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LeBron James, an NBA offseason participant, is honing his skills as a coach despite his immense prowess on the court.

Aside from playing a game on the Nike EYBL circuit, the four-time NBA champion was captured on camera providing instructions from the sidelines to his 16-year-old son Bryce, who is a member of the Strive For Greatness team coached by James and former teammate Rajon Rondo.

They were pitted against New Heights Lightning in Peach Jam, the Nike EYBL spring and summer league championship tournament, which was played in Augusta, Georgia. The tournament is regarded as a preeminent high school basketball competition in the United States, attracting teams from notable athletes including Bradley Beal, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony.

James, overcome with elation, was observed enthusiastically raising his fist from the sidelines as his team overcame a 10-point deficit to force overtime. With 27 points from Brayden Burries, James led Strive for Greatness to victory as their coach. The team’s current tournament record is one defeat and two victories.

They defeated the Expressions 78-69 in the opener, then fell to the Florida Rebels 72-67 in the rematch on Wednesday, before defeating the Lightning in overtime.

Bryce, who is reportedly poised to transfer from Sierra Canyon to Campbell Hall after receiving his first Division I offer from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, will follow in the footsteps of James, who has also decided to pursue a basketball career. Bryce is 16 years old. Bronny James is widely considered to be a primary target for the 2024 NBA Draft and will be a member of the USC squad for the upcoming season.

Baron Bellamy, the son of comedian Bill Bellamy, and Richard Hamilton II, the son of former NBA star Richard Hamilton, are among the sons of notable athletes with whom Bryce is scheduled to perform. David Grace, the chief coach at Campbell Hall, is ecstatic to have the chance to assist Bryce in the development of his basketball abilities.

“If given the opportunity to coach Bryce, I want him to be Bryce,” Grace told ESPN. “Because that is unique, and I want him to develop and benefit the most from his time at Campbell Hall.” It will be far more than just me assisting him, but I will do my best to contribute. I can partially grasp the perspective from which he is speaking. I do not identify as him.

“While my family did not receive the same level of attention, I have been in a similar situation and can either relate my own experiences or at least empathize with his. “In that area will I develop professionally as a coach.”

Bronny James, the older brother of Byrce, has chosen to enroll at the University of Southern California (USC) and will don number six, just like his father.

James will be hopeful the sixth overall pick benefits him, and he may declare for the NBA Draft the following year. Following four years at Sierra Canyon School in Los Angeles, James made the decision to remain in close proximity to his family while also pursuing athletics at USC.

LeBron James remarked, “One of the greatest days of my life,” following his son’s acceptance to USC for the upcoming season. “He is the first member of my family to attend college. “Regardless of the game’s outcome, I could not afford to lose today.”

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LeBroп became a kitcheп assistaпt for his 5 y/o daυghter Zhυri iп the kitcheп dυriпg aп episode oп the YoυTυbe chaппel ‘All Thiпgs Zhυri’

ZҺυɾι Jаmеs wаs bσɾ𝚗 ι𝚗 оctσbеɾ 2014, jᴜst а fеw mσ𝚗tҺs аftеɾ Һеɾ fаtҺеɾ mσᴠеԀ bаcƙ wιtҺ tҺе Clеᴠеlа𝚗Ԁ Cаᴠаlιеɾs.

 

AccσɾԀι𝚗ɡ tσ еᴠеɾytҺι𝚗ɡ wе’ᴠе ҺеаɾԀ а𝚗Ԁ sее𝚗, LеBɾσ𝚗 ιs а lσᴠι𝚗ɡ fаtҺеɾ.

ZҺυɾι’s σlԀеst bɾσtҺеɾ Bɾσ𝚗𝚗y рlаys bаsƙеtbаll ι𝚗 ҺιɡҺ scҺσσl, bᴜt sҺе sееms tσ bе fι𝚗Ԁι𝚗ɡ Һеɾ σw𝚗 sƙιlls. LеBɾσ𝚗 ιs σbᴠισυsly Ԁσι𝚗ɡ еᴠеɾytҺι𝚗ɡ Һе cа𝚗 tσ Һеlρ Һеɾ lеаɾ𝚗 Һσw tσ bе а ɡσσԀ раɾе𝚗t.

Hе а𝚗Ԁ Sаᴠа𝚗𝚗аҺ аlsσ ɾᴜ𝚗 а𝚗 I𝚗stаɡɾаm аccσυ𝚗t а𝚗Ԁ а YσυTυbе stаtισ𝚗 cаllеԀ ‘All TҺι𝚗ɡs ZҺυɾι’.

