NEW YORK (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond has been fined $25,000 for what the league described as an objectionable gesture while on the court.
NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations James Jones announced the penalty Saturday.
The incident occurred with eight seconds left in the third quarter of the 76ers’ 139-118 victory at Sacramento on Thursday.
After knocking down a 3-pointer, Drummond appeared to make a shooting motion toward the Kings’ bench, according to a published report.
Drummond finished the game with 13 points, including going 3 for 3 from behind the arc, and 11 rebounds.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 19: Joe Espada #19 of the Houston Astros smiles during spring training workouts at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on February 19, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Astros manager Joe Espada made the declaration before today’s spring training game vs. the Mets.
Today, Houston Astros manager Joe Espada declared the team would open the season with a 5-man rotation, a reversal from earlier statements about using a 6-man rotation this season.
Astros manager Joe Espada said the club will open the season with a five-man rotation.
While the Astros can still employ a 6-man rotation at various points this season, it does perhaps signal a lean towards more traditional relievers on the team to start the season, before swapping arms and moving to a 6-man rotation later on.
The Astros signed Tatsuya Imai from Japan this offseason, and he is used to only pitching once per week on the NPB schedule. It is one of the biggest reasons the Astros will likely use a 6-man rotation this season, to keep things as close to “normal” for Imai in his first season in MLB.
Most likely projection for the Astros initial 5-man rotation would be Hunter Brown, Mike Burrows, Tatsuya Imai, Cristian Javier and Lance McCullers Jr.
It will be worth watching to see if pitchers like Spencer Arrighetti, A.J. Blubaugh, and Ryan Weiss pitch out of the pen to start the season, or go to Triple-A Sugar Land to stay stretched out. All three would be unlikely to be in the bullpen at the same time, as at least one of them would be the proposed sixth starter, and would need to be stretched out to go 5 or more innings.
The Mets continue the winnowing of their major league camp, optioning catcher Hayden Senger to Triple-A Syracuse. The Mets currently have 38 players in big league camp.
Senger, who made headlines last winter for his tale of working at Whole Foods in the offseason, appeared in 33 games for the Mets in 2025, filling in for Francisco Alvarez when he was both injured and in Triple-A, working on his swing. He batted .181/.221/.194 with four home runs in 78 plate appearances.
This roster move is good news for Mets fans, as it means that the club is not worried about Francisco Alvarez, who was pulled from Thursday night’s game with back tightness. Alvarez is in the lineup today for the Mets’ home game against the Astros at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie.
This spring, the Mets had a number of catchers in camp alongside Senger, Alvarez, and Luis Torrens, including veterans Austin Barnes and Ben Rortvedt, as well as prospects Kevin Parada, Jose Aular, and Chris Suero.
SURPRISE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 19: Codi Heuer #54 of the Texas Rangers poses for a portrait during photo day at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the 2025 Texas Rangers season having come to an end, we shall be, over the course of the offseason, taking a look at every player who appeared in a major league game for the Texas Rangers in 2025.
Today we are looking at pitcher Codi Heuer.
Codi Heuer made one appearance for the Texas Rangers in 2025. The Rangers purchased his contract on June 1, when they needed a fresh arm in the pen when Nathan Eovaldi went to the i.l., and designated Tucker Barnhart for assignment to make room for him on the 40 man roster. He recorded the final four outs in a game in Tampa on June 3, striking out one and allowing a homer, and was optioned to AAA the next day. On July 31, needing to clear a 40 man roster spot, the Rangers traded Heuer to Detroit for cash.
Not much there at first glance. Nonetheless, Heuer’s appearance with the Rangers is notable, as a study in perseverence.
Codi Heuer was originally a sixth round pick of the Chicago White Sox in 2018 out of Wichita State (go Shockers!). Never a highly regarded prospect, he nonetheless ended up being part of the ChiSox bullpen in 2020, putting up a 1.52 ERA in 21 games and pitching in two of Chicago’s Wild Card Series games against Oakland.
