Basketball

Isaiah Austin -- the ex-college basketball star who was diagnosed with a rare heart condition before the 2014 Draft -- says his doctors have finally cleared him to play again ... and it sounds like he's gunning for the NBA.

The 23-year-old was a stud at Baylor -- but his basketball career came to a screeching halt when he was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome and doctors told him it was too risky to play pro ball.

Austin was an honorary draft pick that year -- and Isaiah told TMZ Sports NBA Commish Adam Silver offered him a job with the league after he got his degree.

But now, Austin told Cassy Athena's Thru The Lens that doctors gave him the green light 4 months ago to get back on the court ... and I.A. says he got very emotional when he got the news.

He never straight-up says his goal is to play in the NBA ... but it seems pretty obvious he wants a shot.

Congrats!

Big Baby Spielberg? It just might be ... 'cause one of the most colorful characters in NBA history tells TMZ Sports he's putting his court career on hold ... for a career behind the camera as a movie director.

We got Glen Davis out grabbing a bite (okay, probably more than just one bite, he's a big dude) at Catch in West Hollywood and asked the NBA free agent when he's expecting to be back bouncing balls.

This past summer Glen told us he was definitely looking to get back in the league ... but he sang a different tune this time, saying he's got other things on his mind than just hoops.

Time to clear out some space in Springfield ... because just 8 years into his career, Russell Westbrook is already a LOCK for the Basketball Hall of Fame ... so says NBA legend Oscar Robertson.

FYI, Westbrook is averaging a triple-double this season -- which is incredibly impressive considering the only other player to carry that average further into the season is Robertson!

So, we reached out to Oscar to get his thoughts on Russ ... and needless to say, he's VERY impressed -- saying there's "no doubt" Westbrook will join him in the Hall.

As for comparisons ... Oscar says Russ is his own player -- but one HELL of a player at that.

Master P has his first celebrity supporter in his bid to be an NBA coach ... his old pal Snoop Dogg ... who says P would be an absolutely awesome sideline boss if the league ever gave him the chance.

P revealed his desire to coach an NBA squad during a recent interview on TMZ's "Raq Rants" ... saying he's put so many guys into the league through his youth team ... he thinks it's a logical next step.

We got Snoop out in L.A. and asked him about P's hoop dreams ... and Snoop -- who was an artist on P's No Limit Records -- says coaching is actually P's DUTY ... 'cause he has knowledge to give the youth.

You hear that, Romeo? Don't put your basketball down just yet.

Clippers Coach Doc Rivers has some soothing words for Greg Oden ... telling TMZ Sports he doesn't think Oden is the biggest bust in the history of the league ... even though Oden said he was.

We got Doc out at Catch (doesn't anyone eat anywhere else?) and asked him about Oden's heart-wrenching admission that he considers himself the biggest bust in the history of the league.

Sad to say but Oden's got a good case for it ... he was drafted #1 overall back in 2007 and went on to average just eight points in an injury-plagued NBA career.

Doc still doesn't think that's enough to get Oden the crown ... and said as much when we asked him about it.

DeAndre Jordan ain't into grannies ... at least when it comes to free throws ... 'cause the L.A. Clippers star says he'll never shoot his free throws granny style ... meaning underhanded.

There are some who think DeAndre should change his free throw style to the Rick Barry underhand swag to improve on his putrid 42% career number.

Barry has come out in the past and offered to show DeAndre the secret to his style ... but when we got DJ out at L.A. hot spot Catch Monday night he made it clear ... it ain't ever happening.

Here's Barry shooting below ... we don't blame you, D.J.

Strip away the superteam. Kevin Durant would still DOMINATE Russell Westbrook if they took it to the park ... that's according to Tracy McGrady.

In the wake of Thursday night's Warrior-led ass-kicking, McGrady told TMZ Sports it would be even worse if the two ex-teammates went mano-a-mano.

"Come on. Is that even fair? Durant's 7-foot bro!"

Coach World Peace?? That's right ... the Lakers star says he's eyeing a gig as an NBA head coach when he retires.

TMZ Sports spoke with Metta World Peace earlier this week about the praise he's been gettin' from the Lakers coaching staff ... who have said his knowledge and experience are valuable to the team even when he isn't on the floor.

