San Antonio Spurs rookie Stephon Castle has been ready to roll right from the start of his NBA career. The same couldn’t be said for his car following the team’s 126-116 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night.
Castle, a Rookie of the Year contender, was ready to leave Frost Bank Arena after contributing eight points and two rebounds in the victory. As Castle approached his car, teammates were filming him, and it became clear he wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
The rest of the Spurs burst into laughter as Castle discovered that his car had the wheels taken off. Devin Vassell posted a video of the incident on social media.
Castle then acted like he was ready to fight teammate Blake Wesley, but he took the prank in stride. The real question was whether his teammates gave his wheels back immediately or did they make him sweat and call a tow truck?
Car pranks are becoming a trend around the NBA with Donovan Mitchell filling Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Jaylon Tyson’s car with popcorn on Sunday. Players need to have their head on a swivel these days, or they need to start just catching rides to the arena.
If you have ever wanted to own a Cheeto that looks like Michael Jordan, you now have that chance. A Cheeto shaped like the famous Jumpman logo is up for auction at Goldin.
After a Charizard-shaped Cheeto sold for a whopping $87,840 recently, Goldin decided to put this Jordan-esque snack up for auction. The Jumpman Cheeto isn’t necessarily commanding Cheeto-zard prices, but it has two bids with the current highest sitting at $275.
Watch as Spurs prank rookie Stephon Castle by removing the wheels from his car Austin Nivison Watch as Spurs prank rookie Stephon Castle by removing the wheels from his car According to Goldin, the Cheeto sits in a three-inch case to protect it from the air and hungry mouth.
“The reverse of the case is designed like a collectible card, highlighting Jordan’s accomplishments from his illustrious career,” Goldin writes in the description. “The Cheeto itself is positioned against a backdrop of the iconic photograph that inspired the world-renowned logo.”
Those hoping to get in on the bidding have some time. There are still 16 days left before the auction closes, and it’ll be interesting to see just how high the price climbs on this cheesy piece of Jordan memorabilia.
While this is one of the more unique pieces of Jordan memorabilia to go up for auction, anything associated with him can fetch lucrative prices. Last year, an autographed 2003-04 Logoman card sold for a record $2.928 million.
According to Dallas Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont, the Luka Dončić trade — in which they sent the face of the franchise to the Los Angeles Lakers just ahead of his 26th birthday in exchange for a star who was about to turn 32, a third-year wing and just one first-round pick — was about the future.
Dumont used the word four separate times during a speaking engagement put on by a Dallas-area real estate organization:
“This was a decision about the future. If you look at our roster today and who we have, we feel like we’ve positioned ourselves to be incredibly competitive against the best teams in the NBA. And if you’re a fan of basketball — I’ll just throw that out there — you have Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, Anthony Davis and either Daniel Gafford or Dereck Lively [II] as your starting five. That’s going to put fear into a lot of teams in the league, if we can get going.” “The objective was, ‘How do we create a roster for the future that allows us to be the most competitive team?'” “We want to win championships, we want to be a winning franchise for the city of Dallas and we want to be one of character, one of community involvement and one where we sort of carry on the legacy of the Dallas Mavericks in the right way. When you look at what Mark [Cuban] did, what Ross [Perot Jr.] did, I mean, everyone who has been involved in the team has done great things for the city of Dallas, and we feel an obligation to continue that stewardship. So we were really looking to the future.” “It’s really just about improving the team for the future.” Dumont made these comments a month ago, well before Irving’s torn ACL effectively rendered 2024-25 a wasted season for Dallas. The speaking engagement was after Davis had gotten hurt in his debut, though, and after Dumont had cited Shaquille O’Neal as a model of work ethic and single-minded focus (while implying that Dončić was not cut from the same cloth). It was also after the Mavericks had ejected multiple fans who had brought signs calling for general manager Nico Harrison’s firing to American Airlines Arena (on the same night that Dumont was booed as he sat down in his courtside seat). There had been plenty of time to come up with an explanation that made more sense than this.
