New Album & The Beginning of Basketball Season
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I thought this was a meaningful read. Not that it makes me like LeBron but many of the facts I tend to agree with..
LeBron James has approached this Los Angeles Lakers season differently
Brian WindhorstESPN Senior Writer
HE WILL LIKELY have his number retired in Miami, deserves a statue in Cleveland and has left an indelible mark on Team USA. But now, 17 years in and past his 35th birthday, the word "Lakers" across LeBron James' chest seems to have inspired a transformation.
James has embraced playing a position, point guard, he'd previously shunned. He has reversed an in-season strategy of a slow, and sometimes sluggish, buildup to the postseason -- a technique developed during an eight-year run of Finals appearances -- to one complete with postseason-level defensive effort well before Christmas. And he's done it with public and full support of his team, abandoning past approaches of occasionally bullying his way to roster moves.
James, the Laker, has become bonded to his team's front office and ownership like never before in his career.
Simply, this is not the James we've come to know.
THE BUSS FAMILY has a long history of deep connections with star players. Perhaps no owner and star were closer than Magic Johnson and Dr. Jerry Buss. The family's relationship with Kobe Bryant, even with its rough patches, was a 20-year success story.
And the same talent has been passed down to current controlling owner Jeanie Buss. Those close to James describe his relationship with Jeanie and her lead executive, Linda Rambis, as the most connected he has been with ownership in his career. Though he has been with the team for less than two years, unexpected turbulence has brought them together -- a diametric shift from situations in James' past.
Monday through Friday, host Mina Kimes brings you an inside look at the most interesting stories at ESPN, as told by the top reporters and insiders on the planet. Listen
In October, when the Lakers found themselves in the midst of a geopolitical quagmire between the NBA and China, franchise leadership and James leaned on each other. He served not only as a guiding voice with his teammates as they holed up in their hotel but also with Adam Silver when the commissioner arrived. In a crucial meeting with players and Silver, James advocated for players to be protected from having to speak for the league on the sensitive situation while working toward a path to save the preseason games.
Then, in the wake of Bryant's death, James worked alongside Buss and general manager Rob Pelinka to help manage his teammates in the emotional days. While Buss and Pelinka provided support to the Bryant family, James connected with team members, and then Silver directly, as he pushed for the postponement of a game against the LA Clippers because he didn't believe the team was emotionally ready to play.
Some of the roots of this alignment can be traced back to last season, when Magic Johnson's resignation shook the franchise. The Lakers subsequently failed to land their top head coaching choice to replace Luke Walton -- including an inability to close a deal with Tyronn Lue, whom James later said he would have been "ecstatic" to play for again. And that followed Johnson ripping Pelinka on national television just days before the start of a vital free agency period.
Through all of the Lakers' self-inflicted drama, James remained silent -- not even a passive-aggressive grumble on social media -- as he gave the team space to work through the situation. James has sounded off in the past for far less significant organizational setbacks than these. He was frustrated, even angry, about these events, sources said, but his support didn't waver. The message that came from James' camp throughout the ordeal reflected only support for Buss and Pelinka.
James' faith was rewarded when the Lakers executed a trade for Anthony Davis, beginning a turnaround that has led them to the top of the Western Conference standings.
"At the end of the day for Jeanie and Rob and everybody upstairs, I was just supportive of whatever moves that they were making," James said in September, breaking his months-long silence.
The last time he'd seen such offseason drama was in Cleveland in 2017, when general manager David Griffin left and then Kyrie Irving demanded to be traded. James tweeted support of Griffin that season, and he made it clear behind the scenes that he was not on the same page as management and that he didn't want Irving traded.
The same month Griffin left, James declined to commit to the franchise long term, setting the stage for his eventual departure. But James' support for the Lakers two summers later set up the comfort zone he and the team are currently enjoying.
PELINKA HAS A long history of managing stars. He has more than two decades of experience as an agent and represented more than a dozen top-10 draft picks. He long ago learned how to manage relationships with demanding players. In this spirit, Pelinka made the decision to make James, and then Davis, an active part of the roster-building process.
