NBA

Very cool bonding moment between NBA star Chris Paul and a little girl in NYC ... when the kid told CP3 they both go to the same back doctor!

So, why would a little kid need a world-class chiropractor? She explained to Chris that she's got scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, and it's serious enough that it requires medical treatment.

That's when the Clippers star stops dead in his tracks and shows some love to the little girl -- it's a very cool moment.

By the way CP3's chiropractor is Dennis Colonello -- who's famous for working on huge stars like Kobe, D-Wade, Danny Glover, Liam Neeson, Justin Timberlake, Bruce Willis, Matt Damon and more.

Attention, NBA GMs: Above the rim, Lonzo Ball is a BIG baller.

'Zo got waaay up for a couple off-the-backboard hammers in a video posted on draft day ... a convenient reminder that he's one of the best athletes on the board.

Ball gets a lot of hate for his herky-jerky shooting motion, but when it comes to taking flight ... well, let's just say the ZO2's might be making an appearance at the dunk contest next year.

No doubt Lonzo (and LaVar) are hoping a certain L.A.-based team takes notice.

Ice Cube is backpedaling on that whole Chauncey Billups to the Cavs thing -- saying CB is still with the BIG3 league because the NBA deal isn't officially done yet.

"Right now he with us until I hear something different," Cube tells TMZ Sports ... "Yesterday I opened my big mouth and it wasn't done yet."

Of course, Cube is referring to Billups taking a job with the Cavs front office -- the two sides are reportedly very close to striking a deal.

But until the pen hits the paper, Chauncey is still contracted to play/coach in Cube's BIG3 league -- leading the Killer 3's squad.

Cube says if/when the deal goes through with the Cavs, he'll absolutely let CB out of his BIG3 contract because the league wants to serve as a pipeline to the NBA.

Some real talk from Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson ... who admits he's pretty bummed out the team traded away his good friend, Brook Lopez.

On the other hand, Rondae says he's pretty excited for the guys taking his place -- D'Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov.

Rondae was at Steve Nash's charity soccer game in NYC on Wednesday (which benefits programs to help underprivileged kids) when he told us how he felt about the state of the Nets.

Ice Cube isn't even a tiny bit upset his BIG3 player/coach Chauncey Billups is leaving the BIG3 for a front office job with the Cleveland Cavs ... telling TMZ Sports the league is SUPPOSED to be a pipeline back to the NBA.

Cube is in NYC where he's gearing up for opening day -- THIS WEEKEND -- and we asked which BIG3 team is the favorite to win it all.

That's when Cube brought up Chauncey ... and maybe broke some news?!

"It was the Killer 3's (led by Chauncey and Stephen Jackson) for a minute but since Chauncey took that job, it might change."

It's been reported that Chauncey's in talks with the Cavs -- but nothing has been confirmed publicly ... at least not yet.

Cube also talked Allen Iverson -- telling TMZ Sports the NBA legend has been working out like crazy and he's "ready to go."

If you're a NY Knick who's NOT from Latvia, pack your bags ... 'cause Shaq thinks it's time for you to go.

The NBA legend was at an American Express Teamed Up event in NYC on Tuesday when we asked about reports that Phil Jackson is taking calls about possibly dealing away Kristaps Porzingis.

"Keep Porzingis and trade everybody else around him," Shaq said.

"Try to build around him. This kid's got a great future."

We also asked Shaq how he felt about the Lakers most likely taking Lonzo Ball with the #2 pick in Thursday's NBA Draft (despite some back and forth trash talk with his dad, LaVar).

Shaq's all for it ... "He's a great player. He makes his teammates better."

A major human rights org is calling for the Basketball Hall of Fame to BOOT Dennis Rodman over his relationship with Kim Jong-un -- saying it's not right to publicly support a "murderer."

The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation -- a non-profit org established by Congress in '94 -- is furious with The Worm over his recent visit to N. Korea and his ongoing relationship with the country's leader.

VOC says KJU has "blood on his hands" for the "murder" of American citizen, Otto Warmbier, and they're demanding Rodman either condemn Jong-un ... or else.

"Dennis Rodman’s complacency and coddling of Kim Jong-un romanticizes and makes light of how dangerous North Korea is to it's own people and Americans who travel there. Removing Rodman from the Hall of Fame will send a message that all Americans are united against this regime."

The VOC has started a petition on Change.org to get Dennis out of the HOF -- and exec. director Marion Smith is putting pressure on the NBA to essentially excommunicate him from the pro basketball community.

We've reached out to Rodman's camp for comment -- so far, no word back.

