Basketball

Steve Kerr's Chicago Bulls shorts -- rocked by the sharpshooter when he knocked down one of the most historic shots in NBA history -- just hit the auction block.

The white Champion brand shorts are from Game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals ... where Michael Jordan's Bulls squad took on Karl Malone, John Stockton and the Utah Jazz.

The Bulls led the series, 3-2 ... heading in to Game 6 at the United Center on June 13, 1997. It was a super tight game that went down to the wire.

With 5 seconds left in the game -- and the Bulls trailing by 1 point -- the Jazz defense expected Jordan to attempt the game-winning shot.

However, Jordan kicked it out to a wide-open Kerr -- who nailed a 17-foot dagger of a jump shot -- securing the Bulls 5th NBA Championship.

FYI -- Kerr scored 9 points. Jordan dropped 39.

The shorts -- photomatched to ensure authenticity -- are on the auction block at Lelands Auctions.

Kerr -- who autographed the shorts -- has called the shot the most memorable moment of his 15 season NBA playing career.

The auction is currently underway ... and there have been multiple bids around $1,500.

Charlotte Hornets player Malik Monk -- who was suspended for violating the league's anti-drug policy -- was reinstated during the league's COVID-19 hiatus, the team announced on Monday.

22-year-old Monk was suspended without pay on Feb. 26 ... and the reason behind the punishment was never made public. All we know is he violated the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program.

Hornets GM Mitch Kupchak revealed Monk's suspension has been over for "a while" during his end of the year conference call with the media ... saying the guard has been back with the team and training at the practice facility.

"That’s been a while now,” Kupchak said on Monday. "He went through his program, and my understanding was he was reinstated as soon as possible."

"He has been in our facility and participated in all team activities."

"Hey, hey! Ho, ho! Donald Trump has got to go!"

Steph Curry joined in that chant during a protest in Palo Alto, Calif. this weekend ... making it crystal clear he believes the President is part of the problem in America.

The NBA superstar and his family have peacefully marched along Northern California streets several times in the last few days to protest against social injustices and police brutality.

The Currys made signs, walked miles and even participated in kneeling with the masses to show their unity in the fight against racism.

But, perhaps Steph's loudest message came during a march Saturday ... when he appeared to not only scream an anti-Trump chant but possibly even lead it for the crowds around him as well.

Check out the video, the Golden State Warriors point guard knows he's on-camera ... but you can see, even with a mask on, Curry makes the chant loud and proud.

Of course, Curry's feelings on Trump were never exactly a secret ... he and his Warriors teammates (and head coach Steve Kerr) have continually expressed their negatives opinions of Donald, famously blowing off an invite to the White House for an NBA championship celebration in 2017.

As for the protests as a whole, Curry's wife, Ayesha, posted about the family's experiences on social media over the weekend, writing, "The kids are watching, listening and learning."

"What will you have them retain? Let’s get it right for them so they don’t have to for their children."

J.R. Smith will likely NOT be hit with criminal charges for beating the hell out of an alleged vandal in an incident caught on video, multiple sources involved with the situation tell TMZ Sports.

We broke the story ... the NBA player went ballistic on a man he claimed vandalized his truck during a wild looting spree in Los Angeles on May 30.

Smith later called the incident a "random act of stupidness" and said he regretted his actions.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... the victim has not gone to police -- no report has been filed -- and, at this point, we're told it seems highly unlikely that will happen.

Our sources tell us without a victim coming forward, there's no way for prosecutors to even attempt to levy charges against the 34-year-old.

As we previously reported, Smith essentially described the incident as Street Justice shortly after the attack ... saying he whooped the man's ass for smashing a window on his truck.

Stephen Jackson is FURIOUS at Donald Trump for mentioning George Floyd's name at the White House on Friday ... and he's now warning POTUS not to let it happen again!

"Hey, this message is for Donald Trump," Jackson said in a heated video statement ... "Do not speak on my brother's name."

"I'm making you a promise, you will not be in the White House come November. You will not be reelected, I'm telling you now."

Earlier in the day, Trump spoke with the media from the Rose Garden and said he hoped George is looking down right now -- "This is a great thing that's happening for our country. It's a great day for him. It's a great day for everybody ... in terms of equality."

Enter Jackson ... who knew Floyd for years -- and he's pissed.

"You see how the whole world stood together? Arm to arm, race to race, everybody standing for love? 50 states, 18 countries. That's what me and my brother Floyd did. So we coming to get you out the White House."

Clearly, Jackson feels the next course of action is to mobilize the protesters into voters come November.

Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand have pledged to donate an incredible $100 MILLION over the next decade to fight racial inequality ... saying straight-up -- "Black lives matter."

"The Jordan Brand is us, the Black Community," Jordan and his company said in a joint statement. "Jordan Brand is more than one man. It has always been a family."

"We represent a proud family that has overcome obstacles, fought against discrimination in communities worldwide and that works every day to erase the stain of racism and the damage of injustice."

"The will, the work, the excellence the world has come to know is the result of one generation after another, pouring their dreams into the next. "

The statement continues ... "It's 2020, and our family now includes anyone who aspires to our way of life. Yet as much as things have changed, the worst remains the same."

"Black lives matter. This isn't a controversial statement. until the ingrained racism that allows our country's institutions to fail is completely eradicated, we will remain committed to protecting and improving the lives of Black people."

"Today, we are announcing that Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand will be donating $100 million over the next 10 years to organizations dedicated to ensuring racial equality, social justice and greater access to education."

Jordan recently spoke out over George Floyd's death ... saying, "I see and feel everyone’s pain, outrage and frustration."

"I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people of color in our country."

"We have had enough."

Vanessa Bryant is paying tribute to her daughter, Gigi, for her academic accomplishments ... sharing a heartfelt message and a photo of her honorary 8th grade graduation diploma.

"Congratulations on your 8th grade graduation Gigi," Vanessa said on Instagram. "I love you forever and always."

Gigi was a student at Harbor Day School in Corona Del Mar, CA ... and was in the middle of her 8th grade year when she died in the tragic helicopter accident alongside Kobe and 7 others on January 26.

The school honored "Gianna Maria-Onoré Bryant" with a diploma -- and Vanessa was clearly moved by the gesture.

"I’m so proud of you. ❤️, Mommy #classof2020."

Gigi was a standout basketball player with dreams of making it to the WNBA ... and her school retired her #2 jersey at a memorial ceremony in February.

Kobe Bryant fans in Europe paid homage to the Mamba in a HUGE way this week ... finishing up a 39-foot-high mural of Bean that's now the biggest on the continent.

Locals in Gradiška, Bosnia and Herzegovina began painting the tribute at an elementary school about two weeks ago ... with one of the guys saying it all started because Kobe helped them find a love for hoops.

"Kobe Bryant was one of my role models and when we heard that he tragically lost his life, we came up with the idea to pay tribute to him," a mural initiator told The Srpska Times.

"That is how we made a mural on the wall of the school next to which we spent time on the playground."

The piece is roughly 39 feet tall and 19 feet wide ... and as you can see in the pics, it's pretty amazing.

The image is of Kobe at the free-throw line in his Lakers jersey set to sink a basket ... and it's complete with his Mamba logo in the upper right corner.

The artist who painted the work said it was painstaking, but worth every minute ... and added he hopes it brings similar pieces of art to the country.

As we previously reported ... there have been a TON of Kobe murals in Los Angeles as well -- and they're so beloved, each and every one went untouched amid the chaos in the city last week.

Dennis Rodman is still very pissed off at the looting taking place all over the country ... but he's now channeling his anger into action.

The NBA Hall of Famer says he feels compelled to raise money for the Black Voters Matter fund ... an organization "dedicated to expanding Black voter engagement & increasing progressive power."

And, how's he going to raise the cash?! DINNER AUCTION, BABY!

"Dennis Rodman is so disappointed at all the rioting and looting in light of the tragic death of George Floyd that he's auctioning off himself for dinner for two lucky guests with all the proceeds going to benefit the Black Voters Matter Fund," his rep Darren Prince tells TMZ Sports.

The auction, going down on Charitybuzz.com, says Dennis, the winner and a guest will dine with The Worm -- and notes, "The winning bidder is responsible for the cost of the meal."

The winner will also receive 2 signed jerseys provided by Rodman's memorabilia partners at Fiterman Sports Group.

And, if you know Dennis ... who the hell knows what could happen at dinner? Quick trip to Vegas?!? Carmen Electra cameo?!

76ers star Tobias Harris is calling for an elected official in Pennsylvania to resign for labeling Black Lives Matter as a "radical left-wing hate group."

The man behind the comment is Joe Gale -- a County Commissioner for Montgomery County, the 3rd largest county in PA.

The Board of Commissioners is a powerful group -- comprised of only 3 members and they control the legislative and executive functions for the entire county.

Fast forward to Monday ... when Gale issued a strong written statement slamming the protests in Philadelphia as an act of "urban domestic terror."

Gale says the people responsible are "radical left-wing hate groups like Black Lives Matter."

He continued, "This organization, in particular, screams racism not to expose bigotry and injustice, but to justify the lawless destruction of our cities and surrounding communities."

