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The National Basketball Association is home to a few hundred athletes who are the best in the world at what they do. But many of those players have talents beyond shooting hoops, too — and several of these pro ballers nurture a passion for music off the court. For some, the artform is simply a […]
50 Cent and Lil Wayne have been mentoring rappers for decades, and now, they’ll exchange a microphone for a basketball and put their hoops knowledge to the test.
The pair of hip-hop icons will line up on opposing sidelines, as the NBA announced on Wednesday (Feb. 7) that they’ll serve as assistant coaches in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.
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Kicking off NBA All-Star weekend, the Celebrity Game is set for next Friday (Feb. 16) at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN, when the Association will take over Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium.
50 will be coaching Team Shannon, which is led by NFL legends Shannon Sharpe and Peyton Manning. Weezy is slated to assist ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith and WNBA superstar A’ja Wilson.
“I’m coaching, you know my team is gonna win. @liltunechi is probably gonna get high and not show up ! LOL,” 50 joked in his Instagram caption, while fans voiced their hopes he’ll be mic’d up for the game.
Participants in the Celebrity Game include streamer Kai Cenat, SiR, Anuel AA, Metta World Peace, Dallas Cowboys superstar Micah Parsons, actor Quincy Isaiah, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and more.
Lil Wayne will be on double duty, as he’ll be taking the stage during All-Star weekend, which will be filled with performances from Weezy, T-Pain, Zedd and Keith Urban as part of the NBA Crossover Concert Series.
LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic and more NBA stars are coming to Indiana for the main event, where the NBA All-Star Game tips off Sunday, Feb. 18.
The league has enlisted Babyface to sing the national anthem prior to the ASG, while Jennifer Hudson will provide entertainment as the halftime performer.
Find the full rosters for the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game below.
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Source: Matthew Stockman / Getty / Udonis Haslem
Miami Heat’s legendary enforcer Udonis Haslem shook the sports table with comments about the late Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell.
Udonis Haslem has never been one to bite his tongue about anyone or anything, so his latest comments shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone.
On a recent episode of The OG’s podcast, Haslem’s former teammate, center Bam Adebayo, shared a story about a 2022 pregame speech Haslem gave before the Heat took on the Celtics where he expressed his full disdain for his Eastern Conference rival.
Per NBC Sports Boston:
“We playing Boston, so you know his feelings,” Adebayo said. “So we’re in the huddle. Cap (Haslem) come in there, he gave his pregame speech, and you know they retired Bill Russell’s jersey for everybody in the league. So they got 6 in our rafters. And he ends his pregame speech like, ‘F— Bill Russell, too.’ I said, ‘This man dead, OG!”
Haslem tried to explain his stance, explaining he meant no disrespect, noting he was more upset about the fact a Russell’s Boston Celtics jersey was hanging in the Kaseya Center’s rafters, an honor Haslam says will never be given to a Heat player.
The NBA paid respect to Russell by retiring his jersey across the league following his passing in July 2022. LeBron James switched his number from 6 to 23 to honor the legendary big man.
“Tell me when you’re going to see a Miami Heat jersey hanging in Boston,” Haslem said. “I had to repent that, I love Bill. No disrespect to Bill,” Haslem stated. “He just caught that stray. Respect to Bill Russell.”
He continued, “The s— that comes out of people’s mouths to us when we playing there (in Boston)? I might not take back what I said, now that I think about it.”
As you can imagine, the NBA X, formerly known as NBA Twiter, was not feeling his comments, mainly because he didn’t have the same smoke for Michael Jordan’s jersey hanging up in the Kaseya Center’s rafters.
Boston Celtic all-star Jaylen Brown liked a tweet bringing that fact up.
Interesting.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
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Photo: Matthew Stockman / Getty
2. Yes, please
8. Bam Adebayo cleaing things up
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Christmas Day is about more than just unwrapping gifts and spending time with family — it also features a lineup of sports games fans can kick back and enjoy all day long. Basketball lovers can look forward to five NBA Christmas games on Monday (Dec. 25) starting at 12 p.m. ET.
