A brilliant charity move from LeBron James is living on ... the King is still selling off a bunch his game-worn sneakers -- with all the proceeds going toward his I Promise school in Ohio.
LBJ started the charity event a while ago ... giving collectors the option to buy one of his game-used shoes in exchange for a ton of cash that'll help the Bron-backed school in Akron.
Officials at Upper Deck, which is facilitating the sales, say with the purchase of a $15,000 (or, in some cases, much more) pair ... one of the shoes will go to the collector, while the other will go on the famous "Wall of Shoes" at the school.
UD officials add the buyer will also be able to personalize a plaque that goes along with the sneaker at the school.
In the meantime, the "I Promise" students benefit from it all the most ... with Upper Deck saying the cash from the sale will go directly toward helping fund school programs and initiatives.
Good deal, right?!
By the way, the shoes are REALLY cool ... they're all from LBJ's super successful line of kicks -- and some were even worn in some of Bron's best games -- like his triple-double in Detroit in 2015.
In fact, the charity idea is so cool ... PGA Tour star Bubba Watson has already contributed, throwing down cash for a pair of shoes Bron wore during the 2017 NBA Finals.
"We can see the positive change that LeBron is creating in his hometown," Watson said, "and I am happy to support such an important initiative that continues to impact countless lives in the community."
We all knew this was coming -- Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has been slapped with a 1 game suspension ... after the MVP candidate headbutted a player mid-game on Tuesday.
The Greek Freak was ejected following a scuffle with Washington Wizards center Moe Wagner in the 2nd quarter ... after the center hit Giannis with a hard foul.
Antetokounmpo immediately got into it with Wagner after the play ... and went after him with a good ole Zinedine Zidane-esque headbutt.
The NBA announced Giannis' punishment on Wednesday ... saying he will miss the next Bucks game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
"Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has been suspended one game without pay for headbutting Washington Wizards center Moritz Wagner during a stoppage in play," the league said in the official statement.
"The incident, for which Antetokounmpo was assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 and ejected, occurred with 8:50 remaining in the second quarter of the Bucks’ 126-113 win over the Wizards on Aug. 11 at Visa Athletic Center on the campus of ESPN’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando."
It's really NBD for the Bucks -- Milwaukee has already clinched the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference ... and have a legit chance at making a push for the NBA Finals ... as long as Giannis keeps his cool.
8/24 is now officially "Kobe Bryant Day" in Orange County!
The Orange County Board of Supervisors voted on Tuesday to honor the late Lakers legend -- and the measure passed with flying colors.
"During his career, Kobe Bryant’s numbers on his jerseys were 8 and 24, therefore a fitting day to celebrate his legacy would be August 24," the resolution said.
Of course, Kobe lived in Orange County for most of his 20-year career with the L.A. Lakers ... and his family stayed there even after he retired.
Kobe was well-liked around town -- and was seen several times playing the role of Good Samaritan when he spotted car accidents.
So, when Kobe -- along with daughter Gianna and 7 other people -- passed away in a January 26 helicopter crash, officials wanted to make sure to honor his legacy.
"Kobe Bryant was a basketball legend that inspired so many globally to pursue their dreams and taught us that hard work truly pays off," the resolution says.
Officials even spell out how fans can celebrate KBD -- "By engaging in community building, helping young people in need, encouraging aspiring youth to follow their dreams, and living by Bryant's words: 'The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they could be great in whatever they want to do.'"
FYI, Kobe's #8 and #24 jerseys were both retired by the Lakers -- he's the only player in franchise history to have two numbers hanging in the rafters.
The NBA will allow players to FINALLY bring guests into the Bubble environment in Orlando ... but not EVERYONE will be allowed in.
In fact, the NO ENTRANCE list is the most interesting part!!
First off, the guest list will open up to players beginning after the 1st round of the NBA playoffs (which is approaching fast).
The league sent a memo to teams, obtained by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, laying out the criteria for entrance.
"Four guests per player, but can be exceeded for children," Woj says.
"Guests can travel on team charters following testing. Guests will be allowed to attend games."
There will be strict quarantine protocols for guests before they're allowed inside the bubble ... similar to what the players are already going through.
But, here's where it gets interesting ... the league is clearly trying to prevent players from bringing in random people they meet on social media for booty calls. Aka, no randoms from Tinder!!!
"Any individual the player has not previously met in person or with whom the player has had limited in-person interactions [will not be granted access]."
The league cites a hypothetical example of a person who would NOT be allowed in -- "[someone] known by the player only through social media or an intermediary."
Get it? Seems pretty clear to us!
Woj says other people NOT allowed inside include "agents, trainers, massage/physical therapists, personal chefs and tattoo artists."
Sorry, no new ink inside the bubble!
Once inside, Woj says "Each player is allowed one ticket per playoff game for a guest -- plus an additional admission for a child (32 inches and below)."
Grab some tissues, 'cause this video will hit you in your feels.
