NBA

The Uber driver who picked up Dwyane Wade from a Waffle House in Orlando Tuesday damn near lost his mind when he realized he had an NBA superstar in his ride ... and the video is awesome!

Wade had rented out the restaurant to grub with his Chicago Bulls teammates Rajon Rondo, Jerian Grant and others when he ordered an Uber to take him back to the team hotel.

But his driver happened to be a HUGE Miami Heat fan -- and fanboys out over the future Hall of Famer.

In fact, he tells D-Wade he couldn't believe the Heat ever let him go.

Wade loved the guy -- and said they're already "fast friends."

So ... 5 star rating then?

Ty Lawson has some serious explaining to do ... because officials in Denver believe the Sacramento Kings star violated his probation and are gunning for a warrant, TMZ Sports has learned.

Lawson is currently on probation stemming from his 2015 drunk driving case in Denver -- but the Denver Probation Dept. has filed a complaint seeking to revoke his probation citing a potential violation.

Officials would not say what the alleged violation is ... but confirmed to TMZ Sports that a bench warrant has been requested so they can bring Lawson to court for a hearing on the matter.

We're told a judge has not signed off on the warrant at this point.

Some of the requirements of Lawson's probation -- which was scheduled to end on March 22 -- included monitored sobriety, 48 hours of community service, 52 hours of therapy and no marijuana use.

Lakers honcho Jeanie Buss came out swinging against her brothers in new court docs -- claiming Jim Buss was a failure in his role with the team and Magic Johnson must undo the "damage" he caused.

Big Show's not sweating whether Shaq will show up to Wrestlemania or not ... 'cause he's planning to be there with or without him.

We got the WWE legend at LAX, where he put the ball in Shaq's court for their hyped up fight that may not be happening at this point if a deal can't be made.

Nothing pisses off Kelly Olynyk more than a poorly run fantasy basketball league -- which is why the Boston Celtics player tore our TMZ photog a new one right in the middle of the street.

Long story short ... our guy is in a league that starts the fantasy playoffs THIS WEEK. Olynyk feels that's wayyyyy too early. He's right.

When our guy tried to explain why (in case NBA playoff-bound teams sit their stars at the end of the regular season) ... Kelly called B.S. and called for the commish to be FIRED.

Shaq says the beef between him and JaVale McGee is 100% OVER ... vowing to never, ever, ever even mention McGee's name publicly again.

The Diesel made the declaration on Thursday night's episode of "Inside the NBA," admitting the entire thing had gotten outta hand when pressed by Ernie Johnson and the rest of the crew.

Sure, the beef is over ... but that didn't mean Shaq didn't throw a couple of parting shots McGee's way, noting that other players have been on "Shaqtin' A Fool" without getting all "sensitive" about it.

NBA star Chandler Parsons has a big fan in Bella Thorne ... they're not only going to see movies together, they also shared a kiss in Mexico.

Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins will soon make the NBA their bitches ... that's according to Stephen Jackson, who says it's just a matter of time before the duo takes over.

We got Jackson out at LAX, and asked him if the big deal that sent Cousins to New Orleans will end up paying off for the Pelicans ... 'cause right now, the guys are 1-3 since the trade.

Jackson has a message for the Crescent city ... RELAX ... saying Bougie & The 'Brow are gonna be the league's new David Robinson & Tim Duncan once they figure things out.

Caron Butler admits he was" extremely scared" during a "red alert" bomb scare while he was visiting troops in Afghanistan ... but praises the Army for keeping him safe and vows to go back.

Butler just returned from a trip to the Middle East with the USO -- and even watched the NBA All-Star game with soldiers in Afghanistan.

But a few days before the game, troops rushed in and moved Caron to a secure area after getting intel about a potential bomb threat.

"You could tell a lot of people was in like a extreme red alert," Butler says ... "I was extremely scared to say the least."

"But at the same time I knew I was in the good hands of the U.S. Army and they took great care of us over there."

Amar'e Stoudemire says his comments about not wanting a gay teammate in his locker room were SUPPOSED to be "taken as jokes" ... and he's sorry for offending the LGBT community.

"I want to apologize for my offensive comments against the LGBT community. These remarks were taken from a larger interview where a reporter was asking me hypothetical questions, and all my answers had a comedic undertone."

