NBA

Al Harrington is now the part owner of an Australian pro basketball team -- and he's hoping to recruit major high school talent to skip college and play for him ... because he PAYS!!!

39-year-old Harrington, along with Josh Childress and Zach Randolph, have all purchased ownership stakes in the South East Melbourne Phoenix of Australia's NBL, the top pro league Down Under.

So, when we saw the former NBA star leaving Craig's on Monday night, we had to ask him why he decided to make the move.

"I always wanted to own a basketball team, brother ... I'm living my dream."

He then joked, "Sucks that I gotta go all the way to Australia to do it though!"

Then, Al got serious and raved about the league ... telling TMZ Sports he thinks it should be a better pipeline to the NBA than the current NCAA system.

In fact, when we asked Al how he planned to recruit some of the top prep players in the country to go to Australia instead of schools like Duke, Kentucky, Arizona, etc ... he had a compelling argument.

"Go to college for free ... or make $20,000 to $40,000 a month playing for me."

Sounds good to us!

Some major stars are already skipping college to play ball in Australia -- including LaMelo Ball and R.J. Hampton.

The question remains ... will the move help their NBA Draft stock and really make them more prepared for the Association?

Ben Simmons was NOT racially profiled or denied entry from a famous casino in Australia on Monday ... this according to a rep for the Crown Casino in Melbourne.

Remember, the 23-year-old NBA superstar -- who was raised in Australia -- made a video with several fellow men of color claiming they were hassled by casino security and ultimately denied entry because of their race.

"They didn’t let me in, or him or this guy. Wow, we got a long way to go," Simmons said while showing the Crown Casino security members who allegedly shut them down.

But now, a Crown spokeswoman says Simmons is simply not telling the truth -- and she's providing an explanation.

"Crown strenuously rejects reports that it discriminated against a group of visitors last night," the statement said.

"Crown's internal security policy requires our security officers to check identification of those persons they believe to be under the age of 25, this is an enhanced safeguard to ensure that no one under the age of 18 is permitted entry to the Casino Floor as required by Law."

"The group subsequently provided identification and were permitted entry. Crown is an inclusive workplace."

Crown's story is completely different than Ben's -- with the biggest part being they claim they ALLOWED Ben and his friends to enter the casino.

Meanwhile, Simmons has doubled down on his racism claims -- saying in a new statement Tuesday morning, "As you know an incident happened last night at Crown and my friends and I felt personally singled out."

He added, "No one likes to feel like this. I am very passionate about equality and I will always speak up even if it means having uncomfortable conversations."

Dikembe Mutombo says he's almost numb to the news of MORE mass shootings in America -- telling TMZ Sports he's seen it so often since moving from Africa that "nothing shocks me anymore."

The 53-year-old NBA legend touched down at Reagan National Airport in Virginia (where he got tons of love from fans BTW) and made it clear he's disappointed the United States hasn't taken a stronger approach to eliminate gun violence.

"The people have spoken enough, nothing has been done," Mutombo says.

Mutombo moved to the U.S. from the Congo back in 1987 -- and says he's pretty much been desensitized to the terrible gun-centric headlines that have been dominating the news.

"Nothing shocks me anymore in America ... when you've been living in America 30 years, nothing shocks you anymore."

More than 293 people have been killed in mass shootings in the United States in 2019 alone -- from Virginia Beach to Gilroy, CA ... and of course, Ohio and Texas over the weekend.

Philadelphia 76ers superstar Ben Simmons claims he was DENIED entry into a casino in Australia ... and strongly suggested it all had to do with race.

The 23-year-old was trying to go to the Crown Casino in Melbourne early Monday morning with some friends, but claims they were all turned away by security ... well, all but ONE who happens to be white.

"I find it so crazy that the only guy who doesn’t get checked to go into the casino is this guy,” Simmons said while pointing to his Caucasian buddy.

"I get checked, Mike gets checked and Taj gets checked," Ben added. His white buddy then chimes in, "Not me!"

While showing the security guards, Ben says, "Thank you, Crown Casino."

