Basketball

Fake Klay Thompson's making fans outta real-life NBA ballers -- 'cause ex-Kings star Hedo Turkoglu says he's on the bandwagon!

"It is ridiculous. It is funny, though," Hedo told TMZ Sports in the Beverly Hills.

FYI, a prankster that looked A LOT like Klay sat courtside for the Warriors' season opener ... and the Internet loved it.

Turkoglu did too ... and told us Thompson ain't alone 'cause he comes across Hedo imposters all the time (he was kidding ... we think).

On a more serious note, we got the former King to talk about his former squad's prospects ... and he had pretty high hopes.

Imagine "My Super Sweet 16" ... for a 3-year-old!!

That's how things went down for LeBron James' daughter, Zhuri -- who got an AWESOME "Moana"-themed bash this weekend ... complete with singers and bouncy houses!!!

There was hula dancing, balloon palm trees and a full dessert bar -- with "Moana"-themed treats!

King James ain't the only one going all-out for his kids over the weekend ... DJ Khaled rented out LIV nightclub at Fontainebleau in Miami for his son Asahd's 1st birthday.

To be a kid again ...

Lonzo Ball should thank Clippers PG Patrick Beverley for giving him the business Thursday night ... 'cause in the long-run, it's really a good thing -- so says Master P.

We got P -- a HUGE NBA fan -- droppin' knowledge on Lonzo's debut at LAX ... telling us the Lakers rookie will only get better when grinders like Beverley beat him up.

The good news for Lonzo ... he's gonna get it all season long -- there's a LONG LIST of NBA stars looking to take a piece of his ass.

"So, how old were you when you first ate a butt?"

That's a real question Sway asked Gabrielle Union during his radio show in a conversation about sexual reciprocity ... a conversation that has everyone grabbing some Scope.

Gabby appeared on "Sway in the Morning" and talked openly about sex -- and that's when tossed salads appeared on the menu.

Dwyane Wade's wife says even though men will deny it, they enjoy a little backdoor love from women ... and they're singing a completely different tune in the bedroom.

Lonzo Ball needs to back up his dad's trash talk or it's gonna be a looong season ... so says Kenny Smith.

The "Inside the NBA" star says LaVar Ball's antics have "put a bullseye" right on Lonzo's back -- and Patrick Beverley ain't gonna be the only one who's gonna take a shot.

The good news for Lonzo ... Kenny says it's "just one game" and he'll shut up the haters if he bounces back strong.

Kendall Jenner had the best seats in the house to support her man Blake Griffin on Thursday night -- sitting courtside as BG's Clippers beat up on the Lakers at Staples Center.

And to prove that supermodels really do eat ... she indulged on a giant caramel apple for all to see!

Kendall was just one of the many superstars in the arena -- Flea, Gal Gadot, Floyd Mayweather and, of course, Jack Nicholson were all on hand for Lonzo Ball's pro debut.

Oh, and check out this bonus pic we've unofficially titled, "Belly, Boobs, Billionaire."

Good times ...

DeMarcus Cousins is leaving Northern California in the rear view mirror for good ... putting his RIDICULOUS pad on the market ... and asking $5.4 milli for the digs.

The NBA superstar plopped down $4.7 million for the 6 bed, 8 bath Granite Bay joint back in 2013 -- right after inking a $62 million deal with the Kings.

The 13,690 square-foot estate is pretty freakin' insane -- featuring a Playboy-mansion-style grotto (R.I.P. Hef), film and workout rooms, a 10-car garage and even an outdoor pizza oven.

But the best part has to be his swanky lighted tennis court ... 'cause there's no sign of a basketball court on the entire property!

The Big Baller Brand is conquering social media now too ... with the Ball family's new emoji line rocketing up the charts in the App Store after just 1 day on the market.

LaVar, Lonzo and the rest of the fam dropped "Big Baller Brand Emojis" on Oct. 17 -- which feature the Balls doing everything from dancing to dunking to shoe designing ... for $1.99 a pop.

On Wednesday, the App had already reached #2 on the Top Paid App charts ... right underneath Arimoji by Ariana Grande (#1).

To be fair, Ariana's app features the singer playing with adorable puppies -- good luck competing with that.

Master P has a message for Colin Kaepernick ... WHO NEEDS THE NFL ... telling TMZ Sports if the league won't let Kaep ball, he's down to help Colin start up his own shop, and take down the shield.

P knows about sports startups, his Global Mixed Gender Basketball league is off to an incredible start, attracting big name talent like the Gonzalez Twins, Glen "Big Baby" Davis, and Metta World Peace.

When we got him out in L.A. we had to ask P what he thought about Kaep's situation, and P had a very simple answer, if you can't join 'em, beat 'em.

