Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on LeBron James: 'Doesn't have to prove anything'
At the unveiling of a Koreatown mural commissioned by the Lakers, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said LeBron James should be the only one in control of his future after hinting at retirement following the Lakers’ elimination from the playoffs. “At the end of the year, after all that, LeBron and most of the guys looked like they’d been through two seasons, you know? But they still gave it an awesome effort,” Abdul-Jabbar said Monday. “I think it’s up to him. Certainly doesn’t have to prove anything. And it’s just what he wants to do at this point.”
Source: Dan Woike @ Los Angeles Times
Source: Dan Woike @ Los Angeles Times
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Lots to get into on the NBA Finals, LeBron/Kyrie & more w/ @Aaron_Torres & @StinkinGenius1. Tune into @FoxSportsRadio at 9:20 pm PT bit.ly/3DFSCV7 – 11:55 PM
Lots to get into on the NBA Finals, LeBron/Kyrie & more w/ @Aaron_Torres & @StinkinGenius1. Tune into @FoxSportsRadio at 9:20 pm PT bit.ly/3DFSCV7 – 11:55 PM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
“[L.A.] went in the game with some life. But he is old, and he kicked our ass and he’s old.”
Jaren Jackson Jr. on the Dillon Brooks-LeBron beef in the second round. 😅
(via @PodcastPShow)
pic.twitter.com/nuvk0oBZv2 – 11:25 PM
“[L.A.] went in the game with some life. But he is old, and he kicked our ass and he’s old.”
Jaren Jackson Jr. on the Dillon Brooks-LeBron beef in the second round. 😅
(via @PodcastPShow)
pic.twitter.com/nuvk0oBZv2 – 11:25 PM
Chris Palmer @ChrisPalmerNBA
LeBron, Kyrie & Luka would give up an NBA record 167 points per game. – 10:40 PM
LeBron, Kyrie & Luka would give up an NBA record 167 points per game. – 10:40 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
After attending the ‘Lakers Town’ community & mural unveiling event, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar fielded questions about LeBron James considering retirement & when Kareem knew it was time to retire. Kareem on LeBron: “Certainly, he doesn’t have to prove anything.” bit.ly/3OXYIWr pic.twitter.com/G3eUtZa89c – 10:24 PM
After attending the ‘Lakers Town’ community & mural unveiling event, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar fielded questions about LeBron James considering retirement & when Kareem knew it was time to retire. Kareem on LeBron: “Certainly, he doesn’t have to prove anything.” bit.ly/3OXYIWr pic.twitter.com/G3eUtZa89c – 10:24 PM
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
LeBron and the Mavericks, Kyrie Irving’s role in the connection and all the latest on Irving’s looming free agency … all covered here in a bonus edition of the Monday Musings: marcstein.substack.com/p/lebron-and-t… – 9:39 PM
LeBron and the Mavericks, Kyrie Irving’s role in the connection and all the latest on Irving’s looming free agency … all covered here in a bonus edition of the Monday Musings: marcstein.substack.com/p/lebron-and-t… – 9:39 PM
Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who retired after his 20th season as the NBA’s leading scorer, talked to The Sporting Tribune about LeBron James considering doing the same. “It’s up to him. Certainly, he doesn’t have to prove anything.” thesportingtribune.com/kareem-on-lebr… – 9:34 PM
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who retired after his 20th season as the NBA’s leading scorer, talked to The Sporting Tribune about LeBron James considering doing the same. “It’s up to him. Certainly, he doesn’t have to prove anything.” thesportingtribune.com/kareem-on-lebr… – 9:34 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Random…
But what the hell happened to Sasha Pavlovic where he was a 75% free throw shooter his first four seasons going into 2007 Finals with Bron
To where he nosedived to 54% in his 6 seasons after those Finals? – 9:32 PM
Random…
But what the hell happened to Sasha Pavlovic where he was a 75% free throw shooter his first four seasons going into 2007 Finals with Bron
To where he nosedived to 54% in his 6 seasons after those Finals? – 9:32 PM
Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
With reports surfacing that Kyrie Irving is recruiting LeBron James to Dallas, the Mavericks now have the best odds to acquire James this offseason.
Robert Cooper of @SportsBettingAG says that bets have been flooding in on the Mavs as James’ next team: heavy.com/sports/sportsb… – 9:04 PM
With reports surfacing that Kyrie Irving is recruiting LeBron James to Dallas, the Mavericks now have the best odds to acquire James this offseason.
