Apple’s Q2 earnings report was a hit, causing its stock to surge and leaving some investors wondering if now is the time to invest. However, analysts warn that Apple's valuation is cause for investor skepticism. William Power of Baird is one such skeptic. While he reiterated their Outperform rating on the stock, Power noted that “valuation vs. the S&P 500 near all-time highs, we'd also be more aggressive buyers on any pullbacks.” For context, Power noted that Apple is trading at nearly 28 times 2023's estimated earnings and 26.3 times 2024's estimated earnings, whereas the benchmark S&P 500 index is trading at roughly 19 times estimated earnings, making it the highest premium relative to the index since 2020. Furthermore, Apple now represents a record 7.1% of the S&P 500 Index, which has historically indicated a bubble.

Despite a myriad of bearish calls, including a Trade of the Week short on AAPL, some believe Apple could still be a profitable investment, especially given the strong performance of tech in this season's earnings. MarketBeat rates Apple shares as a Moderate Buy, and the company's recent impressive update and strong long-term eco-system benefits make it a possible investment opportunity. Investors must be mindful of Apple's high valuation relative to the S&P 500 and the possible dangers of being overly dependent on a handful of large-cap tech stocks driving the market.

Mexico's manufactured exports have increased by 3.2% annually, giving way to an unexpected trade surplus. The country's total shipments abroad rose to $53.6 billion in March as the country continues to benefit from an arrival of investments and factories that eagerly sought to ship across the US border, the so-called Nearshoring boom. Manufacturing exports, led by automobile production, grew by 5.3% compared to the previous year. Goldman Sachs warns that there is uncertainty within the US economy which poses a risk to Mexico's growth in the future. However, speaking earlier this week, Mexico's central bank Governor Victoria Rodriguez stated that nearshoring was "a vital opportunity for the tropical nation."

LeBron James has changed his playing style since joining the Lakers, as noted by Warriors' Draymond Green. Green stated that LeBron "is playing a totally different style, totally different game than he's ever played before." LeBron's usage rate in the playoffs is 27.2%, considerably lower than his regular season rate of 33.3%, and in his first game against the Warriors in the regular season, his role had changed drastically. This adjustment is partly due to the Lakers' strong roster which gives LeBron more flexibility and the opportunity to take a back seat when necessary. LeBron has also been dealing with a foot tendon injury that has limited him through the playoffs. Although he has been effective with the injury, the Lakers' new playing style complements this, rather than relying on him to carry extra weight. Draymond's observation shows how this Lakers' team is shaping up as one of LeBron's most offensively talented teams; his ability to be a fourth-option offensively is indicative of this.

After going viral for displaying his undying passion during a recent Warriors game against the Kings, lifelong Warriors fan Christian Gamboa was gifted a pair of game-worn shoes by none other than Steph Curry himself. Gamboa, who waved his 2017 NBA Finals "strength in numbers" towel in the game, went on to attend the Warriors' Game 2 win over the Lakers at Chase Center, only to be gifted Curry's shoes after the game. Curry personally sought Gamboa out to deliver his gift, walking the floors in his socks after the game in search of the viral fan before having his security team track him down. Gamboa later expressed gratitude for the gift, calling it "a once-in-a-lifetime experience" and thanking his family for their support. With Gamboa's passion and energy becoming a key rallying point for Warriors fans this season, Curry's gift to the superfan further highlights the tight-knit relationship between the team and its supporters.

As the Golden State Warriors face off against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second-round playoff series, many are focused on the headlining discussions surrounding Steph Curry and LeBron James. However, X-factors like Kevon Looney could prove key to determining the outcome of the series. Looney's performance is crucial for optimizing both single- and dual-big lineups, especially as he battles on the boards alongside Anthony Davis. Keeping Davis under control will fall predominantly to Looney, making their matchup a crucial one to watch. On offense, Looney lacks the range to yank Davis away from the basket, but he will still need to pitch in against LeBron James. If Looney can hold his own against AD, the Lakers' defensive disruption will be more controlled, and the Warriors can pull Green elsewhere. As both teams enter the game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, every player's performance will be critical to winning this best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series.