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The NBA is giving fans the ultimate gift with five games throughout the day. Starting things off is the Bucks vs. Knicks at noon ET followed by the Warriors vs. Nuggets at 2:30 p.m. ET, Celtics vs. Lakers at 5 p.m. ET, 76ers vs. Heat at 8 p.m. ET and ending with the Mavs vs. Suns at 10:30 p.m. ET. You can catch all the games on ESPN or ESPN+, but the Warriors vs. Nuggets and Celtics vs. Lakers will also be livestreamed on ABC, giving you a few streaming options to watch the games live.
No matter which team you’re rooting for, get ready for a day filled of basketball and make sure to throw on some of the Suga-approved merch to show your support in style.
Keep reading to learn how to stream the games at home.
How to Watch the NBA’s Christmas Games
All the NBA Christmas games will be aired live on ESPN and ESPN+, with two games also being available to watch on ABC. That means if you have cable, you’ll be able to watch all the games for free — just tune in to any channel that has ESPN or ABC starting at 12 p.m. ET; you can check your cable provider’s channel guide for the exact channel. If you don’t have cable, you might be able to watch the games for free using an HD antenna like one of these here on Amazon.
Another option is the channel’s official streamer, ESPN+, which will be streaming all the games live. If you already have a subscription, just log in to your account and you’ll gain access to the NBA Christmas games for no added cost.
Don’t have a membership? While ESPN+ doesn’t offer a free trial, it is one of the most budget-friendly options on the market with a monthly plan for $10.99/month, or you can save more than 15% with an annual plan for $109.99/year. Click here or the button below to start your ESPN+ membership.
Along with the NBA’s Christmas games, a subscription to ESPN+ will give you access to live games in other sports, NFL drafts, NFL playoffs, MLB games and exclusive on-demand videos, as well as access content from what was formerly known as ESPN Insider. In addition to games, ESPN+ has original shows to stream on-demand, including game recaps, NBA finals and analyses hosted by Peyton Manning, a shorter version of NFL Primetime, as well as full replays of historic NFL games.
Looking to expand your content offerings and save money? You can bundle ESPN+ with Disney+ and Hulu, which will triple your content offerings of original and exclusive series and movies. And, if you want live TV channel options (including ESPN and ABC), you can sign up for Hulu + Live TV, which comes with a 30-day free trial, access to the entire Hulu library and hundreds of live TV channels.
More Ways to Watch the NBA’s Christmas Games
There are more money-saving options you can take advantage of through live TV streamers. A mix of platforms including FuboTV, SlingTV and DirecTV Stream are offering promos and free trials for up to seven days, which means you can enjoy the NBA’s Christmas games and more.
DirecTV Stream is one of the most affordable options you can take advantage of including a five day free trial. Save an additional $50 for the first two months when you combine the sports package with any of the plans available. After you free trial is over, you’ll be charged the discounted price for two months, then after the two months are up you’ll be charged the regular price based on the plan you choose. Click here or the button below to start the free trial.
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Source: Christian Petersen / Getty
Draymond Green will have to make amends for his actions on the basketball court. The NBA has suspended him and ordered him to go to counseling.
The Athletic is reporting that the Golden State Warrior has been indefinitely suspended by the National Basketball Association for hitting Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkić. According to their sources, the power forward will be out at least three weeks. Additionally, the news outlet claims that people close to the matter have confirmed that Draymond Green will undergo counseling for his behavior. The type of counseling has not been disclosed due to privacy concerns.
On Dec. 13, the sports organization announced their decision stating, “he will be required to meet certain league and team conditions before he returns to play” and that “this outcome takes into account Green’s repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts.” They report that “the four-time NBA champion has been understanding and prepared to undergo the process required to return to the team in a full capacity.”
This incident marks Green’s 20th career ejection. After he was bounced out the game, he apologized to Jusuf Nurkić. “As you know, I’m not one to apologize for things I meant to do, but I do apologize to Jusuf. Because I didn’t intend to hit him,” Green said. “I sell calls with my arms.” Back in November, Green was suspended for five games for putting Minnesota Timberwolves Rudy Gobert into a headlock.
You can see the play that caused the most recent suspension below.