 

о𝚗 tҺеsе sιtеs, LеBɾσ𝚗 sҺаɾеs fаmιly рҺσtσs а𝚗Ԁ sσmе σf ZҺυɾι’s σw𝚗 stσɾιеs. At tҺе tιmе σf wɾιtι𝚗ɡ, 359ƙ реσрlе fσllσw tҺе I𝚗stаɡɾаm Һа𝚗Ԁlе ιtsеlf. SҺе Һаs 11 mσᴠιеs σ𝚗 YσυTυbе, σ𝚗е σf wҺιcҺ ιs а cυtе σ𝚗е ι𝚗 wҺιcҺ sҺе mаƙеs а 𝚗σ-bаƙе s𝚗аcƙ wιtҺ LеBɾσ𝚗. Gιᴠе𝚗 Һσw mυcҺ аttе𝚗tισ𝚗 sҺе wιll ɡеt аs sҺе ɡеts σlԀеɾ, ιt sееms lιƙе LеBɾσ𝚗 ιs аlɾеаԀy ƙееρι𝚗ɡ а𝚗 еyе σ𝚗 Һеɾ sσcιаl mеԀιа ᴜsе. LеBɾσ𝚗 Jаmеs ιs 𝚗σt tҺе ƙι𝚗Ԁ σf реɾsσ𝚗 wҺσ wσ𝚗’t рσst рιctυɾеs σf Һιs fаmιly σ𝚗 sσcιаl mеԀιа. Sσ, ιt wаs𝚗’t а bιɡ sᴜɾρɾιsе wҺе𝚗 Һе sе𝚗t Һеɾ а ᴠιԀеσ σf Һеɾ Ԁа𝚗cι𝚗ɡ wιtҺ Һеɾ Ԁа𝚗cе tеаcҺеɾ.

LеBɾσ𝚗 аlsσ аԀԀеԀ а fᴜ𝚗𝚗y cσmmе𝚗t tҺаt sеɾᴠеs аs а wаɾ𝚗ι𝚗ɡ tσ а𝚗yσ𝚗е wҺσ mιɡҺt wа𝚗t tσ Ԁаtе ZҺυɾι:

“YеаҺ, yσυ ɡυys, ιt’s σᴠеɾ fσɾ mе!” WҺσеᴠеɾ my Bаby Z bɾι𝚗ɡs Һσmе fιɾst, I fееl bаԀ fσɾ tҺеm. Lσσƙ аt my mσtҺеɾ’s fаcе аɾɡυι𝚗ɡ wιtҺ Һеɾ Ԁа𝚗cе tеаcҺеɾ, Ms. Cа𝚗Ԁιcе. Aftеɾ tҺеy fι𝚗ιsҺ tҺеιɾ ɾσυtι𝚗е еxеɾcιsе, sҺе lеts ZҺυɾι рιcƙ а sσ𝚗ɡ fσɾ а “fɾееstylе,” wҺιcҺ ιs 𝚗σt раɾt σf tҺеιɾ ɾσυtι𝚗е. “SҺе ԀιԀ!” As yσυ cа𝚗 sее, еᴠе𝚗 аt 6 yеаɾs σlԀ, ZҺυɾι ιs ᴠеɾy ɡσσԀ аt tҺιs. A Һυɡе 𝚗ᴜmbеɾ σf fаmσυs реσрlе, NBA рlаyеɾs, а𝚗Ԁ mυsιcιа𝚗s Һаᴠе sҺаɾеԀ mеssаɡеs σf sᴜρρσɾt fσɾ tҺе yσυ𝚗ɡ ɡιɾl. All σf tҺιs рɾаιsе а𝚗Ԁ е𝚗cσυɾаɡеmе𝚗t wιll Ԁеfι𝚗ιtеly рυsҺ Һеɾ tσ bе tҺе bеst реɾsσ𝚗 sҺе cа𝚗 bе. As fσɾ tҺе ɡυys sҺе wιll Ԁаtе ι𝚗 tҺе fᴜtᴜɾе, wеll, tσυɡҺ lᴜcƙ!

 

Lаƙеɾs’ LеBɾσ𝚗 Jаmеs wаs рlаyι𝚗ɡ tҺɾσυɡҺ tσɾ𝚗 tе𝚗Ԁσ𝚗 ι𝚗 fσσt, mаy 𝚗ееԀ sᴜɾɡеɾy, реɾ ɾеρσɾt

SҺаms CҺаɾа𝚗ιа sаys tҺаt Lσs A𝚗ɡеlеs Lаƙеɾs stаɾ LеBɾσ𝚗 Jаmеs wаs рlаyι𝚗ɡ wιtҺ а tσɾ𝚗 tе𝚗Ԁσ𝚗 ι𝚗 Һιs ɾιɡҺt fσσt. Hе mаy 𝚗ееԀ sᴜɾɡеɾy ι𝚗 tҺе σff-sеаsσ𝚗. Jаmеs’s fσσt wιll bе lσσƙеԀ аt аɡаι𝚗 sσσ𝚗, а𝚗Ԁ ιf sᴜɾɡеɾy ιs 𝚗ееԀеԀ, ιt wσυlԀ ƙееρ Һιm συt σf аctισ𝚗 fσɾ twσ mσ𝚗tҺs.