"Their objective is to unleash chaos and mayhem without consequence by falsely claiming they, in fact, are victims."

Now, 27-year-old Harris is lashing out at the statement ... saying, "I honestly can’t believe what I’m reading."

"Black Lives Matter a hate group?! This statement and your whole press release at that is disgusting to read. RESIGN!"

Rapper Meek Mill echoed Harris' statement, saying "True colors.... welcome to PA!"

Harris isn't alone in demanding Gale's removal from office ... there's already a change.org petition calling for him to step down.

Michael Jordan wore a special pair of modified Air Jordan 1s to support his left foot after a freak injury during his 2nd NBA season -- and now, those game-worn kicks are hitting the auction block.

... and they're expected to fetch around $500,000!!!

Remember, MJ broke his left foot during the 3rd game of the 1985-86 season for the Chicago Bulls ... an injury that sidelined him for 6 weeks and almost ended his career.

When he returned, Nike whipped up a special version of the AJ1s -- with an extra strap to provide stability for MJ's left foot.

The specially modified version of the shoes were never offered on the open market -- they were just offered to MJ.

This particular pair was worn by Jordan on March 29th, 1986 -- according to "Gotta Have Rock And Roll" auction ... a game in which MJ scored 24 points in 23 minutes against the Knicks

The auction company says ... after the game, Jordan met with a young fan and gave him the shoes. He even autographed 'em.

Now, that fan is ready to part ways after 34 years ... and with the success of "The Last Dance," the timing is probably perfect.

By the way, the shoes are different sizes -- the left is a size 13 and the right is size 13.5.

The auction is set to go down July 22-31 ... hope you saved up!

The end of the basketball drought is (possibly) in sight -- with NBA commissioner Adam Silver targeting a July 31 return to the 2020 season.

The league notified team owners about the goal date on Friday ... in hopes to finally continue action after suspending the season on March 11.

It's a bit of good news for NBA fans, but one big question that still remains -- will the Association skip straight to the playoffs, or will it allow teams to earn their spots in the postseason?

According to Shams Charania, the league is considering 4 possible scenarios ...

Option 1 -- Go straight to the playoffs with the 16 teams that are currently at the top of each conference

Option 2 -- Allow the top 20 teams to compete in group/stage play

Option 3 -- Have 22 teams continue the season and have a play-in tournament to determine final seeding

Option 4 -- Bring all 30 teams back and have a 72-game season with play-in tourney

Of course, most NBA players (like LeBron James) want the season to come back ... but Blazers superstar Dame Lillard recently said he won't play if Portland doesn't have a "real shot" at earning a postseason berth.

Stephen Jackson is at the forefront of the fight for justice in the killing of his friend George Floyd ... saying he's going to do whatever it takes to make sure the officers are convicted.

The ex-NBA star revealed this week that he's known Floyd for more than 20 years ... saying they even called each other "twin."

Jackson -- alongside Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns, rappers Bun B and Trae The Truth, and actor Jamie Foxx -- gave an emotional speech at a news conference in Minneapolis on Friday.

"I'm here because they're not gonna demean the character of George Floyd, my twin," Jackson said.

"You can't tell me when that man had a knee on my brother's neck, taking his life away with his hand in his pocket that that smirk on his face didn't say, 'I'm protected.'"

"You can't tell me that he didn't feel that it was his duty to murder my brother and then he was gonna get away with it."

The officer -- Derek Chauvin -- has been arrested and charged with 3rd-degree murder and manslaughter ... and Jackson says he will fight to make sure all officers involved get proper punishment.

"I'mma use everything I have to get a conviction, to get all these motherf**kers in jail. Excuse my French, I'm angry. I'm a proud black man."

Is that Dennis Rodman? Why is he putting a 9-pack of toilet paper in the middle of a busy street during a rainstorm?

Is he signing that guy's cast? Smoking a cigar? Aggressively hitting on women?

Is that a cop? He's definitely wearing a mask. Why isn't anyone else?

SO MANY QUESTIONS! BARELY ANY ANSWERS!

Welcome to another edition of, "The Bizarre Adventures of Dennis Rodman!!"

Here's the deal ... this video was shot on Sunday at the American Social gastropub in Ft. Lauderdale.

Witnesses tell us Rodman showed up with some friends around 3:45 PM and seemed to be on a mission to entertain.

No one seems to know where Rodman found the toilet paper -- but he was flaunting it like it was still Week 1 of quarantine!

At one point, he ran the TP into the street -- but we're told a police officer who was in the area instructed him to pick it up. Dennis complied.