MWP agrees ... and goes on to say he'd like to join young successful NBA coaches like Billy Donovan and Brad Stevens.

The Philadelphia 76ers have just issued an apology to Sevyn Streeter -- the singer they blocked from singing the National Anthem this week over her "We Matter" shirt -- and have invited her back to sing at another game.

"We are sorry that this happened," the team said.

"After receiving feedback from our players, basketball operations staff and ownership group, we believe that the wrong decision was made, and Sevyn should have been welcomed to sing."

"We apologize to her, and in an effort to move the conversation forward, we have reached out to offer her an opportunity to return and perform at a game of her choice. We are waiting to hear back."

The decision to block singer Sevyn Streeter from performing the National Anthem at the 76ers game Wednesday has angered several players on the team ... TMZ Sports has learned.

By now you know ... Streeter says 76ers officials stopped her from performing the anthem (as scheduled) because she was wearing a jersey that said, "We Matter."

So, how'd that decision go over with the team? Not well with a handful of the guys.

We know several players are upset. One player who wishes to remain anonymous says the decision to not let Sevyn sing has rubbed him the wrong way.

Pay attention you participation trophy-loving, "winning isn't everything"-type parents ... Gary Payton is about to give you a lesson in tough love ... by giving you a SUPER REAL scouting report on his son.

And it's kinda prophetic.

We got Payton out in L.A. Sunday night at Dew NBA 3X ... only hours before his kid, Gary II -- an undrafted rookie -- was released by the Houston Rockets. We wanted to know, are we looking at another Hall of Fame Payton?

What Gary gives us is a huge, whopping, "NOT SO FAST" Lee Corso would be proud of ... saying before his kid even thinks about becoming an NBA player ... he might need some time in the D-League.

The NCAA is dropping the hammer over the Louisville basketball prostitution scandal -- charging head coach Rick Pitino with failing to monitor his program ... and he could face suspension.

The NCAA launched an investigation into allegations made last year by self-proclaimed madam Katina Powell -- who said U of L staffers paid thousands of dollars for dancing and sex services from her stable of women.

The NCAA determined Powell was telling the truth -- and claim former director of basketball operations Andre McGee paid more than $5,400 for adult entertainment and sex acts for at least 17 UL players and recruits from 2010 to 2014.

McGee was hit with 2 charges -- including arranging the entertainment and failing to cooperate with the NCAA investigation, both considered "severe" breaches of conduct.

As for Pitino -- he was charged with failure to frequently spot-check the program -- including looking for red flags and asking pointed questions ... basically failing to monitor the program.

Pitino's alleged violation is also considered "severe" and could result in a suspension.

A 3rd basketball staffer was also charged with failure to cooperate.

Any Given Monday Night ...

Here's Jamie Foxx -- channeling his inner QB -- and sinking a 3/4 court shot with a football ... like a boss!

Bad news for DeAndre Jordan ... looks like his boss ain't too keen on his plan to sign Chris Bosh to the Clippers.

DJ had told us last week that he would sacrifice playing time to get the 11-time All-Star on the Clip squad -- so, when we saw Doc Rivers out this weekend we had to ask about it.

FYI, the execs at the Miami Heat have said they're cutting ties with Bosh over his blood clot condition -- though Bosh says he's determined to continue his NBA career with another team.

Unfortunately, Doc made it pretty clear Bosh ain't gonna land with the Clippers.

BONUS -- Doc was having dinner with Larry David ... prettay, prettay, prettay cool.

HOFer Dennis Rodman is one of the greatest rebounders ever ... but he's not even the best hooper in his family ... 'cause Dennis says his son's a "way better" player than him.

TMZ Sports saw Rodman -- a 5x NBA champ -- in L.A. earlier this week ... and asked the "Worm" about his teen son, D.J. Rodman ... who's a beast on the court.

D.J. -- who plays at Corona del Mar H.S. in California -- is only a sophomore. Still, the way Rodman describes his son, the kid's gonna be rockin' an NBA uni one day soon.

Check out the clip!

Here's some brutal honesty about the Philadelphia 76ers ... courtesy of 76ers superfan Kevin Hart.

For the record, Hart (who was at Caroline's On Broadway) says he LOOVES his home team -- but it's clear the injury to Ben Simmons combined with all the other issues (like the fact they went 10-72 last year) have shaken his confidence.