In 2021, he wasn’t as successful, putting up a 5.12 ERA in 40 games for the White Sox before being traded, along with Nick Madrigal, to the Chicago Cubs for Craig Kimbrel. Heuer put up a 3.14 ERA in 25 games for the Cubs post-trade, picking up a save against the Pirates in his final appearance in 2021.
Little could Heuer have guessed it would be the last major league game he would appear in for over three years.
In spring training of 2022, Heuer was diagnosed with a damaged UCL and underwent Tommy John surgery. After missing all of 2022, he started a rehab assignment in early May, 2023.
Heuer made 15 appearances for the Iowa Cubs, and seemed to be close to being activated from the injured list when he went out for rehab appearance #15. In that game, though, he faced two batters before being pulled. It turned out he had re-injured his elbow — this time, suffering a fracture. 14 months of rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, followed by six weeks of game appearances at AAA, and just when it seemed like he was going to be back in the majors, he ended up instead back where he started — needing to rehab for another year-plus from an elbow injury.
Heuer became a free agent in November, 2023, and signed a two year minor league contract with the Rangers in April, 2024. He spent the season rehabbing, the second time in three years where he didn’t throw a competitive pitch.
Spring training, 2025, Heuer was a non-roster invitee to the major league camp. He was assigned to Round Rock to start the year and did solid work out of the pen before being summoned back to the major leagues.
That outing on June 3, in Tampa, was a pretty big deal. Heuer had to have wondered, time and again, if he’d ever make it back to the big leagues. He had to have thought, particularly after the second injury, if another grueling year of rehab was worth it. He wasn’t a star, someone who would be sure of making big money upon his return. No, he was a fringe player, someone whose reward, if he was able to make it back, was likely to be the life of a AAA veteran, toiling away and hoping for an opportunity to reclaim a role as a major leaguer.
But he persevered. He stuck with it. And he made it back to the top of the mountain. He deserves a tip of the cap for that.
Heuer made a pair of major league appearances for Detroit after the trade, but spent most of his time at Toledo, the Tigers’ AAA affiliate. He was released in September, and was signed to a minor league deal by the Cleveland Guardians. He most likely will be with Columbus, the Guardians’ AAA affiliate, to start the year.
I’ll be rooting for him to be called up at some point in the 2026 season.
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 12: Houston Astros pitcher Mike Burrows (50) throws the ball from the mound during a MLB spring training game against the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 12, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Houston Astros (10-13-3) travel to Port St. Lucie to face the New York Mets (12-10-2) in Grapefruit League play.
RHP Mike Burrows (1-0) will make his fifth start of the Spring as he takes on Mets RHP Jonah Tong (0-1).
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: New addition RHP Mike Burrows has had an impressive Spring for the Astros. In his four starts, he is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA while allowing just six hits in 12.2 innings of work with 15 K’s.
The Astros acquired Burrows this offseason from PIT as part of a three-team, six-player trade. In that deal, the Astros traded OF Jacob Melton and minor leaguer RHP Anderson Brito to the Rays, while the Rays traded IF Brandon Lowe, OF Jake Mangum and LHP Mason Montgomery to the Pirates.
Burrows pitched most of the 2025 season with the Pirates, making 23 appearances (19 starts) and going 2-4 with a 3.94 ERA (42ER/96IP), striking out 97 hitters in 96.0 IP.
Mar 15, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Riley Greene (31) singles during the third inning against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 10: Levi Wells #93 of the Baltimore Orioles throws a pitch against the Houston Astros during the second inningof a spring training game at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 10, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With this afternoon’s game, the Orioles spring training season in Florida will be over. There are two more exhibition games to be played in Baltimore and in Washington, but those are not part of the Grapefruit League. The O’s bring a 10-13-3 record into this one, with two games that were canceled due to rain. Good thing spring training record doesn’t matter for anything, right? Right.
It does not seem that the Orioles are all that concerned in getting a final tune-up start for one of their regular season starting pitchers with this game. The team announced yesterday that the starter for this game will be prospect Levi Wells. Okay then. Good luck to him.
One thing I’m interested in today is whether the Orioles say anything more about Dylan Beavers’s knee discomfort. The outfield prospect was scratched from the starting lineup in yesterday’s game due to something in his right knee. If that’s more than a day-to-day situation, he might be starting the season on the injured list, which would certainly shake up all of the roster projections.
