Latest news with #NBA-approved
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Is Luka Doncic a lazy, beer-drinking hookah smoker? Laker is performing on the court after trade
Lakers fans see supremely talented newcomer Luka Doncic making breathtaking no-look passes. They see him swishing shots from astonishing distance. They see him rebounding with the frequency and ferocity of a 7-foot center. They see him meshing with LeBron James as if they'd played together for years. They conjure visions of an NBA championship — this season. What fans hear, however, is that Doncic's previous employer — the Dallas Mavericks — considered him fat. And lazy. A fat, lazy beer drinker. A fat, lazy, beer-drinking hookah smoker. What's next, Doncic was a fat, lazy, beer-drinking, hookah smoker feasting on a 77-ounce New York strip steak with a side of the Slovenian specialty of sliced potatoes layered with cheese and heavy cream? Read more: Plaschke: It's stunning but true. Luka Doncic and LeBron James can lead the Lakers to an NBA title (OK, he did inspire a 77-ounce New York strip steak called "The Luka" at Nick and Sam's Steakhouse in Dallas. And Doncic has professed his love of his grandmother's potato moussaka.) There also was the odd episode last season of Mavericks executive Michael Finley taking a beer from Doncic's hand after the guard had just led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals by scoring 36 points. Was Finley worried Doncic might be hungover when the Mavericks opened the finals against the Boston Celtics seven days later? Doncic seemed stunned when Finley grabbed the can, refraining from parroting the description of the only official NBA-approved beer that Billy Bob Thornton's Tommy Norris character told a bartender in "Landman." "It's Michelob Ultra. There's more alcohol in orange juice," Norris said. The bartender reminds him that drinking is drinking, and Norris replies, "I'll tell you what, bud. You watch me drink six of these sons of b—es and I'll come back in here tomorrow and drink six whiskeys and you tell me if you notice the f—ing difference." Instead, Doncic, who turns 26 on Friday, hasn't said anything publicly about the whispers out of Dallas, some of which forecast an apocalyptic expiry. Reputable NBA writer Sam Amick of the Athletic wrote that "people who witnessed Doncic's last days in Dallas ... predict his basketball demise, highlighting a health history that, as some see it, will likely lead to catastrophe in the next five years or so." Read more: Is Luka Doncic 230 or 260 pounds? Magic Johnson says new Laker must take 'conditioning seriously' Amick also mentioned the beer and hookah hoo-ha, which triggered a flood of headlines. A hookah, of course, is a water pipe for smoking tobacco that in addition to addictive nicotine can include exposure to tar, carbon monoxide, heavy metals and carcinogens. None of that sat well with Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, a no-nonsense former Nike executive who makes no secret of his focus on nutrition and healthy living. Doncic's off-court behavior was off-putting to Harrison, who became increasingly uncomfortable with the prospect of paying the superstar a five-year, $345-million max contract this summer. Uncomfortable enough to convince new Mavericks owners Patrick Dumont and Miriam Adelson that the prudent move was to trade him. Doncic expressed shock at the trade and might well be thinking hard about lightening up rather than lighting up. The dangers of tobacco and excessive drinking are well established and not conducive to a lengthy, Hall of Fame NBA career. Undoubtedly, folks will be looking for signs. Moments after a win in 2022, an interviewer informed Doncic that he'd become the first player to record a 60-point, 20-rebound triple-double. Doncic laughed and said, "I need a recovery beer." Read more: In return to L.A., Anthony Davis recounts 'all the emotions' since his shocking trade That admission prompted at least one reporter to chronicle what he consumed when he retired to the locker room, a "60 burger with some water, a protein shake, a beer." Was the news the beer or associating his 60-point performance with his burger? Lakers fans likely would take the points and allow him a beer. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Is Luka Doncic a lazy, beer-drinking hookah smoker? Laker is performing on the court after trade
