LeBron on MJ, Trump, race
In an interview with GQ magazine, Cavaliers star LeBron James said he hasn’t given up on catching Michael Jordan as the greatest player in NBA history, even though he has three NBA titles to Jordan’s six.
James, who is entering his 15th season, said he would reach the goal ‘‘ if I was the most consistent and was at the top of the food chain more than anybody in NBA history.’’
Last season, James passed Jordan to become the leading scorer in playoff history. He also is tied for first place with Karl Malone and Kobe Bryant with 11 appearances on the All- NBA first team.
James, who has used his platform as an athlete to comment on social issues for years, has referred to President Donald Trump as the ‘‘ so- called president’’ and a ‘‘ bum’’ who is shirking his responsibility by abusing his office. He characterized his social consciousness as his ‘‘ responsibility’’ and said: ‘‘ I believe that I was put here for a higher cause.’’
James also said he is preparing his three children for life as African- Americans in the United States.
‘‘ No matter how great you become in life, no matter how wealthy you become, how people worship you or what you do, if you are an African-American man or African-American woman, you will always be that,’’ he said.
Hayward breaks ankle
Forward Gordon Hayward, who signed a four- year, $ 128 million contract with the Celtics as a free agent during the summer, might miss the rest of the season with a broken left ankle suffered in the first quarter of the team’s season opener against the host Cavaliers.
Hayward was hurt when he went up for an alley- oop, collided with Cavaliers star LeBron James and landed awkwardly on his left leg. He collapsed under the basket and appeared horrified when he saw his left foot was pointing outward. He eventually had his leg put in an air cast and was pushed from the floor on a stretcher.
The Cavaliers won 102- 99 behind 29 points from James. Kyrie Irving scored 22 points in his debut with the Celtics against his old team.
Jefferson to Nuggets
The Nuggets and freeagent forward Richard Jefferson agreed to terms on a one- year, $ 2.3million deal. Jefferson, 37, averaged 5.7 points last season for the Cavaliers.