Rumors

Despite the fact that for most Slovenia isn’t anywhere near being a medal contender, Doncic and his teammates aim for a spot on the podium. “We’re hoping for the medal. We think we can win a medal. I know a lot of others don’t, but we believe in us. Everybody that’s here, we all believe, everyone in everyone. So, just with head forward.”

EuroHoops.net

After recording a historic triple-double against Belgium, Luka Doncic came close to another one against Israel, falling just one assist short. Still, the Los Angeles Lakers star led Slovenia to a crucial 106-96 victory over Israel, a result that sends France to the top of Group D, while both Slovenia and Israel must now wait for the outcome of the clash between Poland and Belgium. Dončić finished the game with 37 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, shooting 8/10 on two-pointers, 4/11 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 9/9 from the free-throw line.

EuroHoops.net

Jorge Sierra: In 2021-22, the Lakers roster featured 14 players who were not in the NBA the following season. That's the highest mark in the league since 1950. Now you know that.

x.com

Basketball and sneaker culture go hand in hand. Ever since Nike signed a rookie out of North Carolina to a $2.5 million endorsement contract back in 1984, shoes have been a primary form of expression for basketball fans and players alike. The on-court footwear choices reflect the players’ personal styles, personalities, and, with signature brand shoes, their own fandoms. There is one icon that NBA players choose to rep way, way more than any other: the late, great Kobe Bean Bryant. Most of the current crop of NBA players grew up on Kobe, watching him win title after title during their formative basketball years. He is a lot of players' favorite player. Whether out of personal fandom or just because they like the style, over 130 different players chose to wear Kobes as their primary shoe last season, according to data from NBAShoesDB.com.

HoopsHype

Among the players donning Kobes, most opted for the Kobe 6. Designed by Eric Avar, the model first debuted in 2010 and turned heads with its upper texture that mimicked snakeskin, an ode to Kobe’s Black Mamba nickname.

HoopsHype

The KD 17s, Book 1s, and Sabrina 2s were the next most popular models, which means two of the top four signature athletes (Kobe and Sabrina Ionescu) currently don't play in the NBA, and the other two (Kevin Durant and Devin Booker) were both on the Phoenix Suns last season. After Sabrina, there is a dropoff to LeBron James, who has released dozens of signature models over his 20-year career, and James Harden’s out-of-this-world designs. Harden (adidas) is the first non-Nike athlete on the list, which might tell you something about Nike’s continued dominance in the basketball shoe market.

HoopsHype

Shams Charania: The Grizzlies were among several teams interested in trading for Prosper this offseason before the Dallas Mavericks decided to waive and stretch his contract to sign Dante Exum. Now Memphis lands the athletic frontcourt piece as a free agent.

x.com

Nick DePaula: Nike is launching the “Uncharted” LeBron 23 ahead of @KingJames’ 23rd NBA season — celebrating his milestone of becoming the first player to score more than 40,000 points. Shoe features bold crown design as key storytelling of “Forever King” year-long campaign. pic.x.com/An74Sf1afC

x.com

Stefan Bondy: The Kawhi stuff is important but not shocking. His uncle was asking the Lakers for a private plane, a house and ownership stake.

x.com

“If I’m a betting man, I think this will be his last season,” Pierce said about James. “You know, I think he’s played 21, 22 years. He’s been the GOAT for so long. He’s maintained the stats. We appreciate what he brought to the game and how he’s held the mantle since (Michael) Jordan left. Bron is one of them ones. We appreciate him. But I think his time is up. But we appreciate what he’s done for the league.”

Dallas Hoops Journal

Fullcourtpass: Paul Pierce thinks this will be LeBron James last season in the NBA “He’s been the GOAT for so long, he’s maintained the stats… I think his time is up but we appreciate what he’s done for the league.”

Twitter

Zach Lowe: There's like rumblings that Maxi Kleber might be healthy and shoot some threes and all that. 

YouTube

One NBA All-Star is calling a spade a spade when it comes to Draymond Green. San Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox appeared this week on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back.” During the show, the topic of the biggest complainers in the NBA came up. Fox specifically zeroed in on the Warriors star Green as the league’s biggest complainer. “Draymond will clothesline you and then look at the ref like, ‘What’d I do?'” said Fox. Fox also agreed with interviewer Lou Williams’ assertion that Luka Doncic is a big complainer as well, noting that “Luka’s up there.” However, Fox did add that complaining to the referees can sometimes be warranted, saying that “reffing is god-awful at times.”

Larry Brown Sports

N3ON: Who is the hardest player you ever had to guard? Dennis Rodman: The hardest player I had to guard… my lawyer. True story. No, I'm good. I know, James Worthy. How about that? James Worthy for the Lakers. N3ON: Damn. Interesting. Dennis Rodman: Always him.

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