Shaquille O'Neal's all-time starting five: 'Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, LeBron James and me'

Grant Hill: ‘There is the expectation to win. It’s really, I think people care more about us losing than us winning. And what I mean by that is we’re supposed to win. There’s maybe in a way a lack of appreciation for the international game here in the US. And what I mean by that is that it’s hard, like it’s not easy. You think back to some of those legendary teams, the Redeem Team in 2008. You think back to the 2012 big team with Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, all the talent on those teams, and you get on those medal games, it’s a two-point game with 90 seconds left, you know? It’s not the original Dream Team where you steamrolled the competition. The rest of the world has improved, and the talent level has increased. And it’s a game that they are more familiar with the game, is officiated differently, and the rules are different. I’m not making excuses, but really just trying to illustrate that this is not easy. And so we’re grateful for the commitment from the 12 men who will be on this team.” -via Apple Podcasts / July 30, 2023

When asked about Stephen Curry’s infamous “Baby Faced Asssasin” nickname, it triggered a flood of memories that led him to reflect on one of the biggest players to recognize that moniker, none other than Kobe Bryant. “That is one of my favorite memories and compliments I’ve ever gotten in my life,” said Curry. “I come down the court and do this little pump fake situation, hit a leaner off the glass. As I’m running down the court, the camera locks in on him for some reason. He points or leans to the guy next to him on his team and mouths, ‘Yo, man, he’s nice.'” -via complex.com / July 29, 2023

Another noteworthy encounter with Bryant came during a preseason game in the first quater. “I turn around and he’s like this [emulating Kobe’s facial expressions], standing there doing defensive slides and staying in front of me. Like, ‘What is happening right now? This is freaking Kobe Bryant,’ said Curry. After a few slides, Curry confessed he was getting tired and lost his balance after getting bumped by Bryant. “After I fell, I got no option, I’m like ‘I’m gonna just shoot it and live with it.’ I shot it from probably 30 feet and I made it. Then I acted like nothing happened, it was the biggest ‘keep your cool’ moment in your life because it’s freaking Kobe and you’re trying to be super chill about it.” -via complex.com / July 29, 2023

Still, McGrady — who entered the league straight out of high school in 1997 — didn’t back down from his comments. He merely clarifies that he believes he was on the level of a player like Kobe in talent rather than success. “Regardless of what and how anyone else feels,” McGrady says, “when you talk about the talent, its undoubtedly that my talent level was definitely up with the great players that have played this game. I didn’t play with Shaq. I didn’t play with no LeBrons. Yao [Ming] was my best teammate and we couldn’t stay healthy.” -via Clutch Points / July 31, 2023

eric sondheimer: The word is that Bryce James has made inquires about transferring to Sherman Oaks Notre Dame. He’d join another high-profiled player, Mercy Miller. Nothing has been finalized. He was supposed to attend Campbell Hall. We’ll see. -via Twitter / July 29, 2023

Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley were best friends until Barkley criticized Jordan’s management of his NBA team. The friendship ended, and they haven’t spoken in years. “He’s got my number,” said Barkley, who refuses to be the first to apologize. https://cbsn.ws/3XYchHI -via Twitter / July 31, 2023

Born three days apart, Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan were once the best of friends, but as Jordan struggled as owner of the Charlotte Hornets, Barkley minced no words. Charles Barkley: And what I said, I think that he don’t have enough people around him that are gonna tell him, ‘No.’ And he got really offended, and we haven’t spoken. But, Jon, I really, I’m gonna do my job. Because, I have zero credibility if I criticize other people in the same boat and not criticize my best friend. -via CBS News / July 30, 2023

In an interview with Joy DeAngela, Julius Erving named the top 10 players he thinks are the best in basketball history. “I have five guys who are untouchable – Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, and Elgin Baylor.,” he began. “That’s my all-time best team. Everybody else has to be on the second team or the third team, and I made this decision when I was 15 years old. I’m sticking with it now all these years later.” -via BasketNews / July 30, 2023