Anthony Davis tries to calm Mavericks fans after Luka Dončić trade, says Dallas ‘gained a superstar in myself’ Sam Quinn Anthony Davis tries to calm Mavericks fans after Luka Dončić trade, says Dallas ‘gained a superstar in myself’ Maybe Dumont was using the definition of “the future” that Harrison used at the post-trade press conference. The quote is already infamous: “The future to me is three, four years from now. The future 10 years from now, I don’t know, they’ll probably bury me and [coach Jason Kidd] by then. Or we bury ourselves.”
Dumont acknowledged that Dončić is a “phenomenal player” and a “generational talent,” adding that the trade was “hard” and “emotional.” He said the decision was not about the salary cap — Dončić would have been able to sign a supermax extension with the Mavericks this coming summer — and the franchise will not leave Dallas for Las Vegas or anywhere else. He was well aware of fans’ anger and sense of betrayal in the aftermath of the trade, and he pledged to try to earn their trust back.
“I heard from the fans, I respect their voices, I listened, we know that this wasn’t easy,” Dumont said. “If we lost any of our fans’ trust, it was hard and I apologize, but I hope over time we can regain that trust through hard work and that’s our plan. And hopefully people will believe in the long run that what we did was the right decision. Time will tell.”
That message, though, was delivered alongside a rationale for the trade that doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. “Part of leadership is looking at risk and looking at all the factors of a decision and being willing to act at that time,” Dumont said. “And look to the long term and not only think about the short term or how it may be received immediately, but to think about the long-term benefits and what it may allow you to achieve if given all the right considerations.” Then he pointed to the 2024 trade deadline, at which point the Mavs “were not a playoff-bound team.” Trading for Washington and Gafford changed that, as they went on a late-season tear and advanced to the NBA Finals.
Before making the Dončić trade, Dumont said, “We looked at our trajectory during the season and realized that we did not get better, but the teams that we competed against, some of which we beat [last season], did get better.” He said Dallas determined that the defending champion Boston Celtics had improved, too, so it needed to make a move.
Dončić was sidelined with a calf injury at the time, and the Mavs were reportedly frustrated with his approach to conditioning. The way Dumont frames it, they weren’t pleased with the way things were going and thought the trade would put them on a better trajectory. But this is not what taking the long view looks like. From a long-term perspective, with an all-time great still just approaching his prime on the roster, a slower-than-expected start in any one particular season does not warrant an extreme reaction. This is particularly true given that the team was mere months removed from a Finals appearance that served as proof of concept.
The decision to trade Dončić was about the future in only one way: Dallas made a massive, long-term bet against him continuing on the course he’s been charting since being named EuroLeague MVP at 19 years old. Despite making the All-NBA First Team every year since his second season and dominating several playoff series, Dončić was simply not the guy the Mavericks wanted to build around anymore.
Even if you accept the unprecedented conclusion that they came to, though, it doesn’t justify the move they made. As Cuban said on WFAA last week, “If the Mavs are going to trade Luka, that’s one thing. Just get a better deal. No disrespect to Anthony Davis, but I still firmly believe if we had gotten four unprotected [first-round picks] and Anthony Davis and Max Christie, this would be a different conversation.”
In light of Dumont’s attempt to explain the trade, another from that Cuban interview stands out.
“I think the biggest challenge that the Mavs have right now is there’s nobody who’s really outgoing to communicate,” Cuban said. “And it’s not so much what you do, it’s how you communicate why you do what you do.”
Six years after LeBron James debuted as a Los Angeles Laker, rookie Bronny James is set to begin his NBA career in the purple and gold.
Bronny James, the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and son of Lakers forward LeBron James, will inch closer to his first taste of real NBA action as Los Angeles embarks upon a six-game preseason schedule. It’s the next step in the process for the rookie, who showed some flashes despite plenty of ups and downs during Summer League action in California and Las Vegas.
While the preseason is a major opportunity for head coach JJ Redick to implement his new system among LA’s rotational veterans, it is also an opportunity for rookies like James to see extended playing time while battling for a place in the rotation for the upcoming season.
As Bronny James takes the floor for his first preseason as an NBA player, The Sporting News will keep you up to date with his performance in each game. Below, find James’ stats and a game log for each preseason game he sees action.
