Basketball

Drake, Kanye West, Migos and Tyler Perry got put through the ringer before being allowed to perform at Philips Arena in ATL ... while Amy Schumer and Bon Jovi got the VIP treatment.

And why?? Blackness ... allegedly.

A former Atlanta Hawks security manager -- who also ran event security at Philips Arena -- is suing the team claiming he was wrongly fired after pointing out a system of discrimination against black celebs at the arena, which is operated and staffed by the Hawks.

Sam Hayes says it was obvious from the start of his employment in August 2016 that his white boss was going out of his way to make black stars go through more rigorous security checks than white stars.

On August 26, Drake and Future performed at Philips Arena and had asked to bypass metal detectors on their way inside but their requests were denied.

One week later, AC/DC performed and made the same metal detector bypass request -- but theirs was granted.

The pattern continued ...

Kanye West -- DENIED

The Comedy Get Down World Tour (Cedric the Entertainer, Eddie Griffin, D.L. Hughley) -- DENIED

2 Chainz, Jeezy, The Dream -- DENIED

Old School Hip Hop Fest -- DENIED

Migos -- DENIED

Tyler Perry -- DENIED

Katt Williams -- DENIED (okay, that one makes sense)

Amy Schumer -- GRANTED

Adele -- GRANTED

Ariana Grande -- GRANTED (Hayes says she "doesn't like people looking at her").

WWE Live Tour -- GRANTED

Bon Jovi -- GRANTED

Ringling Brothers -- GRANTED

Hayes claims things came to a head in April 2017 when a black security officer told a white member of Radiohead's crew he had to walk through a metal detector -- and the crew member responded by dropping his pants. Hayes says a white staffer intervened and allowed the crew member to bypass.

Hayes says he went to management and was told, "Hip hop acts draw a different crowd and the white acts bring in more money."

Hayes says he was ultimately fired for bringing the issues to light -- though he was told he was axed for reprimanding lower level staffers without first consulting Human Resources.

He's demanding unspecified damages.

The Hawks are adamantly denying the allegations -- with a team spokesperson telling TMZ Sports, "[Samuel Hayes] was terminated for poor performance and his claims are baseless."

Dwyane Wade is giving the big thumbs-up to Steph Curry's new $201 million contract with the Golden State Warriors ... telling TMZ Sports he wants to see even MORE players getting monster contracts.

"Hopefully the game continues to grow. Hopefully, they keep making more money," Wade told us as he arrived in L.A. after his insane European beach vacation with Gabby Union.

We also asked about that lonely banana boat pic -- the one missing Chris Paul and LeBron. The Wades were still laughing about it.

One of the most dominant players in high school hoops is sick of the NBA's "one & done" rule ... telling TMZ Sports the mandate isn't fair and needs to go away ... forever.

We talked to to 7'1'' high school star Moses Brown at LAX-- the 6th ranked player in the class of 2018 according to ESPN -- and asked him about the NBA's one and done rule.

If you didn't know, prep studs like Moses have to play at least one year of college basketball before heading off to the pros, and some of the kids (and their parents) think that's bogus.

Add Moses to that list, 'cause he told us he WISHES he could hit the league straight out of high school, saying the rule is holding him and his fellow super talents back.

BTW -- Moses hasn't chosen a college yet, but GUARANTEED us he'll be a one and done when he does. So don't get too used to seeing him in college.

The players on UCLA's men's basketball team ran into some super stars before a summer work out this holiday weekend ... none other than Kanye West and 2 Chainz!

The team rolled into the university's Wooden Center gym for a scheduled practice Monday, only to find 'Ye, 2 Chainz and some of their friends warming up the court with a game of their own.

The team did not play with the 2 rap stars, but rather just talked and posed for some pics ... including one of 'Ye with head coach Steve Alford.

As we reported ... Kanye had 2 Chainz and his family over for dinner Sunday night.

Chauncey Billups might wanna put his consideration for the Cleveland Cavaliers front office job on hold ... 'cause he is KILLIN' it in Ice Cube's BIG3 League.

