Basketball

Clippers stud Montrezl Harrell took policing loud-mouth fans into his own hands again Monday ... telling a courtside heckler to "shut the f*ck up, now!"

It all went down at the L.A.-Timberwolves game in Minnesota ... when Harrell's Clips were getting ribbed by some guy with floor seats at the free-throw line.

Montrezl wasn't in the mood to hear it ... and turned to the dude and screamed, "Be a fan, bro. Sit over there and be a fan. Shut the f*ck up, now!"

It ain't the first time Harrell's gone after a heckler ... back in December, he threatened to "smack the sh*t out" of some guy who was chirping at him on the way to the locker room.

Of course, Harrell's one of MANY who have had incidents with fans this season ... guys like Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin have hit back hard at smack-talking guys in the stands.

Doesn't seem the clapbacks are ending anytime soon ... but if anybody wants to learn how to calmly deal with the situation -- don't forget Julius Randle's advice!!!

Dr. Oz says his inclusion in the NBA's Celebrity All-Star Game is no fluke because he's got serious game ... which he's modeled after another famous doc.

We talked to Oz about his name showing up on the home team of the celeb roster, and he says there's a perfectly good explanation for why he was tapped ... his history with the game. Oz says he played ball for his high school and even balled up a bit during his college days at Harvard.

As we reported, 2 Chainz was pissed his name was left off the roster of celebs hitting the hard court ... especially because he actually played college hoops at Alabama State.

But, from the sound of it, Dr. Oz is a natural-born athlete, and he says he'll prove it on All-Star weekend. We pushed for how exactly he'll contribute, and he told us his value might not necessarily be scoring.

Check out the clip ... he even compares himself to another famous Dr. in the game.

Dr. Oz wasn't aware of Chainz calling out the NBA for allegedly blacklisting him, but he offered some advice for how to get into the game. The rapper says he's gotten the cold shoulder ever since 2013 when someone in his camp insulted a woman at the game.

Lamar Odom is joining a TON of big athletes getting into the green industry -- he's launching his own line of CBD vape pens, TMZ Sports has learned.

The ex-NBA star credits marijuana and CBD for helping him recover from the 12 strokes and 6 heart attacks he suffered after his 2015 drug overdose in Nevada ... and feels other people can benefit too.

Hence the new Odom pen.

The marijuana/hemp biz is becoming hugely popular with celebrity investors -- big stars like Joe Montana, Al Harrington and Mike Tyson are making big moves in the space.

Odom clearly sees real opportunity and we're told he's already getting solid feedback resulting in huge pre-orders.

Marshmello. Skrillex. Dillon Francis. DJ DIESEL?!

The 7-foot-1 Hall of Famer could be the next big (literally) DJ in the music industry ... so says Diplo, who tells TMZ Sports, Shaquille O'Neal has what it takes to be a legit force in EDM.

"He's great, Shaq Diesel, man. He's killin' it right now. Very heavy music," Diplo says.

The Major Lazer contributor says he's been working with the NBA legend on a few "great records" ... and says Shaq's already won half the battle.

"Half of a DJ's life is the way they brand themselves ... and he has that down pat."

BTW -- Shaq's already well on his way after landing a gig at TomorrowWorld in 2015 ... and he's been touring ever since.

Chill out Lakers fans ... no matter what came out of LaVar Ball's mouth, he ain't wreckin' your season ... so says Kenny Smith.

Remember ... LaVar said Luke Walton was the worst coach Zo's ever had ... and that their relationship was beyond repair.

So, what's that mean for the Lake show? Absolutely nothing, according to The Jet.

"It's not about dads and uncles and cousins in the NBA. It's not like high school," Smith told us ... "The relationship is only your agent and player. As long as the agent and the player doesn't say anything, you're fine."

In other words, LaVar can say whatever the hell he wants in the media ... and it won't mean a damn thing for the Lakers on the court.

In fact, Kenny's guaranteeing they make the playoffs.

Bill Belichick, some Patriots players and the city of Boston all felt the same, weird abnormal feeling going through their bodies Thursday night ... LOSING!!!!

... and they can thank the Celtics.

The Pats coach -- sporting a snazzy checkered jacket -- sat up front at the TD Garden with his girlfriend, Linda Holliday, to watch the Celts take on the L.A. Lakers.

Sony Michel, Trey Flowers and Rex Burkhead were also at the game to support their Boston brethren.

Remember, the last time a Boston team took on an L.A. team ... it was boring as hell but also good for Beantown.

This time, it was the exact opposite -- a buzzer-beating thriller that ended in DEFEAT for the guys in green!

And, the guy who hit the game-winning dagger ... former Celtics star Rajon Rondo!

BTW, it's the first loss B.B. and the gang have felt since mid-December when they took an L to the Steelers in Week 15.

Obviously, Belichick don't care ... he's still got 6 rings (as a head coach) plus 2 more from when he was an assistant.

LaVar Ball just issued a stern warning to Magic Johnson and the Lakers' brass ... saying if they trade Lonzo -- they will NEVER win another championship.

And he clarified ... LeBron James NEEDS Lonzo if he wants another ring. Period.

