State Champ Radio Current Events
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Source: C. Morgan Engel / Getty / Minnesota Timberwolves
The Denver Nuggets blew a golden opportunity and are now thinking about Cancun after the Minnesota Timberwolves ended their title defense run.
It took a historic 20-point comeback from the Minnesota Timberwolves over the Denver Nuggets to punch their ticket into the Western Conference Finals to play the Dallas Mavericks.
The Timberwolves’ Game 7 victory at Ball Arena in Denver was the punctuation mark on a story that began last year in a local bar that ESPN highlighted in a story.
Per ESPN:
The Timberwolves had just lost to the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs in April 2023, with Anthony Edwards’ potential game-tying 3 coming up empty as time expired in Game 5. Afterward, Edwards and a couple of teammates went to a cocktail lounge, Forget Me Not, in the Cherry Creek neighborhood, with their chartered flight back home not scheduled to leave until the next morning.
Of all of the gin joints in all of the towns in all of the world, Denver point guard Jamal Murray — fresh off a 35-point showing in the closeout game — just so happened to walk into the same bar as the Timberwolves.
And Edwards, a budding star yet to have the breakout postseason that has turned him into a bona fide superstar this spring, had a message to deliver to Murray.
“He was talking s—,” Edwards told ESPN as he walked down the ramp toward the team bus after his club’s 98-90 victory on Sunday. “He was telling Mike [Conley], ‘I’m sick of you, you can’t guard me,’ and all that.
“I told him, ‘We’ll be back. You’ll see us again when we’re fully loaded.’”
A Historic Night For The Timberwolves & Nuggets
Anthony Edwards’ words turned out to be prophetic.
He and his Timberwolves erased a 20-point third-quarter deficit, completing one of the largest comebacks in Game 7 history in the past 25 NBA postseasons.
The Nuggets also made history, becoming the first team in NBA history to lead by 15 points or more at halftime and lose a Game 7 playoff game. They also became the fifth consecutive defending NBA champions not even to sniff the conference finals.
Speaking on his squad’s herculean effort, Ant-Man told reporters, “It shows who we are. Once we really lock in on the defensive end, man, we’re a hell of a team to beat.”
Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns, who is usually the butt of the jokes when they can’t clown Rudy Gobert, came up big for his team.
The team’s No. 1 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft kept his team in the game by scoring 23 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals, and a blocked shot.
Kat was also effective when defending three-time league MVP Nikola Jokic.
His head coach, Chris Finch, had glowing words about Towns. “I think you see how at peace and happy he is right now,” Finch said. “He had to trust that he was never going to be marginalized. All young players always think they can do it all by themselves, but in this league, nobody can.”
“I couldn’t be more happy and proud for him. Just because I think he’s faced a lot of unfair criticism when it comes to the postseason at times.”
Of course, the reactions to the Nuggets choking were on point. You can see those in the gallery below.
1. Brilliant tweet
2. Gotta love the Joker’s even in defeat
3. What is wrong with y’all? LOL
4. The accuracy
5. Ant-Man is a legend
6. Howling
8. Draymond was LOUD and WRONG
10. Man on a mission
11. LOL @ A-Rod
13.
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Source: Icon Sportswire / Getty / LeBron James / Bronny James
Bronny James’ name has yet to be called during the 2024 NBA Draft, but the chatter around LeBron James’ son, where he will land, and if the Lakers superstar will join the team that takes a chance on his seed is deafening.
Word around the NBA streets was that LeBron James was very gung-ho about playing alongside his son in the league, giving many teams the impression that if they draft Bronny, they could land LBJ in free agency.
According to reports, teams shouldn’t bet on that because Bron Bron has no desire to ditch the Los Angeles Lakers to hoop with his son.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports that James is telling teams not named the Lakers who believe their chances to sign him in free agency will increase if they draft Bronny “No, as of right now,” regarding leaving Los Angeles.
Yahoo! Sports reports the “as of right now” in his statement leaves enough wiggle room for teams to continue to continue working on a situation that would pique his interest.
Interest in Bronny James increased following his strong showing at the NBA Draft, and some people believe he could be drafted in the second round.