That may have been announced in the time between when I got this article scheduled and when it goes live. I thought I’d be able to get the relevant pre-game information into here before I had to leave the house and that has turned out not to be the case. Apologies also that there’s no starting lineup in here. I believe in your ability to find out that information elsewhere. If there’s bad news about Beavers, panic as appropriate in the comments. Or if there’s good news, celebrate as appropriate! Or if there’s no news, be uncertainly anxious as appropriate.
This game will be airing on MASN in the broadcast area, as well as on the flagship radio stations of 98 Rock/WBAL 1090 in their broadcast radius.
Feb 16, 2026; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II (11) during spring training workouts at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images | Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
The St. Louis Cardinals continue the run toward the end of Spring Training with a game versus the Miami Marlins today starting at 12:05pm for the final game this year at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. According to MLB.com, the Miami Marlins will have Janson Junk start the game. It’s Mason Molina taking the mound for the Cardinals.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 19: Rasheer Fleming #20 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on March 19, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
When Rasheer Fleming missed his second free throw in the final seconds against the San Antonio Spurs, you could not help but feel for him. Those are the moments that stick with you, especially early in a career. Those are pressure free throws, the kind you do not fully understand until you are standing there with everything on the line. At the same time, he earned that moment.
San Antonio knew what they were doing. They forced the ball into his hands and put him in that situation on purpose. They understood he is a 54% free throw shooter and played the percentages. This time, the odds went their way.
The hope is that it does not linger. Confidence is fragile for young players, and moments like that can either build you or shake you. Based on what he said after the game, it does not feel like it rattled him too much, which is a good sign.
“They both felt good. I was calm,” Fleming told Suns beat reporter Duane Ranken after the game on Friday. “The noise wasn’t affecting me. I think they were good shots. Just rolled in and out. I’ve been in that situation in college. I wasn’t feeling pressure to shoot them. I just couldn’t hit them. It’s definitely a learning experience because this is my first time it’s happened to me in the league. Just keep working on my shooting.”
“It felt good,” he added when asked about being in the game late. “I didn’t feel the need to shy away from the ball. If I’m in that situation again, I’ll be ready to shoot them again. I’m not shying away from the ball.”
That being said, it is interesting to think about what he could look like as a starting power forward. The best-case scenario coming out of Friday night is that he takes that moment, absorbs it, and builds on it. Because up until that free throw, he was having a stellar game. A highlight dunk over fellow rookie Carter Bryant, a strong defensive stand against Victor Wembanyama; it all felt like another step forward in his development.
This defensive possession showcases the upside of Rasheer and how his length can impact anyone pic.twitter.com/Yac8YX9y07
And that is what makes this conversation so compelling right now.
We are late in the season. The runway is short. The postseason is approaching. So the question becomes, is this the time to adjust the lineup? Is this the time to shift roles? Is this the moment to give Rasheer Fleming the starting spot at power forward and move Royce O’Neale to the bench unit? It is not an easy call, but it is one worth asking.
The community has already weighed in and the response was clear. 61% voted in favor of Fleming stepping into the starting lineup for Phoenix.
And how can you blame people for voting that way? Rasheer Fleming has looked good. More than good. It feels safe to say he has exceeded expectations at this point in the season. He looks the part too, standing 6’9” with a 7’5” wingspan, which immediately gives you something this roster has been searching for. Size, length, and the ability to play that role naturally.
He brings more than that. He can space the floor, which matters in this offense, and he has the defensive tools to impact plays in a way that fits what Phoenix is trying to build. He is not trying to survive at the position; he is playing it. Jordan Ott has trusted him with real minutes, and over the last 13 games, he is averaging 18.5 minutes, 6.3 points, and 3.7 rebounds on 48/50/33 shooting splits. That free-throw number stands out, 4-of-12 since earning a consistent run, and that is an area that needs to improve.
At the same time, the shooting touch is real. When you look at his performance in March compared to the rest of his rookie class, he ranks as the second-best three-point shooter among them. That is not nothing. That is a skill that translates.
