MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The flurry between LeBron James and Ja Morant had the characteristics of two boxers trading punches with some showmanship added for flair.
Late in the second quarter of the Memphis Grizzlies' 131-114 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night, the two stars from different generations showed why they are the leaders of their teams. James expressed appreciation for the battle between the two and what Morant brings to the league.
“The energy alone. The inspiration that he gives to the younger generation alone is huge for our league,” James said of Morant.
Near the end of the first half, Morant and James went at it, exchanging baskets, each using the “too small” sign after scores in the fray. Morant got a technical foul at one point in the battle as the crowd grew louder with each basket. A good representation of Lakers fans in FedExForum balanced the cheering Grizzlies faithful.
There was a hook from Morant and an ensuing free throw for a 3-point play with 1:24 left in the half. Then James' 8-foot jumper 20 seconds later. Another layup by James, followed 7 seconds later by another jumper by Morant that one the Grizzlies' guard so fired up that he earned the technical.
“I think I did the ‘too small’ to somebody who was too small,” Morant recalled. "He came back and did it respectfully. ...He did it, and I don't back down from nobody. I don't care who you are.
“My job was to just come back. I got my bucket, and I set the tone. My teammates fed off of it, and you see what happens. Top dog in our league. You take out the top dog, who else you fear?”
But James put the exchange in the category of mutual respect, and two of the league's top players doing their best to be better than the other, the roots of which going back to the first time they picked up a basketball.
“Just two guys from the inner city who love to compete,” James said of the battle with Morant. “That's how we all grew up, playing on the blacktop, playing outside, competing at a high level when there was no cameras around.”
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Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) reacts in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Nikki Boertman)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) talks with the referee as Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) looks on in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Nikki Boertman)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (1) grabs a steal from Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) as Memphis Grizzlies forward Jake LaRavia (3) assists on defense in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Nikki Boertman)
NEW YORK (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a $500 million, 14-year contract that starts in 2026, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press, a deal that removes what would have been the biggest star from next offseason’s free-agent market.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity early Monday because the agreement had not been announced.
Guerrero’s deal does not include any deferred money, the person said.
Guerrero agreed in January to a $28.5 million, one-year contract that avoided arbitration and the four-time All-Star first baseman had said he wouldn’t negotiate after he reported to spring training in mid-February. Still, talks with his agent continued well into the regular season.
Guerrero got the third-largest contract in total dollars behind outfielder Juan Soto’s $765 million, 15-year contract with the New York Mets that started this season and two-way star Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million, 10-year agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers that began last year and is heavily deferred.
Guerrero's $35.71 million average annual value under the new deal ranks eighth among current contracts behind the agreements of Ohtani ($70 million), Soto ($51 million), Philadelphia pitcher Zack Wheeler ($42 million), Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge ($40 million), Texas pitcher Jacob deGrom ($37 million), Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell ($36.4 million) and Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole ($36 million).
A son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, the Blue Jays star turned 26 last month and would have been a free agent this fall at a relatively young age.
Guerrero is a .277 career hitter with 160 homers and 511 RBIs. He's batting .256 with no homers and four RBIs in the first 10 games this season.
Seeking its first World Series title since winning championships in 1992 and 1993, Toronto notably failed to land Ohtani, Soto and Roki Sasaki. The Blue Jays agreed to a $92.5 million, five-year contract with outfielder Anthony Santander, a $15.5 million, one-year contract with right-hander Max Scherzer and a $33 million, three-year contract with reliever Jeff Hoffman.
Toronto shortstop Bo Bichette, a two-time All-Star, remains eligible for free agency after this year's World Series.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. returns to the dugout following eighth-inning baseball game action against the Baltimore Orioles in Toronto, Sunday, March 30, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Blue Jays first base Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) celebrates a win over the Washington Nationals following MLB baseball action in Toronto, Monday, March 31, 2025. (Thomas Skrlj/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Blue Jays first base Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) celebrates hitting a double during the third inning of MLB baseball action against the Washington Nationals, in Toronto, Monday, March 31, 2025. (Thomas Skrlj/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) smiles after being tagged at second base by New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 4, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Toronto Blue Jays first base Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) looks on prior to MLB baseball action against the Washington Nationals, in Toronto, Monday, March 31, 2025. (Thomas Skrlj/The Canadian Press via AP)
