Tag: LeBron

LeBron James joking about Mbappe’s huge Saudi offer is what successful sportswashing looks like

This is the exact definition of sportswashing.

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This is no laughing matter.

Yet it is to some NBA players who should know better.

As the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund continues to throw around its deep stacks of money, sports is the target. LIV Golf, as you may remember, is funded by the PIF. There’s buzz about the NBA getting that kind of investment, with disappointing comments from commissioner Adam Silver. There was also a report that the sovereign wealth fund could buy into tennis.

This is where we remind you, as we have many times, that the country backing these funds has a horrifying human rights record that allegedly includes involvement in the death of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Sportswashing is the word for what’s being done here, an attempt to sweep all of that under the rug by investing in sports and making the headlines more about the money being thrown around than the horrors that lie beneath the surface.

Now, Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal has reportedly bid on French soccer superstar Kylian Mbappe for over $330 million, and furthermore, his one-year salary could be $776 million.

That’s right. One year. For that much money.

And that’s what some NBA stars decided to focus on.

Giannis Antetokounmpo: “Al Hilal you can take me.”

LeBron James tweeted a Forrest Gump GIF of him heading to Saudi Arabia if he got that kind of one-year deal.

Draymond Green? He said: “They got basketball leagues too right? I don’t [think] the ink on my contract has dried up yet.”

Look at that. Some big names — who have been so vocal about social issues stateside — are out here joking about the money and not the history behind who’s throwing around over a billion dollars to bring a superstar to their country.

Sportswashing, complete. It’s no laughing matter.

Quick Hits: A weird MLB error after a broken glove … Barbie memes … and more.

— Ken’s Mojo Dojo Casa House from Barbie is now a meme.

— The Royals’ Matt Duffy got a fielding error despite the fact that the ball went RIGHT through his glove.

— Christian D’Andrea ranked every flavor of Hard Mountain Dew. You’re welcome.

Bronny James releases his top three schools. About Ohio State …

Could the younger James be heading back home? #GoBucks

We all know [autotag]Bronny James'[/autotag] dad, [autotag]LeBron[/autotag], is a huge [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] fan. He is one of the most well-known celebrity Buckeye fans and claims he would have played for OSU if he had gone to college. That connection has helped with the recruitment of his oldest son; the family visited Columbus during the Buckeyes’ season-opening win against Notre Dame.

The younger James is active on social media but not much on Twitter, so for many, it’s hard to keep track of what he is doing unless someone else reports it. That’s exactly what happened today. [autotag]Luca Evans[/autotag] of the [autotag]L.A. Times[/autotag] reported Bronny has a top three: Oregon, USC and, yes, Ohio State.

At the moment, the Buckeyes don’t have a scholarship open for him but if freshman Brice Sensabaugh leaves after this year, it would open a spot for James. Ohio State being in the mix for another potential one-and-done player could be a massive pickup for [autotag]Chris Holtmann[/autotag].

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LeBron James recognizes trade for Nets’ Irving could take until deadline

Lakers superstar LeBron James is reportedly willing to wait until the trade deadline for Kyrie Irving to arrive.

Earlier this offseason Brooklyn Nets fans were shocked that guard Kyrie Irving and the organization came to terms, especially considering the fact that the two parties were far from agreeing on an extension for a previous couple of weeks.

Reports indicate that superstar LeBron James understands and is willing to wait for the Lakers organization to conduct a trade that improves the roster. Earlier this week ESPN analyst Dave McMenamin talked about the situation on NBA Today.

“[LeBron James] recognizes that it could lead up all the way to the trade deadline before that type of deal could occur,” said McMenamin.

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It seems that the Lakers franchise is set on upgrading their roster, likely to satisfy veteran legend James, after having trade talks with a couple of teams during the offseason, talks went virtually nowhere.

With the Nets roster uncertain going into the season, the Lakers waiting until the season starts could be strategic to land Irving.

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Notre Dame alumnus Monty Williams named NBA Coach of the Year

Congrats, Monty!

