Latest news with #LosAngelesLakers'
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Two Lakers frontcourt players are healthier than they were last season
The Los Angeles Lakers' roster looks significantly stronger than it did when they were knocked out of the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. While they lost key 3-and-D forward Dorian Finney-Smith, they added forward Jake LaRavia and center Deandre Ayton, and they're set to bring in veteran guard Marcus Smart once he clears waivers. Some Lakers fans have been hoping the team can trade away big man Maxi Kleber and perhaps forward Jarred Vanderbilt in return for one or two more useful players. Doing so will be difficult, because while both players will only make roughly $11 million this coming season, they probably aren't seen as productive players around the league. But there could be a trickle of optimism that both will contribute in a positive way for Los Angeles. Per Marc Stein's "Stein Line," both Vanderbilt and Kleber are healthier now than they were at any time this past season. 'I'm also hearing Jarred Vanderbilt is healthier now than he was at any point last season, which will naturally spark hope that the versatile forward seems like an offseason addition himself when training camp opens in late September,' Stein wrote. 'Ditto for Maxi Kleber, who made only one appearance — for five minutes in Game 5 of the Lakers' first-round exit to Minnesota — after he was shipped to Lakerland with [Luka] Dončić on Feb. 2.' Vanderbilt has been hampered by injuries the last two seasons and appeared in a total of just 65 games during that time. He suffered a foot injury midway through the 2023-24 season that forced him to sit out for almost a full calendar year. While he's an effective and versatile defender and energy player, he's extremely limited on offense. Perhaps the fact that he's healthy this summer will allow him to work on his 3-point shot. For his career, he has made just 28.8% of his 3-point attempts, and opposing teams routinely leave him wide open in the corners. In the past, Kleber has been a decent outside shooter and defender, and at 6-foot-10, he can play the 4 and 5 positions. But he suffered a foot injury shortly before coming to L.A., and before that, he shot a putrid 38.5% overall and 26.5% from downtown this past season. In seven previous seasons, he made a solid 35.7% of his attempts from beyond the arc. If he returns to form, he could be a nice backup center for L.A. and perhaps even more ahead of Jaxson Hayes on its depth chart at that position.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'Bronny James outperforms Steph Curry…' - NBA legend LeBron James praises son for outstanding performance in 2k25 Summer League
Bronny James and Stephen Curry. Image via: Getty Images Stephen Curry has his own set of impressive scores in the big league. He is known for his outstanding performance. However, as a rookie, he played 80 games and scored some amazing numbers. Following in his path, the Los Angeles Lakers' Bronny James has some surprising and amazing scores. In the 2k25 Summer League Game, this young player had outscored Stephen Curry. While sharing this proud moment, father LeBron James couldn't be happier. Seeing his son reaching great heights and beating the then-rookie player, Stephen Curry, was all he could think about. To celebrate the moment, he posted a picture on his Instagram story. His followers and fans were taken by surprise; however, they were equally proud. It is just a matter of question if Bronny James would grow up to be like his father and become an NBA legend. LA Lakers' star Bronny James outscores NBA legend Stephen Curry in Summer League The Los Angeles Lakers' shooting guard, Bronny James, had performed extremely well in his 2k25 Summer League, marking this as his second appearance in the league. This is a great achievement for a basketball player. To outscore an NBA legend, that too during the rookie years, bravo, Bronny James. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Extraspacious 3 and 4 BHKs from 6.76 Cr* in Mahalaxmi 7 Mahalaxmi, Runwal Group Book Now Undo He is the future of the big league, following in the footsteps of his father, the man himself, LeBron James. His scores were surprisingly higher than what Stephen Curry could score during his rookie year. He scored a 38.7 percent, which is higher than Stephen Curry's 32.5 percent, back in 2009. Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry's score during the 2k09 Summer League In 2009, Stephen Curry appeared in his first and only NBA Summer League Game. He had averaged 17.4 points per game, along with 4.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. As a 21-year-old rookie, he has played 80 games and averaged 17.5 points on 46.2 percent shooting. Such an outstanding and impressive score during his initial days in the big league has made the Golden State Warriors not trade him to other subsequent teams. Stephen Curry's First Games in the NBA! | Summer League Highlights Los Angeles Lakers' icon Bronny James' marvelous score during 2k25 Summer League The 16-year-old Lakers' shooting guard gave a mind-blowing performance in this year's Summer League. He scored 17 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three 3-pointers. He had also scored 17 and 18 points in his last two games, shooting 44 percent from the field. He has scored an average field goal percentage of 38.7 percent, which is quite higher than what Stephen Curry scored during his rookie year. Though this is a harmless stat, it helped the fans to see through the fact that Bronny James could be the future of the NBA. He could create history just like his legendary father, LeBron James. FAQs In which year did NBA legend Stephen Curry attend his first Summer League? Stephen Curry had played in his first and only Summer League in the year 2009. In which team was Stephen Curry drafted during the NBA draft day? With the 7th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors drafted Stephen Curry from Davidson College In which team was Bronny James drafted during the 2024 NBA Draft? Bronny James, the eldest son of LeBron James, was drafted as the 55th pick in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft. Also read: NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Reportedly Looking To Waive $9,162,406 Guard To Accommodate Marcus Smart Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Did Bronny James play tonight in Lakers-Nuggets game?
