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Sheryl Swoopes Was Hating, Gilbert Arenas Co-signed, And The Computer Guy Had One Job | Hoops Fans Want Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese Rematch

There was an embarrassing but telling moment for WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes and former NBA shooter turned podcaster Gilbert Arenas recently when Swoopes appeared on “Gil’s Arena” podcast and tried to discredit Iowa star Caitlin Clark’s NCAA all-time scoring record pursuit. 

“If you’re going to break a record to me, if it’s legitimate you have to break that record in the same amount of time that the player set it,” Swoopes said.  

“If Kelsey Plum broke that record in four years, well Caitlin should have broken that record in four years. But because there’s a COVID year, then there’s another year, so she’s already had an extra year to break that record, so is it truly a broken record?”  

Arenas chimed in: “You think exactly how I am” 

Swoopes saw the co-host sitting with the computer and didn’t bother to even make sure she wasn’t spitting misinformation. For her own credibility at least. 

“I don’t think (it’s a true broken record) but that will go in the record book as Caitlin Clark is the all-time …whatever it is I don’t know what the number is…but that’s the way it will be, but I don’t think there should be.”

Gilbert Arenas continues to co-sign Swoopes. 

“And the sad part is that record will never be broken because there’ll never be another five or six years you can play in college sports. It should be a whole separate entity.” 

What Arenas meant is the points record should be according to the number of years you played, because under normal circumstances a player would only have four eligible years. 

“This is not the NBA where you talk about you playing 10 years and I played 20 years,” he continued.  

Swoopes and Gilbert Had The Facts Wrong

Swoopes and Gil were totally wrong on the eligibility of Clark personally, although their points are valid about the years of eligibility and how that affects the authenticity of the record. 

If they stopped there, it might not have been seen as a session of hating on Clark’s success. But when Swoopes implied that Clark’s scoring is unimpressive because she basically doesn’t let anyone else shoot the ball — and greatly exaggerated Clark’s field goal attempts per game to validate her point — she kind of crossed the line. 

“Caitlin Clark probably takes about 40 shots a game….” Swoopes said. “When she comes to the league, regardless of hat team she goes to that has vets on that team, she’s probably not going to get 40 shots a game.”

The most shots Clark has taken in a game this season (which is also easily researchable) is 34 in a 76-73 win over Michigan State on Jan. 2. She took 31 shots in a 67-58 win over Iowa State on Dec. 6. She also averages 7.9 assists and seven rebounds per game, while shooting a very efficient 48 percent from the field. 

After ranting about misinformation for a few minutes, all it seems, in an effort to disparage Clark’s record as if she was taking advantage of a loophole and didn’t earn her accolades, Clark Nation was undoubtedly pissed at the WNBA legend and former college coach, who would never want her numbers or place in basketball history misrepresented.  

Swoopes’ loose lips were no different or potentially-damaging than certain folks labeling Angel Reese as “ghetto” or painting her as the antagonist when Clark’s confidence and bravado was expressed in equally animated fashion on the court. 

Clark and Reese Still Most Polarizing Names In Women’s College Hoops

Clark picked up where she left off in last year’s NCAA tournament, when her battle with LSU’s Angel Reese took on a life of its own and made both players millionaires and media darlings. Clark’s visibility went through the roof when she led Iowa to the national championship game in April 2023 after a huge upset win over Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks in the Final Four. 

Clark is the top scorer in women’s hoops this season and is known for her signature Steph Curry threes from the logo. Clark is on pace to top Kelsey Plum’s women’s scoring record (3,527), set in 2017 and has an outside shot at the longstanding men’s scoring record, set by Pete Maravich in 1970 (3,667 points) prior to the implementation of the three-point line. 

If she doesn’t break the record this season, which, barring injury, she will accomplish easily, then maybe Swoopes and Gil have a gripe if she needs a fifth year to do it.  

But the WNBA is calling and she keeps scoring. Clark started the 2023-24 season with 2,717 career points, and through 23 games she’s averaging 32.4 points per game and will likely break Plum’s record in mid-February. 

Caitlyn Clark vs. Angel Reese

The lines in college basketball were drawn last season when everyone from social media talking heads to radio hosts and the average sports fan immersed their emotions in the NCAA women’s championship game between Clark’s Iowa team and Angel Reese’s LSU squad. 

Reese won the title and much of the glory, but conflicting cultural opinions on the use of Tony Yayo’s signature “You Can’t See Me” move which some publications attributed to white wrestler John Cena, opened up another can of worms and it seems the support for the two players largely became defined by political and racial lines. 

While Clark has continued to rise to the top of the sport, Reese struggled at times this season. She was benched by her coach Kim Mulkey for four games early in the season for unspecified reasons. Rumors were rampant that she had failed to maintain academic standards and the NIL deals and fame that she acquired, elevating the 21-year-old’s net worth to $3 million, had gone to her head. 

With her popularity at its peak following the NCAA title win over Clark, top brands like Amazon, Xfinity, McDonald’s and Coach among others brought her a bag of nearly $2 million.  

Reese regained control of her life and season and is averaging nearly 20 points per game and 12.2 rebounds. She’s definitely a force for ninth-ranked LSU (19-4) who still has a chance to repeat. Iowa (21-2) is ranked third in the country, and don’t be surprised if these two teams meet during March Madness again. With all due respect to Dawn Staley and the incredible culture and winning tradition that she’s brought to South Carolina, the casual fan wants to see Clark and Reese run it back. 

Both players are covered on a much higher scale than any other player in women’s basketball. Southern Cal’s JuJu Watkins had a recent 51-point game explosion and she’s next up, but the perfect ending for the NCAA money machine and women’s college basketball as a brand would be to have its two biggest names on its most visible stage. 

Both are guaranteed to have their own fan bases and the facts are irrelevant. Sheryl Swoopes and Gilbert Arenas showed us that. 

Peyton Manning Says New Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore Has To Design Offense “Around Jalen Hurts and What He Likes”

Lamar Jackson is probably the player that most NFL fans and media would say has the most pressure entering the 2024 season, because his team was a Super Bowl favorite and he fell a game short.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts should be at the top of any such list.  

After leading the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl in the 2022 season, Hurts’ performance started with a bang as the Eagles soared to a 10-1 record and then was the glaring dysfunction in the team’s 1-6 finish. 

He passed for a modest 3,858 yards, 23 touchdowns, and a whopping 15 interceptions to offset 15 rushing TDs. With the abundance of talent that the Eagles possess on offense, and the unrest that seemed to infest the skill players, it was inevitable that offensive coordinator Brian Johnson would be given his walking papers. 

What Happened With Jalen Hurts and Offensive Coordinator Brian Johnson?

Johnson joined the Eagles as quarterbacks coach in 2021 and was promoted to offensive coordinator after Shane Steichen left to take the head coach job in Indianapolis. 

The relationship between Johnson and Hurts started with great success. Under Johnson’s guidance as an assistant, Hurts was a finalist for AP NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 and the Eagles reached the Super Bowl. 

That’s life in the NFL though. One season you are the toast of the town, and the next people doubt you and you start to doubt yourself. 

Hurts was given a $255 million contract to go back to the Super Bowl the next season and finish the job. Instead, his passer rating dropped to 89.1 from 101.5 and a Philadelphia offense that is loaded with weapons fell off the face of the earth. 

Jalen Hurts Gets Another Pass

The body language between the players was off and the results on the field led to wide scale changes in leadership on both sides of the ball. With the firing of Johnson, the Eagles are choosing not to blame their franchise QB for the team’s shortcomings on offense.

Instead, they went out and got seasoned play-caller Kellen Moore to take over and get this offense back on track for a real run at it in 2024. 

The ball is now in Jalen Hurts’ court. His trainwreck of a season can be attributed to a disconnect between Johnson and the offense and Johnson’s inability to maximize his weapons. He’s basically off the hook and the Eagles are willing to wipe the slate clean and forget last season ever happened.

Peyton Manning Likes New Eagles Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore

Moore, a former NFL quarterback for six seasons, has been an offensive coordinator in the NFL since 2019, when the Dallas Cowboys promoted him from quarterbacks coach. He spent 2019-2022 with the Cowboys and then spent 2023 as the offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Chargers.

Moore already has one strong supporter, and that’s legendary quarterback Peyton Manning. 

“I think he’s a good playcaller. You know, changes are part of the offseason every single year, but I think Jalen [Hurts] will like playing for him,” said Manning to reporters while attending the Senior Bowl. 

 “You know, I like Nick [Sirianni’s] system. So, you know, I imagine there’s some type of kind of hybrid of what Nick wants to do and what Kellen wants to do as long as you’re working together on that.”

Moore had mixed results with an 18th-ranked Los Angeles Chargers offense that was hampered by injuries, including one that ended quarterback Justin Herbert’s season. 

During his stint in Dallas, Moore orchestrated three top-10 offenses, including two No. 1-ranked units in 2019 and 2021. 

In 2019, Dak Prescott and the Cowboys averaged 431.5 yards per game and scored 49 touchdowns. Two seasons later, they averaged 407 yards per game and scored 64 TDs.

Moore Must Cater Offense To Jalen Hurts Strengths 

“I think it’s got to be, you know, focused around Jalen and what he likes,” said Manning. “I think it’s a good hire for the Eagles.” 

“I like Kellen, obviously,” said Manning. “I’ve known Kellen since he was in college, and he came down to our football camp, and we stayed in touch.” Moore was the quarterback at Boise State from 2008-2011 before going undrafted in 2012. During his time at Boise State, he was a two-time first-team All-WAC and one-time first-team All-MWC.

