Latest news with #LosAngelesLakers
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Luka Doncic wants LeBron James to finish his career with Los Angeles Lakers despite growing tensions
Luka Doncic opened up about LeBron James (Image via Instagram / @lukadoncic) NBA icon Luka Doncic recently expressed his opinions clearly regarding playing with another giant, LeBron James . In recent weeks, the relationship between two players has been in the news. This happened particularly after a number of stories indicated that the four-time NBA champion wasn't overly happy about the team focusing on the new player from a business and game perspective. Meanwhile, according to a recent Dallas Hoops Journal report, Luka Doncic doesn't want the NBA's all-time top scorer to push but to finish his career in purple and gold. Luka Doncic opens up about LeBron James while staying in the Los Angeles Lakers amid trade rumors LeBron James and Luka Doncic have a history. In a stunning trade that sent 2020 NBA champion Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for the Slovenian guard, the Los Angeles Lakers' front staff matched them together prior to the 2025 trade deadline. The Slovenian superstar has made his position clear behind closed doors. This happened despite mounting tensions about LeBron James' schedule and the team's decision to center itself around Luka Doncic. Additionally, rumors started circulating after Rich Paul's cryptic remarks went viral as the NBA giant decided to opt into the last year of his contract. Moreover, an ESPN report claiming that the NBA giant felt "disrespected" by the L.A. Lakers ' choice to switch to Luka Doncic further ignited a fire. However, neither the team's front office nor LeBron James' camp have formally pursued a trade or buyout. Meanwhile, Luka Doncic is making every effort to silence the commotion. According to him, the NBA icon will spend the rest of his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He wanted him to retire while wearing the yellow and purple jersey. LeBron James and Luka Doncic are L.A. Lakers' teammates (Image via Getty Images) Moreover, according to people close to the organization, Luka Doncic is actively recruiting around LeBron James rather than merely putting up with his presence. The NBA icon will get $52.6 million in the final year of his contract next season. It would be exactly what Luka Doncic wants if he decides to retire following the 2025–2026 season. On the other hand, this weekend, the 26-year-old Luka Doncic is anticipated to sign a contract extension with the L.A. Lakers. Also read: Lakers reportedly sidelining LeBron James from key decisions amid Luka Doncic era and team ownership shift 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!
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Lakers' JJ Redick Sends Clear Message to Bronny James
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 going to be an interesting team to watch during the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season. With Luka Doncic and LeBron James still leading the way, they are hoping that a championship run could be possible. Another name worth keeping a close eye on is Bronny James. Heading into his second NBA season, no one knows what to expect. He didn't play much as a rookie, but he has shown some development. However, he still has a lot of work to do. Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a slam dunk against the Miami Heat during the first half of the California Classic summer league game at Chase Center on July 06, 2025... Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a slam dunk against the Miami Heat during the first half of the California Classic summer league game at Chase Center on July 06, 2025 in San Francisco, California. More Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images Can James break into the rotation during his second year? That is the question. How can he make that happen? Read more: Lakers' Luka Doncic Receives Strong Contract Advice From NBA Agent JJ Redick, the Lakers' head coach, spoke out with a pointed message to James. He shared one thing that the young guard must do in order to have a chance at becoming a quality NBA player. "The biggest thing for Bronny is that he has to get in elite shape," Redick said. "That's the barrier of entry for him right now. And if he does that, I think he's got a chance to be a really fantastic player in the NBA." Not long ago, James spoke out about what he feels he needs to do in order to force his way onto the court. He believes everything will start on the defensive end of the court. "There's gonna be guys that can score 15, 20 a game," James said. "I'm most likely not going to be that guy right now... I've got to be a defensive menace." He also opened up and shared how he's doing from a health perspective. After going into cardiac arrest in college, James still feels some lingering effects. "I get kind of sick easier now," James said. "Which is kind of weird, but I think it messed with my immune system a little bit. So, I would have times where I have to sit out, and that conditioning that I'm working on just goes away in that week of me being out." Read more: Knicks Linked to 2 Intriguing NBA Free Agency Options With Redick giving James a clear goal, he will need to work on his conditioning. If he can get into the best shape of his life and become an elite defender, Los Angeles may have no other choice but to play him. It will be interesting to see what year two has in store for the Lakers and James. Perhaps he'll get a much bigger opportunity to play, or it could just be another quiet season for the son of one of the NBA's best all-time players. For more on the Los Angeles Lakers and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
New York Post
4 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Bronny James opens up on health struggles since cardiac arrest
