NBA
Lebron James Bags Injury Ahead Game 3
Lebron James Bags Injury Ahead Game 3
Once upon a time, LeBron James was the playoff Swiss army knife, putting cold water on your best player while controlling it on the other end.
We saw it against Derrick Rose well over a decade ago, and now Rose’s polar opposite was standing in front of James for long stretches, sapping whatever energy James had left as he tried to engineer an upset.
James nor the rest of the Lakers could shut off the charging Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals, with Jamal Murray taking center stage in the fourth quarter on the way to a 108-103 win at Ball Arena.
James’ shooting has abandoned him in this series, illustrating the fact he is, indeed, 38 years old and no longer operating with an endless reservoir of energy. Murray was unbothered by whatever defense the Lakers threw at him in the fourth, rebounding from a sluggish start to score 23 of his game-high 37 points.
Bubble Murray? Let’s call him May Murray now.
Conversely, James struggled.
He missed all six of his 3-point attempts, and while he admirably competed against Nikola Jokić, neither he nor Anthony Davis seemed to have enough left in the tank to fend off the Nuggets in the fourth.
He missed one of those forever young breakaway dunks in the first half, much to the delight of the Ball Arena crowd. And multiple times when the Lakers seemingly had the Nuggets on the ropes, leading by 11 early in the third quarter, they couldn’t quite put them away.
Lebron James Bags Injury Ahead Game 3
James called the rare mishap, “horrible.”
“That sucks that that ball squirted out of my hand like that, whatever the case may be, maybe hit my knee or whatever, but an unforced turnover by myself,” James said. “Those are momentum plays.”
And now it’s the Lakers on the ropes, losing two games in a row for the first time in over two months and unable to steal a road game unlike against their first two playoff opponents.
“They’re like us, they’re undefeated at home. We knew it was going to be a challenge,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “A hard, hard one at that. And we said it before we even played one game, we got to buckle in and buckle up, buckle down and buckle up because we planned for this to be a long series.”
Late in the fourth, James stepped on Davis’ foot, perhaps tweaking the injured foot that caused him to miss weeks during the regular season. Although he assured all he would play Saturday in Game 3, it reveals the fragility of this very optimistic plan for the Lakers.
Stars gotta be stars, and the Nuggets’ headliners stepped up yet again while the Lakers’ mainstays couldn’t keep pace. This Laker’s thing only works if the stars are stars — and at a generational level, too. Having Rui Hachimura put together a sterling performance (made his first eight attempts) is amplified if James and Davis play up to their standards when he was delaying the inevitable Thursday.
The Lakers duo each played 40 minutes again, and with games coming every other day, including the travel between the two cities, you wonder if fatigue will play a factor — if it hasn’t already.
Davis hasn’t missed a game in two months — March 15 was his last game of inactivity — his longest stretch of playing consecutive games outside of the 2020 Orlando bubble where everyone had four months off before resuming play.
“I mean, if you’re not tired in the postseason — I mean, everybody’s tired,” James said.
Davis had his first playoff stinker in quite a while, perhaps somewhat predictable after his 40-point outburst in Game 1.
He scored 18 with 14 rebounds and 4 blocked shots but didn’t have nearly the effect on the game one has come to expect — although the Nuggets were hitting seemingly everything in the fourth, going on a streak of five straight 3-pointers that turned a 2-point Laker lead into a 12-point Nuggets lead in a span of four minutes.
Jokić had the luxury of being decoy-like during that time, with Murray, Bruce Brown, and Michael Porter Jr. taking turns hitting adrenaline-fueled jumpers that had Brown chirping at the Lakers bench and Murray turning to ESPN announcer Mike Breen to mimic his famed “Bang!” call after his last triple at the 4:57 mark.
Jokić, the two-time MVP, compiled yet another triple-double with 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists while still ceding space to Murray, who continues to torch the Laker guards. Porter Jr. made four triples to score 16, and while he hasn’t exploded in this series, the Lakers have to beware he will in the next two games.
The Lakers aren’t bereft of confidence or options here. Austin Reaves again has teams ready to back up the Brinks truck in July with yet another strong showing, and in theory, D’Angelo Russell and Dennis Schröder are due for bounce-back performances, particularly getting back home for two games.
READ MORE: Jordan Poole Leaves Warriors
But the Jokić question is something the Lakers haven’t yet proven equipped to handle. Ham was a member of the 2004 Detroit Pistons team that upset the Lakers in the NBA Finals, with their strategy on the late-prime Shaquille O’Neal being to let him get his own and shut down everyone else.