To say the least, Monty Williams has had an incredible run in his three seasons as the Phoenix Suns’ coach. Fresh off coaching the Suns to the NBA Finals last year, the Notre Dame alumnus guided them to a league-best 64-18 record. That gave the Suns the best record in franchise history. So it only was fitting that Williams be given the best honor an NBA coach can receive:

During the season, Williams won Western Conference Coach of the Month twice. In November, the Suns won all 16 of their games. They also nearly had a perfect month in January, going 13-1. For that, he also had the honor of coaching Team LeBron to a 163-160 victory in the All-Star Game.

Presently, the Suns and Dallas Mavericks are deadlocked at 2-2 in the Western Conference semifinals. The Suns have home-court advantage, so they only need to protect that in order to advance to the conference finals and play the winner of the Memphis Grizzlies-Golden State Warriors series. Here’s hoping Williams and the Suns can finish what they couldn’t in 2021.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Fan descubre que Lakers podría estar haciéndole un favor a LeBron James después de cada derrota

En estos momentos están pasando muchas cosas importantes en el mundo, y lo que están por leer es algo muy alejado de eso. De hecho es algo bastante simpático y no tiene mucha importancia. Pero es algo. En esta época, los fans de los deportes se dan …

En estos momentos están pasando muchas cosas importantes en el mundo, y lo que están por leer es algo muy alejado de eso. De hecho es algo bastante simpático y no tiene mucha importancia.

Pero es algo.

En esta época, los fans de los deportes se dan cuenta de todo. Y por todo nos referimos a TODO.

El video que verán a continuación es prueba de ello. Esto es lo que pasó: algunos fans tuitearon sobre cómo los Lakers nunca usan a LeBron James en los gráficos de redes sociales de la postemporada con la que dan el marcador final después de una derrota.

Eso hizo que otro fan, Kenny Beecham, se echara un clavado en la cuenta de Twitter de los Lakers y eso dio pie a este video chistosísimo y a un descubrimiento impactante.

¡Prepárense para ser sorprendidos!

Traducción: El equipo de redes sociales de los Lakers tiene algunas cosas que explicar.

 

Gran trabajo, Kenny.

Eso sí, ¡pobre Malik Monk!

Aquí les dejamos la publicación de anoche tras las derrota de los Lakers que justo muestra una foto de Wenyen Gabriel, quien tuvo cuatro puntos en 18 minutos:

Traducción: Final.

 

¿Otras estrellas salen en estos gráficos de las derrotas?

¡Claro que sí!

Traducción 1: El equipo de redes sociales de los Lakers tiene algunas cosas que explicar.
Traducción 2: También solo son los Lakers.

 

Traducción 1: El equipo de redes sociales de los Lakers tiene algunas cosas que explicar.
Traducción: Incluso la cara de la liga se pone en los perdedores.

 

Lo volvemos a decir, esto es algo tonto y muy entretenido y no debería tomarse muy en serio.

Aquí les dejamos las reacciones de Twitter:

Traducción: Esta app no debería ser gratis.

 

Traducción: En mi opinión, esto es más importante que la cachetada de Will Smith.

 

Traducción: Esto es Twitter en su mejor momento.

 

Traducción: Es obra del Señor.

 

Traducción: Este es el tipo de investigación y la ciencia que necesitamos.

 

Artículo traducido por Ana Lucía Toledo

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James clava el balón por encima de Kevin Love y los dos se mandan los mejores tuits

Ay, LeBron James. ¿De verdad pensaste que tenías que hacerle eso a Kevin Love, tu amigo y antiguo compañero de equipo de los Cleveland Cavaliers? El lunes en la noche, Los Angeles Lakers estaban de camino a vencer al antiguo equipo de James, cuando …

Ay, LeBron James. ¿De verdad pensaste que tenías que hacerle eso a Kevin Love, tu amigo y antiguo compañero de equipo de los Cleveland Cavaliers?

El lunes en la noche, Los Angeles Lakers estaban de camino a vencer al antiguo equipo de James, cuando en el segundo cuarto, Austin Reaves se encontró a un James que iba corriendo hacia el aro. Love estaba parado solo… y James se le fue encima, le hizo un póster para saltar y clavar el balón por encima de su amigo, quien levantó los brazos como si lo hubieran noqueado.

