NBA

With the Golden State Warriors still waiting to find out who they'll face in the next round of the playoffs, Matt Barnes jetted to L.A. to blow off some steam with his old Clippers pal, DeAndre Jordan.

The two hit up Warwick in Hollywood with a TON of huge stars including Julio Jones, French Montana, Nicole Scherzinger, Zach Randolph and more.

The Warriors will either play the Rockets or the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals -- depending who wins that series.

So, why not use the downtime to chill with old pals?

Over in Cleveland, the Cavs are in a similar situation -- waiting on the winner of the Wizards and Celtics series. They decided to throw a dance party during workouts yesterday.

The Game says Michael Jordan hasn't done enough for the black community -- so he's going to use his cash to support a DIFFERENT shoe entrepreneur ... Lonzo Ball.

The rapper just spent $2,000 on Ball's new ZO2 shoes -- which run $495 a pair -- and laid out his reasons on Instagram.

"I've spent over a million dollars, sh*t probably more on Nike's, Jordan's & other big name sneaker brands in my lifetime so why not support a family brand & a rising stars shoe."

He continued, "While MJ, as much as I love & support him & his legacy ain't really ever did much for the black community other then tax our mothafuckin' ass for the same shoes over & over as well as charge these kids parents hella money to get in these camps."

"No hate... MJ is MJ but today I chose to support @Zo & his family."

Game also vowed to buy TEN MORE PAIRS of Lonzo's shoes for underprivileged kids.

LaVar Ball is gonna LOVE that.

LeBron James turned all the way up at the Cleveland Cavs practice on Wednesday -- dancing hard in the gym with Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert ... and it's kinda awesome.

While most of the guys were working out in the team practice facility, Bron took a break when Playboi Carti's hit song, "Magnolia" came over the speakers.

The beat took hold. The guys danced it out. Bron's got moves.

Of course, the guys are in great spirits and well rested and ran through the Toronto Raptors in 4 games. Now, it's a waiting game to see who they get in the next round.

Why not turn up?!

LaVar Ball says his Big Baller Brand already has a QUARTER MILLION in sales -- with at least 495 people buying his $495 shoe.

LaVar appeared on FS1's "Undisputed" Monday morning to talk about Lonzo Ball's new ZO2 shoe -- which launched last week.

Ball wouldn't say exactly how many pairs he's sold -- but says the number is greater than 495.

He also says people have bought the special $995 edition of the shoe -- but he hasn't said how many.

Ball also fired back at Shaq who criticized his shoe price last week -- asking O'Neal why his own son doesn't wear the Shaq shoe when he plays.

It's clear LaVar is all in on the brand.

Here's audio of Lonzo Ball trying to make hip-hop the next thing he takes over (sorry, Nike) ... by spittin' some more than decent bars on a brand new rap song.

Lonzo is rapping under the name ZO2 (same name as his sneaker, 'cause branding) -- and shows off his talent during a freestyle over the beat from Drake's "Free Smoke." The song also features DC The Don.

Here's the thing, Lonzo ain't wack ... with our favorite line being, "In a couple months I'll be in a mansion with my car clean and my diamonds dancing."

It's probably accurate, and maybe the greatest line any rapper has ever uttered ... at least that's what LaVar would say.

Kobe Bryant broke the bank for his wife's 35th birthday celebration -- taking the whole family on a baller trip to Mexico ... where Vanessa got to hit the launch button for her very own epic private fireworks show!

Seriously, this is dope as hell.

The Bryants had their own insane private suite at an exclusive resort -- a suite that included its own private pool, beach access ... and a mariachi band!!!

But the best part was when staffers brought Vanessa the controls for the fireworks show on a silver platter ... and had her fire off the explosives!

Happy birthday!

Chef Curry with the pot!!!

Ayesha Curry -- wife of NBA superstar Steph Curry -- is opening her own own BBQ restaurant in San Francisco with the help of one of the most famous chef/restaurateurs in the world!

Make no mistake about it, Ayesha is a legit cook -- and has been featured on the Food Network a bunch of times over the years.

Now, she's making the leap and opening her own place -- with Michael Mina ... who operates TWO Michelin star rated restaurants.

Ayesha says the restaurant will be called International Smoke -- and will open mid 2017.

The menu will feature ribs, BBQ lobster, slow cooked pork, sausage and more!

Chris Bosh and his wife are being sued by the porn magnates who created X-Art (admit it, you know it) ... who claim they rented a sick beach mansion from the NBA star that was literally filled with crap.

The people behind the suit are Colette and Brigham Field -- who created the erotic video website X-Art -- which features people hardcore banging each other in classy settings. It's so popular, they were profiled by GQ.

The Fields say they rented a 10,755 square foot super mansion in the Pacific Palisades owned by the Boshes in Dec. 2016 ... and plunked down $138k to cover the 1st month's rent ($46k) and the security deposit ($92k).

Problem is ... the Fields say shortly after moving in, they noticed crazy toxic mold, leaks, plumbing issues, rat droppings ... and worst of all -- the Internet access was horrible!!