LeBron James Did Express In The Past He Wanted To Play With Bronny In His Final Season
Regardless of the chatter around Bronny James, the Los Angeles Lakers are still the front runners to resign James, who has a $51.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season, if they land a head coach LeBron James approves of and a third piece to compliment him and Anthony Davis.
LBJ’s new alleged stance on playing alongside his son starkly differs from his past comments.
He made his desire to play his final season as a teammate with Bronny, even saying he would sign with the team that drafts his son.
That changed after the Lakers were bounced out of the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets, with James telling people hooping with Bronny was no longer a priority for him.
As for Bronny James, a conversation is happening now that he doesn’t deserve the attention he is receiving. Some people believe the spotlight is on him because he is the son of arguably the greatest professional hooper not named Michael Jordan.
ESPN NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins has been very loud on the matter.
Now, Bronny knows that carrying the James torch is the main topic of discussion, but the young hooper has made it clear he doesn’t want anything handed to him because he is the son of LeBron James and wants people to judge him on his skills and what he does on the court.
“Everything that follows my dad, people just try to link me with that and all the greatness he’s achieved and I haven’t done anything yet,” Bronny told reporters. “So there needs to be that divide between Bronny and LeBron. I just want to let people know that my name is Bronny James and not being identified as LeBron James’ son.”
We hear you Bronny.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
1. Draymond Green is a believer in Bronny James
2. Interesting
3. Fair question
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Source: CHRIS DELMAS / Getty
Cassie’s lawyers have been masterful in their reactions to the release of footage of Diddy beating the singer, and his ex-girlfriend, back in 2016. After Diddy dropped an apology on Sunday (May 19), the now happily married singer’s legal team issued a statement slamming the mogul’s already derided mea culpa.
Taking to Instagram, Diddy posted a video apology that was widely criticized as insincere and never mentioned Cassie by name. “It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you gotta do that,” said Diddy. “I was f*cked up. I mean I hit rock bottom, but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable.”
He also added, “I went and I sought out professional help, going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry, but I’m committed to be a better man each and every day.”
Cassie’s attorney wasn’t feeling Diddy’s words.
“Combs’ most recent statement is more about himself than the many people he has hurt,” said Meredith Firetog, of Wigdor LLP, which represented Cassie Ventura in her settlement, in a statement shortly after Combs released his apology.
“When Cassie and multiple other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday,” continued Firetog.
The post that the attorney references is from late 2023, and is still up on Diddy’s Instagram account. “Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday,” he wrote on the post, dated December 6, 2023. “Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”
Well, that clearly is not the case.
Firetog added, “That he was only compelled to ‘apologize’ once his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation, and no one will be swayed by his disingenuous words.”
Cassie’s husband, Alex Fine, also brought the smoke. “Men who hit women aren’t men. Men who enable it and protect those people aren’t men. As men, violence against women shouldn’t be inevitable. Check your brothers, your friends, and your family. Our daughters, sisters, mothers, and wives should feel protected and loved. Hold the women in your life with the upmost regard,” said Fine in an Instagram post.
Also, Diddy’s old stomping grounds at Revolt—he resigned from his chairman position last year—washed its hands of him.
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Source: Aaron J. Thornton / Getty
Another familiar face is about to make an appearance at Young Thug’s RICO trial. Rich Homie Quan has been called to testify.
As reported by HipHopDX the former Rich Gang member will see his former collaborator in person in court. According to the X, formerly known as Twitter, account @ThuggerDaily, a fan account that provides daily updates on Young Thug, Rich Homie Quan has been formally subpoenaed by the State of Georgia to testify. “He is expected to take the stand in the upcoming few weeks. Just to be clear – this does NOT mean he cooperated or will cooperate” the caption read. The post also included a screenshot of the subpoena which reads confirms the Lieutenant Investigator’s serving of Dequantes Lamar, Rich Homie Quan’s government name.
This subpoena should not be taken as a sign that Rich Homie Quan will be taking the stand against Young Thug. A subpoena is simply a written order that requires an individual to appear before a court during a legal proceeding. The two previously collaborated during their run at Cash Money Records with their biggest being “Lifestyle”. Rich Homie Quan and Young Thug would go their separate ways but Quan has always spoken highly on Thug.
In an interview with VladTV he revealed those were some of the best years of his life. “Even now I don’t have no bad blood with [Young] Thug or Bird [Man]. We were all in a great place in our life and that’s what it is about. At any time we can press play and do it again” he said.