He wasn't done -- Ben showed some of his pals, all who appear to be men of color, and continued, "They didn’t let me in, or him or this guy. Wow, we got a long way to go."

What's even more shocking about the alleged racial profiling ... Ben is insanely famous in Australia, where he grew up and became a national celebrity playing basketball.

We're reaching out to both Ben and the casino for comment -- stay tuned.

Chris Brown isn't just good at basketball "for a celebrity" -- he's got world-class talent and could've competed in the NBA ... so says Metta World Peace.

Metta sat down with Van Lathan on 'The Red Pill Podcast,' and was asked how he feels about rappers and entertainers actually trying to play professional basketball.

"I support that actually. I thought Chris Brown should've been in the league. Before, 10 years ago when I was playing with Chris? Yeah, definitely. He was better than a lot of people."

This isn't fake love. MWP, one of the best defensive players in the history of league, says CB's game was LEGIT, and he saw upper-level, elite hoops talent in him.

"He was very smooth, he could penetrate, really good penetrator, really good at attacking the basket."

Brown's hoops prowess is well known, he's been getting it in on celebrity games for years now, but this level of praise from this level of player we haven't heard.

Plus, Brown famously balled out in the Drew League -- playing with legit NBA superstars like John Wall, Paul George, DeMar DeRozan and he more than held his own.

Carmelo Anthony says there's no question he still belongs in the NBA ... and claims his absence from the league is more about politics than talent.

35-year-old Anthony has been out of the league since he was cut from the Houston Rockets back in November ... and there's been a public campaign by his NBA peers to get him back in the league ever since.

Melo sat down with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN's "First Take" on Friday to discuss rumors of wanting a "farewell tour" similar to Dwyane Wade's last season in the league ... and he says that's simply not true ... because he's still got a lot left in the tank.

"I feel like I still can play, I know I still can play. My peers know I still can play," Melo says.

"I don't think it's about basketball anymore. I think it's about me as a person willing to accept certain roles on basketball teams. Am i willing to accept a certain role on a basketball team? Yes."

Melo says he was willing to accept smaller roles with OKC and Houston ... but got cut from the Rockets before he could prove he was willing to come off the bench.

"That's major, major ego hits. So, that was a whirlwind for me over that year and a half. But, I got to a point in Houston where I can accept that, I'm going to do that."

Jeremy Lin is getting public support from one of his Toronto Raptors teammates -- with Fred VanVleet telling TMZ Sports he believes Lin will get another opportunity to show he can ball.

Lin just made headlines because of an emotional speech in China -- where he cried when talking about the terrible season he had in Toronto.

Long story short, Lin says he hit "rock bottom" in Toronto during the championship 2018-19 season -- where he had the worst shooting performance of his career. In fact, Lin says at one point, he missed 17 3's in a row and because of that, he BARELY saw any action in the NBA Playoffs.

Lin also questioned his NBA future ... and said he felt the league has "kind of given up on me."

So, when we saw VanVleet -- a key member of that Raptors championship team -- we asked if he thought Lin was being too hard on himself.

"He was great, man," Fred told us on his way out of Catch restaurant in L.A. "He's gonna be alright. He's gonna land on his feet. He's gonna be alright."'

As for his future, VanVleet says it's ultimately up to Lin to decide if he wants to continue playing pro ball ... "He's got enough talent."

For the record, Lin has made more than $65 MILLION during his 9-year NBA career after being an undrafted free agent ... which in itself is pretty amazing.

But, Lin has said he's embarrassed of the way he played last season and doesn't feel he deserves to be called a champion because he was essentially a non-factor for the Raps.

Anthony Davis says Nike told him to kick rocks when it came to getting the #23 jersey from LeBron James ... saying the footwear giant said, "We don't care who you guys are, it's too much money!"

Davis says in a dinner date only a few days after he was traded from the Pelicans to the Lakers ... LeBron offered him his famous #23 jersey as a "Welcome to L.A." gift.

