Basketball

Thanos ain't snappin' his fingers at Joakim Noah ... 'cause the NBA star and Josh Brolin bro'd out on the beach ... and lookin' at the pics, you'd think Noah is the one who plays a superhuman!!

The buff dudes teamed up for a Malibu getaway with John McEnroe and surfer Laird Hamilton this week ... drinkin' beers and playing cornhole -- something they've been doing all summer long.

Noah's actually wearing a lot more clothing than the last time we saw him ... considering the dude stripped buck nekkid in front of his expensive Porsche in Santa Monica for a quick change last month.

No clue how this group came to be ... but if they keep taking beach pics together, we're for it.

If you've seen Ex-NBA tough guy Matt Barnes play basketball, chances are you've seen him high as a kite ... because MB says he smoked weed before every game he played ... SINCE HIGH SCHOOL.

Barnes appeared on Van Lathan's 'Red Pill Podcast' and talked openly about the taboo of marijuana usage in pro sports ... and how he hopes to work with the NBA to change policies banning weed.

Matt then went on to explain he's not a poser ... he's an advocate and an avid smoker ... saying he toked up before NBA games.

"We'd have shoot around at 11, I'd be done by 12, back to the house by 12:30. Roll a joint, smoke it. Take a nap, wake up, eat, shower, and go to the game."

BTW -- Matt also told a HILARIOUS STORY about how he learned his limits with weed, and how going a little too hard with it led to some not-so-awesome results on the basketball court.

There's a good chance Odell Beckham's dad came home to a Shaq-sized sock on his door in college ... 'cause the Giants superstar says the two were roommates at LSU!!

OBJ revealed the wild fact to Kevin Hart while taking an ice bath on K.H.'s "Cold As Balls" YouTube show ... admitting the room no doubt smelled "terrible."

It's a crazy story ... but did you also know Odell's dad also played football at LSU while Shaq was ballin' on the hardwood??

It's true ... dude scored seven touchdowns in three seasons!!

By the way, Odell's mom ran track at LSU as well.

Hurricane Florence victims are getting a huge assist from Michael Jordan ... 'cause the NBA's best-ever is sending $2 MILLION to help anyone affected by the storm.

Jordan -- who owns the Charlotte Hornets -- says he's giving $1 mil to the American Red Cross and another million to the Foundation For The Carolinas' Hurricane Florence Response fund.

The Hornets are also donating food boxes.

The team says it's also created "Carolina Strong" shirts ... and says 100 percent of the profits will be donated as well.

By the way ... Jordan and the Hornets aren't the only big-league club pitching in on the relief efforts -- the Atlanta Braves handed out free tickets to those forced to flee last week.

NBA star Enes Kanter has a lot in common with Colin Kaepernick -- saying they're both trying to "stand up for what's right" in their countries ... and their presidents HATE them for it.

Of course, Enes has been labeled a terrorist in his native Turkey -- with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan trying to imprison him and his family members for speaking out against the regime.

Kanter tells us the guy is a "lunatic" -- and despite the threats and other attacks, the NBA star says he vows to continue "fighting for human rights and trying to do the best we can."

Which brings us to Kaepernick ... a man Enes praises as a righteous person who has his FULL support.

When we brought up the mayor in Louisiana, who recently tried to ban Nike products in his town because of the Swoosh's association with Kaep ... Enes says it reminds him of the situation back home.

"I just feel sad, because it's the same situation I'm having with my country," Enes says ... "but I'm standing for what's right, man."

LeBron James finally unblocked his new Lakers teammate, JaVale McGee, on Instagram this week ... so, when we saw JM at LAX, we had to ask ... WHY!?

Turns out, the whole thing dates back 5 years ... but JaVale tells TMZ Sports he's not sure if there's a specific incident that caused Bron to cut off access.

So, where was JaVale in 2013? He was playing for the Nuggets, and we can't seem to find any reports of an incident between the 2 guys.

The good news ... the unblocking seems to be an olive branch and JaVale says he and LeBron are getting along great now.

In fact, JaVale says he's confident the team has a real shot at an NBA title -- but notes, "Not gonna be easy of course. Hard work."

