NBA

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.

Nick Cannon got treated like an ENEMY at a Knicks game at Madison Square Garden this week ... when the crowd turned and hammered him with BOOS ... and TMZ Sports has the footage.

Cannon was shooting a segment for "America's Got Talent" on April 2nd -- during halftime of the Knicks vs. Nets game.

We're told producers came out first and asked the crowd to cheer ... but when Nick took the floor, the crowd showered him with hate.

At one point, Nick told the crowd, "Go ahead. Boo louder. Get it outta your system!" But the reverse psychology didn't work.

Eventually, Nick tried to pull off a trick shot (with the help of producers) ... but that didn't work either and the booing continued until the crowd got tired.

Hey, keep your head up Nick ... New Yorkers even booed Tim Tebow during a Yankees game back in 2012.

Who boos Tim Tebow?!

Sister porn stars Natasha and Natalia Starr would sleep with Derek Jeter, Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham ... but the list of sports stars they wouldn't sleep with ... IS HYSTERICAL.

Our (clearly excited) photog caught up with the Starr sisters today in NYC. The girls, who were also Penthouse Pets last year, perform in XXX videos together. Don't worry, they explain the logistics in this clip.

After going through the athletes they find hot ... they listed a few they're not down with and absoutely would NOT sleep with -- even though as they put it "they f*** a lot of ugly guys on film."

Jalen Rose and Terrell Owens are boys ... but the former NBA star thinks T.O. is straight up NUTS for thinking he can beat Michael Jordan in a game of one-on-one.

As TMZ Sports first reported, T.O. talked all kinds of smack earlier this week ... saying he would destroy MJ on the court.

But when we asked Jalen about it last night at LAX, he didn't hesitate for a second ... saying MJ could take a 20-year break from basketball and STILL school Owens on the court. Jalen said even he would take T.O. to the hole.

Be sure to watch the end of the video for Jalen's March Madness picks. Conspicuously absent ... his alma mater Michigan.

A bunch of Shaquille O'Neal's co-workers at TNT are PISSED ... and it's all because the days of being attacked at the office by the ex-NBA star might be over for good.

We spoke to several people who work at the Turner building, where Shaq tapes "Inside the NBA" and they're all saying the same thing -- Shaq's sneak attacks make the office a FUN place.

As we previously reported, Shaq is known around the building for playfully tackling unsuspecting staffers over a couch in the building. But one target says he was badly injured during a Shaq attack and filed a police report against the guy.

Now, staffers tell us they fear management will put an end to Shaq's shenanigans -- and they're bummed.

In fact ... several people told us they enjoy being the "victims" of Shaq's tackles ... they also like conspiring with him to set up their friends for Shaq's pranks, just like in the video below.

Shaq actually addressed the situation on "Inside the NBA" last night ... and jokingly brushed off the allegations.

The man who claims he was attacked by Shaquille O'Neal says the injuries to his neck and spine were so bad, he needed major surgery to repair the damage ... and says X-rays show just how bad it was.

TMZ Sports has obtained one of the X-rays, which Rob Williams' lawyer says was taken after a November surgery to correct a herniated disk, suffered in the alleged Shaq attack at Turner studios in May '13.

Rob's attorney, William J. McKenny tells us his client required 4 screws and a metal plate as a result of the alleged "punch-tackle" ... and says he's still in serious pain.

While Shaq insists the two were simply horsing around, Rob's attorney tells us his client was simply standing outside the break room, looking at his cell phone when Shaq came out of nowhere.

Coach Metta World Peace?? It's very possible.

The NBA star formally known as Ron Artest was leaving Mastro's Steakhouse in Bev Hills Monday night when he told us he's considering a coaching career after his playing days are over.

"I think I would be a zenful coach," Peace says ... "I was taught by the best."

Speaking of Phil Jackson, Metta also tells us the Zen Master will be a HUGE success with the Knicks ... and even makes a prediction about how many titles P.J. will bring to the Big Apple.

College ain't for everybody ... so says NBA star Jermaine O'Neal who tells TMZ Sports he has absolutely NO REGRETS about skipping school to go straight to the pros.

Of course, O'Neal -- who was leaving Mr. Chow with his wife -- went to the league back in '96, before the NBA implemented a rule requiring players to be 1 year out of high school to sign with a team.

And get this ... Jermaine says he doesn't watch the NCAA tournament either -- but it's not because he has no alma mater to pull for, it's because the competition to just too weak for his taste.

"The level of play isn't the same like it was 4 or 5 years ago."

If you were impressed with Johnny Manziel's basic slam dunk a few weeks ago ... wait'll you see the Texas A&M quarterback pull of 4 TRICK JAMS ... including a reverse 360!!!

Manziel posted a new video today, in which he pulls off 4 dunks -- including two tricks where a friend threw him an alley-oop off the gym wall and he slams it home ... a la LeBron James.

While it's clear the guy's got skills, there's still room for improvement ... the first two dunks were nice, but the second two weren't exactly clean.

Former NBA star Sam Cassell is a VERY happy man -- 'cause he just learned the expensive watch he bought from the famous watch guy John Mayer is suing is 100% REAL.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Cassell was extremely concerned about his A. Lange & Sohne time piece when he learned that Mayer had recently filed a lawsuit claiming watch dealer Robert Maron sold him Rolex watches with bogus parts.

Cassell -- who was introduced to Maron through ex-Clippers head coach Mike Dunleavy -- immediately had his watch inspected by a reputable jeweler ... who confirmed Sam's watch is LEGIT.

Cassell's cousin says he also bought multiple Rolex watches from Maron ... and those all checked out as well.

The results will be no surprise to Charlie Sheen -- Maron's BFF -- who insisted all along that Robert's the real deal and Mayer's allegations are total crap.

1:56 PM PT -- Nick says the crooks took roughly $100k worth of stuff from the home ... and at Lakers practice today he told the media, "They got me, man. They stoles my Yeezys, too."

Burglars struck the L.A. home of Lakers star Nick Young last night ... WHILE THE LAKERS WERE PLAYING ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Law enforcement confirms ... cops are investigating at the home Nick is renting in L.A.

Sources tell us ... Nick came home after defeating the Orlando Magic at Staples Center around 11pm and noticed an upstairs window was broken.

We're told the scumbag (or scumbags) ransacked the master bedroom -- taking several expensive items ... including Louboutin shoes, jewelry, clothes, Louis Vuitton luggage and more.

Our sources say they believe the crooks were so bold, they walked right out the front door ... which was unlocked when Nick got to his home.

Forget Shady Pines, when Steve Nash retires ... he'll be in the lap of luxury -- 'cause the L.A. Lakers star just dropped $4.8 million on a Manhattan Beach pad ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Our real estate sources tell us ... Nash had been on the hunt for a permanent home on the West Coast -- somewhere he could settle down after his NBA career. Then he found a 4,175 square foot gem just 2 blocks from the sand.

Problem is ... it's super ugly and outdated.

Solution is ... we're told Nash is gonna knock the whole thing down and build his dream house.

We're told the place was originally listed for $5 million ... but Nash was able to get the price down to $4.8 mil with an all-cash offer. Strong.

Sources tell us Nash already has a builder in mind and wants to get to work ASAP.