Los Angeles Clippers

Chris Paul isn't distancing himself from the Clippers in the wake of racist comments made by team owner Donald Sterling -- in fact, he's still sporting Clippers gear in the team hotel.

Paul looked stoic as he walked through the halls of the team hotel in San Francisco this morning -- as the team gets ready to take on Golden State tomorrow in the NBA playoffs.

Rev. Jesse Jackson and other leaders have called on Paul -- and other Clippers players -- to employ some kind of "symbolic expression" to show their condemnation of Sterling's comments.

We'll see what Paul and the Clips do when they take the floor against the Warriors on Sunday.

Reverend Al Sharpton is calling for the NBA to investigate Donald Sterling ASAP -- telling TMZ Sports, "No one should be allowed to own a team if they have in fact engaged in this kind of racial language."

Sharpton is calling for the league to make an investigation into Sterling its #1 priority -- adding, "We are prepared at National Action Network to rally in front of the NBA headquarters if this matter is not immediately dealt with."

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Sterling -- who owns the L.A. Clippers -- went off on his girlfriend for hanging out with black people in public and told her NOT to bring black people to his games.

We shot Sharpton moments ago at La Guardia airport and he gave more details on the possible rally.

Atlanta Hawks exec Dominique Wilkins -- former NBA great -- tells TMZ Sports ... he's not surprised by Donald Sterling's racist comments ... claiming racism is still a huge problem in the United States.

"As a VP for the Hawks it is appalling to wake up to this story," Wilkins says ... "It is in no way anything that I know MY NBA at ANY level to promote, condone or harbor behind closed doors or openly."

But Wilkins explains, "As a black man living in the South, this is not something that is a surprise. Racism is prevalent, still a problem and something that can NOT be taken lightly in ANY context!”

He continues, "As a former Clipper, I feel for the community of LA. It is a melting pot of culture and ALL races. For Clipper fans, staff and players, I do hope this is dealt with swiftly and justly. It is just totally disappointing."

Reverend Jesse Jackson is calling for Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and the rest of the Clippers to employ some kind of "symbolic expression" to protest the statements made by team owner Donald Sterling.

We just spoke with Jackson ... who tells us he's outraged by Sterling's racist comments -- and says it puts the players in an awkward situation, due to the fact they have a playoff game tomorrow.

Jackson says the league "must respond and respond quickly" -- and says the players should do something during the game to "show a sign of indignation."

Rapper Meek Mill is blasting Donald Sterling -- saying the Los Angeles Clippers owner is the "definition of racism" ... but doesn't think he will be punished.

"Donald sterling is the definition of racism .... He could b your judge.... Your doctor.....you teacher etc" Mill wrote on Twitter early Saturday morning.

He added, "I bet nothing happens 2 him!"

Mill is clearly referring to the audio posted by TMZ Sports, in which you can clearly hear Sterling tell his GF not to bring black people to Clippers games.

The L.A.. Clippers should BOYCOTT the playoffs ... and refuse to step on the court until the NBA takes action against Donald Sterling ... so says Keith Olbermann.

Olbermann went to Twitter this morning -- after TMZ Sports posted audio of the Clippers owner telling his GF not to bring black people to his games -- and railed against Sterling.

"time for #Clippers players to step up. Refuse to play till NBA moves against this racist jackass #Sterling. NBA can't defend him.'

Olbermann also notes, "I was banned by the #Clippers for criticism of the front office - in 1986. This made me the envy of every other LA sports media person."

Chris Paul has a serious decision to make about how he will lead the L.A. Clippers ... after hearing the racist statements made by team owner Donald Sterling ... so says ex-NBA player Rashad McCants.

McCants -- a former first round pick who played for the Timberwolves -- says it's up to Chris Paul and other team leaders to sit with the team and decide how they will handle the situation.

"If you guys are not saying anything about this ... it just speaks to your leadership."

"They gotta have a sit-down and an understanding of where to go from there."

Magic Johnson tells TMZ Sports ... "it's a shame" that Donald Sterling feels his girlfriend shouldn't bring black people to Clippers games.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Sterling went crazy on his GF after she posted a photo of her with Magic on Instagram -- with Sterling saying she shouldn't be seen in public with blacks.

Magic tells us, "It's a shame that Donald Sterling feels that way about African-Americans."

He adds, "He has a team full of amazing African-American basketball players that are working to bring a championship to Clippers fans. The Clippers also have a strong minority fan base."

Drake and Rihanna are together -- we know it, you know it, they know it -- yet they continue to the charade of separating in public ... this time sitting far apart during Wednesday night's Clippers game.

