Getty Images

LeBron James apologizes for “Jewish money” lyrics quote on Instagram

By Kurt HelinDec 24, 2018, 8:59 AM EST
8 Comments

LeBron James has 45.8 million followers on Instagram and one of the things those followers get to see a lot is LeBron driving along (or at home, or at the gym) singing along to whatever hip-hop song he’s into that day. On Saturday, that was 21 Savage’s “ASMR.”

Among the lyrics in that song LeBron sang along to was the line, “We been getting that Jewish money, Everything is Kosher.”

That didn’t sit well with a number of Jewish people, and the Action Network’s business reporter Darren Rovell called LeBron out for it.

LeBron apologized, speaking to Dave McMenamin of ESPN Sunday night after the Lakers lost to Memphis at home.

“Apologies, for sure, if I offended anyone,” James told ESPN… “That’s not why I chose to share that lyric. I always [post lyrics]. That’s what I do. I ride in my car, I listen to great music, and that was the byproduct of it. So I actually thought it was a compliment, and obviously it wasn’t through the lens of a lot of people. My apologies. It definitely was not the intent, obviously, to hurt anybody.”

Rovell accepted that apology.

On his Instagram account, Rovell offered an explanation to those that needed it of why the line is offensive to Jewish people.

View this post on Instagram

Yesterday, I saw that LeBron James posted this on Instagram. He was quoting lyrics from @21savage. “Getting that Jewish money” might be seen as a compliment, as in Jews disproportionate to their population (1.4% of the US), on average, have a significant place among the nation’s most wealthy individuals. The issue is that “Jewish money” is actually a derogatory term that, throughout the history of the Jews, has led to hate. It contributed to hate by the Nazis and along with the long nose in cartoons, it contributed to a stereotype that Jews would do anything for money. I spent all day yesterday battling people on Twitter about why the lyrics were not OK and why quoting the lyrics didn’t absolve LeBron from responsibility. As I expected, last night LeBron told @davemcten he was apologizing if he offended anyone. It was an uphill battle yesterday, but LeBron knows simply acknowledging a mistake goes a long way into helping people understand the other side of “the coin.”

A post shared by Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) on

Raptors still very good, still not playing on Christmas

Tim Bradbury/Getty Images
By Dan FeldmanDec 24, 2018, 1:00 PM EST
Leave a comment

In 2014, the Raptors had the NBA’s second-best record entering Christmas – just a half-game behind the leader – among teams without a Christmas game. In 2015, same thing. In 2016, 2017 and 2018, the Raptors had the very best record entering Christmas among teams without a Christmas game.

This year, the Raptors have the best record in the entire league and… still no Christmas game.

Toronto (25-10) will sit out the NBA’s premier regular season date once again.

It’s no accident. The Raptors reportedly pushed hard for a Christmas game, and their on-court success is no surprise. They won 59 games last season then traded for Kawhi Leonard. They were a safe pick to provide quality play.

Especially because they’ve been so consistently good over the last several years. Here’s every team in the last six seasons with a winning percentage over 60% and no Christmas game:

image

Toronto appears on the list more than twice as often as any other team.

The biggest problem: Canadian viewers don’t count the same toward ratings as American viewers. The NBA is a business, after all. I have no problem with the league showcasing the teams that will generate the most revenue. That’s why the lowly Knicks – even with Kristaps Porzingis‘ absence long-presumed – will play tomorrow.

Toronto has gotten one Christmas game before, in 2001. With the Bucks playing this year, only the Hawks (1989), Jazz (1997), Hornets (never) and Grizzlies (never) have longer Christmas-game droughts.

Here’s the last time each team played on Christmas, including this year’s games:

image

So, it’s not impossible the Raptors get a Christmas game. But at this point it’s clear: Winning isn’t enough for them.

Russell Westbrook air-balls free throw (video)

By Dan FeldmanDec 24, 2018, 12:00 PM EST
1 Comment

Russell Westbrook is shooting just 60% on his free throws this season. That’s 13 percentage points below his previous career low and 20 percentage points below his career average.

Rock bottom might have come on this air-balled attempt against the Timberwolves last night. Even for an air-ball, that was way short.

Westbrook rallied from there, scoring 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting with two assists and two rebounds the rest of the game. He even hit the go-ahead layup with 23 seconds left.

But after Andrew Wiggins answered to put Minnesota up with 14 seconds left, the Thunder had to intentionally foul. They trailed by one.

Minnesota added a free throw for a 114-112 win.

Avery Bradley tied Clippers-Warriors with ridiculous putback dunk (video)

By Dan FeldmanDec 24, 2018, 11:00 AM EST
Leave a comment

Last night was a good night for clutch plays by losing teams.

Luka Doncic hit this awesome 3-pointer to send Mavericks-Trail Blazers to overtime, where Portland prevailed. And Avery Bradley had this insane putback dunk to tie Warriors-Clippers with the shot clock off.

But Stephen Curry answered with the game-winner to give Golden State a 129-127 victory.

So, Bradley’s slam will soon be forgotten. Still, that’s a heck of a play that should be recognized for at least a day.

Luka Doncic forced overtime in Portland with a ridiculous leaning three (VIDEO)

By Kurt HelinDec 24, 2018, 10:00 AM EST
1 Comment

And the legend of Luka Doncic grows.

Dallas was down three with 0.6 seconds left in the game — enough time for a catch-and-shoot — and the ball under their own basket. Rather than run a screen for him to come off, Doncic was on the wing, pushed off a little on Moe Harkless to create space, made a quick cut to the corner and knocked down a leaning, falling three.

Doncic has six more points in overtime, but it wasn’t enough as a more balanced attack — Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum each had 4 points in OT — led the Blazers to a 121-118 win.

Still, Doncic’s shot will go into his ever-growing rookie highlight reel.