Latest news with #FadeawayWorld
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
"I might retire" – DeMarcus Cousins says Nikola Jokic nearly quit before signing $300 million contract
Nikola Jokic once almost retired (Image via Facebook / Nikola Jokic) Nikola Jokic is one of the greatest players in NBA history. However, his basketball career nearly ended three years ago. Denver native DeMarcus Cousins, a former teammate of the pro player, recently talked about his time with the Denver Nuggets and about his teammate. In addition, he also claimed that the NBA player nearly thought about quitting rather than agreeing to a $300 million supermax contract with the franchise. DeMarcus Cousins reveals Nikola Jokic 's shocking thoughts before signing massive supermax deal DeMarcus Cousins recently opened up about his former team on the Straight Game Podcast and talked about how Nikola Jokic almost retired in 2022 instead of signing his supermax agreement with Denver. During his participation on the podcast, DeMarcus Cousins stated: 'A dangerous dude… What I love the most about Jokic is his personality. If you ever get the chance to have a conversation with him, if he tells you even a little more about himself, he'll be honest… He really don't give a f— about this s—. He doesn't care at all. This is like his second or third favorite thing to do, maybe third or fourth." He further continued: " by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 20 Breathtaking Blue Flag Beaches You Must Visit Click Here Undo Most games where he's dropping these crazy stats, he probably doesn't even want to be there.. And that's the scary part about all of it." He then narrated the story of his near-retirement and said: "(Someone else) signed an extension, and I said to (Jokic), yours is gonna be crazy… He said, 'I honestly think I might retire.' I said, 'And leave $300 million? Sign the contract and just get fat, at worst.'" Meanwhile, once during his initial appearance on Fadeaway World, Nikola Jokic almost spilled the news of his retirement while complimenting Yang Hansen. The Chinese rookie who plays for the Portland Trail Blazers sent Nikola Jokic a message in the NBA's most recent social media post on X. Nikola Jokic recently broke down after his horse won a race.(Image via Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images) When the rookie acknowledged that he would approach the Serbian superstar for an autograph and a photo, the pro- NBA player then inadvertently said: 'He's good. I'm happy that when he gets in his prime, that I'm gonna be out of the league probably, in two… nah, actually,' said Jokic as he looked into space with an 'oh no! what have I said' look on his face before changing the topic back to Hansen. However, as of now, Nikola Jokic hasn't said anything officially as of yet. Also read: LeBron James may retire after 2025-26 season as Los Angeles Lakers delay extension For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Lakers HC On Magic Johnson's Competitive Nature: "Wanted To Destroy You, Whether It Was For $2 Or $2 Million"
Former Lakers HC On Magic Johnson's Competitive Nature: "Wanted To Destroy You, Whether It Was For $2 Or $2 Million" originally appeared on Fadeaway World. When Mike Dunleavy Sr. took over as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1990, he wasn't just stepping into a storied franchise, he was stepping into a locker room still fueled by the fire of one of the most competitive athletes the NBA has ever seen: Magic Johnson. Dunleavy, a first-time head coach at the time, inherited a veteran squad led by Johnson and quickly learned that Magic's reputation for intensity was no exaggeration. On the Run It Back TV show, Dunleavy shared candid memories of coaching Magic, offering a firsthand glimpse into the relentless mindset that made the Lakers legend an icon. "Magic Johnson, you know, as a rookie head coach with the Lakers, Jerry West would get on me sometimes. He'd say, 'Mike, dude, you had the game won. You didn't have to play Magic those extra two or three minutes.' And I'd tell him, 'Jerry, I don't have that game won. I'm a rookie coach. I've got to bank wins."' "So I'd plan to give Magic the day off in practice. I'd say, 'Irvin, I played you 38, 39 minutes last night. Why don't you just sit out today?' And he'd look me in the eye and say, 'Coach, if I sit out, the rest of these guys think they got the day off too.'" "That's who he was. When I played for the Milwaukee Bucks, Sidney Moncrief was defensive player of the year, same mentality. All those guys had it. I played pickup with Magic in the offseason." "We could be playing for $2 or $2 million. Didn't matter. He was going for the jugular every single time. He wanted to win every single game he played." That exchange highlighted not just Dunleavy's rookie nerves, but also Magic's iron will to compete, even when logic said rest was the better call. Magic didn't want minutes off. He didn't want practices off. He didn't want days off. Dunleavy once tried to give him a break after a 38- or 39-minute night. Magic's leadership wasn't just vocal, it was physical. He led by example, never easing up even in low-stakes situations. That type of competitive DNA defined Magic Johnson's career and helped Dunleavy in his first year guide the Lakers past Clyde Drexler and the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1991 Western Conference Finals. With Magic running the show