It is unclear when Rich Homie Quan will testify.
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Source: James Devaney / Getty / Cardi B
President Biden and Donald Trump don’t have to worry about Cardi B pulling the lever for either of them in the voting booth in the upcoming presidential election.
Speaking with Rolling Stone, the Bronx Hip-Hop star got candid on numerous topics, including her highly anticipated sophomore album, love life, parenting with her ex-husband Offset, and politics.
The “Bodak Yellow” crafter has never been one to shy away from sharing her thoughts on political matters and what’s going on in the country, so it should come as no surprise that she had something to say about our choices when picking a president.
In the interview, Cardi B doubled down that neither the incumbent, President Joe Biden, nor his rival, disgraced former president Donald Trump, will be getting her support.
“I don’t fuck with both of y’all n*ggas,” Cardi B told the publication.
Cardi B’s Beef With The Current Government
This is not the first time Bardi has expressed her disdain for President Biden, whom she supported in the 2020 election. She explained that her current stance is due to “layers and layers of disappointment.”
“I feel like people got betrayed,” in reference to wages not going up (wage growth is outpacing inflation), the cost of living going up at a staggering rate, and no one in the government is doing anything.
We can attribute the lack of production due to the House GOP, who instead participate in culture wars and spend their time standing behind Trump in solidarity while he is on trial for illegal hush money payments he made to porn star Stormy Daniels.
“It’s just like, damn, y’all not caring about nobody,” she told Rolling Stone. “Then, it really gets me upset that there is solutions to it. There is a solution. I know there’s a solution because you’re spending billions of dollars on any fucking thing.”
She’s No Fan of “Endless Wars”
Cardi B also spoke out against President Biden’s commitment to supply military aid to allies Ukraine and Israel last fall and told Rolling Stone the United States should not “pay for endless wars for countries that have been going through shit for a very long time.”
“There’s countries [where] kids are getting killed every single day, but because the [U.S.] won’t benefit from that country, they won’t help,” she explained.
“I don’t like that America has this superhero cape on. We never did things to be superheroes. We did things for our own convenience.”
Ukraine is currently fending off dictator Vladimir Putin’s Russia, who illegally invaded the neighboring country on February 22, 2024, in an attempt to restore Russia’s strategic depth and counter NATO’s eastward expansion.
Israel is currently locked in a battle with Hamas to free hostages taken by the terrorist organization on October 7 during the bloody surprise attack on the country.
Gaza has been ground zero for the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has seen the death and displacement of Palestinians, leading to massive protests breaking out on college campuses and city streets across the United States.
X Users Are Reminding Cardi B She Is Speaking From A Place of Privilege
Following the article’s release, Cardi B received plenty of flak for her stance on not voting. Users on X, formerly Twitter, didn’t waste time reminding her that she could afford not to vote because she was in a position most Black and Brown US citizens were not.
“Cardi B and celebrities like her are fortunate enough to not have to care about who the president or any elected official is bc the decisions they make likely will not affect them. The rest of us don’t have that luxury,” one user on X wrote.
Another X user wrote. “YOU do not have the financial means to ignore. YOU will be the first to suffer. When the plague comes it strikes your home and your body first.”
Responding to the backlash, Cardi B explained her decision to not support Biden due to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
“I just can’t support that. My heart can’t support that, “Cardi B said during a Twitter Spaces stream. “I can’t see children under rubble. Im not with that. I hate that. It disgusts me. My heart hates it.”
Cardi B has every right to feel the way she does, but keeping it a buck, there is a lot at stake in our democracy, and who is sitting in the Oval Office after November 5 will most definitely impact our future.
Do your due diligence and read up on Project 2025 before mindlessly following Cardi B’s lead.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
1. An excellent explainer video
2. Another video you should watch
3. Civics 101
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Source: Paras Griffin / Getty
Earlier this week DJ Akademiks found himself in some legal hot water when his ex-girlfriend sued him for rape and defamation and though he’s vowed to his fans that he’d fight the case to the bitter end in what he’s calling a “shakedown,” the Hip-Hop personality shouldn’t count on much support from one, Saucy Santana.
