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Jason Kelce has made comments on former teammate DeVonta Smith’s impressive physical development in the off-season.

It was revealed by former NFL champion Chad Ochocinco that slight-framed Smith has increased his weight to 190 pounds following training sessions this offseason. Smith plays for the Philadelphia Eagles, Kelce’s former team.

Kelce, making note of Smith’s increased mass coinciding with his entry into fatherhood, joked on X: “That dad strength is starting to kick in. Kyse (Smith’s daughter) got him working even on the off days! Gonna be problems for defences.”

Having played alongside each other from 2021 until this previous season, when Kelce announced his retirement aged 36, the pair built a strong partnership. The period saw the Eagles’ reach their fourth-ever Super Bowl in 2022, as Kelce produced three out of his six All-Pro seasons and Smith achieved over 1,000 yards in both 2022 and 2023.

Smith, who became the first wide receiver to clinch the Heisman Trophy in 2020 for 29 years, has made a remarkable leap to the NFL despite his slight frame. The former Alabama standout tipped the scales at a mere 170 pounds when he joined the league, earning the affectionate moniker “Slim Reaper” during his college days in Tuscaloosa.

However, fatherhood appears to have ushered in a more robust version of Smith for the 2024 season. Ochocinco has let slip that the Eagles’ fourth-year sensation has packed on an extra 20 pounds since his debut year.

 

 

 

Smith is a vital member of Philadelphia’s team ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

“I guarantee you when you see him this year, you gonna be like ‘God Damn boy, you been working,’” Ochocinco said. “He’s about 190 [pounds], I kid you not.”

The day before his team’s opening game last season against the New England Patriots, Smith’s partner gave birth, with the player marking the event with a touchdown and a “Rock the Baby” gesture as his team secured a 25-20 win

Kelce has often sung the praises of being a dad. “I think one of the best things a person can be in this world is a father,” Kelce said as part of his retirement speech last month. “A father who is present, loving, devoted just might be the greatest gift a child could ask for in our society, and I am a damn good one.”

Despite Smith’s initially lean frame and speed score at the NFL Combine, which placed him in the lower 11th percentile, the Eagles showed an unwavering confidence in the six-foot tall receiver due to his impressive college performance. They chose Smith as the 10th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, promptly making him a part of their starting lineup.

Double the fun!

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift went on a private couples’ getaway with Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid to Carmel-by-the-Sea, Calif., Page Six can confirm.

A source told us that Travis’ mom, Donna Kelce, was overheard on Wednesday at the QVC’s Age of Possibility summit in Las Vegas telling people about the double date.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce had a double date with Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid.GC Images

The foursome had a private couples’ getaway to Carmel-by-the-Sea, Calif., Page Six can confirm.GC Images

A source told us that Travis’ mom, Donna Kelce, was overheard in Las Vegas telling people about the double date.Getty Images
Additionally, a fan claimed on Instagram that the “Bad Blood” singer and the Kansas City Chiefs star, both 34, were seen dining at the La Bicyclette Restaurant in the city. 

According to People, who first broke the news, Cooper was at the same QVC event as Donna Wednesday and greeted him, saying, “Travis told me you were going to be here.”

Travis and Swift have been keeping a low profile since they were seen getting cozy together during weekend one of Coachella.

The tight end and the Grammy winner danced and packed on the PDA while watching her pals Ice Spice and Jack Antonoff perform.

A fan claimed to have seen Swift and Travis dining at La Bicyclette Restaurant.Instagram/@labicyclette

The eatery serves European country cuisine.Instagram/@labicyclette
At one point during the festival, Swift apologized to her beau for being so “drunk,” according to a lip reader. 

Travis also protectively wrapped his arms around the billionaire pop star as they swayed from side to side.

Swift and the athlete went public with their relationship last September when she attended one of his football games.

Swift and Travis have kept a low profile since they were seen kissing at Coachella.GC Images

They went public with their romance in September 2023.Joe Oravec/Instagram
They have since been attached at the hip, with Travis attending some of Swift’s international Eras Tour stops and even taking a romantic vacation together to the Bahamas.