It’s not often that the No. 9 pick in the NBA Draft is the gambling favorite to win Rookie of the Year, but this is a strange draft class and Zach Edey is the strangest player in it.
The Purdue star was considered a fringe NBA prospect a year ago. Now, he’s expected to be the most productive rookie.
That prediction starts to make a lot of sense when you break down the perfect fit that Edey has found himself in with the Grizzlies. Here’s why Edey has a great chance to win the award over Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr and more.
MORE: Updated NBA Power Rankings after Karl-Anthony Towns trade
Four reasons Zach Edey is going to win Rookie of the Year Zach Edey is going to play a lot Rookie of the Year hasn’t always been about who the best player in a draft class is going to be. More often, it’s gone to the player who has put up the best box score stats.
If you need proof, just remember that Malcolm Brogdon once won the award over Joel Embiid.
Edey has a big advantage given that playing time criteria. He was drafted onto a Grizzlies team that traded away their starting center in Steven Adams and never really replaced him. Edey will likely take on that starting role, ensuring that he has plenty of chances to succeed.
The Grizzlies don’t have a ton of options behind Edey at center either. Jaren Jackson Jr., Santi Aldama and Brandon Clark are undersized and better as forwards. It’s basically just Edey and small ball units behind him.
MORE: Zach Edey recreates iconic Muggsy Bogues-Manute Bol photo at media day
Zach Edey has immediately translatable skills Edey enters the league as one of the biggest players. He’s listed at 7-4 and 305 pounds. That is massive, and he is one of the rare rookies who already has an NBA body.
Rebounding is one of the most translatable skills from college to the pros, and Edey is going to be amazing there. He led the NCAA in rebounding during his junior and senior seasons. He was also automatic in the low post, leading the nation in scoring and effective field goal percentage.
All of that carried over to Edey’s first Summer League game, where he scored 14 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and blocked four shots. He was so much bigger than everyone else on the floor that he was impossible to stop.
ZACH EDEY TIP IN BUZZER BEATER!! pic.twitter.com/vnTsVGHTqQ
— NCAA Buzzer Beaters & Game Winners (@NCAABuzzerBters) July 9, 2024 You can’t teach size, and Edey’s is already elite.
MORE: Why the Grizzlies drafted Zach Edey higher than expected
Zach Edey has found a great landing spot to hide his weaknesses There has never been much question about if Edey can rebound and score. His NBA projection was questioned because of doubts about his ability to defend and his lack of shooting.
Edey’s defensive mobility is still very much in doubt, but he will be playing next to two former Defensive Player of the Year winners in Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marcus Smart. It’s going to be a lot easier to scheme around Edey’s limitations with those two.
Edey will play with Desmond Bane as well, who is one of the best movement shooters in the game and a good defender. With Jackson Jr. also spreading the floor as a stretch big, that should help mitigate Edey’s lack of long-distance shooting and give him great spacing when he gets the ball in the post.
Lastly, Edey’s job will be very simplified by playing with one of the best drivers in the game in Ja Morant. His screens are going to have maximum impact, and his skill as a finisher is going to be fully utilized.
Edey’s success was always going to be dependent on his fit. He found a great one in Memphis.
MORE: Zach Edey is the most polarizing player in 2024 NBA Draft
Zach Edey might win Rookie of the Year award by default There will be at least one player in this draft class who ends up making a few All-Star games, but it will take a few years for that to happen.
Risacher and Sarr were the top picks in this draft. Neither player looks like they are ready to contribute immediately. None of the other lottery picks are projected to start for their teams. Reed Sheppard could put pressure on Edey, but he’s behind a number of guards in the Rockets’ rotation. The same goes for Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan.
We knew that this draft class was going to be weak all year, and the best rookies have been drafted into situations that might not make them pop right away. Edey could very well win the award by putting up 15 points and 10 rebounds per night.
Edey has found himself in some unique circumstances that might add up to the perfect storm for Rookie of the Year. We know what we’re going to get from him, and the rest of this class looks too shaky right now to challenge him.
Bronny James and the Lakers continued their preseason schedule against the Suns on Sunday.
