Author: Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY

With a driving third-quarter lay-up, LeBron James passed Kobe Bryant on the career scoring list in Bryant’s hometown of Philadelphia.

As LeBron James gets ready to pass Kobe Bryant for third on NBA’s all-time scoring list, what if James were less a passer and a more selfish scorer?

LeBron James said it was “just surreal” to speak briefly with the former president on the floor after the Lakers defeated the Nets at Barclays Center.

Bronny James had something thrown at him during the HoopHall Classic. Father LeBron James, who was at Monday’s game, called the act “disrespectful.”

The Celtics needed a win – Kemba Walker in particular, who entered 0-28 vs. LeBron James – and they got it in dominant fashion over rival Lakers.

Initially focused on the league’s 75th anniversary in 2021-22, now the NBA is taking a long-term view of a shorter season and playoff reseeding.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, who won the 2019 MVP with the Bucks, leads a tightly bunched group, while the Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram is most improved.

It was a franchise-altering decision to trade Russell Westbrook, who spent his first 11 seasons with Oklahoma City. But the Thunder are better off.

Michael Malone ripped into the Nuggets after a 128-114 loss to a lowly Wizards team missing two of its best players: “We didn’t show up.”