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On the set of 'The Toast,' WNBA rookie Angel Reese had her first face-to-face meeting with the NBA's Larry O'Brien trophy. As she posed for her moment by the iconic trophy, she explained how it reminded her of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
"What's up Larry nice to meet you!" said Reese. "When I hold Larry it reminds me of Kobe Bryant; of Kobe and Shaq playing together and winning championships together. It's so cool being able to see my reflection and all the great teams and great players who have played on those great teams. I love this, and hopefully, one day, I can get my own WNBA championship."
Spent time with @Reese10Angel on the set of #TheToast! x pic.twitter.com/B96cceTDqx
— The Larry O’Brien Trophy (@nbafinalstrophy) May 22, 2024
Bill Russell is the winningest NBA superstar in history with a whopping 11 championships to his name, but Kobe Bryant still ranks among the greatest winners ever. During his glory days with Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe won three titles in three straight years and dominated the league in a way that hasn't been replicated since.
In the latter years of his career, Bryant won two more championships with Pau Gasol as his co-star and it put him just one ring behind Michael Jordan, who is widely considered the greatest player of all time.
Reese, who is still trying to make a name for herself in the WNBA, clearly grew up with some level of appreciation for Bryant and it's likely what fuels her fiery competitive spirit both on and off the court. While her season with the Chicago Sky is only just beginning, there is a lot of optimism about what she can do.
At the very least, we can take it as a good sign that she's followed Kobe's career because he's exactly the type of player that any athlete should aspire to be if they want to win at the highest level.
Kobe Bryant Is The Ultimate Winner
Kobe Bryant was a divisive figure during his day, but his status as an NBA legend and an all-time great is inarguable. Over 20 years in the NBA, Bryant averaged 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game on 44.7% shooting. He retired in 2016 as a 5x champion, 18x All-Star, 15x All-NBA player, and 2x scoring leader.
During his stint with the Lakers, Kobe had the ultimate work ethic and he never let anyone out-work or out-hustle him on the court. It was Kobe who popularized the term "Mamba Mentality" and it's he who helped keep an entire franchise amid constantly changing circumstances.
Today, while Kobe is no longer around to share his own legacy, there are more than enough stories to keep it alive anyway. From coaches to players and fans, Kobe's fearlessness, grit, and determination helped defined his career and it inspired a whole generation to go out and work for their dreams.
Angel Reese is now in a position to follow a similar path in the WNBA and if she can find success like Kobe did, many young athletes around the world will come to look up to her just like they did with Bryant. It's obviously much easier said than done, but Reese seems more than confident that she can pull it off.
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Indiana Fever Receive Troubling Injury News During Game Against Phoenix Mercury
The Indiana Fever entered Thursday night’s matchup against the Phoenix Mercury having won five of their last six games—all without star point guard Caitlin Clark, who remains sidelined with a groin injury sustained prior to the All-Star break. Clark has appeared in just 13 games this season. But in the first quarter, the Fever suffered another concerning setback when veteran guard Sydney Colson went down with an apparent leg injury. The 36-year-old slipped on a non-contact play near the Fever bench and was clearly in pain, requiring help off the court and into the locker room as her teammates gathered around her. Shortly after heading to the locker room, the Fever announced that Colson had been ruled out for the remainder of the game with a left knee injury. Fans reacted to the news: "This is not good," a fan said. "The team is getting worse and worse, and now Syd is injured. The FO should start thinking about making a trade," someone else added. Another person wrote, "know she don’t play much, but I speak for everyone when I say we hate to see Sydney Colson get hurt." One more fan commented, "I hope Syd will be ok. Positive thoughts, positive thoughts." Colson has played a spot role for Indiana this season. She stepped into the starting lineup when Clark initially went down and, although she returned to a bench role following the acquisition of Aari McDonald back on June 1, she has remained a consistent part of the rotation. Colson is averaging 2.4 points, 2.1 assists, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.5 steals in 13.9 minutes per game, and has appeared in all but one contest for the Fever this season.
The Lakers could have another undrafted gem on their hands
In a summer dominated by LeBron James and Luka Doncic headlines, the Los Angeles Lakers may have quietly struck gold once again in the UDFA market, this time with former Villanova standout Eric Dixon. After initially agreeing to a two-way contract following the 2024–25 NBA Draft, Dixon’s path to the professional ranks was temporarily delayed due to injury, forcing him to miss Summer League. The Lakers, however, remained invested in the 24-year-old forward, eventually signing him to an Exhibit 10 deal, a move that keeps him in the pipeline and positions him as a potential breakout candidate through the G League. Dixon brings one of the most decorated resumes in college basketball. The 6-foot-8, 255-pound forward led all Division I scorers last season, averaging 23.3 points per game while shooting an impressive 40.7% from beyond the arc on 7.2 attempts per contest, a remarkable transformation for a player once seen as a traditional low-post presence. He concluded his five-year career at Villanova as the school’s all-time leading scorer, finishing with 2,314 points and etching his name into Big East history. While concerns around his age and lateral quickness may have contributed to him being passed over in the draft, Dixon’s refined skill set and ability to stretch the floor make him a strong fit in today’s NBA. He delivered in big moments throughout the season, including a 38-point outburst against Maryland on Nov. 11, and consistently carried the offensive load for the Wildcats. With his Exhibit 10 deal, Dixon is expected to begin the season with the South Bay Lakers, where he’ll aim to prove he’s healthy and ready to make an immediate impact. If he performs as expected, a return to a two-way contract, and possibly NBA minutes, could be on the horizon. The Lakers have developed a reputation for identifying and nurturing overlooked talent, with Austin Reaves and Alex Caruso emerging as prime examples. Dixon, with his offensive versatility and physical readiness, could be next in line. In a loaded Western Conference, unearthing low-cost contributors is more important than ever. Dixon might just be the next hidden gem to emerge from the Lakers’ development pipeline.
Steelers Now Have A Surefire Solution To End Cam Heyward's Hold-In
The Pittsburgh Steelers got hit with quite a bit of interesting news on Thursday. It started when NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that veteran defensive lineman Cam Heyward was staging a hold-in, attending training camp but not fully participating as he seeks a new contract. Not long after that, kicker Chris Boswell was also reported to be interested in a new deal, adding another contract situation to the team’s growing list of concerns. As for Heyward, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly quickly suggested a possible solution that could effectively end the hold-in without requiring a full contract extension. Kaboly proposed the idea of adding incentives to Heyward’s existing deal, which would reward performance while avoiding a long-term financial commitment. He believes this compromise would allow the Steelers to show respect for Heyward’s contributions while keeping the team’s salary cap in check. Kaboly explained that the Steelers used a similar approach in 2016 with star wide receiver Antonio Brown. At the time, Brown was also seeking a new deal, and instead of offering an extension, the team added incentives to his contract to keep him satisfied for the season. The move kept Brown on the field and productive, and Kaboly believes this method could work just as well for Heyward, helping resolve the situation without complicating the team’s financial outlook. "Steelers don't restructure contracts until a year out, but Cam Heyward has 2 years remaining on his deal," Kaboly posted on his social media. "Here is the kicker and this is what I would use if I were Heyward: The Steelers worked some funny math with Antonio Brown in 2016 to get him a $4 million raise." Heyward just received a new deal ahead of the 2024 season. Now, Kaboly is pointing out that with two years remaining on his contract, the Steelers typically don’t restructure deals until there’s only one year left. However, Kaboly believes that if the team follows the same approach they used with Brown, it could help resolve Heyward’s situation. "They moved $4 million of AB's 2017 money to 2016, then tore up the contract in 2017 and made him the highest-paid WR in the NFL," Kaboly said. "AB got a $4 million raise, and the Steelers were able to keep their long-standing policy intact." Both sides could technically come out ahead with this approach. The money was going to Heyward anyway, but by advancing a portion of it to this year, he gets earlier financial recognition without requiring a full extension. Then, when the time comes to negotiate a new deal, both parties can do so in good faith, working toward a contract that makes sense for everyone involved. For now, moving some money forward would be a clear sign of appreciation for Heyward’s contributions and an acknowledgment of how the market has shifted for elite defensive linemen. It would also allow the Steelers to maintain their long-standing policy of waiting until a player enters the final year of his contract before negotiating an extension. Ultimately, it’s a short-term financial gesture that builds trust and buys time for a more permanent solution. Steelers And Cam Heyward Both Could Come Out As Winners This approach not only benefits Heyward financially in the short term but also helps preserve the relationship between the player and the organization. It shows the Steelers value his contributions and want to keep him motivated without rushing into long-term decisions prematurely. By handling things this way, the team retains flexibility in managing their salary cap and future roster moves. It also avoids the potential pitfalls of a large extension that might limit options later. For Heyward, it offers a sense of security and respect while keeping open the door for a more comprehensive agreement when the time is right.
NBA Analyst Believes Former League MVP Would 'Flourish' With Knicks Amid Free Agency Rumors
The New York Knicks entered the offseason looking to make some small upgrades to their roster as they try to build of their run to the Eastern Conference Finals last season. Of course, the Knicks are set to bring back their core of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges next season but one area they needed to improve was their bench. That is exactly what the Knicks focused on during free agency as they signed Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, filling two key holes in their second unit. After signing both Yabusele and Clarkson, New York still does have one more roster space open and they have been linked to many players. Rachel Nichols believes Knicks should sign Russell Westbrook Two player who have garnered the most attention from the Knicks are Ben Simmons and Russell Westbrook and NBA analyst Rachel Nichols believes that Westbrook would “flourish” in New York. “That’s a team that needs a guy like him. That actually has a slot for a guy like him. I think he would flourish in New York,” Nichols said on the Open Floor podcast. “I think New York fans would love him, and I think he would be able to fill that sort of vet energy role really well.” Nichols does make a great point about Westbrook being a solid fit in New York off the bench as the backup point guard behind Brunson. Of course, Westbrook revitalized his NBA career last season with the Denver Nuggets as he proved that he could still be a key piece both off the bench and in the starting lineup on a contending team. Last season, the former MVP averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 44.9% from the field and 32.3% from three. For the Knicks, adding Westbrook to their roster would give them another great scorer and playmaker off the bench and would allow Miles McBride to slot in as the backup shooting guard with Clarkson being a forward. By signing Westbrook, the Knicks would be able to upgrade their bench even more this offseason and with the East being weakened due to injuries, New York could be the team to beat next season in the conference.
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