The Fields say it was so bad they "had to seek medical assistance for sickness and rashes that they suffered from the time when the mold could be seen and smelled."

In the lawsuit, filed in L.A. County Superior Court and obtained by TMZ Sports, the Fields say they tried to get their security deposit back but the Boshes refused ... and have since let other people stay in the home.

They're demanding the $92k deposit back plus unspecified damages. We reached out to the Boshes for comment, but no word back.

We also contacted X-Art ... but not for anything to do with this story.

If James Harden doesn't win MVP this season, he's most definitely the Most Generous Teammate ... 'cause the Rockets superstar dropped $30k to hook up his teammate with a gold Cuban Link chain!!

TMZ Sports spoke with celeb jeweler Boodaddy Diamonds, who says Montrezl Harrell and Harden were checking out his bling when Harrell instantly fell in love with the chain, but decided not to drop the 30 racks.

Boodaddy says Harden went behind his back and paid the full price for the piece with CASH as a surprise present for Harrell.

But Harden's shopping spree ain't gonna end there ... Boodaddy says if the Beard wins MVP, he's gonna ice him out in honor of the award.

If Lonzo & LaVar Ball need celebrity endorsements for their new shoe, TMZ Sports might've just found them a twosome, music stars Post Malone & Charlie Puth, who say they're feeling the ZO2's.

The reviews of the first shoe from the Big Baller Brand have been mixed, mostly because of the nearly $500 price tag, but also because some say the kicks just ain't that hot.

Puth & Malone aren't on that team, 'cause when we go them out in L.A. they said they're totally diggin' the ZO2's although they have one slight suggestion.

All future ten digit pimps listen up ... Mark Cuban is about to tell you the how you shop for food when you have too much money to worry about normie stores (sorry Serena).

Cuban was out in NYC when our photog asked him a question that is strangely intriguing when you think about it ... how does Cuban shop for groceries.

If you think he grabs his basket and heads to Albertson's you're wrong ... but if you think he doesn't do his own shopping, you're also wrong.

Shaq better book an Airbnb when he travels to Arizona to watch his son Shareef play for the Wildcats ... 'cause Charles Barkley says the Big Diesel is a little too damn big to stay with him.

Barkley lives in Phoenix, and when we got him out in NYC our camera guy asked what Chuck thought about Shareef committing to play ball in his neck of the woods.

That's when things turned HILARIOUS ... and Barkley had to remind Shaq his house ain't no damn hotel ... especially if you're of the big and tall variety.

Bonus shade? Watch Chuck react to our guy saying Shaq is the best big man of all time. Classic.

Bella Thorne is hanging out with a brand new pro athlete ... and believe it or not, we ain't just talking about her boobs and butt cheeks.

The ex-Disney star was rocking a barely there see-through half shirt and some very tight white shorts during a trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain on Thursday with L.A. Lakers star Jordan Clarkson.

Unclear if they're anything more than friends ... but the two pulled up to the park together in his Lambo.

We know Bella likes NBA players -- she spent a lot of time hanging out with Chandler Parsons earlier this year ... and even kissed him in Mexico.

Lonzo Ball finally unveiled his long-awaited Big Baller Brand shoe -- and it can be yours if you wanna spend $500!!!!!!

The shoe -- called the ZO2 -- is more expensive than ANY SHOE currently for sale on the Nike.com online store (for the record, Nike's priciest shoe is the Air Jordan 5 Retro at $400).

And that's not all ... Lonzo's BBB brand is offering a premium collector's version of the shoe for $500 more ... in which you get an autographed pair and a special display case with LED lights.

Lonzo's father, LaVar Ball, has said he plans to move forward with BBB because no major shoe company would give him the "true partnership" he wanted.

Big Baller Brand is also selling sandals for $220 a pop. BBB says they're they're the "ultimate in style and comfort" feature a "non-slip Crystal Gold outsole."

LaVar is clearly gunning for upscale clientele -- we'll see if he hits his target.

While Steph Curry and LeBron James make another playoff run, Kobe Bryant is reaping the benefits of retired life -- snappin' pics with beautiful models and eating Reese's Puffs.

Super hot Instagram model Shelley Golden posted the encounter in California with the NBA legend, jokingly saying "Me and bae getting groceries as usual."

In case you were dying to find out what food fuels Retired Mamba in the morning ... it looks like Kobe's all about that PB and chocolate deliciousness.

Who said retirement would be boring?

Floyd Mayweather wants to be the next Steve Ballmer ... or Mark Cuban ... or Michael Jordan -- as in, he wants to own an NBA franchise.

The boxer says he had a meeting in L.A. with Lakers President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson on Thursday morning -- and when he left, he was more inspired than ever to make a play to own an NBA team.

"It's about time for me to buy an NBA team," Floyd says ... "If you're ready to sell your NBA team, please get in touch with me."

Floyd's made hundreds of millions of dollars during his boxing career -- but we're guessing he would have to team up with another financial partner (like Derek Jeter and Jeb Bush did) if he's serious.