LeBron James is an incredible basketball player who has always been in phenomenal shape.
But that doesn’t mean he robs himself of eating some tasty food. By now we all know he enjoys his Taco Tuesdays but apparently he enjoys starting his day with a delicious – and high calorie – breakfast.
And he LOVES dessert.
The Athletic shared a story on LeBron today that had many people close to him sharing their favorite LeBron stories. One of those people was former teammate Tristan Thompson, who said that LeBron has the “worst f—— diet” ever, which includes a lot of French toast and a big omelette in the morning.
This is great:
He has the worst f—— diet ever. Ask him what he eats for breakfast. He has like five french toast, drowns it in syrup with strawberries and bananas. Then he has like a four-egg omelette and then he goes and just f—— dunks on somebody. It doesn’t make sense.
He eats desserts with every meal. He’ll come with his one-week diet, vegan crap, but he literally eats like it doesn’t make sense. He’s really a specimen. He eats like s—. I remember one year I tried to eat like he ate and it just didn’t work out. I started gaining weight and said, “F— this.” I mean it works for him. He loves sweets. He loves sweets. He eats desserts and French toast. It’s crazy how his body just burns it.
That sounds very much like some breakfasts I’ve had… except for the dunking on someone part, of course.
The Boston Celtics are getting some support from ex-Celt Paul Pierce in trying to recruit Tristan Thompson to Boston, but it will be an uphill battle.
The Boston Celtics are getting some recruiting help from an old friend.
Former Celtic forward Paul Pierce appeared on ESPN’s The Jump recently to make a case for Cleveland Cavalier center and rumored buyout candidate Tristan Thompson to join Boston.
There have been conflicting reports as to the direction Klutch Sports client Thompson will take with the rest of his season, with The Athletic’s David Aldridge reporting the Texas product will not seek a buyout while ESPN’s Brian Windhorst believing it likely.
Pierce made an argument to the Canadian big man to consider giving back some of his current deal, which is in the final season of a five-year, $82 million contract.
That contract will pay him $18.5 million this season, and it would likely require both giving at least part of that sum back to the Cavs as well as some finesse with his representation in order to get himself to Boston, as no Klutch client has yet to take a buyout.
“Tristan, you are the one player who can put the Boston Celtics over the top … Taking a couple extra less millions is worth it. I’m telling you, it’s worth it … that’s just what they need, a physical presence, a veteran leader, a champion.”
Celtics fans shouldn’t get their hopes up here, as the odds of Thompson both getting a buyout and choosing Boston are very small.
Even Kemba Walker being a former teammate of the Charlotte Hornets Marvin Williams wasn’t enough to accomplish one of the two, but it’s nice to know the team has well-placed advocates continuing to work for the Celtics’ interests even after retiring.
With the Rockets seeking the best player among buyouts rather than just a traditional center, Charlotte’s Marvin Williams could be a fit.
Though there has been talk of the Houston Rockets needing to acquire a traditional center after trading Clint Capela, it doesn’t appear that GM Daryl Morey sees that as a necessity.
Now that Thursday’s NBA trade deadline has passed, veterans with expiring contracts on losing teams are typically candidates to have the remainder of their contracts bought out. It’s usually a means of doing a favor to the player and/or his agent by letting the player enter free agency and join a team better positioned to win that season.
Once trades are no longer an option, it becomes possible (if not likely) that the player could leave his team for no compensation in summer free agency. That means there’s not much downside to the team letting him go now, assuming they aren’t in a position to contend for the playoffs.
It could even be argued that there’s upside beyond a good-faith gesture for bad teams to buy out their veterans, since it could allow them to give more playing time to younger players needing evaluation and/or boost their odds of getting a higher draft pick by losing more games.
The Rockets currently have two open roster spots after sending away veterans Nene and Gerald Green in the four-way trade known best for the exchange of Capela for Robert Covington. Since Houston did not acquire a traditionally sized center in any of its pre-deadline deals, many wondered if Morey might add one via the buyout market.
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While Morey didn’t rule out a center in a new interview with USA TODAY Sports, he made it clear that the team’s biggest priority in the evolving buyout market is getting the best player, regardless of position.