"Both of their input, Anthony's and LeBron's, has been incredibly valuable to me," Pelinka said after the Lakers signed seven new players and re-signed four players this past offseason. "We view our relationships here with our star players as partnerships."
Pelinka, of course, isn't the first executive to operate this way with James, who has been consulted on roster moves as far back as his second season in the league. But for now at least, James has bought into the role -- and bought into Pelinka.
He has given Pelinka two votes of confidence this season: The first came when he voiced support for the GM's promotion and contract extension; and second, heading into the trade deadline, to remove front office pressure by declaring "we have enough right now" to win the title.
The Lakers still attempted to make trades -- for example, sources said, they had discussions with the Detroit Pistons centered on Derrick Rose -- and they were active in the buyout market. But James' open support of the roster signaled a strong deviation from actions past.
In 2017, he blasted the Cavs' roster as "top-heavy as s---" and hoped "that we're not satisfied as an organization," in an effort to force changes before the trade deadline. Note: That was a Cavs team that had won a championship with a front office that had repeatedly proven its aptitude, which included trading for sharpshooter Kyle Korver just three weeks prior.
LeBron James has approached this Los Angeles Lakers season differently
Brian WindhorstESPN Senior Writer
HE WILL LIKELY have his number retired in Miami, deserves a statue in Cleveland and has left an indelible mark on Team USA. But now, 17 years in and past his 35th birthday, the word "Lakers" across LeBron James' chest seems to have inspired a transformation.
James has embraced playing a position, point guard, he'd previously shunned. He has reversed an in-season strategy of a slow, and sometimes sluggish, buildup to the postseason -- a technique developed during an eight-year run of Finals appearances -- to one complete with postseason-level defensive effort well before Christmas. And he's done it with public and full support of his team, abandoning past approaches of occasionally bullying his way to roster moves.
James, the Laker, has become bonded to his team's front office and ownership like never before in his career.
Simply, this is not the James we've come to know.
THE BUSS FAMILY has a long history of deep connections with star players. Perhaps no owner and star were closer than Magic Johnson and Dr. Jerry Buss. The family's relationship with Kobe Bryant, even with its rough patches, was a 20-year success story.
And the same talent has been passed down to current controlling owner Jeanie Buss. Those close to James describe his relationship with Jeanie and her lead executive, Linda Rambis, as the most connected he has been with ownership in his career. Though he has been with the team for less than two years, unexpected turbulence has brought them together -- a diametric shift from situations in James' past.
Monday through Friday, host Mina Kimes brings you an inside look at the most interesting stories at ESPN, as told by the top reporters and insiders on the planet. Listen
In October, when the Lakers found themselves in the midst of a geopolitical quagmire between the NBA and China, franchise leadership and James leaned on each other. He served not only as a guiding voice with his teammates as they holed up in their hotel but also with Adam Silver when the commissioner arrived. In a crucial meeting with players and Silver, James advocated for players to be protected from having to speak for the league on the sensitive situation while working toward a path to save the preseason games.
Then, in the wake of Bryant's death, James worked alongside Buss and general manager Rob Pelinka to help manage his teammates in the emotional days. While Buss and Pelinka provided support to the Bryant family, James connected with team members, and then Silver directly, as he pushed for the postponement of a game against the LA Clippers because he didn't believe the team was emotionally ready to play.
Some of the roots of this alignment can be traced back to last season, when Magic Johnson's resignation shook the franchise. The Lakers subsequently failed to land their top head coaching choice to replace Luke Walton -- including an inability to close a deal with Tyronn Lue, whom James later said he would have been "ecstatic" to play for again. And that followed Johnson ripping Pelinka on national television just days before the start of a vital free agency period.