Robert Cooper of @SportsBettingAG says that bets have been flooding in on the Mavs as James’ next team: heavy.com/sports/sportsb… – 9:04 PM
Bill Reiter @sportsreiter
Those doubting this LeBron-to-Dallas thing is a (poorly executed) leverage play forget LeBron’s supposed retirement-contemplation. – 7:28 PM
Those doubting this LeBron-to-Dallas thing is a (poorly executed) leverage play forget LeBron’s supposed retirement-contemplation. – 7:28 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
What Kyrie Irving’s reported interest in LeBron James reunion could mean for Mavs future dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 7:15 PM
What Kyrie Irving’s reported interest in LeBron James reunion could mean for Mavs future dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 7:15 PM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
LeBron to the Mavs is “unrealistic” as the Lakers are uninterested in a Dallas trade offer, per @jovanbuha. pic.twitter.com/4sLXmLwuxB – 6:46 PM
LeBron to the Mavs is “unrealistic” as the Lakers are uninterested in a Dallas trade offer, per @jovanbuha. pic.twitter.com/4sLXmLwuxB – 6:46 PM
Michael Dugat @mdug
I’m really not going to give much thought to the LeBron Mavs stuff because I don’t see it as something that has any chance of happening … and it’s more likely posturing for Kyrie to LA than LeBron to Dallas, but whatever.
Obviously, I’d love to have LeBron, though – 5:56 PM
I’m really not going to give much thought to the LeBron Mavs stuff because I don’t see it as something that has any chance of happening … and it’s more likely posturing for Kyrie to LA than LeBron to Dallas, but whatever.
Obviously, I’d love to have LeBron, though – 5:56 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
The Lakers maintained on Monday that they aren’t interested in adding Kyrie Irving this summer, according to multiple team sources.
On Irving’s recruitment of LeBron James, the “unrealistic” paths for James to Dallas, and the most likely outcome: theathletic.com/4582508/2023/0… – 5:24 PM
The Lakers maintained on Monday that they aren’t interested in adding Kyrie Irving this summer, according to multiple team sources.
On Irving’s recruitment of LeBron James, the “unrealistic” paths for James to Dallas, and the most likely outcome: theathletic.com/4582508/2023/0… – 5:24 PM
Mark Deeks @MarkDeeksNBA
There’s nothing to discuss about a LeBron buyout. Not happening. Save your time. Let’s move on. – 3:23 PM
There’s nothing to discuss about a LeBron buyout. Not happening. Save your time. Let’s move on. – 3:23 PM
Jake Madison @NOLAJake
Dropping at 6 pm central tonight!
Pelicans fans want LeBron James traded to the Mavs to team up with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving
youtube.com/watch?v=GqaSwu… pic.twitter.com/rosEpQ1CRg – 1:36 PM
Dropping at 6 pm central tonight!
Pelicans fans want LeBron James traded to the Mavs to team up with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving
youtube.com/watch?v=GqaSwu… pic.twitter.com/rosEpQ1CRg – 1:36 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Kyrie Irving reportedly reaches out to LeBron about joining Mavericks… good luck with that
nba.nbcsports.com/2023/06/05/kyr… – 1:24 PM
Kyrie Irving reportedly reaches out to LeBron about joining Mavericks… good luck with that
nba.nbcsports.com/2023/06/05/kyr… – 1:24 PM
BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Luka Doncic said this when asked about playing with LeBron James 5 years ago 👀 pic.twitter.com/75P1z3tevZ – 1:19 PM
Luka Doncic said this when asked about playing with LeBron James 5 years ago 👀 pic.twitter.com/75P1z3tevZ – 1:19 PM
BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Mark Cuban adding LeBron James alongside Kyrie Irving & Luka Doncic 🥵
pic.twitter.com/jTlsLjqZED – 12:55 PM
Mark Cuban adding LeBron James alongside Kyrie Irving & Luka Doncic 🥵
pic.twitter.com/jTlsLjqZED – 12:55 PM
BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Kyrie Irving has reportedly reached out to LeBron James in attempts to unite in Dallas 😯 pic.twitter.com/zLriwgDbBV – 12:48 PM
Kyrie Irving has reportedly reached out to LeBron James in attempts to unite in Dallas 😯 pic.twitter.com/zLriwgDbBV – 12:48 PM
Kevin Chouinard @KLChouinard
Remake this pic, but with two piggybacks: Luka on Cuban and Draymond on LeBron. Kyrie in for Nash. pic.twitter.com/b3bEBCAUsz – 12:36 PM
Remake this pic, but with two piggybacks: Luka on Cuban and Draymond on LeBron. Kyrie in for Nash. pic.twitter.com/b3bEBCAUsz – 12:36 PM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
Could we see a Kyrie-LeBron reunion in Dallas next season?
