Basketball

The NBA will NEVER make its employees play nice with Donald Trump ... that's according to league commissioner Adam Silver, who says if teams want to skip the White House, it's their prerogative.

No NBA champion has visited Donald Trump since he's occupied 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., with last year's Warriors actually opting to visit Barack Obama instead of the sitting Prez.

It's been quite the controversy, with many people suggesting players from all sports should put patriotism over politics and go to the White House. Some think the leagues should compel the players to go.

We got the NBA commish in D.C. and he says that'll NEVER happen in his league, telling our guy if teams want to skip it ... so be it.

"It's a team decision, we'll see who the champion is this year, and what they decide."

There are 7 teams left in the NBA playoffs -- Milwaukee, Portland, Denver, Houston, Toronto, Philly and Golden State. Last year, the Warriors famously blew off Trump to meet with Obama.

"A lot of our players still have relationships with President Obama and I think it's wonderful," Silver told us ... "Players make their own decisions, organizations make their own decisions."

Speaking of Obama, Silver also talked about the NBA's ongoing relationship with #44, and how they're partnering to do some big things in Africa.

"President Obama is doing a lot with the NBA. We announced down in Charlotte at the All-Star game that he was gonna be involved in Africa with us, we're starting a league down there. He's one of our partners."

Silver's a busy guy these days -- on Thursday, he was a featured speaker at a 400-person luncheon at the Economic Club in D.C. where he talked about the NCAA's 1-and-done issue.

Among the high-profile guests in the crowd ... Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh -- who's a big basketball fan.

In fact, Kavanaugh famously still coaches his daughter's youth basketball team.

Paul Pierce isn't a 1-time flatulence offender -- the dude farts on his coworkers all the time ... so says Jalen Rose.

Of course, Rose was in the room when Paul let one rip right on Michelle Beadle this week during a taping of ESPN's "Off The Clock." In fact, it was Jalen who called Paul out on the air.

Look, Rose says the gang had been working a VERY long day and sometimes farts slip ... but dude's gotta cut back on the butt bombs.

There's serious stuff in this clip too ... Rose tells TMZ Sports what the Lakers need to do to fix the team -- and it starts with bringing in a big-time free agent to help Bron out.

Los Angeles is a Clippers town.

Los Angeles is a Clippers town.

Los Angeles is a Clippers town.

Breathe that in. Digest it. Because that's the world we live in right now ... according to the Mayor of Los Angeles.

We spoke with Eric Garcetti -- who's a DIE-HARD Lakers fan -- but even EG knows things ain't going so well in Lakerville right now.

It's downright bad ... the Lakers have no coach. The team sucked this past season. Magic Johnson quit. They haven't made the playoffs in 6 years.

Meanwhile, the Clippers are doing GREAT -- they shocked the world by getting into the playoffs this year and they're set up to be able to sign two MAX-CONTRACT free agents to the squad next season.

There's talk they could even land Kawhi Leonard -- which would be a game changer in Clipperland.

So, in 2019 ... with LeBron James wearing Purple and Gold -- the Mayor of Los Angeles says we're living in a Clippers town.

Lamar Odom is still a Laker at heart -- telling TMZ Sports he REALLY wants to see his old team return to greatness ... and feels Kyrie Irving could be the guy to make it happen.

Odom clearly feels Irving is still a force in the NBA -- despite a poor showing with the Celtics in the playoffs.

On the way out of the Fashion Nova event in Hollywood, LO told us a reunion with LeBron James could be the spark that gets Kyrie going again.

Odom also thinks the Lakers should make a run at Anthony Davis -- but that seems unlikely based on the attempted trade drama that went down during the regular season.

As for Kyrie, the guy is immensely talented -- but seemed off during the Celtics playoff series vs. the Milwaukee Bucks ... he just didn't look like himself.

So, could Odom be right? It's a long offseason and Kyrie is clearly unhappy in Boston.

Remember, Kyrie and LeBron weren't always like peas and carrots either -- they won a title together in Cleveland before Irving made it clear he wanted out.

Irving and LeBron later squashed the beef and seem to be cool now.

The owners of an upscale yoga studio are accusing Dennis Rodman of participating in a brazen daytime clothing heist ... and the whole bizarre thing was captured on video obtained by TMZ Sports.

Here's the deal ... the NBA Hall of Famer entered VIBES Hot Yoga in Newport Beach around 12:45 PM on Tuesday with 3 companions -- 2 women and 1 man.

Almost immediately after they arrived, things got weird -- the owner tells us Dennis began distracting employees while the woman in a long-sleeved green shirt began stuffing clothing into her purse.

At one point, the woman hides behind Rodman while she tucks a shirt away.

Then, things get weirder ...

Rodman's male companion grabs a large $2,500 crystal art piece from the front desk and tries to place it on a steel dolly, insisting he wants to buy it.

But, the guy drops the crystal -- which shatters all over the floor -- and while the staff is distracted, the woman in the green-sleeves grabs another clothing item and again stuffs it into her purse.

Eventually, the entire crew leaves the store with the shattered crystal piece on the dolly. The owner tells us everyone in the group refused to pay. Dennis actually blamed the staff for the broken crystal.

