NBA

Snoop Dogg meant no disrespect to African-Americans when he said the struggling Lakers oughta go away on a "slave ship" -- but he did mean to vent about ALL of his favorite teams sucking.

Sources close to the D-O-Double-Gizzle tell TMZ ... the rapper's trash talking -- taken by many as racist -- was totally a heat of the moment thing. We're told the rapper turned on his phone, and impulsively unloaded about his Lakers' embarrassing loss to the last-place Suns.

As we reported ... Snoop went all scorched Earth, saying, "Ship all them n***as out. Get a slave ship, and ship all them sorry mother f**kers the f**k outta here!"

Despite much of the public reaction to Snoop's rant -- our sources were clear ... the rapper doesn't have a single racist bone in his body, especially against his own race.

We're told the die-hard Lakers fan was -- like most fans -- pissed about possibly missing the playoffs, even with LeBron James. It's also a little insult to injury for Snoop ... he's also a Steelers fan and they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2013.

"Ship all them n***as out. Get a slave ship, and ship all them sorry motherf*ckers the f*ck outta here!"

That's just a tiny piece of Snoop Dogg's weekend rant against the Lakers ... and yeah, dude is PISSED Los Angeles is about to miss the playoffs again this season.

"These sorry mother f*ckers ain't going to do sh*t," Snoop said ... "These goofballs ain't going to do sh*t. They sorry."

Snoop's scorched earth comments came after L.A.'s second loss this weekend -- a 118-109 pounding to the last-place Suns -- when the rapper threw his camera into selfie mode and blasted EVERYONE not named LeBron.

"Somebody gotta go. F*ck this shit. Somebody gotta go. Matter of fact, a lot of n***as gotta go, starting with the coach."

As for his Staples Center tickets ... Snoop says he's so over L.A., he's giving away his box suite seats for just $5!!!!

Think Snoop's overreacting? With losses to the Bucks on Friday and Phoenix on Saturday ... the Lakers are now closer to 13th place in the West than they are to a playoff spot.

Snoop's begging the front office to intervene ... and as part of his rant -- he yelled, "Get LeBron some f*ckin' help!!"

Teyana Taylor was right when she said you're gonna love her -- 'cause there's not much else you can do when she shows up to the beach wearing this little get-up.

The G.O.O.D. Music singer was out in Miami with her daughter Saturday, where she hit up a beach wearing a sheer leopard print bodysuit without much coverage around back. It's kinda hard to see, but Teyana's got a tattoo of a national flag on her right cheek.

Mexico? Italy? It's not exactly clear ... but we're happy to take our time to figure it out.

BTW ... no sign of her husband, Iman Shumpert, here. The Houston Rockets -- who recently acquired him in a trade -- were in town this past week to play the Heat, but it looks like Teyana was out here by herself with their kid for some quality mother-daughter time.

Ex-NBA player Royce White says he's already taken real steps to make his UFC dream come true -- telling TMZ Sports he's reached out to Dana White's team in the hopes of getting a real fight in the Octagon.

We spoke with the 6'8", 260-pounder to find out how he's transitioning from the court to the mat -- and why the 28-year-old believes he can be dominant.

"One thing I am is a supreme athlete, one of the best athletes in the world," White says.

"And, not just because I was drafted int the NBA or because I'm a good basketball player. But because, even for a basketball player, I was one of the most athletic, unique, talented, skilled, composed, skilled athletes in that realm."

Royce also says when it comes to throwing punches, he has an advantage over virtually every person who's ever stepped in the cage.

"I have one of the top 10 biggest sets of hands in the history of the NBA."

That fact checks out -- look it up.

As we previously reported, White was balling out in Canada -- but believes he can be a great MMA fighter and he's already been training with a top MMA coach out in Minnesota.

White says his goal is to become the UFC heavyweight champ -- and he knows he's got his work cut out for him ... with fighters like Brock Lesnar, Daniel Cormier, Stipe Miocic and maybe Jon Jones looking to stand in his way.

Kevin Garnett's divorce is not going to come cheap ... if his estranged wife gets what she feels she's due.

According to new legal docs ... Brandi Garnett is seeking $146,000 per month in spousal support, plus another $46k monthly in child support for their 2 daughters -- ages 10 and 6. Brandi says she has the girls 95 percent of the time.

