by Dan Martin SHANGHAI, China (AFP) — For two raucous hours on Thursday night, Chinese fans and US basketball stars called a timeout on the increasingly bitter clash of values between their countries and let sport take over. In stark contrast to the war of words over an NBA executive’s support for Hong Kong democracy protests, Chinese fans filled an 18,000-seat Shanghai arena to revel in the NBA’s high-flying razzle-dazzle. The exhibition game between the […]
Tag: LA Lakers
Davis heading to Lakers in blockbuster trade: reports
Anthony Davis will form a high-powered NBA strikeforce alongside LeBron James next season after the New Orleans Pelicans agreed to a trade deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, US media reports said Saturday. ESPN and the Los Angeles Times said unsettled star Davis will join the Lakers in a move which will see the Pelicans receive multiple players and draft picks in return. The Pelicans roster will be bolstered by the arrival of Lakers players […]
Davis unfazed by Lakers drama after Magic exit
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis said Magic Johnson’s shock departure had not changed his view of the Los Angeles Lakers as he mulls his options for next season. Davis was at the center of one of this season’s most acrimonious NBA soap operas after submitting a trade request in January with the Lakers believed to be his preferred destination. The move stalled however after negotiations between the Lakers […]
Magic Johnson steps down as Los Angeles Lakers chief
by Rob Woollard LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) –Magic Johnson stunned the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday after resigning from his role as president of basketball operations at the struggling NBA franchise. “Today, I’m gonna step down as the president,” Johnson told reporters at an impromptu press conference. Johnson’s resignation comes after a disappointing season which saw the once-mighty Lakers fail to reach the playoffs for a sixth straight season. The Lakers legend was appointed […]
LeBron out for World Cup, says 2020 Olympics ‘possibility’
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James is a “possibility” for the defending champion US team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games but says he will skip this year’s World Cup in China. The 34-year-old forward for the Los Angeles Lakers told The Athletic website in a story posted Monday that he will begin production on the movie “Space Jam 2” during this off-season and how he feels after […]
Knicks stun LeBron, Lakers with late rally
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — LeBron James scored 33 points but it was not enough to prevent the Los Angeles Lakers sliding to an embarrassing 124-123 defeat to the league-worst New York Knicks on Sunday. The Lakers, who are all but out of contention for the playoffs, blew a 122-111 lead late in the fourth quarter as the Knicks ended a run of eight consecutive defeats with an upset win at Madison Square Garden. […]
James ‘not sitting’ games as Lakers hopes fade
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — LeBron James has ruled out scaling back his playing time for the remainder of the season in the wake of the Los Angeles Lakers’ latest defeat which has dealt another blow to their playoff hopes. James faces missing the postseason for the first time since 2005 with the Lakers mired in a form slump which has seen them lose nine of their last 12 games. The Lakers are now […]
LeBron’s Lakers finale veers off script
by Rob Woollard Agence France Presse LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — As movie pitches go, LeBron James’ move to the Los Angeles Lakers had all the makings of a Hollywood blockbuster. An ageing NBA superstar joins a storied-but-struggling franchise and leads a dramatic revival which transforms the team into title contenders. But five months after James began training with the Lakers, the perfectly scripted finale has been stuck in what entertainment industry executives call […]
No tampering in Johnson-Simmons link – NBA
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The NBA said Tuesday it had found no evidence of tampering following an investigation into remarks involving Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons and Los Angeles Lakers president Magic Johnson. The league announced on Monday it was probing reports of possible contact between Simmons and Johnson. Simmons had reportedly requested talks with the Lakers president, who in turn talked enthusiastically about the Sixers star’s talent. “I love his game. I […]
NBA looking into Aussie Simmons talk with Lakers: report
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — NBA officials are investigating whether any tampering rules were violated following reports of the Philadelphia 76ers’ Australian star Ben Simmons seeking a meeting with Los Angeles Lakers president Magic Johnson, ESPN said Monday. Sixers general manager Elton Brand said Simmons had expressed an interest in talking to Johnson, but the team will not allow a workout for the Lakers. Simmons shares an agent with Lakers star LeBron James. “He […]
LeBron not ‘chasing’ Lakers rebuild
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — LeBron James rejected suggestions Thursday he was the driving force behind the rebuilding of the Los Angeles Lakers after a week of intrigue surrounding the franchise’s attempts to lure Anthony Davis from New Orleans. Speaking ahead of the Lakers’ visit to the Boston Celtics later Thursday, James suggested he was in no hurry to assemble a Lakers side capable of challenging for championships. “There’s nothing I need to get […]
James ruled out of Minnesota clash – Lakers
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was ruled out of his team’s clash with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday as he works his way back from a groin injury. Lakers coach Luke Walton told reporters that while James, 34, had returned to training with team-mates, he would not be ready to return against Minnesota on Thursday. “He got out there with the guys and did some drills,” Walton said. […]





