NBA

James Harden enlisted the Gucci Gang to get over that crushing playoffs loss to the Warriors ... partying his face off with Lil Pump and Smokepurpp in Miami!!

The Beard's Houston Rockets just got booted from the postseason after losing to the Dubs in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Friday ... and naturally, Harden jetted to South Beach for some well-deserved R&R.

The Miami rappers -- along with Adrien Broner -- showed off their ice and partied like rockstars while partying through the night at Mokai Lounge.

The guys danced to a bunch of hits -- including "Yes Indeed" by Drake and Lil Baby and "Put a Date On It" by Yo Gotti and Lil Baby.

But, Pump wasn't done partying after hanging with Harden ... moving on to "rent out" a strip club to himself and throwing singles 'til early in the morning.

LEAVE JOEL EMBIID ALONE!!!!

Caron Butler not only thinks the 76ers superstar was justified in crying after the 76ers heartbreaking loss to the Toronto Raptors, he thinks the NBA should change the media rules to allow players to deal with their emotions in private.

In case you missed it ... after Embiid missed his shot to swat Kawhi Leonard's game-winner, cameras captured Joel crying on the court ... and later in the hallway while being consoled by his girlfriend.

Butler says he understands Embiid's emotions ... and feels the league should step in to give him his privacy.

"That's the crazy part about the NBA. They say that players need that time to vent so it would be great if guys were able to go to the locker room, kind of depress, let that emotional time die down and then have an opportunity to go back out there and address the media."

Of course, the NBA will likely NEVER do this -- because those raw, emotional moments resonate with fans and people love it.

Butler also fires back at the jerks criticizing Embiid for shedding tears -- telling TMZ Sports players should be praised for caring about the game so much.

The Lakers finally have a coaching staff ... and rookie center Moritz Wagner says the locker room is totally pumped to welcome Frank Vogel and Jason Kidd to the team!

"We're excited," the 6'11" rookie from Germany told our guy with a smile.

22-year-old Wagner -- the 25th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft -- insists things are still great in Laker Land and says he still feels like a "blessed man."

Of course, the Lakers coaching drama doesn't exactly LOOK like it was heaven-sent ... Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka had tried to land Ty Lue, but that fizzled. Vogel was the backup plan.

But, kudos to Wagner for staying positive about the situation ... the guy's got tons of potential and could make a real impact on the team in 2019 now that he's healthy.

Remember, he was a stud at Michigan (he was the BIG Ten tournament MVP in 2018).

There's more ... Wagner also weighs in on Kawhi Leonard's crazy series-winning shot over the Sixers -- and tries to explain why it was NOT the greatest shot of all time.

The Boston Red Sox are back ... and it's all 'cause of Donald Trump -- so says the President himself, who says it was White House visit magic that turned their season around!!

Of course, the Sox didn't get off to a great start this season -- they were just 2-8 in their first 10 games -- the worst opening record EVER for a team with 100-plus wins in the previous season.

But, Trump says their championship visit to the White House last week has changed everything -- saying, "Has anyone noticed that all the Boston @RedSox have done is WIN since coming to the White House!"

Boston has notched 3 straight victories since heading to 1600 Penn. Ave. last Thursday ... and now, Trump is claiming visits to the White House are an anti-curse!!!

"The White House visit is becoming the opposite of being on the cover of Sports Illustrated! By the way, the Boston players were GREAT guys!"

Teams haven't exactly been open to White House celebrations under Trump ... no NBA team has visited since he took office and even several Red Sox players themselves protested last week's trip.

But if the visits are now in fact good luck charms, could that change future champions' minds???

Drake harnessed the power of the "Drake Curse" on Sunday -- and used it as a WEAPON to help his Toronto Raptors beat the 76ers.

For some reason, the Canadian superstar wasn't able to attend Game 7 in Toronto -- so he watched the game with some pals instead.

But, when Kawhi Leonard hit that insane buzzer beater to sink Philadelphia in the 4th quarter -- Drake busted out his phone and aimed down ... showing he was wearing a pair of 76ers shorts the whole time.

