NBA

LeBron James couldn't help but think about his own boys after Trayvon Martin's death ... saying he realized that could've been one of his kids who was killed.

TMZ Sports has a first look of the final episode (airs Saturday at 9 PM) of his 3-part docu-series, "Shut Up and Dribble" ... which focuses on the impact NBA players have when it comes to social activism.

"I'm sitting there and I'm reading all these different articles," James says, "I'm seeing all these different play-by-play. I'm seeing all these different stuff of what happened, what didn't happen, what could have happened to prevent this ... and I just started to think about my boys, my sons."

LBJ has two sons -- Bronny (14) and Bryce (11) -- and one daughter, Zhuri (4) -- and has talked about the impact Martin's death has had on raising his kids.

Draymond Green says his heated argument with Kevin Durant -- one in which he repeatedly called K.D. a "b*tch" -- is only gonna make the Warriors better ... saying, "Good luck with us now!"

ICYMI ... the Golden State stars got into it at the end of a loss to the Clippers on Monday -- with Durant upset at Green in the huddle for a late-game turnover.

Green fired back harshly ... callin' Durant a "b*tch" multiple times -- and reportedly even letting the argument spill into the post-game locker room.

Green was eventually suspended one game -- and fined $120,000 -- for the altercation ... but told reporters Thursday the fight ain't gonna end the Warriors' dynasty.

"If this only makes Kevin, myself and the rest of my teammates stronger, that's what it's going to do," Green says.

In fact ... Draymond promised an EVEN BETTER version of the Dubs now.

"If you think you saw something before, good luck with us now. We not going to crumble off of an argument. We going to move forward."

That might be true for THIS season ... but Klay Thompson AND K.D. are free agents this summer -- and even Draymond couldn't guarantee their future with the team after that.

J.R. Smith just copped a sweet deal in his cell phone throwing incident back in July ... TMZ Sports has learned, and if he stays outta trouble for 6 months ... he's totally in the clear.

ICYMI -- Swish allegedly took a fan's cell phone and threw it into a construction site ... after the guy tried to snap a pic of the Cleveland Cavs star outside of The Park, an NYC hot spot.

Smith -- who appeared before a judge in a Manhattan courtroom Thursday morning with attorney Alex Spiro -- had his case adjourned in contemplation of dismissal.

Plain talk -- as long as he buys the fan a new cell phone ($600) AND doesn't screw up ... the case will be dismissed.

Tracy McGrady has some Hall of Famer to future Hall of Famer advice for Carmelo Anthony ... move on, bro ... saying he believes it's time for Melo to put a period on his NBA career.

Anthony is reportedly on the outs in Houston and McGrady says he's being unfairly scapegoated for the Rockets' slow start. Problem is, Tracy thinks that's gonna be the case wherever Anthony goes.

"If he goes to another team and his team starts playing bad, then what? They're gonna blame Melo."

But, don't get it twisted -- T-Mac says Melo can DEFINITELY still ball at the top level ... he just thinks the NBA has turned the page on Anthony, not giving him a fair shake, meaning he only has one option.

The Mavs are goin' ALL OUT to honor wounded U.S. troops Wednesday night ... 'cause they're flying in 120 soldiers and hookin' them up with courtside seats AND a fancy 4-course meal!!

The team announced it'll host its 14th annual Seats for Soldiers night ... and give away floor tix for the soldiers -- valued at around $350k.

"Our annual Seats for Soldiers night is a reminder that we don’t get to enjoy the game we love without the incredible sacrifices our soldiers make,” owner Mark Cuban says.

The team says the night will start with a truckload of food at Nick & Sam's in Dallas ... where they'll feed the troops a baller steak dinner (dessert's a 7-layer cake).

Then, it'll be off to the American Airlines Center ... where Cuban will hook up the men and women with some amazing seats for their tilt with the Utah Jazz.

In addition to the wounded troops sitting courtside, the Mavs tell us they're also hooking up over 1,000 veterans with free tickets to the game.

Aqib Talib didn't just have the best seats in the house for Tuesday night's Rockets-Nuggets game ... dude got the dopest souvenir ever too -- James Harden's game-used jersey!!!

The L.A. Rams -- in town 'cause they wanted to practice at altitude to prep for their now-moved Mexico City game (more on that later) -- popped by the Pepsi Center to catch some hoops.

Dudes like Talib, Todd Gurley, Jared Goff and Marcus Peters were all courtside ... but for some reason -- Harden decided Talib was most worthy of the post-game swag.

The Bearded One even signed it ... and Talib loved it, saying, "That courtside drip, you feel me?! That's authentic. It's still sweaty. That thing still sweaty, straight off the court!"

