Connect with us

SPORTS

Can LeBron James and Anthony Davis Lead the Lakers to Another NBA Title Despite Losing Winningest Franchise Title to Celtics?

Published

on

By


Jul 11, 2024, 08:00 ET

For the first time since 2020, the Lakers enter an NBA season not being the winningest franchise in history. Can LeBron James and Anthony Davis lead the team to another title?

When the Boston Celtics lifted the NBA championship trophy for the 18th time this June, officially becoming the winningest team in league history again. The event hit hard in Los Angeles, where the Lakerseternal rivals, now find themselves again in the shadow of the historic team of Bill Russell, Larry Bird y Paul Pierce.

To close the gap, the Lakers have been forced to make several changes. The first to be sacrificed was the coach. Darwin Hamwho was fired after two seasons with the Californian team. In his place comes the former player and ESPN commentator, JJ Redickwho takes the reins of the team without having had any previous experience as a coach.

In the Draft, they arrived Dalton Knechta talented wing from the University of Tennessee, and Bronny Jamesthe stem of LeBron James which will allow the NBA to have its first father-son duo in history to play simultaneously.

But what are the team’s strengths and weaknesses for next season?

Preseason form

2023-24 Record: 47-35

Playoffs: They fell in the first round to Denver, 4-1

Coach: JJ Redick (first season)

Draft: Dalton Knecht (SF, Tennessee), Bronny James (SG, USC) Free agency: LeBron James (returning), Max Christie (returning), Taurean Prince (signed with Milwaukee Bucks)

New coach, new hopes

Since 1976, five coaches have won an NBA title in their first season: Paul Westhead, Pat Riley, Steve Kerr, Tyronn Lue and Nick Nurse. Westhead and Riley did it with the Lakers, so it wouldn’t be a stretch to think that JJ Redick could do the same next season.

“I want to be a coach of the Lakers“I want to be a great coach in the NBA, and I want to win championships,” Redick said during the press conference where he was introduced.

At your disposal, you will have Anthony Davisone of the best players in the league and one of the best centers of the 21st century as its anchor. Davis played 76 games last season, the most since joining the Lakers in 2019. Alongside him, LeBron Jameswho will complete 22 seasons in the NBA, an unusual number considering that he continues to perform at a superlative level at almost 40 years of age (he turns 40 on December 29).

James and Redick debuted a podcast in March of this year, planting the seeds for their future collaboration. On their show, they covered topics from the history and current events of the league, displaying good chemistry and compatibility in their ideas about the sport. Now, as coach and player, they will look to bring those characteristics to the court.

In 2023-24, the Lakers won 47 games, just enough for a seventh-place finish in the conference. In the first round of the playoffs, they were dominated by the Denver Nuggetsfalling 4-1. The bar will be higher this year, despite Redick’s lack of experience.

The James: A LeBron Dream

With the 55th selection of the NBA Draft 2024the Lakers selected Bronny Jameswho instantly became one of the most celebrated second-round picks in league history. LeBron’s eldest son was a high-end prospect entering college basketball at USC, but in July 2023, he was discovered to have a congenital heart defect, which kept him out for nearly five months. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

He played just 25 games, started six, and averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in his college career. Still, James was drafted by the Lakersthanks in large part to his father’s desire to play with him before he retired, thus becoming the first father and son to play in the NBA at the same time.

In his debut with the Lakers in the NBA Summer LeagueJames Jr. scored four points, had two assists and two rebounds. Immediately afterward, he was ruled out of the second game on the schedule due to swelling in his left knee. The amount of media attention he’s received suggests that, like his father, Bronny’s every move will be under scrutiny.

“Bronny has earned this, Bronny has earned this through his hard work,” Redick said after introducing his rookies.

At some point we will see LeBron and his son together on the court, but Bronny is expected to spend most of his time with the South Bay Lakersthe Lakers’ affiliate in the G LeagueWith their first-round pick, Los Angeles selected Dalton Knecht, who was projected by many to finish in the top 10. The Lakers took him with the 17th pick, and the 23-year-old will compete for minutes in the rotation.

Meanwhile, the elder James signed with the Lakers to return to the team as a free agent. He will make $101.55 million over the next two seasons, with an option to opt out of the contract in 2025. James is just one of two players in the entire league – along with Bradley Beal from Phoenix – in having a clause to refuse any change.

LeBron took $3 million less than he was entitled to in his contract to keep the Lakers from falling under the league’s severe budget restriction for teams spending more than $188.9 million a year on players. That will allow them some flexibility in continuing to build their roster.

What is lacking?

If the Lakers want to match Boston this season, they will need to bring in help for James and Davis – who now have to deal in the West not only with Denver, which won the title in 2023, but also with Dallas, who reached the Finals this year and just added Klay Thompson to his squad, together with Kyrie Irving y Luka Doncic.

That looks difficult at the moment, as they are over the salary cap for next season. One rumored solution would be to trade Austin Reavesthe talented shooting guard who will earn 13 million dollars next season, or D’Angelo Russellthe team’s mostly starting point guard who will earn $18.6 million this year.

