Day: August 17, 2026

Cade Cunningham Didn’t Believe Recruiting LeBron James Would Change His Free-Agency Decision

Brandon King

Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham apparently didn’t see much value in trying to recruit LeBron James during free agency. Cunningham recently explained that he didn’t reach out to James because he didn’t believe his pitch would have changed the course of LeBron’s decision. While recruiting superstar free agents has become a common part of NBA roster building, Cunningham seemingly understood that James’ decision would ultimately come down to what was best for LeBron and his career. Rather than making a call just for the sake of making one, Cunningham opted…

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FIRST LOOK Supreme x Nike Air Max 2000

Brandon King

Supreme is going deep into the Nike archives for its latest collaboration. The Supreme x Nike Air Max 2000 has officially surfaced in first-look imagery, marking the return of a silhouette that has been largely absent from Nike’s lineup since its original run around the turn of the millennium. The Air Max 2000 originally arrived as part of Nike’s Alpha Project, bringing a futuristic aesthetic to the Air Max family with its layered upper, bold paneling and visible Air cushioning. For the Supreme collaboration, the sneaker receives a striking makeover.…

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Stephen A. Smith Vows to Fire Back After NABJ Gives Him ‘Thumbs Down’ Award

Brandon King

Stephen A. Smith is preparing to respond after the National Association of Black Journalists gave him one of the organization’s most pointed honors at its conference in Atlanta. Smith received the NABJ’s “Thumbs Down” award, with the organization citing what it described as his “recurring public pattern of disparaging public commentary directed at prominent Black women across politics, sports and media.” Rather than ignore the recognition, Smith made it clear that he intends to answer back. “This is the epitome of Christmas arriving early,” Smith wrote on social media. “The…

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Stephen A. Smith’s NABJ Thumbs Down Award Is Not About Silencing Him. It Is About Accountability.

HODARI Brown

Stephen A. Smith has made a career out of demanding accountability. Coaches must answer for losing. Players must answer for poor performances. Executives must answer for bad decisions. Politicians must answer for failed leadership. Athletes making millions of dollars are routinely reminded by Smith that criticism comes with the territory. Now the microphone has been turned toward him. And suddenly, accountability appears to feel a little different. At its 2026 convention in Atlanta, the National Association of Black Journalists gave Smith its Thumbs Down Award, an honor NABJ describes as…

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The LeBron Effect? The NBA’s 2026-27 Schedule Is Raising Fair Questions About Favoritism

HODARI Brown

The NBA released its 2026-27 regular-season schedule, and one team immediately jumped off the page. The Philadelphia 76ers. That alone would not necessarily be controversial. Philadelphia entered the offseason as one of basketball’s most fascinating teams. But then LeBron James chose Philadelphia, joining Joel Embiid and a loaded roster that suddenly became one of the NBA’s biggest attractions. Now look at the schedule. Philadelphia has one of the most favorable rest profiles in basketball. Reports and schedule analyses circulating since the release show the Sixers among the league’s leaders in…

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Bart Scott Says ESPN Will “Regret” Not Renewing His Contract

Brandon King

Former NFL linebacker and longtime sports media personality Bart Scott is making it clear that he has no plans to quietly move on from ESPN. Scott recently revealed that the network informed him his contract would not be renewed when it expires in September. According to Scott, ESPN delivered the news over the phone while he was on his way into the studio to host his radio show. The timing of the call clearly caught Scott off guard. When ESPN reportedly expressed that it wished the conversation could have happened…

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Buss Family Sells Remaining Lakers Stake, Ending Historic Era of Ownership

Brandon King

The Buss family’s nearly five-decade run as owners of the Los Angeles Lakers is officially coming to an end. According to ESPN, the Buss family has agreed to sell its remaining 17.8% ownership stake in the franchise to new majority owners Josh Kushner and Bob Iger. The transaction follows a vote by the Buss Family Trust, with siblings Jeanie, Jim, Johnny, Janie, Joey, and Jesse Buss approving the sale after receiving the four votes required to trigger the tag-along provision tied to Mark Walter’s previous sale. The deal values the…

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NBA Pushes Back on ESPN Report Regarding Clippers Investigation

Brandon King

The NBA is disputing key details of ESPN’s reporting on the league’s ongoing investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers. NBA Chief Communications Officer Mike Bass released a statement Monday criticizing ESPN’s report, saying the league did not participate in the outlet’s reporting and that its conclusions are premature. “ESPN’s article regarding the LA Clippers investigation — for which the NBA declined to cooperate — contains numerous and significant inaccuracies. The results in this matter will be made clear once the investigation is concluded.” The statement comes after ESPN reported that…

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19-Year-Old Suspect Arrested After Virginia State University Shooting Injures Five

Brandon King

Image via the New York Post ETTRICK, Va. — A 19-year-old man has been arrested after a shooting near the residence halls at Virginia State University left five people injured early Saturday morning, Aug. 15. Chesterfield County Police identified the suspect as Camron Harris, 19, of Henrico, Virginia. Harris is not a Virginia State University student. According to authorities, the shooting occurred around 1:30 a.m. near the university’s Quad Annexes and the 3300 block of Boisseau Street, outside campus residence halls. Five people between the ages of 17 and 23…

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NBA Finds No Evidence Steve Ballmer Funneled Sponsor Money to Kawhi Leonard

Brandon King

The NBA has reportedly found no evidence that Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to pay Kawhi Leonard and circumvent the league’s salary cap. According to ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr., Baxter Holmes and Ramona Shelburne, the NBA’s investigation found no evidence that Ballmer used Clippers sponsors as a way to provide Leonard with additional compensation outside of his NBA contract. The investigation stemmed in part from Leonard’s business relationship with Aspiration, a now-defunct sustainable financial services company that previously partnered with the Clippers. The…

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