The age of 35 is a difficult threshold for players to cross, either retiring or experiencing a significant decline in performance. So, how did the top three small forwards in the league, LeBron James, Scottie Pippen, and Larry Bird, fare at this age? Let's discuss it! 35-year-old LeBron James LeBron James is already 40 years old, but at 35, he was still at the peak of his game, averaging 25+8+10.2 points per game. Besides maintaining a stable scoring average, he also improved in rebounds and assists, particularly with an average of 10.2 assists per game, earning him the assist title that season. In the playoffs, James' statistics further increased, especially in scoring, averaging around 28 points per game. He led his team to victory against the Trail Blazers, Rockets, Nuggets, and ultimately defeated the Heat 4-2, securing his fourth NBA championship. He also fulfilled his wish of winning championships with different teams. 35-year-old Larry Bird Older fans will know that Larry Bird, along with Magic Johnson, dominated the NBA for an era. For Bird, 35 marked the end of his career due to physical decline, which naturally led to a sharp drop in his statistics. At 35, Bird could still average 19.4+8.5+7.2 points per game. Looking at these three stats, his scoring ability remained strong, especially considering his reliable mid-to-long-range shooting. However, due to issues with stamina and age, Bird had little running or jumping in his game at 35. This data is still commendable for Bird, who later retired due to back injuries. 35-year-old Scottie Pippen Scottie Pippen can…

NBA stars are known for their exceptional skills and unique personalities, becoming idols in the hearts of basketball fans around the world. But what were these superstars like in their childhood? Let's travel through time together to take a look at the childhood photos of these NBA legends and feel their transformation from cute kids to court legends. LeBron James LeBron James is a name that is almost universally recognized in the basketball world. The young LeBron in the photo doesn't look much different from how he does now, which is why fans often tease him for being "mature beyond his years." His dark skin, bright eyes, warm smile, and those adorable ears make it easy to recognize who this is. Yao Ming When we talk about Yao Ming, we tend to associate him with stability and humility. However, there was an unknown side to young Yao. The boy in the photo, wearing a red leather jacket and yellow casual pants, looks like a rock singer. This outfit makes one wonder if Yao had chosen a career in music, would he have become a shining star as well? Dwyane Wade Wade is undoubtedly one of the handsome black guys in the NBA, known for his chiseled features and strong physique. However, young Wade didn't stand out much, but old fans could still recognize him through his distinctive jowls. Stephen Curry Curry is loved by fans for his precise three-point shooting and his sunny good looks. Young Curry may have lacked a bit of heroism, but his cute and naive temperament…

Yesterday, the highly anticipated Los Angeles Lakers completed a blockbuster trade, reaching a deal with the Eastern Conference's Brooklyn Nets. The Lakers acquired Finney-Smith and Milton, sending Russell, Lewis, and three second-round picks (2027, 2030, 2031). The biggest gain for the Lakers in this trade is undoubtedly Finney-Smith, as they targeted his exceptional 3D attributes for this major transaction. Finney-Smith is an excellent 3D player, boasting not only solid defense but also an impressive three-point shooting percentage. His career three-point shooting rate exceeds 44%, making him a sharpshooter-level forward. Even Magic Johnson was thrilled by the Lakers' acquisition of Finney-Smith. In this trade, the Lakers did not part with significant assets beyond Russell, not even giving up a first-round draft pick. What many may have overlooked is that Milton, who came over in the trade with Finney-Smith, is also an outstanding role player. Some might think Milton was just an extra piece in this trade, easily overlooked. However, judging from his actual performance this season, Milton has proven himself capable of being a reliable rotation player. He simply did not receive ample playing time with the Nets. Milton had limited opportunities at the start of the season with the Nets, but as his playing time increased, so did his performance. Over the last 15 games, Milton averaged 24.6 minutes per game, scoring 11.2 points, grabbing 2.7 rebounds, dishing out 3.1 assists, and making 0.9 steals, with a field goal percentage of 47.3%, a three-point percentage of 38.9%, and a free throw percentage of 76.7%. Notably, in the past two games,…