Meanwhile, Hadid, 29, and Cooper, 49, have been on quite a few date nights since they went public with their romance in January.

Most recently, the model was seen planting a kiss on the “Hangover” star’s face last month as they dined with “Queer Eye” star Tan France and Antoni Porowski at the NYC Italian eatery Via Carota.

Hadid and Cooper have been on quite a few date nights since they went public with their romance in January.GC Images

An insider told Page Six that the model and the “Hangover” star are “definitely getting more serious” and are “totally into each other.”Dylan Travis/ABACAPRESS.COM / SplashNews.com
An insider told Page Six that Hadid and Cooper were “definitely getting more serious” and are “totally into each other.” 

The “Maestro” actor shares daughter Lea De Seine, 7, with ex Irina Shayk, whom he dated for four years until 2019.

Hadid shares daughter Khai, 3, with ex Zayn Malik. She has been linked to several A-listers, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Joe Jonas.

 

Post Malone has inked the signatures ofKansas City Chiefs stars Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes onto his arm. This unique tribute follows an unforgettable encounter and a friendly wager that clearly left a mark.

Travis Kelce shared the backstory on a recent episode of “New Heights,” the podcast he hosts with his brother Jason Kelce. The discussion, which orbited around football insights and Super Bowl memories, took a memorable detour to recount the events following the Chiefs’ 2020 Super Bowl win over the San Francisco 49ers.

Kelce reminisced about the moment when Malone, a known football enthusiast and Grammy-winning artist, hosted him and Mahomes for a game of Beer Pong during his concert in Kansas City. The game, intense and competitive, led to a high-stakes bet. Malone wagered that he would tattoo the signatures of the Chiefs stars on his arm if he lost. As fate would have it, Malone lost the bet and, true to his word, visited a tattoo artist immediately to fulfill his promise.

Outspoken podcaster Megyn Kelly called for a boycott of Taylor Swift after the pop superstar attended a fundraiser that provided “humanitarian relief to the people of Gaza.”

Swift — named Time’s “Person of the Year” after her “Eras Tour” became the first tour to cross the billion-dollar mark — lent her star power to stand-up comedian Ramy Youssef’s “More Feelings” tour, which made a pit stop at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Friday.

Money from the event went to benefit the non-governmental organization American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA), the Queens-born Youssef said in an Instagram post, as Israeli troops attempt to root out Hamas in the Gaza Strip following the deadly Oct. 7 terrorist attacks.

On Tuesday’s episode of “The Megyn Kelly Show,” Kelly fumed that Swift “owes Israelis and Jewish Americans an apology” for attending the event.

“I hope they boycott her events until she issues it because attending this thing was wrong.”

Kelly added she wants Swift to be “held to account for this absurdity,” but podcast guest Andrew Klavan said he doubts the singer will face any backlash because she is “too powerful.”

Megyn Kelly called for a boycott against Taylor Swift during Tuesday’s episode of her SiriusXM podcast after the singer attended a comedy show fundraiser supporting humanitarian relief in Gaza.Megyn Kelly/YouTube

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Swift attended Ramy Youssef’s “More Feelings” tour in Brooklyn, NY, on Friday with Selena Gomez, Anya Taylor-Joy, Zoë Kravitz and Cara Delevingne.TheImageDirect.com

“She’s a likable pop star, and I guess all I can say about that is I don’t turn to my pop stars for political wisdom. I wish they would shut up and sing,” Klavan added of Swift, whose highly publicized romance with Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce has expanded her fan base.

Kelly insisted that Swift’s attendance at the comedy show was no laughing matter since ANERA has been described as “highly political, presenting a highly biased view of the Israel-Palestine war, ignoring any Palestinian responsibility for hardship, and contributing to the demonization of Israel.”

ANERA’s website, however, stresses it “does not work with or even coordinate” with Hamas because the latter is designated by the US government as a “terrorist group.”