Do the math ... and that's more than $2.3 million per year. Brandi says that's fair, though, because she claims KG's still hauling in at least $5 mil a year ... on top of having earned more than $300 mil in his NBA career.

Brandi's also asking for $300k in attorney fees immediately to cover the cost of the divorce proceedings so far and estimated future costs to hammer out an agreement.

There's more -- according to the docs, Brandi's requesting an additional $25k to retain counsel in another financial matter involving Kevin allegedly getting swindled out of $77 MILLION. As we reported, KG claims his former accountant worked with a crooked wealth manager to steal a fortune from him over several years.

Brandi filed for divorce from Kevin in July after 14 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.

9:30 AM PT -- Khloe's not buying Jordyn's story for a second. She just tweeted, "Why are you lying @jordynwoods?? If you're going to try and save yourself by going public ... at least be HONEST about your story." She's also fully blaming Jordyn for the break-up with Tristan.

Jordyn Woods is telling her side of the Tristan Thompson cheating scandal, telling Jada Pinkett Smith ... everyone has the wrong idea about what went down.

As you know, Kylie Jenner's former BFF spilled the beans while recording 'Red Table Talk' earlier this week, and the episode just dropped on Facebook.

Jordyn admits she shouldn't have gone to Tristan's house party where the alleged cheating went down -- but denies making out with him. Her version of the story is she did sit next to him and drape her legs over him while sitting on a chair. She describes it as innocent fun.

As for the "kiss" ... she says the only lip-to-lip contact came as she was leaving his house early the next morning. She says Tristan kissed her on the lips, but says there was zero passion.

TMZ broke the story ... Jordyn was accused of making out with Tristan Thompson over Valentine's Day weekend, and the saga has been spiraling ever since. She's been ousted from the Kardashian family business, and recently moved out of Kylie's guest house.

On top of all that, Jordyn's facing potential legal repercussions from the Kardashians if she violated an NDA with what she says to Jada. So, we know the Kardashians and their lawyers are watching this closely.

We know why Jordyn ran to Jada and co. to tell her side of the story ... she's close with the Smiths, and thought they'd be able to give her a fair shake.

As for Khloe and Tristan ... they've both been relatively quiet about the latest cheating scandal. There's no telling how they'll react after seeing Jordyn speak her piece.

Gabrielle Union joined an EXCLUSIVE mile-high club this week ... becoming maybe the first wife ever to watch her hubby hit a game-winning shot on an airplane!!!

It all went down Wednesday night ... when Gabby was some 30,000 feet in the air watching Dwyane Wade's Heat play the Warriors.

Union says the plane had Wi-Fi, so she was able to catch the whole game ... including Wade's miracle buzzer beater that lifted Miami over Golden State, 126-125.

Union tells TMZ Sports her reaction to the play was priceless ... saying she was screaming her face off right in her plane's chair!!!

For his part, Wade could hardly believe the moment either ... calling it "crazy" and telling reporters, "It’s great to do it in front of fans. It’s a fun moment.”

Gabrielle also told us the moment was extra special for another reason ... revealing some of the Parkland H.S. shooting survivors were in attendance for the game.

"The kids from Parkland were there, and he hit another game-winner, and it was, you know, angels among us."

Wade's been killin' it this season ... dropping 14.3 points, 4.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game.

Here's Shaquille O'Neal proving he's still a THREAT near the rim -- throwing down a monster dunk ... at 46 years old!!!

The NBA legend was on the set of "NBA TV" when the guys on the show challenged the Big Fella to prove he's still got enough juice in his legs to slam it home.

Shaq -- dressed in jeans, a polo shirt and tennis shoes -- grabbed the ball and did his thing ... and punctuated the jam by hanging from the rim!!

The Brooklyn Nets are completely unfazed by the lawsuit over their Notorious B.I.G.-themed jerseys ... 'cause the team's rockin' the threads on Friday, despite Coogi taking legal action.

We broke the story ... Biggie's favorite sweater brand claims no one from the team or the NBA or Nike ever got permission to use the iconic pattern ... and called for the league to stop selling the "Brooklyn Camo" jerseys.

The Nets don't seem to care one bit ... announcing the team will be honoring the rap legend in the special jerseys when they take the court Friday against the Charlotte Hornets.