The Lakers managed to win against the Kings without James, which has made things difficult for the Clippers as they have now dropped to sixth in the West. The uncertainty surrounding Leonard's injury has left the team in an awkward position. The Lakers' victory was unexpected, especially since they were able to win without James. This has put the Clippers in a difficult situation, as both teams now have the same record of 18 wins and 13 losses. However, the Clippers are ranked sixth due to their inferior record against Western Conference teams. The Lakers have been performing better than expected recently, with other players stepping up in James' absence, particularly Davis, whose consistent performance has helped maintain their competitiveness. The Clippers are currently feeling uncomfortable, as they had hoped that the Lakers would lose to the Kings without James, allowing them to secure the fifth spot in the West. However, reality has dealt them a heavy blow. The outcome of this game has significant implications for the Clippers, as they are about to embark on a three-game road trip against opponents of average strength. However, playing away is physically demanding, and their current lineup is not complete. Leonard is scheduled to return on January 5th against the Hawks, which is good news for the Clippers. However, it also presents new challenges, as the team will need to readjust their lineup and tactics. The Clippers have been doing well without Leonard, with other players taking on more responsibility, especially Paul George and Harden, whose stable performances have kept the team…

How Hard Is It to Conquer the Entire League? Only 5 People Have Done It in the Last 20 Years, Durant Falls Short In the NBA, a league filled with geniuses, winning a championship is already an impressive feat. However, to "conquer the entire league" requires a performance that's out of this world! This isn't just about technical skill; it also demands psychological resilience, leadership, and an unwavering will to never give up. To truly "conquer the entire league," one must not only silence opponents on the court but also earn the respect of all fans and media. In the past 20 years, only a few players have achieved this, surprisingly including Kevin Durant, such a strong player, who still falls short. Shaquille O'Neal: Why do they say I'm invincible? Because I am "The Great Shark"! Let's start with Shaquille O'Neal. Twenty years ago, that "shark" swept everything away. In the 1999-2000 season, O'Neal reached the pinnacle of his career, averaging nearly 30 points and 13 rebounds, ravaging the opponent's paint like it was his own swimming pool. In the finals that year, the Lakers faced the Pacers, and O'Neal was like a bulldozer, averaging 38 points and 16.7 rebounds, with no one able to stop him. The Pacers' big men were crushed to the point of questioning their existence, as O'Neal used his dominance to lead the Lakers to the championship and took home the FMVP trophy. At that time, no one could match him, and you had to admit, "The Great Shark" truly conquered the entire league. Even…

On December 31st, Beijing time, LeBron James officially became a "forty-year-old man," with various parties expressing their congratulations on his 40th birthday; after today's training session, James reiterated his desire to end his career with the Lakers. The NBA official account continuously updated several tweets to congratulate James on his 40th birthday, showcasing 40 highlights from his career, as well as a compilation of his career dunks, with the caption reading: 22 years in the NBA, 40 years of life, one of the greatest players in NBA history, still moving forward. The Lakers' official account posted a poster to celebrate James' birthday, also sharing a compilation of the top 40 dunks from his Lakers career; the USA Basketball official account congratulated three-time Olympic gold medalist LeBron James on his 40th birthday. FIBA's official Twitter posted a poster reading: The King is 40 today. James' former teammates Kevin Love, Kyle Korver, Dwight Howard, and others voiced their congratulations to James; Mike Brown, Billups, and others also recorded videos to congratulate James. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver spoke about James' 40th birthday, saying: In some ways, he's a freak of nature. Today, the entire Lakers team is preparing for the Cavaliers game, with James returning to participate in training. After the training session, when discussing ending his career with the Lakers, James said: I think this is my plan. I hope to end my career here. I came here to embark on the final journey of my career, and then end it here. I am very clear that basketball is a business, and…