alongside Vlade Divac, the Lakers reached the NBA Finals. Although they lost to Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls in five games, that run marked the end of an era, one that would come to a sudden halt months later. In October 1991, shortly after winning the McDonald's Open in Paris, Magic Johnson announced he had tested positive for HIV and retired. The Lakers still made the playoffs that season, but the loss of their floor general and locker room heartbeat was a blow from which they wouldn't recover for years. Yet Dunleavy will always remember those precious months when he saw the fire up close, the competitor who didn't care if the stakes were pocket change or a championship ring. Because of Magic Johnson, every game was a war worth story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Robert Horry On How Magic Johnson Easily Beat Him In 1-On-1 Game
Robert Horry On How Magic Johnson Easily Beat Him In 1-On-1 Game originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Before Robert Horry won seven NBA championships and earned the nickname 'Big Shot Rob,' he was just a lanky, athletic prospect trying to make it into the league and got a harsh but valuable basketball lesson from none other than Magic Johnson himself. During an appearance on Byron Scott's podcast a few years ago, Horry shared a humbling story from his early days, one that showcased just how smart and deceptively dominant Magic Johnson was even past his physical prime. Horry had flown into Los Angeles for pre-draft workouts and thought he was going to scrimmage against another rookie. What he got instead was a masterclass in basketball IQ and veteran poise. "I have to tell you a little story. When I was doing my tryouts and trying to get into the league, you had to fly to all these different teams. I got to L.A., and they said, 'Oh, we're gonna have you play one-on-one with someone.'" "And I'm thinking, okay, maybe there's another guy they're looking at. Then I see Magic, and I'm like, 'Oh s**t…'" "I'm trying to be cool and calm, but I'm thinking, this is Magic Johnson, and I'm about to play one-on-one with him. So we start playing, and I'm thinking, 'I just want to block his shot.'" "Man, I'm almost throwing my shoulder out of its socket trying to block it. I don't think the dude ever jumped more than two inches and he wore my ass out. After I left that workout, I was like, 'I've got to get smarter.' It ain't about physical attributes. You have to be a smart player." Despite being younger, taller, and far more athletic at the time, Horry quickly realized this was no ordinary matchup. All he wanted to do was block Magic's shot, just once. But even that didn't happen. What stunned Horry wasn't just Magic's precision or touch. It was how effortlessly he controlled the pace, angles, and flow of the game. Every move was calculated. Every fake, pass, and pivot had purpose. After the workout ended, Horry wasn't discouraged; he was enlightened. Magic, never one to withhold wisdom from young talent, pulled Horry aside and gave him advice that stuck for decades. That moment was a turning point in Horry's mindset. It wasn't just about speed or strength; it was about thinking the game, anticipating, adjusting. It's a lesson Horry would carry with him to big moments in Houston, Los Angeles, and San Antonio. And to this day, Horry can proudly say that before he won his first ring, he got thoroughly cooked by a Magic man who barely left the floor but taught him how to story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Warriors' Center Says NBA Players Avoided Magic Johnson After HIV Diagnosis: "Nobody Knew How You Would Get Infected"
Former Warriors' Center Says NBA Players Avoided Magic Johnson After HIV Diagnosis: "Nobody Knew How You Would Get Infected" originally appeared on Fadeaway World. When Magic Johnson announced his retirement from the NBA in November 1991 after testing positive for HIV, the basketball world was stunned. Earvin "Magic" Johnson wasn't just a player; he was the face of basketball, a five-time champion, a Finals MVP, a smile that lit up arenas, and a transcendent talent who, alongside Larry Bird, carried the league into a new era. But in the early 1990s, HIV/AIDS was cloaked in fear, misunderstanding, and stigma. The announcement didn't just end a career, it exposed the ignorance of an entire society, including many within the NBA. Former NBA center Rony Seikaly, who played for the Golden State Warriors among other teams, recently opened up in an interview with Peter Alonso Padel about that turbulent time and how players responded to Magic's diagnosis. And he didn't sugarcoat it. "So basically, when Magic retired because of HIV, a lot of players and people just didn't understand the disease. Nobody knew how it was transmitted, whether you could get infected by touch or sweat, so everyone just kept their distance. Most of the players pushed away from him." "For me, growing up, Magic Johnson was the NBA. Him and Larry Bird. So watching players distance themselves from Magic, it wasn't something I was proud of." "I could see he was still working out, still trying to stay close to the game, and I just wanted to give him a hug. I mean, this wasn't something he chose. The reaction from people was what hurt; it was just bad." "One day in LA, he was shooting before a game. Obviously, he wasn't playing, but he was so addicted to basketball that he just had to be out