Basketball

L.A. Lakers star Danny Green may have TWO rings in the near future ... 'cause the sharpshooter just got engaged to his longtime GF!!!

The 32-year-old NBAer revealed he popped the question to Blair Bashen on Monday ... getting on one knee at Surfer's Point Beach in Ventura.

FYI -- DG and Blair have been dating for 5 years ... and Green finally decided to make things official on their anniversary.

So ... what took so long?? Get this ...

"Sorry it took so long babe! just wanted to be able to get you the ring you deserved and couldn’t afford it until now 😂 "

Worth noting ... Green has reportedly made more than $67 MILLION during his career so far -- and is currently in the middle of a 2-year $30 mil contract with the Lakers.

So, either he's just teasing, or Blair just got one MASSIVE rock!!!

Green continued ... "love you with all my heart and Im so lucky to have had you by my side these past 5 years ... many more years to come! Here’s to forever!"

Charles Barkley says it would be "stupid" to cancel the remainder of the NBA season ... saying players wouldn't just miss out on cash, but they'd also lose their platform.

"I think it will be stupid to not play for 2 reasons," Barkley said on ESPN's "Get Up!"

"Number 1, if they don't play, they're gonna be 'Out of Sight, Out of Mind' for the rest of the year."

Barkley says LeBron James is one of the most famous athletes on the planet, but without the NBA season, "he won't be visible anywhere. So, it's out of sight out of mind."

Number 2 ... Barkley says players could be using their fat NBA paychecks to continue to help the cause.

"They're gonna lose billions of dollars that the players could use to go into their own communities and do some great stuff. So, it's not good on any part."

As we previously reported, Stephen Jackson came out strong against continuing the season -- saying it will take away the media focus from the Black Lives Matter movement.

Kyrie Irving and Dwight Howard recently came out with similar statements to Jackson. And, Monday morning, Barkley addressed those players as well.

Stephen Jackson is imploring NBA players to NOT return to action this season ... saying a basketball comeback would hurt the Black Lives Matter movement and the fight for social justice.

"Now ain't the time to be playing basketball, y'all," the former NBA star said. "Now ain't the time."

Jackson was friends with George Floyd and has become a very influential voice in the media since Floyd was killed.

"Playing basketball is going to do one thing: take all the attention off the task at hand right now and what we fighting for."

Jackson says the NBA season -- which is currently set to tip off next month in a "bubble environment" in Orlando -- would dominate the headlines ... and push away all the progress national protests have made in the wake of George Floyd's death last month.

"Nobody's going to be talking about getting justice for all these senseless murders by the police," he said. "And, nobody's going to be focusing on the task at hand, bro."

Several players are already in Jackson's corner ... Nets star Kyrie Irving and Lakers stud Dwight Howard have both said this past week they don't want to come back.

In fact, Howard said straight-up, "No Basketball 'til we get things resolved."

Of course, others want to see the season go forward ... the league's biggest star -- and Howard's teammate -- LeBron James, has said consistently he's ready for a comeback ASAP.

And, Clippers guard Patrick Beverly backed him in a tweet Sunday, writing, "Hoopers say what y’all want. If @KingJames said he hooping. We all hooping. Not Personal only BUSINESS"

But, Jackson doubled down in another video message to players Sunday ... saying, "Our moment is now."

LiAngelo Ball is catching up with Wiz Khalifa in the race to ink his whole body ... with the hooper revealing a MASSIVE new back tat on Friday.

Remember, not so long ago ... LaVar Ball was LIVID when he found out the oldest Ball bro was tatted in a hilarious scene on their "Ball In The Family" reality show.

21-year-old Gelo's only gotten closer to the needle ever since by adding 2 arm sleeves to his body art ... and now, an insanely huge back piece to complete his upper body.

Ball hit up celeb artist Herchell Carrasco -- who's done work for people from 6ix9ine to Kyle Kuzma -- for the job ... and he says it took a whopping 20 HOURS to complete.

The piece shows a grim reaper holding a royal flush with the message, "Bet On Myself, Beat The Odds."

Worth noting -- Carrasco, AKA RockRollG, is the same artist that covered Lonzo's BBB logo tat earlier last year ... as well as LaMelo's big chest piece.

San Antonio Spurs star Lonnie Walker IV is sharing the serious reason behind cutting his signature hair ... saying he was using it as a "cloaking device" after he was raped and abused as a child ... and was finally ready to move on.

Walker -- the 18th overall pick to the Spurs in 2018 -- has been growing his hair out since the 5th grade ... and it eventually turned into "the pineapple," one of the most notable cuts in the NBA.

The 21-year-old decided it was time to part ways with his hair earlier this week ... and it's got a much deeper meaning than just wanting a new look.

