Category: NBA Basketball

Charles Barkley Just SHUT DOWN the “LeBron Is Beating Father Time” Narrative: “Don’t Tell Me How Great He’s Playing”

Brandon King

Charles Barkley is throwing a major wrench into the conversation surrounding LeBron James’ incredible longevity. At 41 years old, LeBron is still putting up numbers that would be impressive for players half his age. But Barkley isn’t convinced that those numbers prove LeBron is actually “beating Father Time.” During an appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast, Barkley pushed back hard on the way LeBron’s current career is being discussed. “We have to be honest about LeBron,” Barkley said. “Just because you’re putting up good numbers don’t mean you’re being effective.”…

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Ben Simmons Is BACK! Former All-NBA Star Agrees to $3.5 Million Deal With Sacramento Kings

Brandon King

The former No. 1 overall pick and three-time NBA All-Star is officially returning to the league after sitting out the entire 2025-26 season. Simmons has agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Sacramento Kings, according to Shams Charania and Marc J. Spears. The deal gives Simmons a chance to restart a career that once appeared headed toward superstardom. The 30-year-old guard/forward is entering his 10th NBA season after a year away from the league. Before injuries and other setbacks derailed his trajectory, Simmons established himself as one of…

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ESPN’s Kawhi Leonard Report Is Under Major Scrutiny After NBA Drops Hammer on Clippers

Brandon King

Just weeks ago, ESPN reported that the NBA had found “no evidence” that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to Kawhi Leonard to circumvent the league’s salary cap. Now, the NBA’s completed investigation has produced a dramatically different picture. The league announced Wednesday that the Clippers circumvented the salary cap by funneling millions of dollars to Leonard through third-party companies, including Aspiration, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics and Lockton Insurance. The consequences were enormous: The NBA’s investigative report says Ballmer, Zucker and Frank played roles in connecting Leonard with…

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Amen Thompson Gets The Bag: Rockets Lock Up Rising Star With $208 Million Extension

Brandon King

The Houston Rockets have made a massive commitment to one of the most promising young players in the NBA. Amen Thompson has agreed to a five-year, $208 million rookie-scale contract extension with the Rockets, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The deal also includes a 10% trade kicker, giving Thompson additional financial protection if he is traded during the life of the contract. Thompson, selected No. 4 overall by Houston in the 2023 NBA Draft, has quickly developed into one of the league’s most intriguing young two-way players. During the 2025-26…

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Theo Pinson Says NBA Is “Setting Up” LeBron James for Another Finals Run: “They Need to Be Investigated”

Brandon King

The LeBron James debate just found another spark. Former NBA player Theo Pinson is questioning the NBA’s schedule after suggesting that the league may be putting the Philadelphia 76ers in position to make a deep playoff run with James. During a discussion on To The Baha, Pinson argued that the schedule given to Philadelphia looks suspiciously favorable and could help set up a potential Finals appearance for LeBron. Deron Williams took the conversation even further, saying the situation deserves to be investigated. The comments immediately reignited one of basketball’s oldest…

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Clippers Fire Back at NBA After Historic Kawhi Leonard Punishment: ‘We Vehemently Reject’ Findings

Brandon King

The Los Angeles Clippers are not going quietly after receiving one of the most severe punishments in NBA history. Following the NBA’s sweeping sanctions stemming from its investigation into salary-cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers announced Wednesday that they “vehemently reject” the league’s findings and penalties and intend to challenge the ruling. The organization accused the NBA’s investigation of being “heavily biased” and claimed the league’s private communication with the franchise differed from what was announced publicly. “For the past year, we cooperated fully and in good faith and…

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NBA Punishes Clippers With Historic Draft-Pick Penalty as Kawhi Leonard Breaks Silence

Brandon King

The NBA has handed down sweeping penalties against the Los Angeles Clippers following its investigation into alleged salary-cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard, resulting in one of the most significant punishments in league history. The Clippers have been ordered to forfeit five first-round draft picks, losing their selections in the 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032 and 2033 NBA Drafts. The league also suspended Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank and president of business operations Gillian Zucker for their respective roles in the matter. Kawhi Leonard Issues Statement Leonard,…

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Stephen Jackson Says LeBron James Hurt His GOAT Case by Joining ‘Championship-Ready’ 76ers

Brandon King

Stephen Jackson has a clear opinion on LeBron James’ decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers—and he believes the move could hurt James’ standing in the NBA’s all-time great debate. Appearing on All the Smoke, Jackson said he believed Cleveland was the move that made the most sense for LeBron if he wanted to strengthen his argument against Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. “Cleveland was the only thing that made sense for me to keep him in that conversation.” Jackson believes another championship in Cleveland would have carried more weight because…

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Blake Griffin Says Lakers Made a Mistake Giving Bronny James Nearly $8 Million Guaranteed

Brandon King

Blake Griffin believes the Los Angeles Lakers made a mistake when they gave Bronny James nearly $8 million in guaranteed money after selecting him with the No. 55 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Griffin, speaking about Bronny’s situation, made it clear that he doesn’t have a problem with the Lakers drafting LeBron James’ son. Instead, he questioned why the organization deviated from what would typically be offered to a player selected that late in the draft. “Give him what is normal for the pick. If you can get…

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Stephen Jackson Says LeBron James Made the Wrong Move in GOAT Debate: “Everywhere in the World, But Philly”

Brandon King

Stephen Jackson has never been shy about where he stands in the Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James GOAT debate—and his latest take on LeBron’s move to Philadelphia is guaranteed to spark another round of arguments. Appearing on All The Smoke, Jackson explained that he believed LeBron had one particular move left that could have strengthened his case against Jordan and Kobe Bryant: returning to Cleveland and winning another championship with the Cavaliers. Instead, LeBron chose the Philadelphia 76ers, joining a roster that already features Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and newly…

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