NBA

Khloe Kardashian is already preparing herself in case Lamar Odom gets traded out of Los Angeles ... and a source close to the family tells TMZ she's open to moving out of L.A. to be with her hubby.

Odom was supposed to be involved in a blockbuster trade for Chris Paul ... but the deal fell through late Thursday night. Still, there's still a chance L.O. could still be headed out of L.A. sometime soon.

We're told Khloe would follow Lamar anywhere ... but she would feel especially comfortable in New Orleans because the family spent TONS of time there when Kim was dating former Saints running back Reggie Bush ... and she already has a bunch of friends who live in town.

Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss is hospitalized in L.A. for blood clots in his leg ... this according to a rep for the team.

We're told doctors believe the 77-year-old's condition was caused by "excessive travel."

Los Angeles Lakers forward Devin Ebanks -- a 2nd round draft pick in 2010 -- is off the hook in an LAPD rape investigation ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the alleged victim told police Ebanks took her home from a nightclub on September 13, 2011 ... but when she turned down his sexual advances, Ebanks "forcibly penetrated [her] vagina with his penis five to ten times."

Cops say the woman reported the alleged incident to police later that night.

But here's where it gets crazy -- cops say the woman wanted to get Ebanks to admit to the sex, so she sent him a text message FALSELY claiming he had given her a sexually transmitted disease.

But Ebanks didn't fall for the trap -- and replied that he couldn't have transmitted anything to her ... BECAUSE THEY NEVER HAD SEX!!!

We're told the woman also underwent a sexual assault examination, which revealed no foreign DNA anywhere on her body.

The L.A. County District Attorney eventually decided the woman had no credible evidence to back her story -- and rejected the case against Ebanks.

Hanukkah came early for a bunch of Jews in Irvine, CA tonight -- when Kobe Bryant rolled up to the local Jewish Community Center and asked if he could borrow the basketball court for a hardcore private training session ... TMZ has learned.

Yentas at the JCC tell us ... the honchos at the center were more than happy to let Kobe use the facility -- and the Black Mamba couldn't have been nicer.

Kobe and a trainer proceeded to work on shooting drills and cardio training while a gang of the chosen people looked on in amazement.

We're told the training session went on for more than an hour -- and Kobe looked as sharp as ever.

Of course, the NBA lockout is just about over -- but players aren't expected to rejoin their teams for a few days ... so it seems Kobe is simply trying to get ahead of the game.

Kobe ain't the first NBA superstar to play with the 'Brews -- just last month LeBron James filled in for a league team at a JCC in Ohio ... and DOMINATED.

The NBA -- sponsored by Manischewitz.

If you've dreamed of wearing an NBA championship ring but can't hit a 3, you're in luck ... because Julius "Dr. J" Erving is putting his on the auction block ... along with a TON of other stuff from his playing days.

The Philadelphia 76ers legend is parting with everything from his 1980-81 NBA MVP trophy ... to his high school class ring ... and even authentic game-used jerseys in an Internet auction that goes live on Friday.

Bidding on the doc's 1983 NBA Championship ring starts at $25k ... with portions of the proceeds benefiting the Salvation Army.

The NBA offseason from hell just got worse for Los Angeles Lakers player Matt Barnes ... who just announced that he's officially broken up with his "Basketball Wives" baby mama Gloria Govan.

Barnes -- who has 2 children with Govan -- just released a statement saying, "We have reached the difficult decision of ending our relationship and will be going our separate ways at this time."

He adds, "We will work together to raise our sons and wish each other only the best."

Barnes and Govan have had some issues in the past -- including the time Matt was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence back in 2010 ... but prosecutors didn't press charges due to a lack of evidence.

Chicago Bulls superstar Derrick Rose strolled out of an LAPD station at 3:00 AM today ... after his BFF was arrested for DUI ... and Derrick was a passenger in the car.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ .... the 2011 NBA MVP was a passenger in a black BMW being driven by his close friend and personal assistant Randall Hampton ... when cops stopped the car on a routine traffic violation at around 2:00 AM Friday morning.

When cops spoke to Hampton -- who played high school basketball with Rose -- officers claim they detected the odor of alcohol.

Hampton was given a field sobriety test ... and was eventually arrested on suspicion of DUI. Rose was free to go.

Hampton was hauled to the Hollywood police station, where he was booked. Rose arrived to the station shortly after to check on his friend.

TMZ shot footage of Rose leaving the police station by himself at 3:00 AM ... but he clearly wasn't in the mood to talk.

Hampton has just been released on his own recognizance.

Former NBA Slam Dunk champion Isaiah "J.R." Rider claims he's been nothing less than a model parolee -- and last month, he proved it ... with his pee.

As we previously reported, Rider was arrested this week for a probation violation -- after allegedly failing to complete several probation requirements.