Jаmеs Һυɾt Һιs fσσt ι𝚗 а ɾеɡυlаɾ sеаsσ𝚗 ɡаmе аɡаι𝚗st tҺе Dаllаs Mаᴠеɾιcƙs σ𝚗 Fеbɾυаɾy 26. о𝚗-cσυɾt cаmеɾаs ɡσt Һιm sаyι𝚗ɡ “I ҺеаɾԀ ιt рσр” wҺιlе Һе wаs σ𝚗 tҺе flσσɾ, а𝚗Ԁ еᴠе𝚗 tҺσυɡҺ Һе рlаyеԀ tҺе ɾеst σf tҺаt ɡаmе, Һе mιssеԀ tҺе Lаƙеɾs’ 𝚗еxt 13 ɡаmеs.

WҺе𝚗 Һе ɡσt bаcƙ σ𝚗 tҺе cσυɾt σ𝚗 MаɾcҺ 26, Jаmеs sаιԀ tҺаt аt tҺе tιmе, sеᴠеɾаl Ԁσctσɾs tσlԀ Һιm Һе 𝚗ееԀеԀ sᴜɾɡеɾy tҺаt wσυlԀ е𝚗Ԁ Һιs sеаsσ𝚗. Hσwеᴠеɾ, Һе fσυ𝚗Ԁ “tҺе LеBɾσ𝚗 Jаmеs σf fееt,” wҺσ ҺеlρеԀ Һιm ɡеt bаcƙ σ𝚗 tҺе cσυɾt. Hе рlаyеԀ ι𝚗 еᴠеɾy σtҺеɾ ɡаmе fσɾ tҺе Lаƙеɾs, Һеlρι𝚗ɡ tҺеm ɡеt ι𝚗tσ tҺе рlаy-ι𝚗 рlаyσffs аs tҺе Nσ. 7 sееԀ а𝚗Ԁ tҺе𝚗 аll tҺе wаy tσ tҺе Wеstеɾ𝚗 Cσ𝚗fеɾе𝚗cе fι𝚗аls.

Eᴠе𝚗 tҺσυɡҺ Jаmеs аᴠеɾаɡеԀ 27.8 рσι𝚗ts, 9.5 ɾеbσυ𝚗Ԁs, а𝚗Ԁ 10 аssιsts реɾ ɡаmе tҺеɾе, tҺе Dе𝚗ᴠеɾ Nᴜɡɡеts swеρt tҺе Lаƙеɾs. Aftеɾ Gаmе 4, Һе sаιԀ tҺе ι𝚗jυɾy ƙеρt Һιm fɾσm bеι𝚗ɡ аt Һιs bеst а𝚗Ԁ tҺаt Һе wσυlԀ ɡеt а𝚗 MRI σ𝚗 Һιs fσσt tσ fιɡυɾе συt wҺаt tσ Ԁσ 𝚗еxt. “I ƙ𝚗еw I cσυlԀ ɡеt tσ tҺе fι𝚗ιsҺ lι𝚗е,” Jаmеs tσlԀ ESPN ι𝚗 а𝚗 ι𝚗tеɾᴠιеw. “оf cσυɾsе, I ƙ𝚗еw I ҺаԀ tσ Ԁеаl wιtҺ ιt а𝚗Ԁ Ԁеаl wιtҺ tҺе раι𝚗 σɾ Ԁеаl wιtҺ 𝚗σt bеι𝚗ɡ аblе tσ bе wҺσ I wаs bеfσɾе tҺе аccιԀе𝚗t, bᴜt 𝚗σtҺι𝚗ɡ mаԀе mе fееl lιƙе I cσυlԀ𝚗’t ɡеt tσ tҺе fι𝚗ιsҺ lι𝚗е.

“I’m ɡσι𝚗ɡ tσ ɡеt а𝚗 MRI tσ sее ιf tҺе tе𝚗Ԁσ𝚗 Һаs fιxеԀ σɾ 𝚗σt, а𝚗Ԁ tҺе𝚗 I’ll ԀеcιԀе wҺаt tσ Ԁσ. Wе’ll sее Һσw tҺι𝚗ɡs ɡσ.”

 

Jаmеs wιll bе ɾеаԀy fσɾ tҺе stаɾt σf tҺе 𝚗еxt sеаsσ𝚗, еᴠе𝚗 ιf Һе 𝚗ееԀs sᴜɾɡеɾy. TҺаt ιs, ιf Һе Ԁσеs𝚗’t qᴜιt. Dᴜɾι𝚗ɡ Һιs Gаmе 4 𝚗еws cσ𝚗fеɾе𝚗cе, Һе tаlƙеԀ аbσυt tҺе рσssιbιlιty, bᴜt mσst реσрlе tҺι𝚗ƙ Һе wιll stιll рlаy. BаsеԀ σ𝚗 wҺаt Һе’s ҺеаɾԀ, CҺаɾа𝚗ιа sаιԀ TҺυɾsԀаy tҺаt Һе Ԁσеs𝚗’t tҺι𝚗ƙ Jаmеs wιll qᴜιt.

LeBron James delivered a commanding performance, scoring 30 points to propel the Los Angeles Lakers to a crucial victory, staving off elimination in the Western Conference playoff series against the Denver Nuggets. Anthony Davis also stepped up, contributing 25 points and an impressive 23 rebounds in the Lakers’ 119-108 triumph in LA.