“That is the group Taylor Swift thought it might be fun to raise money for, attend the fundraiser for,” Kelly raged.

“Do some googling — see what they do in Gaza to gays. See about women’s rights in Gaza, Taylor.”

“Otherwise, do this when it comes to talking about this issue again,” said Kelly while motioning in a way that suggested Swift should shut up.

“You clearly know nothing,” Kelly said of Swift, who celebrated her 34th birthday Wednesday.

The singer’s loyal legion of Swifties immediately came to her defense, claiming Swift “just went to a comedy show.”

“Taylor going to see a comedy show is not her actively supporting Gaza. this is Ramy actively supporting Gaza,” another shared on X.

On Nov. 15, Youssef wrote on Instagram that “100% of the proceeds” for the remainder of his standup tour “will be donated to American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA), providing humanitarian relief to the people of Gaza.”Rob Kim
“What is this? Unless Swift is donating, the credit should only be granted to Youssef who is the person actually donating to people in Gaza,” a third fan chimed in.

Other X users pointed out that fellow A-listers who attended the comedy show, including Selena Gomez, Anya Taylor-Joy, Zoë Kravitz and Cara Delevingne, weren’t facing the same heat for it.

Swift’s publicist, Tree Paine, did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.

Per Youssef’s Instagram post, his Emmy-nominated comedy tour is set to make international stops early next year, including in France, Norway, Denmark and Germany.

Travis And Jason Kelce’s Hilarious Nod To Taylor Swift’s Reference In Her New Album TTPD (PC: YouTube)

Taylor Swift’s new album, The Tortured Poets Department, is already out with blast, where she announced 15 additional songs—a total of 31—surprising fans. If Swift is a mastermind, her fans are no less. Swifties already had a lot of theories regarding the album, including about ex-Joe Alwyn and her current relationship.

 

With the song So High School, it seems like the singer has finally written something about her NFL boyfriend as well, apart from The Alchemy, where fans are convinced she portrayed Jason Kelce’s famous shirtless celebration.

Here’s How Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce React To Taylor Swift’s Reference In Her New Album 

Swifties believe the 22nd track of Taylor Swift’s 11th studio album, So High School, is about Travis Kelce and how he makes her feel. There is one particular example where it can be understood that she is referencing someone doing an impression of the Kelce brothers’ father. “I feel like laughing’ in the middle of practice / Do that impression you did of your dad again.”

The reference did not go unnoticed, and the Super Bowl winner brothers seem to acknowledge it on X. The two tried to impersonate their dad through The New Heights podcast.

 

 

 

Here’s Another reference to them in the song 

This was not the only reference that has been connected to the Kansas City Chiefs tight end. Following the line from the song, “Are you gonna marry, kiss, or kill me? Kill me. It’s just a game, but really, really, I’m betting on all three for us two,” an old video of the NFL star has surfaced on the internet and people cannot stop talking about it, maybe because Swift started it first?

The line seems to reference the time when Kelce played the game during an interview with AfterBuzz TV, where the American footballer was questioned about who he would kill, marry, or kiss from Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, and Ariana Grande. The 34-year-old puts the Fortnight singer in the Kiss category, chooses Ariana to kill, and chooses Perry to marry.

A fan replied to a video posted by a fan page, “Travis will be having a hard time trying to propose to Taylor after this video.”

 

 

Another one wrote, “Omg, she sees everything.”

 

 

Meanwhile, fans have decoded a lot of the lyrics from the song where she is singing about how Kelce opens the car door for her and makes her feel like, “No one’s ever had me (Had me), not like you.” In one of the lyrics, she also refers to his NFL career, “You know how to ball; I know Aristotle.”

So yes, as mentioned before, Swift might be a mastermind but the fans are no less. They know how to decode what the singer is talking about in her songs.

The adorable couple started dating back in September, and it seems like fans have approved of their relationship. Travis and Taylor recently attended Coachella together, singing and dancing together. The singer-songwriter was seen supporting her beau’s podcast by wearing the New Heights baseball cap.

