Latest news with #Caldwell-Pope
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ron Harper reacts to guard's bold claim about LeBron and 2020 Lakers
Ron Harper reacts to guard's bold claim about LeBron and 2020 Lakers Los Angeles Lakers fans still think highly of the 2019-20 team that cruised through the regular season and convincingly won the NBA championship inside the Walt Disney World Resort bubble. Over the last few years, many of those fans have wanted the Lakers to replicate the formula that got the job done that season and have criticized executive Rob Pelinka for dismantling the roster the team had that season. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a key guard on that team, said recently that had it been kept together, it would've won two more world titles. He also said that if that had happened, LeBron James would've had six rings and "there would be no more G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) talk." Ron Harper, a former teammate of Michael Jordan, whom many still see as the G.O.A.T., as well as someone who played alongside Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant on the Lakers, pushed back on Caldwell-Pope's talk. He took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to respond to Caldwell-Pope and try to de-legitimize L.A.'s 2020 title. Harper has previously de-legitimized the Lakers' 2023-24 NBA Cup victory, claiming that "no real fans care" about it while also saying the banner the organization put up to commemorate that win is "embarrassing." It seems Harper's loyalties lie with Jordan and perhaps Bryant. He also pushed back on the stubborn and incorrect narrative that Bryant was merely a "sidekick" to O'Neal when L.A. won three straight NBA championships with both of them in the early 2000s.
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Lakers guard on how LeBron James could've become the G.O.A.T.
Former Lakers guard on how LeBron James could've become the G.O.A.T. Even though they won the NBA championship under very unusual circumstances, the 2020 Los Angeles Lakers seem to hold a special place in the hearts of the franchise's fans. The team started to establish itself as the best basketball team in the world early that season and cruised to the best record in the Western Conference. It then convincingly won it all inside the Walt Disney World Bubble and held a 3-1 lead in each playoff series it was involved in. However, that squad got dismantled shortly afterward, leading to a period of purgatory that lasted until the franchise landed Luka Doncic in that massive trade nearly four months ago. Guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was one of three viable role players who were shipped out for Russell Westbrook in the summer of 2021. That was the trade that sunk the Lakers for the duration, and Caldwell-Pope felt that the team had plenty more left in the tank. During an appearance on "Above the Rim with DH 12," he said it would've won two more rings had it been kept intact. "That team, we had a lot of moments where everything just clicked for us," Caldwell-Pope said. "Off the court, on the court, inviting to each other's houses, we were just hanging out with each other. Those were my brothers, I spent more time with my team than my family… I think if we kept that team together, we would've run off two more." In fact, he said that keeping that squad intact would've helped make LeBron James the undisputed greatest of all-time (G.O.A.T.). "… There would be no more G.O.A.T. talk, that would've put [LeBron] at six,' the guard added. James won his fourth NBA championship that year, as well as his fourth finals MVP. While an increasing number of people seem to think he's the greatest player in league history, more seem to still believe that honor belongs to Michael Jordan, the Chicago Bulls legend. James is a poor 4-6 in the NBA Finals, while Jordan won six rings and never lost in the championship series. However, the 40-year-old could have a great shot at getting his fifth ring next season with Doncic now by his side. Caldwell-Pope was a key player on that 2020 Lakers team due to his deadly 3-point shooting, disruptive team defense and ability to score in transition. He found his way onto the Denver Nuggets for the 2022-23 season, where he won another championship, and he now plays for a rising Orlando Magic team.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Celtics 5-Time All-Star Accuses Magic of Playing Dirty as Tensions Rise
The Orlando Magic continue to struggle against the Boston Celtics. Orlando is down 0-2 in the NBA playoff series. Prior to Game 2, the Magic received accusations from a Celtics veteran on their style of play. Despite losing both games, Orlando has been physical and this continued in Game 2 with Kristaps Porzingis sustained an elbow from Goga Bitadze. Advertisement Even before this incident, 5-time All-Star Al Horford took exception to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's foul on Jayson Tatum in Game 1. Tatum hurt his wrist on the play and was sidelined for Game 2. Boston Celtics center Al Horford is held back after he was knocked down following a collision with Orlando Magic guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope during the second quarter of game two of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs at TD Townson-Imagn Images "There was something extra," Horford said