Moore spent six years in the NFL, starting two games for Dallas. Upon retirement, he became the Cowboys’ quarterback coach in 2017.

Moore is probably licking his chops at an opportunity to redesign the Eagles’ offense in his vision. Based on what went down last season, Moore’s mere presence is considered an upgrade for Jalen Hurts, Devonta Smith, AJ Brown, and the other skill position players.

“She’s Dead To Us This Week” | Christian McCaffrey’s Mom Won’t Let San Francisco 49ers Be Buried By NFL’s “Traylor” Takeover

Women took over the hip-hop world in 2023, and it seems they are prepared to rule the NFL media landscape to start 2024. At least before media week gets into full swing.

It’s not a stretch to say that the coverage Taylor Swift is receiving is definitely moving the needle more than the actual game and storylines surrounding the game. 

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey’s Mom Puts Taylor Swift Fandom On Hold

San Francisco 49ers mom Lisa McCaffrey went on her son’s fiancée’s Olivia Culpo’s podcast, “Your Mom,” as San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey will be facing Swift’s boyfriend, Travis Kelce, in Super Bowl LVIII next weekend.

She let the world know she was boycotting Swift during Super Bowl week in a clear show of support for her son. 

As Swift prepares for her Grammy show tonight, overseas tour this week and then subsequent travel to arrive in Las Vegas by kickoff, comfortably seated in her suite next to Donna Kelce, McCaffrey used her connections to get her voice heard.

McCaffrey said what plenty of 49ers fans were thinking.

“I refuse to listen to Taylor Swift songs for the next couple days,” she said.

“I love her, I love the relationship, but we are boycotting any T. Swift songs,” she added on the show.

“If she pops up on the radio station … nope. She’s dead to us this week.”

Suite Prices Super Bowl 2024 Between $1.4 Million and $2.5 Million

Culpo, a model, actor, and 2012 Miss Universe winner, dates 49ers MVP Christian McCaffrey. She recently surprised Lisa McCaffrey by buying her future mother-in-law a Super Bowl suite to view the game.

According to Suite Experience Group, suite prices for Super Bowl 2024 will average between $1,400,000 and $2,500,000. The big game will have various suite options, including Traditional Suites, Owners Club Suites and Premium Loges.

Traylor Madness Overshadowing 49ers Stars

McCaffrey may not be getting the press that a candidate for best player on the field at Super Bowl 58 should be getting, but his mom is willing to make a huge sacrifice by not listening to Taylor Swift this week.

The Traylor madness that Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and the pop star with over 280 million followers on Instagram has started is a story line that not even the great Patrick Mahomes, who is trying to win his third Super Bowl, can outshine. 

There hasn’t been too much tough talking between the two sides, but Super Bowl week is just starting so expect the media mill to heat up with more football-specific coverage. That doesn’t mean players from both teams won’t be asked an unbearable amount of questions relating to Taylor Swift. 

No matter how hard Lisa McCaffrey fights for her son, the chatter will not outshine this Taylor Swift matrix that the NFL gladly dove right into the middle of. 

Conspiracy Theorists Can Enjoy A Fair Super Bowl LVIII

The 49ers may be invisible to the average sports fan at this moment, but the machine doesn’t control the outcome of the game, regardless of what some conspiracy theorists spew on social media. The fix definitely is not in for Kansas City. Once Swift makes her appearance at Allegiant Stadium, the money hits the account for all of the corporate machines who stand to benefit from Taylor’s reported $331 million cash-infusion her presence brought the K.C. Chiefs franchise this season. 

It wouldn’t be surprising if reports of some sort of delay in Swift’s travel emerged. That would allow social media sleuths to start tracking her commercial flight if she doesn’t take the jet. A delay would create an entirely new narrative for the 100 million viewers, relating to Swift’s arriving at the game by kickoff. 

Swift’s travel time frame was the topic of conversation on social media platforms in past weeks. The Japanese embassy to the United States had to assure fans that Swift can make it in time to support Kelce.

Taylor Swift’s attendance at the Super Bowl is now a matter of international policy. 

More drama for the non-football fans and Swifties who will be tuned in and could not care less how many yards Isiah Pacheco runs for in the first quarter. 

Speaking of jets, Swift, who has a net worth of $1 billion, has more than one private jet, including a Dassault Falcon 900 that can sits at least 12 people and fly at up to 590 mph.

A flight from Tokyo to Las Vegas takes 11 or 12 hours, she has to cross nine time zones to accomplish her mission. 

But once the game begins, the 49ers have their opportunity to steal center stage and deliver a convincing win that shatters all narratives and conspiracy theories 

To true football fans, the game will be great even without Swift, who is nominated for six Grammys at Sunday’s show on CBS and attempting to make music history by winning her fourth album of the year Grammy. 

Legends Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon have also each won album of the year three times. Sinatra was the first to win back-to-back years, and Wonder won all three of his awards in four years.

All of the hype has got to be making the 49ers players seethe. Head coach Kyle Shanahan probably loves it, because it takes the pressure and spotlight off his team.

So, for now, they’ll let McCaffrey’s mom do the talking. That seems to be the way social media beef functions these days.

So Now Travis Kelce Popularized The Fade And Taylor Swift Invented Swag Surfing’? I’m Done With “Traylor”

We live in two Americas, and in the one I live in, I’m officially done with the polarizing love affair with Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. Not because it’s tainting the way I watch football, not because they’re weaved within the storyline of the NFL currently, even into the Super Bowl, but because popular media outlets are claiming they popularized Black cultural staples.

To The New York Times: shame on you! In a recent article titled: “They’ll Take The Travis Kelce – Hairdo, That Is,” the fade is now attributed as popular due to Travis Kelce. The publication claims, “Barbers in America and abroad are being inundated with requests for “the Travis Kelce.”

Does it come with a Taylor Swift to take home with you after you leave the barber chair? Last I checked, fades were a stable item in the Black community and came in various textures, lengths, and kinky sizes. The fact that white people are getting hip to the fade, according to NYT, because Travis Kelce is dating someone super famous is weird.

From Boosie and Webbie to Big Daddy Kane to anyone in the NFL in the nineties, the fade is nothing new, nor is it a “Traylor” relationship phenomenon.

“My issue isn’t with Travis Kelce because he didn’t write this story nor has he ever claimed to invent this particular haircut,” journalist Jemele Hill posted on ‘X.’. “My issue is with the NYT for giving zero cultural context and failing to explain that fades have been popular for a very long time and it has a significant connection to Black culture.”

I will admit, I was on the Kelce-Swift bandwagon for, if nothing else, happy to see the professional sportsman version of a construction worker bag a billion-dollar singer. These are the things that dreams are truly made of.

However, just because Taylor Swift has brought an estimated $331 million of value to the NFL with her mere presence, does not mean she invented everything culturally cool.

Am I the only one who peeps all the Black guys around Taylor when she is in the Chief’s sky box? I figured they were her producers, fresh off the “PJ” or private jet they took to the game from the recording studio. They are the secret sauce she carries in her bag, like Hillary Clinton’s hot sauce.

Then The Sporting News headline, “What Is Swag Surfin? Everything to know about Chiefs’ viral dance celebration as Taylor Swift and Donna Kelce participate.”

This one is truly out of line.

As a proud HBCU graduate who has been swag surfin’ at every game and Homecoming Yard activity since Fast Life Yungstaz dropped the song in 2009, I am offended. There are cultural traditions that have miraculously transcended time, socioeconomic status, and industry and swag surfing’ is definitely one of them.

Travis and Taylor are not invited to the cookout and Black people can’t help it if others don’t tap in with Black culture until someone of another race brings it to the forefront. Problem is, once that happens, mainstream media has a bad habit of developing a narrative that they invented the cookout and the kick back.

Michael Jordan Game-Worn Sneaker Set Auctioned For $8M | The Richest Athlete In History Adds Old Money To His New $3B Fortune

The legend of Michael Jordan continues and, as the NBA’s GOAT gets older, his past memorabilia get more expensive. 

Jordan is definitely a brand that appreciates in value. The mogul recently sold his majority ownership in the Charlotte Hornets to wealthy investors Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall for $3 billion, marking the end of his 13-year-run as the only Black majority owner in the major pro sports.  

How Much Did Set Of Jordan Sneakers Sell For At Auction?

On Feb. 2, a set of six Michael Jordan championship Air Jordan sneakers sold for a record-breaking $8 million at auction. 

The auction house Sotheby’s announced the complete set was sold for $8,032,800, which reportedly set a new global auction record for game-worn sneakers.

The set consists of an Air Jordan VI (1991), Air Jordan VII (1992), Air Jordan VIII (1993), Air Jordan XI (1996), Air Jordan XII (1997), and Air Jordan XIV (1998). 

Each sneaker is autographed by the six-time champion and five-time MVP and includes signed limited photographs taken by legendary photographer Bill Smith after the 1992, 1993, 1996, and 1998 NBA Finals.

Smith covered the Bulls during that era and is credited with some iconic photos of MJ, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and other Bulls legends. 

Value Estimated Between $7M and 10M

According to initial reports, Sotheby’s auction house estimated the value of the Jordan sneakers between $7 million and $10 million, so they knew the final price would be possibly record-breaking once the complete set was sold. 

Some super rich party pooper swooped in and bought the entire collection. 

“Today’s record-breaking price is a testament to the GOAT,” said Sotheby’s head of modern collectibles, Brahm Wachter, in a statement, ESPN reported. 