"I'll help him start his own league. I think he should, I mean he's a great football player. I think the NFL should have some competition."

P's point is that the only way Colin can ensure his right to demonstrate any way he wants is to have some ownership, and that's exactly what he wants to do with his upstart league.

4:18PM PT -- The Bulls released a statement addressing the incident.

"Chicago Bulls forwards Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotic had a physical altercation during today's practice. As a result of the incident, Mirotic suffered a concussion and maxillary fractures. Surgery is likely required. Mirotic is out indefinitely."

Bulls forward Bobby Portis socked teammate Nikola Mirotic and broke his face and gave him a concussion at practice today.

Portis and Mirotic reportedly got into a shoving match ... that ended with Bobby cheap-shotting Nikola ... The Vertical reported.

Mirotic was taken to the hospital with multiple broken bones in his face. He was also evaluated for a concussion. The report says N.M. has since been released from the hospital.

Mirotic was expected to begin the season as the team's starting PF, ahead of Portis.

Rick Pitino is suing Adidas in federal court ... claiming that his good name has been dragged through the mud as a result of the company's dirty tactics.

As we previously reported, a top Adidas exec has been charged with conspiring to funnel money to top basketball recruits ... including $100k to a UL prospect.

Pitino's attorney filed the suit in a Kentucky federal court earlier today ... asking for compensatory and punitive damages -- but also saying this is about more than money. He wants to clear his name.

"It is Coach Pitino's vehicle for proving that he had nothing to do with Adidas' outrageous, wrongful, and illegal conspiracy."

Marcelo Huertas had a rough run with the L.A. Lakers ... and now he's clapping back at his former team and the NBA for how they coddle their superstars.

"In the NBA, players are babies ... everyone is afraid of dealing with the athletes," Huertas told Brazilian hoops blog Bala na Cesta.

"That's not a thing in Europe. If you step over the line, you're punished athletically, financially, you're thrown out, suspended, whatever the hell. That doesn't exist in the NBA. I would see things and say, 'There's no way this is possible."'

Marcelo -- a Euroleague veteran -- says his 2 seasons with the Lakers were pretty tough on him emotionally ... claiming he put in a TON of hard work, even mentoring his younger point guard competition, just to ride the pine.

"Everything you can imagine, I would do it. If it had been in Europe I would've played."

FYI, Huertas averaged 15 minutes -- and 4 points a game -- in L.A. He's back playing in Spain now.

Rick Pitino has officially been FIRED by UL ... less than 3 weeks after he was put on unpaid administrative leave over his suspected involvement in the NCAA bribery scandal.

The University of Louisville Athletic Association today voted to fire Pitino -- a Hall of Famer who coached the school's basketball teams since 2001 -- for "just cause."

As we previously reported, UL prez Greg Postel fired off a letter to Pitino last month ... saying the school believed evidence from the FBI investigation incriminated the coach.

For his part, Pitino and his lawyers have vehemently denied any wrongdoing ... and vowed "a bare-knuckle fight" ... if they were to fire him.

Tristan Thompson got totally roasted by his teammates during a fan event Sunday night ... when he was asked if he's already gone fur coat shopping for his baby with Khloe Kardashian.

TMZ broke the story ... the Cavs star and Khloe -- his girlfriend of 1 year -- are expecting their first child together.

So when T.T. was asked about having "his and her" fur coats with Khloe at the Cavs' annual "Wine & Gold United" event on Sunday, J.R. Smith decided to tease Thompson about his new addition.

"You gettin' infant fur, too??"

You gotta see Tristan's reaction ... and his teammates absolutely lose it.

Seems Kendall Jenner is already close enough with Blake Griffin to join in on steak night with his boys.

The L.A. Clippers star and 3 of his guy friends hit up the Ocean Prime steak and seafood house in Bev Hills on Wednesday night ... with Kendall rounding out the group.

Blake and Kendall have been hanging out for a couple of months now ... so no reason not to invite her along, right?

So, when does Blake get his invite to girl's night?

Looks like LaVar's homeschooling is already paying off -- 'cause LaMelo Ball is suddenly crammin' home windmill dunks!!

And throwin' shade at his former high school -- saying they're gonna suck now that he's gone.

In the video, young Melo grabs the rock off a bounce and throws it down ... before turning up with his boys at a pickup basketball sesh.

The youngest Ball bro hasn't been filmed getting up like this before, so you can see why they're all so pumped.

But arguably the best part of the vid comes at the end ... when LB slams Chino Hills, saying -- "Mark my words: Without Melo, they losing."

Guess LaVar's not the only one excited with the move.