Los Angeles Lakers

Cool moment in the TMZ offices when Boosie Badazz met Metta World Peace -- and bro'd out right on the "TMZ Sports" TV show.

Turns out, the Louisiana rap legend is a HUGE Lakers fan -- and told Metta he remembers watching him hit that famous 3 pointer in Game 7 of the '10 NBA Finals while he was locked up in prison.

At the time, Boosie was locked up in the Louisiana State Penitentiary on drug charges ... and says Metta's shot was a bright spot during his incarceration.

Metta was equally stoked to meet Boosie ... saying the Lakers are always bumping his music in the locker room. Metta also told Boosie he was a "champion" for turning his life around after prison.

There's A LOT more on the "TMZ Sports" show Tuesday night on FS1 -- including Metta's take on the new George Karl video, Lamar Odom's possible coaching move and Mike Tyson's diss track.

Lamar Odom says he's still intent on returning to the NBA ... but on the sidelines ... telling TMZ Sports he's reached out to Lakers coach Luke Walton about a spot on the staff.

Odom's been intent on getting back in the league, saying at Kobe's farewell game that he fully expected to one day be back on an NBA roster.

It's seems he's changed his focus ... because when we got him out in L.A. on Monday he told our camera guy his return will still happen ... but as a coach.

Odom says he's serious and has already spoken with Luke about his future with the franchise.

If you think it's impossible, you're dead wrong ... Odom's still one of the most well-liked players in Lakers history ... and was lauded for his IQ on the court during his playing days.

John Travolta says he's PUMPED to be the inspiration for Nick Young's 3-point shot celebratory hip-thrusting dance ... telling TMZ Sports, "I love it!"

Nick's dance went viral after he hit a long-range bomb against the Grizzlies on Tuesday. The Lakers star later said God came to him in a dream the night before and told him to dance like John Travolta.

When we told Travolta about the situation at Barney's in Bev Hills Wednesday night ... he made it clear Nick has his blessing.

The L.A. Lakers have reportedly 86'd plans to stay at the Trump SoHo hotel on road trips to NYC ... citing "security concerns" as the reason they can't lay their heads on Trump's pillows.

According to a report by the L.A. Times, the Lakers were concerned about protests happening outside the hotel ... so they opted to take their business elsewhere.

TMZ Sports spoke to the NYPD ... who told us they have no "knowledge of security threats to that location" ... adding it's "all clear down there."

FYI -- 3 NBA teams have publicly ceased business relationships with Trump hotels due to politics ... however, an unnamed source told the Times the Lakers' decision is NOT "politically motivated."

Chris Paul is super happy that his friend, Kobe Bryant, just had his 3rd baby girl -- but he has a message for the NBA legend ... "Keep going 'til you get a boy!"

Nick Young threw a violent temper tantrum after not getting a foul call in a church league basketball game back in August ... and allegedly beat the crap out of an opposing player ... this according to a new lawsuit.

Young is being sued by Luis Solis -- who claims he was playing against the Lakers star in a game on the court at the Shepherd of the Hills church in Porter Ranch, CA on August 18th.

In the court docs, obtained by TMZ Sports, Solis claims Young became "enraged" after he thought Solis fouled him ... and the ref missed the call.

Solis says Young flipped out -- and beat him down to the ground. At that point, a bunch of Nick's teammates jumped in and began to kick him while he was down.

Solis says he suffered serious injuries including a concussion -- and claims it's not the first time Young has gotten violent during pick-up games. We're told Solis has not filed a police report but is contemplating doing so.

Byron Scott gon' cry in the car ... 'cause Julius Randle is giving 100% credit to new coach Luke Walton for the team's surprising start ... saying the young coach is pressing all the right buttons.

The Lakers are 7-7 this year -- not exactly World beaters -- but when you consider they only won 21 games ALL OF LAST SEASON ... the start is pretty impressive.

So when we got Randle out in L.A. and asked him what was making the Lake show great again ... he gave props to the new sheriff in town.

It's not just NBA stars who can brick a shot ... because a woman just admitted to firing one through a window at Metta World Peace's home!!

The Lakers star appeared in an L.A. courtroom on Monday to get a permanent restraining order against Miesha Shakes -- who Metta claims has been harassing him and his family since 2015.

