Jan 21, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The production company owned by LeBron James and Maverick Carter is working on another film, and this one is based on the Los Angeles Lakers star’s life.
NBC’s streaming service Peacock on Monday announced the release of three original movies that are coming in 2023. One of them is “Shooting Stars,” which follows LeBron’s origin story as a high school basketball player in Ohio. Filming is currently underway in LeBron’s hometown of Akron.
Academy-award nominees Rachel Winter and Terence Winter are producing the movie along with The SpringHill Company, which was founded by James and Carter.
Some information about the movie has been trickling out for a while. We learned several weeks ago which actor will be playing LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul, in the film, and the choice is somewhat surprising.
LeBron has been dabbling in Hollywood for quite some time and recently starred in “Space Jam 2.” His newest movie should be a bit more serious in nature.
Jan 21, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
One Los Angeles Lakers player is playing harder defense in the offseason than anyone on the team did all year.
Lakers guard Kent Bazemore spoke this week with TMZ Sports and offered a strong defense of teammate LeBron James against the criticisms that James faced this season.
“The dude was third in the league in scoring,” reasoned Bazemore of James. “What else do you want him to do? He put his body through a lot this year to be there for us.
“Dude has done a lot, man,” Bazemore added. “He’s chasing Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record]. He’s done a lot for the game, He’s given a platform to a lot of people. He’s changing the world.”
Bazemore, one of the Lakers’ offseason signings that did not pan out in 2021-22, will be a free agent this summer. Thus, this may be his way of staying in James’ good graces and maximizing his chances of coming back.
From an objective point of view though, James deserved all the criticism he faced this year, especially since the Lakers lost 49 games and missed a 20-team postseason. While James had superb scoring numbers, he also posted his lowest assist numbers in nearly a decade and often froze his teammates out of the offense. James failed to adapt his game to accommodate Russell Westbrook, and his scoring numbers were also inflated by James regularly staying in games late despite the Lakers getting blown out. Bazemore even let slip here that James was chasing Abdul-Jabbar’s record this season.
Additionally, the ex-MVP James often exhibited poor leadership this season. Combine that with the Lakers’ collective struggles as a team, and it seems like totally fair game to point the finger at James for the Lakers’ failures.
Oct 6, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook prior to the preseason game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers would not have traded for Russell Westbrook last offseason if LeBron James did not, at the very least, provide his stamp of approval. Now that the deal was a disaster, it would appear that all of those involved are hesitant to claim responsibility for it.
According to Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus, the Lakers’ front office has internally been pointing the finger at Klutch Sports Group for the Westbrook trade. Klutch Sports represents both James and Anthony Davis. Lakers executives are reportedly claiming they made the deal primarily because of pressure from the two star players.
It goes without saying that the Lakers want to keep LeBron happy. Star players have seemingly more power than ever in the NBA, which is why general managers and executives often consult them on roster decisions. If a team goes against the wishes of a star player, that player might demand a trade or refuse to sign an extension.
All that said, it is ultimately the front office’s responsibility to make the moves that are best for the franchise. If Lakers executives thought trading for Westbrook was a bad move, they should not have done it. If they agreed with James and company that it would help the team, they are just as much to blame.
Westbrook’s erratic shooting and overall poor play was one of L.A.’s biggest issues this season. LeBron has already tried to shield himself from blame over the trade, but the reality is he and some of those who work above him misjudged the situation badly.
Jan 21, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
LeBron James is not playing in the postseason this year for the first time since his rookie year with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Los Angeles Lakers star does not intend to let that happen again.
LeBron watched some playoff basketball on TV this week. He took to Twitter to express how much he disliked the feeling.
“I can/will NOT miss the post season again for my career! This s— HURT,” James wrote (edited by LBS for profanity). “Ok back to watching these games.”
LeBron will turn 38 next season. His body has shown some signs of aging from an injury standpoint, as he has played in 56 or fewer games in three of the last four seasons. James has still been dominant when on the floor, however. He averaged 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game this year.
The Lakers have to make some big changes this offseason if LeBron is going to fulfill his playoff promise. Many people criticized them from the start last year about the average age and injury history of their roster. Those critics are not going to be silenced by the recent ex-All-Star the Lakers were linked to.
Dec 9, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) warms-up prior to the game against the Memphis Grizzles at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
LeBron James knows who his pick is for the best coach in the NBA.
James was watching the play-in game between the New Orleans Pelicans and LA Clippers on Friday night and couldn’t help but praise his former coach.
“Simply the BEST coach in the game! ARGUE with your kids not me,” James wrote on Twitter.
Simply the BEST coach in the game! ARGUE with your kids not me. 🤷🏾♂️
He wasn’t talking about Frank Vogel, that much we could tell you.
James was actually talking about Tyronn Lue, who coached James in Cleveland.
Lue was an assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers for a season and a half. He became the team’s head coach in Jan. 2016 after replacing David Blatt. Lue led the Cavs to the championship that season and then to two more NBA Finals appearances, where they lost to the Warriors both times.
Lue was fired after a 0-6 start to the 2018-2019 season, which was the Cavs’ first season after James left for the Lakers. Lue’s presence in Cleveland obviously was not a deterrent for James.
Lue is in the middle of his second season as the Clippers’ head coach. He helped them reach the conference finals last season and on Friday was trying to coach his team into the 8th seed in the playoffs.
LeBron James may be in Cancun right now, but he still appears to have gotten a kick out of Tuesday’s play-in tournament game.
