge Ibaka Wins — LeBron James King James has been dominant. pic.twitter.com/EUeRdX0dhL -via Twitter @statmuse / July 15, 2022
It’s a trend that includes many of the league’s biggest names and practically all the MVP candidates. Over the past three seasons, it’s clear that too few players are ready to play: Kevin Durant has played zero, 35, and 55 games; Stephen Curry has played 5, 63, and 64; LeBron James has played 67, 45, and 56. -via TrueHoop / July 15, 2022
According to multiple sources, the trade that is closest to happening involves Kyrie Irving being sent to the Los Angeles Lakers and Russell Westbrook being routed to the Spurs. To facilitate that trade, the sources tell me the Spurs want an unprotected first round pick from the Lakers. -via SpursTalk / July 15, 2022
Speaking on the Point Forward podcast with co-host Evan Turner, Iguodala went on a relatively lengthy rant pertaining to all the negativity that has surrounded the Lakers star. At this point, Iggy could not help but call out all of Westbrook’s haters: “When these headlines hit or certain news hits the wire, sometimes you gotta take a step back and say, ‘Why would this be put out?’” Iguodala said, via NBA reddit. “I get pissed when they always have Russell Westbrook’s news like ‘This package went, they declined it. This team declined Russell Westbrook, this team declined Russell Westbrook… What are you really trying to do to this man? What did he do to y’all? ‘Cause, y’all just constantly keep doing this. What are you trying to accomplish?” -via Clutch Points / July 13, 2022

LeBron James takes shot at Westbrook?

“I’m obsessed with win or bust,” said James (h/t Darryn Albert of Larry Brown Sports). “What makes me have sleepless nights is when you don’t have everyone that feels the same way on your club. “It’s time when I wish I was a tennis player or a …

“I’m obsessed with win or bust,” said James (h/t Darryn Albert of Larry Brown Sports). “What makes me have sleepless nights is when you don’t have everyone that feels the same way on your club. “It’s time when I wish I was a tennis player or a golfer where it was literally like, ‘Look in the mirror, motherf–ker. It’s you versus you,’”

Source: Paolo Songco @ Clutch Points

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Greg Dickerson @gregdickerson13
LeBron James, Red Sox co-owner, says he hates Celtics fans because ‘they racist as f***’ sports.yahoo.com/le-bron-james-… via @Yahoo
@John_W_Henry what do u think of 1 of your partners calling fellow Boston fans like me racist? We’d like an answer..btw F* lebron doesn’t = racist – 10:32 PM
Shandel Richardson @ShandelRich
LeBron takes aim at Boston Celtics fans: si.com/nba/heat/miami… – 8:46 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
LeBron says he dislikes playing in Boston because Celtics fans are “racist as f***” nba.nbcsports.com/2022/07/15/leb… – 7:46 PM
Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
leaving it up to the capologists to add pieces to make this legal. Here’s my mega proposal:
Knicks: Mitchell
Pacers: Barrett, Toppin
Jazz: Westbrook (expiring), two picks from Lakers, one from Nets, two picks Pacers, two from Knicks.
Nets: Turner, Fournier
Lakers: Irving – 4:00 PM
Joe Vardon @joevardon
Fourteen of the most popular NBA players missed a combined 67 percent of available regular-season games last year, from Ben Simmons to Zion to Kyrie to LeBron. It’s a troubling trend, ⁦@The Athletic⁩ theathletic.com/3424723/2022/0… – 1:59 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Most playoff wins all time:
174 — LeBron James
161 — Derek Fisher
157 — Tim Duncan
155 — Robert Horry
154 — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar pic.twitter.com/0gKZZbIa9B – 1:57 PM

Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Looks like Tyrese Maxey is going through some workouts with LeBron. (via chrisjohnsonhoops on IG) pic.twitter.com/Sm7naZriYi – 10:10 PM

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Lakers owner Jeanie Buss says Kobe Bryant tweet wasn’t about LeBron James: ‘My heart was full of sadness’ nba.nbcsports.com/2022/07/14/lak… – 6:01 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Playoff leaders since 2000:
Points — LeBron James
Rebounds — Tim Duncan
Assists — LeBron James
Steals — LeBron James
Blocks — Tim Duncan
Wins — LeBron James
GOAT SF. GOAT PF. pic.twitter.com/6Y35oevDqT – 11:27 AM