He posted the whole thing on his Instagram story. Even though you can't see his face, you can hear his voice -- it's obviously him.

The Drake curse is legendary ... whatever team Drake has rooted for in a championship capacity has crapped the bed when it counts.

From Alabama to Kentucky to the Toronto Maple Leafs ... even Conor McGregor.

So, credit to Drake for acknowledging to curse and using his mystical powers to help his own squad.

One more thing ... Drake also posted a photo of Leonard during the buzzer beater -- and used it as an opportunity to diss Joel Embiid ... because he tagged the 76ers star, "SadPhillyBoy."

Blake Griffin tells TMZ Sports that Zion Williamson can "100 percent" be the NBA's all-time best dunker ... saying of the former Duke star, "He's going to be a monster."

Of course, Zion has been legendarily rattling rims since he was a high school prodigy ... and now that he's on his way to the NBA, we had to ask Blake if Z can be one of the best dunkers ever.

Blake's opinion? He says there's no doubt in his mind Zion can be up there with Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins, telling us, "100 percent. 100 percent."

"If he keeps playing like he is, he's going to be a monster."

In fact, Blake seems to be a huge fan of Zion's game overall -- not just his dunking -- saying, "He's a really good basketball player ... he can do a lot of stuff. He's going to be really, really good."

As for Griffin's advice on how Zion should handle possibly participating in the dunk contest in his rookie season next year ... BG says the ex-Duke star should only do it if it feels right.

But, when Z eventually decides to compete ... Griffin says it'll be a show, telling us, "He's probably going to do some things that we haven't seen in a while."

#CantWait!

12:51 PM PT -- Shams Charania of The Athletic is now reporting that the Mavericks are investigating the incident Kristaps was involved in. He says the current understanding by the team is that he was jumped at a club, assaulted and hit with objects.

The Mavericks have yet to release an official statement.

Dallas Mavericks star Kristaps Porzingis was reduced to a bloody mess in his home country of Latvia after he was apparently involved in a brawl that left him wanting more.

Eyewitnesses tell TMZ Sports ... the Euro NBA player was in his hometown of Liepaja over the weekend, where we're told he was celebrating some occasion through a number of clubs and pubs in the area.

Our sources say that a handful of Russians confronted Kristaps, supposedly upset with the fact that he was traded from the Knicks to the Mavs ... and an all-out tussle broke out. It would appear to have been pretty violent, 'cause Kristaps was bleeding from his head.

This video appears to capture the aftermath of the fight ... which almost wasn't over if Kristaps would have had his way. You can see him -- again, bleeding and with a torn shirt -- being held back by a woman at first, who he shoves aside.

Kristaps charges another group that's off camera, but a couple police officers plead with him to calm down and stand down. The entire exchange seems to be going on in their native tongue, Latvian.

The Mavericks haven't said anything about the altercation, and Kristaps himself has been quiet too.

Don't close the book on Carmelo Anthony's career ... because his wife Lala Anthony tells TMZ Sports he'll DEFINITELY be back on a roster next season.

Lala was out in NYC when we asked about her hubby's NBA status -- considering he hasn't been on the court since 2018 and some people think he's done for good.

But, Anthony is only 34-years-old and he's been training hard recently -- so, we had to know if Lala expects to see Melo back in the league when the 2019-20 season kicks off.

"Why wouldn't we?" Lala said ... adding, "Facts!"

So, where she think Melo will land???

"Whatever team is gonna appreciate him!"

There's talk Anthony could return to the Knicks -- where he played for 7 seasons before he was traded to the OKC Thunder in 2017.

Anthony later spent a minute in Houston in 2018 before being traded to the Chicago Bulls, where he was waived on Feb. 1.

It's time for Kanye to give his music 100% to the lord ... that's according to Brandon Jennings, who says Kanye's Sunday Services are SO GOOD, that Ye should think about going gospel for real.

