Austin Rivers on Zion Williamson: He was a full linebacker but could jump like LeBron James

Austin Rivers on Zion Williamson: New Orleans is not a basketball city, it’s a football city. Let’s be clear, when you get there it’s the Saints brother, when you land in right now in 2025, when you land in the New Orleans airport they have five stores with a replay video of them winning the title in 2008, it’s still playing. They have banner shirts like they won last year. It’s remarkable bro. It’s still a thing, it’d be like landing in Boston. (…) Maybe Zion just has to get out of New Orleans, I don’t even think the food type helps him either. Everything down there is buttered and greasy and gumbo and goddamn buttered biscuit and lobster and crawfish like get them out of there! -via YouTube / January 3, 2025

Chandler Parsons says that Austin Rivers being coached by his father was more strange than Bronny James playing with his dad: “Three minutes to go, and he looks down the bench and picks Austin to go in instead of me. I’m gonna feel a little slighted by that. I can’t help but think that’s favoritism” -via reddit / October 15, 2024

Khobi Price: Lakers say Anthony Davis (left ankle sprain) and LeBron James (left foot injury management) are probable for tonight vs. Atlanta. Gabe Vincent will miss his 3rd consecutive game with a strained left oblique. pic.x.com/gJceqQf2j3 -via Twitter @khobi_price / January 3, 2025

Brian Windhorst: Riley has long been unafraid to tell his star players no. In 2010, when LeBron James hinted he wanted Riley to replace coach Erik Spoelstra, as told to author Ian Thomsen in the 2018 book “The Soul of Basketball,” Riley shut him down in the moment. He let Dwyane Wade walk in a contract dispute. There are many other examples over the decades. This Butler situation is going to be another chapter. “The Heat make mistakes and sometimes have issues with players just like everyone else,” the GM said. “But they do not get pushed around.” -via ESPN / January 3, 2025

LeBron James’ 38-point game tied him with Michael Jordan for most 30-point games in NBA history. It was also the third-most points ever scored by a player after turning 40 (behind two Jordan games). James was also the second-oldest player ever to make seven threes in a game (Vince Carter did that when he was 42). “We want him aggressive, shot-ready for three just as much as we want him aggressive to get downhill and put pressure on the rim,” Redick said of James. “He’s just fantastic. … A couple of possessions that seemed like they were dead possessions and he just bailed us out. Just another 38-point game for LeBron.” -via Los Angeles Times / January 3, 2025

Malika Andrews: In the wake of the deadly attack on Bourbon street earlier this week, Pelicans star Zion Williamson is donating $100,000 to the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s Tragedy fund, telling ESPN: “As a father, son and someone who loves the community, this hit me hard. This isn’t just about money —but standing together and making sure no one feels alone.” -via x.com / January 3, 2025

By scoring 27 points on 50% shooting overall (12-for-24), Giannis Antetokounmpo set an NBA record with his 26th straight game by scoring 20 or more points on at least 50% shooting. He broke a record he shared with Shaquille O’Neal (Jan. 1-March 15, 2001) and Zion Williamson (Feb. 6-April 6, 2021). Antetokounmpo had already set the record for most consecutive games to open the season at those benchmarks. It continues a wildly efficient and productive start to the season for Antetokounmpo, who came into Thursday night’s game leading the league in scoring at 32.6 points per game on 61% shooting overall. Last year he became the first player in league history to average 30 or more points per game (30.4) on at least 60% shooting (61.1%). -via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel / January 3, 2025