“The Dynasty Collection undeniably ranks among the most significant compilations of sports memorabilia in history. Serving as both a reminder of Michael Jordan’s lasting impact on the world and a tangible expression of his recognized legendary status, its significance is further validated by this monumental result.

“A truly unparalleled moment and milestone in auction history, the sale of these six championship-clinching sneakers will likely never be replicated,” he added.

The Dynasty Collection is not located in the United States but will be available to view in Dubai through 3 March.

Jordan Brand Is King In Game-Worn Sports Memorabilia 

Michael Jordan holds a plethora of NBA records that he set during his incomparable NBA career, and as a brand, everything MJ produces or touches is usually a transcending situation as well, 

Jordan still holds the record for most expensive game-worn sports memorabilia. 

Chicago Bulls Jersey From Game One 1998 NBA Finals

Jordan’s Chicago Bulls jersey worn during Game 1 of the 1998 NBA Finals  against the Utah Jazz was auctioned off by Sotheby’s for a record-breaking $10.1 million.

Jordan scored 33 points in that game en route to disposing of the Jazz in six games. That ’98 series, the focus of the award-winning documentary “The Last Dance,” marked Jordan’s second three-peat, final season with the Bulls and his final NBA championship. Jordan averaged 33.5 points, four rebounds, and 2.3 assists.

Air Jordan 13s From Game Two 1998 NBA Finals

Meanwhile, his Air Jordan 13s that he rocked In Game 2 were sold for more than $2.2 million at auction in May 2023.

Jordan Wore Nike Air Ships Before Air Jordans

In August 2023, an autographed pair of his Nike Air Ships that Jordan rocked in his rookie season and were worn before the popular Air Jordans hit the scene and cornered the market in 1985, were sold for $624,000. 

Jordan Brand Leads All-Star Fashion

For the seventh consecutive year, Jordan Brand will outfit the league’s brightest stars for 73rd NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, at 8 p.m. ET in Indianapolis. 

The event is airing on TNT in the United States and reaching fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 50 languages. So, the entire event will be an expansion of the Michael Jordan influence. The Jordan Brand get up is designed to reflect the old-school, Hoosier-inspired warm-ups.

The Michael Jordan brand and his many investments is still one of the strongest in sports. His accomplishments, memories and crossover cultural impact — and his continuous flow of new wealth — will keep him at the forefront of business and entertainment for years to come. 

Rest In Power, Carl Weathers: The Prototype Athlete-Actor

As athlete-turned-actor Carl Weathers passed, the world lost a giant in the entertainment industry. For the culture, he was like a swole chameleon version of Richard Roundtree. Both physically fit and with range, Weathers gave us everything from “Chubbs” in Adam Sandler’s whimsically toxic movie “Happy Gilmore” to the Black tough-guy hero “Action Jackson.”

But his breakthrough role was as Apollo Creed in the 1976 movie “Rocky.”

The latter character became part of a franchise. Even after his character’s death at the fists of the ultimate villain Ivan Drago in “Rocky IV,” Apollo Creed’s power conveyed through Weathers endured, breathing life into the Rocky Balboa series with the Creed character’s son Adonis Johnson, portrayed by Michael B. Jordan.

Carl Weathers could evoke fear, inspire strength, stoke envy, and still be an everyman. He was a unicorn in an industry where Black men are treated as caricatures. Instead, Carl Weathers was just pure, straightforward, dogged strength and unpretentious authentic bravado.

That’s probably why in 2024, his net worth was reportedly around $9.2 million, with profits coming from his career as an actor and a professional athlete, according to InTouch Weekly.

A former professional football player, Weathers was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 14, 1948. He played college football at San Diego State before being drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 1970. He played for the Raiders and later for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League before starting his acting career.

Weathers began his acting career with minor roles in various television shows and movies before landing his legendary role as Apollo Creed. He went on to reprise the role in three sequels. Weathers also appeared in other movies such as “Predator,” as well as TV shows such as “Arrested Development” and “The Mandalorian.”

With unmistakable talent and charisma, Carl Weathers is as beloved a figure in the entertainment industry as all the greats. He might not have been as celebrated as some of his white contemporaries, but in our community, he was a luminary.

Rest in power to the man who subtly reinforced to young Black children that they could embody strength.

Sorry, Haters, The Knicks No Longer Stink | Jalen Brunson Gets Emotional After Dropping 40 On Atlanta and Hearing ‘M-V-P’ Chants

When the New York Knicks take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night, they will be led by guard Jalen Brunson, who continues to brush off the haters, coaches and media types who claim that he is not a 1A guy when it comes to NBA championship team building. 

Those doubters forgot to look at his résumé from high school and college at Villanova where he won a national title and a Naismith Award as the best player in the country. Those are usually 1A guy credentials. 

Jalen Brunson Continues To Silence Critics

Becky Hammon doubts his size. Candace Parker fronted on his elite skills that pay the bills. Others who have slept on this new Knicks team’s ascension into the elite squads in the Eastern Conference also need to wake up quickly. 

Brunson is proving nightly that he is that dude. All 6 feet 2 of him. The best point guard the Knicks have had in decades is Mark Jackson and Rod Strickland rolled up in one.

Jalen Brunson Named 2023-24 All-Star Reserve

Brunson, the man most responsible for this Knicks transformation, was deservedly selected to his first All-Star game, named as a reserve for the Eastern Conference. 

Brunson carries the offensive load for the Knicks who are in third place in the Eastern Conference, averaging 27.1 points per game, 6.4 assists and shooting a scorching 48 percent from the field. 

Brunson is averaging 32.6 ppg during this recent nine-game win streak by the Knicks, the most ever by a Knicks star over that span since Carmelo Anthony was lighting it up in 2014.

After torching the Atlanta Hawks with 40 points on 15 of 30 shooting in a 109-105 victory on Feb 1, Brunson spoke about his long road to being accepted as one of the best players in the game. Brunson was emotional in a way that is not typical following a midseason victory.

Madison Square Garden Crowd Shouts “M-V-P” As Emotional Jalen Brunson Does Interview

The MSG crowd is also back in effect as one of the more supportive and raucous in the league. The New York fans shouted “M-V-P” during Brunson’s postgame interview.

Madison Square Garden has also returned to a place where it’s almost impossible to beat the Knicks again. New York is now 18-5 at home this season and, beyond that, the Knicks are 15-2 since 2024 walked in the door. 

The Knicks need a superstar. It wasn’t obvious to most at first because he doesn’t fit the prototypical view of what an MVP is these days. The NBA has been the land of the big man and is increasingly moving in that direction, with 7-foot unicorns all the rave and freakishly sized and athletic players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid hogging the MVP train. 

Under the leadership of Brunson, a proven winner at every level, and with the trade for OG Anunoby, the Knicks are starting to build a legit title contender. At the very least they will be a tough out for anybody this postseason as their defense continues to be an integral part of the team philosophy. 

He may not be the most physically imposing player on the squad, but the Knicks’ destiny will go as far as Jalen Brunson’s big-time All-Star game takes them.

“Level 10 Fentanyl Is Enough To Kill. The #KansasCity3 Were At Level 30”| Toxicology Tests Reportedly Confirm The Worst For Families Of Men Found Dead After NFL Watch Party 

The mystery deaths of the #KansasCity3, found dead in the backyard of a friend’s home two days after a Kansas City Chiefs NFL watch party, is almost solved. 

Initial toxicology reports on David Harrington, Clayton McGeeney and Ricky Johnson confirm suspicions by legal experts and other professionals, finding traces of cocaine, THC and fentanyl in their systems, various media outlets are now reporting.

According to Fox 4 News, family members of the three men, confirmed the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) has been in contact with them about the reports. NewsNation reports that toxicology found three times the amount of fentanyl that is enough to terminate a life.

“The family source says level 10 fentanyl is enough to kill. The #KansasCity3 were at level 30.”

NewsNation reporter Alex Caprariello later reported that the details have now been confirmed by a second family member. 

Some Family Members Suspected Murder, Insisting Men Didn’t Do Hard Drugs

The report has to be bad news for the families of these three men, who insisted that they didn’t indulge in hard drugs and suggested something nefarious was at the root of these deaths.

Lorie Kruse, longtime girlfriend of 37-year-old David Harrington, held no punches when appearing on Chris Cuomo’s show. “David was murdered,” she told Cuomo. “Those three guys were murdered.” 

“I don’t know if Jordan gave them something like they’re talking about,” Kruse continued. “David wasn’t a drug addict like they’re talking about… David didn’t do stuff like that.” 

“Maybe they did take something because they were drinking,” she continued. “But I know David wouldn’t have took it.”

The toxicology report, if the latest accounts of what it says are true, has proved otherwise. Unless the men didn’t know what they were taking or Willis tricked them into taking it and then locked them outside, proving a murder took place will be difficult. 

Family Lawyers Don’t See Toxicology Report As Negating Murder

Tony Kagay, the attorney for McGeeney’s family, said Thursday night on Fox News that he doesn’t see the report as a loss for the families but the first step in unraveling what truly happened to these men, as their friend reportedly slept inside the house for 48 hours straight. 

“I don’t think that anyone familiar with this situation or this investigation thought that there wasn’t something else in play here and I think that the toxicology report is going to be the first step of many steps in the investigation as to who is responsible for these men’s tragic deaths,” Kagay said.

Full autopsy and toxicology reports will be released soon and hopefully will shed more light on the Chiefs fans’ mysterious deaths.

Jordan Willis, the resident of the home where the men were found dead, claims he was in the house for two days, but he failed to respond to numerous attempts by the victims’ families to contact him. 