“Yeah, we’ve got AD, but if you can call up Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace, Elden Campbell, tell them I’ve got a one-day or a series-long contract for them,” Ham said before the game. “That team, we had guys — no one could stop Shaq one-on-one, but we had some formidable bodies that we could run at him.”
Even those generational defenders would shake their heads at Jokić’s mastery.
Put Davis on him, and while Davis can win his share of matchups, it limits his ability as a team defender.
Put James on him for long stretches, and you take the chance of James not having enough left in the tank to close. James missed a go-for-it-all 3-pointer in the final minute of Game 1 and resorted to taking far too many in Game 2.
For the playoffs, James is 1-for-20 on 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, and for the playoffs, he’s shooting 23.3% from there.
THERE IS COMMENT BOX AFTER THE ADS, SHARE YOUR THOUGHT WITH US
Stephen A. Smith has established himself as the most influential sports media personalities in the history of American television. As an analyst and executive producer for ESPN’s ‘First Take,’ Smith has dominated his battle against Fox Sports as his show has been number one in ratings from 2016 to 2023.
Recently Smith had the NBA community in a frenzy after he came to the defense of Lakers’ superstar LeBron James after the future hall of famer received backlash for the potential nepotism that took place regarding his son, Bronny James, being drafted to the storied franchise.
“When we think about the NBA and what it has become in the $76 billion, 11-year deal they recently signed with various television networks and streaming operations, I got news for you: Is that possible if it were not for LeBron James?” Smith asked on an episode of his Youtube show.
“You have any idea what LeBron James has done for the game of basketball?… And for him to have his son on the team with him, I got no issues with it whatsoever… LeBron James has earned that.”
Smith sharing this sentiment with his viewers shows that he acknowledges the impact that James has had on the NBA over the last 22 seasons. It’s clear that the celebrity sports personality knows that Bronny is still a rookie and has things left to prove.
However, Smith feels there should be a level of patience that the basketball community should give him.
“He’s done a lot. He deserves this. Bronny is Bronny, but it ain’t about Bronny, it’s about Bron, as in Lebron… Stand back, fall back, chill the hell out, and let the man do his thing with his son, and let’s see what and how Bronny develops in the years to come.”
LeBron James has defied father time as he enters year 22 of his illustrious career and even now he continues to make history. This upcoming season will be the first time in professional basketball history that an active father and son duo will share the court together on the same team.
The backlash the James’ family has received for making history together stems from haters who have a disdain for LeBron, not his son, and it will be something that they will continue to overcome.
THERE IS COMMENT BOX AFTER THE ADS, SHARE YOUR THOUGHT WITH US
LeBron James’ wife Savannah divides opinion as her latest report exposed
In the realm of NBA royalty, LeBron James and his wife, Savannah James, have carved a niche for themselves, with their enduring relationship often under the spotlight. A recent TikTok video, however, has ignited discussions about Savannah’s preferences when it comes to taking fan photos, particularly the apparent divide between male and female admirers.
The King’s Queen: Savannah’s Photo Strategy Unveiled
LeBron James, often hailed as the ‘King’ on the basketball court, is no stranger to the adoration of fans. Yet, it’s his Queen, Savannah James, who recently took center stage in a TikTok video capturing her interaction with fans. The footage suggests a notable trend – a willingness to pose for photos with female fans while seemingly avoiding snapshots with their male counterparts.
Social Media’s Take on Savannah’s Actions
The TikTok video spurred a wave of reactions across social media platforms, with users expressing diverse opinions on Savannah’s approach. The majority lauded her for maintaining a poised and respectful demeanor, commending her loyalty to LeBron James, her high school sweetheart. The top response on TikTok emphasized the need for respect in the face of potential misconceptions, garnering over 8,000 likes.
LeBron James’ wife Savannah divides opinion as her latest report exposed
Defending the Kingdom: Fan Reactions
Supportive comments flooded the video, praising Savannah for upholding a certain standard in public interactions. One fan noted, “That’s how you keep yall kingdom together salute,” underscoring the importance of unity in the face of external scrutiny. However, not all reactions were positive, with some fans expressing frustration, labeling James as “rude” or suggesting she was “overcompensating.” The authenticity of the video itself was also questioned, with speculation about the specific circumstances of the filmed encounters.