Through all of the Lakers' self-inflicted drama, James remained silent -- not even a passive-aggressive grumble on social media -- as he gave the team space to work through the situation. James has sounded off in the past for far less significant organizational setbacks than these. He was frustrated, even angry, about these events, sources said, but his support didn't waver. The message that came from James' camp throughout the ordeal reflected only support for Buss and Pelinka.
James' faith was rewarded when the Lakers executed a trade for Anthony Davis, beginning a turnaround that has led them to the top of the Western Conference standings.
"At the end of the day for Jeanie and Rob and everybody upstairs, I was just supportive of whatever moves that they were making," James said in September, breaking his months-long silence.
The last time he'd seen such offseason drama was in Cleveland in 2017, when general manager David Griffin left and then Kyrie Irving demanded to be traded. James tweeted support of Griffin that season, and he made it clear behind the scenes that he was not on the same page as management and that he didn't want Irving traded.
The same month Griffin left, James declined to commit to the franchise long term, setting the stage for his eventual departure. But James' support for the Lakers two summers later set up the comfort zone he and the team are currently enjoying.
PELINKA HAS A long history of managing stars. He has more than two decades of experience as an agent and represented more than a dozen top-10 draft picks. He long ago learned how to manage relationships with demanding players. In this spirit, Pelinka made the decision to make James, and then Davis, an active part of the roster-building process.
"Both of their input, Anthony's and LeBron's, has been incredibly valuable to me," Pelinka said after the Lakers signed seven new players and re-signed four players this past offseason. "We view our relationships here with our star players as partnerships."
Pelinka, of course, isn't the first executive to operate this way with James, who has been consulted on roster moves as far back as his second season in the league. But for now at least, James has bought into the role -- and bought into Pelinka.
He has given Pelinka two votes of confidence this season: The first came when he voiced support for the GM's promotion and contract extension; and second, heading into the trade deadline, to remove front office pressure by declaring "we have enough right now" to win the title.
The Lakers still attempted to make trades -- for example, sources said, they had discussions with the Detroit Pistons centered on Derrick Rose -- and they were active in the buyout market. But James' open support of the roster signaled a strong deviation from actions past.
In 2017, he blasted the Cavs' roster as "top-heavy as s---" and hoped "that we're not satisfied as an organization," in an effort to force changes before the trade deadline. Note: That was a Cavs team that had won a championship with a front office that had repeatedly proven its aptitude, which included trading for sharpshooter Kyle Korver just three weeks prior.
continued.....
THE DAY FRANK Vogel was hired -- as the third-choice candidate -- and the new Lakers' coach had to sit through a difficult news conference, which James attended in a show of support, as Pelinka deflected questions about Johnson.
In contrast, when he started playing for Heat coach Erik Spoelstra in 2010, a disillusioned James asked Pat Riley if he had interest in returning to coach the Heat. When James came back to Cleveland and signed with the Cavs in 2014, James didn't meet with new coach David Blatt for more than a month and interrupted the first day of practice to call a players-only meeting to assign roles before Blatt could. While last season's experience with Walton wasn't as rocky, sources said they were never on the same page.
This season, James has not only backed Vogel, he has backed the plan to play almost exclusively at point guard -- something James fully opposed by the time he left Cleveland because of the toll it took on him over the course of a season.
"I love coach, and what the coaching staff are doing," James said after Vogel won Coach of the Month in November. "I think he's doing what's best for the team, and obviously I respect that."
There are motivations to all of this. Last season, James requested more ball handlers on the roster to ease his workload. The desire contributed to a failed, 37-win season. Thus, he had reason to support the radical shift to shoulder more lead guard responsibilities.
Maintaining a close relationship with Buss and Pelinka also helps ensure James remains a Laker. It's unfathomable to consider he would be traded, but James doesn't enjoy the same leverage he did in Cleveland, when renewing short-term deals annually helped him maintain control. With L.A., James has two years remaining with a third-year player option on his contract and is without a no-trade clause.