After reports surfaced that Willis was in a state of depression as rumors swirl about his involvement in potential murders, he has since moved out of the house and reportedly checked into rehab for addiction.

As the Kansas City Chiefs gear up for the franchise’s fourth Super Bowl in five years with all of the fanfare Taylor Swift has brought to the NFL, there’s a dark story hovering over Chiefs Kingdom and a tragic loss of life for three of the team’s faithful fans, who won’t get to enjoy another NFL game together.  

Shaquille O’Neal Backing $29M Venture Because ‘Everyone Should Have Access To A World-Class Education’ | Check Out Shaq’s Updated $500M Business Portfolio

Shaquille O’Neal has built a corporate empire with a total worth in excess of $500M. When the Hall of Famer, one of the most charismatic, polarizing and larger-than-life figures the NBA has ever seen, retired from the game, he went full force into marketing his celebrity and building a corporate empire based on shrewd investments. 

Shaq Invests In $29M Funding Round To Campus: Helping College Students Finish Degree

Shaq’s latest investment is a startup called Campus, which aims to help community college students finish their degrees and go on to complete a bachelor’s degree.

O’Neal is part of a group of investors, along with Open AI’s Sam Altman and Discord’s Jason Citron, who have committed more than $29 million to the project.

Of course, Shaq doesn’t just make money to buy nice things for his family and floss for blogs. Every time he puts a part of his hard-earned fortune into someone else’s dream, he says it’s mostly about investing in people. 

In an interview with Fortune, O’Neal credits Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos for inspiring him to invest in projects like Campus.

“I heard Jeff Bezos say, if you invest in things that’s going to change people’s lives, you’ll always get a great return on your investment,” O’Neal said. “But this particular investment is not about great return because I feel that everyone should have access to world-class education.”

What Is Campus?

On its website, Campus’ slogan reads: A COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR THE FUTURE. Because everyone should have access to world-class education.

The website boasts that students can earn a credential or an associate’s degree, or start a business based on the knowledge and insight gained at the university. They also have the option of advancing to a four-year college. Campus offers live classes online, some of which are taught by professors who also teach at four-year programs.

Shaq Made $292 Million In NBA Career

Despite building an impressive portfolio as one of the NBA’s all-time highest paid players, Shaq who made more than $290 million in his NBA career, often speaks about the way he values education. His early experiences of feeling disrespected in business meetings inspired his desire to continue his schooling and pursue his MBA. 

Shaq left LSU after three years to begin his NBA journey, but in 2000 Shaq received his Bachelor of Arts degree in general studies and then completed an MBA degree from the University of Phoenix in 2005. 

Never one to be outdone, Shaq also graduated with a doctorate in education (Ed.D) from Barry University in Miami, focused on Human Resource Development.

“I noticed that every time I go to a business meeting, the guys we were doing deals with would be like, ‘Hello Shaq, how are you doing?’ And then they would turn away and look at my lawyers and my accountants,” O’Neal said in 2022. “So I said, ‘Oh, you guys don’t think I’m in charge? You guys don’t think I understand the lingo?'”

Campus founder Tade Oyerinde wrote in a press release that O’Neal was the ideal match as a partner.

“When we met and he shared his life story with me, it was almost immediately obvious that his values aligned with our mission of maximizing access to world-class education,” Oyerinde wrote. 

O’Neal said he and Oyerinde were going to hit this endeavor with the same force that he and another legendary teammate came with on the NBA court.

“He’s gonna be Kobe and I’m gonna be Shaq, and we are going to knock this thing out of the park,” O’Neal told Fortune.

Shaq’s Business Portfolio Exceeds $100M: Investments 

Knocking business ventures out of the park is something Shaq has done well. Prior to linking with Camps, Shaq opened the doors to his Big Chicken franchise in Houston this past June. His opening event drew so many people that the fire marshal had to shut it down. 

Big Chicken

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal opened the doors to his Big Chicken franchise in Houston last June and the event drew so many people the fire marshal had to shut it down.

Big Chicken was founded in 2018 by Shaq in conjunction with JRS Hospitality, and Authentic Brands Group. The goal was to combine Shaq’s home-cooked childhood favorites with popular flavors.

Each item on the menu has Shaq’s personalized touch with staples: chicken sandwiches, popcorn chicken, tenders, sliders, salads, fries, shakes, ice cream sandwiches, and cookies. All foods the TNT NBA analyst ate as a child.

“This is my creation — Excuse me, this is my mama’s creation. Coming from where we come from … had to eat chicken a lot,” Shaq told reporters. “Chicken sandwiches, chicken tacos, chicken everything. When the opportunity came to create this franchise, we had a meeting and sold over 250.”

Currently Big Chicken franchises are sold out in Arizona, Idaho, Florida and Utah. Opportunities remain in the rest of the U.S.

Auntie Anne’s: Shaq is the current franchise owner of 17 Auntie Anne’s pretzels restaurants with an investment of $300,000. 

Five Guys:  This chain is the first substantial investment in a franchise that Shaq made, and he flipped it into a fortune, eventually owning and selling 155 of the restaurants. That was 10 percent of their company at the time.

Papa John’s:  Shaq owns nine Papa John’s locations in and around Atlanta. He’s appeared in commercials as a brand ambassador and was named the first Black board member in company history in 2019. In addition to hsi franchises, the company purchased the right to use his likeness for $8.5M

24-Hour Fitness Centers: Shaq had purchased 40 fitness centers which all add to his business portfolio. 

Car Washes: Shaq owns 150 car washes or so, which is why he has a lot to say about them as investments. These are some of the most lucrative money-makers. 

Krispy Kreme: Shaq supposedly acquired a deep love for Krispy Kreme donuts while breaking records in college at LSU. Shaq reportedly had owned one on his bucket list years ago and finally was able to purchase one in Atlanta that was almost 60 years old. 

Shaq’s Other Business Ventures Outside Of Franchising 

Shaq has reportedly purchased shares in a diverse number of brands from beauty and fashion to food and transportation. He also has several Las Vegas nightclubs, a cinema, and a strip mall, in addition to investing in other high profile business brands, including: 

Lyft, JCPenney, Gold Bond, Icy Hot, The General Insurance and Forever 21.

Shaq Makes $10 Million Per Season On TNT’s “Inside The NBA”

Shaq’s brand continues to explode in his role as co-host of the legendary “Inside the NBA” show that has amassed 17 Emmys. Shaq rejoined his nemesis Charles Barkley on the award-winning show this NBA season, along with Ernie Johnson and Kenny “The Jet” Smith. Shaq reportedly makes $10 million per season and in 2022 he signed a deal that is unofficially reported as being a 10-year agreement. Shaq, however, maintains that he can terminate his contract at any point. 

During Black History month, it’s only fitting that we celebrate a Black American hero such as Shaq, who at the age of 51 is still learning, building, expanding his empire while also serving the people who have supported his celebrity all these years.

Hold That! Reggie Bush Won’t Let USC Retire His Number Until He Gets Back His Heisman

The USC Trojans want to give former running back Reggie Bush his flowers by retiring his jersey. But Reggie wants the celebration once a piece of his outstanding collegiate football career is restored: his Heisman trophy.

That ceremony in sunny Southern California will have to wait.

Reggie Bush is not your negro, to quote the documentary of the same name about American writer James Baldwin holding his country accountable in an unfinished manuscript. Like Baldwin, who exiled himself from the States in the face of adversity, Bush returned his Heisman during a time that would have never have been envisioned in an NIL era.

Why Did Reggie Bush Have Heisman Taken?

Bush had a legendary season with the USC Trojans in 2005 that yielded him the Heisman Trophy until a four-year probe revealed he violated NCAA rules about improperly receiving gifts. The NCAA found that he and his family accepted prohibited gifts, including cash, travel expenses, and a San Diego-area home rent-free.

The NCAA investigated, and sanctions came down on USC for not regulating Bush. It is almost impossible to imagine a world where teens turned adults aren’t valued as NIL millionaires, whether real or speculative. Bush returned his trophy in 2010.

Today’s athletes are lauded for being popular through exploiting their potential on social media, and college is now a place where you can get paid even if you never make it pro. If Reggie Bush were playing today, he would be one of the superstars of the PAC-12 and at the top of the NIL Valuation charts.

Reggie Bush Would Be An NIL King Today

Imagine Bush, who had an impact more significant than Shedeur and Shilo Sanders’’ pop culture splash with his 2005 rushing for 1,740 yards and 16 touchdowns. He really averaged 8.7 yards per carry and caught 37 receptions for 478 yards and two touchdowns. He played punt and kick returner while racking up awards: the Doak Walker, Walter Camp, and Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year.

Bush also helped lead the Trojans on a 34-game win streak and two national championship titles, playing only three seasons at the school. Now those are stats you floss a watch in your opponent’s face too.

However, in June 2010, the NCAA issued harsh sanctions to USC, stripping them of the 2004 national title, making them vacate 14 wins from 2004 to 2005, and relinquishing 30 scholarships. Additionally, Bush’s stats were either erased or have asterisks marring his accomplishments with what are, in essence, sanctioned disclaimers. That disassociation ban was lifted in June 2020 after ten years.

Last August, Bush pushed the pedal on the NCAA and filed a defamation lawsuit, claiming the organization improperly described him as benefiting from a “pay-for-play” arrangement at USC. The goal is simple: get the trophy back and reinstate his records from 2003-2005.

Until then, the ceremony retiring his jersey can wait as Reggie Bush seeks to close the loop that helped kick down the door for NIL.

