NBA

Maybe Charles Barkley is right ... 'cause Kenny Smith ALSO says Shaq's not a great fighter -- but he doesn't wanna test him.

We got the "Inside the NBA" star at LAX and asked him about the intense moment on the set between Shaq and Barkley last night ... that LOOKED LIKE things were about to get real.

The good news ... seems Shaq and Chuck have moved on -- no real anger.

The bad news ... more people questioning Shaq's fighting ability ain't gonna make him happy.

Charles Barkley is firing back at all the people 'hating' on him -- with a big ol' "F**K YOU!"

Sir Chuck took over the DJ booth at the Koo Koo Room in Atlanta on Tuesday -- right in the thick of his verbal war with LeBron James -- and sent a message that seemed to be directed at the NBA star.

"This is for all you f**king haters out there," Barkley said while cueing up a song ... "For all you f**king haters, F**K Y'ALL!"

Matt Barnes turned himself in to police Wednesday to face an assault charge stemming from a NYC nightclub brawl back in December ... law enforcement confirms.

Barnes was cited for misdemeanor assault for allegedly getting violent with a woman at Avenue nightclub in the early hours of Dec. 5th. The NY Post first reported Barnes' surrender.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Barnes claimed he was merely defending himself when all hell broke loose inside. The alleged victim claims Barnes choked her.

Barnes was at the club with his Sacramento Kings teammate, DeMarcus Cousins, that night. He was not charged with a crime.

Some good news for Derek Fisher ... he doesn't have to be ringless for long.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Fisher's L.A. home was burglarized on Monday and the ex-NBA star claimed $300k in jewelry was stolen including his 5 NBA Championship rings he won with the Lakers.

We spoke with a Lakers rep who tells us it IS possible for Fisher to get replacement rings and the team would be happy to work with the companies that made the bling to get new ones for Derek.

It doesn't mean the Lakers would pay for the new jewelry ... but they would essentially authorize the companies to manufacture brand new keepsakes for Fish.

Hopefully he's got good homeowners insurance.

Derek Fisher told police someone broke into his L.A. home and stole more than $300,000 worth of valuable jewelry ... including his 5 NBA Championship rings ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us the NBA legend reported a burglary at his home Monday morning -- telling police he left the home at 7:30 AM and when he returned 3 hours later, it was clear someone had been inside.

We're told officials believe the perp got into the house through a side door -- and went for his jewelry. Among the stolen goods was Fisher's 5 NBA rings he won during his run with the Lakers. They're each worth a ton of cash.

Our sources say other jewelry was taken as well.

The LAPD is currently investigating. So far, no arrests have been made.

LeBron James WENT OFF on Charles Barkley last night ... blasting the NBA legend as a "hater" with a violent, sketchy and downright shameful past.

James was speaking with ESPN after the Cavs lost to the Mavs on Monday and was asked about Barkley's recent criticism of his leadership.

"He's a hater," LeBron said ... "What makes what he says credible? Because he's on TV?"

Then he REALLY went in.

"I'm not going to let him disrespect my legacy like that," James said.

"I'm not the one who threw somebody through a window. I never spit on a kid. I never had unpaid debt in Las Vegas. I never said, 'I'm not a role model.' I never showed up to All-Star Weekend on Sunday because I was in Vegas all weekend partying."

"All I've done for my entire career is represent the NBA the right way. Fourteen years, never got in trouble. Respected the game. Print that."

Kobe Bryant will NEVER join Lamar Odom and Smush Parker in Ice Cube's 3-on-3 league ... that's according to Kenny Smith who says if Kobe still wanted to hoop, he'd do it in the NBA.

We got Kenny out at LAX and asked him what the chances were that Kobe would take his old teammate Smush up on his offer, and recreate the triangle with Lamar Odom this summer.

That's when Smith kept it 1000% ... saying there's a difference between the three men, and that's that Smush and LO's NBA days are extinct ... and Bryant could still get league buckets if he wanted to.

He's probably right ... but we're still hoping he's wrong.

It's time for Carmelo Anthony to get the hell outta New York and start winning championships ... so says Caron Butler, who wants to see 'Melo play for a REAL contender this season.

TMZ Sports spoke with Butler about the trade rumors surrounding the 'Melo/Phil Jackson drama ... and he says all signs point to the Knicks moving on and building around young star Kristaps Porzingis.

Things got HEATED between Shaq and Charles Barkley on "Inside the NBA" Thursday night ... but what would happen if the two superstars actually came to blows?

Shaq would straight-up MURDER his ass ... so says their co-star Kenny Smith.

Don't worry, The Jet says everyone is calm and cool now ... but the big men almost went to war last night in a debate over LeBron James.

But Barkley would be smart to step down ... because O'Neal would wreck Sir Chuck ... bad.

