Los Angeles Lakers

Nick Young forgot all about his former high school basketball coach when he made it big in the NBA ... at least that's what the guy's saying in a new lawsuit.

Wanna own a piece of the actual Staples Center hardwood from Kobe Bryant's legendary final game? Well, now you can ... if you've got A TON of cash to spend.

The Lakers have announced ... the 3 panels that made up the custom #8 that was on the court when Kobe dropped 60 are going up for auction as a single item -- starting bid is $10,000.

And check this out ... proceeds from the sale will benefit the Lakers Youth Foundation -- which helps underprivileged kids.

As for the #24 that was also on the court that day -- the Lakers say that will be displayed as artwork in the new Lakers practice facility.

Not every ex-Laker had a glorious Wednesday night ... 'cause Kobe's former teammate D.J. Mbenga was straight DENIED from a Hollywood nightclub ... moments after watching the Mamba's last strike.

It went down at Warwick where D.J. -- who was on court to hug Kobe after the finale -- wanted to get a little turnt up after a perfect night in Laker land.

That turn up never happened ... D.J. and his crew were left standing outside the party although he was still in good enough spirits to talk to our photog ... and flash his NBA championship ring.

BTW ... we asked the bouncer why he Mutombo'd Mbenga ... he told our guy "D.J. showed up with 5 dudes AND because I'm a Warriors fan! I'm celebrating 73 wins over here tonight!"

Cold, cold world.

Some people think the Utah Jazz laid down and LET Kobe Bryant drop 60 on 'em Wednesday night a la the Washington Generals ... but Marlon Wayans says BS -- they're just that bad.

In fact, Marlon told us ... the Jazz team name would be more accurate if they dropped the J.

Sorry, Lakers ... the Zen Master is NOT returning to L.A. -- this according to Phil Jackson's fiancee Jeanie Buss.

The rumors have been swirling for months ... with several NBA insiders hinting that Jackson may have a secret exit strategy in place to leave his gig as president of the Knicks and return to Laker Land.

But Jeanie (co-owner and president of the Lakers) says it's 100% BS -- telling TMZ Sports, "Don't listen to that ... Phil is in New York. He signed a 5 year deal."

As for rumors that Kobe Bryant may join the Lakers front office -- Jeanie says, "Kobe can do whatever he wants."

How does Mamba celebrate an insane 60-point farewell game??? POPPIN' DOM IN THE LOCKER ROOM!!!

Despite the fact he looked drained at the end of that legendary performance, the 37-year-old retiree somehow mustered up the energy to celebrate with champagne in the locker room.

#MambaOut

How did Kobe's teammates feel about dishing Mamba the ball 50 TIMES Wednesday night??

They were happy to oblige ... so says Lakers center Roy Hibbert.

"We knew that it was his time and we let him get as many shots as he wanted," Hibbert told TMZ Sports after a celebratory dinner at Mastro's Steakhouse in Beverly Hills.

Kobe Bryant got a send-off worthy of a great Hollywood finale -- with Staples Center packed full of celebrities ... the usual suspects and many more.

Jack Nicholson, Leo DiCaprio, Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg were on hand -- but so were Jay Z, Lamar Odom and Kanye West.

Flea has a message for all the people who ripped his version of the National Anthem at the Lakers game Wednesday night -- YOU'RE WRONG!!

After the tears come the turn up ... 'cause directly following Kobe's last shot, we're told there are plans for a sick post-game party inside Staples Center -- but there's serious doubt if Kobe will actually show up.

It's going down at Hyde lounge right near the private suites inside the arena -- and multiple sources connected to the party tell us the guest list is strictly A-list.

We're told the list contains names like Shaq, Snoop, Lamar Odom, Anthony Anderson, Zendaya, Derek Fisher (hide your girlfriends, fellas) and more.

Word is Snoop may even DJ the party.

The only huge A-List celebrity on the fence is Kobe himself ... who we're told might not stay long -- or attend at all -- potentially opting for a swift exit back home after the game.

Now that his NBA career is over -- we were wondering ... what's gonna happen to Kobe Bryant's helicopter?

We did some digging -- here's what we found.

First off, Kobe doesn't own the chopper he's been using to get from his home in Orange County to Staples Center -- he rents it ... and has been for years.

But he's got a great relationship with the company that owns it -- and they've always dropped everything for Mamba when he's needed a lift.

In fact, he used it in 2010 to get to the Lakers championship parade -- and in 2012, he fired up the aircraft to help teammate Steve Blake get to a doctor's appointment on time.

Earlier this year, he used the helicopter as transportation for a romantic Valentine's Day afternoon with Vanessa.

There's one person we know who won't be buying the ridiculous $38k Kobe Bryant hat the Lakers are selling ... and it's one guy who could actually afford it ... Lakers co-owner Jesse Buss.

We got Buss out at LAX and asked him about the limited edition hat -- a $38k snakeskin joint with solid gold lettering -- the Lakers are selling to commemorate the Mamba hanging it up.

Question is ... who's gonna buy this thing?

Check out the clip ... Jesse -- who we're guessing could get a hook up -- says it's not gonna be him 'cause as he puts it, "My hats cost $20."

Oh BTW ... if the $38k hat is too rich for your blood don't worry .... there's a $24k one up for sale too.

#FrugalLiving.

Good news for the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers ... legendary UConn coach Jim Calhoun thinks there are teams you can actually DOMINATE ... college teams.

We got Calhoun out in NYC and we had to ask the 3-time National Champion if he thought any of the best teams in the Final Four would have a shot against the NBA's worst.

Bottom line ... Calhoun says don't let the madness of March fool you ... reminding us all that it'd be men against boys and the college kids would "lose by 30."

It's been a rough year for Nick Young ... and not just because of the whole D'Angelo Russell, Iggy Azalea stuff.

The Lakers star just tweeted (and deleted) his gripes with '16 ... calling out fast food places, the Kyrie Irving, Kehlani drama ... and taking a parting shot at his teammate.

And to think, it's only March ...

The guy who caught -- and then sniffed -- Kobe Bryant's shooting sleeve after the Lakers vs. Jazz game this week says he's sorry he embarrassed Laker Nation and wants to "clear his name."

This is actually pretty hilarious ...

We got an email from Dorjbat Dorjmenchim with the subject line: "Guy who smelled Kobe's Sleeve" ... so naturally, we had to read it.

Inside was a letter explaining and sort of apologizing for ripping the sleeve away from another fan and inhaling the hell out of the scene live on television.

For the record, we asked Dorjbat what the sleeve smelled like -- "greatness and a little bit of sweat."

Here's the letter ...

"It's a tough time right now in Lakerland," so says Lakers prodigy Jordan Clarkson who called D'Angelo Russell his "brother" -- but stopped short of saying he would ever trust the guy again.

Clarkson -- who scored 26 points in the Lakers OT win over the Heat -- was leaving The Nice Guy in West Hollywood when we asked about the drama between Russell and Nick Young.

"Both of them dudes my brothers," Clarkson said.