Lakers guard Bronny James said he spent the past year working to overcome lingering effects from his heart condition and become a player worthy of coach JJ Redick's rotation. The son of Lakers superstar LeBron James went into cardiac arrest two years ago due to a congenital heart defect, and underwent surgery that left a six-inch scar down the center of his chest before his freshman year at USC. 'I get kind of sick easier now,' the younger James, 20, told ESPN's Dave McMenamin while in Las Vegas for the NBA summer league. 'Which is kind of weird, but I think it messed with my immune system a little bit. So, I would have times where I have to sit out, and that conditioning that I'm working on just goes away in that week of me being out.' Advertisement 5 Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics during the 2025 NBA Summer League game on July 17, 2025 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NBAE via Getty Images James said an illness this summer kept him out of a week's worth of workouts leading up to the California Classic earlier this month. He was out for the opener in San Francisco and was on a minutes restriction in his second game. Redick explained that James — the Lakers' No. 55 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft — needs to prioritize getting stronger in order to progress to the next level. Advertisement 'The biggest thing for Bronny is that he has to get in elite shape, that's the barrier of entry for him right now,' Redick told ESPN. 'And if he does that, I think he's got a chance to be a really fantastic player in the NBA. With the defensive pickup points, the disruption, being able to get downhill … I think we have all seen these amazing flashes of it from Bronny. And to get to that next level for him, it's cardio fitness. 5 Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter of Game 3 of the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center on April 25, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Getty Images 'He's cleared. … I get that there's a history there of a really scary thing that he had to live through, and I think it's tough to push past certain points for him, but he's going to get there. He's going to get there.' In 27 NBA appearances in his rookie season, the guard averaged 2.3 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists on 31.3 percent shooting from the field and 28.1 percent from three-point range. Advertisement James was back and forth from the Lakers to the South Bay Lakers in the G League, where he averaged 21.9 points, 44.3 percent shooting and 38.0 percent from beyond the arc. 5 (L-R) Dorian Finney-Smith #17, LeBron James #23, Bronny James #9, and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the game against the LA Clippers on February 4, 2025 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. NBAE via Getty Images 'My head is all over the place,' James said. 'There's so much going on in Vegas. I personally don't like summer league at all. I like the competition and the games, but I don't like coming to Vegas and being in Vegas … After this, I'm just doing nothing.' South Bay Lakers coach Zach Guthrie said he's seen progress in James' condition, and that he's focusing on his diet and sleep. Advertisement 'His conditioning is like a basketball 401(k),' Guthrie said. 'It is all about daily deposits…Yeah, there's going to be sometimes he's sick or this or that, but if he just stays vigilant and stays about his work, I think he will be fine.' 5 South Bay Lakers Head Coach Zach Guthrie speaks to Bronny James #9 of the South Bay Lakers during the game against the Valley Suns on February, 7 2025 at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California. NBAE via Getty Images James' offseason workouts include interval training — VersaClimber sessions, stationary bike burnouts, incline walk exertions, and windsprints — to supplement scrimmaging and skill work. He finishes his workouts with a curated 105-shot shooting drill, and his goal is to make 80 shots. Redick was adamant about James' growth and dedication to developing his game after the Lakers' season ended in April with a loss to the Timberwolves in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series. Lakers guard Gabe Vincent, whom James backed up on a few occasions last season, said the rookie earned respect from his teammates for how hard he works. 5 Bronny James #9 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers play against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first half at the Wells Fargo Center on January 28, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Getty Images As for the NBA's all-time leading scorer? LeBron, who will turn 41 in December, is rumored to want out of the Lakers after his agent, Rich Paul, released a statement regarding the 21-time All-Star accepting his $52.6 million player option. Advertisement LeBron was spotted partying in the South of France last week with his wife, Savannah James, and his business partner, Maverick Carter. 'LeBron wants to compete for a championship,' Paul told ESPN last month. 'He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we've had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career. 'We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what's best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what's best for him.' LeBron, who is entering his 23rd season, has a no-trade clause in his contract.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steve Nash praises LeBron James for adapting his game alongside Luka Doncic