Despite missing the Kings' regular-season finale due to knee soreness, Davion Mitchell is not listed on the Kings' injury report ahead of Saturday's Game 1 matchup with the Warriors. According to sources, Mitchell is good to go for their first playoff game and, barring any setbacks, will be available to provide much-needed depth at point guard behind De'Aaron Fox. Mitchell, who has had an impressive rookie season, has proven to be a valuable asset for the Kings, and many fans are hoping that he will play to his full potential during the playoffs.

It remains to be seen how he will factor into the Kings' strategy for the series, but the fact that Mitchell has been cleared to play is a major relief for the team and fans alike. With their fate in the playoffs on the line, the Kings will need all hands on deck to take on the talented Warriors team, who have been dominant in the Western Conference this season.

For the fifth time in six years, LeBron James and Steph Curry will find themselves facing off in the NBA playoffs. However, this time, the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers will be facing each other in the Western Conference semifinals, while in the previous four playoff meetings, Curry's Warriors and James' Cleveland Cavaliers faced each other in the NBA finals. The Lakers, the seventh seed in the Western Conference, won its play-in game to book its spot in the playoffs, while the sixth-seeded Warriors clinched their spot in the playoffs as a result of their being the fourth team in the Western Conference after 72 games. The series started on Tuesday night with the Warriors having the home-court advantage. James admits that the matchup excites him yet poses an immense challenge. In a press conference ahead of Game 1, he said, "We're playing against the MVP of our league in Steph. Like I said before the game, he's capable of getting hot at any moment, so...we've got to be on our toes."

After a dominant performance by Anthony Davis in Game 1 of the Lakers-Warriors Western Conference semifinals series, the Lakers are looking to take a 2-0 lead over the Golden State Warriors before heading back to Los Angeles. Davis had an impressive stat line with 30 points, 23 rebounds, five assists, and four blocked shots. The Lakers are hoping to avoid a repeat of their first-round playoff series with the Memphis Grizzlies, where they dropped Game 2 after winning Game 1. Davis emphasized the importance of being "greedy" and not settling for a split with the Warriors. The Lakers understand the threat that the Warriors pose and are looking to bring their best defensive effort in Game 2 to secure another victory. Kerr acknowledges the difficulty of facing Davis and says, "You can see it on tape, but you got to feel it in order to understand how to attack." With Davis and LeBron James leading the Lakers, they are aiming to make a deep playoff run and cement Davis's legacy as a franchise great.

Former Golden State Warriors forward Juan Toscano-Anderson certainly thinks so, noting that Looney has been a crucial part of the team's success over the years. Looney's contributions were on full display in Game 5 against the Sacramento Kings, where he outrebounded Sacramento's Domantas Sabonis to the tune of 22 rebounds, seven assists, and four points.

Looney has now recorded multiple 20-rebound games in the same playoff series, joining the ranks of Warriors greats Wilt Chamberlain and Nate Thurmond. Despite being undersized and lacking athleticism, Looney uses his impeccable nose for the ball to make himself indispensable. His value to the Warriors both on and off the court has not gone unnoticed, with former teammates and coaches singing his praises.

While it remains to be seen whether Looney's number will join the seven already retired by the Warriors, his teammates are glad to see him recognized for his hard work and selflessness. For now, Looney's focus is on helping the Warriors continue their playoff success and possibly securing his team a championship ring.

The Miami Heat have made NBA history as the fifth eighth-seeded team to defeat a first seed in the playoffs. Now they face their next challenge - the team that was the only eighth seed in NBA history to make it to the Finals. That team? The 1998-1999 New York Knicks.

Led by defensive anchor Dikembe Mutombo and Steve Smith, the Knicks also made it as an eight-seed in the Eastern Conference. Like the Heat, they struggled with consistency in the regular season but were able to change gears in the playoffs. After a hard-fought series against the Heat, the Knicks achieved their own magical run, beating out higher-seeded teams such as the Hawks and Pacers to make it to the Finals. Even though it has been 22 years since the Knicks' run, it remains one of the greatest upsets in NBA Playoff history.

