Latest news with #AlltheSmoke
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former LeBron James Teammate Delivers Verdict on GOAT Debate With Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant
Former LeBron James Teammate Delivers Verdict on GOAT Debate With Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are undoubtedly three of the best players in NBA history. The three basketball legends have combined to win 10 MVPs, 15 championships and 12 Finals MVPs. Advertisement Jordan won five MVPs, six championships and six Finals MVPs with the Chicago Bulls, Bryant won one MVP, five championships and two Finals MVPs with the Los Angeles Lakers and James has won four MVPs, four championships and four Finals MVPs with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Lakers. The GOAT debate is one of the most discussed topics in basketball discourse. Jordan fans, James fans and Bryant fans will go to great lengths to prove why their favorite player is the greatest of all time and why the other two icons aren't. LeBron James and Michael Jordan© David Richard-Imagn Images Three-time NBA champion Danny Green has a unique perspective on the GOAT debate since he played with James in Cleveland and Los Angeles and won the 2020 championship with The King on the Lakers. Green also played against Bryant. Advertisement During an appearance on the "All the Smoke" podcast, Green said Jordan is his GOAT, James has had the greatest career and Bryant is the most skilled player. Jordan averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 0.8 blocks with the Bulls and Washington Wizards. He's first in NBA history in points per game in the regular season and postseason and fifth in points. Bryant, who spent his entire career with the Lakers, averaged 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.5 blocks. The late great shooting guard is fourth in NBA history in points. Finally, James has career averages of 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks. He's the leading scorer of all time and the only player in NBA history to rank top five all-time in points and assists. Related: Dominique Wilkins Makes Clear Choice Between Michael Jordan, LeBron James Debate This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Danny Green Says Lakers Will Not Win A Championship With The Current Roster
Danny Green Says Lakers Will Not Win A Championship With The Current Roster originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Los Angeles Lakers got younger when they swapped Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic, but make no mistake: they are still in the business of winning now. Unfortunately, ahead of a pivotal summer, the public is still split on how the Lakers will stack up to the rest of the West, and former champion Danny Green went so far as to say they won't win anything at all unless major roster changes are made. Advertisement 'I think they're explosive offensively," said Green on the 'All the Smoke' podcast. "I think they lack a lot defensively… 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 41….He can still average 30, 20-something, but I just don't see them winning a championship with that formula right now.' It's important to note that Danny has no ill will against the Lakers. He was part of that 2020 team that won the Finals, and he saw LeBron's greatness up close when he averaged 25.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game to finish second in MVP voting at 35 years old. Going into next season, LeBron isn't expected to have a steep decline, but he'll be 40 and running on fumes to finish out his career. With retirement always on the back of his mind, one has to wonder how much longer James can keep playing at an elite, All-Star level. Couple this with the loss of Anthony Davis, and it's easier to understand why Green (and other critics) are hesitant about the Lakers. They broke up the duo that won their last championship, and there's no guarantee that their current roster is good enough to get the job done. Advertisement Even after adding Luka Doncic to the fold, with head coach JJ Redick to maximize his skills, the Lakers still lost in the very first round in a brutal matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite the best efforts of the new roster, they could only win one game before their elimination, and there is no easy fix going into next season. The top priority for GM Rob Pelinka is to add a center and fill out the frontcourt for Luka Doncic. They were stuck with Jaxon Hayes last season, but with several options for an upgrade this summer, they're likely going to be much stronger in the frontcourt going forward With limited cap flexibility, the Lakers can only change so much, but if they're able to add another star to the mix, it could make them the favorites in the West. A package of Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, and their last first-round pick should be enough to land a major name, like potentially Kevin Durant or even Giannis Antetokounmpo. Assuming they don't run it back, the Lakers are bound to start next season with some major roster upgrades, but it may still not be enough. In the Wild West, teams like the Thunder, Rockets, and Timberwolves are only going to get stronger, and the Lakers must do everything they can to ensure they don't fall behind further than they already are. Related: 5 Realistic Replacements For Austin Reaves If Lakers Decide To Trade Him This Summer This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Laker, 2020 NBA champion on why it's hard to play with LeBron James
Former Laker, 2020 NBA champion on why it's hard to play with LeBron James When the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA championship during the 2019-20 season, they didn't have an overwhelmingly talented roster outside of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. But they did have a number of valuable role players who all chipped in to bring home the Larry O'Brien Trophy. One of those role players was Danny Green. The veteran wing signed as a free agent with the Lakers in the summer of 2019, and his defense and 3-point shooting were sizable keys to their championship run. But during an appearance on the "All the Smoke" podcast, Green said that playing alongside James wasn't easy. It wasn't that James himself made things difficult, but the superstar's legion of fans would be hard on him if he wasn't getting the job done (h/t Lakers Daily). 'He made the game very easy,' Green said of James. 'But…there are times where it's not as easy because there's so much pressure, even if you're wide open, to execute the play because you're playing with LeBron James. And that's more so on the outside than it is on the inside 'cause Bron ain't putting the pressure on you. 'But all the LeBron fans are like, 'Who's this bum? Why is he playing with — he can't make a damn shot.' You know what I'm saying? So, it's a gift and a curse, but he made the game easy, man. 