Le Journal

The Los Angeles Lakers are thriving without their biggest star, but that success might come with a long-term cost.Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus floated the idea that this could be the final chapter of LeBron James in purple and gold. Pincus speculated that the partnership between James and the Lakers has “run its course,” writing that this season feels like the natural endpoint of one of the league’s most successful recent eras.The franchise and its superstar are in a rare place — thriving, yet uncertain about the future.Lakers Thriving Without LeBron JamesJames has yet to suit up this season while recovering from sciatica on his right side. The 40-year-old is expected to return soon after participating in practice with the G League’s South Bay Lakers, per Khobi Price of The Orange County Register. As part of a response to a question about Nick Smith Jr., JJ Redick said that LeBron James will practice with the South Bay Lakers today. — Khobi Price (@khobi_price) November 10, 2025 Still, the Lakers have surged in his absence. They sit fourth in the Western Conference at 8–3, led by the explosive duo of Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Reaves ranks fourth in the league at 30.3 points per game, while Dončić has averaged 37.1 points in limited appearances.Newcomer Jake LaRavia has also emerged as a key role player, giving Los Angeles unexpected depth. Head coach JJ Redick has leaned on fast-paced offense and spacing — a modern look that has kept the Lakers humming even without their veteran leader.LeBron’s Future in Los Angeles Remains UncertainPincus noted that James’ current contract situation adds intrigue to his future. The four-time MVP opted into the final year of his deal last summer, rather than pursuing an extension. He’s earning $52.6 million this season and holds a no-trade clause, which would complicate any potential move before the deadline.General manager Rob Pelinka has publicly stated that he hopes James retires a Laker, but the decision may not be entirely in the team’s control. At this point, both sides could be headed for a mutual parting once the season ends.The partnership between James and Los Angeles has already delivered a championship in 2020 and multiple deep playoff runs. But as Pincus pointed out, “few NBA marriages last forever.” The combination of age, salary, and a shifting team identity could make this the logical end.What Comes Next for the LakersJames is expected to return before the end of November. When he does, the Lakers will need to find a new balance. Their young, fast-moving core has played with energy and rhythm. Now they’ll have to blend that with a 23rd-year superstar.For now, Los Angeles looks confident, creative, and deep. Those qualities haven’t always been there during the James era. His return could lift their ceiling. But it could also highlight the shift that’s already beginning.If this is LeBron’s final season in Los Angeles, it’s ending the way it began. A team full of talent. Full of promise. And full of questions about what comes next. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Lakers Predicted to Face Big Offseason Decision appeared first on Heavy Sports.

The Golden State Warriors are searching for answers—and for the first time in months, even Draymond Green isn’t sure they’ll find them. Coming off a 126–102 rout at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State dropped to 6–6 on the season and 1–6 on the road. What was billed as a “measuring-stick game” against the defending champions instead became a harsh reality check for a team struggling to rediscover the hunger that once defined its dynasty. “It just doesn’t feel like everybody’s committed to winning right now,” Green told reporters after the loss. “Everybody has a personal agenda in this league. But you have to make those personal agendas work within the team confines. And if it doesn’t work, then eventually that agenda gets you out of here.” A Familiar Pattern of Complacency Last season, Golden State rattled off a 23–8 stretch after trading for Jimmy Butler—a move that briefly revived their competitive edge. But after an encouraging 5–1 start to this season, the Warriors have unraveled. The same group that once prided itself on discipline and chemistry now looks disconnected on both ends of the floor. Turnovers continue to cripple them. The Thunder forced 20, marking the fourth time in seven games that Golden State has coughed it up 18 or more times. Stephen Curry, back from illness, finished with just 11 points on 4-for-13 shooting and committed five fouls in 20 minutes. Butler added 12 points but admitted afterward that effort—not shot-making—was the bigger issue. “If we’re not making shots, it kind of gives us an out to not guard,” Butler said. “We’ve got to fight no matter what. Most of that fight comes on the defensive end. If you’re not getting stops, then you’re just not playing hard enough.” Internal Tension and Growing Pains Green’s “personal agendas” comment landed loudly within the locker room, especially around the Warriors’ younger core. Third-year guard Brandin Podziemski drew attention before the season when he said he “wants to be better than Steph Curry.” Meanwhile, forward Jonathan Kuminga—who led the team in minutes early in the year—has slipped into a costly turnover slump while still seeking an expanded role after a prolonged contract standoff. But the accountability extends beyond the youth. Curry admitted he hasn’t been immune to tunnel vision either. “I kind of fell into it myself,” he said. “Trying to get myself going. But commitment to winning is just running the floor, rebounding, taking care of the basketball. It’s not really about shots going in or not.” The Warriors’ veterans have shown visible fatigue during a condensed, travel-heavy schedule. Blowout losses to Denver and Oklahoma City have exposed both their defensive slippage and their lack of cohesion. Warriors Searching for Answers on the Road The loss to Oklahoma City marked Golden State’s sixth straight road defeat—a streak that’s beginning to test both their chemistry and mental toughness. Steve Kerr admitted afterward the team “lacks fire” and might need lineup adjustments to spark urgency. “We just have to get back to doing whatever it takes to win,” Butler said. “Everybody’s going to have to sacrifice something. What that is depends on the night—but the focus has to be on winning being the only thing that matters.” Curry, ever the optimist, believes the skid is fixable. “When you lose, you start looking around trying to figure out what the issue is,” he said. “The good news is we’re going to turn it around.” The Warriors’ six-game road trip continues against the surging San Antonio Spurs, and the clock is already ticking. For a team once defined by its collective will, Green’s message rings loudest: the Warriors don’t just need better execution—they need their commitment back. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Draymond…