On December 30th, Beijing time, the 2024-2025 season is in progress. Among them, Udoka stated that Tari Eason is very close to playing in the game. We want to ensure that his pain completely disappears. White revealed that it may be the most difficult moment since I joined the Celtics, which will make us more united. Just now, 12 hours after the Los Angeles Lakers completed their first trade, Finney Smith and Milton arrived quickly, and D'Angelo Russell reunited with Ben Simmons. It must be said that the fate of this world is so special. According to insider Shams, the Los Angeles Lakers, who have just swept the Sacramento Kings and risen to fifth in the West, are not satisfied with the status quo. The team management has chosen to reach the first trade with the Brooklyn Nets, sending away D'Angelo Russell, three second-round draft picks, and Lewis to acquire the joining of two new recruits, Finney Smith and Milton. It should be emphasized that after 12 hours of completing this five-for-two trade, Finney Smith and Milton flew overnight to Los Angeles at high speed, heading to the Staples Center to meet with two superstars, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. It is worth mentioning that in the 2024-2025 season, while playing for the Brooklyn Nets, Finney Smith played 20 games, averaging 10.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.9 steals. Although his data is not as good as Cameron Johnson's, his defense can make stars like Durant, George, and Leonard uncomfortable. A good three-pointer can create space for his teammates.…

The Warriors and Lakers have recently made big news, with rumors of trading James to Golden State. The Lakers have expressed their willingness to let him go, but James himself seems to be hesitating, causing both sides to anxiously await his decision. The Warriors have had their eye on James for a while, wanting to pair him with Curry. This plan has been in the works since last season, with the management believing that if they can get these two playing together, winning championships would be as easy as child's play. Despite currently ranking fifth in the West, the Warriors feel that this is not enough. General Manager Dunleavy and owner Lacob are constantly thinking about how to find a helper for Curry, and they believe James is the best choice. In order to acquire James, the Warriors have gone all out, offering multiple first-round draft picks and even being willing to part with young players like Kuminga. This shows that they are truly serious about getting James. Green, an experienced player, has also been busy, constantly working on James and his agent Paul, hoping to convince James to join the Warriors and achieve great things. Curry is also very interested in this matter. The Lakers have not been having a good time recently, with their team performance continuously declining. Jeanie Buss and Pelinka have stated that if James wants to leave, they will not stand in his way. The Lakers' confidence in James leading them to a championship has waned, and the coaching staff even wants James to play…

Explosive! Back-to-back 38 points, 16 rebounds, 11 assists! Finally able to make James proud Brownie is doing well, scoring 15 points with 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals in one game, and then following up with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists in the next, combining for a total of 38 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists in back-to-back games. The young prince is playing better and better, gradually meeting everyone's expectations, and also making his father proud. Some may argue that performing well in the development league is enough to start hyping? Please, Brownie is just a second-round pick at No. 55, and he has only recently turned 20. It's already quite exciting to see him making an impact in the G League. If Brownie can continue this wild growth, it's believed that he will become a rotation player for the Lakers in the future, regardless of whether James is still with the Purple and Gold at that time. Speaking of the Lakers, their record has quietly climbed to fifth in the West. Last season at the same stage, they were ninth in the West with a record of 16 wins and 15 losses. They have now left their city rivals, the Clippers, behind, with both teams having records of 18 wins and 13 losses. It's worth noting that the Lakers have completed a 4-0 sweep against the Kings this season. Anthony Davis' career record against Sabonis is now 4-1, compared to a previous record of 0 wins and 10 losses. On the other hand, the Kings…

The regular season has been underway for two months, and many teams have not performed up to expectations, leading them to seek reinforcements in the trade market. For example, the Warriors have already acquired Schroder, but from an actual performance standpoint, it will take time for Schroder to integrate into the team. The big names on the trade market, such as Butler from the Heat, Ingram from the Pelicans, LaVine from the Bulls, and the already open Nets supermarket, are targets of interest for many championship-contending teams. In the early hours of the 30th, journalist Shams Charania confirmed that the Lakers have officially completed a trade with the Nets, sending away Russell, Lewis, and three second-round picks in exchange for sharpshooter Finney-Smith and Milton! This trade by the Lakers not only avoids giving up first-round picks but also successfully outmaneuvers competitors, while also saving $15 million in luxury tax, achieving multiple goals at once! Since the start of this season, the Lakers have a record of 18 wins and 13 losses, ranking fifth in the West, which is not particularly bad. However, the team has exposed many problems, such as excessive reliance on the James-Brow combination. When either LeBron or AD performs poorly, the Lakers find it difficult to win games. Additionally, the Lakers' bench averages only 25 points per game, ranking 29th in the league, just above the Knicks who rarely use their bench (averaging 21 points). There are many reasons for the bench's weakness, including long-term injuries to players like Vanderbilt, Wood, and Hayes, as well as opponents…