“He’s Better Than Dirk [Nowitzki]”: Jason Kidd Went Full Troll Putting Luka Doncic “In The Atmosphere” With Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant And LeBron James

Maybe it’s been a slow couple of weeks for the NBA as players start to slide into All-Star weekend mode and gear up for the second half of the season. So, while everyone was asleep and the floor was open, Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd decided to troll everyone.

Coming off star player Luka Doncic‘s 45-point, 15-assist performance against the Orlando Magic Monday night, Kidd put Doncic in rarified air while speaking on 97.1 The Freak’s “The Downbeat” radio show in Dallas.

Luka Doncic Is Better Than Dirk Nowitzki? On Same Level As Kobe, Mike, Bron?

“I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it for as long as I’m here. You can’t take this man for granted,” Kidd said on Tuesday. “He’s better than Dirk [Nowitzki]. He’s in the atmosphere of MJ [Michael Jordan], the best to ever do it. LeBron [James], Kobe [Bryant]. 

It seems like Kidd was putting something else in the atmosphere when he made that statement.

Enter Stephen A. Smith: “Lay off the weeeeeeeed.”

He wasn’t done: “So, just to appreciate what this young man is doing at the age of 24 is something that Dallas has never seen,” Kidd continued. “And I’ve said this internally. He’s better than Dirk. He’s done things that Dirk could never do. And now is the opportunity of getting the right people around him to ultimately win a championship.”

In a recent three-game span, played over four days, Doncic averaged 48.6 points, 13 assists and 9.6 rebounds, highlighted by a 73-point performance against the Atlanta Hawks Friday night. 

The 73 points tied Doncic for the fourth-highest single-game point total in NBA history with Wilt Chamberlain (twice) and David Thompson. This came a few days after Joel Embiid dropped 70 and Devin Booker dropped 62 on the same night.

Luka Doncic Needs Kyrie Irving: One-Man Show Won’t Win

Despite the outburst of offensive bliss, the Mavs are still 2-3 in their past five games. 

The truth of the matter is, even with Luka, the Mavs are a good team at best, currently sitting in the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a 26-22 record. 

Kyrie Irving has been out with a right thumb sprain, and that has seriously hurt the , who were relying on the two future Hall of Famers to carry the weight, be available and lift the franchise to new heights. 

Luka has been great at one thing since he entered the league, and that’s scoring and playmaking. He hasn’t won much and has yet to play in any career-defining playoff games. He’s also still hunting his first regular season MVP. 

The Mavs just made it to their first Western Conference Finals in 2022, getting disposed of in five games by Golden State. The Mavs missed the playoffs last season and are in jeopardy of doing the same this season if they don’t have a strong second half and get Kyrie back. 

Jason Kidd Adding More Pressure On Luka Doncic

Jason Kidd needs to be drug tested. You also have to wonder how much he actually likes his 24-year-old superstar by anointing him MJ status. That’s a crazy vote of confidence, but also a lot of pressure to be putting on Doncic.

While we understand his appreciation for Luka’s game, especially as the coach getting to see him behind the scenes and live in action giving players the business every night, to put a guy with no résumé outside of scoring statistics on the same level as Jordan, Kobe and LeBron, is downright absurd and very disrespectful to the legacy those players compiled over lengthy careers. And the trials and tribulations that they all had to endure en route to becoming iconic pillars of the sport.  

Dirk Nowitzki’s Historic NBA Championship Run

As far as Dirk Nowitzki is concerned, Kidd was one of the old veterans that Dirk carried across the finish line in that improbable upset of Miami in 2011 to bring the franchise the only NBA Championship in its 44-year history.

Dirk’s performance is still one of the single greatest NBA finals accomplishments of all time. They were not only heavy underdogs against LeBron James’ Superteam Miami Heat, but Dirk didn’t have any other superstars in their prime to assist him in his mission. 

It was also his second trip to the Finals after losing to Hall of Famers Dwyane Wade and Shaq in heartbreaking fashion in 2006 after leading in the series. Dirk had Dallas in contention year after year and he won an MVP in 2007.

Let’s stop the madness: Luka isn’t Better Than Dirk Yet

For Kidd to say Luka is better than Dirk based on regular season scoring performances in meaningless games is kind of wild. It’s total capping, and you wonder why Jason Kidd chose to anoint Luka as a member of NBA’s Mount Rushmore at this point. 

Look, we have seen plenty of incredible scorers in NBA history. And the way the Mavs are currently constructed, Luka has to take the offensive burden, and he has no problem letting it fly. 

According to StatMuse, Luka Doncic has attempted the most field goals per game this season, with 23.7 per game. In the NBA, the star who takes the most shots usually ends up with the most points. It’s not like defense is part of most game plans in the league these days. 

We are seeing 60- and 70-point explosions almost on a nightly basis. 40-point games are the new 25-point games back in the day. 

Jason Kidd is known as one of the shrewd minds of the game. The 6-foot-4 point GOD averaged 12.6 points, 8.7 assists and 6.3 rebounds in 1,391 regular-season games. He was selected to play in 10 All-Star games. He won the Rookie of the Year award and one NBA championship.

He’s coaches for several teams including the Milwaukee Bucks and New Jersey Nets and he’s on the hot seat in Dallas because of his inability to make all of this legendary talent he’s gushing over equate to championship level success. 

Luka Isn’t Dynamic Two-Way Player

Luka is a great scorer. He complains too much on every play and his conditioning and defensive effort leaves something to be desired. His triple-double capabilities don’t make him a two-way player. Every single person Kidd mentioned, with the exception of Dirk, was a perennial candidate for Defensive Player of the Year and made All-NBA defensive teams as well. 

That’s not Luka’s game. He’s not locking anybody on both ends of the court. He’s putting up a bunch of shots and most of them are going to go in. It hasn’t proved to be a championship-caliber formula for him or the Mavericks. 

Maybe Kidd is trying to motivate Luka or publicly campaign for Luka’s first MVP. Maybe Kidd feels it’s overdue. With so many worthy candidates, it’s hard to win it on a mediocre team. Luka’s place among the greatest to ever grace the hardwood will be earned and come in due time. He doesn’t need his coach making outlandish comparisons with nothing to stand on but an overhyped, biased opinion.

Is This How Shannon Sharpe Wants To Start Black History Month? | Dirty Mack Says Jess Hilarious’ Thirst Traps Looking Like “Kyrie Dribbling Two Basketballs”

Shannon Sharpe is at it again, dry flirting and sending smoke signals to a new celebrity for her assets. Recently, on the after-dark style podcast “Nightcap,” “Unc” let his co-host Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson know that he never realized comedian and new Breakfast Club co-host Jess Hilarious has a nice body and that he was definitely an admirer.

“I’ll tell you what I didn’t know. Jess is a comedienne, but her body ain’t no laughing matter though; I didn’t know she was like that,” Sharpe said before reciting Megan Thee Stallion’s chorus “body-ody-ody-ody.” Johnson was surprised as he was unaware of Jess’ unique physique.

“How dude said, ‘racks on racks on racks’? Boy, ain’t nothing funny about that [body]. I might get my damn self in trouble, you!. I didn’t know, Ocho. You know I had Kountry Wayne on, they were dating, I said, ‘Hold up, maybe somebody photoshopped that.’ So you know I got two phones, Ocho, I pulled (her) up (on) two sites. Ocho … like Kyrie dribbling two basketballs. Hell yeah! “

Unc’s Dirty Mack Sneak Attack

“Hilarious” was announced as the third co-host for “The Breakfast Club” syndicated radio show, so Sharpe began discussing her with Ochocinco. She was a guest co-host during 2023 along with others, but the main two hosts, Charlamagne Tha God and DJ Envy, expressed frustration with the carousel of revolving hosts since Angeel Yee left the show.

Some fans called foul on Sharpe for a slight “dirty mack” move on comedian Kountry Wayne, who used to date “Hilarious” and was a recent guest on his show. During Wayne’s interview, he told Sharpe that although the two used to date five years ago, she had consistently said a story of learning he was still married while on vacation in Puerto Rico. His now ex-wife advised him that their children were being affected by Hilarious’ telling of the story during some media appearances.

Both Wayne and Hilarious are now estranged.

Talk ’Bout It’ Or Be ‘Bout It’

Per usual, Ochocinco wasted no time trying to play matchmaker for Sharpe. He did the same last year with a porn star named Miss Nasty B and saw the opportunity to remind Sharpe that he can put something together between him and Hilarious.

Although, at first saying he wasn’t interested, that quickly devolved into his chanting Master P’s seminal 1995 song ‘Bout It Bout It.’

Whether “Unc” and “Ocho” engage in this banter just for entertainment’s sake is debatable, but one thing is certain: if you don’t know what Shannon Sharpe likes, just watch his show, and he will tell you who and what while Ochocinco works on the when and where.

“Greg’s Done An Incredible Job” | Did Tom Brady’s 10-Year, $375M Fox TV Deal Torpedo Greg Olson’s Rising Career?

Tom Brady is ready for his next stage as a broadcaster, as his Fox Sports deal is about to start. His entrance into the booth comes at a loss for outgoing lead NFL analyst Greg Olson.

The seven-time Super Bowl champion signed a 10-year, $375 million contract two years ago that runs a thorough line into Greg Olson’s career; he will be demoted to the No. 2 team. Although Fox has not said if it will be a three-person booth with Brady, Kevin Burkhardt, and Olson, it is clear that Fox believes in Brady.