The rookie guard made his Los Angeles debut Friday in a loss to the Timberwolves. James only scored two points in 16 minutes of action, but he added three blocks to go with one rebound and one assist on 1-for-6 shooting from the field.
The 20-year-old didn’t get the opportunity to suit up with his father, LeBron, who sat out in the preseason opener. The duo finally made their debut together against Phoenix, becoming the first father-son tandem to play in an NBA game.
The Sporting News had you covered with live updates and highlights from Bronny’s second preseason game below.
MORE: NBA’s top 30 players, ranked: Where stars land ahead of 2024-25 season
Bronny James highlights in Lakers vs. Suns Bronny and LeBron made history as the first father-son duo to ever play in an NBA game together during the Lakers’ second preseason game.
LeBron James. Bronny James.
The father-son duo share the court for the first time together! 👏 pic.twitter.com/93hC7k64gK
— NBA (@NBA) October 7, 2024 The two didn’t remain on the court together for very long, though. Bronny struggled on the offensive end, coughing up three turnovers in his first four minutes of action. He also missed his only shot attempt.
Before the game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick said the moment would happen “in the flow of the game” and that it wouldn’t be “gimmicky,” per ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
Redick upheld that statement, allowing Bronny and LeBron to share that moment before pulling the younger James after a tough stint on the court.
Bronny got another chance and played nine minutes in the second half but the rookie guard still failed to make an impact
He didn’t attempt another shot after his first stint, turned the ball over one more time and only collected one more rebound for the box score.
Bronny and LeBron sharing the court was a cool moment, but it was a game to forget for LeBron’s newest teammate.
The Lakers lost to the Suns, 118-114, to fall to 0-2 in the preseason.
Some moments in sports just feel surreal. Usually, those moments occur after a team ends a long playoff drought and finally get over the hump, or when an underdog raises its hand in victory. Other times, it is seeing something that just makes you smile and feel the emotions that make sports great.
LeBron James has a claim to being the greatest basketball player of all time. There isn’t much left for him to accomplish in his 21-year career, which will result in likely being a unanimous first ballot Hall of Famer. Still, the James legend continues to grow, and he’s still finding ways to bring fans exciting firsts.
The NBA preseason is like the preseason of any other sport. Teams and players are dusting off the rust accumulated in the offseason and are trying to make sure they are the right mix of in shape and healthy for the regular season start. This NBA preseason was different, as all looked for James to share the court with his son Bronny for the first time at a professional level.
SN’s NBA HQ: Live NBA scores | Updated NBA standings | Full NBA schedule
LeBron James-Bronny James share court Father Time comes for all athletes, and the questions have been swirling on when James was going to hang it up. In 2024, James will be in his 22nd season. That will tie him with Vince Carter for the most seasons in an NBA career. Many long suspected James was waiting until he could play with his son Bronny before calling it quits, and LeBron finally got that chance in the preseason.
The Lakers were playing their second preseason game Sunday. They lost the first to the Timberwolves on Friday, and were hosting the Suns in Game 2. LeBron sat the first preseason game with Bronny getting 16 minutes off the bench. In the second quarter of Sunday night’s game, though, Bronny checked in and joined his dad on the court.
On Sunday, LeBron James and Bronny James shared the court for the first time in their NBA careers as the Los Angeles Lakers battled the Phoenix Suns. It was only a preseason matchup, but as the first father-son duo to ever play alongside each other, it was still a momentous occasion. To make it better, it was Bronny’s birthday; the rookie turned 20 years old.
Following the game, the elder James was asked what that moment was like.
“For a father, I mean, it means everything,” James told reporters Sunday night. “For someone who didn’t have that growing up, to be able to have that influence for the kids, to have that influence on your son, have moments with your son and ultimately to be able to work with your son, it’s one of the greatest things you could ever hope for or wish for.”
James, now entering his 22nd NBA season, has openly expressed his desire to play alongside at least one of his sons for years. In that same stretch, his firstborn rose up through the high school ranks, eventually becoming a four-star recruit. Upon graduating, Bronny chose between Ohio State, Oregon, and USC, eventually opting to stay in Southern California with his family. There are multiple reasons his desire to stay close to home would’ve benefited him but, as it turns out, the most important reason was completely unexpected.
