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USA Today
10 minutes ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Why did James Harden stop talking to Joel Embiid?
Once upon a time, for a short while, Joel Embiid and James Harden made sweet basketball music together. As the dynamic duo of the Philadelphia 76ers, the superstar center and the floor general point guard had impeccable chemistry. But at the start of the 2023-2024 NBA season, the 76ers broke them up when they traded Harden away to the L.A. Clippers. Unfortunately, according to Embiid, it sounds like Harden might have blamed the big man for Philadelphia giving up on him. In a new profile from ESPN's Dotun Akintoye, while also dispelling his "playoff dropper" narrative, Embiid made the heartbreaking claim that Harden has apparently cut him off. It's not clear exactly when they stopped talking, but it's probably safe to assume that it happened around exactly when Harden was dealt in early November 2023. All of this is, of course, Embiid's assumption and timeline. Given how close Embiid and Harden appeared to be during their time in Philadelphia, this reality unsurprisingly stings the former MVP center: "No one knows this, but even James [Harden] is not talking to me," Embiid tells me. "That's the part I don't like about being 'that guy,' because it puts you in the middle of those situations. Because if you ask James, he probably believes I had something to do with him not being here. And I'm just like, 'I won the scoring title. You won the assists title. We had a pick-and-roll that was unstoppable.'" "It hurts when you feel like you haven't done anything wrong," he continues. "When you think you have a relationship like that with somebody ... you lose a lot." Man, that's so tough to hear. Sure, Harden went across the country to another team in another conference after he started to get settled in Philadelphia. And yes, we might not have Harden's side of the story. But if Embiid's account is true, it seems pretty unfair for Harden to blame all of that happening on someone he used to be so close with. Usually, you give people close to you more grace than that. Alas, sometimes that's life. You don't get to choose who walks in or out.
Pink Villa
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Brittany and Patrick Mahomes' relationship timeline: A romance built on teamwork
A love story that began in the hallways of a Texas high school now anchors one of the NFL's most celebrated duos. Through pro careers, cross-country moves, and three children, Patrick Mahomes and Brittany Matthews have built their relationship on shared adventures and genuine friendship. They met as teenagers in Whitehouse, Texas, and stuck together through college moves, puppy parenthood, and Patrick's meteoric rise in the NFL. Along the way, Brittany cheered at his MVP awards, babies arrived, and they even co-own a professional soccer team. Here's a deeper look at their timeline. From high school hallways to sideline cheers Brittany was a junior when Patrick, then a sophomore, first caught her eye at Whitehouse High. As reported by Page Six, they navigated their teenage jitters, and got to prom dates in 2013 and 2014. They later became long-distance when Brittany headed to the University of Texas at Tyler and Patrick to Texas Tech University. They stayed close despite the separation of hundreds of miles; she attended his pep rallies whenever she could, and the adoption of Steel the puppy in 2016 kept them connected. Engagement, marriage, and growing their team In February 2020, after winning Super Bowl LIV, Patrick proposed in a VIP suite at Arrowhead Stadium with a 10-carat emerald-cut ring, per the publication. They wed on March 12, 2022, in Maui, with Brittany in Versace, Patrick in a grey suit. Their daughter, Sterling, had arrived in February 2021 and witnessed the event. Patrick's brother Jason Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Kayla Nicole were in the wedding party as well. The couple's son, Bronze, followed in November 2022, and daughter Golden Raye joined them in January 2025. Their dog Steel later got a friend too, a cane corso they named Silver. Bonding beyond the ball The Mahomes couple became co-owners of the NWSL's Kansas City Current in 2023. The three-time Super Bowl champion lauded his wife and children's support when accepting the 2022-23 NFL MVP award, saying, 'This life means nothing without y'all,' according to the outlet. Through every promotion, playoff run and public accolade, Patrick and Brittany Mahomes have shown that teamwork truly does makes the dream work.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Trey Smith signs 4-year, $94M extension as Chiefs focus on protecting Patrick Mahomes
Trey Smith seals $94M deal with heartfelt call and Mahomes' support (Image via: Getty Images) The Kansas City Chiefs didn't hesitate this offseason, zeroing in on their most urgent need—protecting Patrick Mahomes . After allowing a career-high 36 sacks in 2024, the front office made it clear: shoring up the offensive line wasn't optional. And locking down right guard Trey Smith was at the top of that priority list. Trey Smith extension: Chiefs' smartest move of the offseason Kansas City's offensive line issues were exposed on the biggest stage—Super Bowl LIX. Mahomes was sacked six times, and the front office took the message loud and clear. With Smith entering his prime at just 26, the Chiefs placed the franchise tag on him for $23.4 million, but everyone knew a long-term deal was the goal. Letting him walk in 2026 or tagging him again for $28.08 million wasn't sustainable. The Chiefs finally secured their anchor in the trenches, handing Smith a four-year, $94 million extension with $70 million guaranteed—making him the highest-paid interior lineman in NFL history. Smith, a sixth-round steal in 2021, has started 80 of 81 career games, including deep playoff runs and two Super Bowl wins. His durability, leadership, and elite pass protection are now locked in through 2029. Why Trey Smith's extension is about more than just money Per Pro Football Focus, among linemen with 2,500+ pass-blocking snaps since 2020, Smith is one of just five to allow fewer than 10 sacks. He was also among the top four right guards in total snaps last season, proving both effectiveness and availability—two traits that make him invaluable. Kansas City's retooled O-line now boasts Smith and fellow All-Pro Creed Humphrey up the middle, Jawaan Taylor at right tackle, and potential breakout names like Jaylon Moore and Kingsley Suamataia on the left. With Mahomes under center, protecting the pocket is non-negotiable. Smith's presence ensures just that. Behind $94M deal: Smith's heartfelt call and Mahomes' endorsement show what the deal truly means The emotional weight of the deal wasn't lost on Smith, who credited his parents for their sacrifices during a heartfelt phone call after signing. His father's words reflected the journey—one of faith, dedication, and unshakable work ethic. Also Read: Antonio Brown trolls Joy Taylor in offensive post after her Fox Sports firing Minutes after the deal was announced, Mahomes voiced his approval on social media, reinforcing what everyone already knew—Trey Smith is worth every penny. For the Chiefs, this was more than a contract. It was a declaration: the MVP's protection remains priority No. 1. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
