Tag: NBA basketball

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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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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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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AWS NBA Rivals Week: Breaking Down All 12 Matchups

Brandon King

The NBA is leaning heavily into star power, playoff history and emerging rivalries for AWS NBA Rivals Week, with 12 nationally televised games spread across five days from Jan. 26-30. From Texas bragging rights to heavyweight Western Conference clashes and a Saturday quadruple-header, here’s a closer look at the matchups that will headline the week. Tuesday, January 26 Rockets vs. Spurs — 8 p.m. ET Rivals Week opens with a battle for Texas between the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs. The matchup carries plenty of intrigue as two young…

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NBA unveils 2026 Christmas Day schedule featuring LeBron’s Lakers return and Knicks-Spurs Finals rematch

Brandon King

The NBA has officially revealed its annual Christmas Day showcase, with five nationally televised games set for Friday, Dec. 25. The holiday slate marks the 19th consecutive year that the league will feature five Christmas Day matchups, with every game airing on ABC and ESPN. Leading the festivities are two of the season’s most anticipated storylines. The defending NBA champion New York Knicks will host the San Antonio Spurs in their first meeting since the 2026 NBA Finals, renewing what has quickly become one of the league’s premier rivalries. Later…

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Ben Simmons Cleared for Full Basketball Activities, Eyes NBA Return

Brandon King

Ben Simmons appears to be one step closer to an NBA comeback. According to ESPN Andscape, the former No. 1 overall pick is expected to participate with zero restrictions in a player-led Australian men’s national team minicamp beginning Monday in Melbourne. The camp marks Simmons’ return to competitive basketball after sitting out the entire 2025-26 NBA season while focusing on recovering from lingering back and other injuries. The 30-year-old free agent is reportedly drawing interest from several NBA teams as he prepares for his return. Simmons is said to be…

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Kevin Love Reportedly Wants to Join 76ers, Eyeing One Final Run Alongside LeBron James

Brandon King

Veteran forward Kevin Love reportedly wants to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, according to Dave McMenamin, a move that would reunite him with longtime teammate and close friend LeBron James. The only obstacle is Philadelphia’s roster. The 76ers must waive or trade a player to create an open roster spot before they can sign Love ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season. Love, a five-time All-Star and 2016 NBA champion, remains one of the NBA’s most accomplished veterans. While he’s no longer the centerpiece he was during his prime with the…

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BREAKING: Report Alleges Kawhi Leonard Had Multimillion-Dollar Sponsorship Deal With Clippers Scoreboard Manufacturer

Brandon King

A new report has added another twist to the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Kawhi Leonard’s relationship with the Los Angeles Clippers. According to Pablo Torre, Leonard allegedly had a secret multimillion-dollar sponsorship agreement with the company that manufactured the scoreboard inside the Clippers’ arena. The reported arrangement has quickly gone viral on social media, with fans joking that even the arena’s scoreboard was part of Leonard’s endorsement portfolio. The claim arrives amid continued attention surrounding the NBA’s investigation into whether the Clippers circumvented the league’s salary cap through benefits provided to…

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Charles Barkley Doubles Down on LeBron James ‘Team Stacker’ Comments, Pushes Back on Dan Patrick

Brandon King

Charles Barkley isn’t backing away from his criticism of LeBron James’ team-building approach. Appearing on The Dan Patrick Show, the Hall of Famer doubled down on his long-held belief that James has “stacked” teams throughout his career, while disputing Patrick’s suggestion that LeBron “built” the Los Angeles Lakers. “He always stacks his teams. He didn’t build a team, he manufactured it. His agents forced them to trade for Anthony Davis, who was ran by his group, Klutch. Klutch specifically said he had to go to the Lakers. Anthony Davis specifically…

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Miami Heat Waiting on Klay Thompson Buyout, Preserving $7 Million Exception: Report

Brandon King

The Miami Heat are taking a patient approach in their pursuit of veteran guard Klay Thompson. According to a report from the Miami Herald, the Heat are waiting to see whether Thompson can negotiate a buyout with the Dallas Mavericks rather than attempting to acquire him via trade. The strategy would allow Miami to add one of the NBA’s most accomplished shooters without surrendering valuable players or draft assets. The report also states that Miami intends to preserve the roughly $7 million remaining from its mid-level exception. By keeping that…

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