And the free-throw shooting should come around. He was a 74.3% free throw shooter in his junior year at Saint Joseph’s, which tells you the foundation is there. He needs reps, he needs rhythm, and he needs opportunity. These are all things he is starting to get now.
And this is where I differ a bit. I understand why people want Rasheer Fleming in the starting lineup, I really do, but I am not there yet. I am part of that 37% that believes Royce O’Neale should continue to hold that spot. It comes down to experience, and it comes down to timing.
What the Suns are doing with Fleming right now is the right approach. They are bringing him along, giving him real minutes, putting him in meaningful situations, and allowing him to grow without overloading him. There will be a time when he is the starting power forward. I believe that. It could be as soon as next season, and it could last for a while. I am a fan of his game and what he can become.
But right now, this moment, this stretch run, it calls for experience. Per FanDuel, this team is trending toward the seventh seed. That means Play In basketball. That means postseason intensity. That means possessions that matter more. In those moments, experience has value. Royce provides that. He spaces the floor, he understands where to be, and he is someone you can trust late in games.
He is also the trigger man. The guy inbounding the ball, organizing the action, making sure things get started clean. It might sound small, but it is not. You felt that absence in moments against San Antonio. Fleming needs reps, no question. He needs to feel pressure, like he did in that Spurs game. That is where growth happens. Keep giving him those opportunities, keep building him up. But starting is different.
He has played above expectations, and that is a great sign, but he has not taken that starting role yet. It still belongs to Royce. And while you can make the case that Fleming brings more defensively, I am not going to argue that, it is encouraging that we are even having that conversation this early in his career. His time is coming. It is simply not right now.
Stay the course. Keep developing him. Use him when needed. But lean on experience when it matters most.
An injury-riddled Golden State Warriors squad limps into United Center to tip off against the Atlanta Hawks.
Jalen Johnson is having a monster season for Atlanta and I’ll explain why he’ll continue his tear tonight in my Warriors vs. Hawks predictions & NBA picks for Saturday, March 21.
Warriors vs Hawks prediction
Warriors vs Hawks best bet: Jalen Johnson Over 18.5 rebounds and assists (+100)
Nothing is going right with the Golden State Warriors this season, and with Steph Curry still sidelined, it’s looking like a write-off.
The exact opposite can be said of Jalen Johnson, who’s averaging season highs in points (22.9), rebounds (10.5), and assists (8.1) for the Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks forward has recorded Over 18.5 assists and rebounds in three of his last four contests, with triple-doubles in two of those games.
Golden State ranks near the bottom of the league in rebounding (22nd) while Atlanta is averaging 91.9 field goal attempts per game (2nd), leaving plenty of boards for Johnson.
Warriors vs Hawks same-game parlay
The Warriors are bad and injured, losing nine of their last 11 games. Morale will be low, and points will be easy to come by for the Hawks stars.
Johnson has struggled offensively in his last two games but is due for a bounce back. He’s scored Over 22.5 points in four of his last seven.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been hot for the Hawks with Over 18.5 points in four straight and seven of eight.
Warriors vs Hawks SGP
Jalen Johnson Over 22.5 points
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Over 18.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Dyson gets in on the fun
Dyson Daniels can surpass 10.5 points tonight as the Warriors’ defense has struggled to contain athletic wings in transition. His ability to attack off the dribble and capitalize on fast-break opportunities sets him up for a productive scoring night.
The Hawks are big favorites for a reason, but they’ll need all hands on deck in order to run up the score against the Warriors.
Atlanta has covered the spread in 10 of its last 12 games, while Golden State is just 2-5 ATS in its last seven.
Warriors vs Hawks SGP
Jalen Johnson Over 22.5 points
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Over 18.5 points
Dyson Daniels Over 10.5 points
Hawks -10
Warriors vs Hawks odds
Spread: Golden State +10.5 (-110) | Atlanta -10.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Golden State +350 | Atlanta -450
Over/Under: Over 229.5 (-110) | Under 229.5 (-110)
Warriors vs Hawks betting trend to know
Atlanta is 6-0 ATS in the last six meetings at home. Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Hawks. Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Hawks.