LeBron James, the iconic figure in the basketball world, is known not only for his prowess on the court but also for his candid reactions to game events. One such incident that caught the attention of fans and analysts alike was when D’Angelo Russell, the rising star of the NBA, faced a contentious play that left many questioning the officiating. In this article, we delve into the details of this incident and explore LeBron James’s reaction, shedding light on the intensity and passion that define the game of basketball at its highest level.

In a high-stakes game between two powerhouse teams, the tension was palpable as every possession mattered. D’Angelo Russell, known for his agility and skillful plays, found himself in a pivotal moment where a foul call could have altered the course of the game. As he made his move towards the basket, the defender’s contact appeared to impede his progress, yet the whistle remained silent, leaving Russell and his teammates incredulous.

LeBron James, revered not only for his athletic abilities but also for his leadership on and off the court, did not shy away from expressing his thoughts on the controversial play involving D’Angelo Russell. His reaction, captured by cameras and shared across social media platforms, conveyed a mix of frustration and advocacy for fair officiating in the game of basketball.

As a seasoned veteran with years of experience in the NBA, LeBron James understands the importance of maintaining the integrity of the game. In his post-game remarks, he emphasized the need for consistency in officiating, highlighting the impact it has on players’ confidence and the overall dynamics of the game. His candid commentary resonated with fans who share his commitment to upholding the values of fairness and sportsmanship.

The aftermath of the unfouled play involving D’Angelo Russell reverberated beyond the confines of the basketball court. Analysts dissected the incident, examining its implications on player safety, the role of officiating in shaping game outcomes, and the league’s responsibility in ensuring a level playing field for all teams. LeBron James’s vocal stance added fuel to the ongoing discourse, prompting calls for greater accountability and transparency in officiating decisions.

While the incident itself may have been confined to the realm of basketball, the broader themes it touches upon resonate with individuals across various domains. LeBron James’s unwavering advocacy for fairness and accountability serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of speaking up against injustice, whether on the court or in society at large. His actions inspire not only aspiring athletes but also leaders in all walks of life to use their platform for positive change.

In the world of professional sports, moments of controversy often serve as catalysts for meaningful discussions and reflections on broader societal issues. The incident involving D’Angelo Russell and the subsequent reaction from LeBron James underscore the enduring values of integrity, fairness, and advocacy in sports and beyond. As fans and stakeholders, we are reminded of our collective responsibility to uphold these principles and strive for a more just and equitable world.

In a recent episode of the “FEARLESS” podcast, Jason Whitlock couldn’t help but commend Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. What sparked this admiration? It was Mahomes’ savvy move during a Time Magazine interview, where he tactfully sidestepped endorsing any presidential candidate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Patrick Mahomes (Background: Donald Trump and Joe Biden). Pictures taken from: USA TODAY Sports

Jason Whitlock found Mahomes’ stance refreshingly mature, as it was in contrast with his past instances. Whitlock believed that when Mahomes waded into contentious issues like the “Colin Kaepernick thing” and the “George Floyd thing” in the past, it brought him more criticism than praise.

“Patrick Mahomes has pivoted I think a little bit because, I think, for a (while) he tried to go woke. The George Floyd thing he got caught up in, the Colin Kaepernick thing. But he has now steered to a more authentic place,” Jason added, “I like this Patrick Mahomes.”

Time Magazine asked Patrick Mahomes about his stance in the upcoming Presidential elections following his support for LeBron James’ “More Than A Vote” campaign in 2020. It aimed at boosting African American voter turnout. In response, Mahomes said,

“I don’t want to pressure anyone to vote for a certain president. I want people to use their voice, whoever they believe in. I want them to do the research.”

The decision for pro athletes to engage in politics is definitely personal; However, Jason Whitlock’s point sparks a debate.

Should Athletes like Patrick Mahomes Delve Into Publicly Expressing Their Political Opinions?