Bronny James did not play Friday night in the Los Angeles Lakers' NBA Summer League game against the Denver Nuggets. James was seen on the court pregame wearing sweats. Teammate Dalton Knecht, the Lakers' first-round pick in 2024, was also out. It was the second game of a back-to-back for the Lakers, who fell to the Boston Celtics 87-78 on Thursday. James proved to be a bright spot in the second half against the Celtics. He scored all 18 of his points in the second half, after going scoreless in the first. He has scored 17 or more points in each of the last two games. He shot 7-of-13 from the field Thursday and produced five assists and three rebounds in 28 minutes. James still can improve after turning the ball over eight times. All things Lakers: Latest Los Angeles Lakers news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
USA Today
15-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Emmanuel Acho on why LeBron James and Luka Doncic can't win the NBA championship together
There seems to be some guarded optimism about the Los Angeles Lakers' prospects this coming season. They likely aren't championship contenders, but they could be an improved team thanks to the addition of a productive starting center in Deandre Ayton, as well as better chemistry due to Luka Doncic being in his first full season with them. However, there are still doubts about how great the Lakers can be, mainly because of their shortcomings on the defensive end. They lack two-way players, and Doncic and LeBron James aren't great defenders for various reasons. Neither is Austin Reaves, who is their third-best player. On Fox Sports 1's "The Facility," former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho said that James needs to leave the Lakers after this coming season if they are to win the NBA championship because he and Doncic are weak defenders. "This has to be LeBron's last year if the Lakers want to win anything of significance," Acho said. "You can't win a championship right now — or, at least, it would be very hard to win with Luka and LeBron on the court at the same time because neither of them at this point are defensive juggernauts. "... I don't see the coexistence of LeBron and Luka and championships," Acho said. The Lakers were a strong defensive team for a period of time this past season, especially in February as Doncic got himself integrated with them. But after the All-Star break, they ranked just 17th in defensive rating, and in the playoffs, they were 12th in that category among the 16th teams that made it there. Los Angeles will likely be a very strong offensive team, if not an offensive juggernaut, this coming season. But it will have to overcome plenty defensively to get the job done in the postseason.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
"Oh, you want to play with Michael Jordan, too'- LeBron James admits NBA legend was his biggest inspiration
LeBron James and Michael Jordan, Image via Getty When it comes to talking about one of the most influential athletes in NBA history, it is difficult to miss out on Michael Jordan . His rich legacy is still unmatched despite having great talents like LeBron James , Stephen Curry, and Giannis Antetokounmpo during the current era. In the recent episode of widely watched podcast Mind the Game, LeBron James admitted that Michael Jordan was his biggest inspiration. Over the years, Los Angeles Lakers' star has been compared to the GOAT. However, the rich legacy of Chicago Bulls icon hasn't been matched by anyone as of now. LeBron James reveals being a big fan of Michael Jordan Los Angeles Lakers' superstar LeBron James is an NBA icon in the current era. During the recent episode of the Mind the Game podcast, James drew the curtains on one of longest running debates in NBA. The 40-year-old basketball star revealed he has been greatly inspired by NBA legend Michael Jordan. In between the conversation with co-host Steve Nash, LeBron James said- "When you talk about inspiration, there was nobody more inspiring to me than Michael Jordan. You know, for me, I think our games would have complemented each other as well. MJ was a flat-out scorer. He was a scorer, scorer, scorer. He had a scorer's mentality." MJ was LeBron's biggest inspiration. Season finale LIVE from Fanatics Fest drops tomorrow #shorts He even mentioned 'But I know I can't pick him because I know how social media works. You motherf—ers are going to be like, 'ohh you want to play with Michael Jordan too. You're done playing with everybody else goddamnit.' I didn't ask the question; I'm only answering it, guys. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Forget Furosemide, Use This Household Item To Help Drain Edema Fluid WellnessGuide Learn more Undo I didn't ask the question. But MJ was an inspiration.' LeBron James was born in the very year Michael Jordan was drafted into the NBA. Back then almost every child wanted to be like Jordan. The Lakers star even mentioned Penny Hardaway and Grant Hill as his ideals. Michael Jordan on being impressed by LeBron James' athletic prowess During an interview with ESPN back in 2020, Michael Jordan opened up on LeBron James. He not only praised the Lakers star but also labeled him one of the best players in the world. "I just think that we are playing in different eras, he is an unbelievable player. He is one of the best players in the world, if not the best player in the world.' Michael Jordan addresses LeBron James comparisons during Paris press conference | NBA on ESPN He further mentioned 'I know its your natural tendency to compare eras to eras and its gonna continue to happen. I am a fan of his, I love watching him play, but as you know our league is starting to expand on very talented players and he has already made his mark and will continue to do so over the period of time but when you start the comparisons, I think it is what it is.' With sheer hard work and dedication, NBA legend Michael Jordan has left an indelible mark on basketball such that even decades after his exit, it is next to impossible to have a conversation about the NBA without referring to him. Also Read: '3 months and counting'- Michael Jordan's son Marcus Jordan marks 91 days of sobriety following DWI arrest Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