The problem? AD said on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" this week, Nike told him it would cost the company WAY TOO MUCH CASH ... and said the jersey swap ain't happening.

Davis was clearly bothered by the whole ordeal, saying, "I was a little hurt."

But, AD says his solution to the problem was simple ... fire up NBA 2K and try on other jersey numbers!!

Davis says he eventually landed on #3 because it looked nice ... and it was also the digit he rocked when he first started hoopin' in elementary school.

Kevin Durant seems to be making great progress -- because the NBA superstar was out in Los Angeles on Wednesday ... cruisin' around the restaurant scene WITHOUT crutches!

Remember, Durant tore his right Achilles on June 10 during Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals ... but the recovery is expected to be so tough, he could miss the entire 2019-20 season.

Which is why we were so impressed when we saw KD walking out of Catch restaurant in L.A. -- sure, there was a little hitch in his giddy up ... but overall, he was moving pretty well.

Durant didn't have much to say when we asked him about his comeback, but his legs did all the talking for him.

Of course, the last time we saw Durant ... he was leaving an office building in NYC with his leg bandaged and a medical scooter in tow.

Despite the injury, 30-year-old Durant signed a MASSIVE new contract with the Brooklyn Nets ... 4 years, $164 million.

If he does make it back for next season, Durant will join Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan on a Brooklyn team that could be VERY dangerous.

Tristan Thompson is finally clearing the air about the circumstances under which he met Khloe Kardashian ... and he's also defending his other baby mama.

Tristan on Wednesday debunked a report he had reunited with his first baby mama, Jordan Craig. There were reports Tristan, Jordan and their 2-year-old son, Prince, recently went on family vacay in Jamaica ... making it seem as if they were rekindling an old flame.

Tristan says there's ZERO truth to that ... and adds he's spent the last few months preparing for the NBA season, and that's it -- zero summer vacations. As for how the story took off ... seems Tristan posting a picture of Prince on a yacht in Jamaica made some people think he was there, but he's adamant he was not.

Then there's this ... in a second tweet, Tristan played a little belated defense, adamantly saying he met Khloe when he was single. As we reported ... there have been longtime allegations she cheated with Tristan at the expense of Jordan.

At the time, Khloe's story was Tristan pleading with her that his relationship with Jordan was over long before they met. He's backing that up now, insisting he was absolutely a free agent.

Cowboys fans should be pointing the finger at the NBA for Ezekiel Elliott's holdout this month ... so says Too Short, who tells TMZ Sports, basketball players "f*cked up" the NFL!!!

The rapper was standing outside of Bootsy Bellows in L.A. ... when he decided to drop the "f*cking truth" about NFL contract holdouts to our camera guy.

And, yeah ... dude says it's all Adam Silver's fault.

"The f*cking truth is that basketball f*cked everybody up in the head!"

Too Short says all the wild deals NBA owners have given out to mediocre players throughout the past couple seasons has poisoned NFL players who think they deserve MILLIONS now.

"Everybody was like, 'You get $100 million! You get $100 million! You get $150! You get $180! You get $220!' It's f*cked up, now!"

Too Short added, "Athletes are like, 'It's f*cked up. You gotta give us our money!'"

Bad news for the NFL ... it seems to be working -- 'cause Michael Thomas' holdout in New Orleans just ended with a new, 5-year $100 MILLION deal ... and most think Zeke's holdout will end in a similar way.

It's been 3 years since Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine's epic slam dunk contest at NBA All-Star Weekend ... and the Orlando Magic star tells TMZ Sports he's ready to RUN IT BACK!

The face-off between the 2 rim shakers is one of the greatest matchups in the event's history ... and a lot of people think Gordon got robbed after completing what might be the best dunk ever executed in the contest.

Of course, Dikembe Mutombo somehow disagreed and gave AG a '9' ... and LaVine eventually ran away with the title after the second round of tiebreakers.

TMZ Sports spoke to Gordon about whether he'd throw his hat back in the ring for next year's contest -- which LaVine's Chicago Bulls just happen to be hosting -- and he says he's DOWN!!