It all went down on FS1's 'Undisputed' just moments ago ... when the Big Baller guaranteed L.A. will never have another title parade if Zo is shipped off.

"I told the Lakers a long time ago, 'If you trade my son, it'll be the worst thing you ever did.' And I guarantee, if they trade my son, they will NEVER get a championship."

Lonzo, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram and Ivica Zubac are all reportedly part of a trade package the Lakers have offered the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Anthony Davis.

LaVar says the trade package is a mistake -- saying, the Lakers are trying to become a "one hitter quitter" to try to get a ring and it's a total mistake.

Ball warned the Lakers and LeBron James ... if you ship out Lonzo, you lose your best chance at a title.

In fact, the BBB honcho was so pissed about hearing the latest reports -- he went on an Arizona radio show this week and RIPPED Luke Walton, calling him, "the worst coach ever for Lonzo."

It's happening!!! Lamar Odom is finally getting his shot to join Ice Cube's BIG3 league.

The troubled ex-NBA star has been campaigning for about 2 years to make his U.S. hoops comeback with the rap legend's 3-on-3 league ... and now, LO is getting his shot by entering the 2019 draft pool.

"He’s worked hard and we're thrilled to see him return to US professional basketball at the #BIG3Season3 combine," the league said Thursday.

We spoke with Cube back in December about Odom's chances ... and he said he'd LOVE to see the NBA champ be a part of the BIG3, but was adamant he wouldn't get any special treatment.

Kevin Durant went scorched Earth on the NBA media after the Warriors game Wednesday night -- telling off reporters for trying to "tear me down with my words that I say."

Yeah, he was mad.

By the way, the Warriors DESTROYED the Spurs in a 141 to 102 ass-beating -- so it's not like he was mad about the game.

What set Durant off was when a reporter asked why he'd been unusually quiet with the media lately.

KD: "Why do you care?"

Reporter: "Because you usually talk."

KD: "Well, I ain’t feel like talking the last couple of days."

Durant pointed out one specific reporter, Ethan Strauss from The Athletic -- and said:

"You’ve got a dude, Ethan Strauss, who come in here and just give his whole opinion on stuff and just make it seem like it’s coming from me. He just walk around here, don’t talk to nobody. Just walk in here, survey and then write something like that."

Durant continued, "I’m trying to play basketball. Y’all come in here every day, ask me about free agency, ask my teammates, my coaches. You rile up the fans about it. Yo, let us play basketball. That’s all I’m saying."

"Grow up. Grow up. Yeah, you. Grow up. Come on, brah. I come in here and go to work every day, and I don’t cause no problems. I play the right way, or I try to play the right way. I try to be the best player I can be every possession. What’s the problem? What am I doing to y’all?"

Durant explained that he doesn't trust the media -- "Every time I say something, it gets twisted up and thrown out. So many different publications try to tear me down with my words that I say. So, if I don’t say nothing, it’s a problem. I just want to play ball. I want to go to the gym and go home. That’s all. Is that a problem? Alright, then."

Baron Davis says the Clippers franchise got BETTER by trading its best player Tuesday ... telling TMZ Sports shipping Tobias Harris to the Sixers sets L.A. up really well for the future.

"Everybody lives in the now. Nobody thinks about 2-3 years ahead where the salary cap is going to be."

Translation ... B-Diddy thinks moving on from Harris, and a couple other players, for essentially a boatload of draft picks will make the Clips better down the road.

"When you make the trade, you always looking for 3-4 years out and I think the Clippers got some incredible pieces."

The other important thing Davis notes? There's a bunch of stars set to be free agents this offseason -- including Kawhi Leonard -- and now the Clips have the cash to make a run at those guys.

Rap superstar 2 Chainz says he feels he's been getting "sh*tted on" by the NBA for years -- and it reached a boiling point this week when he was NOT selected for the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.

And yes ... he's serious.

The NBA announced the celeb team on Wednesday -- and while it includes people like Dr. Oz and Bad Bunny ... 2 Chainz didn't make the cut. He vented on Wednesday:

"HEY @nba YOU HAVE NEVER REACHED OUT FOR ME TO PLAY AND TO CLEAR SOME THINGS UP BECAUSE IT FEELS LIKE IVE BEEN GETTIN SH*TTED ON BY THE LEAGUE SINCE 2013."

Chainz thinks he's been blacklisted by the league, stemming from a 2013 incident when someone in his camp allegedly hurled an insult at a female NBA staffer.

"He was wrong and I apologized on this behalf," 2 Chainz said. However, Chainz doesn't feel like the NBA accepted his apology because he's still treated like a 2nd class celebrity.

"IM ONE OF @nba BIGGEST SUPPORTERS and BARELY GET 'COURTSIDE' TIX."

By the way, Chainz is a LEGIT baller -- he played college ball on scholarship at Alabama State from 1995 to 1997.

He's not the only celeb upset at the All-Star snub -- Lil Rel is also pissed ... telling TMZ Sports that he's also got the resume to be in the game ... but his phone never rang either.