There can never be a definitive answer to the problem at hand. The debate about athletes sharing political opinions versus focusing solely on sports is more than just complex. On one hand, athletes like Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, and LeBron James have accumulated a huge fanbase. And with it comes the great responsibility of shining a light on social and political issues that matter.

So, by getting involved, athletes can advocate for change. But here’s the thing: most athletes end up getting involved in political activities and influencing their fans in a specific direction, either left or right. And it definitely rubs some fans the wrong way, especially if the particular athlete does controversial things or supports controversial people. One of the prime examples is former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. It took just taking a knee during the national anthem to get himself ousted from the league.

Case in point, athletes do have the right to freedom of speech, which allows them to address significant social and political matters. But the worry that diving into politics might divide their fanbase will never go away.

 

Jason Kelce’s Wife Kylie Kelce Is the True MVP for Getting Him This Retirement Gift
In honor of Jason Kelce’s retirement from the Philadelphia Eagles, their wife Kylie Kelce gifted him with a miniature, wooden model of Lincoln Financial Field, where Jason played for 13 seasons.

Watch: See Kylie Kelce’s Sweet Retirement Gift for Husband Jason Kelce

Kylie Kelce scored a touchdown with this gift.

 

After husband Jason Kelce announced his retirement from the Philadelphia Eagles in March, Kylie has now given him the most thoughtful present: a miniature, wooden model of Lincoln Financial Field, where Jason played for 13 seasons with the team—complete with all of his stats.

Kylie commissioned the piece from Dana Theobald, the Georgia-based artist behind Dana Theobald Designs, who specializes in wooden replicas of stadiums. And according to Kylie, the gift was years in the making.

“I messaged @danatheo.designs TWO years ago!” she wrote on her Instagram Stories on April 22. “She came up with this beautiful custom design and then waited for me to give the retirement green light and J’s final list of accolades.”

And Dana—who is also known for her replicas of stadiums where Taylor Swift performed on her Eras Tour—was honored to be made the model for Jason, posting on Instagram on April 22, “A project that is so special to me and that I’m very excited to share. Thank you so much @kykelce for commissioning me to make @jason.kelce ‘s retirement gift of Lincoln Financial Field.” She added on her Instagram Stories, “It meant the world to me!”

 

PHOTOS
Jason Kelce and Kylie kelce’s Sweet Love Story
Dana’s design even got a fire emoji comment from Jason’s brother—and Taylor’s boyfriend—Travis Kelce, with Dana sharing her excitement on Instagram, “omg omg omg!! I screamed.”

Instagram/Kylie Kelce
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As for Jason—who shares daughters Wyatt, 4, Elliotte, 3, and Bennett, 14 months, with Kylie—the 36-year-old gave his wife a sweet shoutout when announcing his retirement from the Philadelphia Eagles in March, tearfully thanking her and acknowledging that he “enjoyed the best years of my career with Kylie by my side.”

At the time, Kylie penned a sweet tribute to his time as a Philadelphia Eagles center.

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Instagram/Kylie Kelce
“Your accolade-studded 13-year career is a direct result of your hard work, determination, and resilience,” she wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the couple. “I am immensely proud to be your wife and can’t wait to see what you do next. As always, the girls and I will be there cheering you on every step of the way!”

 

For more of Kylie and Jason’s most adorable family moments, keep reading.

Instagram/@kykelce
Love at First Sight

After a not-so-smooth first date, Jason and Kylie would hit off when they went out again, with the two making their relationship Instagram official in November 2015.

Instagram/@kykelce
Total Touchdown

After tying the knot in 2018, Kylie reflected on celebrating the wins in life alongside her now-husband.

“This off-season was my favorite yet,” she wrote in a social media post that July. “It was short but oh so sweet. I am so incredibly proud to call this man my husband, and I can’t wait to watch his hard work and dedication through another season.”

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Baby on Board

By October 2019, the couple expanded their family, welcoming baby Wyatt into the world.

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Family of Four

Two years later, their second daughter Elliotte, joined her big sister.

