NBA

Justin Bieber ditched Lil Za and Lil Twist for NBA stars Kevin Durant and Tyson Chandler ... who both mysteriously popped by his house for a sit down.

Must've been one helluva get together -- 'cause JB's shirt went missing ... again!

Let's have some fun with math -- if Kevin Hart is 5'4" ... without heels ... how tall is LeBron James when he's slouching?

For some perspective: here's a short list of other celebs who are 5'4" ... Britney Spears, Björk, Tina Turner, Drew Barrymore, Winona Ryder, Pink, Fergie, Shania Twain, and Harvey Levin (standing on a box).

Justin Bieber has some big friends ... we're talkin' 7-footers ... and they've got JB's back no matter what, so says NBA superstar (and full on Belieber) Tyson Chandler.

Earlier this week, Bieber tweeted a photo of himself (sans shirt, of course) hanging out with Chandler and Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant.

Everyone sorta wondered how they all know each other ... and what they were all doing at Bieber's mansion.

Well, last night, we found 7'1" Chandler leaving a party in Beverly Hills and he told us everything ... except why Bieber has so much trouble keeping his shirt on.

The mystery continues ...

Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom are NOT getting a divorce and have never even discussed it ... this according to multiple TMZ sources AND Kris Jenner.

Women have come forward recently and claimed they hooked up with Lamar. Several media outlets are even saying divorce docs are being filed as early as today. But our sources say it's just not true.

Jenner tells us, "Khloe and Lamar are absolutely not getting divorced. There's been no talk of divorce." Jenner also says both Khloe and Lamar were at her house 2 days ago and everything was fine.

Other sources confirm with TMZ ... Khloe has not even spoken with a divorce lawyer.

Our sources say they will only comment on what they know ... so they're not calling the women who have come forward liars. But they are very clear -- Khloe and Lamar are very much together and there is NO divorce.

Lamar Odom has dodged a bullet ... the NBA superstar will not be prosecuted for going berserk on a paparazzi in the middle of an L.A. street last month and breaking some of the guy's gear, TMZ has learned.

The cops had originally sent the case to the L.A. County D.A. for possible felony charges ... and the D.A. referred it to the L.A. City Attorney for possible misdemeanor vandalism charge.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Odom has agreed to pay for breaking the snapper's gear in the July 10 rampage. So we're told the City Attorney will hold an office hearing -- an alternative to a prosecution -- in which Lamar and the photog will have a chit chat with the hearing officer about rights and responsibilities ... and that's about it.

As we previously reported, Lamar blew a gasket that day after the photog (not a TMZ guy) blasted him with questions about rumors he was cheating on Khloe.

So in conclusion, Lamar went from possible felony ... to possible slap on the wrist ... to actual check (that's really just a drop in the bucket for a pro athlete/reality star).

Lamar wins.

You tag Phil Jackson in a rap song, he'll tag you right back -- just ask Kendrick Lamar ... who got a free lesson in ego management from the Zen Master after droppin' his name in a new song.

67-year-old Jackson was definitely listening when 26-year-old Lamar called him out in Big Sean's new song, "Control" -- a song that includes the lyrics:

"Who the f**k y’all thought it’s supposed to be?
If Phil Jackson came back, still no coachin’ me
I’m uncoachable, I’m unsociable."

Jackson -- who's no stranger to dealing with egomaniacs (or people named Lamar) ... shot back on Twitter moments ago ... with a message aimed right at Kendrick:

“@kendricklamar it’s okay to be cocky and sure, but we all need somebody to lean on. Let’s just call it mentoring."

Shaq and Lamar Odom have scored a huge victory over the snake oil salesmen at Power Balance -- the company that duped athletes into believing its hologram bracelets could provide super-strength -- because it just agreed to fork over $287,000 to get the NBA stars off its back.

TMZ broke the story ... Shaq and Odom filed legal docs in PB's bankruptcy case, claiming they were owed money for their involvement in the company. Lamar was an investor. Shaq was a paid spokesperson.

Shaq originally demanded $308,961 and Lamar $133,870 -- but according to new court docs, they both agreed to take a little less after settlement negotiations ... Shaq got $200,310 and Lamar $87,015.

But they could get even more -- under the deal, if PB's bankruptcy estate collects more money than they anticipate from ensuing litigation, Shaq and Lamar could get an additional payout.

NBA player Jason Collins hit the West Hollywood club scene last night ... and ran into former "American Idol" star Adam Lambert at a new place called Hooray Henry's.

Michael Jordan's alleged baby mama LIED about the NBA star fathering her child in a desperate attempt to cash in on his fame ... and now there are consequences.

TMZ broke the story ... Pamela Smith filed a paternity suit against Jordan, claiming he was the father of her 17-year-old kid. She demanded a DNA test, full custody and child support. Jordan called B.S. -- and even asked the court to bitch slap Smith for wasting his time.