Patrick Beverley and the Minnesota Timberwolves clinched the No. 7 seed in the West with their play-in victory over the LA Clippers. After the game, Beverley celebrated the win so hard and was even in tears at one point.
Soon after the game went final, James tweeted several laughing-face emojis.
While James did not say what he was laughing at, the Wolves-Clippers game was the only NBA game on at the time, leading fans in the replies to think he was laughing at Beverley. James’ old Lakers teammate Kyle Kuzma had also sent a tweet clowning Minnesota just minutes before James did.
There is some definite history between Beverley and James. Beverley always goes extra hard against James and would often diss James when he used to play as a Clipper versus James and the rival Los Angeles Lakers. One reason is that Beverley has always held it against James that the Miami Heat cut him shortly after James arrived there.
Patrick Beverley was his usual animated self tonight.
"I got drafted by the Lakers, they traded me to Miami. LeBron got there, they cut me. I remember it like it was yesterday. So yeah, there's a chip on my shoulder."
As for Tuesday’s victory, it was clearly a very meaningful one for Beverley, especially coming against his old team and for a franchise in the Wolves that has historically been pretty lousy. But James, who has made ten NBA Finals and won four rings, seems to think that Beverley should be acting like he has been there before. That said, James also has a way of celebrating really hard during inopportune times.
Photo: Dec 9, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) warms-up prior to the game against the Memphis Grizzles at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers will likely seek input from LeBron James at some point while searching for a new head coach, and it sounds like the four-time MVP is ready to endorse one particular candidate.
Amick notes that James would have preferred for the Lakers to hire Tyronn Lue back in 2019, but they went with Frank Vogel instead. It is unclear how much weight they will put into LeBron’s opinion this time around.
The Lakers are expected to conduct a wide-ranging search for their next head coach. They are likely to prioritize candidates with previous NBA coaching experience, which Jackson has. Though, the 57-year-old has not been a head coach in the league in nearly a decade.
Jackson coached the Golden State Warriors from 2011 to 2014 and led them from 23 wins and the lottery to 51 wins and the playoffs within two seasons. He was fired after his third season with the team however, and unsavory details emerged afterwards about his time in Golden State.
A report this week claimed the Lakers may be eyeing a specific ex-NBA champion for their head coaching vacancy. It remains to be seen if they will be able to hire him. If Jackson has LeBron’s endorsement, he will certainly be a name to watch.
Photo: Jan 21, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Despite being the worst team in the East this year, the Orlando Magic were still less of a disappointment than LeBron James’ team. They definitely let James know about it too with a ruthless tweet this week.
The Magic trolled the Los Angeles Lakers star with a funny post on Monday. Having played their last game of the NBA season on Sunday night, Orlando sent a tweet reading, “I’m out for the season officially. See y’all in the fall.”
I’m out for the season officially. 🤦🏾♂️. See y’all in the fall. 👑✌🏾
It was an exact carbon copy, even down to the emojis, of a tweet that James sent on April 1. While James had intended it as an April Fool’s Day joke, it backfired on him when he missed the last five games of the season and the Lakers failed to make the playoffs. Since then, fans have been using the tweet to clown on James.
Photo: Jan 21, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to search extensively to find a trade partner for Russell Westbrook this offseason, but LeBron James insists that will not be done at his request. In fact, the four-time MVP claims he is not going to interfere with any roster decisions in the coming weeks or months.
James was asked about Westbrook during his end-of-season press conference on Monday. He had nothing but positive things to say about his teammate, which was not a surprise. The most entertaining takeaway from LeBron’s discussion of Westbrook was when he said he is “not going to sit here and make decisions for the front office.”
LeBron talks about being teammates with Russell Westbrook:
"I'm not going to sit here and make decisions for the front office… I love being teammates with Russ."pic.twitter.com/6gAt6wYuxF
There is no player in the NBA who has more of an influence in personnel decisions than LeBron. If he demanded that the Lakers keep Westbrook, that is exactly what they would do. If he wants Westbrook gone, the veteran point guard will be gone. That is the way it has worked in L.A. and with other teams James has been a part of, which is not uncommon in the NBA.
LeBron wanted to play with Westbrook. When his camp leaks reports about his disapproval of the Lakers’ front office, that is a convenient way for James to not hold himself accountable for the influence he has. You can call that one of the perks of being arguably the best player in the NBA.
Photo: Dec 9, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) warms-up prior to the game against the Memphis Grizzles at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
It’s safe to say that Kent Bazemore won’t be back with the Los Angeles Lakers next season.
LeBron James has missed four straight games for the Lakers and is out the rest of the season due to his sprained ankle. He did not play in the team’s home game Friday against the Thunder.
Since he wasn’t playing, James was in street clothes and watching the game from the bench. A video that went viral captured James having to tell Bazemore to get out of his seat. James then gave handshakes to many of his teammates — Avery Bradley, Russell Westbrook and DJ Augustin — but he left Bazemore hanging.
LeBron James kicks Kent Bazemore off his seat – high fives Avery Bradley, Russell Westbrook, DJ Augustin…
James seemed to be joking around with Bazemore, and we’re joking about the seat incident costing Bazemore a spot with the Lakers next season. But Bazemore is a free agent after the season.
As we learned a few years ago when a story about the subject went viral, James has a particuar seat on the bench with a special cushion. Bazemore should have known better than to park in King James’ spot. LeBron didn’t hesitate to tow Kent’s rear.