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
LeBron James: I wasn’t knocking United States’ handling of Brittney Griner nba.nbcsports.com/2022/07/13/leb… – 7:01 PM
Kylen Mills @KylenMills
KD UPDATE: Ric Bucher is reporting that Steph Curry has reached out to KD several times about a reunion: “A league source says Curry has reached out several times to Durant, eager to improve his chances of winning a fifth championship and surpassing LeBron James.” #dubnation – 4:46 PM
LeBron James @KingJames
Everything I do always has a bigger purpose, much like @lifewtr, which makes me excited for the work we’ll do together!! Inspiring and championing others. More to come! 💧💪🏾👑 pic.twitter.com/LcnjtZkzqu – 1:36 PM

Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
If the Lakers can somehow make the Turner/Hield trade AND the Pat Bev trade, I’d be totally fine missing out on Kyrie. That’s just an awesome combination of shooting and defense around LeBron and AD.
But I have no confidence in the Lakers to make either trade, so Kyrie it is! – 1:11 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#NBA commissioner Adam Silver addresses Brittney Griner’s status in Russia amid LeBron James saying #WNBA star should question America’s support (w/videos) #Mercury azcentral.com/story/sports/w… via @azcentral – 11:04 AM
Marla Ridenour @MRidenourABJ
A “Family,” a funeral and a wedding: From @MBeavenABJ: Willie McGee set to step down as STVM AD to take job with LeBron James Family Foundation @LJFamFoundation @STVMAthletics beaconjournal.com/story/sports/h… via @beaconjournal – 9:28 AM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
41 of the past 43 NBA Finals series have featured at least one of these nine players:
Michael Jordan,
Larry Bird,
Magic Johnson
Hakeem Olajuwon,
Shaquille O’Neal,
Tim Duncan,
Kobe Bryant,
LeBron James,
Steph Curry
Moral of the story: You need an all-time great to win in the NBA – 9:13 AM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Maybe this is Kyrie’s camp trying to get LeBron to force a trade to Brooklyn? AK – 10:32 PM

More on this storyline

On the latest episode of “The Shop,” James was asked rather bluntly: “Why do you hate Boston?” “Cause they racist as f–k,” James responded. “They will say anything. And it’s fine. It’s my life, f–k I’ve been dealing with it my whole life. I don’t mind it. I hear it. If I hear somebody close by, I check them real quick, then move onto the game. They’re going to say whatever the f–k they want to say.” -via New York Post / July 15, 2022
StatMuse: Playoff leaders since 2010: Points — LeBron James Rebounds — LeBron James Assists — LeBron James Steals — LeBron James Blocks — Serge Ibaka Wins — LeBron James King James has been dominant. pic.twitter.com/EUeRdX0dhL -via Twitter @statmuse / July 15, 2022
It’s a trend that includes many of the league’s biggest names and practically all the MVP candidates. Over the past three seasons, it’s clear that too few players are ready to play: Kevin Durant has played zero, 35, and 55 games; Stephen Curry has played 5, 63, and 64; LeBron James has played 67, 45, and 56. -via TrueHoop / July 15, 2022
According to multiple sources, the trade that is closest to happening involves Kyrie Irving being sent to the Los Angeles Lakers and Russell Westbrook being routed to the Spurs. To facilitate that trade, the sources tell me the Spurs want an unprotected first round pick from the Lakers. -via SpursTalk / July 15, 2022
Speaking on the Point Forward podcast with co-host Evan Turner, Iguodala went on a relatively lengthy rant pertaining to all the negativity that has surrounded the Lakers star. At this point, Iggy could not help but call out all of Westbrook’s haters: “When these headlines hit or certain news hits the wire, sometimes you gotta take a step back and say, ‘Why would this be put out?’” Iguodala said, via NBA reddit. “I get pissed when they always have Russell Westbrook’s news like ‘This package went, they declined it. This team declined Russell Westbrook, this team declined Russell Westbrook… What are you really trying to do to this man? What did he do to y’all? ‘Cause, y’all just constantly keep doing this. What are you trying to accomplish?” -via Clutch Points / July 13, 2022