there." "He was playing by himself in the arena. So I got there way before tip-off and said, 'I'm here. I want to play with you. You can go as hard as you want. I'm going to push you. I'm going to shove you. Let's play one-on-one.'" "And the look he gave me, it was like no one had done that for him before. It meant the world to him. Just to have a player who didn't treat him like he was contagious. Who just wanted to play with him. That moment meant so much." Back then, the fear was visceral. HIV was wrongly associated solely with specific communities. Misinformation ruled the day, and even physical contact was viewed as potentially dangerous. For Magic, the disease not only ended his full-time NBA career but alienated him from the very brotherhood he helped elevate. But unlike many of his peers, Seikaly didn't let fear win. In fact, one gesture of human compassion still resonates with him decades later. Seikaly's quiet gesture went against the grain of the league's cautious, and sometimes cruel, reaction. Even during Magic's celebrated return at the 1992 NBA All-Star Game, a powerful moment in NBA history, some players privately expressed reservations about playing against him. Seikaly, however, saw something else. He saw the man who brought joy to the game. The leader who turned Showtime into a dynasty. And the human being who didn't choose the cards he was dealt. In hindsight, Seikaly's response has aged like gold. As medical understanding evolved and public perception caught up, Magic became a symbol of strength, not fear. He returned for a brief stint with the Lakers in 1996 and has since built a business empire while becoming a champion for HIV/AIDS awareness. Yet it's worth remembering moments like the one Seikaly described, when compassion cut through ignorance. When a one-on-one pickup game became a lifeline of solidarity. And when a player chose dignity over distance. Magic Johnson may have been avoided by many in 1991. But he was never story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kevin Durant And Kyrie Irving Almost Reunited On Mavericks Before Devastating Injury
Kevin Durant And Kyrie Irving Almost Reunited On Mavericks Before Devastating Injury originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Kevin Durant nearly became a Dallas Maverick. That's according to NBA insider Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson, who reported on Thursday that the Suns fielded multiple trade calls for Durant at the deadline—including one from the Mavericks. While talks didn't materialize into a deal, Robinson claims it could have gone much further had Kyrie Irving not suffered a season-ending injury. 'The Suns were taking phone calls from other teams that were calling at the deadline," said NBA Insider Brandon 'Scoop B' Robinson on the 'HBCU' podcast. "Those teams included Dallas, the Washington Wizards, and the Golden State Warriors. Just talking to people across the league, I got the sense that had Kyrie Irving not injured his knee, torn his ACL, we might be having another conversation about Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving as members of the Dallas Mavericks." Despite averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game last season, Durant failed to lead the Suns to prosperity in the Western Conference. Their failure led Durant to become the summer's hottest trade target, and the Mavericks might have pulled off the trade had Kyrie Irving not torn his ACL in March. "In fact, that Kyrie Irving injury really was the Achilles heel as to why KD did not find a way to the Dallas Mavericks even though the Mavericks were calling.' Durant's history with Irving goes back to the 2019-20 season, the start of their tenure as teammates. Together, they led the Nets to prominence in the East and formed one of the most lethal offensive duos in the sport. Besides great chemistry on the court, Durant and Irving developed a close bond that persists even today. Unfortunately, their time as teammates can only be described as a disaster, given that the Nets only won one playoff series under their leadership. When they finally parted ways in February of 2023, nobody ever imagined they'd work together again. And yet, according to Scoop, they nearly ran it back this summer for a reunion in Dallas. With Durant, Irving, and Anthony Davis, the Mavericks could have been favorites in the West and would have been in a nice position to justify their Luka Doncic trade. It was a dream scenario for the Mavericks that ultimately ended when Irving suffered a season-ending ACL tear. That injury did more than just derail the Mavericks' season; it also erased the opportunity to build a potential superteam with some of the best NBA veterans in the sport. On the Rockets, Durant will have one last chance to make amends for his mistakes, but he won't have Irving by his side to help set the culture he envisions. Instead, he'll have to rely on a young and unproven core featuring Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson. It's hard not to wonder what could've been. A healthy Kyrie might have been the key to reuniting one of the NBA's most electric duos and creating a new powerhouse in Dallas. Instead, the dream dissolved before it ever got off the ground. For Durant, a new chapter begins in Houston. For the Mavs, it's just another reminder of how quickly opportunity can slip away in the story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