Kenny explains why Barkley stands no chance ... and says even HE could beat down Chuck these days.

Matt Barnes will cooperate with the NYPD and turn himself in next week to face misdemeanor assault charges stemming from a nightclub brawl, though he maintains his innocence ... a rep for the NBA star tells TMZ Sports.

We broke the story ... Barnes and his Sacramento Kings teammate, DeMarcus Cousins, were involved in an altercation at Avenue nightclub back in December.

A woman in the club claims Barnes choked her during the melee. Barnes claims he was the REAL victim and he did what he had to do to defend himself.

Now, a rep for Barnes is confirming the NY Daily News report that he'll turn himself in ... but AFTER a 4 game road trip.

Cousins was not charged.

Ex-NBA player Charles Shackleford -- who played for the Nets, 76ers and Timberwolves in the '90s -- was found dead in his hometown of Kinston, North Carolina ... police confirm.

Shackleford was 50.

Cops tell TMZ Sports, "We can confirm Charles Shackleford was found deceased in Kinston this morning."

"The cause of death has not been determined. This incident is still under investigation. More information will be released as it becomes available."

Shackleford was a stud in college at N.C. State in the '80s -- but was more infamous for a post-game quote in which he attempted to describe his shooting talents.

"I can shoot with my left hand, I can shoot with my right hand, I'm amphibious."

Shackleford got into a bunch of legal trouble after his NBA career -- and was arrested in 2010 for selling drugs to an undercover police officer.

LeBron James just took a shot at Donald Trump.

The NBA superstar was talking to the media about the NBA All-Star rosters and was asked his thought about some players turning in "goofy" ballots as a joke.

His response ... "There's always goofy votes. Donald Trump is our president."

LeBron James has previously said he's undecided about going to a Trump White House if the Cavs win the NBA title ... saying, "We’ll have to cross that road, I guess. We’ll see. I would love to have to cross that road."

Ron Artest III just totally DUNKED on his dad, Metta World Peace ... saying it doesn't bother him if Metta roots for his competition, because he roots for his dad's old rival ... LEBRON JAMES.

Ron III just got the biggest win of his high school basketball career when his Beverly Hills High team beat Crossroads, a squad led by prep phenom Shareef O'Neal.

TMZ Sports talked to Metta about the big win ... who revealed a shocking fact that he was ACTUALLY ROOTING FOR SHAREEF OVER HIS OWN SON!!!

We brought it up to Ron III when he joined the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show Thursday, and his response to his pops couldn't have been more priceless, or more savage.

Rajon Rondo is firing back at Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade over their post-game comments after Wednesday night's loss ... saying their lack of leadership is the reason why the Bulls are losing.

Wade and Butler voiced their frustration to reporters after losing to the Hawks ... calling out the younger players for not caring enough.

Rondo wasn't specifically mentioned ... but clearly took exception, firing back on Instagram by trashing Jimmy & Dwyane as bad leaders when compared to his old Celtics teammates Ray Allen, Paul Pierce & Kevin Garnett.

"My vets would never go to the media. They would come to the team. My vets didn't pick and choose when they wanted to bring it."

"It takes 1-15 to win. When you isolate everyone, you can't win consistently. I may be a lot of things, but I'm not a bad teammate."

"The young guys work. They show up. They don't deserve blame. If anything is questionable, it's the leadership."

Here's Atlanta Hawks co-owner Tony Ressler telling TMZ Sports he's 100% riding with the Falcons to win a championship ... because his Hawks probably ain't getting it done.

We got Tony out at Madeo and asked what it would mean for the city of Atlanta to finally win a Super Bowl ... and when he thought the Hawks might raise a trophy themselves.

He said a Falcons 'ship could "only help" the city ... and as far as the Hawks, he says they'll get it done "someday," but it's clear he doesn't think that day is happening in 2017.

Listen, the guy probably ain't lying ... the Hawks are 4th in the East right now, but let's face it, it's all about the Cavs -- and LeBron James -- right now in that conference.

There's no beef between Shaq and Metta World Peace over their basketball star kids ... matter of fact, Metta says he sometimes pulls for Shareef when he plays against his son.

TMZ Sports spoke to Metta about Ron Artest III's H.S. squad going up against Shareef O'Neal's this week ... and he says he's so close to Shareef, he's conflicted about who he wants to win.

FYI -- Shareef is one of the top-ranked juniors in the country ... and Ron III -- who just started ballin' 2 years ago -- is an up-and-coming prospect.

MWP says he's cool with the young ballers being friends OFF the court as long as they're still enemies ON the court.

As for Metta, if being a basketball dad and an NBA player weren't enough to keep him busy ... he told us he just dropped a new hip-hop track.