NBA News Today: Dallas Mavericks unveil Dirk Nowitzki statue, LeBron James makes Christmas day history, and more
The Dallas Mavericks finally unveiled their statue of NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki on Christmas Day.
In other news, LA Lakers star forward LeBron James made some Christmas Day NBA history against Dallas.
On that note, here is the latest news from around the NBA as of Dec. 26, 2022.
Dallas Mavericks unveil Dirk Nowitzki statue
Prior to their Christmas Day win over the Lakers, the Mavericks unveiled their statue of Dirk Nowitzki outside of the American Airlines Center. The statue is 24 feet tall and depicts Nowitzki's iconic one-legged fadeaway jumper.
During the unveiling, Mavs owner Mark Cuban told Nowitzki how happy he was to deliver on his promise to give him his own statue.
"It's a promise that gives me joy to deliver on, because you earned it," Cuban said.
LeBron James also spoke postgame about his former rival being immortalized.
"It had to be a fadeaway one-legger. It had to be. No question about it," James said.
"Dirk is a legend. He's an icon. I think he's the greatest international player ever. I put him right there with Manu (Ginobili). But what he brought here, what he brought to this city... that boy was cold, man. Dirk was cold," James continued.
Nowitzki's statue includes a tribute to his loyalty to Dallas as Nowitzki played an NBA record 21 seasons with the same franchise. The statue reads "Loyalty never fades away."
As for Nowitzki, he thought it was a fitting way to honor his legacy in Dallas.
"I just kind of sat down, like, 'What do people associate you with in Dallas?'" Nowitzki said.
"It was these two things. It was the fadeaway and the loyalty. We kind of combined that. It was just a fun fact that it was 21 letters for the 21 years," Nowitzki continued.
LeBron James makes NBA history on Christmas Day
The LA Lakers fell short in their Christmas Day matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, 124-115. This came after the Mavericks outscored the Lakers 51-21 in the third quarter, setting a franchise record for points in a quarter. Star guard Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 32 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists.
However, LeBron James performed admirably for the Lakers, scoring a game-high 38 points while also grabbing six rebounds and dishing out five assists. This was James' seventh consecutive game with 30 or more points.
James also made NBA history during the game by breaking Lakers legend Kobe Bryant's record for the most games played on Christmas Day. James played in his 17th Christmas Day game on Sunday to set the all-time NBA record.
Merry Christmas from Dallas. A record 17th Christmas Day game for LeBron James. https://t.co/Q9HHEAaML2
The loss dropped the Lakers to 13-20 and 13th in the Western Conference. They are also 2-6 without star center Anthony Davis. Meanwhile, Dallas improved to 18-16 overall and eighth in the Western Conference.
NBA GM criticizes Suns' Jae Crowder for refusing to play this season
Phoenix Suns veteran forward Jae Crowder has sat out all of this season as he awaits a trade out of Phoenix. Crowder has done so over his desire for a new contract extension. According to an anonymous NBA general manager who spoke with Steve Bulpett of Heavy.com, this has hurt his trade value.
"He just didn't show up," the GM said.
"He said he's not playing unless he gets a contract extension that he wants. I think a lot of teams are turned off by that in and of itself. Like, 'What? You don't want to play for one of the best teams in the NBA and PROVE that you're worth it so you can get a contract next year?
"Like, you're not that good, bro. What are you doing?' It's a weird dynamic. It's one thing if Kevin Durant's holding out because he's not getting paid enough, but Jae Crowder? Seriously?" the GM continued.
Crowder averaged just 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game on 39.9% shooting last season. He is on an expiring $10.2 million this season.
Meanwhile, Phoenix is 19-15 and fourth in the Western Conference without Crowder this season. So it appears they are in no rush to trade him.
James Harden could rejoin Houston Rockets in free agency
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star shooting guard James Harden is reportedly considering rejoining his former team, the Houston Rockets, in 2023 free agency. The report comes via ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Wojnarowski said that Harden could decline his $35.6 million player option for the 2023-2024 NBA season to be able to sign with Houston.
The news came as a surprise to many as Harden recently signed a two-year, $68.8 million contract extension with Philadelphia in July. Philly was also on a seven-game win streak at the time of the report.
In his report, Wojnarowski explained that Harden still has a strong connection to the city of Houston.
“Harden and his inner circle have been openly weighing Houston in recent weeks and months, sources said, a remarkable possibility given that he requested and received a trade out of the franchise less than two years ago,” Wojnarowski said.
Despite being forced out of the Rockets in January 2021, Harden has maintained a magnetic pull to Houston, drawn to the community, lifestyle, and family there.
Following brief stops in Brooklyn and Philadelphia, a return to a rebuilding Rockets franchise would effectively represent comfort and familiarity over an immediate championship chase.
“For all of Harden's history and connection with Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and CEO Tad Brown, his working relationships with Embiid and coach Doc Rivers resemble something closer to a work in progress,” Wojnarowski continued.
ESPN Sources: All-Star guard James Harden is seriously considering a return to the Houston Rockets in free agency this July -- if he decides against a new deal with the Philadelphia 76ers: es.pn/3WqsJ1S
However, Harden has since dismissed the rumors, via Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire.
"I'm here," Harden said.
"We're playing very well and I don't know where that report came from, but I'm excited to be here and we're playing very well. We're continuing to get better," Harden continued.
Following their 119-112 Christmas Day win over New York, Philadelphia improved to 20-12 and fifth in the Eastern Conference. They are now on an eight-game winning streak.
Through 18 games, Harden is averaging 21.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 11.1 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.7 3-pointers per game while shooting 42.9%.
Steph Curry to miss at least two more weeks due to a shoulder injury
Golden State Warriors superstar point guard Steph Curry has been out indefinitely since injuring his shoulder on Dec. 14 against Indiana Pacers. According to the team, Curry was recently re-evaluated and is making good progress in his recovery. However, Curry is still set to miss at least another couple of weeks.
The Warriors announced that Curry’s next re-evaluation will be in two weeks.
Stephen Curry injury update: https://t.co/UQoABVCcbX
Golden State was able to pick up a rare win without Curry on Christmas Day as they beat Memphis 123-109.
Following the win, the Warriors are 16-18 and 11th in the Western Conference. However, they are 2-6 without Curry this season.
Also read: Steph Curry gives update on injury return timeline