There's more ... we also asked about Shaq -- who's been pretty critical of JaVale in the past.

Now that JM's a Laker, will things finally be cool between the guys?

When you're LeBron James, simply playing some romantic music for your wedding anniversary ain't gonna cut it -- you gotta get the real thing to perform in YOUR HOUSE!!

LBJ and Savannah celebrated their 5th anniversary on Thursday night ... with the Lakers superstar recruiting singer/songwriter Daniel Caesar to serenade her with a private performance of his hit song, "Best Part," right in the comfort of their living room.

FYI -- King James and Savannah have been together waaaayyyy longer than 5 years ... they were high school sweethearts and have been inseparable ever since.

As for Caesar -- if you haven't heard of him before, you probably will soon. The 23-year-old Canadian musician is a rising star in the industry. But, you know how the James' are -- always ahead of the trends.

With a nickname like Brisk, you gotta look the part ... and that's exactly what Chris McCullough did ... droppin' a ton of cash for his new chain -- a Lipton Brisk Iced Tea can!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... the 2015 1st-round pick wanted something that would symbolize his unique nickname, so he hit up Moses the Jeweler in NYC to hook him up with the one-of-a-kind piece.

We're told the piece -- which is made with 14k white gold and heart and arrow cut diamonds -- took about 6 MONTHS to complete due to all the details.

BTW -- Moses is the same dude who made a $150k gold chain of Larry David's face for producer and manager David Weintraub.

So naturally, his stuff ain't gonna come cheap. We're told Brisk dropped $100k for the piece.

Now, that's icy.

Jimmy Butler has made more than $60 MILLION in his NBA career -- and will most likely sign another $100 MILLION contract soon.

The guy can clearly afford to drive whatever fancy car he desires -- especially when dining in Beverly Hills.

But, there was no Ferrari. Or Bugatti. Or even a BMW. On Wednesday afternoon, Butler was behind the wheel of a minivan ... and damn proud of it.

The Minnesota Timberwolves star was leaving Il Pastaio -- one of the fanciest restaurants in town -- when he told us he needed to get to his car ... a 2017 Toyota Sienna, which starts at $29k.

It's the perfect car for a family -- or even just a couple big dudes getting lunch ... which seemed to be the case for Butler.

We tried to ask about his recent interaction with Iggy Azalea -- and if they're actually dating or not -- but he was laser-focused on his minivan.

Kobe Bryant's basketball training campaign continues ... this time, Black Mamba is sharing his secrets with WNBA superstar Candace Parker!!

The retired NBA legend has been spreading his knowledge to hoopers like Jayson Tatum this offseason ... and has offered his services to Shaq's sons as well.

But Monday, he was focused squarely on the women's league -- hitting the gym with the L.A. Sparks superstar and fellow WNBAers Karlie Samuelson, Monique Billings and Gabby Williams.

Seems the training sesh was focused on improving footwork.

"[Kobe], I learned so much and was in awe to see the footwork in person," Candace posted ... "Here to prove older dogs can learn new tricks! #2019"

Kobe's sworn up and down he's done with pro basketball -- whether it's NBA or Ice Cube's BIG3 -- but he obviously still has an itch for the game.

Jay Williams says he's seen Andrew Bynum's recent workout video -- and he's impressed -- but tells TMZ Sports it might be too little, too late for the big man's NBA comeback dreams.

FYI -- Bynum's been training like crazy in hopes of getting a tryout with a team in need of a 7-footer ... even though it's been 4 years since he last suited up for a pro team.

Williams -- who went to the same New Jersey H.S. as Bynum -- says the ex-Laker looks in amazing shape ... but questions whether he'll be able to adjust to today's game with big men like Anthony Davis and Boogie Cousins pulling up from three.

But, Williams doesn't close the door on Bynum's goals, he actually thinks he CAN pull off the comeback ... but he's keeping it real for the 30-year-old.

If hoops don't work out for Blake Griffin ... he's got the official stamp of approval from comedian Nikki Glaser to move to the stand-up mic -- 'cause she's telling TMZ Sports Blake is LEGIT funny.

