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A king deserves a royal court. Which is why on Tuesday night (Feb. 7), a galaxy of stars congratulated basketball legend LeBron James for becoming NBA’s all-time scoring leader when he broke Kareem-Abdul Jabbar’s three decade-long record. During a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Los Angeles Lakers’ home Crypto.com Arena, James passed Jabbar’s career total of 38,387 points after weeks of breathless anticipation of his crowning achievement and everyone from Rihanna to Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Justin Timberlake and Bruno Mars gave him his props.
As soon as the dust settled — and Jabbar ceremonially handed over a basketball to the new scoring champ in a touching mid-court ceremony after LeBron scored his 36th point of the night on a step-back jumper — some of James’ biggest admirers took to social media to congratulate him on his epic feat.
In a compilation video from the NBA, Kendrick gave the new scoring sire high praise, saying, “From the time you went to the league when you had the doubters and the naysayers and people that think you wouldn’t take it this far you proved ’em wrong, dawg.” Upcoming Super Bowl LVII halftime performer Rihanna added, “I am so grateful to witness this moment in history… my favorite thing about being a LeBron James fan is just watching you prove yourself over and over again against all odds and all doubt. Thank you for repping for all of us. Keep striving for greatness always, and congratulations King James.”
Snoop Dogg modeled his Lakers jersey and said, “it’s always fun watching a Laker get it done.”
Drake called it a “legendary night in NBA history” in a video in which he appeared to be standing on a ball court in James’ hometown of Akron, Ohio. “To honor that I had to come back to the place that it all started… Every journey has its beginning,” Drizzy said as a green screen collapsed behind him, revealing that he was actually in a nightclub in Miami.
John Legend tweeted, “Congratulations @KingJames!!!! This man has been in the spotlight and burdened with the highest expectations since he was a teenager. And he’s done nothing but exceed those expectations and build a historic legacy. What an incredible accomplishment!,” while Bruno Mars offered up a champagne bottle emoji.
Timberlake tossed a GOAT emoji into a tweet in which he marveled, “on a step back too!,” while Wayne wrote, “Kongrats King!! Glad to say I’ve shaken your hand brudda. God bless you and the fam and the homies.”
Watch the video and check out some of the other congratulatory tweets below.
Congratulations @KingJames!!!! This man has been in the spotlight and burdened with the highest expectations since he was a teenager. And he’s done nothing but exceed those expectations and build a historic legacy. What an incredible accomplishment! https://t.co/ozsDBmQAPw— John Legend (@johnlegend) February 8, 2023
Kongrats King!! Glad to say I’ve shaken your hand brudda. God bless you and the fam and the homies.— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) February 8, 2023
Wow, never in my lifetime did I think I would see two NBA athletes score over 38,000 points! I still remember when my Showtime teammate, the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, broke the record. It was an honor to be the guy to pass it to him and cement his legacy!— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 8, 2023
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In an interview, NBA superstar LeBron James expressed his disappointment over the Los Angeles Lakers not being able to trade for Kyrie Irving.
For LeBron James, the chance to team up once again with his former teammate Kyrie Irving on the Los Angeles Lakers has been a desire since the offseason. It seemed more possible as the team made an offer when Irving requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets last Friday (Feb. 3rd), but the Nets ultimately traded him to the Dallas Mavericks with the deal becoming official on Monday (Feb. 6th). James would soon write on Twitter cryptically, “Maybe it’s me” as word of the deal went public.
Sitting down for an interview with reporter Michael Wilbon for the NBA on ESPN, James was candid. “I can’t sit here and say I’m not disappointed on not being able to land such a talent,” James said. “Someone I had great chemistry with, I know I got great chemistry with on the floor, that can help you win championships in my mind, in my eyes. But my focus has shifted now, my focus has shifted back to where it should be and that’s this club now, and what we have now.”
Wilbon responded with surprise, “That’s a quick pivot LeBron.” The four-time league MVP agreed, saying “I don’t get too excited about the possibilities of things that can be. I kind of envision myself on what it can, but I don’t invest it all the way into it until I know it’s happening and when it does not happen, I’m back locked in on the job at hand. James and Irving were teammates on the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2014 to 2017, reaching the Finals in all three years and winning the franchise’s only title over the Golden State Warriors in 2016.
James is on the verge of breaking the all-time scoring record, held by former Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The current Lakers team, however, has been the source of constant discussion as they sit at 13th in the Western Conference despite another tremendous All-Star season from the 38-year-old forward. James has reportedly been pushing the team’s front office to make moves to improve the roster to make the playoffs as center Anthony Davis has struggled with injuries and Russell Westbrook has been shifted to a role off the bench.