As we previously reported, Stoudemire -- who's playing pro basketball in Israel -- told a local media outlet he would "shower across the street" if he found out he had a gay teammate.

"The answers I gave were meant to be taken as jokes & I am deeply sorry for offending anyone."

Stoudemire continues ... "I am open to creating a dialogue to assist the fight the LGBT community encounters daily and will continue to focus on playing basketball."

Ex-L.A. Lakers forward Devean George has a message for Amar'e Stoudemire -- APOLOGIZE!!

The 3-time NBA champ was clearly disappointed in Amar'e after he heard about the homophobic comments A.S. made to an Israeli media outlet.

"Come on bro, you can't do that," George told us ... "He's too old for that."

He added, "Obviously he should apologize but some people have their opinions and they believe in their beliefs so he can say what he wants to say ... but it's not a good look."

Kevin Durant's gotta get healthy if Golden State wants to win an NBA championship ... 'cause it ain't happening without him, so says Warriors legend Rick Barry.

KD's out "indefinitely" after spraining a ligament in his left knee during Tuesday night's loss to the Wizards. The team announced they'll reevaluate Durant in 4 weeks ... but there's no chance he plays before.

FYI -- the NBA playoffs start in 6 weeks.

So, can the 50-10, 1st place GSW win without their leading scorer?

It ain't looking good ... according to longtime Warrior and HOFer Rick Barry.

"I would think the chances are diminished considerably [without Durant]. I don't think they would have an opportunity to do it without Kevin Durant because he is such an integral part of their success so far this season."

But if they already won a 'ship without KD in '15 ... why can't they do it again?

It's official ... Russell Westbrook's got a baby on the way!!

The NBA star announced his wife is with child and due in May. There have been rumblings behind the scenes for months ... now Russ has confirmed it's true.

Russ and Nina got married back in 2015 -- and have been dating since their college basketball days back at UCLA.

Ex-NBA player John Amaechi -- one of the most famous openly gay athletes on the planet -- has a message for Amar'e Stoudemire ... DON'T FLATTER YOURSELF.

After Stoudemire told Israeli media that he'd refuse to be in the same locker room as a gay teammate, Amaechi told TMZ Sports he's sick and tired of negative role models like A.S.

"These are serious times and we need serious people to lead important conversations, not petulant man-children spouting puerile prejudice," Amaechi told us.

"There is already one too many of those holding court in the media, and the world is poorer for it. Within the world of sport there are plenty of true role models -- on and off the floor -- whose words are carefully chosen to uplift and integrate society not join Trump and his grinning cabal in their 'locker room banter.'"

"In these tumultuous times, these true role models are the men and women whose voices we need to disseminate to every corner, not a braying jackass making a desperate grab for relevance amongst a constituency destined for extinction."

"Lastly, could someone please tell this man to stop flattering himself. It’s embarrassing."

We also spoke with Hudson Taylor, founder of Athlete Ally -- one of the biggest LGBT groups in sports -- who explained the impact Stoudemire's comments have on young basketball players.

He's only been in town for a week, but DeMarcus Cousins is fitting right in with the New Orleans culture ... sportin' panties on his head and drinking from a bottle of Hennessy in the Mardi Gras parade.

Boogie and Pelicans teammate Anthony Davis were honorary grand marshals ... throwing out beads and giving the crowd a bit of "Fire and Ice" action -- party style.

By looking at the crowd's reaction ... it's safe to say Cousins is already a fan favorite.

JaVale McGee's mother is FURIOUS at Shaquille O'Neal -- calling for "Inside the NBA" to fire Shaq for blasting her son on TV and social media.

It's the latest in a bitter feud between Shaq and McGee -- a feud that started years ago when Shaq started mocking the Golden State Warriors player in his Shaqtin' a Fool segment on "Inside the NBA."

Now, with tensions at an all-time high after Shaq WENT IN on McGee again last week -- on TV and on social media -- JaVale's mother (an ex-WNBA star herself) says O'Neal crossed the line.

"He cyberbullied my son,” Pamela McGee told The Undefeated ... "Totally inappropriate. Shaquille needs to lose his job or be suspended. The NBA needs to make a stand.”

For his part, Shaq says HIS mother is also getting involved -- and told him to cut the crap as well.

"I have orders from the top to leave it alone,” O’Neal said ... "My mama."

Shaq says his mother told him, "Stop this silliness. Leave him alone" ... so he listened.