The win marked a significant turnaround for the Lakers, marking their first victory over the Nuggets since December 2022 and halting Denver’s remarkable 11-game winning streak in their matchups.

“We’ve given ourselves another lifeline, and it’s a one-game series for us,” James informed reporters.

Game 5 is slated for Monday in Denver, where the defending champions, leading the best-of-seven series 3-1, have the chance to clinch victory on home turf.

“Monday’s game is the most important game of the season for us, and we understand that and we know that. It’s that stage where you lose, you’re done,” emphasized James.

Nikola Jokić, a two-time MVP, secured his second triple-double of the series, amassing 33 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists.

In other matchups, the Boston Celtics outpaced the Miami Heat 104-84 in Game 3, seizing a 2-1 series advantage.

The Oklahoma City Thunder maintains a 3-0 series lead against the New Orleans Pelicans following a commanding 106-85 victory on Saturday, while the Orlando Magic defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-89, knotting their series at 2-2.

Recently, entrepreneur and media personality Patrick Bet-David sparked controversy with his remarks alleging that basketball superstar LeBron James may be using steroids. Bet-David’s comments, made during a discussion, have drawn attention and speculation from sports fans and pundits alike. Let’s delve into the details surrounding these allegations and explore the implications of such claims.

Patrick Bet-David’s assertion that LeBron James may be using steroids has ignited a firestorm of debate and speculation within the sports community. The gravity of such allegations, if substantiated, could have far-reaching implications for James’ reputation, career, and legacy in the world of basketball.

It’s important to note that, as of now, there is no concrete evidence to support Patrick Bet-David’s claims regarding LeBron James’ alleged steroid use. Without substantiated evidence or official confirmation, these allegations remain speculative and subject to scrutiny.

Accusations of steroid use can have significant repercussions for an athlete’s reputation and public image, tarnishing their legacy and casting doubt on their achievements. For LeBron James, a figure revered as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, such allegations could undermine his standing within the sports community and beyond.

Making unsubstantiated claims about an individual’s drug use carries legal and ethical implications, including potential defamation and damage to personal and professional reputation. It’s essential for individuals like Patrick Bet-David to exercise caution and responsibility when discussing sensitive topics that could harm someone’s reputation.

In conclusion, Patrick Bet-David’s allegations regarding LeBron James’ steroid use have stirred controversy and raised important questions about accountability, evidence, and responsible discourse. While these claims warrant consideration and scrutiny, it’s essential to approach them with caution and refrain from jumping to conclusions without concrete evidence. As the conversation unfolds, it’s crucial to prioritize integrity, respect, and fairness in discussing sensitive issues that impact individuals’ lives and reputations.

Tensions ran high during a recent game when LeBron James, the star player for the Los Angeles Lakers, expressed frustration towards the team’s bench after assistant coach Darvin Ham opted not to challenge a contentious call. The heated moment, captured on camera, shed light on the intensity and pressure of professional basketball. In this article, we delve into the events leading up to LeBron James’ outburst and examine the implications for the Lakers and their coaching staff.

During a critical juncture in the game, a questionable call was made by the officials, prompting LeBron James to appeal to assistant coach Darvin Ham for a challenge. However, Ham chose not to challenge the call, leading to a visibly frustrated reaction from James on the court. The heated exchange highlighted the high stakes of professional basketball and the pressure faced by players and coaches in crucial moments.

The incident involving LeBron James and Darvin Ham underscores the pressure and responsibility that coaches face when making split-second decisions during games. In this instance, Ham’s choice not to challenge the call came under scrutiny, with fans and analysts questioning the rationale behind the decision. The dynamics of player-coach relationships and the delicate balance between trust and accountability were brought into focus as the Lakers navigated through a challenging situation.

While the incident itself may have been a momentary outburst, the repercussions of LeBron James’ frustration towards the Lakers bench could have lasting effects on team dynamics. As one of the team’s leaders, James’ emotions and reactions carry weight and can influence the morale and cohesion of the group. How the Lakers coaching staff addresses the situation and communicates with James moving forward will be critical in maintaining a positive team environment.

In conclusion, the incident involving LeBron James’ frustration towards the Lakers bench serves as a reminder of the intensity and pressure inherent in professional basketball. As players and coaches navigate through challenging moments on the court, emotions can run high, leading to heated exchanges and tense interactions. How teams respond to adversity and manage internal dynamics will ultimately determine their success on the court and their ability to overcome obstacles as a cohesive unit.

LeBron James’ exquisite sense of style allows him to grab everyone’s attention right away. He’s dressed in a bold green striped shirt, a stylish green Super Bowl jacket, and a cutting-edge outfit of faded Margiela trousers and a denim jacket. These pieces are worn collectively.

LeBron James’s dress selections are not only a testament to his flair for design and ability to turn heads wherever he goes, but they have also been carefully selected by his understanding wife, Savannah James. LeBron James has found a lot of inspiration from Savannah James.

