NBA

If you think UCLA superstar Lonzo Ball is a problem now ... just wait until the kid gets to the NBA ... 'cause Lonzo's dad, LaVar, says he's gonna dominate the Association even EASIER than the NCAA.

Lonzo's just a freshman, but has already established himself as one of the best players in the nation ... with some experts saying he could be the first overall pick in June's draft if he declares.

TMZ Sports talked to LaVar -- who's totally a star in his own right -- and asked him how he thinks his son, Lonzo, will do if and when he gets to the NBA ... LaVar's short answer was ... well.

That's not all ... we also talked to Mr. Ball about how you build a family dynasty in hoops (his sons, LiAngelo & LaMelo, are current HS superstars) and the man dropped knowledge to all the parents out there.

Smush Parker tells TMZ Sports he's PUMPED Lamar Odom is down to join his team for Ice Cube's 3-on-3 league ... and while he hopes Kobe Bryant comes around, he's not about to beg.

The ex-Lakers player joined the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs Wednesday night on FS1) and told us he's still VERY serious about joining the league. His agent's even been in contact with league officials.

But, with Kobe still mum on the possible reunion with his former Lakers teammates -- Smush says he's already thinking about some of the players who could fill the 3rd spot.

D'Angelo Russell needs to stop acting like a kid and start acting like a MAN if he ever wants to reach his superstar potential ... so says his former Lakers coach, Byron Scott.

Scott appeared on "L.A. Today" on AM570 when Fred Roggin asked if he believes the 20-year-old will ever become the breakout NBA stud he was touted to be coming out of college.

"The jury is still out," Scott said ... "but he's got to grow up."

Scott says Russell has TONS of potential but strongly implied that he doesn't put in the extra work in gym that people like Kobe, LeBron and D-Wade are known for doing.

Translation -- you can't get by with raw talent at the NBA level.

Lamar Odom says he's ON BOARD to team up with Smush Parker and Kobe Bryant for Ice Cube's 3-on-3 basketball league ... telling TMZ Sports, "I'm with it!"

Of course, this whole thing started with Smush telling us he thinks he and Kobe could have been the greatest back court in Lakers history if they would have gotten along better during their playing days.

Now, Smush wants to team up with Kobe and Lamar again -- to dominate the Big3 league ... which already includes ex-NBA stars like Allen Iverson, Kenyon Martin, Rashard Lewis and more.

Smush is in. Lamar is in.

Just waiting on you, Kobe ... not like you have a job right now, right?

Remember this day ... the day NFL star DJ Fluker GUARANTEED his L.A. Chargers (still weird) would make the NFL playoffs in 2017.

We got Fluker on the streets of his new home city and asked him about all things Chargers, including what the fans can expect from the team on the field next season.

That's when Fluker went all Joe Namath on us ... assuring, asserting, then outright guaranteeing the Chargers charge their way into the playoffs.

Derek Fisher wants to completely blow up the All-Star game voting process, all because Russell Westbrook -- who's averaging a FREAKIN' TRIPLE DOUBLE -- didn't make the starting squad (which is insane).

We got Fisher out in L.A. and asked him about the snub heard 'round the world ... and Fisher was pretty clear on how he felt about it ... if Russell doesn't start, the voting doesn't work.

Russell Westbrook was PISSED at the Golden State Warriors after Wednesday night's game -- vowing revenge on Zaza and apparently telling teammates to stay away from "bitch ass" Kevin Durant.

The game wasn't exactly the friendliest -- with Zaza Pachulia knocking Westbrook to the ground at one point and standing over him in a menacing way.

After the game, Russell went off to reporters saying, "I'm gonna get his ass back. Straight up."

He added, "I don't know when it's gonna be. But I don't play that game."

There's more ... now video has surfaced from the moments the game ended appearing to show Russell telling teammates to not talk to a certain "bitch ass."

According to multiple reports, the "bitch ass" in question is KD, though it's impossible to tell from the clip alone.

Interesting note ... Westbrook says he and Durant are NOT on speaking terms.

This kid is absolutely ridiculous.

LeBron James Jr. -- 12 years old -- has a brand new highlight reel ... and we guarantee it'll make you say, "DAMN" at least 3 times.