USA Today
3 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Sixers star Joel Embiid addresses narratives, talks James Harden
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is currently working his way back from a second knee surgery in 14 months. The big fella, and superstar player, was clearly not himself in 2024-25 as he played only 19 games and averaged 23.8 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting only 44.4% from the floor and 29.9% from deep. In order for the Sixers to have any type of chance at winning a championship, Embiid has to be great. He knows that. He has tried and has worked his tail off to be in the best position possible, but injuries have completely derailed everything. One really has to feel for him as he continues to work his way back to his 2023 MVP form. A guy like him doesn't deserve what he has gone through. He has worked so hard to be in the best position, but his body continues to betray him. Embiid sees everything. In a candid interview with ESPN's Dotun Akintoye, the big fella addresses some narratives about his career among other important topics. Sixers Wire will highlight only some: Embiid to ESPN about the narrative that he makes excuses "It's not making excuses. When you're hurt every year and everybody knows it, it's the truth," he says. "Now, do you believe, if he was 100 percent does he have what it takes to have a chance at winning? I think a lot of people believe that because I've shown it in the regular season when I was healthy." "What if I did this and I was like, 'You know what? I'm just going to chill all season and coast and average 25? Or 20.' And in the playoffs, I go average 30. Would that make me look great? Probably. If I went from averaging 23 to 30 -- A playoff riser. Oh, my God. Joel Jordan. Whatever. "The Brooklyn series two years ago is a perfect example. Double me everywhere. Half court, as soon as I had the ball, that coach was like, 'Go get it.' And guess what? I was fine with it because we kicked the ball out, we made shots, and we won. But guess what it did? It lowered the stats. "So, if that's the narrative that's out there, I'm OK with that because I know what I'm going through and I know what's going on. And no one is in my body to understand what I'm going through." Embiid on the narrative that he only cares about individual awards "If you are in a position to win an MVP, I don't care who you are, you're going after it because I never believed I would be in this position, first of all. Second of all, when I got in the league I thought, 'Yeah, maybe I'll have a chance to be a great defensive player.' I never thought I was going to be this good offensively." Embiid on the narrative that he lacks the extra intangible to win "No one is a winner until they've done it. I'm fine with that narrative because I haven't done it. Charles Barkley, great player, right? But he never won. [Allen Iverson] never won. … But that doesn't mean they weren't great. They were amazing. "Everybody leads in his own way. I lead on the court," Embiid continues. "Over the years, you also grow, and you learn a lot. If you ask my teammates now, they'll tell you a way different story than my teammates a couple years ago, because years ago, I was nowhere to be found." The James Harden situation Embiid and Harden formed one of the deadliest pick-and-rolls in the NBA. The big fella led the league in scoring in the 2022-23 season on his way to winning MVP while Harden led the league in assists. The two of them were fantastic. When Harden made his first return to Philadelphia as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers, he stated that he and Embiid don't have a relationship anymore. That was in March of 2024. Embiid told ESPN about his relationship with Harden: "No one knows this, but even James [Harden] is not talking to me," Embiid tells me. "That's the part I don't like about being 'that guy,' because it puts you in the middle of those situations. Because if you ask James, he probably believes I had something to do with him not being here. And I'm just like, 'I won the scoring title. You won the assists title. We had a pick-and-roll that was unstoppable.'" The Sixers will go as far as Embiid takes them. It remains to be seen if he will be ready to go when training camp begins in September, but the big fella is certainly going to give it his best shot.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
2 Sacramento Kings Legends Land on All-Time NBA Greats List
2 Sacramento Kings Legends Land on All-Time NBA Greats List originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Sacramento Kings have had many legendary players over the course of their franchise's history. Of course, the Kings have only one championship to their name, which came in 1951 when they were still the Rochester Royals. Despite the Kings' struggles over their franchise's history, they have produced a quite a few franchise legends and two of them made it onto Bleacher Report's list of the top 100 players in NBA history. The two players who made bleacher Report's list are Chris Weber, who was the 90th ranked player, and Oscar Robertson, who was ranked No. 14. For Webber, he dominated the first five seasons of his career with both the Golden State Warriors and Washington Bullets, now the Washington Wizards, but he turned into a superstar after being traded to Sacramento in 1998. In Sacramento, Webber blossomed into a star as he made four All-Star teams and was also a five-time All-NBA selection. Despite his success, the Kings were never able to make it over the hump and into the NBA Finals, mainly due to the dominance of the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs. While Webber found success in Sacramento, Robertson is known as arguably the greatest Kings player in the history of their franchise, though his career was spent went they were still known as the Cincinnati Royals. Robertson got off to a fast start in his career, winning Rookie of the Year and finishing fifth in the MVP race his rookie season. He then went on to win one MVP award during his career with the Kings and was also a 10-time All-Star and 10-time All-NBA selection and he also became the first player in league history to averaged a triple-double throughout the entirety of a season in 1961-62. Of course, Robertson left the Kings for the Milwaukee Bucks to join Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1970 where he won the only championship of his career. While these are the only two players the Kings had representing them on Bleacher Report's list, they hope that some of their current stars can eventually make it in the future. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
