Rumors

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry are two of the greatest anomalies in all of sports. The former is the most durable star player in basketball history, performing at an All-NBA level at 40 years old. The latter just rushed for 1,921 yards and 16 touchdowns in what is supposed to be the twilight of an RB’s career. Apart from the ease in which they evade Father Time, these two titans have plenty in common. .... “I’ve said over and over that King Henry is my favorite player in the National Football League,” the four-time NBA Finals MVP said after the 112-97 win, via Bobby Trosset of “The Vault.” Henry responded to the huge compliment with flattering words of his own. “GOAT JAMES,” the Ravens powerhouse posted on X, along with a photo of the two striking figures laughing and palling around. “I appreciate the love always my g. 1/1.”

Clutch Points

And it fueled a parting shot from James when he finished an on-court interview with ESPN's Lisa Salters at the end of the Lakers-Warriors TV broadcast. "I love the NFL," James said. "But Christmas is our day." The NFL had two games on Christmas -- the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-10 and the Baltimore Ravens beat the Houston Texans 31-2 -- even though Wednesday games are rare in the league. "That's a good answer," Curry said when informed about James' declaration. "Basketball, I've been watching it since I woke up this morning. All five games. I'm probably going to watch the second half of the Phoenix-Nuggets game and I know our game stood out so, you feel privileged to be in those types of situations, for sure."

ESPN

The Athletic: Baltimore-native Carmelo Anthony is on the sideline to support the Ravens in their divisional-round matchup against the Houston Texans. 🎥 @Ravens pic.twitter.com/gyirffdmxN

Twitter

Phoenix Suns players Devin Booker and Kevin Durant are at Paycor Stadium for the Cincinnati Bengals' home opener against the Baltimore Ravens, sitting in Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's suite. Burrow, Booker and Durant all attended billionaire Michael Rubin's Fourth of July "White Party" in the Hamptons.

cincinnati.com

Barry Jackson: Per source, 76ers-at-Heat Christmas game has been tentatively scheduled for 8 p.m. because ABC has Ravens-49ers at 8:15 & ESPN (not ABC) would air Heat. ABC games would be GS-Denver at 2:30, Boston-Lakers at 5. Also, we hear Heat plays at Boston on 1st Friday: Oct. 27 on ESPN.

Twitter

Ivey’s family ties to Detroit are widely known in the sports world. His grandfather, James Hunter, played seven seasons in the NFL as a defensive back with the Lions. His father, Javin Hunter, played high school basketball and football at Detroit Country Day before he was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2002. His mother played under Pistons legend Bill Laimbeer during her lone season with the Shock in 2005. "I'm gonna say this," Pistons coach Dwane Casey said after Jaden was drafted, "the history and story of Jaden is unbelievable. It's like a fairy tale. Even from me, and I've been in (the league) a long time. To understand his grandfather played here, his dad went to high school here, his mom played in the WNBA here, successful college coach right now, it's beyond belief. And like (general manager) Troy (Weaver) said, the good Lord wanted him here."

Detroit News

Adrian Wojnarowski: Sashi Brown is leaving Monumental Sports and the Washington Wizards to return to the NFL as an executive with the Baltimore Ravens, sources tell me and @AdamSchefter . Brown had previously been the Cleveland Browns GM.

Twitter

When it comes to the clientele of Houston-based jeweler Zo Frost, a better question than 'who does he work with?' would be 'who doesn't he work with?' His Instagram page lays proof of a long list of celebrities who have employed his unique and custom services, from rappers like Drake and Young Thug to athletes like Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Washington Football Team wide receiver Terry McLaurin. But of all the customers he does business with, some are much more loyal and active than others. Wizards center Montrezl Harrell definitely falls into that category.

NBC Sports

Mike Locksley has been creative about awarding scholarships to walk-on plays, including announcing it on live TV on the sideline at Baltimore Ravens games. But Locksley took the it to the next level on Wednesday, when he surprised his team with an on-screen appearance by NBA superstar and Maryland native Kevin Durant. The reason for Durant's digital presence: to award a scholarship to walk-on Greg Rose.

247Sports

The Baltimore Ravens, coached by longtime Eagles assistant head coach John Harbaugh, did something similar. They gave the program a catchy name, though, calling it “Chasing Greatness.” Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale, a former high school teacher, lined up the candidates, which included former Phillies great Ryan Howard, 76ers legend Julius Erving.

Sports Illustrated

NBA league executives talked about how they've hired analytics staff whose work they found just by reading it online. Sandy Weil, who is the director of sports analytics for Kroenke Sports and Entertainment and previously worked for the Ravens, said that's a lot harder in the NFL. “The sports that have had the most progress in analytics — baseball, basketball — most of the progress was made in the public sphere,” Weil said. “Lots of people are like, ‘Oh I’d love to work on some football stuff. Where can I get some data?’ I’m like, ‘I don’t know. Good luck to you on that.’ I’m not certain that I want all the data that we’re about to get to be public, but I am sure that we would make faster progress on it if it was public.”

The Athletic

This time it’s among the 122 professional sports franchises in North America, as rated by ESPN the Magazine in its annual assessment. It’s an unofficial competition the Spurs have long dominated, earning “Franchise of the Decade” honors last year after becoming the only team to finish in the top 10, including twice in first, in each of its first 10 years. This year, the rankings are: 1. Memphis Grizzlies (NBA) 2. San Antonio Spurs (NBA) 3. Indiana Pacers (NBA) 4. Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA) 5. Green Bay Packers (NFL) 6. Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB) 7. Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) 8. Anaheim Ducks (NHL) 9. Ottawa Senators (NHL) 10. Baltimore Ravens (NFL)

San Antonio Express-News

From one sports superstar to another, one of the toughest lessons that Kobe Bryant will have to learn is that nothing is harder than doing nothing. "The first three months is mental, because you can't move or do anything," said Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs, who suffered a torn Achilles' tendon last May, four months after he was named the NFL's defensive player of the year. "It's extremely difficult," Suggs said Saturday. "It's definitely one of the hardest things I've had to endure in my life. But if you've got drive, you're not accepting what the world's telling you, you can do it. But it's definitely the hardest thing I've ever done."

Los Angeles Times

Kenneth Faried is the first NBA player to join forces with Athlete Ally, an organization working to raise awareness and end homophobia in sports. Here’s a commentary I recently wrote about gays in sports. Faried joins NFL players Brendon Ayanbadejo of the Super Bowl champ Ravens, Chris Kluwe of the Vikings, Scott Fujita of the Browns and Connor Barwin of the Texans, as well as two Australian pro athletes to help with the cause. “Becoming an Athlete Ally gives me the opportunity to spread a message of inclusiveness throughout the NBA and our country,” Faried said in a statement. “I have two moms and I love them both very much. I respect, honor and support them in every way. The bond I have with them has made me realize that I want all members of the LGBT community – whether they are parents, players, coaches or fans – to feel welcome in the NBA and in all of our communities.”

Denver Post