On July 19th, Jordan got his wish when a judge hammered Pamela ... and here's why -- The judge says Pamela FAILED to mention that paternity was established way back in 2003 -- and M.J.'s NOT the daddy.

The judge called Pamela's bogus claim one big publicity stunt, pointing out she hired a publicist before even getting a lawyer ... and then dragged Michael through the mud.

"Basketball Wives" star Royce Reed claims Dwight Howard took off with their son and won't tell her where he is ... a perilous problem because the tyke doesn't have his meds.

Royce went to court asking for an emergency hearing ... claiming their 6-year-old son Braylon went to California to visit Dwight, and that's the last she heard from her baby daddy or the boy. Dwight's parents eventually called her to say the kid was in Colorado.

Royce says her son needs his meds for an undisclosed medical condition and the Rx bottle is now empty -- Dwight never bothered to get it refilled.

She says without the meds, their son's health is in danger.

Royce doesn't have a problem with Dwight taking care of the boy for a while, but she wants the judge to order him to refill the prescription and give Braylon his meds. She also wants to know exactly where her boy is and how she can get in touch.

Daniel "Boobie" Gibson tells TMZ ... he was just defending his wife's honor when he got into an altercation with a man at the Essence Music Festival earlier this month ... after the guy disrespected Keyshia Cole in a "profane way."

Gibson -- who played with the Cleveland Cavaliers last season -- just called in to "TMZ Live" to explain why he turned himself in to police in New Orleans today on 2nd degree battery charges.

Boobie says Keyshia was performing at the event ... when some guy approached her and spouted off some very "disrespectful" comments toward the singer.

Boobie says an altercation broke out and "safety was threatened" ... so Boobie says he "needed to take action."

1:08 PM PT -- Police have just released additional details about Gibson's arrest, saying he is accused of punching some guy at a nightclub on July 8th, breaking his jaw. Law enforcement says the fight apparently started with a verbal argument.

According to police, Gibson was booked on 2nd degree battery and later bonded out.

11:42 AM PT -- "Boobie" Gibson issued a statement to TMZ ... confirming he turned himself in to authorities earlier today.

Additionally, Gibson tells us ... "Earlier this month during the Essence Music Festival, I was involved in an incident with other individuals while I was out with my wife."

He continues, "It's unfortunate that some see opportunity in taking advantage of people who work hard for what they have achieved."

Gibson says he takes pride in being a role model for his son and other kids who look up to him -- and adds, "Once all the facts of the incident come out, I expect to be fully vindicated."

Keyshia Cole's husband Daniel "Boobie" Gibson -- a professional basketball player -- has been arrested in New Orleans today ... and according to reports, he's been charged with assault and battery.

TMZ has confirmed ... 27-year-old Gibson -- who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers last season -- turned himself in to the New Orleans Police Department earlier today.

The details surrounding the alleged assault and battery are unclear -- and cops have not identified the accuser.

There are reports that the alleged attack occurred at the Essence Festival earlier this month.

Gibson was released from custody at 11:09 AM local time.

With his rehab in full swing, Kobe Bryant proved his achilles is healthy enough for tourist activity this weekend by strolling around Italy with his family.

Kobe -- along with his wife Vanessa and their daughters Natalia and Gianna -- were spotted walking around Capri like regular people.

Kobe recently told an Italian media outlet that he's in the country for vacation -- but found some time to do some rehab at the Milanello Sports Centre, the training facility for famed Italian soccer club A.C. Milan.

As for Kobe and Vanessa ... we broke the story, VB called off the divorce back in January ... and it appears the two are just like peas and carrots again.

LeBron James is ballin' so hard in China right now ... he's got his own personal DJ in his hotel room -- and the guy's spinnin' records 24 HOURS A DAY.

LBJ just posted a video from his pimped out suite at the W Hotel in Guangzhou -- saying, "Just gotta show you all something ... I got my own 24/7 dj in my room!"

Roughly 8 hours later, King James posted ANOTHER video proving his DJ was still going strong -- along with the message, "Just letting you all know that I really wasn't playing about my 24/7 DJ."

Almost as baller as having a Tyrannosaurus Rex egg for breakfast.

Dear Los Angeles Lakers fans,

We're sorry to inform you ... it doesn't seem very likely Carmelo Anthony will be dishing to Kobe Bryant any time soon, despite reports to the contrary.

Anthony was leaving Cecconi's in West Hollywood this week when we asked straight up if he could see himself in purple and gold after his contract with the Knicks runs out.

CA's response? "Ummmmm, I doubt it."

Carmelo teased us a little bit ... saying he owns purple and gold shoes -- but made it pretty clear he has no plans to wear them on the hardwood.

Anthony also told TMZ ... he's NOT secretly plotting with LeBron James to join the same NBA squad ... though he admits, they're pretty damn good when they play together.

Still, don't count out the Lakers entirely ... 'cause when the time comes, you can bet L.A. will bust out the checkbook -- and nothing changes a mind like a couple of zeros.