NBA

In today's episode of "Things You Never Thought A Black Guy Would Say" ... West Coast hip hop legend Kurupt is going to tell us what a great guy the NBA lost in ... Donald Sterling.

Here's the thing ... he's not kidding.

During the 5-minute interview with vladtv.com ... the rapper praises Sterling as a "great guy" -- who got screwed over by the NBA.

"They took a good man down," Kurupt says with a straight face ... despite the fact Sterling said on-tape that he didn't want V. Stiviano bringing black people to Clippers games.

Kurupt also explains his friendship with Stiviano ... and defends her too.

FYI -- Kurupt's making his living these days by pushing medical marijuana in L.A.

Khloe Kardashian isn't bailing on her divorce -- she fully intends to follow through one year after filing -- the problem is she can't schedule a sit down with Lamar Odom.

Sources close to the Kardashian's tell us Khloe has been unable to meet with her estranged husband to finalize terms of the divorce with their lawyers ... despite numerous attempts.

We're told the ex-basketball star isn't responding to calls from Khloe or her attorney -- and he's very rarely popped up in public. Certainly not long enough to make things official. Our camera guys spotted LO 3 weeks ago ... and he seemed more than fine leaving the divorce/marriage in limbo.

Remember, Lamar once said he wasn't convinced Khloe would see the divorce through.

However, KK definitely wants to cut the cord for good. We're told her best case scenario is meeting Lamar to settle up -- but worst case ... she will file a default judgment if he doesn't respond soon.

Here's video of Los Angeles Lakers part-owner Jesse Buss stumbling out of a Hollywood nightclub early Monday morning ... and it sure looks like he stopped to pee on a dumpster on the way out.

The 26-year-old -- who is also the team's Director of Scouting -- was being helped out of Greystone Manor by friends just after 1AM when he stopped ... and spent some time pressed against a dumpster in the parking lot.

So, was Jesse taking a whiz?? You can see what appears to be the classic "dip and zip" move as he finishes up ... but we can't be certain.

Eventually, Jesse finishes up whatever it was he was doing and makes his way to a car ... and a flock of attractive females follow. It appears some got in the car. One was definitely turned away.

Wanna see DeAndre Jordan call out Glen "Big Baby" Davis for making him spend $1.99 to buy a copy of his 2012 rap single?

Good ... 'cause this is pretty hilarious.

Jordan was leaving Warwick nightclub in L.A. this weekend -- when he actually called "BS" on his L.A. Clippers teammate for making him spend nearly TWO DOLLARS to own a copy of "Big Baby Turn It Up."

"It's a recession out here and I have to pay $1.99 for a song??"

Ya gotta check out the clip ... DeAndre also gives props to another Clippers teammate, Spencer Hawes, over his amazingly ugly Xmas day suit.

As for Big Baby, he has yet to drop another single ... but recently told TMZ Sports he's got a follow-up song on the way soon. So ... stay tuned???

The daughter of Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé tells TMZ Sports ... yes she's tight with Tyga -- but there's absolutely ZERO boot-knockin' going down between them.

As we previously reported, Tyga has been spending a LOT of quality time with Anjali Ranadivé (aka Anjali World) ... who happens to be an aspiring singer. The two were seen getting off a private jet together earlier this month leading to speculation they were romantically involved.

But Anjali tells us, "We're just friends and working on music together."

We're told the two met through her manager ... and Anjali says they hit it off (in a platonic and professional way) -- and have been hitting the studio together ever since.

They've already recorded one song together which they performed at a recent Kings game (see video below.)

"I look up to him musically," Anjali says ... "and I can't wait to make even more music with Tyga in the future."

Just because he can't play in the NBA doesn't mean Isaiah Austin can't BALL UP stars like Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant ... 'cause the ex-NCAA star says he's using his own character to dominate in the NBA 2K15 video game.

You probably know Austin's story by now ... he was supposed to be a 1st round pick in this year's NBA Draft but was forced to end his career after he was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome.

Still, the people at 2K Sports announced they would include Austin as a playable character in this year's video game to "celebrate his remarkable courage."

So, when we got Austin out in NYC the other day -- we had to ask ... what's it like to play with yourself?

If Christmas is a battlefield ... Nick Young is France -- 'cause he just surrendered in the war for the best Xmas gift after his GF Iggy Azalea hooked him up with a sick classic car.

The Lakers star was rollin' around L.A. in his brand new '62 Chevy Impala -- which Iggy delivered to him outside the Lakers facility Monday -- when we asked if it was even possible to top Iggy's gift.

The short answer ... no ... and Nick knows it -- admitting that she "won" the holiday gift exchange this year.

Swaggy also had some things to say about Kobe Bryant. Check out the clip ...

Santa Claus ain't got nothin' on Iggy Azalea ... who just hooked up Nick Young with one helluva Christmas present -- a 1962 Chevy Impala ... complete with a red bow.

