LeBron James and Lakers Lost Luster around NBA
LeBron James and Lakers ownership have lost their luster around the NBA. Back in the day the Lakers were the envy of the league. Everyone wanted to play for them. And why not? They were the glitz and glamour team that was always good, exciting to watch and they fought for championships on a regular basis. Front row seats in LA were filled with famous movie stars who paid thousands of dollars to see and be seen.
Lately, none of that has been true. The current Lakers team fights for play-in status in the Western Conference playoffs. And nobody wants to be a part of the LeBron circus. LeBron and his agent seem to have a reputation for pulling strings behind the scenes by getting coaches fired, or forcing the team to draft his son who is not ready for the NBA. While LeBron is on a very short list of the game’s greatest to play and he seems to live a quiet life off the court, there always seems to be some passive drama surrounding him and his teams. That would be unattractive for many prospective teammates.
LEBRON JAMES AND LAKERS NOT THE SAME
LeBron needs help and he let the Lakers know he would take less money so they could land other players this off season like Klay Thompson or James Harden. Thompson grew up a Lakers fan in LA. His dad was a first round pick by the Lakers and is currently the team’s radio analyst. Yet, the younger Thompson took less money to go to Dallas. Harden signed an extension to stay with the Clippers. He would not have had to move if he switched teams and yet he stayed put.
Then there is the recent coaching search that involved Connecticut coach Dan Hurley. He rejected more money with the Lakers to stay put at UConn.
LeBron James and Lakers ownership need to look in the mirror and realize they are not the organization they used to be. For more on this tune in every weekday from 2-6 to Craig Shemon and Company on ESPN Southwest Florida.
You Should Know These New Scams That Are Trending
Watch out for the new 'check cooking scam'
The AARP warns of a new scam called the “check cooking scam.” The AARP states, “In check cooking, thieves take a digital picture of a stolen check and then use commercially available software to alter it.” It can look super real, but it’s fake. So, how do you stay safe? “Consider using a safer payment method, such as a credit card,” they suggest.
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Look out for the 'delayed-action sweepstakes scam'
The AARP states also warns of a new sweepstakes scam where “instead of trying to get you to pay taxes or other fees in advance to collect the nonexistent prize, the scammers will ask for personal information so that they can validate you and set up the payout.” Just say no.
Getty Images / Torsten Asmus
Watch out for AI-powered scams
These days, AI scams are big. Experian.com says today, scammers use technology to “write more convincing and natural-sounding phishing emails and text messages.” They can also “Impersonate the victim’s friend or relative and ask for money as part of a grandparent scam.” It’s scary stuff. Beware of anything that sounds too crazy, as these can often seem far-fetched, but AI makes them look real.
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Beware of student loan forgiveness scams
Experian.com says that student loan forgiveness scams are on the rise. They note that, “scammers may contact you via phone or create phony application sites aimed at stealing your Social Security number or your bank account information.” Don’t give out your information. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
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Look out for the Paris Olympics scam
This one is really wild. With the games on the way, scammers can use the games to scam you. The AARP states, “A scammer hacks someone’s email account, and shortly after, all of that person’s contacts will receive the same message — something to the effect of, ‘Hey guys, I’m over in Paris and my wallet got stolen! Can anyone please help me out by sending gift cards or a Venmo deposit?”
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The best way to avoid scams
Whether the scam is new or old, the best way to avoid it is to stop and think about what’s happening. These scam artists are super good at what they do, but if you just stop for a moment and really think out any actions, you can avoid making a rash decision that could cost you.
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