They seemed to wave and smile at each other during the game, and at one point just couldn't resist the temptation for a big hug -- otherwise .... they kept their distance.

It's also possible the two wanted to avoid the pressures of the KISS CAM ... where they would have been forced to smooch in front of an arena full of people.

Sam Cassell has something in common with John Mayer -- they both bought expensive watches from the same guy ... a guy accused of selling FAKES ... and now the former NBA star tells TMZ Sports he's bringing in experts to see if he got ripped off.

We broke the story ... Mayer is suing Charlie Sheen's BFF Robert Maron -- claiming he bought $5 million worth of Rolex watches from the guy ... some of which turned out NOT to be 100% authentic.

Cassell tells TMZ Sports he also bought a watch from Maron -- "It's an A. Lange & Sohne. It cost me a nice piece of change."

Sam wouldn't say how much he spent on the watch -- but A. Lange & Sohne pieces can run upwards of $150k.

Cassell says he was introduced to Maron by his former Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy -- and bought the watch from him because he offered the lowest price in town.

"What am I thinking ... this guys gonna rip me off? No. Mike got watches from him also. But at the same time, Mike's a basketball coach, not a jeweler."

Sam says he's now sending the watch to an expert to analyze the timepiece ... and says, "If it comes back fake, I'm going to the Dept. of Justice!"

The L.A. Clippers are rallying behind Blake Griffin ... with one baller telling TMZ Sports the entire team's got Blake's back if anyone tries to pull a Jermaine O'Neal and get in his face again.

In case you missed it ... O'Neal confronted Griffin in the hallway after the Clips smashed the Warriors 111-98 ... with Jermaine clearly looking for a Part 2 of the altercation they had on the court earlier that game.

We spoke with one of the Clippers who tells us, "People always hate on the best ... what do you except when you’re the best?"

"There's NO FEAR and Blake isn't worried about the haters. We have Blake’s back ... but he ain't worried."

Glen "Big Baby" Davis is adjusting pretty well to life in L.A. ... crushing it on the court -- and also at the nightclubs ... and TMZ Sports has the video proof.

We spotted Davis leaving DBA nightclub last night ... with (at least) THREE hot chicks in tow.

After they got in his waiting SUV, a bunch of other chicks flocked to Glen's ride ... like skeezer moths to a rich and famous flame.

Aside from chick wranglin', Davis also talked basketball -- telling us his L.A. Clipppers are gonna win the NBA championship.

Kanye West ... why you mad, bro??

You'd think the rapper would've been in a better mood last night ... since he sat courtside at a high school basketball game in Brentwood to support a friend's nephew -- but nope, he looked MISERABLE.

Sources on scene tell us ... one of the kids playing in the game is the nephew of Kanye's designer friend Tracey Mills ... and Yeezy was there to show his support.

So, props for going out to support a friend ... but dude, it's OK to smile!!!

Bonus -- L.A. Clippers coach Doc Rivers was also in the stands ... but sources say he appeared to be having a much better time.

Apparently, MONSTER DUNK SKILLS run in the family ... 'cause LeBron James' kids just went HAM on their Nerf hoop ... and the rim-crushing highlight was all captured on video.

LeBron's sons -- 6-year-old Bryce and 9-year-old Bronny -- teamed for a crazy alley-oop style slam on Christmas morning ... and LeBron was so proud, he posted the footage online.

James even Instagram'd a message to L.A. Clippers stars Blake Griffin and Chris Paul ... saying, "Bronny and Bryce gone hold down Lob City until y'all get back. Cool? It's like the both of y'all but we gone keep it in our room. Haha."

Fun Fact -- If 28-year-old LeBron can stay healthy enough to play in the league for 10 more years, he's got a shot at playing ALONGSIDE his son.

Lamar Odom has escaped to his Alma Mater – the University of Rhode Island – for the week ... and is hitting the courts at his old gym ... presumably training for his alleged return to the NBA.

Lamar told our camera guy over weekend he's been in talks with the LA Clippers ... after his career was derailed this summer by a serious crack problem.

The assistant coach at URI – Preston Murphy – was a former teammate of Lamar’s when they played college ball together back in ’98 … and it looks like Murphy is letting Lamar use the facilities to train while the team is away for the week.

Lamar has been mugging with students on campus.

Lamar Odom just confirmed to TMZ ... discussions are underway for a return to the team he loved -- the L.A. Clippers.

We got Lamar at LAX about an hour ago ... and he made it clear something is going on between him and the team.

Coach Doc Rivers said he met with Lamar Friday to have a chit chat and there is a buzz that serious negotiations are underway.