It wasn’t that long ago when DJ Akademiks and Saucy Santana were involved in a very public back-and-forth and though things have died down since then, Santana reemerged to take some shots at Ak as he deals with this latest legal headache. Taking to Instagram stories to roast Akademiks for the accusations made against him, an animated Santana seemed to enjoy pointing out that Akademiks reveled in the allegations made about Yung Miami in P. Diddy’s lawsuit but asked fans to dismiss the accusations made towards him.
“6ix9ine freaky b*tch! Nasty tail! And what would make you think we believe that it’s fake lawyers? What would make you think we believe that these is fake headlines? But when it was Caresha b*tch, the word was bond. It was no m*thaf*cking way! Pink cocaine and all this other weird ass sh*t, but b*tch we supposed to believe that shorty lying on you? I don’t think so. Not gon’ happen. Midget d*ck bitch! Sitting down all m*thaf*cking day. You just smell like sat! Sat! Been sitting in that m*thaf*cking seat!”
You can tell Saucy Santana’s been waiting for a reason to once again clap at Akademiks and we ain’t mad cause it was pretty funny. Just sayin.’
Earlier this week DJ Akademiks ex-girlfriend Ziya Abashe filed a lawsuit against Akademiks alleging that he and two of his friends drugged and raped her after he invited her to his home in July of 2022. Naturally Akademiks proclaimed his innocence and promised he’d pay as much money as needed to clear his name in a court of law instead of paying Abashe to settle as he’s called this suit a “shakedown.”
Now that Saucy Santana’s gotten in on the clowning of Akademiks once again, will he respond and reheat the beef the two had just last year or will he refuse to entertain the drama? Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
What do y’all think of Saucy Santana cutting ass on DJ Akademiks over his rape lawsuit? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Source: Fulton County Jail / Fulton County Sheriff’s Office
President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump have officially agreed to two debates, with the first to be held in June.
According to reports, the first debate between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump will take place on June 27 in Georgia and will be aired on CNN. This will be the first of two debates – the second will occur on September 10, which will be aired on ABC. The news comes a day after it was reported that Biden’s campaign had sent a letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates on Wednesday (May 15) expressing that he would not be participating in their three scheduled debates before the November election.
The June 27 debate will be moderated by CNN’s Dana Bash and Jake Tapper. ABC’s David Muir and Linsey Davis will moderate the September debate, which has no location announced as of yet. Trump said in a post on his Truth Social network that he had accepted an invite from Fox News for a third debate on October 2, but Biden “campaign chairwoman Jen O’Malley Dixon said that Biden “made his terms clear for two one-on-one debates, and Donald Trump accepted those terms”. There will be no audience for both debates, and as a candidate speaks the other candidate’s microphone will be deactivated.
The timing of the debate is a blow to the commission, which has dictated the terms and organized presidential debates since 1988. But the Biden and Trump campaign teams have expressed their displeasure with the commission in the past.
Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. objected to the news of the debates. He is currently below the guidelines to participate, sitting at below the 15% support level in four recognized polls In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, he wrote: “They are trying to exclude me from their debate because they are afraid I would win. Keeping viable candidates off the debate stage undermines democracy.”
President Biden and Donald Trump have been trading barbs publicly over the issue of debating each other within the past few weeks. The president released a video through a post on X calling Trump out to debate, channeling Clint Eastwood with the phrase “Well, make my day, pal” and ending with “I hear you’re free on Wednesdays” referring to Trump’s current “hush money” trial taking place in New York City.
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Source: The Washington Post / Getty
President Joe Biden and Donald Trump may be facing off in a debate as early as this summer, but there may be some obstacles due to a request for new rules.
According to reports, President Joe Biden has signaled that he’s ready to debate Donald Trump at least twice before the elections take place in November and as early as June. These wishes were expressed in a letter sent by Biden’s reelection campaign committee to the Commission on Presidential Debates. However, President Biden has expressed in the letter that he would decline to take part in the three scheduled general debates which were set for Sept. 16, Oct. 1 and Oct. 9. The letter also cites that the commission “was unable or unwilling to enforce the rules in the 2020 debates.” It also blasted the commission for allowing Trump to take part in that debate while ill – Trump would later declare that he had tested positive for COVID-19.