How to watch Warriors vs Hawks
Location
State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Date
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBCSBA, FDSN SE-ATL
Warriors vs Hawks latest injuries
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MESA, ARIZONA - MARCH 8: Jacob Lopez #57 of the Athletics throws a pitch during a Spring Training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at HoHoKam Stadium on March 8, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Quick turn around for our boys as they go from ending last night’s game around 9 P.M. to first pitch today at 11:05 A.M. Ready for another exhibition contest for your Saturday morning?
The A’s will go with left-hander Jacob Lopez today. He’s been brought along slowly this spring because of that elbow but it seems he’s made it through camp without any setbacks and he seems ready for the season ahead. Based off the scheduling, are the A’s planning on having him start the second game of the season behind Severino?
Here’s the Athletics lineup for today’s contest against the Dodgers:
After playing most of the starters last night Kotsay is giving them all a breather and letting them sleep in this morning. Instead today’s starting nine will feature mostly backups and prospects, though we do have center fielder Denzel Clarke getting the leadoff spot this morning. Gotta get at bats if he wants to improve with the stick, right?
The bottom third of the lineup is interesting as we’ll see Leo De Vries, Henry Bolte, and Tommy White all bring up the rear. Those are some of the biggest names in the pipeline right now and it wouldn’t be a shock to see them in the Athletics lineup at some point in the future together. Perhaps as early as this year?
The Dodgers meanwhile have Emmitt Sheehan getting the ball for the start this morning. The righty is all but guaranteed a rotation spot, but his talent has never been the question. It’s been his health. So far during camp he’s made just two appearances but that’s probably more than enough for the vaunted Dodgers, who can afford to slow-play their best pitchers early in the season.
Like the A’s, no regulars in the lineup today. At this point it feels like both squads are just going through the motions and ready for Opening Day. Aren’t we all?
Let’s just get through today unscathed. Eyes on Lopez in that regard but everyone stay healthy please? We don’t need any last-minute injuries this year. Go A’s!
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 19: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during action against the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center on March 19, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
If the biggest talking point from the Lakers current 8-game winning streak is the unrelenting brilliance of Luka Dončić as he scorches every defense in his path, the second most discussed topic is LeBron James and his buying into a “smaller role” for the benefit of the Lakers.
It’s not just coming from folks outside of the Lakers, either. Prior to the Lakers’ first game against the Rockets this week, head coach JJ Redick spoke about where LeBron’s role is now, particularly in relation to Dončić and Austin Reaves (emphasis added).
“(LeBron’s) still going to be, and still has been, a high-usage player relative to your average player,” Redick said. “The best thing for our team is him being the third-highest-used player. Obviously, there’s been stretches of the year where he’s had to do more, with injuries or guys being out of lineup. And I think finding a rhythm and a groove within the rotations and lineups when those three guys play, I think that’s been the challenge for all of them, not just LeBron, all season.”
After the Lakers’ win over the Heat, LeBron himself built on Redick’s last point about finding that elusive cohesion, noting a key reason things are where they are now is that this group is finally getting more on-court time together and the reps that come with it.
“I think for us, it’s always been about time,” LeBron said. “We haven’t really had a lot of time to actually put in the work on the floor with one another. Obviously, we had a little bit of last year but Luka was just getting to the team and trying to get comfortable with what he wanted to do. We’re all trying to get comfortable with what all three of us wanted to do.
“I start the year not in the lineup. [Reaves] had a moment where he was out. It was just trying to figure it out. Then I was out a couple weeks ago and was able to come back and see how I could best fit [with] those guys because they were playing so dynamic off one another.”
All of these comments ring true to me. But they also obscure something that is hiding right under the surface, and are sort of the unsaid and implied idea that actually make all of this possible.
Namely, that this only works this way because LeBron is a gifted and versatile enough basketball player to lean into the parts of his game that fit the style his head coach wants to play and what best works around a superstar offensive monster like Dončić and a second option like Reaves.