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Social media personality Jake Paul lost his cool after being roasted by Bomani Jones during an interview on his HBO Max show, causing a clip to go viral.
Over the weekend, Jake Paul was the subject of a virtual interview with the Emmy Award-winning journalist for his Game Theory show on HBO Max. The former Disney Channel star and social media influencer-turned-boxer was introduced by Jones after a lengthy monologue, and Jones asked “What happens if you lose?” Paul was annoyed with the question, and he responded “I don’t know who the f*** you are, my PR team set up this interview.” Jones quipped: “All I know about you is that people don’t like you!!”
Things spiraled out of control further as Jones tried to ask Paul another question. “You got what you wanted with your viral interview. This is your big moment,” Paul said. “Soak it all in, man.”
Jones swiftly responded, “I talked to a bunch of bigger m************rs than Jake Paul in this world.”
“Have a nice f—ing day with your clout, buddy,” Paul snapped. “I hope you make a thousand dollars off of this interview for some views. Have a nice day.” He then slammed his laptop shut, putting an abrupt end to the interview.
Paul’s animosity had been present earlier in the interview after Jones asked him earlier about his new venture, Betr, a sports betting app and media company that specializes in micro-betting. “Do you worry that experts say that micro-betting is one of the most addictive forms of gambling, giving that your audience is younger people?” Jones asked.
Paul retorted: “My audience is older people. I get what you’re trying… to be like a hero here and like save the day and paint me in a bad light.” Jones interjected: “I’m saving the day?” Paul responded, “No, you’re trying to. Probably with your guest, you get one over on them, and they’re not smart enough to keep track of what you’re doing.”
Jones began to laugh as he interrupted Paul. “Nobody’s trying to fool you, Jake. Why do I need to try and fool you? I’m asking a real question. You appeal to younger people, and this is how you’ve made a lot of money. And you’re still appealing to young people. And now you are selling micro-betting and the question is, do you worry about that?”
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Source: Sotheby’s / Courtesy of Southeby’s
A game-worn jersey from NBA superstar LeBron James has set a record for being the priciest of its kind ever sold on the open market.
According to reports, the vaunted Sotheby’s firm auctioned off the current Los Angeles Lakers forward’s game jersey which was worn during Game 7 of the 2013 NBA Finals, which was won by the Miami Heat team that he was a member of. It was worn as James led his Heat team with 37 points and 12 rebounds in a clutch performance to win the second of back-to-back titles against the San Antonio Spurs. James would also go on to be named Finals MVP after the game, which earned him his second such honor in a row. The jersey was purchased for $3.7 million, which broke the record for a game-worn James top. That was previously set at $630,000, which was the price paid for his 2020 All-Star Game jersey.
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“Today’s tremendous result comes at a pivotal time in LeBron James’ career, where he is in arm’s reach of clenching the all-time points record—one of the NBA’s most revered accolades,” said Sotheby’s head of streetwear and collectibles Brahm Wachter in a statement. “Just months after the record-breaking sale of Michael Jordan ‘Last Dance’ 1998 NBA finals jersey, this successful sale of another incomparable legend’s jersey—one of the most significant jerseys to ever hit the auction block—further proves that the demand for sports memorabilia is at an all-time high, and that the magic of sports continues to transcend and ignite fans and collectors alike.”
The aforementioned “Last Dance” jersey worn by Jordan stands atop the mountain of the most expensive jerseys auctioned off, going for a staggering $10.1 million dollars. The closest jersey to that mark was the “Hand of God” jersey worn by the late Diego Maradona during that pivotal 1986 World Cup match against England – that was sold for $9.3 million at an auction in May.
News of the sale comes as James is currently on another history-making tear, being 117 points shy of breaking the NBA’s all-time scoring record held by the legendary Lakers center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. It is believed that the 20-year forward may obtain that record within the next week.
After joining Dr. Dre’s Super Bowl halftime show last year, Snoop Dogg is returning to the gridiron this year for the NFL Pro Bowl Games.
The “Gin and Juice” rapper was announced as a captain for this year’s NFL Pro Bowl Games alongside former quarterback Peyton Manning on Thursday (Jan. 19). The rapper will represent the AFC with retired NFL star, while Pete Davidson — also a captain this year — will join Peyton’s fellow quarterback brother Eli Manning with the NFC.
The 2023 NFL Pro Bowl Games will take place one week before Super Bowl LVII, on Feb. 5 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The games — which have run under the names National Football League All-Star Game (1939–1942) or Pro Bowl (1951–2022) — is an annual event held by the NFL that features several of its star players going head to head in a series of both football and non-football tests of athleticism.