Prior to the start of the Trojans’ 2023-24 campaign, Bronny experienced a career-and-life-threatening cardiac arrest. It was a tense time for the James family. Eventually, he was cleared to play, but his performances were largely underwhelming.
Fortunately for him, his father’s stature helped him garner significant attention through the pre-draft process, much of which was focused on whether the Lakers would take him with the 17th or 55th pick. Teams like the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, and Toronto Raptors were reportedly interested in him as well.
Eventually, the younger James did get drafted (55th overall) by Los Angeles. Once the regular season starts, he’s likely to spend ample time in the G League because he needs to find an identity and consistency on offense. However, Bronny has already helped the Lakers. Not only has he lifted the mood because his dad is so excited about being on the same team as him but he also made his dad’s decision to re-sign with LA easier.
Only time will tell how this works out for father, son, or the franchise. Nonetheless, for an individual with James’s upbringing, it adds to his splendor.
The humanity of athletes is often ignored with fans focusing on whether they’ll lead their team to a championship or if they can help them win a parlay. Yet, James is a literal ‘rags to riches’ story. He’s even transforming himself into what he may have wanted his own father to be. As he says, “it means everything” to him.
Heat fans, it’s time for Miami’s 17th season under head coach Erik Spoelstra.
There are plenty of reasons to be excited for South Beach basketball this season. What does a full season with Terry Rozier at point guard look like? Will Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Jr. both take another step forward this season? How will veteran shooter Alec Burks complement the offense?
Of course, the main cogs of this organization — the backbone to Heat Culture — remain firmly in place. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo will run it back for the sixth straight year, and Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson also remain in place.
Interested in catching some Heat games as they aim to get back to the NBA Finals for the third time in five years? Here’s everything you need to know about how to get the best deals on tickets for every Heat game at Kaseya Center in the 2024-25 season.
BUY NOW: Get Heat single-game and season tickets on StubHub
Heat tickets 2024-25 Tickets: StubHub Tickets for the 2024-25 Heat season are available now on StubHub.
Their first game of the season, on Wednesday, Oct. 23 against the Magic, start at around $35 each for standing room and a little over $100 per ticket for seats. Other notable games include the Knicks game on October 30 and a New Year’s matchup with Zion Williamson and the Pelicans.
Click the link below to view more prices and a seat map of Kaseya Center.
BUY NOW: Best prices for Heat 2024-25 season on StubHub
Heat schedule 2024-25 Miami’s schedule kicks off Wednesday, Oct. 23 against Orlando. With 82 games ready to go, there’s plenty of time for South Beach basketball fans to see their sole NBA team in action.
Below is a breakdown of the biggest and best matchups for Toronto in the 2024-25 season. The Heat’s complete schedule can be found here.
MINNEAPOLIS — Poll a handful of Minnesota Vikings fans this summer, and you would have gotten a handful of different answers to this simple but all-important question: Which quarterback should be leading the team this fall? Some would’ve cheerily advocated for J.J. McCarthy, the suave first-round rookie whose NFL debut was ultimately postponed indefinitely due to a preseason injury. Others would’ve lamented the exit of Kirk Cousins, who’d at least been a steady hand for more than a half-decade prior. Few would’ve said Sam Darnold with strong conviction.
Even the most optimistic Vikings fans, see, had little trouble treading lightly with Darnold hype going into the season. Signed to a very modest one-year contract, on his fourth team in five years, fresh off a 2023 campaign spent almost exclusively on the sidelines, the former New York Jets prospect and journeyman castoff was always set to benefit from arguably the best supporting cast of his NFL career. He was always primed for career marks working under coach Kevin O’Connell, the definition of quarterback-friendly in both offensive design and affable attitude. Yet no one really, deep down, would’ve been stunned if the “real Darnold” finally showed up, hurling balls into traffic.