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Recently, an ultra-rare 1984 Type 1 Original Photo of Michael Jordan from his first NBA game just set a record for the most expensive Jordan photo ever sold. The PSA-certified Type 1 photo, brokered in a private sale by leading collectible marketplace Goldin, was bought for $175,000.

Michael Jordan’s First Game on the Chicago Bulls

Michael Jordan’s first NBA game is an iconic moment in the history of basketball. It took place on October 26, 1984, when the Chicago Bulls faced off against the Washington Bullets. Jordan, a rookie at the time, was already generating considerable buzz as the third overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft.

In this highly anticipated debut, Jordan showcased the incredible talent that would later earn him the title of “His Airness.” He finished the game with an impressive stat line, scoring 16 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and dishing out 7 assists. His performance was a glimpse of the greatness to come.

Michael Jordan Photograph Record-setting

The photograph features Jordan during his pro debut at Chicago Stadium on Oct. 26, 1984, where he posted 16 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists in a 109-93 win over the Washington Bullets. The image shows the future six-time NBA Champion driving to the hoop in iconic Jordan fashion with his tongue out and wearing his earliest Nike sneakers.

“Michael Jordan Type I photos are one of the hottest sectors on the auction block today,” said Khyber Oser, Director of Vintage Memorabilia and Photography at Goldin. “Only three Type I examples from MJ’s debut game have ever surfaced publicly—and this is the best one by far. I’m excited to see what such a landmark sale means for all Type 1 photo collectors, whether you collect Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali or Babe Ruth.”

Henry Yee, the principal authenticator at PSA Photo Authentication Services, was not shocked by the record price. When compared to other hobby subcultures, “true original Type I photos are still extremely undervalued,” Yee noted. “This unique debut photograph of Jordan from the Chicago Sun-Times was never made available to the general audience. It was merely employed in the newsroom to convey a story for practical reasons. Contrast that with a six-figure Jordan debut ticket stub that each of the 13,000 spectators in the venue received. In the long run, I have every confidence that the customer purchased wisely from Ken Goldin and his business.

Trading cards, memorabilia, and collectibles have all grown to be a Goldin specialty. A popular spot to visit is the Goldin marketplace.

Goldin is a leading marketplace for trading cards, collectibles and memorabilia. Founder Ken Goldin has sold more than $1.5 billion in memorabilia from many of the biggest names in sports, history, and pop culture. The company routinely sets records for the most expensive trading cards and other memorabilia ever sold. Lifelong collectors and new hobbyists alike trust Goldin because the company professionally authenticates everything it sells. Goldin is the official auction partner of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association and the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum. Learn more at Goldin.com, and on Twitter and Instagram.

NEW YORK — Ben Affleck may be one of the world’s foremost movie stars and the proud owner of two Academy Awards, but he’s no Michael Jordan.

Before embarking on his latest project — “Air,” which tells the story of a young Jordan signing an industry-altering shoe deal with Nike — the actor and filmmaker sat down for lunch with the NBA legend to get his feedback and permission to make the movie.

Jordan in 2020. Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images
“Michael Jordan, who’s the most cool, intimidating guy in the world, came and said, ‘I’ll sit down with you,’” Affleck told audience members after an advanced screening of the film in New York City. “And I went and sat down and had lunch and I said, ‘First of all, I won’t do this movie if you don’t want me to do it, just to start with, because it’s just a show of reverence and respect for you.’

“‘I have to change some details and stuff, but I think there’s more to the story than this,’” he added to Jordan. “‘And I don’t want to do anything that feels fundamentally wrong to you, obviously.’”

That’s when the GOAT chimed in, offering Affleck a short but significant list of “what I care about” making the final cut.

George Raveling was at the top of the list.

The former college basketball player — who was an assistant coach for the Team USA squad Jordan won gold with at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles — was so crucial to his decision that Jordan told Affleck, “I wouldn’t be at Nike without him.”

His Airness felt similarly about Howard White, the NBA draft pick who embarked on a career at Nike after knee injuries derailed his professional career. The former Maryland Terrapins point guard developed a relationship with Jordan as he weighed the deals that various brands — Adidas, Converse, and Nike — laid at his feet, and eventually went on to become the Vice President of Jordan Brand.

“I was like, ‘Maybe I can get Chris Tucker [to play White]. I’ve always wanted to work with Chris Tucker,’” Affleck recalled telling Jordan. “And he was like, ‘I know Chris.’”

That settled that.

Howard White (left) with Jordan in 2002. Kevin Clark/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Then came the matter of casting Jordan’s parents, who were central to the story of their son’s shoe deal. When the five-time NBA MVP told Affleck his father, James, “had the best personality out of everyone I ever knew,” Affleck assured him that he’d already found “the right guy for that matter” — Julius Tennon.

Conveniently, Tennon is married to the legendary Viola Davis — Jordan’s only true casting demand for the film. The Chicago Bulls icon wanted the EGOT winner to play his mother, Deloris.

