LeBron James joined the Philadelphia 76ers on a veteran minimum contract during the 2026 offseason, while Luka Dončić stated during media day that the Los Angeles Lakers feel “in great shape” following the departure, according to reports published by Sina.
Michael Jordan Tops New Scorer List as LeBron James Lands Fourth
A top-ten NBA scorer list published by FBH placed Michael Jordan in the top spot, citing his 10 scoring titles and a playoff average of 33.4 points per game. Wilt Chamberlain took second place behind his 100-point game and seven scoring titles, while Kobe Bryant ranked third. Among active players, LeBron James secured fourth place with over 43,000 total career points. Kevin Durant landed sixth, and Stephen Curry ranked seventh on the strength of his three-point shooting range. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West, Dirk Nowitzki, and George Gervin rounded out the remaining positions on the ranking.
Luka Dončić Addresses Lakers Media Day Comments Following Roster Changes
Luka Dončić clarified his relationship with LeBron James in a subsequent interview after remarks at Lakers media day drew fan scrutiny. Dončić had told reporters that leading the team felt “in great shape” following James’s departure to Philadelphia, comments that some observers interpreted as critical of his former teammate. Dončić later emphasized positive memories of playing alongside James. Last season, Dončić averaged 33.5 points and 8.3 assists to win the scoring title, though injuries hindered his postseason appearances for consecutive years.
Gary Payton II Praises Stephen Curry For Team-First Contract Extension
Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II described Stephen Curry’s recent contract extension as a classic team-first decision that provides financial flexibility for the franchise. In an interview covered by Sina sports, Payton noted that Curry’s willingness to accept terms that preserve roster flexibility aims to extend his own career while keeping the Warriors competitive. Payton added that the star guard’s leadership approach lifts confidence across the entire roster as the team prepares for the upcoming campaign.
Matt Barnes Chooses Kobe Bryant in Ongoing GOAT Debate
Former NBA player Matt Barnes selected Kobe Bryant over LeBron James when asked to compare the two competitors during a podcast appearance. Barnes clarified that his choice was not intended to diminish James, but rather reflected the killer instinct shared by Bryant and Michael Jordan. Barnes described Jordan, Bryant, and James as three of the greatest players in basketball history, while drawing a distinction between the scoring-focused mindset of Bryant and James’s tendency to elevate teammates.
LeBron James Commutes by Helicopter Between New York and Philadelphia
LeBron James sparked safety discussions among fans after selecting a helicopter to travel between New York and Philadelphia for 76ers team activities, a flight lasting roughly 40 minutes. ESPN reported that the pilot possesses 20 years of flying experience alongside 68 defense-related missions, operating with professional equipment. Teammate Tyrese Maxey joked about the travel arrangement while describing his own car troubles on the road. The transit choice reflects efficiency management for the 41-year-old veteran.
Joe Johnson Questions Jalen Duren Extension Value in Modern NBA
Former NBA guard Joe Johnson questioned the valuation of Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren during a recent program appearance, pointing to an absence of three-point shooting and self-creation skills. Johnson argued that a two-million-dollar tier contract places high demands on a player whose primary duties center on rebounding, screening, and rolling to the rim. He suggested that contemporary centers must stretch the floor to justify top-tier financial commitments, though acknowledged that strong future performance could alter that appraisal.
Yi Jianlian Leads All-Time Chinese Men’s National Team Forwards
Yi Jianlian topped a national panel’s ranking of the five greatest forwards in Chinese men’s basketball history, driven by his NBA tenure and two decades of international competition. Zhu Fangyu claimed the second spot as an eight-time CBA champion and historical scoring leader, followed by Gong Xiaobin in third. Ding Yanyuhang ranked fourth as an impactful wing scorer of the past decade, while Sun Jun took fifth place as a versatile playmaking forward.
The 2026 NBA season continues with team training camps and preseason matchups ahead of the official regular-season opening tip-off.
Worth a look
