LeBron James celebrated his girlfriend's 25th birthday last night with a romantic double date in New York ... alongside fellow NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony and his wife ... and TMZ has the footage.

The foursome was all smiles as they left the Waverly Inn in NYC -- but the biggest question ... WHO  PAID?


The Waverly Inn ain't cheap -- but LeBron is in the middle of a 6-year $110 million contract and Carmelo recently inked a deal with the Knicks worth $65 million for 3 years.

So ...

Fun fact: Checkout LeBron's response when we ask if there's going to be hoops this season. His answer  ... optimistic. Sorta.

Carmelo Anthony doesn't have to worry about his wife La La Vazquez ever belittling his manhood -- because Thursday night outside of Osteria Mozza, La La assured us that Melo doesn't have the same problem Kelsey Grammer's ex says he suffers from.

Scoring has always been the best part of Melo's game.

Kim Kardashian and BF Kris Humphries are joining forces with Carmelo Anthony and his wife LaLa Vazquez -- because TMZ has learned, the two couples might soon live in the same building in NJ.



It's no accident either -- sources close to Kim tell TMZ, Kim and LaLa are apartment shopping in Alpine, New Jersey together ... so when their men are out playing basketball, they have each other to hang out with.

As we previously reported, Carmelo and LaLa have been scoping out Jersey for a while -- to escape Manhattan ... and have enough breathing room to raise their 3-year-old son.

But Kim's still got one foot in L.A. -- we're told she'll be keeping her home back west ... for the off season.

Carmelo Anthony's wife LaLa Vazquez tells TMZ, she didn't blast her husband's old NBA team on a Denver radio station this morning -- claiming whoever DID ... was an April Fool's Day impostor.



The interview went down a couple hours ago on Denver's KS107.5 Morning Show -- someone claiming to be LaLa called in, saying, "You people suck. Your stores are all the same ... Everything closes early. I mean, I need to party until five in the morning. Who cares if I have a son?"

But LaLa tells us, she's the victim of April Fool's Day identity theft -- claiming, “That was not me who called into KS107.5 this morning.  I wasn’t even aware this was happening and it was a poor taste in judgment on the show’s part.”

 LaLa's been taking heat on Twitter all morning ... and she's pissed.

Carmelo Anthony and Lala Vazquez want outta New York City -- when it comes to ridiculously expensive housing anyway -- and they're actually eyeing New Jersey (GASP!) ... TMZ has learned.


Sources close to the NY Knicks star and his wife tell TMZ they have no interest in plunking down "$30,000 a month for an apartment" in Manhattan ... no matter how shmancy it is.

Melo just got a $65 million contract extension, so money isn't the issue -- instead it's all about a backyard and space for the couple's 3-year-old son to play. We're told that's why they're seriously shopping the wide open spaces of Jersey -- and passing on a luxury pad near the one Alex Rodriguez just bought for $6 million.

Other NYC 'burbs are still in the running, but If Melo keeps dropping 26 per game ... he can live anywhere he wants (except Boston) -- and Knicks fans will love him.

Carmelo Anthony's Denver legacy is nearly worthless now that he's a Knick -- in fact, a local athletic apparel store is desperately trying to dump his Nuggets jerseys ... for a FRACTION of its original price.


According to the website for Altitude Authentics,  the formerly $350 jersey is now selling for the bargain basement price of $75.

FYI -- Melo's Knicks jersey is now on pre-sale ... for $249.99 ... but it won't be available until October 1st.

Denver. The new Cleveland.

Lookin' like 65-million-bucks ... Carmelo Anthony emerged from his NYC hotel this morning ... just hours after the New York Knicks officially announced his arrival to the squad.



Anthony -- who signed a 3-year extension with the Knicks before the trade with Denver was finalized -- is set to make his debut in tonight's game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

You know you've arrived in New York City when the famous Carnegie Deli names a sandwich after you -- and Carmelo Anthony has landed in a HUGE way.


Carmelo's trade to the New York Knicks isn't even official yet, but Sandy Levine, owner of the Carnegie Deli, tells TMZ they are already launching the new Melo Sandwich and it is packed with everything you could ever want on a sandwich:

-- Pastrami
-- Corned Beef
-- Salami
-- Bacon
-- Tomato
-- Russian dressing
-- On rye bread

The sandwich will run you a cool $21.95 and that price was chosen for a reason -- if they sell around 3,000,000 of them ... it equals the $65 million contract Melo is likely to sign with the Knicks.

Antacid costs extra.

NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony (left, actual wedding photo) and "Office" funnyman John Krasinski (right) both got married over the weekend ... but not to each other.


Question is ...

Carmelo Anthony and his fiancee LaLa Vazquez are heading to the land of purple and gold -- because we've learned the soon-to-be married couple just scored a swanky Los Angeles love nest.



Even though the Denver Nuggets superstar and LaLa still hang their hats in Colorado -- we've learned they bought the 6,500 sq. ft. Spanish-style house in L.A. as well because, well, they can.

The house -- valued at nearly $2 million -- has 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, a gorgeous infinity edge pool and a cabana in the back yard.

Ever want to get in the driver's seat of a customized, real-life barbiemobile ... here's your chance.



LaLa Vazquez, former MTV and current VH1 host -- also known as Carmelo Anthony's fiance -- is putting her 2006 hot Pink Range Rover up for auction on ebay ... Bidding starts at 25K.

A portion of the proceeds go to charity. It sure beats the hell out of a used Kia.