Coogi claims they have copyrights for their most famous designs -- called "Pea Soup" and "Ricotta" -- and they feel the Nets straight swiped their swag.

A rep for the NBA told the New York Times, “There is no merit whatsoever to their claims.”

Of course, jersey selections can be made months in advance -- especially for certain tribute nights ... but the decision to stick with the Biggie alternates proves the Nets ain't sweatin' a legal battle with Coogi.

Ex-NBA star Gilbert Arenas says Khloe Kardashian has no one to blame but herself -- and her vagina -- for Tristan Thompson's cheating.

Arenas went on a pretty vulgar tirade on social media (captured by Baller Alert) explaining in graphic detail why he thinks KK's skills in the bedroom are to blame for Thompson stepping out on her.

The former All-Star then makes a LeBron comparison -- shaming Khloe because Tristan hooked up with 21-year-old Jordyn Woods ... and not a more "experienced" woman.

"He didn't even cheat on u with a (lebron type of talent #veteran)," Arenas said ... "He went for a trey young, exciting BUT no playoff experience."

Giannis Antetokounmpo says if he was in Zion Williamson's shoes ... he would NOT sit out the rest of the NCAA season -- telling TMZ Sports, "I love basketball too much."

Don't get it twisted ... 24-year-old Giannis isn't throwing shade and says he respects whatever decision Zion makes -- but said he knows what path he would choose.

Zion -- the obvious No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft -- scared the hell out of everyone when he suffered a knee injury during the Duke vs. North Carolina game earlier this month.

He hasn't been back on the court since, and many are wondering if he'll ever suit up for the Blue Devils again ... considering he's got MILLIONS of dollars waiting for him in the NBA.

Giannis says Zion has to do what's best for him.

There's more ... since Giannis was on the court during Ja Rule's doomed halftime performance at the Bucks vs. Timberwolves game on Saturday, we had to ask about the new JA RULE CURSE!!!

Remember, the T-Wolves clowned the disgraced Fyre Festival honcho after his performance was marred by technical issues ... so Ja cursed the team for 30 YEARS!!!

But, Giannis actually has Ja's back -- saying it wasn't the rapper's fault things went south that night, and telling TMZ Sports he still loves the artist.

There's more ... we also asked Giannis if he's paying attention to all the talk about him being in the running for MVP this season -- and of course, the guy couldn't have been more humble.

Giannis is having a monster season -- averaging 27 points a game with 12.6 rebounds and 5.9 assists. BEAST!!!

LeBron James thinks Anthony Davis is being done dirty in the media -- and he seems to be pointing the finger at the people who run the New Orleans Pelicans.

Bron had Davis as a guest on his HBO series, "The Shop" -- where the guys, along with stars like Antonio Brown, discussed real issues in their lives.

The topic turned to "public relations" when Antonio suggested Steelers ownership -- or at least, powerful members of the organization -- were trying to wrongly paint him as a "distraction" in the media over the past few weeks.

"That's the narrative they try to create once you doing your own thing," Brown said on the show ... "It's like, this guy's a distraction. He's this type of guy. All I've ever been is a guy who came from Central Michigan, 6th round, who worked his ass off."

LeBron made a comment essentially agreeing with Brown's opinion -- and then compared AB's situation to Anthony Davis.

Remember, Davis publicly requested a trade in January -- and since he and Bron share the same agent -- a lot of people thought they had teamed up to force the Pelicans to move AD to the Lakers.

During the negotiations, there were negative stories that came out about Davis -- and LeBron sure seems to be suggesting the hit pieces were orchestrated by the Pelicans.

"7 years in the league, nobody's ever said anything negative about AD but you can tell when the narrative changed when you don't do what they want you to do."

Davis is now playing out the season with the Pelicans -- and is hoping to be traded at the end of the season.

Jordyn Woods has changed her story ... we're told she now says she wasn't drunk when she made out with Tristan Thompson and she's really sorry for what she did ... and we've learned that's what she told Jada Pinkett Smith on "Red Table Talk."

Sources with knowledge of the conversation tell TMZ ... Woods made no excuses for her actions, which sent the Kardashians into outer space. She admits she was totally lucid during the party a week ago Sunday.

As we reported, Jordyn felt her life was destroyed by the fallout -- from being thrown out of Kylie's guesthouse to being blackballed in future Kardashian business ventures -- but we're told after she let it all out on Jada's Facebook show, she felt a lot better about her future.

