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Current and former NBA stars LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony attended their respective sons’ high school matchup on Monday. During the game, Anthony was interviewed by ESPN, where he spoke about the possibility of making an NBA comeback.
In other news, NBA legend-turned-TNT analyst Shaquille O’Neal recently commented on his interest in investing in an NBA franchise.
On that note, here is the latest news from around the NBA as of Dec. 14, 2022.
Carmelo Anthony speaks about his potential NBA comeback
LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony were both in attendance to watch their sons Bronny James and Kiyan Anthony’s high school matchup on Monday night. Bronny’s Sierra Canyon School defeated Kiyan’s Christ the King High School 62-51.
During halftime, Anthony was interviewed about the possibility of him making an NBA comeback.
Anthony explained to ESPN that while he would like to make a return to the league, it really isn’t up to him. He also added that he will make the most of whatever happens:
“I want to be. You know, I love the game, but I realize that there are a lot of things not in my control."
He continued:
“So I just sit back and let it play out and whatever it’s going to be it’s going to be and I accept that, I’m at peace with that. I get to watch my son play, you know, train him, be around him, come to his games, so these are the things for a long time that I’ve never had a chance to do, so now I can be that father and that man that I need to be."
For more on Sierra Canyon’s matchup with Christ the King, click here.
Shaquille O’Neal interested in investing in an NBA franchise
Shaquille O’Neal has his sights set on investing in an NBA franchise. This comes after O'Neal was forced to sell his minority share in the Sacramento Kings earlier this year. He’s now looking for a team he can purchase a bigger share in, via his recent interview with TMZ Sports.
O’Neal was first asked about his interest in purchasing the Phoenix Suns, one of his former teams. O'Neal then explained that while he hasn’t had any discussions regarding purchasing the Suns, he is still looking for a team to purchase:
"I haven't had any discussions with my partners, so I can't make the statement yet, but we're still looking to be heavily involved in purchasing an NBA team."
O’Neal was later asked if he was interested in purchasing an NFL team as well. O’Neal explained that he is interested, but he wants it to be a franchise that plays in one of the cities he lives in:
"Yeah, but this time around when I purchase a team, I want to be heavily involved. I would like it to be in a place where I'm living at. If it ain't the Dolphins, the Cowboys, or the Raiders, and those teams are way too expensive for me, but my main man J.B. can write that check!"
Rich Paul disputes Anthony Davis’ injury-prone label
LA Lakers star forward Anthony Davis has taken a lot of criticism since the Lakers’ 2020 title for being too injury-prone and inconsistent. However, Davis’ agent Rich Paul believes those claims have been unjustified. In a recent interview with Sam Schube of GQ, Paul explained how most of Davis’ injuries have been unavoidable.
"Over the last couple years, he's had some really freak situations."
He continued:
"Guy gets pushed into his knee. And then I think the one before that, or the year before that, was a hamstring or a groin, whatever it was. Those are the things that happen when you play the sport."
He added:
“People act like, 'Oh, he's just hoping to go out and get injured.' Or, 'The guy don't want to play.' It's stupidity at times, but that's what comes with it."
Davis played in just 76 games over the last two seasons with the Lakers, who missed the playoffs on both occasions. However, Davis has now played in 24 of the Lakers’ 27 games this season and is starting to get back to his regular superstar self.
LeBron James on league retiring Bill Russell’s No. 6 jersey
LA Lakers star forward LeBron James has made it known throughout his career how much respect he has for late NBA legend Bill Russell. So naturally, James agreed with the league's decision to retire Russell’s No. 6 jersey number league-wide following his passing.
“It wasn’t a shock... I mean, it's what should have happened. The man meant so much to the game. Not only to the Boston Celtics, but to the NBA in general."
James continued:
“And also off the floor as well. With what he contributed to the Black community, his activism, his speaking, his mind, everything he meant to the game."
James then reflected on what it meant to him to be able to get to know Russell personally:
“It was always a treat seeing him at games, or when I had an opportunity to win championships seeing him up on the panel with me and giving me the Bill Russell award was one of the most delightful moments of my career. Just because I know how much he meant to the game and to the history. So it’s pretty cool and for me to continue to live on his legacy wearing six this year… continue to honor his legacy."
Trae Young mocks his recent fine from the NBA
Atlanta Hawks All-Star point guard Trae Young was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Monday. The fine came after Young threw the ball into the stands as he celebrated the Hawks’ 123-122 overtime win over Chicago on Sunday. The Hawks' one-point win came on a buzzer-beater finish from rookie AJ Griffin.
Following the news of his fine, Young took to Twitter to mock the league’s decision:
“Sorry to the hawks fan(s) who got a chance to touch the game winning ball. Didn’t know I couldn’t do that. Can’t Celebrate s**t anymore."
Young is currently on a five-year $215 million contract so $25,000 isn’t much to him. But most would still agree that players should be allowed to celebrate following emotional overtime wins.