Kyrie was checking on it, per @ShamsCharania 👀 pic.twitter.com/msmKbotna6 – 12:35 PM
Could we see a Kyrie-LeBron reunion in Dallas next season?
Kyrie was checking on it, per @ShamsCharania 👀 pic.twitter.com/msmKbotna6 – 12:35 PM
Nick Wright @getnickwright
Imagine how FURIOUS Michael Malone would be at the pending LeBron/Mavs/Lakers news cycle if the Nuggets had WON last night instead… – 12:31 PM
Imagine how FURIOUS Michael Malone would be at the pending LeBron/Mavs/Lakers news cycle if the Nuggets had WON last night instead… – 12:31 PM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
🫂 Next year, Kyrie Irving and LeBron James may play together once again after winning a ring in Cleveland…
…but with the Dallas Mavericks as the destination? 🤔
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/15… – 12:27 PM
🫂 Next year, Kyrie Irving and LeBron James may play together once again after winning a ring in Cleveland…
…but with the Dallas Mavericks as the destination? 🤔
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/15… – 12:27 PM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Kyrie Irving reportedly wants LeBron James to join him on the Mavericks in latest twist for potential reunion
cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-r… – 12:25 PM
Kyrie Irving reportedly wants LeBron James to join him on the Mavericks in latest twist for potential reunion
cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-r… – 12:25 PM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Kyrie: “will you weirdos stop talking about me!!! Leave me alone and don’t mention my name in any wild rumors!!”
Also Kyrie: “hey Shams and chris, can you guys do me a favor and start a shitstorm by saying I want LeBron to come to Dallas (which has no chance of happening). Thx.” – 12:25 PM
Kyrie: “will you weirdos stop talking about me!!! Leave me alone and don’t mention my name in any wild rumors!!”
Also Kyrie: “hey Shams and chris, can you guys do me a favor and start a shitstorm by saying I want LeBron to come to Dallas (which has no chance of happening). Thx.” – 12:25 PM
TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Please please pay attention to wording.
All of this LeBron/Kyrie to Dallas stuff is coming straight from Kyrie. Both reports state that.
So, as usual with Kyrie, much of this is not founded in reality. – 12:21 PM
Please please pay attention to wording.
All of this LeBron/Kyrie to Dallas stuff is coming straight from Kyrie. Both reports state that.
So, as usual with Kyrie, much of this is not founded in reality. – 12:21 PM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
It’s a truly Kyrie-esque trick to blast the media for talking about him and then (probably) tactically leak that he has reached out to LeBron James about playing in Dallas. Oh and unless Luka is on the table there’s nothing Mavs can offer the Lakers that makes any sense. – 12:20 PM
It’s a truly Kyrie-esque trick to blast the media for talking about him and then (probably) tactically leak that he has reached out to LeBron James about playing in Dallas. Oh and unless Luka is on the table there’s nothing Mavs can offer the Lakers that makes any sense. – 12:20 PM
Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
Just wondering who is going deny this rumor publicly first: LeBron, Kyrie or Mark Cuban? – 12:13 PM
Just wondering who is going deny this rumor publicly first: LeBron, Kyrie or Mark Cuban? – 12:13 PM
Tom Haberstroh @tomhaberstroh
mike malone seeing the lebron->dallas reports pic.twitter.com/CN8ITdH5CN – 12:09 PM
mike malone seeing the lebron->dallas reports pic.twitter.com/CN8ITdH5CN – 12:09 PM
Ryan McDonald @ryanwmcdonald
There are so many GIFs of LeBron that fit this situation perfectly – 12:03 PM
There are so many GIFs of LeBron that fit this situation perfectly – 12:03 PM
TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
This LeBron/Kyrie in Dallas stuff is such a farce.
