After Kobe Bryant showed up to watch LeBron James and the Lakers earlier this season, James reflected on the two players’ careers. “Two guys that came straight out of high school, a lot of pressure put on both of us at such a young age. … Just use that every single day on trying to
NBA
9:30 AM ET It’s time to split hairs and pick some All-Stars! A refresher: • I start from scratch and ignore the fan vote. It’s more fun to pick all 12 spots. • I follow the same rules as fans, media and players in selecting starters: two guards and three frontcourt players. (I have an
2:14 AM ET NEW YORK — Having been in Zion Williamson’s shoes eight years ago, playing in New Orleans as the NBA’s No. 1 pick, Anthony Davis had some advice for the Pelicans rookie. “Just go out there and play and have fun,” he said. Davis said there are outsized expectations that come with being
1:32 AM ET NEW YORK — Dwight Howard has already repaired his relationship with the Los Angeles Lakers. Now he’s looking to mend a bridge with an old Lakers teammate by pairing with him at All-Star weekend next month in Chicago. Howard wants Kobe Bryant to help him in the dunk contest. “I’m trying to
12:20 AM ET NEW ORLEANS — The hall leading from the players’ parking lot into the Smoothie King Center is awkwardly narrow, seemingly just wide enough to fit a golf cart through. Or, in this case, just wide enough for the Thanos-like frame of Zion Williamson. Williamson arrived to the New Orleans Pelicans‘ arena around
12:15 AM ET MIAMI — Former Miami Heat great Dwyane Wade isn’t surprised that new Heat swingman, and good friend Jimmy Butler is having so much early success with his old team. Wade, who spent 15 seasons playing in Miami, believes that Butler has the right kind of ‘crazy’ to fit in with the Heat
12:21 AM ET HOUSTON — After the Houston Rockets snapped a four-game losing streak with a 121-105 win Wednesday over the depleted Denver Nuggets, Houston coach Mike D’Antoni was asked if his team could build off this victory. “God, I hope so,” D’Antoni said with a chuckle. “I hope so.” The Rockets didn’t pretend that
12:55 AM ET Eric WoodyardESPN CHICAGO — Two hours ahead of tipoff Wednesday night, Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas roamed the United Center sideline to catch up with familiar faces as star player Karl-Anthony Towns participated in his pregame routine. By the final buzzer, Minnesota would drop its seventh straight, 117-110 to
10:53 AM ET ESPN News Services Denver Nuggets backup center Mason Plumlee is expected to miss two weeks to a month with a right foot injury, according to the team. Plumlee rolled his ankle in the second quarter of Monday’s 107-100 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves but was able to return to the game. It’s
10:17 PM ET Andrew LopezESPN NEW ORLEANS — For three minutes and eight seconds, Smoothie King Center turned into Zion Williamson‘s playground. The rookie’s burst in the fourth quarter saw him give the New Orleans Pelicans‘ fans everything they wanted to see and more. Williamson scored 17 consecutive points during a stretch that electrified the