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Source: Christian Petersen / Getty
Draymond Green is officially on the shelf, and not even he knows for how long. On Wednesday, December 13, the NBA announced that the Golden State Warriors forward has been suspended indefinitely after he was ejected from a game for “striking” Jusuf Nurkic of the Phoenix Suns in the face.
Ever since the incident, it wasn’t a question of if, but for how long the NBA would ice Green.
ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski, of course, first reported Green’s suspension. “This outcome takes into account Green’s repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts,” reads the NBA’s statement announcing its decision.
Per the NBA, Green is “required to meet certain league and team conditions before he returns to play.” Reportedly, that will include undergoing some form of counseling to be worked out with the Warriors and the NBA.
While Green has long been a divisive player when it comes to whether his on court “passion” (or goon-like tendencies) are necessary, social media can agree that he’s going to catch these jokes. That means assorted discussions like if Jordan Poole (who green punched when they were GSW teammates) is laughing, whether or not Green is washed anyway and should consider the WWE and if the punishment is too little too late.
Peep some of the better reactions in the gallery.
12. Just because…
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The Washington Wizards and the Washington Capitals have called Capital One Arena home but it appears that a change of location is on the horizon. The owner of the team and Virginia’s governor announced a plan that would bring the teams eight miles south of the city to Alexandria, Va. in 2028.
CNBC reports that Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Wizards and Capitals, CEO Ted Leonis and Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced a plan that will bring a new 20,000-seat area, and practice facilities along with a mixed-used development to the Northern Virginia city, which rests in the shadow of the Nation’s Capitol.
Below is a statement from Governor Youngkin:
“This is the most visionary sports and entertainment development in the world, bringing together entertainment, sports, and technology in the most advanced innovation corridor in the United States: a once-in-a-generation and historic development for the Commonwealth, sports fans, and all Virginians. The Commonwealth will now be home to two professional sports teams, a new corporate headquarters, and over 30,000 new jobs – this is monumental. This was only made possible through consistent collaboration between Virginia’s economic development team, the Monumental Sports & Entertainment team, the City of Alexandria, our administration and the Virginia General Assembly’s Major Employment and Investment Project Approval Commission, and JGB SMITH. Virginia is undoubtedly the best place to live, work, raise a family, and now watch basketball or hockey.”
Leonis added a statement as well:
“We are committed to providing world-class fan experiences while continuously evolving our teams, deepening community ties, and solidifying our role as leaders at the forefront of sports and technology. The opportunity to expand to this 70-acre site in Virginia, neighboring industry-leading innovators, and a great academic partner, would enable us to further our creativity and achieve next-generation, leading work – all while keeping our fans and the community at the forefront of everything we do.”
The move faces legislative approval from lawmakers during the next Virginia General Assembly, where Democrats control the upper chamber while Republicans, which is Youngkin’s party, control the lower chamber.
If Monumental does indeed move its business holdings and operations to Alexandria, it would leave downtown Washington, D.C., which some experts say is in decline, without the economic boosts of games and other events.
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Photo: Getty
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The Washington Wizards and the Washington Capitals have called Capital One Arena home but it appears that a change of location is on the horizon. The owner of the team and Virginia’s governor announced a plan that would bring the teams eight miles south of the city to Alexandria, Va. in 2028.
CNBC reports that Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Wizards and Capitals, CEO Ted Leonis and Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced a plan that will bring a new 20,000-seat area, and practice facilities along with a mixed-used development to the Northern Virginia city, which rests in the shadow of the Nation’s Capitol.
Below is a statement from Governor Youngkin:
“This is the most visionary sports and entertainment development in the world, bringing together entertainment, sports, and technology in the most advanced innovation corridor in the United States: a once-in-a-generation and historic development for the Commonwealth, sports fans, and all Virginians. The Commonwealth will now be home to two professional sports teams, a new corporate headquarters, and over 30,000 new jobs – this is monumental. This was only made possible through consistent collaboration between Virginia’s economic development team, the Monumental Sports & Entertainment team, the City of Alexandria, our administration and the Virginia General Assembly’s Major Employment and Investment Project Approval Commission, and JGB SMITH. Virginia is undoubtedly the best place to live, work, raise a family, and now watch basketball or hockey.”
