Latest news with #Lakers-Knicks
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers' Jeanie Buss reveals how a leak would've prevented the Luka Doncic trade from ever happening
Jeanie Buss said that secrecy was the main reason the shocking Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade went through. The Lakers owner revealed Thursday that if the deal between the Lakers and Mavericks had been leaked beforehand, it was likely that the trade would have been called off. Advertisement 'I have a feeling if it did leak, the trade probably wouldn't have happened, and for so many different reasons,' Buss told Rob Perez and Antonio Daniels on SiriusXM NBA Radio. 'People working against us, that would not want to see that trade happen.' Owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers Jeanie Buss attends the game against the Utah Jazz at Arena. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Buss also said how trade leaks had previously stopped the Lakers from making potential moves, adding that management had to change their approach with the Doncic-Davis blockbuster. 'Keeping things under wraps is really, really important,' Buss continued. 'Our circle is tight because over the years, we did have problems with things leaking out, and that did disrupt plans and caused some problems in our basketball operations. Advertisement 'Finally, we got rid of the problem. Now we can keep things under wraps when we choose to. I really learned a lesson there that you've always got to do what's best for the organization because everybody's got their angle in how they want something to go.' Luka Doncic moves the ball against the Houston Rockets during the first half at Arena. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Almost nobody outside of management for the Lakers and Mavericks knew about the potential trade beforehand, leaving both Doncic, 26, and Davis, 32, shocked by the news. LeBron James also had no idea about the trade beforehand, reportedly finding out while out to dinner with his family following the Lakers-Knicks game on Feb. 1, per ESPN. Anthony Davis reacts after making a basket against the Sacramento Kings during the first half of the NBA play-in tournament game at Golden 1 Center on April 16, 2025 in Sacramento, California. Getty Images Insider Shams Charania, who first reported the trade, said the Mavericks reportedly reached out to the Lakers about the trade several days prior. Advertisement 'This deal materialized in the shadows. This came out of nowhere,' Chariana said in February. 'LeBron James had no idea this was coming. Anthony Davis had no idea this was coming. 'I'm told Luka Doncic is still stunned about this trade.'
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Charles Barkley Sends Clear Message to LeBron James, Stephen A. Smith Amid Ongoing Feud
It's no secret that LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith have been feuding over the last several weeks, and this week, it reached new heights after James appeared on the "Pat McAfee Show" and threw some slight shade in Smith's direction, highlighting that he "missed the entire point" of why James confronted him weeks ago during the Lakers-Knicks game for disrespecting his son and fellow Lakers teammate, Bronny James. However, since that moment, both Smith and, clearly now, James have not let the situation die down, sparking many reactions across the NBA landscape, including from TNT legend and personality Charles Barkley. He appeared on the "Dan Patrick Show" on Friday and unveiled his opinion toward both James and Smith. "They both had an awful week," Barkley said. "LeBron, he's too big to be that type of bully. To bully Stephen A. and to bully Brian Windhorst... and I've always liked LeBron, but him being a bully, it turned me off." Barkley added, "But I will say this: Stephen A., the way he reacted was so lame and weak. Stephen A.'s a good dude, man. LeBron, I blame him for starting the bullying, going on Pat's show just bullying people, 'cause you know LeBron, he's a control freak. He knows everything he's doing. But the way Stephen A. reacted... talking tough, come on, man, you're better than that. So there are only losers in this scenario, and what bothers me the most is they're both good dudes. LeBron started it, and Stephen A., I'm not sure what he was trying to do... he just made it worse and worse and worse. The situation has certainly escalated over the last few days following James' interview. After making comments that clearly distraught Smith, he didn't hesitate to clap back with his own critiques of James, which he did when opening Thursday's show of "First Take" with a 15-minute rant. Stephen A. Smith (left) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (right).Kirby Lee, Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Yet, with the NBA postseason on the horizon, Smith and ESPN's coverage of James and the Lakers certainly isn't going to shrink, as they are in the middle of a clear postseason race. Related: Shannon Sharpe Breaks Silence on Latest Stephen A. Smith vs. LeBron James Drama
USA Today
09-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Stephen A. Smith explains why LeBron James confronted him courtside
Stephen A. Smith explains why LeBron James confronted him courtside Stephen A. Smith began ESPN's "First Take" by explaining what happened when LeBron James confronted him courtside after the Lakers' game Thursday night at Arena. Show Caption Hide Caption How real are the Lakers as NBA title contenders? The Lakers have been on a roll since trading for Luka Doncic, but are they good enough to win a championship? Stephen A. Smith confirmed he was confronted by LeBron James after Thursday's Los Angeles Lakers game, responding to the NBA superstar after a video that showed James appearing irritated during a courtside exchange with Smith went viral on social media by the morning. Smith offered a lengthy breakdown of the situation at the beginning of ESPN's "First Take" on Friday, emphasizing that James only spoke about Smith's comments concerning Bronny James. Smith is among those critical of how James' son reached the NBA this season with the Lakers, and specifically targeted LeBron James' role in the situation. "That was LeBron James coming up to me, unexpectedly I might add, to confront me about making sure I mind what I say about his son," Smith explained to host Molly Qerim. "I can't repeat the words because they aren't suited for FCC airwaves. That's what he was doing." "That wasn't a basketball player confronting me," Smith added. "That was a parent. That was a father." .