“The best actor in the world?! No problem!” Affleck recalled responding sarca

Viola Davis (center) and Matt Damon (right) pose with Affleck at the premiere of “AIR.” Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images
Davis and Tennon feature as Jordan’s parents, while Tucker took on the role of Howard White. Golden Globe, Emmy, and SAG Award winner Jason Bateman plays then-Nike Director of Marketing Rob Strasser, while actor and comedian Marlon Wayans plays the aforementioned Raveling.

“Air” comes out exclusively in theaters April 5. Check out the trailer below:

Deloris Jordan and her son wear matching Nike Jordan Brand apparel. Steve Kagan /Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
But in learning from Jordan just “how meaningful and important” his mother was to the start of her son’s brand empire, Affleck realized “what the movie is — what it’s about.” So he set off to work — not just creating a story that would be true to Jordan’s memory and sentiment of the historic partnership’s founding, but also crafting a role worthy of an actress like Davis.

“We just worked and worked and worked and worked,” Affleck said. “And then when I went to Viola, I was like, ‘Look, you probably don’t want to do this, but Michael Jordan wants you to.’”

She was sold and became the crown jewel of an all-star cast only a legend like Jordan could command. Affleck plays Nike founder and CEO Phil Knight, while Matt Damon stars as Sonny Vaccaro — the basketball guru at the center of Nike’s pursuit of Jordan.

Michael Jordan was the last NBA player who won an NBA title after averaging 30+ points per game, achieving the feat during the 1995-96 season with the Chicago Bulls. Since then, multiple NBA legends have come close to replicating the feat, but nobody has managed to crack it. In fact, Jordan is one of only three players in the 77-year history of the NBA to achieve this feat, winning four titles as a 30-point scorer.

In the list below, you can see the full list of players who achieved this amazing feat. The first to do so was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1971 with the Milwaukee Bucks. He was followed by Rick Barry of the Golden State Warriors in 1975. But Michael Jordan came into the league and would achieve the feat four times in his first four Finals appearances. No player has achieved the feat since 1996 (28 years and counting).

1970-71 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (31.7 PPG)

1974-75 – Rick Barry (30.6 PPG)

1990-91 – Michael Jordan (31.5 PPG)

1991-92 – Michael Jordan (30.1 PPG)

1992-93 – Michael Jordan (32.6 PPG)

1995-96 – Michael Jordan (30.4 PPG)  

Not only is Jordan the only person to have done this more than once, but he managed to do it for every single year of his first three-peat and the first title of the second three-peat. Even though Jordan didn’t play enough seasons to add more points to his overall tally, he is still considered arguably the greatest scorer in the history of the NBA.

Jordan won 10 scoring titles, with the second-closest being Wilt Chamberlain with seven scoring titles. Jordan and Wilt are the only players in history to average over 30 points per game for their entire careers as well. Many of his scoring statistics have remained unbroken over the last three decades, but with scoring increasing drastically in recent years, there’s a high chance that future championship-caliber players will have to average 30 points to lead their team to a title.

Only three players are in the running of joining Jordan, Barry, and Kareem in this exclusive club this season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.2 points on the No. 2 seeded Thunder, while Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 30.7 points on the No. 3 seeded Bucks. Luka Doncic is the scoring leader in the NBA this season, averaging 34.4 points, but has to carry the Mavericks out of the play-in tournament as the team is currently the No. 7 seed.

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Who Has Come Closest To Replicating Michael Jordan?

Jordan is the only player in the modern history of the game to achieve this feat, with one instance of this before him being 54 years old and the other being 49 years old. While NBA scoring dipped during the Jordan era and remained low through the 2000s, some players could have achieved this feat as well.

Amongst existing champions, Shaquille O’Neal came the closest. He averaged 29.7 points in the regular season in the 1999-00 season for the Lakers, where he won both regular season and Finals MVP. Both he and Kobe Bryant came close in the 2000-01 season, with Kobe averaging 28.5 points while Shaq averaged 28.7 points. If one was without the other, they could’ve gotten a 30-point average but likely wouldn’t have won the title.

Even in Kobe’s historic championship-winning seasons in 2009 and 2010, the most he averaged in the season was 27.0 (2010).

LeBron James won four titles but his highest regular-season scoring average in those title-winning seasons came in 2012 with 27.1 points. He’s averaged over 30 points per game through the season twice, losing in the Finals in 2007 and failing to make the playoffs in 2022.

Kevin Durant has four scoring titles, but he couldn’t average 30 points in his two championship runs with the Warriors in 2017 (25.1 points) and 2018 (26.4 points). During those title runs, he was teammates with the player that has arguably had the best chance of achieving this feat but failed to do so.

Stephen Curry came the closest to making this list for his incredible 2015-16 season. He averaged 30.1 points over the season, leading the Warriors to a historic 73 wins and becoming the first unanimous MVP in league history, something that nobody has replicated. Unfortunately, Curry and the Warriors blew a 3-1 lead to LeBron James’ and the Cavaliers, but LeBron averaged 25.3 points that season and was way short of the mark for this feat himself.

Curry could have achieved this feat during the Warriors 2022 championship run without Durant, but he averaged just 25.5 points during that season.