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The Feb. 5 event will feature a series of four tests: Best Catch presented by Uber Eats (in which participants will show off their best pigskin reception skills), a Gridiron Gauntlet (side-by-side relay race), Move the Chain (weighted wall pull to test strength), and Kick Tac Toe. Fans can purchase tickets to the 2023 NFL Pro Bowl Games here.
As for the 2023 Super Bowl, the game will air Sunday, Feb. 15. Rihanna is scheduled to perform at the Apple Music Halftime Show (see our dream setlist for her performance here).
Her biggest fan! A$AP Rocky dished on just how much he’s looking forward to Rihanna‘s Super Bowl Halftime Show in a new interview on Wednesday (Jan. 18), and teased that she’s going to impress.
“Oh, man. I’m just as excited as you guys, if not more,” he told Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1. “Yeah, I’m super excited. This is huge. This is incredible. I’m so glad that my lady’s back making music again and whatnot, and getting back out there.”
“It’s just incredible,” the rapper continued. “Especially for both of us — it is a good year for both of us to be more active and be out there. But the Super Bowl is huge, and her being the creative she is, she going to bring it, man. I’m excited. I’m more excited than everybody else, honestly.”
RiRi’s big game-day performance may still be a few weeks away, but she’s already released a teaser for the show as well as a limited edition Savage X Fenty Game Day collection filled with merch for fans to wear as they watch her return to the stage after a six-year hiatus.
During the interview, Rocky also opened up about what it’s been like becoming a father. “I’m a member of our club now, like the dad club. You see a dad, you see me. I’m playing on, I’m a full dad now,” said the rapper, who welcomed a son with Rihanna in May. “Being outside and working and being creative, it drives more energy for you to obviously to think and soak things up like a sponge now that I’m a dad, because I have a whole ‘nother perspective. But it honestly helps you get home to your family and get home to your baby. And I can’t even explain it, man. You come home to heaven every day. I’m so thankful. God is good, man.”
The Super Bowl Halftime Show has come a long way over the years, growing from a quaint marching band-centric affair to a blockbuster concert that draws in the biggest names in music — not to mention millions of eyeballs.
When it debuted in 1967, the halftime show featured, among other things, the University of Arizona Symphonic Marching Band performing “The Sound of Music” and “When the Saints Go Marching In,” nothing you wouldn’t be surprised to see at any ordinary college football game. As the years went on, however, it expanded — but it wasn’t quite A-list. Mid-game breaks featured everything from an Elvis Presley-impersonating magician (Elvis Presto, obviously) to the New Mouseketeers.
But when Michael Jackson headlined the halftime show in 1993, everything changed. Audiences grew accustomed to the idea of seeing the biggest pop star in the world performing at the biggest game in America, and before long, the modern halftime show took hold. It became not only an offering of live music and entertainment for football fans waiting patiently for third quarter to start, but also a badge of honor for the artists invited to perform. Playing the Super Bowl is one of the greatest milestones you can achieve as a musician, a singular marker of a star who’s earned their stripes as a bona fide legend.
From MJ’s game-changer to Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson’s culture-shifting slipup, and from Beyonce’s 2013 show-stopper to Dr. Dre’s 2022 hip-hop extravaganza, keep reading to see Billboard‘s 13 best Super Bowl Halftime Show performances of all time.
Suga had quite the night when he attended the Los Angeles Lakers game at Crytpo.com Arena on Thursday (Jan. 12).
Not only did the BTS rapper get a courtside seat to watch the Lakers face off against the Dallas Mavericks, he was also gifted a custom Lakers jersey from the team with his name inscribed above the number three. “Jump up to the top, LeBron,” the official NBA Instagram account captioned a snap of the K-pop idol holding his jersey, quoting the line Jung Kook croons in the first verse of the band’s No. 1 hit “Dynamite.”
Ahead of the game, which the Lakers ultimately lost 119 to 115 in overtime, Suga also posed on the court for a photo with Mavericks point guard Luka Dončić. For the occasion, the boy band member wore an oversized black blazer, matching wide-leg trousers and silver hoops in his ears, with his long hair slicked back.
Naturally, ARMY couldn’t get enough of Suga’s night out at the game, with several commenting on the photo posted by the NBA. “Thanks yoongi for creating basketball,” one fan wrote. Another chimed in, “He would be a better player than all of em starters lmaoo.”
In other BTS-related news, Suga’s bandmate Jimin just dropped “Vibe,” his new collaboration with BIGBANG’s Taeyang. Prior to its Friday (Jan. 13) release, the track had already topped Billboard‘s Hot Trending Songs chart — which is powered by Twitter — thanks to the chatter and anticipation surrounding its premiere.