MEMPHIS, TN – OCTOBER 31: Austin Reaves #15 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2025 – 2026 Emirates NBA Cup game on October 31, 2025 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Grant Burke/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s not just that LeBron is being asked to play less of an on-ball role. It’s that he’s also supposed to be someone who can be a screener and finisher out of the pick-and-roll, be a connective passer, a shooter in spot up situations, a cutter who slides into the gaps of the defense as his teammates draw attention, a post up threat who can score in single coverage and pass when the double comes and an elite transition player.
And then on the other side of the ball, he needs to be a defender who can help all over the floor, hold up in isolation and matchup with multiple positions, be a good enough rebounder to play in center-less groups, rotate from the paint to the rim and back to the paint again, force turnovers in passing lanes and as a back-line disruptor and be an expert communicator whose voice helps organize the entire unit he’s on the floor with.
Few players can check all of those boxes at all, but even fewer can do it while also being, historically, one of the best on-ball shot creators the league has ever seen, who just so happens to be playing in his 23rd campaign in his age-41 season. It’s just not supposed to work that way.
But, here is LeBron doing exactly all that.
For example, here are the highlights from LeBron’s triple-double vs. the Heat:
Look at all the different ways he’s scoring and impacting the game. Flashing into the middle of the Heat’s zone to serve as a scorer and a passer, attacking closeouts from the corner to set up teammates for shots, serving as the hub of the offense out of the team’s Horns sets to get Luka and Reaves the ball in scoring position, running the break as a finisher and a creator.
Just an unreal level of versatility that shows an expertise in multiple parts of the game.
Of course, at this late stage of his career, LeBron isn’t perfect. His effort from play to play is not what it once was and earlier in the season, it would not be difficult to find a string of possessions on either side of the ball where he stood and watched too much and simply did not show the type of activity needed to be a positive contributor in those moments.
Those were the stretches that had analysts and fans alike wondering whether the Lakers were better without LeBron and if this should be his last season…and not just with the Lakers.
With how he’s playing now, though, those sorts of thoughts look totally misguided. Because LeBron isn’t just showing that he still has enough juice to play well and put up counting stats, but that he has the intellect and versatility to impact winning.
I struggle to think of any other player in league history who could claim to make this sort of transition, much less tap into these different aspects of their game on any given possession to give the team exactly what it needs at that time.
Which, I think, is actually the bigger and more impressive point to be made.
We have all seen the evolution of players who could play for extended periods. I think of players like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant who added to their respective games year after year, turning weaknesses into reliable weapons and showing an ability to adapt with age to whatever new circumstances were presented to them.
LeBron fits into this mold too, incorporating post-ups and 3-point shooting into his arsenal over the years to combat any and all defensive coverages.
But LeBron hasn’t just evolved with time. He’s shown an incredible ability to shape-shift and be whatever his team needs him to be. And not just game to game, but from shift to shift and possession to possession.
In the Lakers second win against the Rockets, LeBron began the game knocking down a spot up three on a play designed specifically to get him that shot, in the same game he had six dunks while dominating in transition and working out of the post. At the same time, he had multiple defensive possessions switching between Amen Thompson, Alperen Şengün and Kevin Durant — and getting stops on all of them. He flashed similar versatility against the Nuggets recently, defending Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray, all while working offensively from a multitude of spots on the court.
And he’s done stuff like this his entire career. Back in 2011 when he was with the Heat, LeBron famously switched onto Derrick Rose defensively in a matchup with the Bulls in the playoffs to help Miami swing the series in their favor. Less than a year later, I remember LeBron expertly fronting Pau Gasol to deny him the ball in a regular season game to shut down a player who was, at the time, one of the best post-up bigs in the entire league.
Over a decade later, LeBron is still flexing all the different parts of his game to help his team win. And, no, he might not be the main guy he was back then with the Heat. Just like he’s not the same main guy he was with the Lakers just a couple of seasons ago.
But I’d argue that makes what he’s doing now even more impressive. It’s not just that he’s passed the reins to someone else or taken on a lower usage role. It’s that he’s done so while also turning up other aspects of his game that allow him to maintain a baseline level of production while also clearly contributing to winning.