"I've starred in a basketball movie, got my own show, was in the biggest Netflix film and nothing. WTF. LMAO!"

Derek Fisher is going to bat for his boy, Luke Walton -- telling TMZ Sports he's not the loser LaVar Ball says he is.

Lonzo's dad went on a tear against the Lakers coach on Tuesday saying Luke is to blame for Lonzo's uncertain future with the Lakers.

Remember, LaVar had previously said Lonzo was going to make an immediate impact in the NBA -- and he and LeBron would lead the Lakers to a championship, ASAP.

But now that Lonzo's on the trading block, LaVar is pissed and he's been bashing Luke Walton on the radio.

So, when we saw former Lakers star Derek Fisher -- who's now the head coach of the L.A. Sparks -- we asked if LaVar had a point.

"I'm not a member of the Ball family. Luke Walton is a friend," Fish said ... "What I do know is Luke is a great person and he's a great basketball coach."

There's a little buzz in L.A. that the Lakers could be looking for their next head coach -- but publicly, management is sticking behind Walton.

The awkward thing for LaVar Ball ... there's a real chance the Anthony Davis trade plans could fall through and Lonzo remains with the Lakers for the rest of the season.

LaVar Ball just went scorched earth on Luke Walton ... saying the Lakers head man gave Lonzo Ball a "losing attitude" and was "the worst coach ever" for his son.

The Big Baller appeared on the "Doug & Wolf" show in Arizona on Tuesday morning ... and ripped Walton to shreds.

"The Lakers gave my boy that losing attitude. If you look at my boys, the one thing they do do is win … my boys don’t lose too much."

"When he got to the Lakers -- Luke Walton was the worst coach ever for Lonzo because he had a losing mentality. They’ve been losing for three years. That’s how you develop losing.”

LaVar's comments came just a day after he told ESPN if Lonzo is indeed traded -- he wants the point guard to be dealt to the Phoenix Suns ... not the New Orleans Pelicans -- as has been rumored.

Of course, Lonzo's been one of the key pieces New Orleans appears to be seeking in a trade for superstar Anthony Davis.

Clearly, LaVar's upset about all the talk ... and he issued yet another warning to Lakers brass when it comes to trading Lonzo.

"Like I told them before, if you trade my son, it’ll be the worst thing you ever did for your franchise, I guarantee it.”

James Harden says he AGREES with Kobe Bryant ... the Rockets will almost certainly NOT win a title with the guard being SO ball dominant.

"This way that we're playing, won't happen in the playoffs," the Houston superstar said Tuesday night ... "It won't get us to where we want to go."

ICYMI ... Kobe served up a warm take about Harden's recent hot streak to ESPN's Rachel Nichols, saying, "I'm not a fan of it in terms of winning championships."

He added, "I don't think that style is EVER going to win championships."

Of course, the style Kobe is referring to is Harden's recent play where he's scored nearly every one of his (many) points in isolation.

In fact, Harden's playing so selfishly ... there was a streak last month where James scored 263 STRAIGHT points UNASSISTED.

But, James says he understands Kobe's criticism -- and says he has no plans to replicate this style of play once the Rockets get healthy and truly begin their hunt for an NBA title.

For his part, Kobe seems to understand all that ... telling Nichols he expects things to change as well once Chris Paul really gets back in Houston's mix.

"You have to do what you have to do to win games. And, he's doing that."

Sixers fans lookin' to use Kendall Jenner as a scapegoat better check the facts -- Ben Simmons' boo is actually GOOD LUCK for Philly ... so says team co-owner Michael Rubin!!

KJ and the NBA stud have been an on-and-off item for about a year ... but things appear to be heating up, with Jenner showing face at A LOT of Sixers games these past few weeks.

TMZ Sports spoke with the billionaire at his Fanatics Super Bowl event in Atlanta about whether he's worried of the popular "Kardashian Curse" ... and it's safe to say dude thinks it's a bunch of BS.

"13-2 since they've been dating," Rubin tells us ... which doesn't make sense if you're looking at Philly's schedule, the team's actually 11-4 in their last 15 games ... but we get what he's saying.

Rudy Gobert, wipe away the tears and "man up" ... 'cause there's no crying in basketball -- so says Shaquille O'Neal, who knows a thing or 15 about being an All-Star.

TMZ Sports saw Shaq at his Fun House Super Bowl bash in ATL -- and asked him about Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert crying in front of reporters while discussing NOT making the All-Star team ... a story the whole NBA world's talking about.

The Big Aristotle's advice ... Stop. Crying.

"Maybe he was sad he didn't make it, but it happens like that sometimes. I remember when I made it 15 years in a row and the last year I didn't make it. I guess I wasn't good enough. But, it's not something you cry about."

FYI ... Gobert's a beast -- especially on defense -- and definitely could've been an All-Star ... but he ain't, and showing emotion opened the door for rival players to attack.

(See Draymond Green -- who trolled RG on Twitter).

"We live in a tough sport. Guys like Draymond, he knows what he's doing. He's trying to get in [Gobert's] head. It's psychological. But there is no crying in basketball Rudy. Man up."

"Put some Icy Hot on your face, Rudy."