To be clear, three weeks into the 2024 NFL season, there’s still time for that. The Vikings (3-0 after Sunday’s rout of the Houston Texans) know as well as anyone that a hot start or sterling record can fizzle into nothing, as it did in the playoffs following O’Connell’s otherwise magical debut coaching the 13-4 squad of 2022. And Darnold has flashed first-round arm sizzle before, only to slip into turnover- or injury-riddled slumps that wore out his welcome in both East Rutherford and Charlotte, North Carolina, recent treasure trove of failed reclamation projects.
The Vikings have arguably also never enjoyed a more promising three-game stretch of quarterback play this side of … Brett Favre? Daunte Culpepper? Or, dare we say, ever? As CBS Sports noted Sunday, this Darnold is the first Vikings signal-caller in the history of the 1960-founded franchise to throw multiple touchdown passes in three straight victories to start a season. His eight passing scores through Week 3 lead the entire league. And those are just small slices of the pie: He’s protected the ball much better than at any other point in his career, and he’s doing it without some of the club’s top playmakers in injured wideout Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson.
Minnesota is a surprise unbeaten contender, in what once looked like a gauntlet of an NFC North division, for a lot of reasons. O’Connell has fostered a near-unmatched culture built on positivity. The running game is back to turbo mode with ex-Green Bay Packers star Aaron Jones. The O-line, led by left tackle Christian Darrisaw, is holding its own against some of the NFL’s best defensive fronts. And Brian Flores’ defense is a Frankenstein’s monster of swarming standouts, with fast, physical, versatile veterans — many of them newcomers — at every level.
It’s clear, then, that Darnold’s setup isn’t just the best he’s ever enjoyed; it’s also better and deeper than anyone anticipated, with secondary weapons like Ty Chandler, Jalen Nailor and Brandon Powell making a habit of critical splash plays. We’ll find out in due time whether the vaunted infrastructure is simply “masking” Darnold or, more importantly, whether Minnesota can sustain this sudden and unexpected nationwide appeal. But anyone who’s opened a single eye during any of Darnold’s first three starts in purple would be fibbing if they said Darnold is simply along for the ride. This man has operated like the top-three talent he was drafted to be, with not only the passing zip but, better yet, the resilient authority required of a true under-center leader.
It’d be one thing if he were shaking off a rare pick against a lowly defense. Instead, he’s delivered top-10, if not top-five, quarterbacking in consecutive upsets of Houston and the San Francisco 49ers, two of the most imposing contenders in the NFL. And the latest, against the Texans, wasn’t even a close game. Maybe, just maybe, we should’ve listened to Powell, who told CBS Sports prior to Week 1 that Darnold “can sling the ball” like the best of them, and that he’s wired to recover quickly from mistakes — perhaps properly hardened by those lost years with the rebuilding Jets. Maybe we should’ve believed the internal consensus that, finally afforded reasonable coaching and skill talent — like, say the most electrifying receiver in the NFL in Justin Jefferson — Darnold was no less likely to restore his reputation than fellow 2018 draftee Baker Mayfield with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Will this last? It’s a fair question that cannot be answered at this time, which is frankly the beauty of this unpredictable game. But Darnold’s help should only improve as the year goes, with Addison and Hockenson eventually set to join Jefferson and Co. in the offensive lineup. And not a single soul — not even one that bleeds purple, routinely yelps “Ope!” or spent at least one hot August afternoon at the Minnesota State Fair — could’ve fully foreseen Darnold headlining a perfect Vikings team approaching October.
Yes, Cousins drew his own MVP buzz to open 2023, only to fall victim to injury and a final contract standoff. But most agree he’d already hit his ceiling in this organization. Darnold, by contrast, is still just 27, only now experiencing a shot at real contention. It’s a storybook trajectory for both the team and its quarterback, who roughly one month ago was designated little more than a veteran placeholder for the “real” future that is McCarthy.
If we’re being honest, the same Vikings fans who entered with cautious hope but are now spoiled by this sudden success might prefer to keep this whole thing under wraps, on the down-low, so as not to tarnish the moment in favor of fanciful dreams involving late-season winter glory. But who says it’s the time for being reasonable? “Reasonable” was expecting Darnold to be passable — nothing more, nothing less. He’s exceeded that mark for now, and as of yet, there’s no clear reason to expect a downshift. Every Vikings fan can agree on that.