Perhaps the most important factor in this entire strategy, though, is James' belief in himself. He was a leader in the long process to get Davis to Los Angeles with agent Rich Paul. After helping recruit Davis to join Paul's agency, Paul executed Davis' trade demand in New Orleans and then helped guide him to the Lakers when he publicly warned other suitors like the Boston Celtics that Davis was unlikely to re-sign if they dealt for him.
James was also sure he'd return to MVP form after playing a groin-injury-shortened 55 games last season -- that, of course, has been the biggest factor in the Lakers' turnaround. Beyond the good feelings and positive vibes, the franchise showing the same belief with a massive bet-on-the-present trade to his preferred co-star has paved the way for this feel-good year.
Nonetheless, many times during his career James has operated like an independent contractor. There have been celebrations of group success, spectacular parties and deep, tearful hugs. But time and again, in the end there was only his tiny cadre of lifelong friends and family, with loyalties to teammates and franchises marginalized.
This is not to say his Lakers experience won't ultimately end in the same way. But that's not the way it feels now. As a Laker, James is in lockstep with a team like never before. And that has been an unexpected chapter from a man who has been authoring, for so long now, the story of his career.
THE DAY FRANK Vogel was hired -- as the third-choice candidate -- and the new Lakers' coach had to sit through a difficult news conference, which James attended in a show of support, as Pelinka deflected questions about Johnson.
In contrast, when he started playing for Heat coach Erik Spoelstra in 2010, a disillusioned James asked Pat Riley if he had interest in returning to coach the Heat. When James came back to Cleveland and signed with the Cavs in 2014, James didn't meet with new coach David Blatt for more than a month and interrupted the first day of practice to call a players-only meeting to assign roles before Blatt could. While last season's experience with Walton wasn't as rocky, sources said they were never on the same page.
This season, James has not only backed Vogel, he has backed the plan to play almost exclusively at point guard -- something James fully opposed by the time he left Cleveland because of the toll it took on him over the course of a season.
"I love coach, and what the coaching staff are doing," James said after Vogel won Coach of the Month in November. "I think he's doing what's best for the team, and obviously I respect that."
There are motivations to all of this. Last season, James requested more ball handlers on the roster to ease his workload. The desire contributed to a failed, 37-win season. Thus, he had reason to support the radical shift to shoulder more lead guard responsibilities.
Maintaining a close relationship with Buss and Pelinka also helps ensure James remains a Laker. It's unfathomable to consider he would be traded, but James doesn't enjoy the same leverage he did in Cleveland, when renewing short-term deals annually helped him maintain control. With L.A., James has two years remaining with a third-year player option on his contract and is without a no-trade clause.
Perhaps the most important factor in this entire strategy, though, is James' belief in himself. He was a leader in the long process to get Davis to Los Angeles with agent Rich Paul. After helping recruit Davis to join Paul's agency, Paul executed Davis' trade demand in New Orleans and then helped guide him to the Lakers when he publicly warned other suitors like the Boston Celtics that Davis was unlikely to re-sign if they dealt for him.
James was also sure he'd return to MVP form after playing a groin-injury-shortened 55 games last season -- that, of course, has been the biggest factor in the Lakers' turnaround. Beyond the good feelings and positive vibes, the franchise showing the same belief with a massive bet-on-the-present trade to his preferred co-star has paved the way for this feel-good year.
Nonetheless, many times during his career James has operated like an independent contractor. There have been celebrations of group success, spectacular parties and deep, tearful hugs. But time and again, in the end there was only his tiny cadre of lifelong friends and family, with loyalties to teammates and franchises marginalized.
This is not to say his Lakers experience won't ultimately end in the same way. But that's not the way it feels now. As a Laker, James is in lockstep with a team like never before. And that has been an unexpected chapter from a man who has been authoring, for so long now, the story of his career.
Brian Windhorst has made a career of fawning over LeBron.....not that there isn't truth in the article. Whenever I see Winddhorst's name on an article or he appears on ESPN I know he'll be bowing to the king.