following Game 1, per Sports Illustrated's Mason Williams. "There was a lot –– it was the second or third time that especially KCP went at him in that way." Horford and Caldwell-Pope had a testy moment in Game 2 where the two had to be separated. Early in the fourth quarter of Game 1, the Celtics had a play for Tatum. The star received the ball from Jrue Holiday after coming off a screen from Horford. Advertisement Unfortunately for the star forward, he was contested by Caldwell-Pope. It resulted in the former Duke star falling on his wrist after a physical contest from Caldwell-Pope. The officials reviewed what happened, and Caldwell-Pope received a Flagrant 1 foul. Following the game, Orlando head coach Jamahl Mosley did not think the veteran deserved the flagrant foul. "I think two guys were going for the block, and the fall was probably what set it off more than anything," the Magic coach said, per Williams. Given that the intensity in the NBA playoffs is different, the physicality from both teams tends to increase. Unfortunately for Boston, the hard foul resulted in an injury for Tatum. Related: Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Sends Clear Paolo Banchero Message
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Celtics star Jayson Tatum listed as doubtful for Game 2 vs. Magic
BOSTON (AP/Boston 25) — Celtics forward Jayson Tatum has been listed as doubtful with a bone bruise in his right wrist for Game 2 of Boston's Eastern Conference first-round series against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. Tatum's designation was listed on the injury report released Tuesday. He injured the wrist in the fourth quarter of the Celtics' 103-86 victory on Sunday. Advertisement With Boston leading 89-73 with 8:28 remaining, Tatum went up for a dunk and was hit hard by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as he tried to block it. Tatum landed awkwardly on his right side. He stayed down briefly before eventually rising to his feet, clenching his right hand. After a video review by referees, Caldwell-Pope's foul was upgraded to a flagrant foul. Tatum subsequently missed the two ensuing free throws but remained in the game. He finished with 17 points, but was 8-of-22 from the field in 40 minutes of action. Watch a replay of the play: Tatum said a postgame X-ray came back clean. Asked about Tatum's status after the Celtics practiced Tuesday morning, coach Joe Mazzulla said the All-Star was limited, and day-to-day. Advertisement 'He was able to do some stuff,' Mazzulla said. 'He was sore after the game, has gotten a little bit better today. He was able to go through some on-court work and we'll go from there.' Celtics veteran Al Horford, who briefly exchanged words with Caldwell-Pope after the foul on Sunday said Tuesday that he thought the foul on Tatum was excessive. 'There was something extra there,' Horford said. 'It was about the second or third time he especially KCP went at (Tatum) in that way. So, yeah.' The Celtics have multiple options to fill Tatum's spot in the lineup if he doesn't play. The Celtics could start Horford to play alongside fellow big man Kristaps Porzingis, or play smaller and go with Sam Hauser or sixth man Payton Pritchard. Advertisement Game 2 of the Celtics-Magic NBA Playoffs series tips off Wednesday at 7 p.m. from TD Garden. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
San Francisco Chronicle
22-04-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Celtics star Jayson Tatum listed as doubtful for Game 2 vs. Magic with bone bruise in wrist
BOSTON (AP) — Celtics forward Jayson Tatum has been listed as doubtful with a bone bruise in his right wrist for Game 2 of Boston's Eastern Conference first-round series against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. Tatum's designation was listed on the injury report released Tuesday. He injured the wrist in the fourth quarter of the Celtics' 103-86 victory on Sunday. With Boston leading 89-73 with 8:28 remaining, Tatum went up for a dunk and was hit hard by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as he tried to block it. Tatum landed awkwardly on his right side. He stayed down briefly before eventually rising to his feet, clenching his right hand. After a video review by referees, Caldwell-Pope's foul was upgraded to a flagrant foul. Tatum subsequently missed the two ensuing free throws but remained in the game. He finished with 17 points, but was 8-of-22 from the field in 40 minutes of action. Tatum said a postgame X-ray came back clean. Asked about Tatum's status after the Celtics practiced Tuesday morning, coach Joe Mazzulla said the All-Star was limited, and day-to-day. 'He was able to do some stuff,' Mazzulla said. 'He was sore after the game, has gotten a little bit better today. He was able to go through some on-court work and we'll go from there.' Celtics veteran Al Horford, who briefly exchanged words with Caldwell-Pope after the foul on Sunday said Tuesday that he thought the foul on Tatum was excessive. 'There was something extra there,' Horford said. 'It was about the second or third time he especially KCP went at (Tatum) in that way. So, yeah.' The Celtics have multiple options to fill Tatum's spot in the lineup if he doesn't play. The Celtics could start Horford to play alongside fellow big man Kristaps Porzingis, or play smaller and go with Sam Hauser or sixth man Payton Pritchard. ___