However, Brady is letting the world know that he thinks Greg Olson is “incredible,” which he said several times on Tuesday’s “The Pat McAfee Show.”

The “Incredible” Greg Olson

“Greg’s done an incredible job,” Brady said to McAfee. “I have so much respect for him, how he approaches his job, he’s super prepared in what he does. I think he does an incredible job every time he’s on. I love listening to him.

“I’m just going to go in there and do the best I can do with my own perspective,” the former quarterback continued.” I’ve certainly had a unique vision and perspective of the game over 23 years, and hopefully I can just provide some insight to all the viewers and fans who love the sport.”

Brady has to know that the world is looking at him as unintentionally torpedoing Olson, and giving him his flowers on ESPN is a grand gesture to start his on-air career. It is warranted because Olson has excelled during the broadcasts with insightful takes, good timing, and great chemistry with Kevin Burkhardt.

You’ll Always Be No. 2

NFL commentary positions are not plentiful. Tony Romo is on CBS and will be there for a while after signing a 10-year deal in 2020. Cris Collinsworth and NBC will be together until at least 2025, and ESPN’s duo of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman is now a standard for the network.

Undoubtedly, Greg Olson will be in a good position based on his past track record of quality broadcasts, but he might remain with Fox, even if it is at their No. 2 booth. If you have to take a backseat to fresh blood in the NFL analyst game, no one will be mad that their successor is Tom Brady.

Anthony Edwards Can Afford $40K Fine For Ripping Refs | He’s 22 With A Rising Net Worth Of $40M and $260M In Contract Extension

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards received a stiff $40,000 fine from the NBA for publicly criticizing the officiating repeatedly after the Timberwolves’ 107-101 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday. 

“I’m going to take the fine, because the refs did not give us no calls tonight,” Edwards said in an interview with Bally Sports North. “We had to play through every bump, every grab. I don’t know, I don’t know how we won tonight.”

Edwards continued to criticize the officiating to reporters afterward and he’ll gladly pay the fine to get something off of his chest. The Minnesota Timberwolves are desperately trying to hold on to one game lead over the OKC Thunder in the wild Western Conference standings.

Anthony Edwards’ Net Worth More Than $40M … And Rising 

Edwards wants to win and establish himself as a champion, not just a young talent capable of going off on any given night. 

As his star power and recognition grows he’s getting paid handsomely at 22 years of age to do incredible feats on the basketball court and eventually bring Minnesota its first NBA Championship. 

With a net worth of more than $40 million, Edwards’ fine is a drop in the bucket and probably worth the money. 

Salary

Anthony Edwards has earned a total of $47,910,000 in his NBA career as of Jan. 29, 2024. 

His annual salary has increased from $9,760,000 in his rookie season (2020-21) to $13,530,000 in his fourth season (2023-24). 

Edwards averages 25.9 points per game and more than five assists and five rebounds per game. The All-Star performer is the second-highest paid player on the Timberwolves, behind Karl-Anthony Towns, who makes $35.5 million. Overall, he’s the the 11th-highest paid shooting guard in the NBA. 

Edwards Signs $260M Extension, Gets Endorsements

But that’s about to change dramatically as Edwards’ value skyrocketed in July of 2023 when he signed  a five-year extension worth up to $260 million with the Minnesota Timberwolves, including $205,900,000 in guaranteed scratch at signing. 

So his annual salary will jump significantly to $41,180,000 per Spotrac in the 2024-25 season. 

Endorsements

“Ant-Man” has several endorsement deals that add more cash to his stash. 

Adidas 

Edwards signed a shoe endorsement deal with Adidas in December 2020, becoming one of the two players in the 2020 NBA draft with shoe deals. Davis joined the Adidas Family and its roster of elite NBA stars; Trae Young, James Harden, Derrick Rose, Damian Lillard, and Donovan Mitchell. 

Panini America

Edwards signed an endorsement deal with Panini in 2020, estimated to be worth $1 million per year. 

Wasserman is the sports talent agency that helps Edwards focus on basketball, while they concentrate on acquiring sensible and lucrative brand partnerships and corporate sponsorships. 

Some of the major brands that Edwards has collaborated with include Beats By Dre and BodyArmor.

Anthony Edwards’ Business Investments

While he hasn’t perfected the art of groupies, Anthony Edwards is learning to master investing at a young age. 

The Timberwolves franchise star has invested in AE1, his signature sneaker line with Adidas, which debuted in December 2023 and sold out on the first day of release. The future is plentiful, and many more lines are sure to follow. 

Anthony also thinks outside of the box and has a stake in the Minnesota Timberwolves, as the five-year extension he signed with the team that could potentially reach $260M, reportedly includes a 15 percent trade kicker and a player option for the final year. 

Edwards is no comedian in the court or in his press conferences, but he does have a carefree and funny side along with entertainment interests he wants to pursue, He’s done some commercials, podcasts, and shows, such as the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” “NBA on TNT,” even movie roles with Adam Sandler.  

Every superstar has to have his defining moment in a dramatic or highly animated hoops movie. Ray Allen did “Who Got Game?” Dr. J did “The Fish Who Stole Pittsburgh,” MJ and Bron did “Space Jam.”

A blind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had a martial arts duel versus Bruce Lee, for goodness sakes. 

Edwards is 22 and just getting started, once his new contract kicks in and if he continues to keep Minnesota at the top of the Western Conference standings, expect his net worth to continue to skyrocket and his presence begin to impact the culture more. 

He’s next up. 

Kendall Gill Has The Best Standard For NBA GOAT: Minimum Six Rings and Five MVP Awards Eliminates Your Personal Favorites

The GOAT argument continues to be the most polarizing and opinion-provoking NBA debate.

There’s no one correct answer, so everyone has their own set of criteria. Where everyone is in agreement is that the standards for GOAT should be so high that 99 percent of the players who ever lace it up couldn’t come close to the number of accolades and championships needed. 

Charles Barkley has never wavered in his feelings about ex-friend Michael Jordan as the undeniable GOAT.

Recently, Barkley doubled down on his comments from 2023, saying that he would slap the hell out of any media person who said LeBron James was the GOAT over Michael Jordan. 

Barkley says LeBron has stacked his teams to shift the balance of power in the NBA in his favor. In addition, LeBron is 4-6 in Finals, whereas Jordan has never lost. 

Then there’s people like 74-year-old wrestling legend Ric Flair, who says he has seen all the greats and LeBron is his GOAT.

Both of these opinions are based on emotion and perception, but not any concrete criteria. 

Kendal Gill Says Six Rings, Five MVP Or Don’t Enter GOAT Conversation

The best criteria for GOAT might have come from 15-year NBA veteran Kendall Gill, who has kept the bar about as high as you can keep it, eliminating some popular choices from contention altogether. 

Gill said that a player has to check two career-defining boxes to be considered the greatest of all time. He must win at least six NBA titles and five MVP honors.

That’s a lot of hardware. Standards so lofty in fact that the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, LeBron James, wouldn’t qualify. 

“I’m in total disagreement with that and I tell people this: You gotta be in the 6-5 club to be even mentioned in the conversation of the greatest of all time and that’s at least six championships and at least five MVPs,” Gill told to TJ Sports USA. “It’s only three players that ever do that … That’s why LeBron can’t be in that conversation right now.”

LeBron Will Never Be GOAT

LeBron is still performing at a very high level, recently making his record 20th All-Star team, but the end is near and he’s well past his prime when he impacted the game at the highest levels, leading his team into the thick of the championship race. One more MVP and two more championships will be tough for 39-year-old LeBron at this stage in his career. He hasn’t won an MVP in 11 years and his current Lakers team is struggling to stay above .500. 

“It’s always great to be considered an all-time leading scorer. Do I think it moves him up? No,” Gill, a college legend at Illinois and the 1999 NBA steals champion, insisted.

“LeBron can’t go much higher unless he wins more titles and gets a couple more MVPs. He can’t go much higher than he is. I just don’t see him doing that. I don’t think he’ll win another championship in L.A. I don’t think he’ll win another MVP.”

Kevin Durant recently threw his hat into the ring and challenged the greater public on his omission from GOAT conversations. Durant, who has an MVP, two NBA titles and two NBA Finals MVPs to go along with four scoring titles is considered a candidate for best forward in NBA history. He’s certainly one of the transformative, unique and historically impactful players, but Shannon Sharpe, Stephen A. and the “First Take” crew were quick to laugh him out of the building. 

Who Would Qualify As GOAT Under Kendal Gill’s Standards?

Only three players in NBA history have won at least five MVPs and six World Championships. Bill Russell has five MVPs and 11 titles. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has six MVPs and six rings and MJ has six MVPs and six championships.

That leaves other legit GOAT candidates such as Magic Johnson (3 MVPs, 5 rings), Wilt Chamberlain (4 MVPs, 2 titles), Kobe Bryant (1 MVP, 5-2 in Finals, 2X Finals MVP), Steph Curry (2 MVPs, 4 rings), Larry Bird (3 consecutive MVPs, 2 Finals MVP, 3 titles) and James (4 MVPs, 4 rings) on the outside looking in. 

This criterion covers individual and team accomplishments and encompasses the most important aspects of being considered great. Keeping the GOAT standards high and unattainable for 99 percent of the rest of the known world is important when labeling someone the best to ever do it. It would take less than one hand to even to count the number of such legends.

So instead of being offended when people push back on granting them GOAT status, players should bow down and thank the basketball gods that they are even in the conversation as the top 1 percent of the roughly 4,400 chosen ones who have ever laced up for an NBA game.