In the new footage, Bronny puts on a clinic -- passing, handles, defense and ridiculous step-back jumpers.

He even pulled off the water bottle challenge at the end.

Bronny's dad has already said the kid's being recruited by major colleges ... he's still got 6 years to decide!

Enjoy the clip.

Gabrielle Union made it rain all over Dwyane Wade Tuesday night -- when she threw him a surprise 35th birthday party complete with money that had his face on it!!

The party was sick -- catered by Popeyes Chicken (delicious) and included live performances from Twista and Do Or Die (some of D-Wade's favorite rappers).

The only downside ... the party went down after Wade and the Bulls lost to the Mavericks earlier in the evening.

Blake Griffin isn't just producing the "White Men Can't Jump" reboot, there's also a "high" chance he'll appear in it ... so says the guy writing the flick, Kenya Barris.

Lamar Odom says he's grateful to Khloe Kardashian for staying by his side through his drug addiction and recovery ... and he wants her back.

Odom opened up about his battle with drugs on "The Doctors" -- and after completing a 30 day stint in rehab, he says one thing is perfectly clear ... "I want my wife back."

"Khloe is important to me," Lamar said ... "She's been through all of this with me and she stood right by my side so I just wanna repay her."

The issue, of course, is that Khloe not only filed for divorce ... and got it finalized ... she's already moved on to another NBA star, Tristan Thompson.

Still, Odom says he has a message for Khloe and the other family members he cares about.

"I just want to tell them I'm sorry for all that wasted time and wasted energy ... that in my addiction I didn't know who I was ... so I couldn't take care of myself. I damn sure couldn't take care of anybody else."

Lamar Odom says he was in a "dark place" before his 2015 drug overdose in Nevada ... and admits his addiction was so bad he was "basically committing suicide."

Odom opened up about his past on "The Doctors" ... saying, "I wasn't in a good place mentally before that incident happened."

He even referenced Khloe Kardashian.

"My wife at the time ... we were going through some things and I was in a dark place."

The show tracked Odom's journey through a 30 day stint at rehab -- where he addressed his demons head on.

Before the stint, Odom was asked if he was ashamed of some of the choices he's made.

"Hell yeah. They were despicable. I was basically committing suicide."

Yes he can.

Steph Curry paid tribute to his favorite president Monday night ... rockin' a special pair of Obama-themed Curry 3 sneakers to play the Cavs ... complete with #44's signature on the bottom!

Steph and Barack have been tight for years -- and the Golden State Warriors star felt MLK Day was the perfect occasion to honor the first African-American POTUS.

The shoes are dope -- red, white and blue in color with the presidential seal and #44 on the tongue ... along with the words, "Back2Back."

It seems to be a reference to the 2 terms B.O. served as Commander-In-Chief.

Curry also tweeted about the kicks, "Honoring our President Barack Obama today on court! He embodies the inspiration, faith & hope Dr. King stood for! We R Forever Grateful! #44."

FYI, Curry dropped 20 in the Warriors 126-91 domination of LeBron James and the Cavs.

Luke Walton really wants the world to sweat over the possible introduction of Coach Lamar Odom to the LA Lakers ... 'cause now they're grabbing dinner together.

We got the former Lakers teammates leaving The Lobster in L.A. Saturday night, with Lamar heading out first and Luke following soon after.

DeAndre Jordan has a celebrity cheering squad helping him get to the NBA All-Star team ... with stars like Chris Rock, Adam DeVine and OT Genasis going to bat for the big man.

Rock put on his best DJ face and stated his case for why DeAndre belongs on the squad ... dropping some facts and not-really facts in his pitch to fans.

He also calls DJ the best "Jordan" since Michael.

The Miami Heat team jet slid on the runway in a Milwaukee airport after landing Wednesday night due to heavy snow ... but fear not, no one was hurt.

It all went down around 9:20 PM at Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport. The jet was carrying the Miami Heat team and staff.

The team tweeted about the incident.

"Upon landing in Milwaukee tonight the team plane slid while taxiing but never left the pavement. Everyone on board has deplaned and is ok."

The Heat are set to play the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday.