Crossover World

  The 1975 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame ring belonging to NBA legend Bill Russell is now being sold at auction via SCP Auctions. The ring, which is being sold out of the late Boston Celtics icon's personal collection, is estimated at approximately $150,000 to $250,000. The ring features a rendering of the Basketball Hall of Fame spire set in a bed of diamonds, with the spire itself featuring another larger diamond set in the apex. The 12¾-size ring is in barely worn condition, weighing 65 grams and coming in its original black presentation box. Included is a letter of provenance signed by Russell, who died in July at the age of 88. Russell's incomparable pedigree in the NBA had made him a lock for the sport's Hall of Fame, as he won a total of 11 NBA championships -- nine as a player and two as a player-coach -- during his career with the Celtics. However, when the time came for his Hall of Fame enshrinement in 1975, Russell famously declined to attend his own ...

  Fresh off a win against Germany on Tuesday in which Luka Doncic finished with 36 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, a reporter asked the Slovenian superstar who he thinks will score the most points in a single EuroBasket game between himself, Nikola Jokic or Giannis Antetokounmpo. Doncic thought about it for a second, and said he would put his money on Antetokounmpo. "I'd bet on Giannis," Doncic said. "Why? Because he's Giannis Antetokounmpo." That's a reasonable answer, especially since Giannis just put up 41 points hours before Doncic took on Germany, which turned out to be the most points in a EuroBasket game since Dirk Nowitzki scored 43 in 2001. However, just 20 hours after Slovenia knocked off the previously unbeaten Germany team, Doncic followed up his stellar performance from Tuesday with an absurd 47-point game in a win against France to help his team finish in first place in Group B. Not only did Doncic's point total surpass Giannis...

  Another day, another jaw-dropping performance from two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. This time, it came against Ukraine in the EuroBasket tournament, as he dropped 41 points en route to a 99-79 win for Greece. Antetokounmpo's 41 points were the most in a single EuroBasket game since Dirk Nowitzki dropped 43 points in the same tournament back in 2001 for Germany, putting Giannis in impressive company.  It's just the latest standout performance from Giannis in what's been an impressive tournament so far for him and Greece, whose win over Ukraine clinched the top spot in Group C. From the start of the game, Antetokounmpo made his presence known, going on a 7-0 run of his own to open the contest. After sitting out Greece's previous win against Great Britain, the NBA champion came out well rested and asserted his size and strength in the paint. It was clear Ukraine was ill-equipped in matching up against Antetokounmpo, and he made sure to expose that every time he dr...

  LeBron James is one of the greatest players of all time. There's no doubt that he has accomplished a lot in the league. Many younger fans happen to believe he's the GOAT of basketball. While that is a controversial take, it is widely agreed upon that LeBron James is the GOAT of this generation of basketball players. Despite his talent, LeBron James is not without his haters. One of his most outspoken critics is NBA analyst Skip Bayless. In fact, Bayless once claimed that LeBron James has been "the most overprotected and under criticized superstar" in the league. To me, LeBron James over the expanse of his career has been the most overprotected and under criticized superstar I have ever encountered. How can you defend Games 4,5, and 6 against Boston in 2010, when his owner accused him of quitting and somebody from his inner circle said that he had to be sedated? How do you defend Games 4, 5, and 6, that meltdown against Dallas in the Finals? That’s just impossible to...

  Stephen Curry is synonymous with the Golden State Warriors, and he's said several times over the years that he wants to retire with the only team he's ever suited up for. Just recently in July, fresh off his fourth championship and first Finals MVP, Curry said of the Warriors, "I don't want to leave ever. I want this to be my one and only home." Though no one expects Curry to leave the Warriors, he did leave the door slightly ajar for the possibility of playing for one other team in the league. While receiving the key to the city of Charlotte on Thursday, Curry brought up the topic of playing for his hometown team. "I've always said I wanted to finish my career out in Golden State because of how much it means to me, and the experiences and teammates and the journey that we've been on," Curry said. "Everybody asks me, 'Wouldn't you want to play one year for the Hornets and come back and see what ...'" The crowd began applau...

  Kevin Durant rescinded his trade request. LeBron James signed an extension with the Lakers. Kyrie Irving appears to be staying in Brooklyn. The NBA offseason had reached an anticlimactic placidity over the past couple of weeks, but we know better than to think that would last. Sure enough, the Cleveland Cavaliers came through with a Macho Man Randy Savage elbow off the top rope on Thursday, acquiring Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz in exchange for young players and picks. Mitchell was expected to be traded, but most reports suggested the New York Knicks had the inside track to landing the 25-year-old three-time All-Star. When talks between New York and Utah hit an impasse (reportedly because the Knicks refused to include Quentin Grimes in the deal), the Cavs pounced on the opportunity and positioned themselves as one of the most promising young teams in the NBA. Here's a summary of the reported trade, followed by grades for each team. Cavaliers receive: Donovan Mitchell Jazz ...

  Jordan Clarkson is one of the most notable players in the NBA. He made waves as a rookie in the league when he was playing for the Los Angeles Lakers and generated immense international praise for being a Laker as a Filipino-American. Clarkson was also over-delivering as a second-round pick, being named to the All-Rookie First-Team in 2015 due to his great play. Since then, Clarkson has had successful stints across the league on playoff teams. He is currently on the Utah Jazz and has changed dramatically over the years. As a rookie who had to hustle to make his way into the league, Jordan was focused on perfecting his game and guaranteeing an NBA roster spot. As success on the court brought him fame and money, he finally started being himself. An NBA fan shared a comparison picture of Clarkson as a rookie with no tattoos to how he looks now with over 20+ tattoos all across his body. Fans were also taken aback at the dramatic transformation the former Sixth Man of the Year has had...