Chauncey played a game Sunday night at the Spectrum Center in North Carolina, and he looked like his old self ... draining 3's and setting up his teammates to score.

As we reported ... the ex-NBA baller was offered a front office job with the Cavs, and he's reportedly still mulling that over. He told reporters Sunday after his game that a decision should come in the next few days.

The only potential snag ... if Chauncey takes the job, he might have to ditch Cube's league mid-season. And as Cube said, he's got a contract with the guy. Problem?

9:25 AM PT -- Multiple reports Monday allege Billups has turned down the Cleveland job.

NBA star Zach LaVine has high ambitions in Chicago ... but can the high-flyin' dunk master jump over the Jumpman and pass Michael Jordan as the best Bulls dunker of all time??

That's exactly what we asked LaVine -- who was just recently traded from Minnesota to the Windy City -- and while the 2-time dunk contest champ has some serious hops, he doesn't think he'd ever match His Airness' classic moves.

It's a pretty humble response from LaVine, who's only 22 years old and has already put on a dunking clinic in just 3 years in the league ... but we get it. It's M.J. we're talking about.

We also asked about getting traded away from the T-Wolves ... and it's nothing but love for his old squad.

Phoenix Suns star Tyson Chandler says he ain't gonna trash his old boss, Phil Jackson -- telling TMZ Sports the Zen Master "helped me out" by trading him from the Knicks to the Mavs back in 2014.

People trashed the trade back then (and now, too) -- when Phil dealt Chandler and Raymond Felton to the Mavs in exchange for Jose Calderon, Samuel Dalembert, Shane Larkin, Wayne Ellington and two 2nd round picks.

But Chandler ain't bitter about it -- saying, "He got me in a good situation!"

Fat Joe is calling for MORE Knicks heads to roll ... saying Jimmy Dolan needs to put head coach Jeff Hornacek in the crosshairs after pulling the trigger on Phil Jackson.

"[Hornacek's] gotta go. Phil's gotta go ... they gotta get rid of everybody down with that regime," Joe tells TMZ Sports.

FYI, Fat Joe is diehard Knicks superfan -- LOVES 'EM -- and says he truly believes the man who can save his squad is ex-Golden State Warriors coach (and Knicks player) Mark Jackson.

"I'd hire Mark Jackson as coach," Joe says ... "That's the first move. And then it's a whole revamping situation."

6:41 AM PT -- It's official ... but Knicks owner Jimmy Dolan isn't calling it a "firing" -- he's saying both sides have "mutually agreed to part company."

Yeah, right.

"After careful thought and consideration, we mutually agreed that the Knicks will be going in a different direction," Dolan said in a statement.

"Phil Jackson is one of the most celebrated and successful individuals in the history of the NBA. His legacy in the game of basketball is unmatched. We wish him the best and thank him for his service to the Knicks as both a player and an executive."

Dolan says he will not be personally involved in the search for Phil's replacement.

Phil also put out a statement saying, "The New York Knicks will always hold a special place in my heart."

"I had hoped, of course, to bring another NBA championship to the Garden. As someone who treasures winning, I am deeply disappointed that we weren’t able to do that. New York fans deserve nothing less. I wish them and the Knicks organization all the best -- today and always."

The NY Knicks are done with Phil Jackson -- the team is expected to announce he's leaving the organization as early as Wednesday morning.

71-year-old Jackson is the President of Basketball Operations for the Knicks -- and people HATE him right now ... after another terrible season and personality clashes with Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis.

Multiple stars have called for the Knicks to fire his ass -- including Kenyon Martin and Fat Joe.

Now, it seems the Knicks are taking their advice ... with ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reporting he'll be out before the day's over.

The Zen.

Spike Lee has already weighed in ... he's happy.

Zach Randolph doesn't want to leave Memphis for a super team ... he wants to bring the super team to Memphis!!

Z-Bo is entering free agency after 8 seasons with the Grizzlies and everyone wants to know what his next move is gonna be.

With "super teams" being the hot topic, we asked Randolph if he would consider pulling a Durant and joining a loaded squad like Golden State or Cleveland.