After another rough night on the road, Jimmy Butler had a simple message for the Golden State Warriors: it’s time for everyone to look in the mirror.“Everybody has to be honest with themselves,” Butler told reporters after the Warriors’ 126–102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. “Players need to sacrifice for the greater good of the team, and show more fight.”It was a statement that captured the mood in Golden State’s locker room — frustration mixed with urgency. The Warriors have now dropped six straight road games, slipping to 6–6 after another lopsided defeat. “Everybody has to be honest with themselves.” Jimmy Butler says players need to “sacrifice” for the greater good of the team, and show more fight. pic.twitter.com/HSnUtNutPp — Joseph Dycus (@joseph_dycus) November 12, 2025 Warriors Fall Flat Against the Thunder GettyStephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors The loss in Oklahoma City wasn’t just about missed shots. It was about effort.The Thunder played like a team with something to prove. They scored 27 points off 20 Warriors turnovers, dominated the paint, and looked sharper in every phase. Chet Holmgren led the charge, shooting 9-for-9 from the field and scoring most of his points inside, while OKC outrebounded Golden State 40–32.For the Warriors, it was their third loss in four games — and one that felt heavier than the rest. The defending champions exposed every crack in Golden State’s foundation, from poor transition defense to sloppy spacing on offense.Draymond Green Calls Out Lack of CommitmentAfter the game, Draymond Green echoed Butler’s frustration, saying the difference between this team and last season’s group was clear. “I think everyone was committed to winning and doing that any way possible,” Green said. “Right now, it doesn’t feel that way.” He didn’t stop there. When asked if “personal agendas” were part of the problem, Green explained that while individual goals are natural, they have to align with team success. “I think everyone has a personal agenda in this league,” he said. “But you have to make the personal agenda work in the team confines. And if it doesn’t work, then you gotta get rid of your agenda — or eventually the agenda is the cause of someone getting rid of you.” It was as blunt as it was revealing. For years, Golden State’s chemistry and selflessness defined its dynasty. Right now, that identity looks lost. Draymond Green: “I think everyone was committed to winning (after the Butler trade last season) and doing that any way possible. Right now, it doesn’t feel that way.” pic.twitter.com/WWKqRhqdwB — Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 12, 2025 A Reality Check for the WarriorsThe Warriors are in the middle of a difficult stretch. Their next five games are all on the road, starting with back-to-backs in San Antonio, followed by New Orleans, Orlando, and Miami.At 6–6, they’re a team searching for purpose — and for answers.Butler’s comments about sacrifice, paired with Green’s call for unity, make one thing clear: this is a leadership moment for Golden State. The talent is still there. The pedigree is still there. What’s missing is the cohesion that once made them unstoppable.If the Warriors want to stay in the conversation, they’ll have to find that together. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Jimmy Butler Calls Out Warriors After Tough Loss appeared first on Heavy Sports.

At 2-7, the Las Vegas Raiders will be looking to end the 2025 NFL season on a positive note and lay the groundwork for a culture that can bring the franchise success in 2026. Moreover, the team will also look to play spoiler in their upcoming Week 11 game against the Dallas Cowboys.Dallas has struggled defensively this season, but the team made moves before the NFL trade deadline, bringing in players such as Logan Wilson and Quinnen Williams to address those issues. Even so, the Cowboys’ most significant asset remains their offense, driven by Dak Prescott.Ahead of the game on November 17, Raiders head coach Pete Carroll was asked about facing the opposition’s offense. “[Prescott has] got terrific receivers around him,” Carroll said on the latest edition of “1 on 1” that was published November 11. “They’re continuing to build this offensive line. They’re big and they like him. Devonte’s given them an aggressive running game. So, he’s got what he needs. That offense is one of the top-ranked offenses in the NFL. Their defense has really been their concern this year.”Raiders’ Pete Carroll Talks Cowboys DefenseDallas’ biggest weakness this season has been on defense. However, before the NFL trade deadline, the Cowboys made key additions, bringing in players such as Logan Wilson and Quinnen Williams. As Las Vegas works to get its ground game going, it will have to contend with the interior presence of Williams and Kenny Clark.“Kenny’s always been a good player,” Carroll added. “Quinnen’s been a game wrecker, and this is the third big-time three technique we’ve faced in the last month or so. We’ll see how he factors in. He has not played for them yet, so this will be the first game, and we’ll see if we can take care of him. “He is a big factor. They should be very excited about their program because the offense is doing what they’re counting on, and the defense is being kind of reconstructed. I think they’ll have a great future with [Brian Schottenheimer] at the helm.”Ashton Jeanty Gets Honest About Cowboys DefenseCarroll isn’t the only one talking about the Cowboys’ defense. Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty spoke with reporters and discussed facing the unit, as he’ll be looking to capitalize on any openings in their run defense.“Yeah, [the Cowboys] got some great players,” Jeanty said on November 11. “They just added Quinnen Williams in the interior. So, I’m sure that’ll level up their front. And, just a good all-around team. But, there’s definitely places where we can attack them and make great plays…“[Williams is] another guy in the interior to be disruptive. I mean, he’s a game wrecker. So, we got to be ready for him. We just prepping kind of for whoever’s going to be out there. Obviously they’ve made some changes, so we’ll just prepare for that.”It will be intriguing to see how the new additions affect the defense. Still, Jeanty could have a standout performance against Dallas. The Cowboys rank in the bottom 10 in rushing yards allowed (1,287), according to Pro Football Reference. They also sit in the bottom 10 for rushing touchdowns allowed (11) and rushing yards per attempt (4.8). Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Raiders’ Pete Carroll Issues Clear Message About Cowboys appeared first on Heavy Sports.

So Walt would be proud of him pricing out most of middle America? Narcissistic and delusional.