NBA

Jalen Rose thinks Stephen A. Smith made a HUGE mistake calling out Kevin Durant ... 'cause in a battle between media dude and former league MVP dude ... media dude will always lose.

Rose sat down with Charlamagne Tha God on "The Breakfast Club" when he talked about fellow ESPN staffer Stephen A. Smith essentially threatening Durant on-air after KD called him out about his reporting.

Jalen seemed to agree with everyone who found it crazy that a member of the media would wage a personal war against a superstar ... telling the gang if it were him, he would have let the whole thing go.

NBA star Matt Barnes drove 95 miles from Santa Barbara to L.A. to pick a fight with Derek Fisher this weekend ... after he learned Fish has been dating his estranged wife ... so says the NY Post.

The rumors have been swirling for months -- but now Ohio Gov. John Kasich tells TMZ Sports he hopes the Cleveland Cavaliers make it a reality ... and SIGN ALLEN IVERSON!!!!

Iverson is 40 years old ... and hasn't been in the NBA since 2010 ... but for some reason, the A.I. to CLE rumors have found a life on Twitter, despite the fact they're completely unfounded.

Still, Kasich says he's all for it -- "I'd love to have Iverson back in Cleveland ... wow A.I.!!!"

Iverson retired in 2013 and his jersey was retired in Philadelphia last year -- but, Jordan came back once, right??

If the biggest feud in the NBA ever comes to blows ... Doc Rivers would DESTROY Mark Cuban in a boxing match ... so says Glen "Big Baby" Davis.

It's an interesting comment from Davis ... considering he's a free agent -- and the Clippers and the Mavericks both reportedly had interest in signing him over the summer.

The NBA just added some serious firepower to the front office -- hiring the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to be Adam Silver's new special adviser.

The league just announced Ret. General Martin E. Dempsey -- the highest ranking U.S. military official for the past 4 years -- will step into his new role effective January 1st.

So, what's he gonna do exactly?

The NBA says Dempsey will "provide the NBA with counsel on leadership and service, while continuing to support the league's military and youth basketball initiatives."

In a statement, Gen. Dempsey added ... "After 4 decades of service in the United States Armed Forces, I look forward to working with the league to help improve communities and positively impact the children of civilian and military families."

As for Silver -- the NBA commish says he's "honored" to have Gen. Dempsey on board.

#GoUSA

Here's video that should make Mark Cuban happy -- DeAndre Jordan getting shot with a water cannon ... right in front of Billy Crystal.

Kyrie Irving is convinced he's gonna be a dad -- and the baby mama is a SMOKIN' HOT former Texas beauty queen ... this according to court docs obtained by TMZ Sports.

Mark Wahlberg might be adding another athlete to his entourage ... 'cause TMZ Sports has learned that the A-lister is in talks with NBA star Caron Butler about bringing his life story to the big screen.

Butler has a brand new book out called "Tuff Juice" -- in which the Sacramento Kings forward details how he overcame a hard life as a drug dealing youth to make it to the NBA.

Wahlberg has been all over "Tuff Juice" ... writing testimonials and tweeting his support for the book since its release. Caron tells us it hasn't stopped there ... and that the two men have talked about a feature film adaptation.

"It's a possibility ... I've spent some time with Mark Wahlberg. He loved my story."

Mark would be the guy ... with sports themed projects like "The Fighter" and his HBO show "Ballers" already proving to be huge hits.

Caron says while he's not getting too ahead of himself about the possibility of a big screen makeover ... he does know which A-lister he'd like to play him.

"Michael B. Jordan. I loved what he did in "Fruitvale Station." I think he would do a great job at sharing my story."

File this one under "stories you gotta love" -- those American heroes who stopped the terrorist plot in France last month are about to get the royal treatment ... courtesy of Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.

Former NBA superstar Larry Johnson was nearly a million bucks in the hole with one of his baby mamas -- but he found a way to make her happy ... hand over the keys to a house!!

You can call Russell Westbrook ... Swaggy P.B. -- 'cause the NBA superstar is getting a smooth hookup that could have a serious effect on his game during the upcoming season.

The OKC Thunder guard confessed to Jimmy Kimmel that he has to have a toasted peanut butter and jelly sandwich before every game, and not just any peanut butter will do -- Russ demands Skippy. He did not specify creamy or crunchy (though he seems like a creamy guy to us).

We found out the folks at Skippy got wind of Westbrook's ritual, and they're more than happy to keep him hooked. A Skippy spokesperson tells TMZ Sports, "We'll make sure he's got enough to fuel him all season long."

Sorry, Wesley ... but you can't always bet on black ... at least according to Clippers star Austin Rivers who says it's light time in the NBA these days.

Rivers was out in Bev Hills when our photog asked if there was a beige rebellion happening in the league, with guys like Steph Curry, Zach Lavine, Blake Griffin and Klay Thompson all becoming big time hoops stars.

James Harden went and bit the hand that's feeding him $200 million -- and now Adidas is pissed.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Harden was spotted wearing Nike Air Jordans as he left a movie theater with GF Khloe Kardashian -- even though he just signed that sweet deal to endorse Adidas.

Make no mistake ... Adidas expects a change. The company's North American pres told ESPN, Harden wearing their brand off the court as well is "part of the deal."

The Beard's deal kicks in on Oct. 1 ... so he's got 15 more days to enjoy his Jordans. After that, he better hide those suckers away for 13 years.

Everyone knows you NEVER BRING A LOADED GUN TO AN AIRPORT ... everyone, except Dwight Howard apparently.

NBA star Markieff Morris could be on his way to the Houston Rockets … if Common’s Instagram is to be believed … and if the photo he posted is actually of Markieff and not his twin brother Marcus.

Common worked out in Los Angeles Tuesday with a few members of the Rockets … and one of the Morris twins. The problem is … we can’t tell which one (they are twins, after all).

What makes this photo (possibly) a big deal ... Markieff has requested to be traded from the Phoenix Suns (because they traded his brother to Detroit) and the Rockets are seemingly a preferred landing spot.

So, if this photo really is Markieff -- it would appear to be pretty strong evidence he got his wish and will join the Rockets next season.

Nick Young wasn't joking around about wanting to compete for Australia's Olympic basketball team -- 'cause the NBA star's camp has formally contacted Aussie officials to get the ball rolling ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Young -- who's famously engaged to Australian superstar Iggy Azalea -- has recently been floating out the idea to compete with Australia, but everyone thought he was just goofing around.

But we spoke with a top official for Basketball Australia who tells us, "Nick's representatives have been in contact with an 'official inquiry.'"

The official told us Nick would have to become an Australian citizen to be eligible for the team -- and the process was thoroughly explained to Young's camp.

For the record, it's not an easy process -- according to the official, Young would have to start by living in Australia for "an extended period of time."

And after that, Basketball Australia tells us there's no guarantee Young will make the squad -- "He would be considered for selection on MERIT like everybody else."

Young is already drumming up support from famous Australian hoops stars including Golden State Warriors player Andrew Bogut -- who suggested Iggy could also rap the National Anthem.