Amidst the excitement of the Los Angeles Lakers landing generational superstar Luka Doncic in a Feb. 1 trade was the question of how he would fit alongside LeBron James. Many of their skills and abilities overlap, and some predicted that the partnership wouldn't work. But offensively, the Lakers got the hang of it. Doncic became their main facilitator in their halfcourt offense, while James played off the ball as much as he ever has, which allowed him to conserve his energy and even play some high-level defense. It was a good enough setup to take the team to the third seed in the Western Conference with a 50-32 record, even though it lost in five games in the first round of the playoffs due to its lack of supporting talent. It is never easy for a superstar to adjust when he joins forces with another superstar. But Steve Nash pointed out how well James adapted to the situation, and Nash praised him for making the necessary adjustments during a recent episode of the "Mind the Game" podcast. 'One thing I'd also like to say that I really admire about LeBron is the way he adapted this season to playing with Luka. That takes a lot of maturity. It takes a lot of sacrifice. He approached this as a gift and an opportunity to make a team as good as it could possibly be. Now it was slammed together quick, they lost early in the playoffs, but I think we saw the seeds of a team that was this close to going deep in the playoffs, making a run for a title. As that roster builds, the possibility is there. You can't do that unless you're willing to sacrifice and grow and play slightly different. Play in a way that complements your teammates. So my advice would be those two things. Continue to find that sacrifice — it's not like his numbers dipped, he just did it in different ways. But that's hard for players who have played 15, 18, 20, 22? 22 years in the league.' Although James' assists totals fell a bit after Doncic's arrival, his scoring and shooting efficiency didn't. He has long had the ability to post up and shoot the fadeaway jumper, and those are skills he will need to exploit a lot more often moving forward. There is no question that the Lakers are now Doncic's team. But despite all the noise about James being unhappy with the direction of the team, he is reportedly expected to remain a member of it moving forward as the 2025-26 season approaches, and he could even stay put past this coming season. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Steve Nash praises LeBron for adapting his game alongside Luka Doncic
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Rony Seikaly reflects on how players treated Magic after HIV diagnosis: "Watching all the players kind of distance themselves was really not something that I was very proud of"
Rony Seikaly reflects on how players treated Magic after HIV diagnosis: "Watching all the players kind of distance themselves was really not something that I was very proud of" originally appeared on Basketball Network. When Earvin Magic Johnson announced his retirement in November 1991 after testing positive for HIV, the basketball world was rocked deeply. Looking back from today's standpoint, we have to understand that it was a time when the disease was largely misunderstood and cloaked in fear and misinformation. As for the guys in the best basketball league in the world, the NBA, the reaction was mixed. Plenty of shock, a touch of sympathy among fellow players and, quite understandably, distance from many of them. Those afraid, uncertain about how HIV spread, instinctively pushed Magic away, avoiding all contact by any means necessary. Ron Seikaly, the Lebanese-American big man who was a walking double-double at the time of his peak, didn't shy away from admitting his disappointment at how the Los Angeles Lakers legend was treated. "So, basically, when Magic retired because of HIV, a lot of the players and a lot of the people didn't understand the disease and stuff like that. Everybody just didn't want to be around Magic. Nobody knew how you would get infected. So, all the players kinda pushed away. For me growing up, Magic Johnson was the NBA. Him and Larry Bird. Watching all the players kind of distance themselves from Magic Johnson was really not something that I was very proud of," Ron said about the unknown situation at the time. Seikaly went on to support his idol Ron's respect for Magic ran very deep, and it passed the lines of pure basketball competitiveness. Johnson was his idol, so Seikaly recalled how, before a game, he approached Magic with nothing but respect and compassion, despite the tension and fear hanging in the air around the diagnosis. "I remember before one of the games, I wanted to go up to Magic and just give him a hug. He was still working out, still giving his all, despite everything. It was not something that he chose. The reaction to it was very bad," Seikaly explained. This human approach was rare in a league where the unknown ruled all the time. Seikaly acknowledged that while players were pushing away physically, he wanted to break through that barrier, showing that beyond the disease, Magic was still a competitor, a peer and most importantly, a person deserving of respect for everything that he did for the Association during the 1980s, alongside Larry Bird, of almost missed his last ASG Even as Magic returned for the 1992 NBA All-Star Game, in a moment that was meant to be a fitting tribute for the end of his legendary career, the unease around him hadn't completely faded. Not only that, but some players still questioned if he should be out there at all, which only goes to show the unwillingness of competitors to go full strength at him. "Some guys came out and said, 'I don't want to play against the guy if I have a chance to get sick.' I'm not going to name any names," the Western Conference starting guard Clyde Drexler stated at the time. That's where Seikaly's perspective stood out. Instead of retreating like so many others, he offered to bring back that physicality through the simple hug. He saw Magic as more than just a "walking diagnosis." That reaction from the towering big man aged far better than the fear-driven reactions of the story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
