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Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
LeBron James' Ex-Teammate Says He Hated Kobe Bryant For Copying Michael Jordan Until He Played Him
LeBron James' Ex-Teammate Says He Hated Kobe Bryant For Copying Michael Jordan Until He Played Him originally appeared on Fadeaway World. LeBron James' former teammate, Danny Green, was put on the spot when asked to rank James, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan based on their skill. While addressing this question in a recent episode of the "All The Smoke" podcast, Green responded by saying: Advertisement "My GOAT is MJ. I think Bron [James] has had the greatest career of all time. I'll go one and two - MJ and then Bron." At this point, Green recalled an interesting story while trying to justify ranking Bryant at three. He said, "It's tough to put Kob three because, I think, as a young kid, I always liked Mike so much, I thought Kob was just the imitation of Mike." "I wouldn't say I hated on him," he added. "But I appreciated him more once I got to the league, playing against him. And then seeing years, how many years he's played, and then after, of seeing how his mind worked, and his footwork, unbelievable." "I think he, probably, is the most skilled out of all three. Mike was just - He did one move, you ain't stopping it. I'm going to keep doing it. I'm going to shoot 60% doing it. I'm going to the free-throw line. Kob is probably the most skilled out of those three." Green's account of Kobe Bryant aligns with a lot of people's opinions. Bryant was widely regarded as one of the most skillful players the game had ever seen. As a student of the game with a ruthless obsession with perfecting his craft, the Lakers legend was a savant when it came to pinpointing the finer details of the game. Regardless, he tends to get overlooked in most lists. Advertisement The comparisons with Jordan have also been perceived by many since the day he entered the league. Each aspect of Bryant's game mimicked Jordan's, down to the iconic habit of sticking his tongue out while playing. While their career trajectories were different, the Lakers guard secured his place among the greatest of all time, right next to Jordan in many ways. With career averages of 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game, he was undoubtedly one of the greatest to ever do it. Meanwhile, Jordan's legend took a life of its own. As one of the most successful players in the NBA Finals, the Chicago Bulls icon was the inspiration for an entire generation of young athletes. Having established his legacy during his run in the 90s, he secured GOAT status in the hearts and minds of many. Comparing the three players is one of the most challenging tasks for anybody. Considering what each player has achieved, it is difficult to place one over the other. Jordan's dominance and success, Bryant's mentality and skill, and James' versatility and longevity all make for very compelling cases in any argument. But the debate continues to build as more people express their opinions on the subject. Advertisement Related: Danny Green Says Lakers Will Not Win A Championship With The Current Roster This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Former Lakers Champion Criticizes LeBron James, Luka Doncic Pairing
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Los Angeles Lakers are heading into an important offseason. With LeBron James and Luka Doncic leading the way, Rob Pelinka has his work cut out for him to build the right roster around the two superstars. While the offense should be just fine, the defensive side of the court was a huge issue in the playoffs. It was clear against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the playoffs just how much work needs to be done to fix the defense. One of the biggest offseason needs will finding a good defensive center. They will also need to add more perimeter defense. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: LeBron James #23 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers talk during the third quarter of a game against the Utah Jazz at Arena on February... LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: LeBron James #23 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers talk during the third quarter of a game against the Utah Jazz at Arena on February 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. More Photo byDanny Green, a former champion with the Lakers, spoke out with his thoughts on the current makeup of the team. He doesn't seem to like the pairing of James and Doncic. Read more: Lakers Receive Stern Warning Amid Austin Reaves Trade Rumors In an appearance on "All The Smoke," Green stated boldly that he doesn't see a championship coming to Los Angeles with the James and Doncic pairing. "I think they're explosive offensively. I think they lack a lot defensively," he said. "I don't know how many years he (James) has left