"I think so, it's starting to look like that," Gordon says. "It's really up to the NBA, but we're gonna do it."

We asked who he'd like to face off against ... and he name-drops his dunk foe, LaVine, and Zion Williamson!!

This clip has it all ...

-- A fired up Lil Pump clappin' back at LeBron James haters.

-- Lil Pump showing off his brand new, expensive Louis Vuitton purse

-- Lil Pump giving away $100 bills to strangers in Beverly Hills because he feels like it!

ESSKEEEETIT!!!!!

The rapper was leaving Mastro's Steakhouse in Bev Hills Monday night when we asked the massive NBA fan how he felt about people giving LeBron a hard time for celebrating on the court at his son's youth hoops game over the weekend.

"LEBRON CAN DO WHATEVER THE F*CK HE WANTS BECAUSE HE IS LEBRON JAMES, B*TCH!"

Pump also went to bat for Carmelo Anthony -- saying the guy deserves a spot on Team USA.

But, the best part of the video is when Pump flaunts his goodies from his Rodeo Drive shopping spree ... a super expensive designer hand bag that he drops on the floor because Pump DON'T CARE!!

And, the curbside free cash giveaway is fun too.

Kyler Murray's height won't keep him from reaching NFL greatness ... so says the shortest NBA player EVER -- Muggsy Bogues!!!

The Arizona Cardinals' #1 overall draft pick's height -- listed at 5'10" -- has been the center of criticism since Murray declared for the draft ... with some saying he'll struggle as an NFL QB.

Enter 5'3" Bogues -- who played 14 years in the NBA, despite having his fair share of doubters -- who says those critics will be eating their words ... 'cause Murray is a stud!!

"Kyler Murray is an unbelievable athlete," Bogues says. "Anybody that's undervaluing his size and underestimating his talent, they're in for a rude awakening when the season comes."

You can count on Kemba Walker being on the floor for Team USA during the FIBA World Cup ... because the NBA superstar made it very clear to us he ain't going anywhere!!!

With other superstars like James Harden, Anthony Davis and Damian Lillard opting to sit this one out ... we asked the Boston Celtics stud if he would be following suit.

But, great news ... Kemba says he's ALL IN!!!

"I'm excited, USA basketball is something that I've been wanting to do for a very long time," Kemba told us at the legendary Rucker Park courts in New York.

"So, to get this opportunity, I'm excited. I won't be dropping out."

BOOM!!!

Walker noted that he does have other obligations ... but "I'll be there as much as I can. I'm looking forward to taking on that challenge."

As for making a prediction about another undefeated run for Team USA, Walker wouldn't commit to that ... but said, "I'm just gonna go out there and play!"

Walker will be joined on Team USA by other NBA stars like Kyle Lowry, Kyle Kuzma, P.J. Tucker and his Celtics teammate, Jayson Tatum.

We also spoke with Donovan Mitchell who told he's also stoked to play for Team USA -- and can't wait to represent the Red, White and Blue.

They may be estranged, but La La Anthony is still sticking up for her husband, Carmelo Anthony ... at least when it comes to basketball.

La La -- who wasn't wearing her wedding ring at LAX -- was asked about Melo not getting an invite to join Team USA in the FIBA World Cup, which kicks off later this year.

Instead of trashing Melo, La La defended him ... explaining that he's the greatest Team USA player of all time, according to the stats -- and should have gotten the call-out of "respect."

For the record, Melo is the only Team USA basketball player to compete in 4 different Olympics and he's also the first Team USA player to win 3 gold medals.

He also ranks 1st in games played (31), points (336), FGs made (113), FGs attempted (262), rebounds (125), free throws made (53) and he's 2nd in 3-pointers (57).

Melo also ranks 2nd in scoring all-time among all of FIBA Americas championship players.

Not too shabby ...

"Out of respect, they should [invite him]," La La said ... "Who was a better Team USA player than he was? Nobody."

La La says she doesn't know if Melo would accept at this point, but they should make the offer anyway.