James Harden averaged over 30 points for three consecutive seasons but never made the NBA Finals. Many other 30-point scorers in NBA history came nowhere close to winning a title, except the aforementioned Steph Curry example and Allen Iverson in 2001, who averaged 31.1 points but fell in the Finals to the Shaq and Kobe Lakers.

The other two recent champions, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo failed to achieve this as well. While Jokic averaged over 30 points in the Finals, he only managed 24.5 points during the regular season. Giannis is averaging over 30 this season and could add his name to this list this year, but when he won the title in 2021, he averaged just 28.1 points.

Unless the Thunder, Bucks, or Mavericks win the title this year, this list won’t see a name added to itself. The league has become incredibly high-scoring over recent seasons, so the possibility of this record being equalled is high but we just haven’t seen it happen yet. With the NBA thinking about rule changes to reduce scoring, this record will likely become even more unattainable for future players.

^Michael Jordan hasn’t played in an NBA game in almost two decades, but the parlor game for fans and the media about who is the “greatest of all time” is thriving, fueled largely by LeBron James’ sustained brilliance. James passed Jordan in March on the career scoring list and has nine NBA Finals trips. Kobe Bryant ranks ahead of both players for scoring and had five NBA titles before retiring. Houston GM Daryl Morey argued this month that James Harden is a better scorer than Jordan.

But when it comes to sneakers, nobody comes close.

Wholesale revenue at Nike’s Jordan Brand subsidiary hit $3.14 billion in the fiscal year ending May 2019, up 10% from 2018. MJ’s annual take is an estimated $130 million, four times more than that of James, the No. 2 earner, with $32 million. Arguably, 16 years after he last laced up his own high tops on the court, more Jordan-branded shoes and apparel are being sold than the signature lines of every other current NBA player. Combined.

Michael Jordan Celebrates the 30th Anniversary of Air Jordan At Palais de Tokyo In Paris.

CATHERINE STEENKESTE/GETTY IMAGES
“Jordan is being extended as more of a lifestyle brand,” says Cowen & Co. analyst John Kernan. “There is enormous potential. It can be much bigger than a $3 billion brand.” Kernan cites Jordan strengths in its ability to create new colorways, relaunch products and manage the supply and demand equation to keep prices high. The brand has moved beyond just basketball through partnerships with French soccer club Paris Saint-Germain and college football blue blood Michigan.

The line got another marketing chip last month when Nike signed a deal with Zion Williamson, who was the top overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. After one year at Duke, Williamson enters the league as probably its most marketable rookie since James in 2003, and he will be suiting up in Jordans. His highlight-reel dunks fit perfectly into Nike’s marketing strategy and how NBA content is consumed on social media around the globe.

It’s Gotta Be the Shoes

Sneaker deals are the biggest endorsement for most NBA players and typically represent the bulk of their off-court earnings.

“If Zion lives up to the hype, he is going to be a constant source of content creation for Nike,” says Kernan. “Athletes are very monetizable right now with social media, and Nike will participate in all of that content every time he does something memorable.”

Zion didn’t come cheap for Nike after his Nike PG 2.5 shoe split open on national TV in February and left egg on the face of the $39 billion-in-revenue sports giant. His multi-year deal is worth an estimated $13 million annually, including reachable incentives, and ranks fifth among current NBA players. A line of his own is all but certain in the near future.

It’s a lucrative career path. A shoe deal is almost always the richest endorsement deal for an NBA player, typically making up more than half of their off-court income. Michael Jordan’s massive haul in Nike royalties make up 90% of his current annual income and now totals $40 million more than the $90 million combined he made during his 15 years playing for the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards.

Basketball and soccer are the only true global team sports, which is why brands like Nike, Adidas and Under Armour are willing to pay such massive sums to the stars in each sport. The players can be used in marketing campaigns around the world.

China has 300 million people who play basketball, according to the NBA, and it is a critical market for the sneaker brands. James, Stephen Curry and other stars make pilgrimages to China almost every summer for appearances and pep rallies in cities throughout the country. The trips are the price of admission to getting a $10 million-plus yearly sneaker deal. China is a $7 billion market for Nike and represented 40% of the company’s sales growth last year.

Just Do It

Nearly three quarters of NBA players took the court in Nike or Jordan sneakers last season. Puma is a new entry, having relaunched its basketball business last summer.

There are 14 current or former NBA stars who earn at least $9 million from shoe deals by Forbes’ count based on conversations with basketball insiders. They range from Jordan ($130 million) to Klay Thompson ($9 million). NBA sneaker deals are layered with potential bonuses for sales, individual awards and team performance. Our yearly contract estimates are based on players being All-Stars and playoff participants and earning royalties on signature shoes with strong sales. Bonuses for MVP awards and NBA titles will goose the totals even higher.

Nike, including Jordan, has 9 of the 14 players under contract, which helped it nab 86% of the U.S. basketball performance market in 2019, according to NPD analyst Matt Powell. Under Armour (6.9%) and Adidas (5.5%) battle for Nike’s leftovers. Adidas has three big-money NBA deals, while Under Armour, Anta and Li-Ning all have one player making at least $9 million.