Unraveling the Debate: A Closer Look
While debates raged on, some users pointed out that the manner in which male fans approached Savannah could have influenced her response. Suggestions surfaced that a different approach might have yielded varied results, adding a layer of complexity to the discussion. Whether or not the video accurately portrayed Savannah’s overall photo preferences remains uncertain, but its impact on public discourse highlights a recurring theme in LeBron James’ career – the maintenance of a scandal-free personal life, with his relationship with Savannah playing a pivotal role.
READ: Ayesha Curry posts tender photo of her son Canon
LeBron James’ Legacy: A Career Steered Clear of Scandals
Throughout his illustrious NBA career, LeBron James has skillfully navigated the challenges of fame, avoiding personal scandals that often befall high-profile athletes. The enduring bond with Savannah James has undoubtedly contributed to this narrative, with their relationship serving as a beacon of stability amid the often tumultuous world of professional sports.
Beyond the Lens
In the ever-watchful eyes of fans and critics alike, the dynamics of celebrity relationships, even in seemingly mundane scenarios like fan photos, become subjects of scrutiny. Savannah James’ approach, as captured in the TikTok video, has sparked conversations about respect, loyalty, and the intricacies of navigating public life as an NBA power couple. As the debate unfolds, one thing remains clear – in the world of the King and his Queen, every snapshot tells a story, whether through the lens of a camera or the lens of public perception.
Ayesha Curry posts tender photo of her son Canon. Setting the Mood for 2024: Ayesha Curry Shares a Heartwarming Photo of Son Canon
On the dawn of the New Year, Ayesha Curry, the wife of NBA sensation Steph Curry, took to social media to share a heartwarming snapshot of their youngest son, Canon, enjoying a day on the golf course. The photo radiates joy as the five-year-old sports enthusiast mirrors his father’s passion, flashing a contagious smile that undoubtedly sets a positive tone for the Curry family.
“Great first day of 2024! This is my mood,” Ayesha expressed alongside the delightful image.
The Warriors’ Uphill Battle in the 2023/24 Season
While Ayesha Curry celebrates family moments, her husband, Steph Curry, faces on-court challenges with the Golden State Warriors during the 2023/24 NBA season. Despite Curry’s remarkable individual performance, contributing significantly in points, rebounds, assists, and three-pointers, the Warriors find themselves grappling with a series of setbacks.
Ayesha Curry posts tender photo of her son Canon
As of now, the team holds a record of 15-17, securing the 11th position in the NBA Western Conference standings. The Warriors concluded the past year with a disheartening three-game losing streak, including a recent defeat against the Dallas Mavericks.
“It’s frustrating, for sure,” expressed Curry, reflecting on the team’s struggles.
Chris Paul’s Arrival and the Quest for Consistency
In an effort to fortify the team, the Warriors acquired veteran point guard Chris Paul in the off-season. However, despite this addition, the team continues to face challenges. Curry underscores the urgency of establishing a consistent starting lineup, recognizing it as a pivotal factor in overcoming their current hurdles.
“32 games in and any team that is a seriously competitive contender, a good team can answer that question [on who is the team’s best starting five]. We have to get to that point, for sure, before it’s too late,” emphasized Curry.
READ: Twitch and Kick fight for LeBron James as NBA star reveals the…
Looking Ahead: The Need for Swift Lineup Decisions
In the quest for redemption, Stephen Curry advocates for swift and decisive measures in determining the team’s starting lineup. The seasoned player recognizes the importance of this aspect for a team aspiring to be a serious contender in the NBA. As the Warriors navigate through the challenges of the season, establishing a reliable starting five emerges as a key focus for the team’s leadership.
In Conclusion
As Ayesha Curry shares a glimpse into the warmth of family life on New Year’s Day, the Golden State Warriors find themselves at a critical juncture in the current NBA season. While Steph Curry continues to shine individually, the team’s struggle highlights the complex dynamics of professional basketball. With the spotlight on consistency in the starting lineup, the Warriors aim to turn the tide and regain their competitive edge in the league. The journey ahead remains uncertain, but the Warriors, led by Curry’s unwavering determination, are poised to face the challenges head-on, seeking victory and redemption in the games to come.
Discover more about the Golden State Warriors and Steph Curry’s journey here.
THERE IS COMMENT BOX AFTER THE ADS, SHARE YOUR THOUGHT WITH US
