NBA notebook: LeBron 'will not just shut up and dribble'

[February 20, 2018]  LeBron James made it clear on Saturday that he has no intention of keeping his mouth shut and dribbling a basketball.

The Cleveland Cavaliers star said after Saturday's NBA All-Star Game practice in Los Angeles that he will "talk about what's really important" when it comes to the state of race relations in America.

Fox News host Laura Ingraham criticized James earlier this week for expressing his opinions, including the quickly infamous "shut up and dribble" comment.

"I will not just shut up and dribble," James said during his media session. "... So, thank you, whatever her name is. ... I get to sit up here and talk about what's really important and how I can help change kids."

--Two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash, 10-time NBA All-Star Jason Kidd, two-time NBA champion Ray Allen and two-time NCAA champion Grant Hill are included among six first-time finalists for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

The 13 overall finalists, who were announced Saturday afternoon, also feature five-time All-Star Chris Webber, four-time All-Star Maurice Cheeks, three-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Smith and four-time WNBA champion Tina Thompson. Smith and Thompson round out the list of first-time finalists.

Three coaches are included: Charles "Lefty" Driesell, who is the only person in NCAA history to be named a coach of the year in four different conferences; Kim Mulkey, a two-time champion coach of Baylor; and Rudy Tomjanovich, who won two NBA titles with the Houston Rockets. Longtime NBA official Hugh Evans also is a finalist.

--Los Angeles Lakers forward Channing Frye underwent an appendectomy in Cleveland and will be re-evaluated after the NBA All-Star break.

Frye, 34, had successful surgery Friday night, according to the Lakers. He has played one game since the Lakers acquired him as part of a four-player trade that also sent Isaiah Thomas and a protected 2018 first-round pick to Los Angeles. The Cavaliers received Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. in the deal.

The 13-year veteran is averaging 4.8 points and 2.4 rebounds in 45 games (one start) this season. In his first appearance for the Lakers, Frye scored three points in 11 minutes.

--Field Level Media

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