Le Journal

For the first time in 22 seasons, Lakers superstar LeBron James was not named an All-Star starter, observes Tim Bontemps of ESPN. The news isn’t surprising, given James missed the first 14 games of 2025/26 due to sciatica and understandably had to work his way into shape and form when he did return, having missed training camp and the preseason with the injury. But it’s still noteworthy, given that the 41-year-old has made the All-Star game a record 21 times — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is second with 19 appearances. As Bontemps writes, the league’s coaches will have to select James as a reserve in order for him to extend the record streak, which dates back to 2005. To this point in his career, the only season when James didn’t make the All-Star game (or an All-NBA team, for that matter) was 2003/04, when he won Rookie of the Year. While James has played much better lately and has put up impressive statistics (22.6 points, 6.9 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals on .509/.328/.757 shooting), especially considering he’s the NBA’s oldest player, it seems fairly unlikely that the 6’9″ forward will be selected. He has missed 17 of Los Angeles’ 41 games, and there are lots of other worthy candidates in a stacked Western Conference. Here’s more from the Pacific: Lakers center Deandre Ayton missed Saturday’s loss to Portland due to left knee soreness but he returned to action on Sunday and had a huge night in the victory over Toronto, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN. The former No. 1 overall pick recorded 25 points (on 10-of-10 shooting) 13 rebounds and no turnovers, becoming the first player in team history (since individual turnovers became an official statistic in 1977/78) to score 25-plus points on 100% shooting with zero turnovers, per ESPN Research. Ayton also became the third Laker to make 10-plus field goal attempts without missing a shot while grabbing at least 10 rebounds, joining Wilt Chamberlain and Mitch Kupchak, McMenamin adds. Warriors guard De’Anthony Melton will miss Monday’s game against Miami, which is the front end of a back-to-back, tweets ESPN’s Anthony Slater. While it’s a small sample size (373 minutes), Golden State has outscored its opponents by a staggering +19.6 points per 100 possessions when Melton is playing, compared to a -0.7 net rating in the 1701 minutes the 27-year-old has been off the court. Melton missed most of last season as well as the start of ’25/26 due to a torn ACL in his left knee. Forward/center Draymond Green will also miss Monday’s game after being downgraded to questionable and then out because of a right ankle sprain, notes Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints (Twitter link). Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee lists some surprising statistics from the Kings‘ four-game winning streak, which was snapped with Sunday’s loss to Portland.

Amidst arguably the most stunning season in Seattle Seahawks history, and the wildest NFL playoffs in recent history, we still have one last college football game to play. On Monday night, we will see one of the most unlikely national championship games ever, as the No. 10 seed Miami Hurricanes return to home, literally and figuratively, to their place as a blue blood in the sport, while the No. 1 seed Indiana Hoosiers look to finish off the most dominant Cinderella season ever. While many would assume the Seahawks are all in on Sunday and beating the Los Angeles Rams to get to Super Bowl 60, make no mistake, they’re still thinking about the NFL Draft and I’d be surprised if there’s not some scouts at the Orange Bowl tomorrow night. As these two do battle for the most shocking national title ever, let’s take a look at some of the best realistic prospects for the Seahawks in this upcoming draft. Trenches Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami – Mesidor is a guy we talked about a few weeks ago, when the Canes upset the defending champs Ohio State. That game, and this run by Miami, has been about the trenches and how dominant the Canes have been, specifically with Rueben Bain and Mesidor. Akheem reminds me of a slightly higher floor version of when Seattle drafted Boye Mafe. Mesidor is a good rotational pass rusher, but his age (25) will crush his draft stock. For a team in win now mode, Mesidor in round three or four may be worth it as a likely one contract guy. Carter Smith, OL, Indiana – The best lineman prospect who will realistically be in Seattle’s range, Smith has been utterly dominant this year. The reigning Big Ten offensive lineman of the year, Smith has allowed zero sacks and given up pressures on less than 2% of all drop backs this season. All the draft experts say that Carter is not strong enough in the run game, so he’ll have to kick in to guard at the next level. For a team that really only has some questions about their guard spot with Anthony Bradford, drafting Smith on day two and letting him compete with Bradford seems like a logical choice this spring. Secondary Keionte Scott, DB, Miami- Scott has been one of the last dominant nickel corners this year, when healthy. One of the biggest stars of the CFP, Scott had 10 tackles and two sacks in their road upset over Texas A&M in round one. Against the Buckeyes, Scott’s 72 yard pick-six completely tilted the game and paved the way to a return trip home. Another older guy (24), I think he’s an interesting addition, especially if this defense loses both Coby Bryant and Riq Woolen to free agency. Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami – Another great and older player in the Hurricane’s secondary, Thomas has been a star filler this year. 40 plus tackles, 3.5 sacks, 5 interceptions and two forced fumbles, the transfer from Middle Tennessee State has all the tools to be a star, and Macdonald could be the guy to get him there. Louis Moore, S, Indiana- The safety group really is an underrated part of this class, and the All-American is part of this group. Another 25-year-old, if Seattle is comfortable with age, I think Moore is an immediate replacement with plug and play abilities for the Seahawks, if Bryant leaves in free agency. Skill Positions Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana – Kenneth Walker just had the biggest game of his career. If he keeps it up, the Seahawks will win the Super Bowl, but it will also likely mean K9 is gonna get a massive contract offer and head elsewhere. If that happens, especially with Zach Charbonnet now facing a long absence due to an ACL tear, running back becomes a major need. I think that Kaelon Black could be a good pass as a Day 3 prospect. Black, who shares the backfield with Roman Hemby, is an explosive change of pace back, and I think he’d compliment Charbonnet well. Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana- I think Seattle should look to add to the wide receiver room. Cooper Kupp’s age, Tory Horton’s…