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Party of Five

Just one year later, Kylie shared that “another Kelce lady” would be added to the bunch with an adorable set of photos.

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Baby Bennett

In February 2023, the couple welcomed their third child, with her arrival coming nearly two weeks after Jason faced off against brother Travis at the 2023 Super Bowl.

The NFL star shared a glimpse at his oldest daughters holding a huge prize in May 2023, writing on Instagram, “Never in a million years did I think I’d hold the Larry O’Brien trophy, let alone that it would be in my house!! Unbelievable honor to see it in person. The size is incredible, looks so small when NBA players are holding it, but it’s actually massive!! The girls were very interested in it.”

The couple shared a look at the family of five while on the field that August, joking in a joint Instagram post, “Here for the Rita’s and obstacle courses with dad after practice.”

Patrick Mahomes should have been a No. 1 draft pick.

That’s obvious now, after Mahomes has become the new face of the NFL and led the Kansas City Chiefs to a dynasty.

Patrick Mahomes could have joined Chicago and the Bears wouldn’t have to draft Caleb WilliamsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

But before Mahomes was a three-time Super Bowl winner throwing touchdowns to Travis Kelce and occasionally hanging out with Taylor Swift, the son of a baseball pitcher was just a big-armed college quarterback from Texas Tech.

There was a talented QB from North Carolina who had more NFL upside, according to many draft experts.

And the Chicago Bears.

On Thursday in Detroit, the regularly rebuilding Bears are expected to make Caleb Williams the No. 1 pick of the 2024 draft.

Back in 2017, Mitch Trubisky was a rising name on draft boards, while Mahomes was viewed as a risky pick who had inflated numbers playing in the wide open Big 12.

Chicago increasingly became infatuated with Trubisky, who didn’t become a full-time starter at North Carolina until his junior year.

The Bears liked the relatively unproven Tar Heels QB so much that they traded with the San Francisco 49ers to move up in a draft that featured top prospects such as Myles Garrett, Christian McCaffrey, Marlon Humphrey, Jamal Adams, Marshon Lattimore and Deshaun Watson.

With the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 draft, Chicago took Trubisky.

Mahomes used both hands to remind the Bears what they missed in 2017 and needed all 10 fingers to fully troll Chicago in a Chiefs blowoutCredit: X@Chiefs

And Mahomes — who eventually was taken by the Chiefs at No. 10 — didn’t forget.

Mahomes doesn’t forget

In 2019, Mahomes already had an NFL MVP and Super Bowl trophy on his shelf.

When his Chiefs played the Bears in Week 16 on national TV, Kansas City easily won 26-3.

Mahomes threw for 251 yards, two touchdowns and a 112.1 rating, while Trubisky struggled, only throwing for 157 yards and posting a 65.4 rating.

The No. 10 pick in 2017 also reminded the team that took Trubisky at No. 2 about the franchise-changing draft miss.

As Mahomes bounced to the sideline, he counted on his hands for the TV cameras to see.

“I was the 10th player picked, right? The Bears had a chance,” said a TV announcer, as he imagined Mahomes’ inner thoughts.

“They told him they were going to draft him,” the star QB’s dad, Pat Sr. told Chicago’s 670 The Score in 2023. “We thought he was going to be the third pick overall and go to Chicago.

“He had a great meeting when he went there and liked all the guys that were doing the stuff there and thought he was going to be a Bear. Then once they traded up and got Mitch, it kind of hurt him. It really did. He always knew that Kansas City had told him that they were going to come up and get him. They just didn’t know how far they’d have to go. But initially, he thought he was going to be a Chicago Bear.”

Mitch Trubisky rarely seemed comfortable running Chicago’s offenseCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Host Danny Parkins, listening to the words, had his head in his hands and, when it had sunk in that a man who will be remembered as one of the best ever, simply said: “I’m going to be sick to my stomach.”

THE GOAT

Mahomes went on to win two more Super Bowls, while Trubisky bounced from Chicago to Buffalo, Pittsburgh and back to Buffalo as a backup.