If you don't know what Sunday Services are we'll tell you ... it's where Kanye invites a bunch of famous people to Calabasas for an inspirational praise and worship session ... on Sunday.

It's not exactly church, but when we got Jennings out in L.A. he told us he's been, and it's AMAZING.

"If you love music, go to Kanye's service on Sunday ... for me I love music and it's positive and I see a lot of families there."

Must be really life-changing, 'cause Jennings thinks Kanye should turn in his keyboard for an organ, at least for one record.

"I think he should put out a gospel album, he'll definitely win a Grammy for that."

Kanye's done the gospel thing before -- remember "Jesus Walks?" -- so it's not out of the question.

One day after Dennis Rodman and his friends allegedly shoplifted from a Newport Beach yoga shop, the crew RETURNED to the business ... and allegedly stole MORE clothing!!!

TMZ Sports spoke with the owner of VIBES Hot Yoga who tells us Rodman and his pals came back to his yoga studio on May 8 ... with Rodman's female pal WEARING one of the outfits she stole the day before.

The owner tells us ... the staffer working the register on May 8 thought Rodman's behavior was bizarre -- he was gyrating and hip-thrusting at the counter.

Once staffers went through the surveillance footage, they noticed Rodman and his friends left with more clothing ... and we're told nobody paid a cent.

The owner is also adamant NOBODY on his staff told Rodman and his crew they could take items as "gifts" ... as Rodman claimed when TMZ Sports spoke with him Thursday evening.

As we previously reported, Rodman and his pals first appeared at the yoga shop on May 7 -- where cameras caught DR's female friend taking clothing off the rack and stuffing it into her purse.

One of Dennis' pals also dropped a $2,500 crystal in the store -- which they placed on a dolly and wheeled out of the store. The owner insists nobody paid for the crystal.

A rep for the Newport Beach PD previously told us they're investigating. So far, no arrests have been made.

As for Rodman, he told us Thursday night (May 9) that he didn't "steal sh*t."

What do you do when your nickname is Spida and you got your own shoe deal??

You send your shoes to SPIDER-MAN!!! ... and that's exactly what NBA star Donovan Mitchell did when he hooked up Tom Holland with a pair of his signature kicks!!

Fresh off the awesome trailer for "Spider-Man: Far From Home" ... Holland showed love for the Utah Jazz baller by sporting his new D.O.N. Issue #1 sneakers in a pic.

In case you're wondering ... Mitchell got the "Spida" nickname from a parent of a former teammate ... and it just stuck with him ever since.

We're glad it did ... 'cause now we have this cool moment with Holland (who some consider the best Peter Parker actor to don the red and blue spandex) sporting his fellow insect's sneaks.

Team owner alert! Team owner alert!!

2 Chainz is getting into the business side of basketball ... announcing he just bought a minority ownership stake in the Atlanta Hawks G League team, the College Park Skyhawks!!

The "High Top Versace" rapper is a HUGE ATL fan ... and now he's teaming up with Hawks owners Tony Ressler and Grant Hill to join his hometown team's ownership group.

2 Chainz is no stranger to hoops -- he played college ball at Alabama State before focusing on his rap career.

The 41-year-old is also a regular at Hawks games, so it really is a perfect fit.

I'm just thankful for the blessings I have," Tity Boi said before the official press conference at his old alma mater, North Clayton High School.

The Skyhawks wasted no time marketing their new superstar owner ... they're already selling shirts with his signature 2 Chainz look ... and we can't emphasize how cool that is.

So, who knows ... maybe 2 Chainz will come out of hoops retirement for a game in the G League?!?!

LeBron James made a surprise visit to his I Promise School in Akron on Thursday ... and he came bearing a REALLY big gift -- a $1 MILLION check!!

The NBA superstar presented a grant from the DICK's Sporting Goods Foundation ... which will go towards building a brand new gym for his already-freakin'-awesome school.

The gym will be used for phys. ed classes, after-school activities and act as a safe space for local kids after hours.