Check out Suga’s photo op with Dončić as well as his brand-new Lakers jersey below.
Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks poses with Suga of BTS before the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena on January 12, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
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We’re one step closer to the Super Bowl! The 2023 NFL playoffs start Saturday (Jan. 14) with six games on the roster.
Keep reading for a breakdown of the playoffs schedule and ways to watch and stream NFL games from anywhere.
How to Watch & Stream the 2023 NFL Playoffs
Wild Card Weekend kicks off Saturday with the Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT on Fox and Fox Deportes.
Also on Saturday, the Los Angeles Chargers will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at 8:15 p.m. ET/5:15 p.m. PT. The game will air on NBC and stream on Peacock.
The Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills are scheduled to face off on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. Watch live or stream the game on CBS and Paramount+.
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Later in the day, the New York Giants will go head-to-head with the Minnesota Vikings at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. on Fox and Fox Deportes. Wrapping things up for Sunday will be the Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals game at 8:15 p.m. ET/5:15 p.m. PT on NBC and NBC Sports.
The Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers game is scheduled for Monday (Jan. 16) at 8:15 p.m. ET/5:15 p.m. PT on ABC, ESPN and ESPN Deportes.
When it comes to watching the NFL playoffs, there are a bunch of great streaming options for football fans who don’t have access to local and cable channels.
DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo and Sling TV are some of the platforms that offer live and local channels for less than $75 a month and you can watch games on multiple devices, including your TV or computer.
Looking for a free trial? Get up to a week free when you join DirecTV Stream or Fubo. Livestream playoff games from outside the U.S. with ExpressVPN.
DirecTV Stream $from $59.99/month (for 5 months) $69.99/month 14% off% OFF
Other platforms, such as Paramount+ and Peacock, let subscribers watch live television — but you’re restricted to certain channels. If you’re subscribed to one of the two aforementioned platforms, you might be able to stream certain playoff games throughout the weekend.
To stream them all in one place, subscribe to NFL+. New subscribers can enjoy a free trial for the first week and then $4.99/month ($12.99/season) to watch NFL games from anywhere. Upgrade to the $9.99 monthly plan ($29.99/season) for commercial-free streaming and full replays.
See the NFL playoff schedule below.
Wild Card Weekend: 2023 NFL Playoffs Schedule
Seahawks vs. 49ers – Saturday, Jan. 14 at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 PT
Chargers vs. Jaguars – Saturday, Jan. 14 at 8:15 p.m. ET/5:15 PT
Dolphins vs. Bills – Sunday, Jan. 15 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT
Giants vs. Vikings – Sunday, Jan. 15 at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT
Ravens vs. Bengals – Sunday, Jan. 15 at 8:15 p.m. ET/5:15 p.m. PT
Cowboys vs. Buccaneers – Monday, Jan. 16 at 8:15 p.m. ET/5:15 p.m. PT
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After withdrawing from the upcoming Australian Open, Naomi Osaka announced that she was expecting her first child with boyfriend Cordae.
On Wednesday (Jan. 11), the tennis star shared a statement in Japanese and English through social media accompanied by a photo of an ultrasound with the caption, “Can’t wait to get back on the court but here’s a little life update for 2023.” In the statement shared from her notes app, the four-time Grand Slam champion said: “These few months away from the sport has really given me a new love and appreciation for the game I’ve dedicated my life to.”
She continued: “I realize that life is so short, and I don’t take any moments for granted, every day is a new blessing and adventure. I know that I have so much to look forward to in the future, one thing I’m looking forward to is for my kid to watch one of my matches and tell someone, ‘that’s my mom’, haha. 2023 will be a year that’ll be full of lessons for me, and I hope I’ll see you guys in the start of the next one cause I’ll be at Aus 2024.” Osaka signed off, “Love you all infinitely.”
Osaka withdrew from this year’s Australian Open, an event she has won twice in her career. She has been highly open about her mental health struggles in the past, at one point taking an indefinite break from tennis in 2021. The 25-year-old only played 11 tournaments in 2022 and hadn’t played a full match since the U.S. Open last August. Off the court, she’s been busy as the highest-paid female athlete, which included starting her own talent agency last year which signed Nick Krygios as a client.
She has been dating Cordae since 2019, with the rapper being a prominent fixture by her side since. Osaka dedicated a loving post of acknowledgment after her 2020 U.S. Open finals win, expressing how he dropped everything to support her even though she was “still convinced he doesn’t understand the rules of tennis lol.”