"Oh, he could totally be a comedian if he wanted to be," she says. "I wouldn't say that about anyone."

Remember ... Blake went head-to-head in a roast battle with Jeff Ross earlier this summer -- and killed it ... telling Jeff at one point, "You're such a bald piece of sh*t. It honestly looks like we both got f**ked over by the Clippers."

Nikki just so happened to be a judge for that battle ... and when we got her outside Hollywood Improv earlier this week -- she says she was straight-up mad that B.G. was so good.

"You see someone that handsome and just that talented in his own profession and it's like, 'Stay in your lane!'" Nikki tells us.

"And, you want him to be bad at comedy. You want someone that's killing it in their own life, tall and has everything -- you want them to be not funny, and then he was really funny. Like, really funny."

Boston Celtics guard Jabari Bird is behind bars after being arrested for reportedly assaulting, strangling and kidnapping someone.

Cops say it was a domestic incident, but were not more specific.

Law enforcement says Bird is undergoing psych evaluation in a Boston-area hospital.

Cops say Bird is "currently being guarded" at a Boston-area hospital. The victim is being treated at another hospital.

Although details are scarce, the Celtics are clearly concerned, issuing a statement ... "We are aware of the incident involving Jabari Bird and are taking it very seriously. We are actively gathering information and will reserve further comment at this time."

Bird, who was drafted last year, will appear in court Monday, where he will be officially charged.

Karl Malone and ex-NBA star Brian Grant were enemies on the court ... but when BG was diagnosed with Parkinson's, the HOFer came up big ... helpin' his old rival AND raising $100k for charity.

Grant -- a 6'9" PF who was a beast on defense and the boards -- played 12 seasons in the NBA for the Kings, Trail Blazers, Heat, Lakers, and Suns ... before retiring in 2006.

Approximately 2 years later -- when he was only 36 years old -- Grant was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's ... sending him into a depression.

Grant says once the diagnosis became public ... Malone reached out and offered his help.

Malone and Grant put together a dope Alaskan fishing trip and auctioned it off ... raising $107k to help combat Parkinson's.

Grant says not only did that cash help people ... but hangin' with Malone -- his idol -- was super therapeutic for him during a dark time in his life.

BG's still fighting the disease ... and working with the Parkinson's Foundation to help spread awareness and raise money.

LeBron James is out ... and now the City of Cleveland has announced they're replacing the legendary banner with a new icon ... a Guardian!!!

No, not Groot. Or Rocket. Or even Mantis ... it's the Guardian of Traffic!

ALL HAIL THE TRAFFIC GOD!!

It's true -- the greatest athlete in the history of the city (maybe the world) is being subbed out for an image of the statue that overlooks traffic on the Hope Memorial Bridge.

City officials proposed the idea during a meeting early Friday morning -- claiming the statue is one of the "iconic landmarks" in town ... adding, "We all serve as guardians in terms of protecting and working within our community."

Okay, but honestly ... wouldn't you rather have Baker Mayfield or Bernie Kosar or Drew Carey?

Hell, throw Ricky Vaughn up there!

The Guardians of Traffic poster will include a slogan for the city -- "All For The Land."

And, if the guardian looks a little grainy to you -- it's 'cause the city wanted it that way ... saying it's a mosaic of "a composite of crowd-sourced images" of Clevelanders.

Immediate reaction to it hasn't been great ... with some tweeting, "Wait, is this real or a meme?"

What do LeBron James, Justin Bieber, Hailey Baldwin, Whoopi Goldberg, Ben Simmons, Scooter Braun, Swaggy P and a bunch of yellow milk crates have in common?

They all came together -- at a skate park no less -- for an incredible photo Thursday during New York Fashion Week.

The murderer's row of sports stars and celebs were gathered for the John Elliott runway show ... the runway being the center of a skateboarding ramp.

It looks like the lineup includes Robert Englund and Maverick Carter, as well ... but we're not certain. No clue who the guy behind the fence peering in is, though.

As we reported ... stars like Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Kendall Jenner and more have already flocked to NYC for Fashion Week events.