One of his probation officer's claims is Rider never took a required urinalysis -- a claim that has Rider p.o.'d at his P.O. ... because he actually has the receipt to prove he peed in a cup.

Isaiah Rider's wife believes the former NBA star is the victim of a "she-devil, man-hating" probation officer ... who has been out to get her husband simply because he's famous.

TMZ spoke with Vanessa Rider, who tells us ... Isaiah's P.O. has been "abusing her power" -- and has been blocking his efforts to complete his probation, and that's why he was arrested this week.

Rider says Isaiah got permission from the court to apply to travel to L.A. to explore job opportunities as a basketball coach, but the P.O. has refused to sign off on it ... insisting he work at a local McDonald's, or a similar local establishment during his probation.

Vanessa says, "He's not going to work at McDonald's ... he's a retired athlete."

As for the 90 uncompleted hours of community service, Vanessa says Isaiah wanted to volunteer at his church, but the P.O. would only let him pick up trash on the side of the road.

Vanessa also says Rider still wishes to complete his domestic violence course ... but wants to do so in California, so he can work at the same time.

NBA superstar Blake Griffin officially has the most bizarre backup plan for the stupid lockout -- playing hoops in an LA rec league ... with a TMZ camera guy!

Our guy actually had the nerve to ask the Clippers star -- and Rookie of the Year -- to join his recreational league team.

Not sure what's more shocking: the fact our guy wants Blake to play Pau to his Kobe -- or the fact Blake told him, "Maybe."

Former NBA 1st round draft pick Isaiah "J.R." Rider was arrested in Arizona this week for violating his probation ... TMZ has learned.

Rider -- who played in the NBA from 1993 to 2001 -- is currently behind bars in Maricopa County on a no-bail hold. It's unclear why police believe Rider violated his probation.

Rider's probation stems from a 2010 incident -- where he fled from police after they tried to pull him over for driving erratically. He pled guilty to unlawful flight from a law enforcement vehicle.

Rider has had a long history of run-ins with police -- over the years, he's been arrested for fraud, battery, domestic violence, false reporting, kidnapping and possession of narcotic drugs.

Rider was an NBA journeyman -- who played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers and the Denver Nuggets.

Metta World Peace is taking his aspiring comedy career VERY seriously -- and TMZ has learned he's even enrolled in a stand-up "boot camp" to hone his skills during the NBA lockout.

MWP made his comedy debut a few months ago ... and has another big show scheduled at the Planet Hollywood in Vegas later this month.

But sources close to the basketball star tell us he is dedicated to making improvements -- and has joined the "Laff Mobb " comedy group in L.A. ... which claims its worked with HUGE comics in the past, like Bernie Mac, Chris Tucker and even Dave Chappelle.

With the NBA lockout threatening the 2011-12 season ... one Chicago Bulls star has found a way to keep his shooting skills sharp ... while boozing and tanning at the same time.

TMZ has obtained photos of Joakim Noah ... fully engaged in a competitive game of aquatic beer pong Saturday at an apartment complex near the University of Florida ... his alma mater.

Sources at the apt. tell us ... Joakim's pong skills were STRONG ... and he played for roughly 2 hours.

We're told Joakim -- who's frickin' JACKED by the way -- was "pretty cool" with the people at the complex ... and was a gracious winner after walking away with a victory on the water.

Beats workin'.

Phil Jackson has one word for concerned Laker fans ... chill -- because the former coach says there's no way Kobe Bryant will miss a single NBA game if he plays overseas.

Phil was flying out of LAX when he talked about the possibility of the Black Mamba hooping in Italy during the cursed lockout -- and in his classic, laid back style ... said, "He won't miss any games."

Marcus Camby swears he had no idea there was weed in his car when police booked him for marijuana possession Monday, sources close to the NBA star tell TMZ.

According to sources, Camby says the pot wasn't his. In fact, they say Camby doesn't smoke pot ... at least not since his last arrest for pot possession in 1997.

So where, pray tell, did the pot come from? Our sources say Camby is dumbfounded ... and was shocked when police pulled the stash out from under the passenger seat.

One little problem. The cops -- who stopped the car because of an equipment violation -- searched it because they say it REEKED OF POT!

So, does Marcus' story pass the smell test? We report, you decide.

Pot is in the air. Another pro athlete has been busted for pot possession.

Portland Trail Blazers star Marcus Camby was driving in Pearland, TX Monday when police pulled him over for an equipment violation. That's when the officer noticed the car reeked of marijuana.

Cops tell us they found less than 2 ounces of pot, so Marcus and a buddy were busted.

Fun fact ... cops say Marcus and his friend were charged with possession of marijuana in a drug-free zone.

Where exactly are the drug zones?