Lakers fans see supremely talented newcomer Luka Doncic making breathtaking no-look passes. They see him swishing shots from astonishing distance. They see him rebounding with the frequency and ferocity of a 7-foot center. They see him meshing with LeBron James as if they'd played together for years. They conjure visions of an NBA championship — this season. What fans hear, however, is that Doncic's previous employer — the Dallas Mavericks — considered him fat. And lazy. A fat, lazy beer drinker. A fat, lazy, beer-drinking hookah smoker. What's next, Doncic was a fat, lazy, beer-drinking, hookah smoker feasting on a 77-ounce New York strip steak with a side of the Slovenian specialty of sliced potatoes layered with cheese and heavy cream? (OK, he did inspire a 77-ounce New York strip steak called 'The Luka' at Nick and Sam's Steakhouse in Dallas. And Doncic has professed his love of his grandmother's potato moussaka.) There also was the odd episode last season of Mavericks executive Michael Finley taking a beer from Doncic's hand after the guard had just led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals by scoring 36 points. Was Finley worried Doncic might be hungover when the Mavericks opened the finals against the Boston Celtics seven days later? Doncic seemed stunned when Finley grabbed the can, refraining from parroting the description of the only official NBA-approved beer that Billy Bob Thornton's Tommy Norris character told a bartender in 'Landman.' 'It's Michelob Ultra. There's more alcohol in orange juice,' Norris said. The bartender reminds him that drinking is drinking, and Norris replies, 'I'll tell you what, bud. You watch me drink six of these sons of b— and I'll come back in here tomorrow and drink six whiskeys and you tell me if you notice the f— difference.' Instead, Doncic, who turns 26 on Friday, hasn't said anything publicly about the whispers out of Dallas, some of which forecasts an apocalyptic expiry. Reputable NBA writer Sam Amick of the Athletic wrote that 'people who witnessed Doncic's last days in Dallas ... predict his basketball demise, highlighting a health history that, as some see it, will likely lead to catastrophe in the next five years or so.' Amick also mentioned the beer and hookah hoo-ha, which triggered a flood of headlines. A hookah, of course, is a water pipe for smoking tobacco that in addition to addictive nicotine can include exposure to tar, carbon monoxide, heavy metals and carcinogens. None of that sat well with Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, a no-nonsense former Nike executive who makes no secret of his focus on nutrition and healthy living. Doncic's off-court behavior was off-putting to Harrison, who became increasingly uncomfortable with the prospect of paying the superstar a five-year, $345-million max contract this summer. Uncomfortable enough to convince new Mavericks owners Patrick Dumont and Miriam Adelson that the prudent move was to trade him. Doncic expressed shock at the trade and might well be thinking hard about lightening up rather than lighting up. The dangers of tobacco and excessive drinking are well-established and not conducive to a lengthy, Hall of Fame NBA career. Undoubtedly, folks will be looking for signs. Moments after a win in 2022, an interviewer informed Doncic that he'd become the first player to record a 60-point, 20-rebound triple-double. Doncic laughed and said, 'I need a recovery beer.' That admission prompted at least one reporter to chronicle what he consumed when he retired to the locker room, 'a 60-burger with some water, a protein shake, a beer.' Was the news the beer or associating his 60-point performance with his burger? Lakers fans likely would take the points and allow him a beer.
