Basketball

LaVar Ball isn't the only one in the world who thinks he could've beaten Michael Jordan 1-on-1 ... his father agrees ... telling TMZ Sports he's CERTAIN his Big Baller son would've dominated His Airness.

John Salley 100% has the back of his old Bad Boys teammate Dennis Rodman ... saying the human rights organization calling for revoking The Worm's Hall Of Fame status is full of B.S.

As we previously reported ... The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation is upset with Dennis over his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Those concerns were of course made worse by the recent death of U.S. student -- and former NK prisoner -- Otto Warmbier.

The group has called for Rodman's Hall of Fame status to be stripped ... something Salley said was a insane waste of time when we got him out in Beverly Hills.

"This world is going through a tough, tough time. We don't have time to talk about the Hall of Fame."

John didn't stop there, saying that not only has Dennis not damaged the integrity of the hall (grounds for removal, according to the rules) but his offbeat behavior has only made basketball better.

The Golden State Warriors' newest rookie, Jordan Bell, was seein' green the moment he was drafted into the NBA ... courtesy of his family members celebrating by makin' it rain!!

The ex-Oregon Ducks star hosted a draft watch party with his fam and friends in Long Beach Thursday night ... and when the Bulls called his name with the #38 pick, the bills started flyin'!!

Of course, Bell had to later update his guests about his trade to Dub Nation ... and considering they're the defending champs, everybody's more than excited about the news.

Congrats, rook!!

Look out, Kim and Kris ... Lonzo and LaVar Ball have officially begun their march on Hollywood.

Moments after Lonzo got drafted by the Lakers, the cameras were rolling on the Big Baller Brand family -- who were flanked by cops, security and a swagged-out BBB entourage as they got the VIP treatment on the way out of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

A professional camera crew was recording the whole thing -- unclear if it was ESPN or a BBB documentary/reality show ... which we already confirmed was in the works.

One thing's for sure ... LaVar was LOVING the attention Thursday night and it's not going away anytime soon.

Ice Cube is backpedaling on that whole Chauncey Billups to the Cavs thing -- saying CB is still with the BIG3 league because the NBA deal isn't officially done yet.

"Right now he with us until I hear something different," Cube tells TMZ Sports ... "Yesterday I opened my big mouth and it wasn't done yet."

Of course, Cube is referring to Billups taking a job with the Cavs front office -- the two sides are reportedly very close to striking a deal.

But until the pen hits the paper, Chauncey is still contracted to play/coach in Cube's BIG3 league -- leading the Killer 3's squad.

Cube says if/when the deal goes through with the Cavs, he'll absolutely let CB out of his BIG3 contract because the league wants to serve as a pipeline to the NBA.

Say ALOHA to Steph Curry's champion beach bod ... in all its waxed glory.

Steph's on vacation with the fam in Hawaii ... and Ayesha Curry took this shot of her man hangin' in the sand for National Husband Appreciation Day.

The Golden State Warriors superstar clearly isn't rocking the dad bod yet ... and Ayesha likes what she sees, saying she "can't keep my hands to myself."

Ice Cube isn't even a tiny bit upset his BIG3 player/coach Chauncey Billups is leaving the BIG3 for a front office job with the Cleveland Cavs ... telling TMZ Sports the league is SUPPOSED to be a pipeline back to the NBA.

Cube is in NYC where he's gearing up for opening day -- THIS WEEKEND -- and we asked which BIG3 team is the favorite to win it all.

That's when Cube brought up Chauncey ... and maybe broke some news?!

"It was the Killer 3's (led by Chauncey and Stephen Jackson) for a minute but since Chauncey took that job, it might change."

It's been reported that Chauncey's in talks with the Cavs -- but nothing has been confirmed publicly ... at least not yet.

Cube also talked Allen Iverson -- telling TMZ Sports the NBA legend has been working out like crazy and he's "ready to go."

If you're a NY Knick who's NOT from Latvia, pack your bags ... 'cause Shaq thinks it's time for you to go.

The NBA legend was at an American Express Teamed Up event in NYC on Tuesday when we asked about reports that Phil Jackson is taking calls about possibly dealing away Kristaps Porzingis.

"Keep Porzingis and trade everybody else around him," Shaq said.

"Try to build around him. This kid's got a great future."

We also asked Shaq how he felt about the Lakers most likely taking Lonzo Ball with the #2 pick in Thursday's NBA Draft (despite some back and forth trash talk with his dad, LaVar).

Shaq's all for it ... "He's a great player. He makes his teammates better."

Mason Disick is no fair-weather fan because he's still wearing Tristan Thompson's No. 13 jersey.

Kourtney Kardashian and her 8-year-old tag teamed it Tuesday in Calabasas both looking sporty.