'And it was a lot of fun learning from him early on, a lot of fun playing against him and then even better to play with him, and then it was the bubble, but winning the championship with him. It was great, man, so I couldn't ask for a better scenario.' James has many devoted fans who are unquestionably loyal to him and will go to great lengths to defend him. Some seem to feel that such fans even have the tendency to blame others when things don't go well for James or his team. In Game 5 of the 2020 NBA Finals, the Lakers led the series 3-1 over the Miami Heat and needed just one more win to wrap up the world title. They trailed 109-108 in the closing seconds, and James found Green for an open 3-pointer that Green missed, allowing Miami to win and send the series to a sixth game. Although the Lakers won Game 6 convincingly, Green received death threats after missing the shot in Game 5 that would've concluded matters. In the end, he received his third championship ring following that Game 6 victory. He had won it all the previous season with the Toronto Raptors and in 2014 with the San Antonio Spurs.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Too Old, Too Weak on D: Why the Los Angeles Lakers' Superstar LeBron-Luka Duo Is Doomed, According to Danny Green
LeBron James and Luka Doncic (Image via Getty) The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2024-25 season with high hopes, pairing Luka Doncic and LeBron James in an attempt to build a championship contender. However, their playoff run ended early with a first-round exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves. While the front office remains optimistic about their star duo, not everyone is convinced—including former Lakers champion Danny Green . Why Danny Green is skeptical about the Los Angeles Lakers' championship chances Danny Green, who won a title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, recently shared his doubts about the team's ability to compete for a championship with Doncic and James leading the way. Speaking on All the Smoke, Green pointed to key concerns: - Defensive limitations: Danny Green believes the duo lacks the defensive intensity needed for a deep playoff run. - LeBron's age: James will turn 41 next season, raising questions about his ability to sustain elite performance. - Roster construction: The Los Angeles Lakers' supporting cast, including Austin Reaves, doesn't provide enough defensive support to compensate. Danny Green: Shaq's Wild Rookie Hazing, LeBron as Teammate vs. Opponent & Kawhi's Spurs Falling Out Danny Green's full quote: "I think they're explosive offensively. I think they lack a lot defensively… I don't know how many years he (James) has left longer, and it's really hard to win a championship when your best player is 40 years old… Next year LeBron going to be 41… He can still average 30, 20 something, but I just don't see them winning a championship with that formula right now." The challenges of building around Doncic and James Despite the skepticism, both Doncic and James have proven they can lead teams deep into the playoffs when surrounded by the right pieces: Player Recent playoff success LeBron James Won 2020 NBA title, reached 2023 WCF Luka Doncic Led Mavericks to 2024 NBA Finals However, the Los Angeles Lakers ' current roster has glaring weaknesses: - No traditional starting center - Lack of elite perimeter defenders - Over-reliance on offensive firepower Can the Los Angeles Lakers fix their roster issues? The front office has a narrow path to contention this offseason. Possible solutions include: 1. Adding defensive specialists: Players who can cover for Doncic and James on the perimeter. 2. Finding a reliable center: A rim protector would help shore up the interior defense. 3. LeBron's adjusted role: If James focuses more on defense, it could elevate the team's overall performance. LeBron James weighs in on the NBA's analytical era Amid discussions about the Lakers' future, LeBron James recently shared his thoughts on the NBA's shift toward analytics-driven play. On his *Mind the Game* podcast with Steve Nash, James acknowledged fan frustrations with the modern game's reliance on three-pointers and layups but emphasized that the league is working to improve the viewing experience. Also read: Why the 2025 Thunder Are Oklahoma City's Best Team Ever – According to Kendrick Perkins While the Los Angeles Lakers have two of the NBA's most talented players, Danny Green's concerns highlight the difficulty of constructing a championship roster around them. Without significant defensive upgrades, the team may struggle to compete against deeper, more balanced contenders. The offseason will be critical in determining whether the Lakers can turn their star power into a title-winning formula.
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
Gilbert Arenas says son's fiery Cybertruck crash caused by faulty steering wheel
Gilbert Arenas says son's fiery Cybertruck crash caused by faulty steering wheel Show Caption Hide Caption NBA Finals predictions: Are the Thunder and Knicks locks for the NBA Finals? The For The Hoops crew make their picks for the NBA Finals. The Thunder vs. Knicks seem to be a popular pick, but are we counting the Timberwolves and Pacers out too early? Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas said his son is "lucky" to be alive after being trapped for 10 minutes inside a burning car last month. On the "All the Smoke" podcast, the 11-year NBA veteran said his son Alijah – a McDonald's high school All-American who has committed to Southern California – crashed his Cybertruck into a fire hydrant and a tree due to a steering wheel malfunction. Arenas went into detail about the frightening situation that resulted when the Tesla caught fire and Alijah was unable to escape because the doors were locked and he couldn't break the vehicle's bulletproof windows. "He's on the phone with 9-1-1 – I'm trying to get that call – he's on the phone with them for 10 minutes, so I know he was at least in the car for 10 minutes," Arenas told co-host Matt Barnes. "If you are a parent and your teen has this car, you might want to put a hammer in that joint, something that can break the window. Because physically, he said he was trying to kick the window in and couldn't." 'You're a lucky one to see this.' Gilbert Arenas opens up to Matt about his son's fiery single-car crash in late-April. ALL THE SMOKE Unplugged is available on YouTube! — All the Smoke (@allthesmokeprod) May 19, 2025 Arenas' son was pulled from the Cybertruck by some bystanders and taken to the hospital, where he was put into an induced coma overnight. He eventually recovered and was released from the hospital a week later. "When he got home we had flowers for him. And I gave him that speech. 'You're a lucky one to see this. Most people don't get to see the flowers and how everyone reacts when something happens,'" Arenas recalled. Alijah Arenas, 18, is a five-star guard at Chatsworth (California) High School. He announced in January that he would commit to USC after his senior year concludes. GIlbert Arenas played 11 seasons in the NBA for the Golden State Warriors, Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies. He was a three-time All-Star with Washington and a three-time All-NBA selection from 2005-2007.