Honestly, we’re just going for best player. We like how we’re playing. People are saying, ‘You have to get a big this or a big that.’ But we’re going for the best player. If that’s a big, we’ll go grab it and figure out if he can fit into our style. If it’s a wing, we’ll do that. We feel very comfortable with our roster. We like where we’re at. We think this is a team that can win the championship. But if we can add a good player in the buyout market, we’ll do it. But we’re not counting on the buyout market.
To Morey’s point about liking how the Rockets are playing, Houston (33-18) has now won seven of its last nine games following Thursday’s statement victory on the road over the Lakers (38-12).
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And while deadline-day acquisition Bruno Caboclo isn’t a traditional center in bulk, the 6-foot-9 forward has a 7-foot-7 wingspan — which should allow him to provide a considerable shot-blocking presence.
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With Houston’s clear emphasis on floor spacing, one non-traditional buyout candidate of interest could be Charlotte’s Marvin Williams.
Now 33 years old, the 6-foot-8 forward is shooting 37.6% on 3-pointers this season with the Hornets (16-35). For his career, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft has averaged 10.3 points (36.2% 3-point shooting) and 5.2 rebounds in 28.3 minutes per game.
How @hornets veteran Marvin Williams replied when I asked if he’s thought about requesting a buyout, for the possibility of playing with a contender: pic.twitter.com/mLwRSbCxcz
Williams is on HoopsHype‘s list of initial 2020 buyout candidates. Other names on that list potentially of interest to the Rockets may include Minnesota’s Evan Turner, Miami’s Solomon Hill, Detroit’s John Henson, and Charlotte’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.
NBA buyout candidates: Who’s available after the 2020 trade deadline? https://t.co/JytCo4iFs6
It does not appear that Cleveland big man Tristan Thompson, who was rumored to be a Houston buyout target, is likely to accept a buyout, since it would cost him his Bird rights in this summer’s free agency.
Maintaining Bird rights could allow Thompson to re-sign with the Cavaliers to a big deal, or open more options for him in free agency via sign-and-trade possibilities — and that may be a factor that some other buyout candidates consider, as well.
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The league’s buyout market could take a few more days to fully take shape, with teams, players, and agents negotiating over exact financial terms. The deadline for a player to be bought out and still be eligible for the playoffs with a new team is March 1.
The NBA’s All-Star break begins next week, which could be the sweet spot in the schedule for negotiations to take place and teams such as the Rockets to potentially add and integrate a new piece to their roster.
The Houston Rockets recognize their hole at center and were reportedly hoping for Tristan Thompson to provide a solution.
The Houston Rockets’ worst-kept secret is that they’re thin at the center position after trading the talented — but highly-paid — Clint Capela to the Atlanta Hawks in a four-team deal that was made official on Wednesday.
Currently, Houston has centers Tyson Chandler and Isaiah Hartenstein on the roster. But the two 7-footers are on opposite sides of the age spectrum, with Chandler at 37-years-old (the oldest player on the team) and Hartenstein at 21-years-old (the youngest player on the team).
Furthermore, neither player has played more than 27 games this season, with Hartenstein averaging just 12.0 minutes per game and Chandler averaging 8.8 per game.
Suffice it to say, with the trade deadline looming and buyout season set to begin shortly thereafter, it makes perfect sense for Houston to look for a suitable replacement for Capela.
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That player, as it turns out, could have been Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson — who regards a trade out of Cleveland as “a priority” (per The Athletic’s Joe Vardon), and whom Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes reports as being inquired about by Houston shortly before the deadline.
Unfortunately for the Rockets, the two teams were unable to agree upon a framework for the deal, with Thompson being owed $18.5 million this season (the last of a five-year deal he signed in 2015) and the Rockets lacking the tradable salary to approach that number.
Yahoo Sources: Houston did its due diligence on Cleveland center Tristan Thompson, but are unable to get to his number to make a trade work. If Thompson makes it past deadline, a buyout is not an option.
Having a career year, the 6-foot-9 Thompson has averaged 11.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game this season, his second-straight season averaging a double-double.
Per Kelly Iko, Houston is monitoring Cleveland big man Tristan Thompson and Charlotte forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist as buyout targets.
A potential deal by Thursday’s NBA trade deadline for the likes of Minnesota forward Robert Covington isn’t the only item on the agenda of Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey this week.
According to The Athletic‘s Kelly Iko, the Rockets are also monitoring the upcoming buyout market, with Cleveland big man Tristan Thompson and Charlotte forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist among their targets.