@stephenasmith describes his moment with LeBron James last night at Lakers-Knicks. — First Take (@FirstTake) March 7, 2025 LUKA DONCIC TRADE AFTERMATH: Mark Cuban rips Mavericks for trade return: 'Just get a better deal' James briefly approached Smith after the Lakers' 113-109 win over the New York Knicks Thursday night at Arena, appearing to speak animatedly to Smith and walking away with a scowl on his face. Smith said he was sitting with Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel and Larry David. The incident occurred just hours after reports surfaced that Smith had agreed to a new $100-million contract with ESPN. Smith previously said James' representatives at Klutch Sports reached out to him about his criticism of Bronny James. As James' son struggled last month, Smith pleaded on air for James to "Stop this" because "we all know Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad." Bronny James has played minimally during 18 NBA appearances for the Lakers as a rookie, while also spending time with the franchise's G League team. Smith noted Friday he and LeBron James have not had a good relationship for years, but "neither of us lose sleep over it." Damn LeBron stepped to Stephen A Smith👀👀👀 — LegendOfWinning (@LegendOfWinning) March 7, 2025 Smith insisted, however, that how James approached him Thursday night did not bother him, though he would have preferred if James had requested a private conversation to air his grievances. Smith did not, however, back off his stance. "I wasn't talking about Bronny. I was really, really talking about him because of the position that Bronny was in," said Smith, noting he stood by his original comments on the situation. "But I really understood where he was coming from. He was very, very upset. I could tell. He could have called me. I'd have come to see him. I'd have had a conversation with him. He could have been just as upset face-to-face, man-to-man, as opposed to being courtside at the game. "I had no idea everybody saw it until I woke up this morning, but it is what it is," Smith added. "And, in the end, like I said, as a father, I get it. I'm not offended. I'm not insulted. I don't have any animosity, I have no animus towards LeBron James for this, nothing like that."
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Stephen A. Smith on courtside moment with LeBron James: 'That wasn't a basketball player confronting me. That was a parent, that was a father'
ESPN talking head Stephen A. Smith addressed his exchange with LeBron James before Thursday night's Los Angeles Lakers game against the New York Knicks in LA. What many looked at believing it was a conversation, Smith described on Friday's "First Take" as a "confrontation" with James, who was upset over comments made about his son, Bronny. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2025 MLB season] The interaction was brief and it appeared that James told Smith to "keep my son out of this s***, bro." Damn LeBron stepped to Stephen A Smith👀👀👀 — LegendOfWinning (@LegendOfWinning) March 7, 2025 "That wasn't a basketball player confronting me," Smith said on Friday. "That was a parent, that was a father. I can't sit here and be angry or feel slighted by LeBron James in any way in that regard. By all accounts, he's obviously a wonderful family man and a wonderful father who cares very, very deeply about his son. Based on some of the comments that he had heard, or shall I say I think he thought he heard, clearly took exception to some of the things he heard me say and he confronted me about it." Smith went on to say that he would never speak negatively about Bronny James and that his comments were about LeBron himself and the position that Bronny was put in being on a team with his father. In January, Smith urged James to "stop this," referring to Bronny James' need for more development time in the G-League. 'We love what we're seeing from [Bronny] in the G League, because that's where you belong, as you hone your skills and you get better and you legitimately earn, which I believe he has the potential to do," Smith said. "I am rooting for Bronny James … he's a wonderful kid, I wish him nothing but the best.' .@stephenasmith describes his moment with LeBron James last night at Lakers-Knicks. — First Take (@FirstTake) March 7, 2025 While Smith did defend LeBron saying he would have done the same as a father, he wasn't backing down from his criticisms. 'I also get paid to call it like I see it. And what I said at the time, I stand by what I said,' Smith said. 'It wasn't even reporting. The facts were out there. And what I was saying about LeBron is fact-based because of what he said and the things that he said leading up to his son being drafted and ultimately being in the NBA on the same team as him… there is no way around that. And when you're raised as a journalist professionally, you don't want enemies, but you ain't paid to make friends. You've gotta call it like you see it.' This was the latest back-and-forth between James and Smith after the two engaged in last week's "face of the NBA" conversation and Smith took exception to the "b.s." James said about how the league is covered.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lip-readers think LeBron James told Stephen A. Smith something about Bronny
LeBron James' conversation with ESPN's Stephen A. Smith at a recent Lakers-Knicks game has received considerable attention. Smith attended the Thursday showdown at the Arena, and at some point, he and James engaged in a face-to-face conversation courtside. It's unclear how long the two actually chatted, but lip-readers think they uncovered what the conversation might have been about ― his son, Bronny James. As James is chatting with Smith, he seemingly tells the ESPN personality," Keep my son out of this [expletive], bro." After saying his thoughts, the exchange ends, and James walks away. Here's the video of that moment: LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith sharing some words after the game tonight Looks like Bron's telling him 'keep my son out of this sh**.' 👀(h/t @LADEIG, via @legendofwinning) — Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 7, 2025 'I'MMA TELL YOU ONE TIME, BRO. KEEP MY SON OUT OF THIS ****, BRO.' What LeBron James allegedly said to Stephen A. Smith during a break in the Lakers vs. Knicks game 😳🗣️Thoughts? 🤔Via. @LegendOfWinning — Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) March 7, 2025 This article originally appeared on For The Win: LeBron James seemingly confronts Stephen A. Smith about son, Bronny