Now, the Heat face the same challenge against a heavyweight team that the Knicks once conquered. The Heat have already shown that they have what it takes to upset a top seed, but will they be able to follow in the Knicks' footsteps and make history as the second eighth-seeded team to ever reach the NBA Finals? Only time will tell, but as history has shown us, anything can happen in the NBA Playoffs.

Jonathan Kuminga, the seventh pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, has found himself out of the Golden State Warriors' rotation lately, and he has expressed his struggle with this situation. He played only a total of 27 minutes in the first four playoff games, and he had a DNP-CD in the Warriors' series-opening loss against the Los Angeles Lakers. However, experts say that the decision to not play Kuminga is not a failure on the youngster's end. The Warriors' veteran players, like Draymond Green, are coming back to full strength, resulting in Kuminga's reduction in minutes. But, bringing Kuminga back in the rotation, especially in the second-round playoff series against the Lakers, could provide the Warriors with a new dimension of play.

Kuminga's athleticism and budding skills could make him a valuable asset in some of Golden State's better bench lineups, and his ability to block and score at an above-average rate as a pick-and-roll player should be explored. Moreover, playing Kuminga will not have to kill spacing either. The Lakers may leave him outside, but Kuminga's ability to shoot is above average, which becomes an advantage for Golden State. Thus, the Warriors' coach, Steve Kerr, must consider employing Jonathan Kuminga against the Lakers.

Andrew Wiggins has played a crucial role in the Warriors' playoff push, and he believes they're ready to defend their championship crown. Wiggins' return from a 23-game absence due to a family matter has given the Warriors a much-needed boost in scoring and rebounding. He's averaging 18.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game in the series against the Kings. Wiggins' performance has been a welcome sight for the defending champions, who struggled with consistency throughout the regular season. His solid all-around stat line in Game 6 (13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals) proves that he's back to his pre-absence form.

According to Wiggins, "We've got the pieces. We know we got the coaching for it. We've got the fans. I feel like we're in good shape. I feel like this series has prepared us, because this was tough. It was a dogfight, every game. It was hard." With his impressive performance so far in the playoffs, Wiggins may just be the key to the Warriors' championship aspirations.

As the Golden State Warriors advance in the Western Conference Semifinals, local businesses in San Francisco's Mission Bay neighborhood are hoping for a much-needed boost in sales after a difficult year during the pandemic. Restaurants and hotels in the area are expecting more customers and increased activity thanks to the basketball games and tourism they bring in. City leaders also noted the advantages of the semifinals starting in San Francisco, with fans of both teams coming to the city and spiking hotel occupancy. The postseason run also gives the city nationwide visibility as a travel destination. While businesses are grateful for the boost, they also recognize the need to plan ahead for when the games eventually stop. Some, like Mission Bay Wine & Cheese, have been creating events outside of the Warriors foot traffic to draw their own traffic. Nonetheless, this playoff run could be critical in helping small businesses recover from the impact of the pandemic.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is on track to earn almost $14 million through Instagram posts in 2023, more than double the earning of the next athlete on the list. A study by Betting.com shows that James reportedly earns $380,501 per post, a sum greater than what he is paid per game in the 2022-23 NBA season. The study also showed that the athletes with the highest earning power on Instagram are all current and former NBA players. James' earning from Instagram will likely decrease with every game he plays in the playoffs, but this is still a huge figure for posting on social media. It is clear that James' offseason activities have proved immensely profitable, as he also turned down a $15 million extension from McDonald's in order to grow his stake in Blaze Pizzas, a decision now resulting in earnings of $35-40 million.