La clavada por sí sola fue una ridiculez, pero lo que le siguió fue una muestra de respeto entre dos amigos… y unos tuits maravillosos. Les damos el paso a paso:

Así empezó:

Traducción: Como en los viejos tiempos.

 

Después fue la clavada:

Traducción: LEBRON LE APLICÓ A KEVIN UN PÓSTER.

 

¡Véanlo desde este ángulo!

Traducción 1: “¡LEBRON, MIRA HACIA ABAJO!”
Este ángulo del póster de LeBron a Kevin Love.
Traducción 2: LeBron dejó caer el martillo sobre su antiguo compañero de equipo Kevin Love.

 

Love tuvo la mejor reacción:

Traducción: Todo está bien entre @KingJames & @kevinlove

 

James se sintió mal.

Traducción: “Miren, cuando giré en esa esquina y miré hacia arriba estaba como ‘no, Kev, solo muévete…’  @KingJames con @RealAClifton sobre la clavada monstruosa sobre su buen amigo @kevinlove.

 

Traducción: “No fue mi intención. Kevin, cariño, te quiero… quisiera poder no haber anotado esos dos puntos”.
LeBron dice que su monstruosa clavada sobre Kevin Love se va a borrar de la película de los puntos importantes de su vida.

 

Love y James tuvieron la mejor conversación en Twitter:

Traducción: ¡¡¡No voy a ch***gar a mi amigo @Kevin James por al menos las próximas 48 horas!!!

 

Traducción: ¡Perdóname!

 

LOL. Buenísimo.

 

 

Artículo traducido por Ana Lucía Toledo

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Kyle Hamilton is dead wrong about something

We’re not mad, Kyle, we’re just disappointed.

Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton is on the short list of the best defenders to ever dawn the iconic gold helmet.  His second interception of the 2021 opener at Florida State showed the national audience what Notre Dame observers had already known, and assuming he decides to enter the NFL draft early, he’ll undoubtedly have his name called really early in the first round.

Hamilton does it all as he’s the rare combination of speed, size, and instincts that make him an elite defender, but he does have one flaw that keeps showing itself time and time again and it has nothing to do with football.

Kyle, Kyle, Kyle.  I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed.  I know you’ve stated this opinion before but can this be the final time?

Yes, LeBron James is a better passer and rebounder than Michael Jordan ever was.  Not that James can’t take over a game scoring, he certainly has during the very big moments, but Jordan never completely vanished in a key postseason moment like James, either. What one accomplishes obviously goes into the debate but what about what one doesn’t do?

In June of 2011 James at his absolute peak of dominance.  He was completing his first year in Miami and after some difficulties during the regular season, still helped guide the Heat to the NBA Finals.  It was with the Heat leading the series 2-1 that James folded up like a cheap suit and scored just eight points in game four.  Miami lost complete control of the series, ultimately falling to a less talented Dallas Mavericks team in six games.

Eight points in an NBA Finals game for a man who likes to be called “The King”.  Let that sink in.

The tide of that series changed because of James and that’s not meant as a compliment to King James (insert eyeroll).  I don’t care what happened before or after, the 2011 NBA Finals will forever keep LeBron James from being the greatest basketball player of all-time.

James guiding Cleveland to a shocking 2016 NBA Finals upset over a 73-win Golden State team was incredible, but it doesn’t erase what happened five years earlier.  It should also be noted that Draymond Green’s idiocy that series should be thanked daily by Camp James.

As should Ray Allen for his heroics bailing out James and the Heat in the 2013 NBA Finals.

Sure Jordan’s teams lost series over the years and he missed game-winning shots or went cold down the stretch at times, but did he ever just bury himself in a corner not wanting to take on a challenge?

Kyle Hamilton was just 10 years old during the 2011 NBA Finals so he was certainly old enough to remember it, just like I was 11 years old during the 1997 NBA Finals when the other legend in this debate faced a Game Five road contest with the series tied 2-2, and did anything but fold up.