Dallas lacks basically everything to put together a trade package. That means LeBron — yes, LeBron James — would have to be bought out and take a pay cut to play in Dallas.
That seems like it would never ever ever happen. – 12:00 PM
This LeBron/Kyrie in Dallas stuff is such a farce.
Dallas lacks basically everything to put together a trade package. That means LeBron — yes, LeBron James — would have to be bought out and take a pay cut to play in Dallas.
That seems like it would never ever ever happen. – 12:00 PM
Jake Madison @NOLAJake
Could a Pelicans player publicly, or even as a source off the record, request that the Pels trade for LeBron or another big named star?
Would make my week much easier – 11:56 AM
Could a Pelicans player publicly, or even as a source off the record, request that the Pels trade for LeBron or another big named star?
Would make my week much easier – 11:56 AM
Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes
B/R Sources: Kyrie Irving desires for Mavericks to explore acquiring Lakers star LeBron James to form a Big 3 with Luka Doncic: bleacherreport.com/articles/10078… – 11:52 AM
B/R Sources: Kyrie Irving desires for Mavericks to explore acquiring Lakers star LeBron James to form a Big 3 with Luka Doncic: bleacherreport.com/articles/10078… – 11:52 AM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Sources: Kyrie Irving has reached out to Lakers star LeBron James in attempts to see if James would come to Dallas. Irving is a free agent this offseason. – 11:47 AM
Sources: Kyrie Irving has reached out to Lakers star LeBron James in attempts to see if James would come to Dallas. Irving is a free agent this offseason. – 11:47 AM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
June 5, 2011: Pretty sure LeBron James could not have fathomed his Heat losing the NBA Finals to the one-star Mavericks one week later. pic.twitter.com/tWRcsXNY3H – 11:06 AM
June 5, 2011: Pretty sure LeBron James could not have fathomed his Heat losing the NBA Finals to the one-star Mavericks one week later. pic.twitter.com/tWRcsXNY3H – 11:06 AM
Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
The Nuggets are 0-3 when Nikola Jokic records a 40-point game in these playoffs, tying the NBA record for most such losses in a single postseason:
Jerry West, 1965
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 1977
LeBron James, 2009
Luka Doncic, 2022
Nikola Jokic, 2023
More: open.substack.com/pub/statitudes… – 9:52 AM
The Nuggets are 0-3 when Nikola Jokic records a 40-point game in these playoffs, tying the NBA record for most such losses in a single postseason:
Jerry West, 1965
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 1977
LeBron James, 2009
Luka Doncic, 2022
Nikola Jokic, 2023
More: open.substack.com/pub/statitudes… – 9:52 AM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Also per NBA: The Heat had three players score at least 20 points: Gabe Vincent (23), Bam Adebayo (21) and Jimmy Butler (21). This marks the first time that the Heat had three 20-point scorers in an NBA Finals game since Game 5 in 2013 (LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Ray Allen). – 12:18 AM
Also per NBA: The Heat had three players score at least 20 points: Gabe Vincent (23), Bam Adebayo (21) and Jimmy Butler (21). This marks the first time that the Heat had three 20-point scorers in an NBA Finals game since Game 5 in 2013 (LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Ray Allen). – 12:18 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
Bam tonight:
21 PTS
9 REB
4 AST
2 BLK
8-14 FG
Only LeBron, Jimmy and Wade have more 20-point Finals games as a Heat. pic.twitter.com/4b4yndmVym – 10:33 PM
Bam tonight:
21 PTS
9 REB
4 AST
2 BLK
8-14 FG
Only LeBron, Jimmy and Wade have more 20-point Finals games as a Heat. pic.twitter.com/4b4yndmVym – 10:33 PM
More on this storyline
The Athletic: Jaren Jackson Jr. was asked if he thought Dillon Brooks calling LeBron James “old” backfired in the Grizzlies-Lakers series. “It helped L.A. get around something and get some energy… but he is old. He kicked our ass and he’s old.” 🎥 @PodcastPShow -via Twitter / June 5, 2023
Jovan Buha: New Lakers mural in Koreatown pic.twitter.com/I2X1epJxIT -via Twitter @jovanbuha / June 5, 2023
Mark Medina: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on his farewell season and what it would mean for the Lakers to have one for LeBron James pic.twitter.com/x3ryxOLHvS -via Twitter @MarkG_Medina / June 5, 2023