Thursday, November 22, 2018

NBA Click & Roll: LeBron returns to Cleveland after leaving the city heartbroken — again

From LeBron's Cleveland return to the Warriors' drama to the future of Carmelo, here's everything you need to know from this week in the NBA. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 
usatoday.com

NBA Click & Roll
 
Wednesday, November 21
LeBron James looks on during the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at Staples Center.
NBA Click & Roll: LeBron returns to Cleveland after leaving city heartbroken - again
From LeBron's Cleveland return to the Warriors' drama to the future of Carmelo, here's everything you need to know from this week in the NBA.

Welcome to USA TODAY Sports' NBA Click & Roll newsletter.

This is where we bring you content from across the USA TODAY Network, catching you up on the biggest moments, quotes and news from the week.

THE KING RETURNS

- LeBron James is back in Cleveland Wednesday night for the first time since taking his talents to Laker Land. There may be some boos, some cheers and some indifference among the fans, but one thing's for sure: It won't be as bad as Dec. 2, 2010 - LeBron's first game in Cleveland as a member of the Miami Heat. Our Jeff Zillgitt takes you back to that day, sharing never-before-heard stories from a handful of prominent figures in attendance, from reporters Rachel Nichols and Brian Windhorst to LeBron's ex-teammates Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. 

Cavs fans were not happy to see LeBron James return to Cleveland in 2010 as a member of the Heat.
Cavs fans were not happy to see LeBron James return to Cleveland in 2010 as a member of the Heat.
Tony Dejak, AP

- As was the case in 2010, the Cavs - and the city of Cleveland - are picking up the pieces after LeBron's departure. 

- If LeBron has his way on Wednesday night, the reception won't be anything like what he saw eight years ago. "(Expletive), it better not be," he told The Athletic.

- Prior to Wednesday's homecoming, LeBron revisited what he called "the beginning of the end for everything" with the Cavaliers: The trade of Kyrie Irving to the Celtics.

QUICK DISH: THINGS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

- RELAX: Kevin Durant says his spat with Draymond Green won't affect his future with the Warriors. Do you believe him? 

- NO, SERIOUSLY, RELAX: Stephen Curry, who has been sidelined with a groin injury during the Warriors' recent struggles, says he's "extremely proud" of how the team has handled the situation. As far as Green is concerned: "We're still going to win a bunch of games and go win another championship," he said.

Draymond Green and Kevin Durant hug in the final seconds of Game 7 of the 2018 Western Conference finals.
Draymond Green and Kevin Durant hug in the final seconds of Game 7 of the 2018 Western Conference finals.
Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports

- FINES, FINES, FINES: Durant was docked $25,000 for cussing out a fan who was sitting courtside, telling him to "Watch the (expletive) game and shut the (expletive) up." Miami's Josh Richardson, meanwhile, was also fined $25K for ... throwing his own shoe in the stands? And then there's John Wall, who was fined for hurling "(Expletive) you" at coach Scott Brooks. Yeah, everything's not OK in the nation's capital. 

- MR. 31K: LeBron is now fifth on the NBA's all-time scoring list, passing Wilt Chamberlain. But will he ever pass No. 1, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar? We crunched the numbers to find out. 

- PAY ATTENTION: The Bucks have the second-best record in the NBA. They may be flying under the radar, but here's why they're the real deal.

Mike Budenholzer, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are off to a red-hot start.
Mike Budenholzer, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are off to a red-hot start.
Brad Rempel, USA TODAY Sports

- "NO GENDER IN COACHING": Why isn't Spurs assistant Becky Hammon an NBA head coach yet? Her résumé and endorsements speak for themselves.

- HERE WE GO AGAIN: The strange, mysterious situation surrounding Markelle Fultz just turned stranger and more mysterious.

- UHH, WHAT? Hassan Whiteside reportedly had an assault rifle worth $50,000 stolen from his Rolls-Royce, which he left unlocked. 

MELO DRAMA

What's next for Carmelo Anthony?
What's next for Carmelo Anthony?
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports

- The short and not-so-sweet Carmelo Anthony era in Houston is over after just 10 appearances, and now he's left searching for a new home.

- We look at four potential landing spots for the 10-time All-Star.

- If a spot in the NBA doesn't work out, there's always ... Puerto Rico?

- Don't ask LeBron about Melo potentially joining the Lakers, because he doesn't have an answer. 

Check back next week for everything that went down in the Association, and be sure to follow USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt, Martin Rogers and AJ Neuharth-Keusch on Twitter for all things NBA. 

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