“To my kids, this is more than a gym,” Bron says of the gift. “The DICK’s Sports Matter program is helping us provide even more opportunities. An opportunity to play and learn in a safe place that many don’t have access to."

"I can’t imagine where my friends and I would be if it weren’t for the coaches and teachers who cared about us and the opportunities we had.”

As we previously reported, Bron's school is doing REALLY well ... with their statewide test scores soaring after just one year.

Now, the kids will be able to work on their jump shot to, oh, who knows ... maybe become the next LeBron James.

Dennis Rodman claims he's NOT A THIEF -- telling TMZ Sports allegations he participated in a clothing heist at a yoga studio this week are just wrong.

Or as Dennis put it ... "We didn't steal sh*t!!!"

We spotted the NBA Hall of Famer leaving The Abbey in West Hollywood on Thursday with the same group of friends who were with him at the VIBES Hot Yoga studio in Newport Beach earlier this week.

As we previously reported, the owner of the studio claims Dennis and his crew stole more than $500 in clothing off the racks before breaking (and taking) a $2,500 crystal art piece. The whole incident was captured on surveillance video obtained by TMZ Sports.

But, Dennis claims it's all a giant misunderstanding -- insisting the staffers at the shop told the group they could take "a couple of gifts" in exchange for helping to move the giant crystal art piece ... which is why they grabbed the items.

Rodman never explains why his female companion tried to shield herself from view while stuffing shirts into her purse at the store ... or why the staff needed help moving the crystal in the first place.

"I tried to help ... as the good person I am," Rodman said.

When asked why the store owners filed a police report, Rodman and his crew insisted the yoga place was just looking for "exposure."

Remember, Rodman is still on probation from a 2018 DUI arrest -- but Dennis says he's not worried about this incident possibly triggering a violation because he's adamant he did NOTHING wrong!

"Am I going to jail? No."

Rodman also disputes claims he was drunk during the situation.

The NBA will NEVER make its employees play nice with Donald Trump ... that's according to league commissioner Adam Silver, who says if teams want to skip the White House, it's their prerogative.

No NBA champion has visited Donald Trump since he's occupied 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., with last year's Warriors actually opting to visit Barack Obama instead of the sitting Prez.

It's been quite the controversy, with many people suggesting players from all sports should put patriotism over politics and go to the White House. Some think the leagues should compel the players to go.

We got the NBA commish in D.C. and he says that'll NEVER happen in his league, telling our guy if teams want to skip it ... so be it.

"It's a team decision, we'll see who the champion is this year, and what they decide."

There are 7 teams left in the NBA playoffs -- Milwaukee, Portland, Denver, Houston, Toronto, Philly and Golden State. Last year, the Warriors famously blew off Trump to meet with Obama.

"A lot of our players still have relationships with President Obama and I think it's wonderful," Silver told us ... "Players make their own decisions, organizations make their own decisions."

Speaking of Obama, Silver also talked about the NBA's ongoing relationship with #44, and how they're partnering to do some big things in Africa.

"President Obama is doing a lot with the NBA. We announced down in Charlotte at the All-Star game that he was gonna be involved in Africa with us, we're starting a league down there. He's one of our partners."

Silver's a busy guy these days -- on Thursday, he was a featured speaker at a 400-person luncheon at the Economic Club in D.C. where he talked about the NCAA's 1-and-done issue.

Among the high-profile guests in the crowd ... Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh -- who's a big basketball fan.

In fact, Kavanaugh famously still coaches his daughter's youth basketball team.

Paul Pierce isn't a 1-time flatulence offender -- the dude farts on his coworkers all the time ... so says Jalen Rose.

Of course, Rose was in the room when Paul let one rip right on Michelle Beadle this week during a taping of ESPN's "Off The Clock." In fact, it was Jalen who called Paul out on the air.

Look, Rose says the gang had been working a VERY long day and sometimes farts slip ... but dude's gotta cut back on the butt bombs.

There's serious stuff in this clip too ... Rose tells TMZ Sports what the Lakers need to do to fix the team -- and it starts with bringing in a big-time free agent to help Bron out.