Coby White receives rookie of the month
https://www.nba.com/bulls/features/nba-rookie-month-award-validates-coby-whites-growth
https://www.nba.com/bulls/features/nba-rookie-month-award-validates-coby-whites-growth
Some drama at MSG between Spike and Dolan
Spike Lee vows to miss rest of New York Knicks' home games this season
Oscar-winning writer-director says 'I'm done' going to MSG this season
From NBA Twitter and media reports
https://www.nba.com/article/2020/03/03/spike-lee-swears-off-knicks-home-games
Spike Lee vows to miss rest of New York Knicks' home games this season
Oscar-winning writer-director says 'I'm done' going to MSG this season
From NBA Twitter and media reports
https://www.nba.com/article/2020/03/03/spike-lee-swears-off-knicks-home-games
I have to give Chris Paul some credit. He's done a great job for the Thunder after the Rockets traded him.
Everybody thought the Thunder were in a total rebuild mode but they have a 37-23 record so far this year.
Everybody thought the Thunder were in a total rebuild mode but they have a 37-23 record so far this year.
Horrible loss by the C's. Blew a 5 point lead with a few seconds left and lost big in OT. Tatum was out.
That will be a great game but a better game is Friday between Bucks and Lakers at Staples
there is a bright future for Timmy as a coach....
Tim Duncan makes head coaching debut in Spurs' win against Hornets
Duncan serves as acting head coach as Gregg Popovich misses game for personal reasons
From NBA media reports
https://www.nba.com/article/2020/03/03/spurs-tim-duncan-make-head-coaching-debut
Tim Duncan makes head coaching debut in Spurs' win against Hornets
Duncan serves as acting head coach as Gregg Popovich misses game for personal reasons
From NBA media reports
https://www.nba.com/article/2020/03/03/spurs-tim-duncan-make-head-coaching-debut
as I see it, there are 7 weeks in the regular schedule and finally Clipps are making a move and are in sole second place 5.5 games behind the Lakers and the Clipps are healthy and the Lakers are still thinking that J R Smith is the answer to one more body
I have been saying for weeks that I would rest Steph all year with the hope of grabbing the number one draft choice. It really is an insignificant return IMO
Stephen Curry's return a rare moment Warriors fans can relish this season
Golden State superstar should suit up soon, but not even he can alter team's trajectory
Shaun Powell
https://www.nba.com/article/2020/03/03/stephen-curry-making-non-significant-return
Stephen Curry's return a rare moment Warriors fans can relish this season
Golden State superstar should suit up soon, but not even he can alter team's trajectory
Shaun Powell
https://www.nba.com/article/2020/03/03/stephen-curry-making-non-significant-return
watching the Bucks destroy the Pacers tonight makes me wonder if this team can reach the magic 70 wins or more in a season
The Bucks look unbeatable
However to put things in perspective the Bucks are now 53-9 with the best record in the league yet to equal the record of the GSW in 2016 (73-9) the Bucks have to go undefeated over their next 20 games
or
to equal the 1996 Bulls at 72-10 the bucks have to finish no worse than 19-1
or to win 70 they have to finish no worse than 18-2
Long and the short of it I think this is most unlikely
The Bucks look unbeatable
However to put things in perspective the Bucks are now 53-9 with the best record in the league yet to equal the record of the GSW in 2016 (73-9) the Bucks have to go undefeated over their next 20 games
or
to equal the 1996 Bulls at 72-10 the bucks have to finish no worse than 19-1
or to win 70 they have to finish no worse than 18-2
Long and the short of it I think this is most unlikely
who is this kid that plays for the Heat? Another Ray Allen?
Miami's Duncan Robinson on a record path from 3-point land
Second-year guard already took down franchise record, NBA marks next target
By Tim Reynolds | The Associated Press
https://www.nba.com/news
Miami's Duncan Robinson on a record path from 3-point land
Second-year guard already took down franchise record, NBA marks next target
By Tim Reynolds | The Associated Press
https://www.nba.com/news
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