This just isn’t something that we’ve seen in the history of the NBA, and, honestly, I wonder if we’ll ever see it in this exact way ever again.
Anton Frondell's season with Djurgården is finished. They won their first game thanks to his overtime winner, but lost the next two, losing the series in three games.
Frondell already had his entry-level deal with the Chicago Blackhawks signed last summer, so that portion of his process is already done. Now, it's just about getting him to North America and in the lineup for his NHL debut.
Frondell's season in Djurgarden ends with 20 goals and 8 assists for 28 points. For being a teenager in the SHL, a low-scoring league, he had an impressive goal total. His shot is otherworldly, and it will translate to the NHL eventually.
Chicago's top prospect also emphasizes his two-way game, comparing himself to Sasha Barkov of the Florida Panthers. It's a lofty expectation of himself, but confidence is never a negative.
At the World Junior Championships, Frondell was a catalyst in Team Sweden's Gold Medal win. He got his team into the Gold Medal Game with his shootout winner over Finland, and finished the tournament with five goals and three assists for eight points in seven games. He was named to the All-Star team of the tournament and given best forward honors.
The Blackhawks are expected to add Frondell to their lineup in the coming days. They face the Nashville Predators on Sunday afternoon, and then leave for the East Coast for four games after. His first chance to play at the United Center will likely be on March 31st, when they face the Winnipeg Jets.
The Blackhawks selected Frondell with the third overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. With some of the other young players they have in the room, he will fit right in. His game is projected to mesh well with the budding core that Chicago has.
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SAN REMO, Italy (AP) — Bloodied, bruised and battered Tadej Pogacar finally won the Milan-San Remo race.
Pogacar recovered from a crash about 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the finish to edge out Tom Pidcock on the line and win the race known as La Classicissima for the first time on Sarurday.
“When I crashed, for a second I thought it’s all over because to crash in Imperia just before the most important part of the race is not ideal,” said Pogacar, who rides for UAE Team Emirates. "But luckily I was quickly back on the bike and not too much damage to me or to the bike.
“Then I saw my team ... they left out everything to come back to the front and they gave me back hope and the legs were still okay ... today if there is no team probably I would just go straight to the finish line.”
Milan-San Remo is one of the longest one-day classics in Europe at almost 300 kilometers (186 miles), and the first of the season.
It was one of the few titles that still eluded Pogacar, the five-time Grand Tour winner, and the Slovenian admitted several times to being desperate to change that.
Pogacar’s chances appeared to diminish when he was caught up in the crash that shredded the left side of his shorts and left him with scrapes and cuts on his leg.
Last year’s winner Mathieu van der Poel also went down but the duo managed to get back onto the back of the peloton at the start of the penultimate Cipressa climb.
Pogacar worked his way to the front, stuck with an initial attack and then attacked himself towards the top, with only Pidcock and van der Poel able to follow.
The trio had a gap of 25 seconds at the top although that was down to 11 seconds as they began the Poggio climb shortly before the finish.
Pogacar attacked halfway up and managed to drop van der Poel. He tried several times to shake Pidcock but couldn’t distance him and they were locked together as they crested the summit.
Little could separate the duo on the descent. Pogacar opened up the sprint 200 meters from the line and beat Pidcock by half a wheel.
“Honestly, I need time to reflect because right now I’m pretty disappointed because it hurts to be so close,” Pidcock said. "I was told it’s four centimeters.
"Tadej, he’s the best cyclist ever, so I can’t be disappointed but I can’t help it ... It was so close to a monument win. But I need to look at it from a wider perspective. Because I think what I did was quite amazing, I’m quite proud."
Wout Van Aert, who was also caught up in the crash, won a bunch sprint for third.
“I have to say I saw him (Pogacar) next to me on the ground when we crashed and then the next moment I saw him again was after the finish, so I have no clue what he has been doing, but it must have been impressive because it was quite a hard crash and he still managed to get in the front like that,” Van Aert said.
Five-way sprint in women's race
Lotte Kopecky edged Noemi Rüegg and Eleonora Gasparrini in a sprint of five to win the women’s race.