Assuming the Rockets trade Capela and aren’t able to land a serviceable replacement center over the next 72 hours, Tristan Thompson is someone they’d like to acquire in a buyout. Thompson’s skillset is very similar to what Capela brings to the table, and Thompson has championship experience. …
Another name to monitor in the assumption he gets a buyout is Charlotte’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist — Houston has liked him for some time. His three-point shot is still horrendous (.294), although his last four games has seen an uptick (.429 at home).
Answering all of your Capela questions, plus notes on MKG, Tristan Thompson, and more. https://t.co/QBRqEXfzeA
Both players are in the final year of their respective contracts.
The Rockets are reportedly seeking a wing player and replacement center if they trade Clint Capela, but it remains to be seen if they could get both in the same transaction. If they are not able to, the buyout market could be a plausible solution to the other need.
Most buyouts do not occur until after the NBA’s annual trade deadline, since teams would prefer to trade those players and receive value in return for them, if at all possible.
However, once the deadline passes, many rebuilding teams — which Cleveland (13-38) and Charlotte (16-34) definitely are — will engage in buyout talks with veterans on expiring contracts. It’s usually a means of doing a favor to the player and/or his agent by letting the player enter free agency and join a team better positioned to win that season.
Because the trade deadline has passed and the player is on an expiring contract, it’s possible (if not likely) that the player could leave the team for no compensation in summer free agency — which means there’s not much downside to his team to let him go now.
If anything, some rebuilding teams might even see a further incentive for a buyout, since sending away a veteran could open up more playing time for younger players, earn goodwill with influential agents, and perhaps also give the team better odds at a higher pick in the upcoming NBA Draft (by losing more games, thanks to the veteran not playing).
Now 28 years old, the 6-foot-9 Thompson is averaging 11.9 points (50.8% shooting) and 10.4 rebounds in 31.0 minutes per game with the Cavs this season. He could potentially replace some of the rebounding void if Houston deals Capela, who ranks fourth in the NBA with 13.8 rebounds per game. Thompson was drafted No. 4 overall in the 2011 NBA Draft.
#Rockets trade deadline mega mailbag: Will Clint Capela be a Rocket past Thursday?
Meanwhile, the 26-year-old Kidd-Gilchrist is best known for his wing defense. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft is averaging 4.0 points and 2.9 rebounds in 13.3 minutes per game with the Hornets.
The NBA’s 2019-20 trade deadline arrives at 2 p.m. Central time on Thursday, and buyout negotiations around the league with veterans who are not dealt should begin shortly thereafter.
This is one of the strangest ejections of the season.
Cavaliers veteran Tristan Thompson was thrown out of Friday’s game against the Grizzlies after an incident with a former teammate earned him a second technical. After getting into it with former Cavaliers forward Jae Crowder earlier in the game, a run-in that resulted in double technicals, Thompson was hit with another tech for forcefully slapping Crowder’s butt while at the free-throw line.
“Former teammate of mine. So we have history and it was just a little competitive spirit. They might have taken it the wrong way probably because they forgot that, I don’t know, we were teammates for half the year, so it feels like playing anyone else, like if I was playing Kyrie (Irving) or something. The same thing. They teched us. I’m definitely calling the [NBPA] to appeal that — one thousand percent.”
One of LeBron James’ former teammates believes the Los Angeles Lakers have what it takes to win it all.
Although Anthony Davis missed his third straight game on Monday night, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers cruised to their ninth straight victory over LeBron’s former Cleveland Cavaliers squad. And while the Cavaliers these days are far down the standings, a couple of the players on their teams have a unique perspective on whether a LeBron-led squad has the right stuff to win the championship.
That’s what led ESPN’s Dave McMenamin to chat with two of the holdovers from the Cleveland Cavaliers 2016 championship squad, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson. Both believe the Lakers are in win-now mode and Love believes the Lakers could be “special.”
“It was different because it’s been so long and we’ve been through so many battles with each other,” Love told ESPN. “I’m not going to say it felt normal, but I feel like we were both out there competing and playing hard, but seeing him play with that team is obviously different. Especially, even I didn’t get to see him with AD [Anthony Davis] and it still feels like they could do something special.”
Even without Davis, and for one game without LeBron, the Lakers have proven that their squad is much more than just the two stars. They are a team that plays together and even when called upon, players down the roster have stepped up to play big roles. And that, in addition to star power, is what it takes to do something special in this league.