TMZ broke the story ... Jordyn chose to tell her story to Jada because of her deep ties to the Smith family. She especially felt comfortable with Jada, whom Jordyn believes is extremely nonjudgmental.

As we previously reported -- our sources say Jordyn initially told friends she was drunk when she hooked up with Tristan, but we're told her version to Jada is without excuses.

"Red Table Talk" drops Friday.

8:00 AM PT -- Tristan might not have been the lucky guy hooking up with the young lady. Witnesses in Carbone tell us he was dining with at least 3 other people -- the woman, his teammate Jordan Clarkson and another (not famous) guy.

We're told she arrived with Jordan and, at least, appeared to be his date.

Tristan Thompson isn't sulking over the war being waged in L.A. after he hooked up with Jordyn Woods ... because he's back in the game, with another hot chick.

Tristan had dinner Wednesday night in NYC at Carbone, and here's where we connect the dots. Check out his Instagram story ... you see his delicious pasta -- Carbone is an awesome Italian restaurant -- and you see in the background the hand of a woman holding a glass. She's sitting at the same table as Tristan, right across from him.

Now, check out the woman who left the restaurant alone ... specifically, check out her nail color. MATCH!

BTW ... we're told Tristan arrived at the restaurant with one of his teammates, and 5 minutes later she was waiting outside the restaurant. We're told the woman showed up and Tristan came out and brought her inside. We're told they were at the table for hours.

We're told Tristan left a few minutes later, sprinting from the kitchen door into a waiting Uber.

Tristan is far, far away from the drama he triggered nearly 2 weeks ago, after making out with Jordyn at a house party. Khloe kicked him to the curb, and the Kardashians are at war with Jordyn.

Earlier in the day ... Tristan was out and about with a hoodie emblazoned with the words, "The Eagle Soars Alone." 'Nuff said.

Notorious B.I.G.'s favorite sweater brand, Coogi -- as in, "Every cutie with a booty bought a Coogi" -- says the Brooklyn Nets stole their iconic fashion pattern ... and now they're suing the team.

Coogi is pissed off about a special jersey the Nets created called "Brooklyn Camo" -- which players wore during a Nov. 17, 2018 game as a tribute to Brooklyn's own Biggie Smalls, who loved Coogi sweaters.

The problem, according to Coogi, no one from the team or the NBA or Nike or New Era or Russell Brands ever got permission to use the iconic Coogi pattern ... so now, Coogi is suing all of 'em!

Coogi claims they have copyrights for their most famous designs -- called "Pea Soup" and "Ricotta" -- and they feel the Nets straight swiped their swag.

Coogi says the Nets should have known better -- considering the brand is often worn by huge stars like Conor McGregor, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, Floyd Mayweather and more.

Plus, Biggie -- the guy the Nets were trying to honor -- shouted out the brand in two of his biggest hits ... 1994's "Big Poppa" and 1996's "Hypnotize."

Coogi is not only suing for damages ... they also want everyone involved to stop selling the "Brooklyn Camo" jerseys and other sportswear.

In the meantime, here's Biggie ... enjoy!

5:29 PM PT -- Khloe was out in Los Angeles Wednesday, doing some retail therapy and hitting up a spa -- but when asked about the situation with Jordyn and Tristan -- she kept quiet.

Tristan Thompson was a man of no words Wednesday ... mum on his hookup with Jordyn Woods that triggered a war that is now being waged by the Kardashians.

Thompson was in NYC, arriving at his team hotel where the Cleveland Cavaliers are getting ready to play the Knicks. It's the first time we've seen him since TMZ broke the story ... Khloe split with him since he was caught making out with Jordyn at a house party on Valentine's Day weekend.

He walked head down and with purpose ... and, unsurprisingly, kept it zipped.

You'll remember ... the last time the Cavs were in NYC to play The Knicks back in April -- just days before Khloe gave birth to True -- Thompson was spotted bringing a woman back to his hotel room.

Jordyn Woods sat down for Jada Pinkett Smith's "Red Table Talk" on Tuesday, but so far everyone's mum on what she said. The episode will run Friday, and the Kardashians will be watching, along with their lawyers ... because Jordyn signed an NDA.

Originally Published -- 1:55 PM PST