Basketball

Shaq is WRONG -- Kobe Bryant is NOT coming back to the NBA ... so says Mrs. Mamba herself, Vanessa Bryant.

There have been rumblings that 39-year-old Kobe is considering a return to the Lakers to join LeBron James for one last shot at a ring before he rides off into the sunset.

And, the rumors got even stronger when Shaquille O'Neal told TMZ Sports over the weekend, "Kobe coming back. You heard it here first."

Now, Vanessa is finally weighing in -- and assuring Laker Nation, Kobe ain't pulling a Michael Jordan.

"Kobe will not be coming out of retirement to play again," Vanessa wrote on Instagram.

"He doesn’t want to play again and frankly we really enjoy spending time together as a family without the crazy game schedule interfering with birthdays, holidays and special events."

Mamba out.

Blake Griffin has reached a truce with baby mama Brynn Cameron in their nasty custody fight -- striking a deal on child support payment and custody right before they were set to go to trial.

Blake and Brynn had 2 children together during their 8-year relationship -- and were supposed to get married back in 2017 ... until he called things off at the last minute and started dating Kendall Jenner.

Brynn went after Blake hard in court docs -- claiming Griffin left her basically homeless and cash-strapped when he bolted.

Our sources tell us a trial was scheduled to begin Wednesday -- but, the two sides were able to privately hammer out an overall custody settlement ... and now the trial is off.

We're told the two have agreed on joint custody on the children. They're both committed to co-parenting in a friendly manner for the sake of the kids.

As for Blake's monthly payments -- there's a report he'll have to fork over $258,000 per month ... but, we're told that number is wrong.

The terms of the settlement are confidential, but we're told the monthly payment is "significant."

Blake Griffin and Jeff Ross went scorched earth on each other during their 'Roast Battle' over the weekend ... with gay jokes, Kardashian jokes -- and even Clippers jokes.

It all went down at The Fonda Theater in L.A. -- where the stars declared comedic war on each other for the Comedy Central show ... and neither one pulled any punches.

Some of the highlights ...

Blake attacks Jeff's weight:

"The only way you could get inside of a gym is if you literally f**ked a guy named Jim."

Jeff attacks Blake's new team, the Detroit Pistons:

"Blake, good luck in Detroit ... you know what, I think you're just white enough not to get shot by the cops. But, be careful because you're now the worst shooter in the most violent city in America."

Blake attacks Jeff's hair:

"Jeff ... you're such a bald piece of sh*t. It honestly looks like we both got f**ked over by the Clippers."

Jeff attacks Blake's breakup with Kendall Jenner:

... and so it begins!

Magic Johnson and his wife, Cookie, have boarded their private jet bound for Italy -- where the family will begin their annual $3 MILLION summer vacation!!!

Remember, the Johnson family vacation is straight BALLER -- they rent out insane yachts and sail around the Amalfi Coast ... while visiting with their rich and famous friends.

In fact, Samuel L. Jackson and his wife are already in Europe -- guessing they'll meet up very soon as they usually do.

In the past, Magic's yachts have featured everything from movie theaters to dining rooms and impressive gyms with treadmills and free weights. We'll see if they upgrade for the 2018 edition!

Bon voyage!

Dwight Howard was the one player Washington had to have in order to make a serious run in the East ... so says Wizards forward Otto Porter, who tells TMZ Sports, "He's definitely a piece that we need."

We got Otto at Reagan National Airport when he explained to us why D12 is going to help him, John Wall and the rest of the Wizards finally make a deep postseason push this year.

"We need a big, especially the type of style that we play," Porter says. "Going up and down, playing inside out. I think he's going to be definitely key for our success this year."

Otto also tells us LeBron heading to the Lakers won't hurt Washington's odds ... and, in fact, he sounded downright confident about them now that LBJ's in L.A.

Austin Rivers can't imagine how hard it'll be for Bronny James to grow up as LeBron's son ... but he's offering advice, telling TMZ Sports, "Just focus on being the best him he can be."

We got Austin -- who lived in Doc's shadow his whole life -- at LAX, when we had to ask ... how is it really going to be for LBJ Jr. to grow up as a famous NBA son in the basketball world??

Rivers doesn't sugarcoat it ... saying it's going to be brutal.

But -- A.R.'s got a blueprint for Bronny to follow.

"Don't focus on trying to be LeBron James," Rivers says. "I didn't focus on trying to be Doc. I just tried to be myself."

Austin seems to think Bronny's got a huge future regardless ... dishing out praise for what he's seen from the King's kid so far -- including giving a high grade for his first-ever dunk.

Trae Young bought a new car ... and as the NBA's newest star -- he spared no expense on the whip -- dropping over $138k on it!!

The Atlanta Hawks' top draft pick showed off the ride -- an Audi R8 -- over the weekend ... as it arrived to pick him up from the airport with his folks.

"My First Purchased Car for myself is here!!!" Trae wrote on social media. "My parents Surprised me with it. #Blessed!!"

It's matte black ... and with all the bells and whistles on it -- it could have cost him over $200,000.

Not that the price tag worries the 19-year-old ... the #5 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft just signed a contract with the Hawks that guarantees $11.6 MILLION over the first 2 years.

Prison's officially off the table for Charles Oakley in his casino cheating case -- but he ain't outta the woods just yet.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... the ex-NBA star was arrested at the Cosmopolitan in Vegas on July 8 after officials say he changed his bet after the outcome of the game was known.

Our sources have told us Oakley pulled a $100 chip back after he realized he was going to lose.

Oakley was initially charged with attempting to commit a fraudulent act in a gaming establishment -- and faced up to 6 years in prison if convicted.