The Pistons rookie had a monster dunk over the Cavaliers veteran on Tuesday night and then proceeded to step over him afterward.
Detroit Pistons forward Sekou Doumbouya threw down perhaps the best dunk of the season over Tristan Thompson and, to add insult to injury, the rookie proceeded to stand over him afterward.
Doumbouya, the youngest player in the NBA, received the ball above the 3-point line, put a move on Kevin Love to get into the lane and proceeded to meet Thompson at the rim. Thompson immediately set his feet in the restricted area and the rook did the rest.
Doumbouya showed no signs of hesitating for the dunk once Thompson stepped in his way. The Pistons’ bench immediately erupted into cheers and seemed to enjoy Doumbouya stepping over Thompson after putting him on the poster.
Doumbouya would go on to finish with 15 points and two rebounds as the Pistons defeated the Cavaliers, 115-113. Doumbouya has now scored in double figures for the fourth-straight game after recently becoming the first rookie in franchise history with double-doubles in each of his first two starts.
Now, Doumbouya can add a poster dunk to his season stats…
Previewing Tuesday’s Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.
The Detroit Pistons (13-24) and Cleveland Cavaliers (10-26) do battle at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Pistons-Cavaliers odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.
Pistons at Cavaliers: Key injuries
Pistons
PF Blake Griffin (knee) out
PG Reggie Jackson (back) out
SG Luke Kennard (knee) out
PF Markieff Morris (foot) out
SG Khyri Thomas (foot) out
SG Tony Snell (illness) probable
Cavaliers
PF Larry Nance Jr. (knee) out
C Tristan Thompson (illness) out
SF Kevin Porter Jr. (knee) out
SG Dylan Windler (leg) out
Pistons at Cavaliers: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 8;10 a.m. ET.
The PISTONS (-167) are banged up, but the Cavaliers (+135) are a mess. Pick your poison. Cavs PF Kevin Love is reportedly frustrated with the play of the young players around him, and was visibly upset with SG Collin Sexton last time out. That type of non-unity isn’t going to cut the mustard.
New to sports betting? Every $1.67 wagered on the Pistons ML will profit $1 if they win.
The PISTONS (-3.5, -106) are worth a roll of the dice. They’re not that much better in the win-loss column than the Cavaliers (+3.5, -1115). The Pistons are 4-1 ATS in the past five as a favorite, and they’re 5-2 ATS in the past seven against teams with a winning percentage under .400, too.
Cleveland has earned its old pre-LeBron nickname – the Cadavers – back. The Cavs are 5-11-1 ATS in the past 17 at home, and 0-4 ATS in the past four overall.
The OVER 214.5 (-115) is attractive. The Over has hit in six of the Pistons’ past eight, and is a perfect 6-0 in their past six as a favorite. For the Cavaliers, the Over has connected in five of the previous seven, and seven of the past 10 as a ‘dog.
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Nerlens Noel rolled his ankle during the third quarter of OKC’s win over the Cavs on Saturday. He left the game and did not return.
It finally felt like the Thunder were getting healthy after a series of injuries over the last six weeks.
Dennis Schroder and Danilo Gallinari are both back and playing well after missing time due to ankle soreness.
Hamidou Diallo returned this week after sitting out 17 games with a hyperextended right elbow, and at times on Saturday looked like he never missed any time at all (like when he threw down a particularly vicious dunk in the fourth quarter of OKC’s win over Cleveland).
Billy Donovan told reporters after the game that he doesn’t know the extent of the injury.
“Do not know the severity of it at all. Generally with those things you really don’t find out till the next morning to see if there’s any swelling.”
Billy Donovan on Nerlens Noel's ankle injury: "Do not know the severity of it at all. Generally with those things you really don't find out till the next morning to see if there's any swelling."
The injury occurred during the third quarter when Noel gave chase to a loose ball that was headed out of bounds. When he tried to stop himself, he stepped on the left foot of Tristan Thompson. His left ankle buckled underneath him and Noel collapsed underneath the basket.
He left the game and did not return.
As noted by Erik Horne of The Athletic, Noel’s loss could have significant implications because of how well he’s been playing during the Thunder’s winning streak.
Pretty ugly rolled left ankle for Nerlens Noel. He's played so well for the Thunder in the last month. Steven Adams back in.
