What is going on with Jimmy Butler?

Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler has been suspended by the team for 7 games for various reasons according to the team. Neither side is happy and what does this all come down to? Money. Jimmy want more and Miami doesn’t want to overpay. Butler is looking for the next best situation which would most likely involve being traded. Milwaukee? Phoenix? Minnesota? All of these teams could be potential landing spots, however, Pat Riley has been known to stand up to superstars in the past. Could he let Jimmy remain on the team for the rest of the season and then walk in free agency? It’s a major decision and it does not look to be ending soon. Check out the Starting Five below for more info on Butler.

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Scoreboard

• Auburn men’s basketball continues to. be the best team in the country after an 87-82 win last night over Texas. Johni Broome is the lead candidate for player of the year.

• The Cleveland Cavaliers stand at 31-4 while the Oklahoma City Thunder sit at 30-5 as the best teams in the NBA. Boston remains a few games behind as they look to repeat.

• UCLA women are the clear #1 team in the country at 15-0. South Carolina is right behind them at 14-1 followed by Notre Dame at 12-2.

Starting Five

1. NBA: Jimmy Butler, the Miami Heat's veteran forward, is actively pursuing a trade, but he has ruled out joining teams like the Memphis Grizzlies or Milwaukee Bucks, focusing instead on securing a long-term, lucrative contract. The Heat are unwilling to meet his financial demands, leading to speculation about his future. While the Phoenix Suns are considered a desirable destination, complications arise due to Bradley Beal's significant contract and no-trade clause. The situation has left Butler in a precarious position, with the Heat potentially ready to part ways while other teams remain cautious about acquiring an aging star.

2. NCAA Ruling: A recent court ruling involving Diego Pavia, a quarterback for Vanderbilt, could reshape the NCAA's treatment of junior college players. Pavia's lawsuit argues that his two years at a junior college should not affect his NCAA eligibility, challenging the traditional five-year limit to complete four seasons. The court has granted him a temporary restraining order, allowing him to play while the case is active, as he claims the NCAA's policies violate antitrust laws. Meanwhile, the NCAA board has approved increased playing time for athletes from non-NCAA schools and plans to appeal the ruling, underscoring the ongoing tension between the organization and advocates for player rights.

3. LeBron’s best dunk ever? LeBron James, now 40 years old, continues to astound basketball fans with his remarkable skills, even after 22 seasons in the league. Recently, he delivered a breathtaking windmill dunk over 7-foot-1 center Dereck Lively during a matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, showcasing his enduring athleticism. Although the Lakers faced a loss in that game, James's impressive performance serves as a testament to his lasting excellence in the NBA. While he may not be vying for MVP honors anymore, his presence on the court remains electrifying and captivating for fans everywhere.

4. Paige Bueckers Hurt Again: UConn star Paige Bueckers faced an injury during the game against Villanova on January 5, casting uncertainty over her return to the court. Coach Geno Auriemma confirmed she has a knee sprain without any tears, and her previously suspected ankle injury is not serious. While a return within a week is possible, her exact timeline remains unclear. If sidelined for several days, she risks missing crucial upcoming matchups against Xavier, Georgetown, and St. John’s, but fortunately, the injury is not season-ending.

5. Trae Young GW: In a nail-biting finish, Trae Young propelled the Atlanta Hawks to a 124-121 victory over the Utah Jazz with a stunning half-court buzzer-beater. Young's clutch shot came right after Collin Sexton tied the game for Utah with a 3-pointer, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure. With 24 points and 20 assists, Young played a pivotal role in helping the Hawks snap a three-game losing streak and improve their record to 19-18. Meanwhile, Lauri Markkanen shone for the Jazz with 35 points, but the team continues to struggle at 9-26 this season. The Hawks will look to build on this momentum as they face the Phoenix Suns next.

College Basketball: Latest Rankings, Duke Rolling

Cooper Flagg, the standout freshman from Duke, continues to make waves with his electrifying play, including a jaw-dropping dunk during a fast break against Pitt that many are already dubbing the "dunk of the year." Averaging 17.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, Flagg is positioning himself as a top contender for the first pick in the upcoming NBA draft. His ability to steal the ball and execute a spectacular dunk over center Guillermo Diaz Graham underscores his immense potential and skill. As Duke leads the game 58-43 with under 10 minutes to play, Flagg is clearly emerging as a key player in the ACC this season.

V2 App for Training

A new basketball training app is on the way and here is everything you need to know! V2 is a training app that anyone can use from the comfort of their own home, basement or garage to the gym. There will be a full library of content to follow along with including footwork, ball handling, shooting, form shooting and even defense. This app can help take players of any age to the next level and even help with prioritizing certain parts of your game. With a release date coming soon, stay in the know about V2 by sending us an email at [email protected].

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