The decision is a bold departure for President Biden, who has dedicated his career to preserving the institutions of the nation’s government. The letter, signed by campaign chair Jennifer O’Malley Dillon, also proposes negotiating with television networks like ABC, NBC, and Telemundo directly to host that first debate and a second “in early September at the start of the fall campaign season, early enough to influence early voting, but not so late as to require the candidates to leave the campaign trail in the critical late September and October period,” O’Malley Dillon writes. They also call for new rules such as the cutting of microphones when a candidate goes over and no in-house audiences.
The potential new rules would be a major sticking point for Trump, who played to the audience in his debate appearances. Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, representatives for Trump are in accord with avoiding the Commission on Presidential Debates, issuing their statement on May 1: “We must host debates earlier than ever before,” they said. “Again, we call on every television network in America that wishes to host a debate to extend an invitation to our campaign and we will gladly negotiate with the Biden campaign, with or without the stubborn Presidential Debates Commission.” They reason that Biden is slower than in 2020 mentally, and Trump’s lead in key battleground states in the polls.
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Source: Slaven Vlasic / Getty / Eric Adams
NYC Mayor Mixxy, aka Eric Adams, continues to strongly push for the title of worst mayor ever.
New York City is facing a lifeguard shortage, which could be an issue for the upcoming Summer season. Mayor Adams has a possible solution for that problem: hiring immigrants because they are “excellent swimmers.”
Adam’s latest boneheaded statement came after being asked about the lifeguard staffing at the city’s pools and beaches potentially being an issue as Memorial Day approaches.
Local news affiliate News 4 New York reports that Adams responded to the question by suggesting the city expedite work licenses for migrants and asylum seekers.
“How do we have a large body of people that are in our city and country that are excellent swimmers and at the same time we need lifeguards — and the only obstacle is that we won’t give them the right to work to become a lifeguard?” Adams said.
The website also notes that Mayor Adams mentioned other “in-demand professions” like food service workers and nurses, which could lead to migrants being fast-tracked to work.
News 4 New York reports that the mayor’s office did not immediately provide any more information when asked for further comment.
X Users Are Clowning Mayor Adams For His Suggestion
Unsurprisingly, Adams is being clowned on X, formerly Twitter, for his latest comments.
“The worst part about Eric Adams is that we all had to vote for him because the other option was a crazy vigilante in a red beret covered in cats,” one user on X wrote.
Mayor Adams is working extremely hard to be a one-term mayor. We hope there are better options when choosing a competent mayor for New York City.
Until that day, you can see more reactions in the gallery below.
1. Accurate
2. All New York City residents when this man speaks
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Source: Complex / Complex
Complex has named Aria Hughes as its new editor-in-chief and is bringing back Noah Callahan-Bever on the staff.
It’s a mix of the old and the new at Complex, which has promoted its editorial creative director Aria Hughes to editor-in-chief. The company is also bringing back former EIC and content chief Noah Callahan-Bever. Complex is also acquiring Callahan-Bever’s media company IdeaGeneration, which was created as an entity that “seeks to understand and explain how the greatest creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs come up with, develop and operationalize the ideas that move and impact society,” according to Complex.
Hughes has been at Complex since joining as a deputy style editor in 2019, going on to oversee the entire style vertical. The University of Maryland College Park graduate and former men’s editor at the fashion industry publication WWD became the platform’s editorial director in 2022. “It’s an honor to be named the editor-in-chief at a brand that’s so important to culture,” Hughes said via the press release. “I look forward to working with Noah and the team to help Complex grow, evolve, and connect more deeply with our audience.”
As for Callahan-Bever, who returns after a six-year hiatus, the former Def Jam executive vice president expressed his gratitude in a statement: “So, to be afforded the chance, thanks to CEO Aaron Levant, to revisit and reimagine my work at Complex — and to be able to do it in concert with one of the industry’s most inspiring emergent talents, Aria Hughes — while also injecting Idea Generation with the resources and infrastructure it needs to go the next level, with all of the aforementioned accomplices, is a professional gift for which the depths of my gratitude know no bounds.”
The two moves are the latest to be initiated by Complex since its acquisition by the Ntwrk media group from BuzzFeed in February in an all-cash deal of $106.8 million. The initial buy of Complex Networks (which included the First We Feast brand responsible for the popular online show “Hot Ones”) in 2021 cost BuzzFeed $294 million.