But now, the Clark County District Attorney tells us the charge has been reduced to misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

And, while the new charge carries up to 6 months in jail if convicted -- it's unlikely he'll spend another minute behind bars.

These are actual words that came out of Shaq's mouth Sunday night -- "Kobe coming back. You heard it here first."

Is he messing with us? Probably. Then again, maybe not??

But, probably.

Shaq was leaving the Budweiser LIVE 5-on-5 charity basketball tournament in Downtown L.A. over the weekend when we asked the 46-year-old if he would ever consider a comeback.

The Diesel shot that right down ... but then cracked a big grin and told us, "Kobe coming back I heard. Kobe coming back! You heard it here first!"

There have been rumblings about 39-year-old Kobe Bryant coming back to the Lakers for one more season alongside LeBron James ... but it's super unlikely.

Then again ... maybe not?

By the way, the basketball event raised money for the Folds of Honor Foundation -- which provides scholarships to spouses and children of U.S. military personnel who've been killed or wounded in action.

Dennis Rodman went nuclear on Bruce Willis at the Comedy Central roast -- and he used his friend, Kim Jong-un, as a punchline.

Everyone knows how seriously Rodman has taken his relationship with the North Korean dictator over the years -- but, when Dennis took the stage, he targeted Bruce with a bomb joke.

"Bruce, you keep making these f*cking bombs. Well, guess what ... so does Kim Jong-un. But at least Kim is smart enough not to release his."

It wasn't the only time Rodman referenced his dealings with North Korea -- he also told Martha Stewart the next time she gets locked up, he can help secure her release.

Dennis also dropped some penis, vagina and stripper jokes ... and praised Ed Norton for banging Salma Hayek.

LaVar Ball's new hoops league just got a HUGE endorsement, with Metta World Peace telling TMZ Sports he thinks the JBA is going to be taking players from the NCAA ... SOON!!

We got Metta out on the streets of Venice when he told us he's HIGHLY interested in Ball's basketball league ... telling us it has REAL potential.

"I think that's going to be a league that's going to be competing with NCAA pretty soon," World Peace tells us.

In fact ... Metta says if he wasn't so busy ballin' in the BIG3 -- he'd actually consider WORKING for the league!

She's only a few days old, but Lonzo Ball's brand new baby girl already has a job -- she's going to work for LaVar's new BABY BALLER BRAND ... so says the Big Baller himself.

We spoke with LaVar Ball at his BBB pop-up shop at Sole Play in Atlanta where he told us he's happy to be a grandpa -- but he ONLY goes by that title at Lonzo's home.

Otherwise, he only wants to be known as "The Big Baller CEO in the mix."

Our photog suggested LaVar launch a baby line to cater to the new kid, but Ball said he's already got a newborn line in the works and, as soon as Baby Ball is ready, "she's a worker."

There's more ...

We also asked LaVar if he'd ever consider launching a women's JBA basketball league -- and how he felt about LeBron's murals getting vandalized in L.A.

Move over LeBron ... you ain't the only James wanted in Hollywood -- 'cause 'Basketball Wives' star Jackie Christie is BEGGING Savannah to join the show.

"Come on Savannah," Doug Christie's wife tells TMZ Sports. "We need you!"

Jackie's been a staple on VH1's hit ... and when we got her out at LAX with her NBA hubby -- she was all for sharing the show's limelight with LBJ's boo.

"Savannah, come be on 'Basketball Wives,' we think you're adorable!"

Of course ... Jackie IS one of the few 'Wives' stars still with her NBA connect -- so there might be some angling for a new storyline here.

LeBron James has officially put Kid Ink's Clippers fandom on life support ... 'cause the L.A. rapper tells TMZ Sports he'd root for King James' Lakers in a playoff series with the Clippers!!

The 32-year-old has been all-in with the Clips since he was little ... telling us, "I ride for the underdog."

But, with LBJ in L.A. now ... Kid Ink's doing the unthinkable -- DUMPING HIS OLD TEAM!!

"I've always been riding for LeBron James since high school," he says.

Now ... Kid Ink's not fully ready to commit the L.A. treason ... telling us he atleast won't rock Lakers gear when he cheers on LeBron at Staples Center.

But, you gotta hear the dagger he inserts into Clip City's heart when we ask who he'd root for in a scenario where LeBron has the ball in closing time against the Clippers.

Ever wondered what Russell Westbrook's upper thighs look like??

Good ... 'cause the Thunder superstar gave all his Team USA teammates -- and the rest of us, courtesy of Bryan Salmond and Sharp and Shapiro from "The Vegas Take" radio show -- an eyeful of them on Thursday.

Russ had his Nike shorts rolled ALL THE WAY UP on the first day of Team USA camp out in Vegas ... showin' off the kind of skin we haven't seen since John Stockton.

Of course ... this ain't the first time Russ has made a fashion statement -- Gucci diaper bags, full-faced Jordan hoodies and whatever this was have been a staple of his closet.

So, keep doing you, Russ ... and thanks for the reminder to never skip leg day.

The "Crying Jordan" meme will never die ... at least it won't for this dedicated Michael Jordan fan, who got an insanely realistic thigh tattoo of the viral pic!!

TMZ Sports spoke with the artist behind the work, Steve Butcher -- who's known for his unreal sports-themed tattoos --- who says the whole thing took about 10 hours to complete.

Butcher says the person is a MASSIVE Chicago Bulls fan ... and the dude is planning on getting the whole leg inked with Bulls tats.

You've probably seen Butcher's work before ... he worked on a dope Tupac piece for Matt Barnes back in June.

We're told the fan was totally thrilled with the finished product ... and we're assuming it had him crying tears of joy.