Both could go to teams that offer three-and-D players. The Lakers finished 15th and 16th in offense and defense, respectively, last season, so players who can anchor both ends of the floor are a top priority.

25-year-old point guard Gary Trent Jr., who was with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, Toronto Raptorshas emerged as an option for the team according to analysts around the league. Spencer Dinwiddie, a 31-year-old point guard who spent the latter part of the 2023-24 season with the Lakers, is being considered to return to the team if Trent’s deal is not reached. Former Boston Celtics All-Star Gordon Hayward has also been named as an option.

If they do, they’ll still have to rely on the availability of LeBron and AD again, as well as navigate a tough conference that also features Minnesota and Oklahoma City as young, up-and-coming teams.

2024-07-11 12:00:00
#Lakers #analysis #moves #season



READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

SPORTS

SAD|| 10 Players Who Lost Everything After Divorce, Number 5 Will Shôck You

Published

on

By

The Hidden Financial Struggles of Footballers: Divorce’s Costly Toll

The glamorous image of professional footballers, with their luxurious lifestyles and multimillion-dollar contracts, often obscures a harsh reality: the financial devastation many endure through divorce. Behind the fame and fortune, several high-profile players have seen their wealth significantly depleted after parting ways with their spouses, a stark reminder that no amount of money can fully shield one of the financial pitfalls of personal relationships gone awry…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

One of the most shocking examples is that of former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboué, who lost not only his properties in England but also custody of his children following a bitter divorce. Despite earning millions during his career, Eboué found himself stripped of almost everything. His situation became a cautionary tale, underscoring that even the wealthiest footballers can fall victim to the financial ruin that divorce can bring.

Eboué is not alone. Football legends such as Thierry Henry and Ryan Giggs have also experienced significant financial losses due to divorce. Henry reportedly paid £10 million to his ex-wife, while Giggs parted with an astonishing £40 million after his marriage ended. Louis Saha and Wes Brown, both former Manchester United players, also suffered substantial financial hits, with Brown declaring bankruptcy despite earning £50,000 per week during his time at the club. His case highlights how even vast earnings can quickly evaporate when faced with legal settlements and financial mismanagement.

David James, the former England goalkeeper, faced a particularly dire situation, losing much of his fortune after divorce and being forced to auction his personal belongings to make ends meet. Similarly, Ray Parlour, another Arsenal great, saw his ex-wife receive half of his £10 million fortune, including a £2.5 million house. Jamie Redknapp, a former Liverpool star, also faced a hefty settlement, parting with half of his estimated £15 million fortune after his marriage ended.

These are just a few of the many footballers who have faced financial disaster due to divorce. Keith Gillespie, once a key figure in the Premier League, lost over £7 million, leading to his bankruptcy in 2010. Despite earning significant wages during his career, his divorce and poor financial decisions left him in financial ruin. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Perhaps the most shocking case is that of Tendai Ndoro, a Zimbabwean striker who lost everything after registering all his properties in his wife’s name. Following their breakup, she kicked him out of the house, leaving him with nothing. Ndoro’s story serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of not protecting one’s assets, even in relationships where trust is implicit.

For footballers, whose careers often peak early, these financial setbacks can be devastating. While their salaries are among the highest in professional sports, the combination of short career spans, legal fees, and divorce settlements can quickly erode their fortunes. Many players also face additional challenges in managing their finances due to a lack of financial education or oversight during their playing years.

These stories underscore the importance of safeguarding personal wealth, especially for high-earning individuals like footballers, who may be more vulnerable to financial upheaval. Proper financial planning, asset protection strategies, and prenups are increasingly necessary tools for protecting one’s earnings and securing a stable future.

In conclusion, while the public sees footballers as insulated by their wealth, the reality is that they are just as susceptible to the financial hardships of divorce as anyone else. The personal struggles behind the scenes reveal that their lives, though glamorous on the surface, are often fraught with the same vulnerabilities and challenges faced by ordinary individuals. These cases serve as sobering reminders that financial security is never guaranteed, even for those at the pinnacle of success.

 

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Continue Reading

SPORTS

NFL | The best was yet to come, and then no

Published

on

By

In February 2022, the Bengals missed the Super Bowl by three small points, but regardless, the future seemed bright in Cincinnati.


Posted at 1:13 a.m.

Updated at 7:00 a.m.

In any case, that’s what we, the most seasoned experts in American football, believed, capable of seeing the future each season, often in a very impressive way; for example, this column has been predicting since 1970 that the New York Jets are not going to win the Super Bowl, and that’s still exactly what happens.

The Bengals have never won anything, but their presence on the big stage two years ago suggested that, a bit like the Nordiques in 1990, the best was yet to come.

Well, no.

As of this hour, the Bengals are a dismal 1-4, and even then, their only win came against the Carolina Panthers, who are about as bad as they are.

The good news for the Bengals is that this “landing” is fairly easily explained: their defense is pretty awful. The less good news is that it is probably already too late to try to solve this problem.