Hockey Wilding! Four NHL Players Charged With Assault Of Sexual Nature In Canada Six Years After The Alleged Incident

Four NHL players have been charged with sexual assault in Canada. The players are Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart, New Jersey Devils center Michael McLeod, defenseman Cal Foote, and Calgary Flames forward Dillon Dube.

The incident is alleged to have occurred in June 2018 during a Hockey Canada event in London, Ontario, Canada, and all four players are on a leave of absence from their NHL teams.

Authorities also officially charged former Ottawa Senators player Alex Formenton, who reported to police in London, Ontario, on Jan. 28. Formenton currently plays in Switzerland.

What Happened?

The five hockey players were part of Canada’s 2018 World Junior Championships team. They are alleged to have sexually assaulted a woman at a London, Ontario, hotel on June 19, 2018, after a Hockey Canada Foundation golf and gala event.

The accuser, known currently in civil court documents as E.M., reportedly met some of the players downtown at a bar after the golf event. She alleges that she left the bar with one of the men, and they had consensual sex. However, she also claims that the man invited other players to his room to have sex with her without consent.

On Tuesday, attorneys for the four players addressed the case, and the players have been ordered to surrender to the London Police Service before they hold a press conference on Monday according to Canadian news outlet TSN. The attorneys for each player are declaring their innocence.

Carter Hart is charged with one count of sexual assault, and his attorneys are adamant that the allegation is false.

“[Hart] is innocent and will provide a full response to this false allegation in the proper forum, a court of law. Until then, we have no comment.” Carter’s lawyer Megan Savard and Riaz Sayani of the Canadian defense firm Savard Foy said in a statement released Tuesday evening.

What Happens Now?

The professional fate of the players are in the air and the Philadelphia Flyers general manager Danny Briere said to the media last week he had no clue what would happen next for his player, Carter Hart.

“We are aware of this morning’s press reports on a very serious matter. We will respond appropriately when the outcomes of the investigations are made public,” Briere said. “The NHL has been very clear that teams should refer all investigation-related questions to them. In the meantime, members of the organization, including Flyers players, will not be commenting any further.”

Jayson Tatum’s Exploding Jersey Sales and $313.9M Contract Proves He Will Be The Face Of NBA’s Next Generation

On Tuesday, NBA.com revealed its top-selling jerseys for the first half of the 2023-24 season, and despite the influx of foreign talent and the rush of international-born stars winning MVPs, Jayson Tatum is No. 2 overall behind Stephen Curry, giving two American-born players the top spots.

The last five MVPs have been awarded to international players and Joel Embiid is probably going to win his second MVP unless his MRI reveals something that causes him to miss five more games, then he will become ineligible, and Nikola Jokic will probably win his third MVP in four years. 

Tatum Has Resume To Be Face Of NBA 

Jayson Tatum is a name that analysts are often hesitant to include in their top 3 NBA players list. The 24-year-old will start in the All-Star Game for the fourth straight year. This is Tatum’s fifth All-Star selection, all by the age of 25, which has put him on a legendary path. 

Tatum’s all-around game is supreme and he’s averaging 27 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 36.2 from three. The Celtics have the NBA’s best record and Tatum’s vote total was the third overall (fan-vote leader league-wide among all positions), behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James.

His humility when asked about the honor also contributes to his burgeoning popularity. His St. Louis upbringing is evident in his gracious demeanor.

“So many guys they could have voted for; you know, to continue to get voted one of the top guys is pretty cool,” Tatum told reporters. “I think it’s important to celebrate those small wins throughout the season. Obviously, there’s more things you want to accomplish, but being an All-Star never gets old, and I’m very grateful for that.”

Tatum’s popularity is clearly surpassing all of those guys and he’s arguably on equal footing as a player right now. You hear the hype and the names; LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Victor Wembanyama, Giannis Antetokounmpo. You would think they were the most popular. In fairness to LeBron, he’s lived in the Top 3 for most of his career, but he’s further from No. 1 then he’s ever been. Curry lives in that position as well, but as Tatum enters his prime, Curry’s career is entering the twilight phase.

Jayson Tatum Is NBA’s Most Marketable American Superstar

Tatum’s excellence isn’t lost on the fans of the game as they crave his jersey and recognize where he’s going. His popularity is soaring and the fact that some people are surprised by this shows how disconnected media and corporate can be while searching for a narrative to sell as opposed to tapping into what the fans are truly feeling.

For those who would counter by asking how he ranks internationally in jersey sales, well he’s crushing that as well. His brand and marketability can’t be questioned. 

As the NBA desperately throws all of its resources behind expanding into the international market, changing the game of basketball to a style that accommodates players from overseas, while limiting opportunities for American-born players, the league is missing the fact that Tatum is the future face of the league. The people have spoken.  

Close To Winning First NBA Title

Tatum has been on the cusp of breaking through and winning a championship for years. The Celtics have reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2018, 2020, 2022 and in 2023. Most of those series were seven-game losses.

 In 2022, he was named the inaugural NBA Eastern Conference Finals MVP, helping the Celtics reach the NBA Finals for the first time in 12 years. Tatum also represented the US men’s national basketball team, winning gold at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Tatum, just 24 years old, has been in the league and carrying the Celtics since his rookie season of 2018. He’s dealt with the pressure of playing for the NBA’s most storied franchise (along with Lakers) and through six seasons in the NBA, he’s making a killing on the court and at the bank. 

Tatum Has Networth of $50M and Rising 

Tatum’s pockets also reflect a rising NBA star whose remarkable skill and execution keeps the arenas packed and the media focused in on Boston. With a Duke education and a clean character record, Tatum has a trailer load of endorsements totalling more than $30 million, with more coming as he ascends to elite NBA status. 

Jordan Brand: Tatum has an endorsement deal with the iconic Jordan shoe brand. Signature sneakers and incredible commercials have driven Tatum’s popularity. 

Gatorade: Gatorade connects with transformative athletes in the game and Tatum, whose physique is one the NBA’s best, is a perfect spokesperson for an athlete’s commitment to fitness and hydration.

Subway: The popular fast-food restaurant franchise has partnered with Tatum, boosting his visibility and marketability. 

Ruffles: Tatum’s endorsement with America’s most popular potato chip, increases his popularity and expands his brand into non-basketball realms. 

Tatum Entering $300M Club Next Off Season: Celebrates 24th Birthday With 500K Richard Mille Watch

He’s already living the good life. He bought himself a $500K gift for his 24th birthday to celebrate his success. it was an all-white custom Richard Mille RMO 55, Bubba Watson designed by Eric Jaw Jeweler, who has designed watches for LeBron, Kobe and Elon Musk.

Two years into his career, Tatum signed a five-year contract extension with the Celtics potentially worth up to $195.6 million if he hits certain milestones, including MVP awards and All-NBA team selections. His base salary in year one is $33 million, and it increases to $44.5 million in year five. Tatum is under contract through the end of next season with a player option for $37 million, but by then he will be in position for a supermax deal of five years and $318 million. A deal of that magnitude will surely increase his net worth.

You combine all of his attributes and Jayson Tatum is the Black American basketball star that will carry the mantle after LeBron James and Steph Curry ride off into the sunset. His popularity will only increase as more international players elevate into the NBA elite.

Fans Attack Pregnancy Rumors For 39-Year-Old Draya Michele With 21-Year-Old NBA Star Jalen Green, But He’s Playing Better Than Ever Despite Trade Whispers

You know you are a part of the niche rap culture genre when your name evokes an image. On the song “Playa,” where Fabolous samples The Notorious B.I.G. track ‘’Playa Hater,” Fabolous said:

“First you tell the jeweler to Audemar Piguet, ya.
Then you tellin’ waitresses to Rosé her.
Bumping VIP, and you meet your first Draya.”

In the song, F-A-B-O warned people about the treacherous nature of fame and the people you will meet on the oath of success. “Draya” is model, influencer, and actress Draya Michele, and in the song, she represents the predatory vixen looking for the next opportunity. Life is imitating art as people are beginning to call her out for a relationship with 21-year-old Houston Rockets player Jalen Green.

Is She Pregnant?

Draya Michele is 39 years old, and rumors are swirling that she is pregnant with Green’s child, which seems strategic to the public. Draya already has two children, one with former NFL player Orlando Scandrick, and now aligning with Green is on-brand, but his age raises red flags for the fans.

This is also because her son, Kniko Howard, is close in age to Green as a current Georgia State University student.

Draya entered the public eye as a cast member on Basketball L.A. in 2011 and has a rumored dating history with a mix of athletes and entertainers. The unknown factor here is Green, who to date is most known for his suspect locker room behavior with his former Rockets teammate Josh Christopher. Last year, the two went viral for a moment when they simulated a sexual act on one another when they were AAU teammates in high school.

Is Draya A Jalen Green “Beard?”

The shock and awe were compounded when another video of them playfully doing a similar act led some to joke that Draya Michele’s appearance was to offset rumors that Green may be gay, with Michele serving as what is otherwise known as a “beard.” However, before Draya, the player was linked to a woman named Breah Hicks, who he was seen with at various events as a couple early last year.

Around August 2023, images of Draya and Jalen Green together began swirling, and she also appeared at a Houston Rockets game recently wearing oversized overalls. Now, the narrative is that a woman who is touching forty is robbing the cradle and having the baby’s baby.

Is the judgment warranted or an example of gender bias? There is a 18-year age gap between the two, with many celebrity men doing the same for years with no outward critiques of their relationships. Regardless, Draya is a talking point for the culture as the caricature of an industry relationship opportunist. Regardless of her actual relationship with Jalen Green, she is a victim of a reputation, whether earned or assumed.