L.A. was set to face the Chiefs next Monday night in Estadio Azteca, and was trying to hit up Colorado Springs all week to prep for the altitude in Mexico's capital.

But, since recent Mexico City concerts tore up the field ... the game got moved back to L.A. -- which appears to mean the Rams will head home soon.

Don't feel too bad for at least one of the Rams superstars for leaving the game empty-handed -- Gurley was still rockin' the sick diamond pendant YG gifted to him this week!!

Carmelo Anthony ain't gonna have an easy time finding a new squad after the Rockets boot him to the curb ... so says Byron Scott.

Don't get the ex-NBA coach wrong ... he likes Melo and thinks he can still shoot it -- but, he tells TMZ Sports, the market for the 10-time All-Star after he moves on from Houston will be wafer-thin.

"It's gonna be hard, man," Scott says.

Byron's biggest issues with Melo? He says the dude can't fit in with teams looking to rebuild with younger players -- and he can't fit in with squads that get up and down the floor.

So, Scott says the only possible landing spots for the future Hall of Famer are with veteran, half-court teams ... or nowhere else.

BTW ... we also asked Scott about the Lakers and the job Luke Walton is doin' -- and he says everyone just needs to be patient when it comes to LeBron's first year in Hollywood.

But ... we had to ask -- would he consider linking up with his ex-Lakers teammate, Magic Johnson, and coaching L.A. if Walton falters??

Matt Barnes stays winning ... 'cause he mopped the floor with his twin boys at the bowling alley!!

The match was pretty epic ... the two 10-year-olds were neck and neck with their ex-NBA dad -- only a few pins apart heading into the 10th and final frame.

But, that's when Matt turned the chill all the way off ... and buried two straight strikes for the W.

The best part?? Barnes trash-talked through it all ... especially when his boys asked if he was gonna get the turkey to finish off the victory.

"Call it Thanksgiving, you better f*cking believe it!!!"

Losers had to do push-ups ... and yeah, Matt made sure to keep the chirping going through those too!

Kevin Durant's mom tells TMZ Sports she loves LeBron James and Magic Johnson, which can only mean one thing ...

Wanda Durant loves LeBron and Magic. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Of course, Lakers fans are gonna love this clip ... K.D. is a free agent this summer and some are hoping he'll end up with the King in L.A.

We asked Wanda if she thought the 2 superstars will link up and wreck the West together ... and SHE DOES NOT SAY NO.

"My son has been in the NBA now for 11 years, so he's wise enough to make the decision that's best for him. I trust that."

There's more Laker love in the clip too ... Wanda gushes about Magic and his wife, Cookie -- which could be a whole lotta nothin' ... but, could also be a whole lotta somethin'.

There you have it. K.D.'s free agency mystery solved. You're welcome.

Kristaps Porzingis can't play basketball right now ... but that doesn't mean he ain't havin' fun -- 'cause the Knicks superstar just hit up an NYC party with Ivan Drago!!!

Dolph Lundgren was out at Mr. Chow Tribeca -- celebrating the upcoming release of "Creed II" -- so the Unicorn put his ACL rehab on hold and popped by to join the party.

Why?? We're told Kristaps -- whose nickname used to be "Young Drago" -- is a HUGE fan of the 'Rocky' villain, and always wanted to meet him.

The first interaction between the two at the Haute Living and Zenith Watches bash was pretty great ... K.P. towered over the 6-foot-5 actor -- and, at one point, Dolph just had to ask, "How tall are you, man?!"

Of course ... Kristaps measures in at 7-foot-3 -- only about a foot and a half taller than Drago's most famous opponent, Sylvester Stallone.

So ... it all begs the question -- WHO YA GOT IN THIS FIGHT?!

9:30 AM PT -- LeVert reportedly dislocated his right foot and ankle in the incident ... and he can return later this season.

The NBA community is rallying behind Caris LeVert after his sickening leg injury on Monday ... with superstars like LeBron James and Paul George showing support for the Brooklyn Nets player.

LeVert went up for a block toward the end of the 2nd quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves ... and he landed awkwardly on his right leg, which appeared to snap.

If you haven't seen the video already, it should probably stay that way. If you DO want to see it ... we warned you ... it's painfully gruesome.

"Young Fella prayers to you!" LeBron tweeted Monday night. "Speedy recovery and even stronger impact coming soon for sure!"

George added ... "God bless you youngin tough road ahead but we’re here to help lift you @CarisLeVert ! You know how to reach me"

"Prayers for Caris LeVert," Kevin Love tweeted. "Hate to see this. Having a hell of a season. Keep strong"

Gordon Hayward -- who also suffered a nasty injury last season -- offered his assistance in recovery ... saying "Best wishes and prayers to @CarisLeVert on a speedy recovery! The journey back is hard, but you’ll be stronger in the end. Please reach out if you need anything!"

