Mario Chalmers: 'I don't think LeBron James is anywhere close to retiring'

McMenamin’s colleague Brian Windhorst has a different view of Davis’ situation. He thinks the Lakers will try to lock the veteran down this offseason. “They do not want him messing with free agency in 2024,” Windhorst said. “That’s a primary offseason thing for the Lakers. Get Anthony Davis locked down, past even when LeBron James is signed for.” -via Lakers Daily / June 6, 2023

Do you have a favorite Finals moment, whether from a personal standpoint and your own performance, or just the series itself?  Mike Breen: I don’t mean to dodge the question, but it’s impossible to name just one. That first one, I remember that when it was over, I couldn’t believe that I just called an NBA Finals. And then the first time you do a game seven. Or 2008, the Celtics and the Lakers, the two storied franchises, to do an NBA Finals with them. And then when it goes to players, to document what LeBron James was doing, what Kobe Bryant was doing, the San Antonio Spurs and their dynasty. And then the Warriors dynasty, and to be able to document Steph Curry and what he was able to do in the big moment, the LeBron James block, Cleveland finally [winning a title]. Just incredible. -via GQ.com / June 6, 2023

You obviously certainly never feared LeBron too, Mario, as evidenced by that infamous moment when LeBron had to be sort of held back from you during a game. Have you ever kind of cleared up to the world what you actually said to him that day? And do you remember what kicked him off in the first place? Mario Chalmers: I actually do remember what I said. I’ve told people. It’s not that I didn’t call him a bitch. I said, “stop playing like a bitch”. And everybody knows that word can be derogatory and get people going. So I was using that as a motivational talking to the whole team and not singling anybody out. Like, if you see me in a huddle, I’m talking to him, D Wade, CB, myself. And whereas in a game, it’s just he took it personally. And where I’m from, you know, there’s, there’s guys like him walking around all the time that’s 6’8, 240-260. And you know, we had some rumblings with them guys. Sometimes it’s on the basketball court, different things. So that’s not a factor about me being scared of him or me being a mean person. It is about motivating my team and the way I know how to motivate my team is to get under your skin and to know it’s not malicious. But they know it’s coming from a place of love and a place where I want to win and we want to win. -via Betway / June 6, 2023

Barry Jackson: Duncan Robinson, who turned 29 today, now behind only LeBron James and Mario Chalmers for most 3 pointers in Heat playoff history. Robinson at 98. LeBron had 123. -via Twitter @flasportsbuzz / April 22, 2023

“A month ago, we had the Lakers dead… and now they’re 8th. I forget who said nobody fears LeBron. Them 7 teams, 1 through 7, there’s not one team that’s saying ‘I want to play LeBron and the Lakers in the first round.'” — Isiah Thomas -via Twitter @ClutchPointsApp / March 31, 2023