Steph Curry made NBA playoff history during Game 7 between the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings. Curry's 21-point performance in the game elevated him to 13th place on the all-time playoff scoring list, ahead of Hall of Famer John Havlicek. He now has 3,777 playoff points and is set to surpass Larry Bird's 3,897 points next. The Warriors faced a possible elimination, but Curry's performance helped lead them to a win, advancing them to the second round of playoffs. The team will now face LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Curry's excellent season continues, with superb performances so far in the playoffs, averaging 31.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists. Curry, a two-time MVP and nine-time All-Star, has been with the Warriors for 14 seasons and led them to the NBA championship four times in the previous eight seasons. The win marked an important milestone for Curry as he continues to elevate his legacy as one of basketball’s all-time greats.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt has taken on the challenge of defending Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry throughout the second-round playoff series. Vanderbilt, who guarded Ja Morant in the series against the Memphis Grizzlies, held his own against Curry in Game 1, where he was credited with allowing only one 3-point attempt, which Curry made. Curry still managed to score 27 points, but he worked hard for them due to Vanderbilt's defense, which hounded him into committing three turnovers. The Lakers won the game 117-112.

Vanderbilt welcomed the assignment, stating that this was his calling and what he was brought to the team to do. He also credited the team effort and various bodies thrown at Curry, including reserve point guard Dennis Schroder. Vanderbilt's 6'9" frame and 7'1 wingspan gave him an advantage in dictating where he wanted to send Curry and forcing him inside the 3-point line. Vanderbilt's versatility as a defender, capable of guarding all five positions, impressed Lakers coach Frank Vogel.

The Lakers will look to maintain this level of defense and take a 2-0 series lead in Game 2 against the Warriors.

Los Angeles Lakers power forward, Mo Bamba, has been ruled out for Tuesday's Game 1 contest against the Golden State Warriors due to left ankle soreness. According to sources, Bamba received an injection to treat the soreness and was using a crutch to walk at the team's shootaround. This injury report has listed Bamba as questionable before the game, and he may return for the next game. Though the Lakers' backup centers are Wenyen Gabriel and Tristan Thompson, Bamba, who played just 88 minutes total in the regular season for Los Angeles, figured unlikely to get many minutes in the matchup anyway because of his defensive limitations. However, his absence meant that the Lakers would be more likely to turn to Rui Hachimura/LeBron James frontcourt that wasn't effective versus Memphis. This grouping is unlikely to do better against ace rebounder Kevon Looney. Although Bamba's absence may not have a huge impact on the rotation, it is still a significant loss for the Lakers and may affect their performance against the Warriors.

The Golden State Warriors are set to face off against the Los Angeles Lakers in the conference semi-finals, and Klay Thompson couldn't be more excited. In a recent press conference, Thompson described playing against the Lakers in the playoffs as a "dream come true." The last time these two California-based franchises met in the postseason was back in 1991 when Thompson was just a year old. This will also mark the first playoff rematch between the Warriors and Lebron James since he left the Cavaliers in 2018. It's the fifth time the Warriors have faced James in the playoffs, with him being one of the greatest players to ever play the game.

One notable storyline is the Warriors' historical record against the Lakers, having only won one playoff series against them in 1967. However, Thompson is determined to make his mark in the upcoming series. He has scored at least 22 points in five of his last seven games, and he's eager to continue his hot streak against the Lakers. The first game is set for Tuesday night, and fans eagerly anticipate the showdown between these two legendary franchises.

On a recent episode of First Take, Snoop Dogg shocked host Stephen A. Smith by proclaiming that Golden State's Stephen Curry is the greatest point guard of all time. Despite being a lifelong fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and Magic Johnson, Snoop argued that Curry's revolutionary play style sets him apart from other point guards. While Smith initially mocked Snoop for his claim, the rapper stuck by his statement.

Curry's playoff performance this year seems to support Snoop's assertion. Through the first two rounds of the Western Conference playoffs, Curry is averaging 29.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game. He led the Warriors to a stunning upset over the #1 seed Utah Jazz and is now facing off against the Lakers, the team Snoop Dogg has supported his whole life.

Despite being a six-time All-Star, two-time MVP, and three-time NBA champion, Curry still faces detractors who argue that he hasn't done enough to prove he's the greatest point guard ever. Time will tell whether Curry continues to make his case, but for now, his biggest fan might just be Snoop Dogg.