"The real truth as to why i started doing this early 5th grade, it was a cloaking device for me," Walker said on IG.

"During the summer of my 5th grade year I was around more family ... I was sexually harassed, raped, abused, I even got accustomed to it because being at that age you don’t know what is what."

"I had a mindset that my hair was something that I can control. My hair was what I can make and create and be mine."

Walker says he used his time during the coronavirus to accept his past and forgive everyone responsible for his struggles ... calling it "dead weight."

"Me cutting my hair was more than a cut," Walker continued. "My hair was a mask of me hiding the insecurity’s that I felt the world wasn’t ready for. But now better then ever. Out with old. In with the new. I have shed my skin mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually."

Walker streamed the monumental moment ... and the hooper was overcome with emotions when the haircut was complete.

The NBA may be without one of its biggest names when the season resumes in July -- Portland Trail Blazers star Carmelo Anthony says he's on the fence.

Melo's Blazers are 3.5 games out of a playoff spot -- and would need a strong run to make the playoffs.

But, Anthony says he has yet to commit to join the team at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida ... simply because he needs more info about the event before he can make up his mind.

"I'm still up in the air a little bit because I really don't, we don't have all the details," Melo told Ernie Johnson his Twitter show, "#NBATogether."

"We don't know a lot of information, so until we have that, it's hard to just commit to that 100%."

The NBA is planning on bringing the top 22 teams to Orlando to live and play in a bubble-style environment with rigorous testing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While some players -- like LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo -- are stoked about getting back to work, there are reports of a rift between other stars, who aren't fully on board.

Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson are attached at the hip again, but only for a moment. At least for now.

We've known the exes have been spending time together while co-parenting True over the past several weeks -- but at a friend's birthday party they looked very cozy again ... with no kid in sight.

In the vid, posted by Tristan's old teammate, Jordan Clarkson ... Khloe and Tristan are standing right next to each other while singing and holding up their phones. Notably, it looks like his arm is around her.

It's not as earth-shattering as those pregnancy rumors -- which were false -- but for these 2, any news is big news. Our sources say the party was going down at Tristan's home in L.A., but despite appearances, they're not back on as a couple.

We're told Tristan sees Khloe and their daughter every day ... and the pandemic has simply given them a chance to hang out more and work on their friendship.

Our sources say they still live separately, though, and insist there's no change to their relationship status ... still just friends and co-parents.

They are together on one thing, though -- we broke the story, Khloe and Tristan threatened to sue a woman for lying and defamation after she made claims he was the father of her child. Their lawyers say that's been proven false, and Tristan did eventually sue her.

Air Jordan has just conquered another element -- WATER -- 'cause Michael Jordan's Catch 23 boat just caught a 442.3-pound blue marlin in a fishing tourney!!

Jordan is currently dukin' it out in the 62nd Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in Morehead City, North Carolina this week ... a big-time competition with $3.4 MILLION in prize money.

His Airness has participated in huge fishing comps in the past ... including the White Marlin Open in 2019.

MJ was all smiles when his crew brought in the huge blue marlin on Tuesday ... which is good enough to put them in 5th place for the heaviest marlin (the first place boat reeled in a 494.2-lb fish!!!)

Remember, MJ's Catch 23 ride is a beaut -- it's even got the signature elephant print from his Jordan 3's on the back.

Jordan did a "post-game interview" after getting off the boat ... saying he hopes to get back out on the water and bring back a bigger fish.

The crowd went wild when MJ pulled up to the dock ... and the legend even agreed to sign a few autographs after celebrating the huge catch.

Kendall Jenner and Devin Booker are still going strong -- hitting up the most expensive sushi spot in town Monday ... just weeks before Devin has to get back to work!

The two rolled through Nobu in Malibu and left in the same SUV -- roughly one month after they were spotted on a road trip together in Arizona.

They both looked really good. In fact, Kendall walked out of the restaurant like she was strutting down a fashion runway.

But, here's the twist ... with the NBA announcing its plan to resume the 2019-20 season at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida starting on July 31, it seems they'll have a forced separation.

Devin's Phoenix Suns will be included in the NBA's 22-team plan -- in which players and staff will essentially live in a bubble environment as they play out the rest of the season and playoffs.

Teams are expected to arrive in mid-July.

Only essential people will be allowed in the bubble -- players, staff, coaches and family members. Everyone will be required to undergo thorough COVID-19 testing.

Since Kendall isn't family, it's likely she won't be allowed inside ... and if the Suns catch fire, they could be in the bubble until mid-October!

The good news for Kendall ... there's a very low chance they'll even make the playoff portion of the bubble much less the Finals.

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.