Sure, I’m a Chicagoland kid that grew up at the peak of the Bulls dynasty but even without viewing things from that lens it’s not a debate.  It’d be like anyone who says Aaron Rodgers is better than Tom Brady.  Sure, Rodgers may be more talented at many things, but when it actually comes down to winning time, who walks out with the huge victory time and time again?

Kyle Hamilton is a great football player, seems like a great young man that you’d be proud to have as a friend or family member, but he couldn’t be more wrong about who the greatest basketball player of all-time is.

I suppose we can consider a scratch on a Ferrari.

Related:

Updated Notre Dame bowl projections following win over North Carolina

College Football Playoff: initial rankings released

Notre Dame releases depth chart ahead of Navy game

Notre Dame’s statistical leaders through eight games

‘Time for me to adjust’: LeBron on doing more with Davis out injured

Following the Lakers’ second straight loss, LeBron James says he needs to ‘adjust’, not his teammates, in the absence of Anthony Davis.

Every team hits a rough patch throughout the season. Whether shots stop falling, your defense collapses, or you get hit with the injury bug — every team has to overcome a challenging stretch. For the Lakers, that stretch is now.

Losers of three of their last four games including last night’s 96-94 nail-biter against the Miami Heat, it’s on LeBron James to right the ship with Anthony Davis on the shelf for roughly four weeks with a calf injury. “I think that’s what it all boils down to, and right now is another challenge for me to be able to adjust,” James said of stepping up in Davis’ absence after last night’s 2020 NBA Finals rematch.

This is simply what James has done his entire 18-year career; when his team hits a wall, he puts on his crown and his cape to save the day. Though for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, he says it’s up to the role players to have a ‘next man up mentality’ in Davis’ absence.

“I feel like the last couple games that’s been happening, putting a lot on Bron. We already know what we’re going to get out of him,” Caldwell-Pope said. “So all the rest of us, we’ve got to continue to just play hard and just play basketball and not worry about anything else.”

“They are doing their part – they’re doing their part and more,” James said of his teammates.

And for the most part this season in games without Davis, that they have, as the Lakers hold a 5-3 record in games the Kentucky product doesn’t play, including losing their last two games.

“Not having AD for a long period of time is something that we haven’t had over the last year and a half, and now it’s time for me to adjust again and see ways I can be even more effective to help this team win ball games. Because that is the sport that we’re in.”

This stretch will mark for the first lengthy period LeBron has had to play without Davis in their time as teammates. With Dennis Schroder also out the next two games due to health and safety protocols, it’s on both James, KCP, and the entire Lakers roster to fill the void and stay near the top of the Western Conference.

“We’re going to hold each other accountable, and everyone is picking up in AD’s absence,” James said.

“It obviously hasn’t resulted in wins these last two games, but we’re going to keep working on our habits and continue to be great for one another.”

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LeBron James, Trae Young, CJ McCollum, Donovan Mitchell and other NBA players react to Klay Thompson’s injury

After Klay Thompson suffered a lower leg injury during an offseason workout, LeBron James and the rest of the NBA family shared messages of support.

After missing all of the Golden State Warriors’ 2019-20 run due to a torn ACL in his left knee he suffered in game six of the 2019 NBA Finals, Klay Thompson is dealing with another injury.

On Wednesday before the 2020 NBA draft, the Golden State Warriors announced Thompson had suffered a lower leg injury during a workout in Southern California.

Via @WarriorsPR on Twitter:

Although details around Thompson’s leg are unclear, the news of his injury is making way through the association. Following the reports and announcement of Thompson’s injury, players across the league have checked in with messages of support for Golden State’s five-time All-Star.

After recently coming off an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA’s Orlando Bubble, LeBron James offered prayers for Thompson on Twitter. Thompson is expected to join James on the cast of “Space Jam 2: A New Legacy.”

Along with James, players like Atlanta’s Trae Young, Portland’s CJ McCollum, Utah’s Donovan Mitchell, LA Clippers’ Paul George and former Warrior DeMarcus Cousins have chimed in on social media with messages for Golden State’s shooting guard.