Express Tribune
21-02-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Bucks' Bobby Portis Jr banned 25 games for failed NBA drug test
Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr has been suspended for 25 games without pay after testing positive for Tramadol, a banned substance under the NBA's anti-drug policy. The NBA confirmed the 30-year-old's suspension began when the Bucks hosted the LA Clippers on Thursday, winning the game 116-110. Portis Jr will be ineligible to play until 8 April, when Milwaukee faces the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 79th game of its regular season. 'I was dealing with an elbow injury and using an NBA-approved medication for pain and inflammation,' Portis Jr said in a statement. 'During that time, I made an honest mistake and took a pain-reducing anti-inflammatory pill that is not approved. I feel horrible and recognise that I'm responsible for what I put in my body. 'From the bottom of my heart, I want to apologise to the Bucks organisation, my teammates, coaches, family, and fans.' Portis Jr, a key contributor to Milwaukee's 2021 championship team, has averaged 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in 46 appearances this season. 'This is a very difficult set of circumstances for Bobby and our team,' Bucks general manager Jon Horst said. 'He and the Bucks respect the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program and will accept what's been handed down. But we 100% support Bobby.' Tramadol was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of prohibited substances in 2024 following research indicating its potential to enhance sports performance. The Bucks currently sit fifth in the Eastern Conference standings.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What is Tramadol? What to know about the drug after Bobby Portis Jr.'s 25-game suspension
USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change. Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. was suspended by the NBA for 25 games on Thursday for violating its anti-drug policy. The NBA said Portis tested positive for Tramadol, a pain medication that is banned by the league and is also on the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of banned drugs. Mark Bartelstein, Portis' agent, issued a statement saying his client "unintentionally" took Tramadol, mistakenly thinking it was Toradol, a pain medication approved by the NBA and its players union. The statement said Portis supports the league's anti-drug policy, adding he is "absolutely not a drug abuser." 'I was dealing with an elbow injury and using an NBA-approved medication for pain and inflammation,' Portis said in a statement. 'During that time, I made an honest mistake and took a pain-reducing anti-inflammatory pill that is not approved. I feel horrible and recognize that I'm responsible for what I put in my body.' Here's what to know about Tramadol following Portis' suspension. According to the Food and Drug Administration, Tramadol is a type of opioid that is used to treat 'moderate to moderately severe pain in adults.' The FDA says the drug can be found under the brand names Ultram, Ultram ER, Conzip, and also as generics. It can also be used in combination with acetaminophen, commonly used in Tylenol, under the brand name Ultracet. Tramadol has been classified as a class IV controlled substance by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which means it has a low potential for abuse or dependence. Other similar class IV medications include Ambien, Xanax and Valium. According to the Mayo Clinic, Toradol is the brand name for Ketorolac, which is also used to relieve moderately severe pain. The drug is classified as a 'nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug' or NSAID. Contributing: Scooby Axson Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at and follow him on X @fern_cerv_. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is Tramadol? What to know after Bobby Portis Jr's suspension
Reuters
20-02-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Bucks' Bobby Portis Jr. suspended 25 games for positive drug test
February 20 - Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. was suspended 25 games without pay by the NBA on Thursday for violating the league's anti-drug policy. The NBA said Portis tested positive for the drug Tramadol, a medication used to treat severe pain among adults. "I was dealing with an elbow injury and using an NBA-approved medication for pain and inflammation," Portis said. "During that time, I made an honest mistake and took a pain-reducing anti-inflammatory pill that is not approved. I feel horrible and recognize that I'm responsible for what I put in my body. "From the bottom of my heart, I want to apologize to the Bucks organization, my teammates, coaches, family, and fans. I give everything I have on the court and will terribly miss playing games for the Bucks during this time. I will continue to work hard and be ready for our long playoff run. Thank you for your support. I appreciate it more than you know." Portis' agent, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports, told ESPN that his client confused Tramadol with an approved pain medication called Toradol. "This was, again, an honest mistake that was made because of the similarity in the names of the drugs and the fact they both serve a very similar purpose," Bartelstein said. .".. Bobby Portis is absolutely not a drug abuser. Bobby works tirelessly on increasing his performance in all natural, legal, healthy ways, but he made a mistake and took a pill that unknowingly he should not have." Portis' ban begins with the Bucks' game against the visiting Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night. "This is a very difficult set of circumstances for Bobby and our team," Bucks general manager Jon Horst said. "He and the Bucks organization respect the NBA/NBAPA Anti-Drug Program and will accept what's been handed down. But we 100 percent support Bobby. Together we will take this opportunity to grow and will have a better and stronger Bobby and Milwaukee Bucks team. He's an integral part of who we are, a huge member of the Milwaukee community, and we look forward to his return." Portis, 30, is averaging 13.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 46 games (seven starts) this season. An NBA champion with Milwaukee in 2021, Portis has averaged 11.9 points and 7.2 rebounds in 651 career games (153 starts) with the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, New York Knicks and Bucks. Entering play Thursday, the Bucks are 29-24 and in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. With 29 games left on the schedule, the Bucks could have Portis for just four games before the regular season ends April 13. According to Spotrac, the suspension will cost Portis nearly $2.9 million in pay.