Metta World Peace is devastated over the death of his good friend, Prodigy -- telling TMZ Sports the two were like family and would often perform at rap shows together.

Metta and Prodigy are both from Queens -- and hit it off right from the start. But they didn't just rap together, they were close personal friends. Metta would sometimes visit Prodigy in the hospital.

"Prodigy was definitely family," Metta says ... "It definitely sucks not to have him here."

Metta says the best thing people can do to honor the Mobb Deep rapper is "keep his name alive ... because it's very necessary."

"We gonna miss him."

Grandmama has spoken ... with Larry Johnson telling TMZ Sports he REALLY hopes his NY Knicks don't trade away Kristaps Porzingis.

The rumors are spreading like wildfire ... that Phil Jackson is taking calls from other NBA teams looking to make a deal for the Latvian wonderkid before the NBA Draft.

So, when we saw the ex-Knicks star in NYC on Tuesday, we asked him to weigh in ... and it's clear he's against moving KP.

The Knicks and KP don't seem to be on the best of terms right now ... but LJ seems to think the team is better with him than without him.

LaVar Ball isn't letting the headlines get to him -- telling TMZ Sports he's still 100% convinced the Lakers will call Lonzo Ball's name with the #2 pick in the draft.

The Golden State Warriors got a bikini welcoming committee at a massive pool party in Vegas this weekend ... proving once again, it's good to be the champs.

Draymond Green, Matt Barnes and JaVale McGee hit up Encore Beach Club Friday ... boozin' on all kinds of alcohol from Don Julio 1942 to Hennessy to Jack Daniel's and Grey Goose -- while chilling in a private cabana.

The Dubs stars also downed a giant bottle of Perrier Jouet Rose as well, 'cause why the hell not?!

Size matters on the Matterhorn ... especially when you're 6'11" like NBA star Anthony Davis.

The New Orleans Pelicans big man hit up Disneyland on Sunday and decided he wanted a ride on one of the oldest coasters in the park.

The problem ... leg room.

You can see in the pics, Davis went full knees-to-chest to fit in the bobsled -- and apparently, it worked. We're told he had a blast at the park.

Fun Fact: There's a secret basketball court tucked away inside the mountain. No word on if AD got to hoop in between rides.

Hold your breath, Clippers nation ... your franchise center, DeAndre Jordan, is going full Tony Hawk ... hitting the streets of L.A. on a skateboard and, although it's terrifying, he ain't half bad.

Jordan is 6'11" and 265 pounds but that didn't stop him from straight thrashing on video recently, getting a little help from some bystanders.

Here's the thing ... fun is great and all, but could you imagine the fallout if DJ fell? The Clippers need all the help they can get to lose to the Warriors next year.

L.A. Clippers star Austin Rivers was straight and to the point when we asked if he'd go to the White House to visit President Trump if he won the NBA championship.

"NOPE."

It's a question everyone's been asking the Golden State Warriors after coach Steve Kerr reportedly said the team wouldn't attend a celebration at 1600 Pennsylvania earlier in the season.

It's a pretty hot topic in sports and politics -- but Rivers' feelings on the topic are clear.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar says parents like LaVar Ball are bad for college basketball -- because they're turning the NCAA into a "huckster show."

KAJ was expressing his disdain for 1-and-done college players during an interview with 97.5 The Fanatic when he specifically went in on Lonzo Ball's father.

"Everybody knows about his sons because he has been able to hype them. But I don't think that's good for college basketball."

He continued, "College basketball is starting to look like a ... it doesn't look good. It looks like it's a huckster show. And that bothers me, you know. You have people going those lengths to promote their kids. I don't get it. "

"1-and-dones doesn't make any sense to me. To have somebody come and be on campus for 6 months and play a basketball season, what is that?"

"It's strange and it's not good for the college game and it hasn't been good for the pro game. I think they better find a different way of dealing with those issues."

Draymond Green just threw some MAJOR shade at LeBron James at the Warriors championship parade ... mocking the Cavs superstar's comments about never being part of a "super team."

Green took the stage to vent his true feelings about the King saying he's never been a part of a super team ... and D.G. explicitly defended his team and general manager Bob Myers in front of approximately 1 MILLION Warriors fans.

"Can somebody give Bob some f***in' credit?" Green says. "Everyone talkin' about super teams this, super team that, 'I never played on a super team' ... you started the super team, bro!"

Of course, Draymond also talked smack towards the Cavs when GSW won the title back in 2015. Chances are these teams will match up again in the Finals ... and luckily for us, the smack talk will continue.