Iggy personally delivered the ride to Swaggy P outside the Lakers practice facility -- where Nick got the chance to show off his new whip in front of all his boys.

No word on how much Iggy paid for the ride ... but some '62 Impalas have been appraised around $100k.

Question is ... how's Nick gonna compete with that?

Vanessa Bryant takes her Christmas card photo VERY SERIOUSLY -- so seriously in fact that Mrs. Mamba tapped one of the top designers from "Project Runway" to make her dress.

Kobe Bryant's wife called upon MTCostello -- who has designed clothes for huge stars like Beyonce and Ariana Grande.

They got together and picked out MTCostello's signature "Black Widow" gown -- which comes with a $6,500 price tag!!

Vanessa had flirted with a bronze version of the dress during an earlier fitting ... but ultimately, decided to go with black.

Sources close to the situation tell us ... Vanessa has always been passionate about Xmas cards. As one person put it, "She takes great pride and puts great thought into celebrating because she's very religious."

LeBron James' kid is gooooood.

10-year-old LeBron James Jr. -- aka Bronny -- made some INSANE highlight reel shots at the 2014 Ronald Searles Holiday Classic in Houston.

Bronny is one of the top ranked 4th graders in the country (yes, they rank 4th graders) ... and it's obvious why -- the kid can shoot, dribble and pass like ... well, like his dad.

Matt Barnes rebounded from a crappy night on the court by hanging with Rick Ross and a bunch of other hip hop stars at a huge Hollywood after party.

Barnes was in the VIP at Supper Club for Rick's performance Saturday night in Hollywood. The Clippers star chilled with Rick, Wiz Khalifa, Mally Mall, and Ty Dolla Sign. Famous booty model Rosa Acosta, "Love and Hip Hop" star Sincere, and singer Anjali World (daughter of Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé) were also there.

Earlier that night ... Matt put up a goose egg in 26 minutes on the floor in the Clippers game against the Bucks, but still won ... 106-102.

She's hooked up with jocks before, but the new rumors about Khloe Kardashian dating NBA star Robin Lopez seems like BS ... so says Kim's BFF Jonathan Cheban.

Cheban -- who's super tight with all of the Kardashian sisters -- was leaving Craig's in West Hollywood last night when we asked about reports that Khloe and Robin have become an item.

"I was with her yesterday, I didn't hear anything about that," Cheban told us.

The "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" star said he wouldn't be shocked if Khloe eventually began dating another famous athlete ... explaining that a relationship with a normie can get pretty boring for someone on Khloe's level.

As for Robin, he also shot down the rumors this weekend ... and says the media made up the story.

"Obviously they were looking for two people with a lot of influence on popular culture, on the youth, and they were looking for two movers and shakers," Lopez said.

He's 25-years-old ... he just signed the largest player contract in the history of U.S. team sports ... so how's Miami Marlins superstar Giancarlo Stanton gonna spend his $325 million???

He's got some ideas.

Stanton was on his way into Greystone in L.A. this weekend with his crew (we're guessing he covered the bill) and talked to the All-Star outfielder about his complex spending plan.

Check out the clip ... though we're guessing Stanton may have been joking ... based on the fact he popped a $20k bottle of champagne hours after he signed the contract last month.

Master P has a sure fire plan to turnaround this painful Lakers season -- just give him a little run, and he'll do what Kobe Bryant hasn't been able to do ... not yet, anyway.

Mr. "Make Em' Say Uhh" told us he can provide something for the Lake show no one else can. Master P even called out the Mamba, saying ... "I played against Kobe. He knows what's up!"

It's true ... P did play in a couple of NBA preseasons with the Hornets and Raptors in the late '90s. We're guessing Kobe doesn't remember much about their match ups.

Milwaukee Bucks star O.J. Mayo has a $19k problem on his hands ... because a charter airline company says he didn't pony up the cash to fly -- and put the crew in danger by using "illegal narcotics" ... TMZ Sports has learned.

According to a lawsuit filed today by Quantum Jets ... Mayo booked a flight from Houston to L.A. on July 16th, but couldn't pay for the entire flight. The airline agreed he could give them a down payment, and pay the rest the next day.

But Quantum claims he never coughed up the dough. Further, they say he used illegal narcotics during the flight. The suit doesn't specify what kind of drugs.

Quantum Jets is suing Mayo for breach of contract and negligence. It wants at least $19,200 in damages, plus interest.

The 1980s are long over and Milwaukee Bucks forward Jared Dudley says NBA players have evolved ... and now they shave their armpits.

Jared apparently solved a life-long mystery for our photog when he left 1Oak Thursday night ... because our guy was just DYING to know if the NBA made players shave ... or if it was a choice.

Dudley said that shaving was the thing to do these days ... unlike the Patrick Ewing days of yore.