"Memphis," Randolph replied ... "We're gonna build a super team there!"

With Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and Gordon Hayward available, it's not completely out of the question ... though even Zach seems to acknowledge it's unlikely they'll end up in the BBQ capital of the world.

We also talked about his teammate, Vince Carter, who's 40 years old -- and Randolph told us he thinks Vinsanity can ball in the NBA for at least another 4 years!!!

Zach says they don't call him "Half man, half amazing" for nothing.

Phil Jackson's too damn old to lead an NBA franchise and it's high time the Knicks kicked his geriatric ass to the curb ... so says ex-NBA baller Kenyon Martin, who just LIT UP the Zen master.

We caught up with K-Mart hangin' with BIG3 teammate Al Harrington in NYC ... and when we asked the former Knick what he thought about the state of the current team ... he went nuclear.

The takeaway?

Phil needs have his 70-something-year-old-ass reading AARP and fly fishing rather than running an NBA team.

Hey, KM's not the only famous guy blaming Phil. Right, Fat Joe?

It's official: The WWE is about to get body slammed by the Big Baller family.

LaVar Ball -- rockin' a fresh Triple-B tee -- was photographed backstage with WWE superstar Titus O'Neil at Staples Center ... confirming a ProWrestlingSheet report that Vince McMahon and co. had been recruiting the Ball fam for Monday Night Raw in L.A.

WWE announced that both Lavar and Lonzo would be guests on "Miz TV" ... a bit hosted by WWE intercontinental champ The Miz.

The Balls might not be the only stars in attendance ... there have also been rumors that Stone Cold Steve Austin could make a cameo.

Watch out for the stunner, LaVar!

Ice Cube's BIG3 league kicked off this weekend with its first games ... and with them came a gaggle of big-time A-listers to watch.

Cube held his first games Sunday in front of 15k fans at the Barclays Center in NYC, and besides the stars on the court, there were a ton of others in the stands. They included Whoopi Goldberg, LL Cool J, James Harden, Jalen Rose, Lou Williams, Paul Pierce, D'Angelo Russell, Naturi Naughton, Fabolous, Michael Rapaport and others -- most of whom got some shots in with Cube ... photos, that is.

The BIG3 league rolls on through the summer, and is scheduled to conclude with a championship game at the T-Mobile Arena in Vegas. Unless Floyd and Conor have something to say about it.

Soulja Boy is second rate compared to Chris Brown ... at least to BET, which chose Chris over Soulja for Saturday's Celebrity Basketball Game.

Sources close to Soulja tell us a BET rep reached out to his manager, Miami Mike, Friday ... one day before the sold-out event, and asked him not to come because of security concerns. Everyone knows Chris and Soulja don't like each other ... there have been multiple violent threats between them.

Still, Soulja was scheduled to appear, and his face was even on promo posters.

We're told Soulja's camp tried to reassure BET there'd be no problems, but execs didn't buy it ... and cut him from the game. Chris not only showed as scheduled, but earned co-MVP honors.

Soulja, on the other hand, had to settle for BET compensating him for travel expenses.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver didn't just attend NYC's gay pride parade this weekend -- he was waivin' the rainbow flag and dancing his face off ... and it was AWESOME!!

Silver -- one of the most powerful figures in all of sports -- rode on the NBA float alongside the league's first openly gay player, Jason Collins.

Golden State Warriors president Rick Welts -- who is openly gay -- also rode on the float with his partner, Todd Gage.

It's the second time the NBA has entered a float into the event. Last year, Silver started off walking beside the float until Collins convinced him to get on. Silver said he had so much fun last year, he couldn't wait to do it again!

The Game has a message for LeBron James ... GET ON THE LONZO BALL BANDWAGON!!!

Seriously, Game tells TMZ Sports the Lakers rookie will bring a 'chip to L.A. in ONE SEASON -- and advises LeBron James to come to join the Purple and Gold squad so he can be a part of the magic.

When asked if he thinks Lonzo would play second fiddle to LeBron, Game shot back -- "Lonzo don't need no help."