In five games, the Bengals have allowed a total of 145 points, which gives a pretty staggering average of 29 points per game. No one else in the American Association looks this bad, and in the league as a whole, only the Carolina Panthers are even worse in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Bengals are wasting the best years of Joe Burrow, who turns 28 in December. He wouldn’t be the first quality quarterback to waste his talent in this uniform.

Is it necessary here to remember that in American football, as in life in general, there is never anything certain? This reality reminds us of this sublime quote from Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who once wrote that “supreme happiness is a hundred times sweeter to hope for than to obtain”.

Rousseau must have been a Bengals fan, obviously.

You are probably aware that the New York Jets fired their coachbut that’s not the worst. The worst part is that poor Robert Saleh would have been escorted to the door like a pauper by security agents.

PHOTO MIKE STOBE, ARCHIVES AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh

It’s undoubtedly one of the worst moments in the history of a club that collects the worst moments, from Mark Sanchez dropping a ball on his lineman’s pussy, to a visibly hot Joe Namath trying to to kiss a reporter live on TV (we’re going to move on to the naughty photo of Brett Favre because there are children here).

We can never repeat it enough: in football, as in life, everything starts from the top. The leaders of the Jets, who display a level of competence similar to that of the inventors of Pepsi Crystal, thus opted for the easy way, instead of realizing that their ground game is non-existent, and that their quarterback who hears voices in his head is finished.

In addition, barely installed, new coach Jeff Ulbrich decided to give control of the attack to assistant Todd Downing, who will call the plays from now on. This is not a detail because this task previously fell to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, close and confidant of Aaron Rodgers.

It’s obvious that this is going to end very badly. As per usual.

Someone whispers in my ear that the inbox is overflowing again, so let’s get to it right away.

First, Luc Girouard from Sept-Îles sends us this timely little comment: “Would Prince Rodgers have plotted to kick Robert Saleh out in order to take his place? »

We all see what you did, Luc.

Then, there is a certain Nicolas B. from Laval who sent this: “Hi Richard. Great weekly column on football. Really entertaining. In addition, you allow my teenagers to read about football in French, which is still a challenge […] If you ever make a reference to my comment, my sports travel gang is buying me a beer on our next trip. »

You will demand a micro beer, Nicolas. Finally, there is Marco Campanozzi who can no longer hear about “mixing” and the right chair: “I can’t do it anymore!!! »

We are Marco.

It will be another great opportunity to lock yourself in front of the TV while pretending to do something constructive, because Sunday’s menu is particularly spicy.

Thus, Commanders in a state of grace will go to Baltimore to prove that they are serious, the Chargers will go to Denver in the hope of recovering after two defeats in a row, and the Cowboys will host the Lions, in a match that they can’t really let slip away, just to build something following the little miracle last Sunday night in Pittsburgh.

Don’t forget to check out the colors during halftime.

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Continue Reading

SPORTS

A young badminton player realizes his deceased father’s dream

Published

on

By

Only 13 years old, badminton-player-honors-fathers-dream-at-nationals/” title=”13-year-old Saskatchewan badminton player honors father’s dream at nationals”>Gautham Sumesh is preparing to realize the dream of his father, who died six months ago: he will soon participate in the National Badminton Championship.

My father was really addicted to badmintonrecalls the Saskatchewan teenager. He really liked that I played.

Gautham Sumesh has been playing badminton since he was old enough to handle a racket. The first time he managed to beat his father, Sumesh Pulavathil, he was offered a drink to celebrate the event.

Sadly, Sumesh Pulavathil died in a road accident near Estevan last October.

Despite the tragedy, the teenager continues to carry his family’s dreams: Gautham Sumesh won the provincial championships this year and is preparing to participate in the National Championship in New Brunswick.

He would be really happyhe believes.

Dreaming of badminton

The young player’s parents left India in 2022 in the hope that their son would become a top badminton player.

: Gautham badminton”,”text”:”When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badminton”}}”>When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badmintonexplains the latter’s mother, Gayathri Ramdas. It is the foundation of our family life.

Her husband put everything in place to help his son play. He bought him shoes and racquets, in addition to devoting many hours to coaching him and other children.

Sumesh Pulavathil (front) was an avid badminton player. (Archive photo)

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Although the family was devastated by Sumesh Pulavathil’s death, there was never any question of the teenager quitting badminton. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Since the death of his father, Gautham Sumesh has undergone intensive training, particularly in preparation for the provincial competition which took place in April.

He remembers that no one knew him when he started competing provincially, but that changed after his victory at the provincial championship.

: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”,”text”:”After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job! “Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”}}”>After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with meexplained Gautham Sumesh.

A portrait of Sumesh Pulavathil (far left) and his family.

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Despite his son’s success in the championship, Gayathri Ramdas believes the victory was bittersweet due to his father’s absence.

Despite everything, she watched her son grow up and demonstrate the values ​​of sportsmanship and good play that she and her husband wanted to instill in him, as he harbored ambitions of becoming a professional badminton player.

I’m little by little catching up on all the dreams we had.

With information from Janani Whitfield

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Continue Reading

Trending

error: Content is protected !!