The owner tells us ... the gang left the store with more than $500 in stolen clothing, plus the broken crystal -- so they went to police and filed a theft report.

The owner also says the employees working that day say everyone in Rodman's group reeked of alcohol.

VIBES is a popular spot for the rich and famous in Newport Beach -- everyone from Selena Gomez to Kobe Bryant has been there.

We reached out to the Newport Beach PD -- but they're not commenting.

We also spoke with Rodman's attorney who told us, "We would decline comment. It's premature."

By the way, Rodman is still on probation stemming from a Jan. 2018 drunk driving incident -- so, this could become a VERY big deal for the 57-year-old.

Here's either the friendliest fan in Milwaukee or the bravest ... 'cause this guy bought Danica Patrick a drink Wednesday night -- directly in front of her MVP boyfriend, Aaron Rodgers!!

The mesmerizing scene all went down in the third quarter of the Bucks' playoff game against the Celtics -- when wine was delivered to the court-side area where A-Rodge and Patrick were sitting.

A fan hands off what appears to be a cup of wine to the ex-NASCAR superstar ... but when she tries to throw cash his way for the drink -- he refuses!!!

The scene set social media on fire -- mostly because it raised a BILLION questions ...

1. Was this guy shooting his shot RIGHT in front of the NFL's best QB?!

2. Exactly how much money was Patrick trying to throw the guy's way for the drink?

3. Did Rodgers react appropriately?!?!

Whatever the case was for the situation ... everybody ultimately seemed happy with it in the end.

LaVar Ball is NOT folding the Big Baller Brand -- in fact, it's the opposite -- he's expanding BBB with plans to make it bigger than ever, TMZ Sports has learned.

LaVar has had some big problems with BBB recently -- claiming cofounder Alan Foster stole a FORTUNE from the company and his son, Lonzo Ball.

Lonzo was so pissed he sued Foster for more than $2 mil and later covered up the BBB tattoo on his arm ... which many people considered a death blow to the brand. In the wake of the chaos, the BBB website was also taken down.

But now, we've learned LaVar is in the process of building a new BBB team with plans to get back into the sportswear game and expand into other markets as well. He's already made some key hires.

Our sources tell us LaVar and his team are currently working on a battle plan and hope to get everything up and running again very soon.

LaVar launched Big Baller Brand back in 2017 -- selling ZO2 sneakers for a whopping $495 per pair. A bunch of influential celebs snatched up the shoes including Jay-Z who bought 3 pair.

Ex-NBA star Shawn Kemp ain't playin' around -- he REALLY wants to sell his humongous Seattle-area mansion ... so he slashed the asking price by more than a MILLION bucks!

The 49-year-old former Seattle SuperSonics star owns a 13,000-square-foot pad in Maple Valley, Washington ... complete with a basketball court, tennis court, pool, putting green and spa.

The property sits on 5 acres of land. Massive.

Kemp originally listed the place for $3.7 mil back in 2018 -- but now, he's pricing it to move fast ... cutting the number down to $2.5 mil with listing agent Robert Potashnick of Coldwell Banker Bain.

The dunk specialist originally purchased the place back in 2003 for $2.4 million -- the same year he played his last game in the NBA.

Kemp reportedly made more than $90 MILLION during his NBA career -- so it doesn't seem like he's hurting for cash.

Tough day at the office for Michelle Beadle ... who was forced to host an ESPN show while suffocating in Paul Pierce's fart cloud.

Yes. You read that right.

Beadle -- along with Pierce, Jalen Rose and Chauncey Billups were shooting an episode of ESPN's "Off the Clock" when The Truth let one rip.

You can see the moment when the scent hits Beadle's face -- and everything goes stank.

"Nasty," Beadle remarked.

Even Rose commented on the situation ... saying, "Michelle Beadle smelling something in the air."

Beadle noted, "We're trapped in a room y'all."

By the way ... the whole "Off the Clock" show is only 5 minutes long!!!!

Ex-NBA star Brandon Jennings COULDN'T BELIEVE the comments Ayesha Curry made about being jealous of the attention her husband gets from the opposite sex.

And, now ... Jennings has a message for Steph Curry's wife -- stop trippin'!!!

You know the backstory ... Ayesha went on "Red Table Talk" and admitted she's "bothered" by the lack of attention (in a desirous way) from men over the years while she watches groupies throw themselves at Steph.

"I don't have any of that," Ayesha said ... "I have zero -- this sounds weird -- but, like, male attention, and so then I begin to internalize it, and I'm like, 'Is something wrong with me?'"

Jennings -- who now runs his own Tuff Crowd clothing line -- was so shocked by the comments, he had to discuss out outside of Joey in Woodland Hills, CA.

"She said guys don't lust over her enough ... why would you want to lust over a woman who's married?"

Jennings says it's human nature to want to be desired by the opposite sex, but when it comes to Ayesha -- it's hard to watch her complain because she has "the best life."

Jennings points out that Ayesha is rich as hell, has a faithful husband, a beautiful family and an incredible career as a chef ... so, don't trip!