We're guessing Mason's jersey was a gift from Aunt Khloe, who's been dating Thompson since last Summer. His aunt's bf pick clearly came with perks, including seats to Finals games.

Could be worse ... like still rooting for the Lakers during last year's 26-56 season.

The Golden State Warriors got a bikini welcoming committee at a massive pool party in Vegas this weekend ... proving once again, it's good to be the champs.

Draymond Green, Matt Barnes and JaVale McGee hit up Encore Beach Club Friday ... boozin' on all kinds of alcohol from Don Julio 1942 to Hennessy to Jack Daniel's and Grey Goose -- while chilling in a private cabana.

The Dubs stars also downed a giant bottle of Perrier Jouet Rose as well, 'cause why the hell not?!

Here's Shareef O'Neal busting out some insane alley-oop dunks ... courtesy of rap superstar Quavo.

The Migos member lobbed up a pair of dimes for Reef before a pickup game on Friday -- and the 17-year-old threw it down hard both times, including a pretty sick reverse jam.

Quavo ain't half bad either -- in fact, the dude was a star athlete back in Georgia and balled out as the QB on his high school football team.

As for Reef, he's already committed to U of Arizona.

Sucks for ASU.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar says parents like LaVar Ball are bad for college basketball -- because they're turning the NCAA into a "huckster show."

KAJ was expressing his disdain for 1-and-done college players during an interview with 97.5 The Fanatic when he specifically went in on Lonzo Ball's father.

"Everybody knows about his sons because he has been able to hype them. But I don't think that's good for college basketball."

He continued, "College basketball is starting to look like a ... it doesn't look good. It looks like it's a huckster show. And that bothers me, you know. You have people going those lengths to promote their kids. I don't get it. "

"1-and-dones doesn't make any sense to me. To have somebody come and be on campus for 6 months and play a basketball season, what is that?"

"It's strange and it's not good for the college game and it hasn't been good for the pro game. I think they better find a different way of dealing with those issues."

Master P says he's well aware his 15-year-old son, Hercy, is one of the best teenage basketball players in the country, but tells TMZ Sports he doesn't care ... 'cause if the grades aren't right, hoops doesn't matter.

We talked to both P and Hercy fresh off jet from their last tournament, and the Ice Cream Man couldn't stop gushing about how his boy is killing it, but assured us the books come first.

"He's like top five in the country 8th grader about to be a 9th grader. But I'm a fan that he's an honor student and graduated with honors after 8th grade. I told him if you do your part in school, we'll support you in basketball."

P also dished to us about an upcoming charity game he's got poppin' in New Orleans later this month, where celebs like Trey Songz, Romeo, and Caron Butler are gonna be playing.

Hercy's playing too ... hope he doesn't embarrass those old guys.

Lonzo Ball just published an open and emotional Father's Day letter to his dad -- thanking him for everything in his life, advising him to ignore the critics and telling him that he loves him.

The entire letter -- addressed to LaVar Ball -- appeared on "The Players' Tribune" and is titled, "To the Loudest Guy in the Gym."

"One of the things I admire most about you is that you don’t really care what other people think. People can have whatever opinions they want about who you are as a person, but they’ll never have all the facts. They’ll never know you like I do."

Lonzo reflects on impactful family moments including workouts, road trips, basketball games and family breakfasts.

Lonzo says he knows he wouldn't be where he is in life without LaVar -- and brags about his 4.0 high school GPA, his basketball talent and his quiet confidence.

He also mentions repaying LaVar with a car or two once he signs his NBA contract.

Shaq's got range!!!

The Diesel put his stroke on display during a shootaround session with Home Team Hoops -- draining 3 point shots from all over the court.

At one point he calls himself, "Black Steph Curry."

For the record, Shaq only made one 3 point shot during his entire NBA career -- but judging by this video, maybe they shoulda let him shoot more?!

In all seriousness, Shaq looked pretty good on the court -- dunking, shooting, moving ... even busting out the LeBron James signature celebration move.

Draymond Green just threw some MAJOR shade at LeBron James at the Warriors championship parade ... mocking the Cavs superstar's comments about never being part of a "super team."

Green took the stage to vent his true feelings about the King saying he's never been a part of a super team ... and D.G. explicitly defended his team and general manager Bob Myers in front of approximately 1 MILLION Warriors fans.

"Can somebody give Bob some f***in' credit?" Green says. "Everyone talkin' about super teams this, super team that, 'I never played on a super team' ... you started the super team, bro!"

Of course, Draymond also talked smack towards the Cavs when GSW won the title back in 2015. Chances are these teams will match up again in the Finals ... and luckily for us, the smack talk will continue.