longer, and it's think it's just really hard to win a championship when your best player is 40 years old... Next year, LeBron is going to be can still average 30, 20-something, but I just don't see them winning a championship with that formula right now." Those are some tough words to hear, but Green has a point. Neither Doncic nor James is good on the defensive side of the court. Surprisingly, James is a better defender at this stage of his career than Doncic. His lack of defense is one of the reasons the Dallas Mavericks decided to move off from Doncic. Offensively, the Lakers will be able to build around Doncic for years to come. It seems likely that Los Angeles will begin building around Doncic this offseason. James may be back in town, but the future is clearly the 26-year-old superstar. Read more: Stephen A Smith Makes Eye-Opening Prediction for Pacers-Knicks Game 6 Expect to see Pelinka have a heavy focus on defense during the offseason. The Lakers do not need to add offense heavily. Ideally, Los Angeles will be able to add a center similar to Mark Williams, whom they acquired at the trade deadline last year before having to back out of the deal due to an issue with his physical. After that, the Lakers should look to bring in a lockdown perimeter defender. That being said, Green doesn't see a championship coming soon for Los Angeles. His doubt will add fuel to the fire for the Lakers to prove their critics wrong. For more Los Angeles Lakers and general NBA news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Former Warriors Player Banishes Kevin Durant-Thunder Reunion With Strong Arguments
Former Warriors Player Banishes Kevin Durant-Thunder Reunion With Strong Arguments originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Kevin Durant's potential exit from the Phoenix Suns has sparked widespread speculation about where the 36-year-old superstar might land next. But one place that can be scratched off the list, at least according to former Golden State Warriors forward Matt Barnes, is Oklahoma City. Advertisement Speaking on the All The Smoke podcast, Barnes dismissed the idea of a Durant-Thunder reunion, citing the rise of OKC's youth and the dangers of disrupting what they've built. "Too young. Too young. Who would you give up to get a KD? Would you give up a young Jalen Williams? Would you give up a Chet, someone who has been huge for them offensively and defensively?" "Dort has shown in these motherf***ers, he's already shown, but in these, with help, he's given Edwards hell. So, I mean, they have a lot of pieces, but I just don't think this team's too young to do any kind of adjustments." It's a fair point. The Thunder, who are just one win away from their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012, are led by a core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Lu Dort all under 26. Advertisement Durant, while still elite, represents a short-term boost at best. OKC is playing the long game, and Barnes believes they're far too close to something special to mortgage the future. That sentiment mirrors what many league insiders believe. Durant is still producing at a high level, averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists this season, but he's no longer the player a franchise should gut its youth movement for. The Thunder have meticulously developed a versatile, defensively disciplined roster under head coach Mark Daigneault. Bringing Durant into that mix would require sacrificing at least one of their blue-chip prospects and possibly their cap flexibility going forward. It's not that Durant lacks suitors. The San Antonio Spurs reportedly have mutual interest in acquiring him and pairing him with Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox. The Spurs own several valuable draft assets and have cap room, making them a realistic trade partner. Advertisement Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat are also in the mix. The Sixers are monitoring Durant's status while also eyeing Lauri Markkanen. The Heat have long been linked with Durant and could see him as the missing piece alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. The Houston Rockets remain another potential landing spot. They've been rebuilding aggressively and have assets galore. They're also rumored to be hunting for a big-name star to accelerate their timeline, and Durant fits the bill. Still, all these teams must confront the same dilemma: What's the cost? Durant remains one of the game's most talented offensive players, but at 36, acquiring him is more of a win-now gamble than a future-proof strategy. For OKC, which is already contending without him, the fit just doesn't make sense. As the Thunder continue their ascent, they don't need nostalgia or headlines. They need patience, health, and cohesiveness, and they already have all three. Related: "How Much You Pay The Refs" - Timberwolves Fan Wildly Heckles Shai Gilgeous-Alexander This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on May 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gilbert Arenas On Why You Shouldn't Leave Your Home After 10 PM: "The Worst Cops In The World Are Waiting For You"
Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas is not completely unfamiliar with the law. However, in a recent episode of the "All The Smoke" podcast, Arenas had to share a word of advice for others out there when it comes to stepping out of the house at night. He said: "You should never leave your home after a certain time. It doesn't make sense. There's nothing out there. The worst cops in the world, they log in at 10 pm. They know that's when they s**t happens, that's what they want. So the most aggressive minds are active at that time." "They don't even know the difference between who you are when they pull you over," he added. "So don't even put yourself into situations." Arenas' experience with legal authorities has been viewed as a common occurrence across the United States. Racially motivated acts against minority communities have routinely raised alarms and concerns for people, especially those in relatively impoverished neighborhoods. Arenas, who was born in Tampa, FL, comes from a city where the crime rate is considered higher than the national average. Meanwhile, podcast host Matt Barnes, who was born in Santa Clara, a relatively low-crime-rate area in California, could still resonate with Arenas' train of thought. NBA players, like Jaxson Hayes, have also been victims of police abuse. Hayes, who was being arrested for a domestic dispute, was subjected to excessive force when an LAPD sergeant put his knee on the center's neck for resisting arrest. In this context, several NBA players have had to deal with legal authorities for their actions. Arenas himself is a prime example. While his gun scandal is the story that brought him infamy, Arenas was arrested once while riding a motorcycle without tags. Former NBA player Jerry Stackhouse appeared on the "No Chill" podcast to detail how he bailed his teammate out. Arenas' rule simply highlights the concerns he has for himself and his family. Considering the kind of violence that individuals in minority communities have had to face, even in recent years, the former NBA player has taken a more conservative stance to prevent further harm. In this scenario, Arenas becomes the voice of concern, potentially with reference to his son, Alijah. The Chatsworth High School guard and USC commit was involved in a dangerous car accident that required him to be placed in a medically induced coma to facilitate recovery. Although he made it through and is on track to make a full recovery, Arenas detailed his concerns while detailing the events leading up to the accident in a recent podcast appearance.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Gilbert Arenas Blames Son's Car Accident On Tesla Cybertruck Malfunction
Gilbert Arenas' son, Alijah, got into a car accident on April 24 after he 'lost control' of his Tesla Cybertruck in the San Fernando Valley. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the vehicle crashed into a tree and/or fire hydrant. Footage obtained by TMZ showed the 18-year-old's car on fire as two people attempted to remove him from the Cybertruck. However, during a recent appearance on the All The Smoke podcast, the NBA veteran blames the crash on the car's defect. 'The car malfunctioned on him,' Arenas explained. 'The steering wheel went limp and ran him right into a tree.' The 43-year-old continued, 'He couldn't break the window […] He was on the phone with 911 for 10 minutes. He realized he couldn't break the window. If you're a parent and your teen has this car, you might want to put a hammer in that joint— something that will break the window. Physically, he said he was tryna kick the window and he couldn't.' After the accident, Alijah was transported to a hospital and placed in a medically-induced coma because of smoke inhalation. He was released six days later and then, it was confirmed in a statement that he hadn't suffered any 'major injuries' as a result of the crash. 'The Govan and Arenas family are preparing for the road ahead with faith and determination, committed to nurturing Alijah back to 100%. He remains blessed, resilient, and in high spirits,' said the Arenas family in a statement. When reflecting on the crash, Arenas said that he gave Alijah a speech when he came home. 'I said, 'Listen, you're a lucky one to see this. Most people don't get to see the flowers and how everyone reacts when something happens,' he recalled. 'You get to witness what the world did when you were in an induced coma. You can't take this s**t for granted.'' Watch the full recap above. More from Alijah Arenas, Son Of Gilbert Arenas, Out Of Coma After Cybertruck Crash A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie's Car Totaled After Car Accident Exclusive: 'Memes & Nightmares' Trailer Explores The Digital World Of NBA Twitter