There's more ... Brandon also talks about his future basketball career. He's only 29 and feels he's got LOTS of game left.

Dwyane Wade is ready for the TB12 method -- no, not the avocado ice cream and weird stretches stuff -- the NBA superstar wants Gabrielle Union to start making Gisele money!!!

If ya missed it ... Tom Brady made waves this past week when he told Jimmy Kimmel he can afford to take massive pay cuts from the Patriots because his wife brings home the bacon in their relationship.

When we got D-Wade and Gabby after the Met Gala on Monday night ... we had to ask for their thoughts on Brady's admission.

Gabby's reaction? "Smart man."

Wade's reaction? PURE JEALOUSY!!!

"Very smart man," Wade told us ... "That's what I'm trying to get!"

Of course, Wade was just kiddin' around ... Gabby does just fine in their relationship -- she's an A-list Hollywood celeb.

Paul Pierce says he ain't worried about the Celtics being down 2 games to 1 to the Milwaukee Bucks ... telling TMZ Sports his guys will WIN the whole series in 6.

The Truth was leaving Meek Mill's birthday party at 1 OAK in L.A. on Sunday -- when we asked about his Boston Celtics losing 2 games in a row to Giannis Antetokounmpo and company.

Remember, the Celtics started off strong -- with a dominating 112 to 90 victory over the Bucks in Game 1.

But, the last 2 games have been all Milwaukee ... and now Vegas is highly favoring Milwaukee to win the series. The winner of this series will play the winner of the 76ers vs. Raptors series in the next round.

But, Pierce doesn't give a DAMN about the odds -- telling TMZ Sports he expects his guys to rally back and the take the series.

"Celtics in 6, homie. Stop playin'."

People at a Florida nightclub got a HUGE surprise Saturday night -- a 7-foot-1, over 300-pound one to be exact -- 'cause Shaq jumped into a mosh pit with them ... and danced his face off!!

It all went down at Celine in Orlando ... where DJ Diesel serenaded a Cuatro De Mayo crowd with a late-night set.

Shaq broke out his signature beats ... but then took the party one step further -- jumping into a sea of people going insane!!!

The clip's awesome ... clubgoers are hanging all over Shaq -- and he's loving it!!!

Don't worry, no one was injured!!

Of course, Shaq has been spinning the 1s and 2s professionally for several years now ... and has earned all kinds of praise from world famous DJs for his sets.

In fact, Diplo just told TMZ Sports a few months ago he's a huge fan of what Shaq's doing ... saying, "He's great, Shaq Diesel, man. He's killin' it right now. Very heavy music."

Blake Griffin sure hopes Drake didn't seal Arya Stark's fate on "Game of Thrones" by shouting her out at the Billboard Music Awards ... him and everyone else, tbh.

We got the Pistons star outside of the Maxfield clothing store in WeHo Friday afternoon and asked him about Drizzy showing love to Maisie Williams' 'GOT' character Wednesday night when he mentioned her during his acceptance speech for the Top Billboard 200 Album.

ICYMI ... Drake made sure to plug Arya for "putting in that work last week" during Sunday's episode when she killed the Night King with some fancy dagger moves -- basically saving every living person in Westeros from eternal death in the process.

BTW, this is a spoiler -- and you should've seen it by now. If you haven't, well, here it is ... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Anyway ... Blake really, REALLY hopes the Drake curse doesn't kick in here for everyone's sake. Like he says, "I think we all need a little bit of Arya." Considering Champagne Papi's track record with supporting losing teams ... here's praying Blake's right.

Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss, listen up ... Lamar Odom says you've already interviewed the PERFECT candidate to replace Luke Walton -- JUWAN HOWARD!!!

Of course, Pelinka and Buss have been searching for a replacement for Walton since they canned him at the end of the season ... and they've already interviewed a few people for the gig.

Guys like Tyronn Lue and Jason Kidd are reportedly the favorites ... but L.O. thinks the Lakers should scrap 'em both in favor of Howard, and he told us why.

"Somebody that has some presence. Somebody that can handle having LeBron on your team."

Howard's name has definitely been floated around as a name for the Lakers top job ... he was a teammate of LeBron and coached him while he was with the Miami Heat.

So, let's be real for a second, the Lakers are almost certainly gonna hire Ty Lue ... BUT don't discount what Odom is saying, there might be an 11th-hour surprise.

SEC men's basketball ... you've officially been put on notice -- 'cause Scottie Pippen says his son is about to be a MONSTER at Vanderbilt!!!

"You know my son's going to bring it," Pippen tells TMZ Sports ... "His eggs don't fall too far from the tree!"

Of course, Scotty Pippen Jr. just signed his National Letter of Intent to play for the Commodores last week ... so when we got his famous pops out at Toca Madera, we had to ask about his son's game.

Ya gotta see Scottie's response ... the Chicago Bulls legend CLEARLY believes his son can be the next big thing at Vandy!!!

If ya haven't seen the kid ... he's a 6-foot-1, 160-pound PG who new Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse says, "has the ability and poise to make an immediate impact on our roster."

Scotty's first time in Vandy's black and gold will be sometime in the fall ... until then, enjoy his high school highlights!!!