Lakers believe Bronny James can handle the NBA spotlight
The Sporting Tribune's Mark Medina talked to Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, who says Bronny James is ready for the NBA.
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1. Lakers believe Bronny James can handle the NBA spotlight
The Sporting Tribune's Mark Medina talked to Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, who says Bronny James is ready for the NBA.
New Lakers guard Bronny James has become accustomed toward living under his famous father’s shadow.
The Lakers have become accustomed toward remaining one of professional sports’ most iconic franchises for how they meld championship expectations, star power and drama together.
It only seems fitting then that the Lakers’ next compelling episode entails something that Hollywood producers would love to write. Less than a week after the Lakers hired LeBron James’ former podcast partner as their coach (JJ Redick), the Lakers selected James’ son with their No. 55 pick.
Will this highlight the Lakers’ latest sign of dysfunction? Or will this capture the Lakers’ latest example of brilliance?
By selecting Bronny, the Lakers all but assured that James will re-sign with the Lakers after he presumably declines his player option in hopes for a larger deal. Two years after expressing hope that he could play with his son in the NBA, LeBron and Bronny will become the NBA’s first father-son duo.
The Lakers face skepticism on their motives with selecting a player that averaged only 4.8 points on a 36.6% clip and 2.1 assists in only 19.3 minutes per game through 25 contests through his freshman season at USC. Bronny faces questions on his exact NBA trajectory after having such a limited role with the Trojans.
2. Analysis: SoFi still so-so for soccer heading into World Cup
The Sporting Tribune's Jeff Kennedy gives his review of SoFi Stadium as a soccer venue heading into the 2026 World Cup midway through the Copa America games.
The first thing I noticed was an electronic sign: ‘No Tailgating Allowed’. Among the throngs of supporters streaming from Century Boulevard toward SoFi Stadium, it was a relatively inconspicuous omen. But an omen nonetheless.
Considering this section of sprawling asphalt is normally the designated tailgating area for Rams and Chargers games, I couldn’t help but wonder why?
Sure, tailgating isn’t a pastime normally associated with soccer, but this wasn’t your normal soccer game. This was Sofi’s first truly prestigious soccer event. This was a Copa America group stage match. This was Costa Rica vs Brazil.
This was widely regarded as a warm up for the eight (yes, eight) matches Los Angeles will host during the 2026 World Cup — including two USMNT group stage games. And the first impression Los Angeles was making with fans — many of whom were traveling from another hemisphere — wasn’t a parade of supporters, or a fan zone or even an especially festive atmosphere.
It was “no tailgating.”
3. Noah Lyles on LeBron James-led Olympic Dream Team: ‘They gotta win’
Noah Lyles spoke out on the expectations for the U.S. Olympics men's basketball team months after sparking a global debate, writes The Sporting Tribune’s Jackson Thompson.
Noah Lyles has revealed his standard for the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team in Paris.
With an Olympics roster led by LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis, many have labeled this year’ U.S. team the second coming of “The Dream Team.”
But after Lyles sparked a worldwide debate over the validity of the NBA champions declaring themselves “world champions” last August, the American sprinter isn’t so quick to give the team that label yet.
“They gotta win, so we’ll see,” Lyles told The Sporting Tribune earlier this month at the USATF NYC Grand Prix .
Lyles’s original comments sparked the World-Champion debate in a press conference last August after sweeping the gold medals in the 100, 200 and 4×100-meter dash races at last year’s World Athletics Championships in Antwerp Belgium.
“You know what hurts me the most is that I have to watch the NBA Finals and they have ‘world champion’ on their head,” he said then. “World champion of what? The United States?
“Don’t get me wrong. I love the U.S. — at times — but that ain’t the world. That is not the world. We are the world. We have almost every country out here fighting, thriving, putting on their flag to show that they are represented. There ain’t no flags in the NBA. We gotta do more. We gotta be presented to the world.”
4. Summer of Stoke: X Games return with Ventura event
With the Paris 2024 Olympic Games taking place in July, X Games Ventura offers fans stateside a chance to watch action sports royalty up close, writes The Sporting Tribune’s Michael Silver.
After last year’s successful return to California, the stage is set again as the action sports community takes over the Pacific Coast for X Games in Ventura.
More than 130 invited athletes will converge on Ventura’s beachside soil to battle in numerous Skateboarding, BMX and Moto X disciplines.
Contests will take place over the three-day weekend (June 28-30) with live concerts, food vendors and onsite activations keeping fans entertained under the summer sun.
5. Road to Breeders’ Cup: Stephen Foster sets early stage for Classic
Racing will take a break at Churchill Downs as the circuit moves to Ellis Park and Kentucky Downs, in the western and southern parts of the state, respectively.
The last weekend of the Spring Meet — which many of us know colloquially as the Derby Meet — is upon us here in Louisville. Racing will take a break at Churchill Downs as the circuit moves to Ellis Park and Kentucky Downs, in the western and southern parts of the state, respectively.
Saturday features six stakes, three of them high level: the aforementioned Grade 1 Stephen Foster, a win-and-in for the $7M Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar; the Grade 2 Wise Dan, a two-turn turf race for older horses; and the Grade 2 Fleur De Lis, one of the best two turn dirt races for older female horses.
They’re all part of an all-stakes pick 6 to close the card Saturday, one which I’ll be covering in person. You can listen to our hour-long pre-race coverage at 8 a.m. Saturday here. It’ll include a Triple Crown recap from me, an interview with Trainer Cherie DeVaux — who sends Grade 3 Pimlico Special winner Pyrenees to the starting gate in the Foster — and Kaitlin Free, an on-track analyst at Churchill Downs.
6. Masvidal looking forward to his rematch with Diaz
The summer blockbuster is scheduled for July 6 in Anaheim, CA, featuring a Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal rematch in a boxing ring, writes The Sporting Tribune’s Fredo Cervantes.
The highly anticipated fight between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal, has been moved to the Honda Center in Anaheim. The 10-round light heavyweight showdown will take place on July 6 and will be available on Fanmio PPV.
Masvidal spoke with The Sporting Tribune before the big event. He talked about growing up in Miami, reflecting on their first encounter at Madison Square Garden and sharing his thoughts ahead of the main event against Diaz at the Honda Center.
In 2019, Diaz and Masvidal clashed for the inaugural BMF championship at UFC 244 in the UFC’s Octagon. The high-stakes battle concluded with an unsatisfactory doctor’s stoppage due to a cut over Diaz’s eye, granting Masvidal the victory.
7. Video of the Day
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8. Ticket Time
Here are the “get in” prices for tickets if you’re thinking about going to a game today:
4:00 p.m. – NHL Draft (Las Vegas) – $50
6:00 p.m. – Brazil vs. Paraguay (Copa America-Las Vegas) – $125
6:38 p.m. – Tigers at Angels – $8
9. On the Air
Here are the game times and television channels for professional teams in the region today:
4:00 p.m. – NHL Draft (Las Vegas) – ESPN
6:00 p.m. – Brazil vs. Paraguay (Copa America-Las Vegas) – FS1
6:38 p.m. – Tigers at Angels – Bally Sports West
7:00 p.m. – Sparks at Mercury – ION
7:15 p.m. – Dodgers at Giants – SportsNet LA
10. The Arash Markazi Show presented by The Sporting Tribune
Listen to The Arash Markazi Show presented by The Sporting Tribune on The Mightier 1090 ESPN Radio in Southern California, 98.5 The Bet in Las Vegas and the Hawaii Sports Radio Network 95.1 FM and 760 AM in Hawaii. You can also listen to the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play and Stitcher. You can also watch every Friday on BLEAV on FuboTV.
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