As Nike and Adidas put more emphasis on lifestyle apparel and shoes, NBA players are natural endorsement partners with the league’s significant influence on fashion and pop culture. The players below are the ones who drive the conversation.

Klay Thompson (Anta) | $9 million

The Anta KT4

ANTA
The Warriors’ sharpshooter left Nike to sign with Anta during the 2014-15 season and signed a 10-year extension in 2017 with the Chinese brand. Thompson’s annual summer visits to tour China have been a hit on social media and spawned the #ChinaKlay hashtag.

Damian Lillard (Adidas) | $10 million

The Adidas Dame was the most popular non-Nike/Jordan signature shoe for NBA players last year. Adidas locked up Lillard to a 10-year deal in 2014 two years after Portland drafted the point guard. He’s made the first or second All-NBA team three of the last four years.

(LEFT) Giannis Greets Fans At Nike At The Grove In Los Angeles in July 2019. (RIGHT) Giannis’ signature shoe, the Zoom Freak 1, on display.

RODIN ECKENROTH/GETTY IMAGES

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Nike) | $10 million

The 2019 NBA MVP got a huge bump in pay from Nike when he re-signed with the company at the end of 2017; his prior deal paid roughly $20,000 a year. The first signature shoe for the “Greek Freak” was unveiled in June.

Derrick Rose (Adidas) | $11 million

The 2011 NBA MVP had a bounce-back year with Minnesota after injuries hampered his career since he tore his ACL with the Chicago Bulls in 2012. But sales for his Adidas signature line remain tepid since the German sportswear brand re-signed Rose to a 13-year deal in 2012 (his previous deal paid $1 million annually). The D Rose 10, released in January, marked his tenth signature sneaker.

Kyrie Irving (Nike) | $11 million

The signature shoes of the new Brooklyn Nets point guard have been one of the NBA’s best-sellers since they were introduced nearly five years ago. Nike released a collaboration this summer with Nickelodeon for a SpongeBob SquarePants x Kyrie collection. Irving is a huge fan of the cartoon, and the colorways are inspired by its characters.

Russell Westbrook (Jordan) | $12 million

The eight-time All-Star extended his deal with the Jordan Brand in 2017 for another ten years. Westbrook received his first signature shoe, the Why Not Zer0, last year. Westbrook was swapped for fellow Jordan endorser Chris Paul this summer in a blockbuster trade of point guards.

Stephen Curry (Under Armour) | $20 million

Under Armour used Curry as its main entree into the basketball business when it signed him in 2013. It was good timing for Kevin Plank’s company. Curry hadn’t been an All-Star at the time but has since won a pair of NBA MVP awards and three NBA titles. Curry pushed Under Armour to release his signature shoe in girls sizes after a young fan wrote a Curry a letter last year requesting the move. Curry delivered 9-year-old Riley Morrison the first Curry 6 in her size in March.

Kevin Durant (Nike) | $26 million

Durant’s business partner Rich Kleiman says Nike sells more KD shoes in China than in North America. The Durant Nike franchise grew double digits in 2019, according to Cowen.

The Nike LeBron 16 I Promise

NIKE

LeBron James (Nike) | $32 million

James signed a lifetime deal with Nike at the end of 2015 that his business partner Maverick Carter told GQ is worth more than $1 billion. James will have to continue to move product long into retirement to reach $1 billion under the pact. His first Nike deal was worth $90 million over seven years.

Michael Jordan (Jordan) | $130 million

Jordan’s Nike paycheck has come a long way since the Swoosh signed him in 1984 out of UNC to a five-year deal worth $500,000 annually. The Air Jordan XXXIII released last fall was the first Jordan to forgo laces and use a cable-activated tightening system.

The Air Jordan I High OG Travis Scott

AIR JORDAN
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Dwyane Wade (Li-Ning) | $12 million

The Way Of Wade-Wow 7 Series sneaker

LI-NING
Wade joined Chinese brand Li-Ning in 2012 after wearing Converse and Jordan to start his career. The three-time NBA champion signed a lifetime deal for his Way of Wade signature line with Li-Ning last year ahead of his final NBA season.

Zion Williamson (Jordan) | $13 million

Williamson is already one of the most popular players on Instagram before his first NBA dunk. He has 4.1 million followers on the social media platform. Nike nabbed the 2019 Naismith Trophy winner as college basketball’s most outstanding player after a fierce bidding war with Adidas and Puma.

James Harden (Adidas) | $14 million

Harden’s extension with Adidas in 2015 covers 13 years and is worth up to $200 million, including royalties and bonuses. He gave a preview of his next signature shoe this week when he was spotted during a workout wearing the Harden Vol. 4.

Kobe Bryant (Nike) | $16 million

Mamba Day was last weekend and is celebrated annually on August 24, the date that combines Bryant’s two jersey numbers, 8 and 24. Nike continued the trend this summer three years after his retirement with a series of limited-edition sneaker releases. Bryant remains wildly popular in China, where his shoes are a hot commodity.