In a heated courtroom exchange, Miesha admitted to throwing the brick though Metta's window and bothering his family ... and claims it's all over a dispute with her baby daddy. We'll explain ...

Miesha says she has a kid with Metta's nephew -- and Metta sometimes watches the kid. Miesha's upset with her baby daddy so she decided to take out her anger on Metta.

The judge, as you can imagine, was not happy with Miesha's explanation -- and hit her with a restraining order to stay 100 yards from Metta and his family for the next 3 years.

Lakers sharpshooter Jordan Clarkson is about to teach you how to stunt ... the non-MC Hammer Antoine Walker way ... tearing up the streets of L.A. in a ridiculous Lambo ... someone rented for him.

We got Jordan out in L.A. getting into an incredible Lamborghini ... and right off the bat we wanted to know when he copped the new ride.

Makes sense he'd be riding fly ... the kid signed a 5 year $50 million deal with the Purple & Gold earlier this year.

Jordan makes it clear to us ... the whip ain't his ... telling our camera guy someone rented it FOR HIM.

Coach World Peace?? That's right ... the Lakers star says he's eyeing a gig as an NBA head coach when he retires.

TMZ Sports spoke with Metta World Peace earlier this week about the praise he's been gettin' from the Lakers coaching staff ... who have said his knowledge and experience are valuable to the team even when he isn't on the floor.

MWP agrees ... and goes on to say he'd like to join young successful NBA coaches like Billy Donovan and Brad Stevens.

It's been a good 24 hours for Nick Young ... because he just became a father AGAIN ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We've confirmed Nick's ex-girlfriend, Keonna Green, gave birth to a bouncing baby girl moments ago!

Green and Young aren't in a relationship anymore but they're on good terms. They already have a 4-year-old son together.

Nick rushed to the hospital late Wednesday night after the Lakers game (they won!) and wanted to be there when his daughter was born! Success!!!

Life without Kobe Bryant began for the Lakers Wednesday night -- but the stars still showed up in force to support the Purple and Gold.

Kendall Jenner sat courtside -- probably to support her rumored Lakers boyfriend Jordan Clarkson.

Denzel Washington kicked it with James Harden before tip off.

There were rockstars, rappers, models and more ... and the good news -- the Lakers actually won!

First time they've had a winning record in a WHILE!!!

Kobe Bryant fans, here's your chance to come face-to-face with the Mamba himself (kinda) ... 'cause the NBA legend's game-worn protective face mask just hit the auction block!!

During the 2012 All-Star game, Dwyane Wade fouled Kobe hard, and broke his nose ... forcing K.B. to wear the clear face mask to protect his schnoz.

Goldin Auctions got ahold of the mask -- which comes with a letter from a member of the Lakers training staff -- that Mamba used during games in February and March of '12.

The mask hits the block Monday ... and bidding closes on October 29th.

Interested? Break out your checkbook ... 'cause it ain't gonna go cheap. The auction house tells us they expect the mask to sell for over $50k!!

Good luck!

The rift between D'Angelo Russell and his former Lakers coach Byron Scott is irreparable -- so says Scott who tells TMZ Sports he doesn't want a relationship with the NBA star moving forward.

Russell has been taking thinly veiled shots at Scott recently -- essentially blaming him for his lackluster rookie season.

"Everything I went through was new, and there was no guidance from the people that were supposed to give me the guidance," Russell told the L.A. Times.

So, when we saw Scott out in L.A. Thursday night, we asked how he felt about the youngster -- and he basically told us he doesn't care ... and isn't looking to be friends with the 20-year-old.

Derrick Rose is dragging Nick Young into his alleged rape case -- using his fellow NBA star in an attempt to discredit the accuser.

You'd think Lakers star D'Angelo Russell would catch a break at his home court ... instead, he caught a bunch of crap on the way into the Drake concert.

As the 20-year-old walked into Staples Center, a couple of hecklers yelled at him-- "Hide your phone!"

At first, it seemed Russell was going to ignore it -- but moments later, stuck his head back outside the door and yelled something back at the guys.

Our photog says it sounded like he said, "Eat a d**k."