The relationship hasn’t hurt Green’s game a bit. He’s currently playing some of the best ball of his career and, entering Tuesday night, in his last four games he had two explosions of more than 30 points for a Rockets team that is on a streak, going 17-8 in their last 25 games. He’s also grabbed double-digit rebounds in three of his last four games.

Green, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, is averaging 19.4 ppg over his first 2.5 NBA seasons. Just the third NBA player in history of Filipino descent, Green’s team is well improved and is moving toward being a playoff contender after being NBA bottom-feeders for his first two seasons.

Green certainly made an impression on Lakers coach Darvin Ham during a win over LeBron James’ gang on Monday night.

“They have a three-headed monster in Şengün, Fred and Jalen — those guys can kill you in many different ways,” Ham said. “When you play against Houston, you can’t go in there thinking it’s going to be a walk in the park.”

Trade Rumors Involving Jalen Green

According to ESPN’s NBA insider Zach Lowe, Green is an “under-the-radar” name that league executives have highlighted as potentially being made available in trade talks ahead of the 2024 NBA trade deadline.

Trading Green wouldn’t make much sense at this point, as he’s just 21 years old and Houston just invested in Ime Udoka and the franchise is seeing clear results. The Rockets already have more wins than last season and we aren’t at the All-Star break.

Houston was tied with the San Antonio Spurs for worst team in the Western Conference and finished 22-60 last season. Looks like the franchise is moving in the right direction, and Green seems to be in a great space in his life, despite the social media banter about a relationship that he’s more than mature enough to handle.

LeBron James’ Championship Window As Focal Point Of Team Is Closed | Accountability Is No Longer In His Vocabulary 

Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ loss to the Houston Rockets, where the Lakers not only fell to a team looking on the outside of the playoffs but had to deal with the antics of villain Dillon Brooks, LeBron James lit into his team’s lack of communication.

The Lakers dropped to 24-24 following the 135-119 loss on Monday night. 

“Guys gotta communicate,” James said. “You got to know what we’re doing out on the floor, first of all. And then when you make adjustments throughout the game, you gotta know when the adjustments is made, so everybody is on the same page.”

“So, everybody needs to be in tune of what we’re doing so there’s no mishaps. And then sometimes there will be mishaps, you got to cover for one another. So, the game is not just X’s and O’s: It’s also being able to do things on the fly as well when things break down or the game presents different challenges,” James added.

(James’ comments start at 29:15 mark)

So, while the media, social media and the Lakers front office come up with a bunch of trade scenarios to help save LeBron’s season and allow him to transfer blame to everybody but himself, the franchise is in a funk and Bron is getting more fed up with his inability to make this team mesh at a high level. 

Instead of focusing on the team at hand and trying some drastic changes within the personnel and style of play to see if that will improve things, fans are focused on the players the Lakers don’t have. Atlanta Hawks star DeJjounte Murray is the latest name that keeps popping up in a potential trade with the Lakers

Too Much Drama: Not Enough Leadership

We get that LeBron James has been the master manipulator and also Machiavellian in how he approaches his image and how he makes moves within the league, but he was a bit overly dramatic in trying to get Brooks ejected during the fourth quarter of a game that was not only embarrassing to the Lakers but meant everything to Houston. 

James took a fall after getting hit in the head by Brooks. It was a hard foul, but nothing that should cause damage to a 6-foot-9, 260-pound locomotive like LeBron James, considered the GOAT by many basketball experts. 

After Bron laid sprawled on the floor as if hit with a sledgehammer, he was able to remain in the game, didn’t require any medical assistance and Brooks was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul, so he wasn’t ejected.

As great as he is, LeBron already has a reputation as the supreme flopper, so the extra drama wasn’t needed. 

Especially when you’re getting cooked by Jalen Green (34 points) and your worst nemesis in Brooks, who in addition to making LeBron’s night difficult, had 17 points, five rebounds, one assist and one steal while shooting 7 of 12 from the field and 2-for-4 from the three-point range in 28 minutes of playing time. 

The win was also important for the Rockets, who are trying to catch the Lakers and move into that 10th spot in the West. With a 17-8 record over their past 25 games, Houston is 22-24 in their first 46 games, which has them knocking on the door as the 11th seed in the Western Conference as we approach the All-Star break.

Contrary to popular belief, these terrible losses definitely mean something for the Lakers and are more indication that the league has closed the gap on LeBron’s individual impact on a team, and most younger squads are moving past L.A. as far as being a consistent winner.

The More Lakers Lose, More Critical LeBron Will Be

In the meantime, expect LeBron to get more vocal and more critical of his team as a championship becomes more of a pipe dream every day. Also expect LeBron to post incredible statistical games, especially if he doesn’t feel his team can truly contend. 

Once a trade is made, expect the pessimism to change to optimism. Until then, the Lakers will lose one and win two, win two and lose three as the loudest narrative will be LeBron doesn’t have any help. 

This narrative that LeBron is playing better than he ever has and the younger players can’t keep up with him is a take for the lazy basketball fan. On certain days, when he has the energy, LeBron can dominate the ball and be aggressive to the hoop. Unfortunately, it’s not a style of play he can maintain each night.

Despite having another Top 75 player in Anthony Davis, the offense still revolves around LeBron James. The tempo is conducted by James and the style of play is based on the ability and capability of LeBron James – and if the last two seasons have shown us anything, it’s that he’s not the same player. 

Achieving milestones and wistful thoughts of taking the same court with his son Bronny have definitely superseded winning or developing a new championship style. The last time the Lakers were relevant was in 2020 in the NBA Bubble and Rajon Rondo was leading the tempo of the team. The 2023 Western Conference title run was cute, but fell short.

Eventually the Lakers have to stop trying to play patch it and fix it and realize that LeBron James championship window is closed with him as the focal point of a team. 

Firearms. Domestic Abuse. Allegedly Calling His Son and Daughter Derogatory Names | Is Rajon Rondo Just a Bad Guy?

We know Rajon Rondo will probably end up in the Basketball Hall of Fame. He’s from the old school of traditional point guards, has played with some of the greatest to ever do it and helped the NBA’s two coveted franchises win titles during his 16-year-career. 

During his playing days, the master class floor general drafted out of the basketball factory Kentucky was known to have a mean streak, which served him well in a pro league where grit and toughness is an attribute. 

Since retirement, after the 2021-22 season, Rondo’s personal life has revealed some warts in his character that makes the average fan wonder if he is just a bad guy. 

Rajon Rondo Arrested On Drug and Gun Charges

Rondo was arrested on gun and drug charges in Indiana over the weekend, according to various news reports coming out of Louisville, Kentucky. 

All of the charges Rondo is facing are misdemeanors and the drug he allegedly had was marijuana, so nobody is going to label him a criminal after this incident.

According to Indiana State Police spokesman Stephen Wheeles, Rondo was reportedly pulled over for a traffic violation in Indiana on Sunday. After the officer conducted a search of the former NBA star’s car on suspicion of smelling marijuana, the search allegedly revealed a gun, along with a “personal use” amount of marijuana and other drug paraphernalia, which we can only assume was either some kind of leaf, pipe or vaping apparatus. 

Rondo was arrested and booked at Jackson County Jail and Rondo, worth an estimated $45 million, bonded out quickly but refused to comment on his arrest. It remains unclear whether or not he will be arraigned for the offense. 

Pro athletes get in trouble for worse infractions all the time, but two run-ins with the law since 2022 and a messy personal life suggests a pattern is developing. 

Rajon Rondo Allegedly Threatened To Kill Wife While Brandishing Firearm

In May of 2022, Ashley Bachelor, the mother of his children, was granted temporary custody and an emergency protective order after the two-time NBA champion was accused of pulling a gun on her and threatening her life. He also has allegedly committed these violent acts in front of their children, according to multiple sources.

The victim stated at the time that Rondo became “enraged and violent” pulled out a gun in their Louisville home and threatened to kill her.

While the initial EPO was dismissed in June 2022, a new EPO was taken out against Rondo by her in March 2023. That order was dismissed in August 2023. 

It’s good that the case was dismissed as far as Rondo’s reputation is concerned, but the following vivid description of his egregious behavior as a father and the disparaging way he talks to his son and daughter is unfathomable to the point where you hope Bachelor is telling a lie. 

“I am extremely fearful for my safety and for the safety of my children,” said Rondo’s children’s mother. “Rajon has a history of volatile, erratic, explosive behavior. He is verbally, emotionally, and financially abusive. He physically hits our son and calls him names like ‘p—y’ and accuses him of acting like a ‘b–ch.’”

“Rajon verbally assaults our daughter. He calls her names like ‘thot, b–ch, and d–khead.’ Rajon has made several threats on my life, saying at various times he will shoot me or shoot up my car.”

Is Rajon Rondo OK?

We have no problem with Rondo’s history of abrasive language and spats on the floor with opposing players and even his own coaches.

Rick Carlisle Goes Billy Ball And Dares Rajon Rondo To Give Him The Latrell Sprewell Treatment 

They did say he was one of the only people who could ever challenge LeBron James.

But that stuff was on the court. During the heat of the game.

Rondo’s recent behavior makes you wonder if he’s just a bad guy. Firearms. Verbal and physical abuse of the kids and their mom. We hope whatever Rondo is going through, which at the very least, has his judgment clouded, he can get help for and begin to rebuild the relationship with his family. Also, these kinds of problems can’t be good for your potential HOF résumé.

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