Leonis added a statement as well:
“We are committed to providing world-class fan experiences while continuously evolving our teams, deepening community ties, and solidifying our role as leaders at the forefront of sports and technology. The opportunity to expand to this 70-acre site in Virginia, neighboring industry-leading innovators, and a great academic partner, would enable us to further our creativity and achieve next-generation, leading work – all while keeping our fans and the community at the forefront of everything we do.”
The move faces legislative approval from lawmakers during the next Virginia General Assembly, where Democrats control the upper chamber while Republicans, which is Youngkin’s party, control the lower chamber.
If Monumental does indeed move its business holdings and operations to Alexandria, it would leave downtown Washington, D.C., which some experts say is in decline, without the economic boosts of games and other events.
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Photo: Getty
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Draymond Green is undoubtedly one of the most passionate players the NBA has ever seen, but sometimes that passion has led to being ejected from games. In the heat of battle once more, Draymond Green was ejected from his third game of the season after wildly swinging and punching Jusuf Nurkic.
Golden State Warriors were visitors to the Footprint Center, the home court of the Phoenix Suns in a Western Conference showdown. Draymond Green and Jusuf Nurkic were mixing it up down low in a battle for position when Green swiftly swung with his arms wide and socked Nurkic on the side of the head. Nurkic, significantly larger than Green, was crumpled to the floor.
Officials on the floor reviewed the physical exchange, ruling it a flagrant 2 foul and leading to Green’s ejection. While it wasn’t the most direct apology, at least on its surface, Green did offer in a postgame comment that he was trying to sell a foul and didn’t intend to hit Nurkic.
Coach Steve Kerr addressed Green’s ejection, stating that the team always needs him on the floor. Green is an integral part of the Warriors’ offense, especially in his point-forward role and defensive prowess.
Green caught wind of Coach Kerr’s comments and doubled down on his point that if he never meant to hit Nurkic and stated that he isn’t one to apologize for something he intended to do, hence why he apologized to Jusuf Nurkic.
With this event being the third suspension of the year for Green, he has tied his previous ejection count in this early going of the season. Green recently served a suspension for putting Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert in a chokehold. It isn’t known what the NBA will decide for Green after this latest ejection.
We’ve got reactions below from NBA Twitter regarding the Draymond Green and Jusuf Nurkic dustup. We also have the video of the incident courtesy of ESPN.
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Photo: Christian Petersen / Getty
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Basketball fans may have scoffed at the NBA In-Season Tournament initially but ended up being treated to some of the best games so far early in the season. The Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers locked horns for the inaugural tournament final with the Lake Show taking the whole thing on the back of Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
The NBA In-Season Tournament had its share of critics who didn’t quite understand the necessity or purpose of it unless, of course, their teams were in contention. Early favorites like the Boston Celtics were bounced by the Indiana Pacers and Tyrese Haliburton, who is now becoming one of the league’s brightest stars.
The Lakers and Pacers may not have been the marquee matchup some fans wanted but it was a pure clinic put on by AD and King James, who seized the moment with the help of great play from fellow starters D’Angelo Russell, Cam Reddish, and Taurean Prince. Austin Reaves also provided a big lift off the bench with 28 points, leading the entire second unit.
The Pacers gave it their all with Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin, who came off the bench, both scoring 20 points. The Pacers also saw significant contributions from Obi Toppin and Aaron Nesmith.
The Lakers rode the wave of Davis, who led all scorers with 41 points, hauling in 20 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 blocks. James added 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists, eventually winning the MVP trophy for the tournament. While Davis did show out for the final game, James has been consistently dominant even at age 38 and displayed an uncanny level of strength, speed, and basketball IQ.
It may not be the top trophy of the league but the NBA In-Season Tournament proved that fans don’t have to wait until May to see amazing professional basketball. Commissioner Adam Silver can go back to the lab with his team and figure out how to improve the tournament and said that he’s open to suggestions.
On X, formerly Twitter, NBA fans are discussing the game and much more. Check out the reactions below.
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Photo: Getty