Mahomes has six Pro Bowl selections, three Super Bowl MVPs, an Offensive Player of the Year award and is 74-22 as a starter.

He recently graced the cover of Time magazine and is one of the most popular athletes in the world.

Trubisky made the Pro Bowl in 2018 but lost his starting job in Chicago two years later and is now mostly forgotten by NFL fans.

He’s 31-26 as a starter and has thrown 72 touchdowns along with 48 interceptions.

Mahomes obviously should have been the No. 1 pick in a historic 2017 draft.

Or at least gone No. 2 to the Bears.

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers easily won the NBA’s inaugural mid-season tournament on Saturday night in Las Vegas. This may be the beginning of a tradition, or it could just be a foolish PR gimmick.

 

Even though the NBA Finals are still six months away, the Lakers put up a championship-caliber performance, defeating the Indiana Pacers, who were playing for the first time, 123-109. Above all, participants seemed to like the new format, but it might have been due to the $500,000 in total prize money awarded to each player. That may seem insignificant to James and Davis, but it is only half of what Lakers forward Maxwell Lewis has made in his career.

 

Several of the younger players understandably assumed that the prize money would be higher because half of the Lakers squad makes $4 million or less this season.

“When do we get our money?” was the first thing they asked me after I got off the floor. James subsequently stated, alluding to the younger members of the team. I said to myself, “I don’t know.”

 

Some brushed off the Lakers’ “title” victory. At least one direct mention of Los Angeles’ 2020 NBA championship was made, which some people downplay because it was earned in the tumultuous season that was cut short by the epidemic inside the Orlando-based league’s “bubble.”

 

 

FanDuel’s Michelle Beadle remarked on X, “If you combine this IST championship with the Lakers bubble championship, that’s almost like one whole championship.”

LeBron James won MVP honors for the inaugural in-season tournament on Saturday

Los Angeles Lakers celebrate after defeating the Indiana Pacers in the In-Season Tournament

Some downplayed the Lakers’ win. There was at least one reference to LA’s 2020 NBA title

Although James won the tournament MVP award, Anthony Davis set career highs for the Lakers with 41 points and 20 rebounds.

 

D’Angelo Russell scored 13 points, Austin Reaves contributed 28 points, and James finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Davis had five assists in addition to being 16 of 24 from the field.

 

For Indiana, Tyrese Haliburton finished with 20 points and 11 assists, Bennedict Mathurin added 20 points, and Aaron Nesmith added 15.

 

There was still a lot on the line in this game, which is the only one in the tournament that is not included in the rankings. The Pacers received $200,000 each, and Lakers players on typical two-way contracts received $500,000 in addition to winning a trophy. Half of those sums are paid to players on two-way contracts.

 

The tournament and the championship game in front of the pro-Lakers fans had that kind of atmosphere, even though the stakes weren’t as high as they would be for a playoff.

LeBron James (23) controls the ball against Indiana Pacers forward Bruce Brown

In addition, James, who has already won four NBA titles, has added another trophy to his collection. James has never hidden his ambition to do so.

 

The Lakers discovered in the Pacers a squad with just as much energy and a rising star in this league. Throughout this tournament, Haliburton became a familiar figure, but on Saturday, the Lakers restricted his damage. Reddish took up most of the defensive responsibilities on Haliburton, but instead of trying to force the situation, he frequently handed the ball to a teammate.

 

The Lakers had the upper hand for the majority of the contest, but Indiana managed to stay within striking distance until Los Angeles’ late-fourth-quarter 15-3 surge turned a 100-96 edge into a 115-99 lead.

 

Basketball greats Shaquille O’Neal and Julius Erving, football greats Tim Brown and Shannon Sharpe, former tennis player Steffi Graf, former boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., chef Bobby Flay, and rapper Flavor Flav were among those there. A’ja Wilson, the MVP of the WNBA Finals, and several players from the Las Vegas Aces, the two-time champions, were also present.