FYI -- 24-year-old LeVert was having his best NBA season by far ... averaging 18 points a game.

LeVert was stretchered off the court and rushed to a Minneapolis hospital for treatment. Players in the game were so shaken up by the injury that some were reportedly crying in the locker room at halftime.

Chris Paul shared his sympathy, saying, "Prayers out to @CarisLeVert!!! Been watchin him play this season and I’ve loved every bit of it! Hate to see him get injured."

11/13 9:30 AM PT -- LeVert reportedly dislocated his right foot and ankle in the incident ... and he can return later this season.

Brooklyn Nets star Caris LeVert suffered a nasty leg injury Monday night that was reminiscent of the injury that sidelined Gordon Hayward for an entire season.

LeVert landed awkwardly after going up to attempt to block the Timberwolves' Josh Okogie and appears to have snapped his ankle. You can see how much pain he's in right away as he covers his face. LeVert had to be taken off the court by stretcher.

The injury is eerily similar to the one Hayward suffered last year during his debut with the Celtics. Hayward also landed awkwardly on his ankle, and had to undergo surgery to recover.

Jimmy Butler was personally greeted by his new Sixers GM, Elton Brand, and a private jet on his way outta Minnesota on Monday ... and TMZ Sports has the pics!!

The ex-Timberwolves forward was just shipped to Philadelphia in a blockbuster trade that sent Dario Saric and Robert Covington to Minnesota ... and Brand clearly couldn't wait to meet his newest superstar.

The Sixers are in Miami to play the Heat Monday night ... but we're told the guys are going straight to Philly. Butler's expected to suit up for the Sixers on Wednesday against the Orlando Magic.

It's Brand's first huge trade in his new position as general manager after his own 17-year NBA career ... and judging by the pics, he's happy with the results.

Don't start the championship parade planning in L.A. yet ... Magic Johnson tells TMZ Sports SLOW YOUR ROLL on crowning the Lakers!!!

"It's still early," the LakeShow honcho says.

Of course ... Magic is one of very few people feelin' that way in L.A. -- 'cause the Lakers have won 5 of their last 6 and 3 in a row ... including a Sunday night thriller over the Hawks.

But, MJ -- just a couple days after not exactly giving Luke Walton the strongest vote of confidence -- clearly needs to see more before he gets all fired up.

BTW ... how did Magic leave Staples Center after the game Sunday?

Paul Pierce tells TMZ Sports he had to pack his things and leave his Calabasas home behind ... saying the California wildfires were getting too close for comfort.

The retired NBA superstar was leaving Mastro's in Beverly Hills on Saturday night ... when he told us he had spent the day evacuating due to the massive wildfires that have forced more than 250,000 people to leave their homes behind.

At least 177 homes have been destroyed in SoCal by the fires ... and a ton of celebs and athletes have been affected -- including Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth and Gerard Butler, who all lost their Malibu homes.

Pierce shared a video from his multi-million dollar Calabasas home on Friday ... showing the fires moving toward his area.

LaMelo Ball's stint in Lithuania has made him INELIGIBLE for one of the biggest honors at the high school level -- the McDonald's All-American Game ... officials tell TMZ Sports.

The All-American game features the top 24 players from around the country selected by a voting committee based on their athletic and academic success.

Superstars from Magic Johnson to LeBron James to Kevin Durant to Melo's older brother, Lonzo, have participated in the game -- being selected to the team is one of the highest honors a high school player can have.

Of course, Melo announced his return to prep hoops earlier this week by enrolling in elite Spire Academy private school in Geneva, Ohio ... bringing him back to amateur status.

But, a rep for the organization's selection committee tells TMZ Sports LaMelo will NOT be in consideration to play in the game at the end of the season ... citing his past professional status as a means for disqualification.

"LaMelo Ball is a Professional Basketball player and has played professionally in Lithuania resulting in him being ineligible for the McDonald’s All-American Game," the rep tells us.

There are reports Melo didn't receive a cent of his salary while playing for BC Vytautas, making him clear to regain his amateur status.

But, reps for the All-American Game say they're not convinced -- yet -- however, they're willing to reconsider Melo's status if he can prove without a doubt he wasn't paid.

We also reached out to the organization behind the Naismith Prep Player of the Year award -- another huge honor for high school athletes -- and they told us Melo is NOT disqualified from consideration.

"As long as he maintains his amateur status, plays a full high school season and is in good standing with his team all season long, he’ll be considered just like any other HS candidate."

But, Melo and the rest of the Ball family aren't about accolades anyway -- for them, the only thing that matters is getting PAID in the NBA.