Matt Barnes is dating Queen Elizabeth now? Wow

Good morning. Let’s basketball.

YOU JUST BOUGHT A SHOT: So, Matt Barnes was telling folks (including TMZ) that he’s dating Rihanna. Rihanna is apparently offended by this claim, and lit him up on Instagram with a sardonic string of vicious hashtags. Matt Barnes learned a lesson in my estimation.

HOT KICKS: Ricky O’Donnell on how the sneaker wars are raging hotter than ever.

LAST TWO IN: Tim Cato on how the final two spots in the West can be won.

WELP: Kevin Durant reveals the extent of his foot injuries last year. It was worse than we knew.

THE CURSE OF 2014: Jason Concepcion explores the misfortune that has struck the 2014 draft class.

HA! Kobe responds to D’Angelo Russell’s claim that Tracy McGrady is the G.O.A.T. by dashing both T-Mac and the rookie in a single emoji. Given T-Mac’s history of sleep issues, this is cold-blooded even for the Black Mamba.

GOAT COLD WAR: LeBron is now on the record saying he could have beaten prime MJ one-on-one.

DON’T HATE ON DWYANE WADE’S OUTIE.

DISGUSTING: Female sports reporters share stories of their harassment with Richard Deitsch. This happens in all areas of journalism, by the way. When I was a cub reporter covering a city beat a decade ago, I heard from a female reporter from a different paper as she leaving town for grad school -- horrifying behavior from grown men using their leverage and her need for info to their advantage and gratification. She wouldn’t report it to anyone but colleagues because she feared being blackballed. Jobs were hard enough to come by.

[JAUNTY VERSION OF TAPS]: A requiem for the Washington Generals.

IT’S INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL TIME ... which means it’s Basketball Haka time!

WINNING IN WISCONSIN: Michael Powell on the Bucks’ arena deal.

Happy Monday. See you next time.