The Phoenix Suns found an amazing way to surprise their players Tuesday -- having their friends and family make a special pregame intro video before their game.
And, for guys who haven't been outside the bubble in a month ... man, was it emotional.
The players' reactions are amazing -- from Deandre Ayton's disbelief to Mikal Bridges smiling from ear to ear when he saw his mom ... hold up, is it getting dusty in here??
Devin Booker got a special shout-out from his #1 fan, Jenna Warren -- a 20-year-old with Down syndrome who's been close with the NBA superstar for years.
Did you see his face when she came on the screen -- priceless!!!
Afterward, LeBron James commented about the video -- saying, "That was AMAZING!!!!!!!! S/O the Suns for that. Damn I miss my family!"
Cool moment for a team that's been playing their asses off. The Suns are 6-0 in the bubble and gunning for that 8th seed in the playoffs.
Now, with this added motivation ... would hate to be the team that lines up against those guys.
2:40 PM PT -- The auction house is now working with law enforcement to get to the bottom of the alleged theft.
UPDATE
Heritage Auctions says a rep has spoken with both Thomas and the Westchester Police Dept. ... and the trophy will remain in H.A.'s Dallas office pending the results of an official investigation.
UPDATE
"Thomas said he loaned the MVP trophy, along with several other items that were stolen from the trophy case in recent years, out of respect and affection for Coach Pingatore, who died on June 26, 2019, at the age of 82," Heritage Auctions says.
UPDATE
Thomas also issued a statement essentially thanking Heritage Auctions for working with him on the matter.
UPDATE
"For me and my family, the silver lining in all of this is that it showed up at your house [Heritage Auctions]. We never would have known, so we are grateful and I am thankful that the item was found and will be returned."
Isiah Thomas was furious when he saw his 1984 NBA All-Star Game MVP trophy hit the auction block recently -- claiming it's "stolen" property that was heisted from his old high school.
The trophy itself is a pretty cool item -- Thomas won the award after posting 21 points, 5 rebounds and 15 assists while playing against guys like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Thomas says he allowed the trophy to be displayed at his old high school in Illinois, but claims it was stolen back in June 2019.
So, when he saw it up for auction with the Heritage Auctions website, Thomas was not pleased.
"This trophy was stolen from St. Joseph High School the night Mr. Pingatore my coach died," Thomas posted on Twitter ... "It belongs to me."
"You stole my trophy please return it! Let it be known."
Heritage Auctions responded to Thomas -- saying, "We take the concerns and allegations of Mr. Thomas very seriously. We will investigate them as expeditiously as possible."
A rep for the auction house tells us the item was "immediately removed" -- noting, "We are working at this very moment to find out the real story behind this trophy."
In the meantime, watch the highlights of Thomas from the game ... dude was BALLIN!!!
Ya wanna see one of the tallest dudes in the world whack a golf ball??
Check out 7'6" Boston Celtics center Tacko Fall hit the links with his fellow NBA buddy and 7-footer, Mo Bamba, while in the bubble in Orlando ... and the dude's not too bad!!
As we've previously made very clear over here at TMZ Sports -- we are absolutely fascinated by Mr. Tacko Fall, and the challenges the friendly giant faces on a daily basis (see here).
But, Fall took things to another level when he hit the course in Orlando on Monday ... showing what a massively tall man looks like swinging a golf club.
For reference, the tallest golfer to ever win a major championship is 6'5" George Archer, who won the Masters in 1969.
LeBron James is taking advantage of the NBA's relaxed dress code while in the Orlando bubble ... rockin' an open shirt and showing some serious skin before the Laker game on Monday!!
Of course, the league decided to take it easy on its fashion requirements during the NBA's restart ... allowing players to ditch their sport coats and suits for a more casual look.
LBJ is taking things to a whole 'nother level before tipping off against the Denver Nuggets ... wearing an unbuttoned short sleeve shirt and some shorts.
If you didn't know about the context, you'd assume the King was about to hit the beach!!
"Miami Drip in Orlando," L.A.'s Twitter account captured the pic of James heading to the team bus.
To top off the whole look, LBJ is sporting the Klutch Sports agency with a custom mask ... which has to make his buddy Rich Paul happy about the free advertising.
The Lakers haven't been playing too great since entering the bubble (they're currently 2-4 in the restart) ... but it sure looks like Bron ain't sweatin' it.
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Aytonjust rushed to join his team mid-game against the OKC Thunder on Monday ... after the 22-year-old got a last-minute COVID-19 test.
Here's what happened ... Ayton was supposed to be tested on Sunday but missed his window and was left scrambling to get an emergency test on Monday morning so he could be cleared to play in a pivotal game against the Thunder.
FYI, the Suns are battling for the 8th seed in the West -- and essentially every regular-season game is a must-win in order to advance to the playoffs.
And, Ayton is one of the best players on the team!!!
The good news for Ayton ... the test results came back quickly Monday and got the green light to play -- but the game had already started, so he needed to RACE!!
Ayton immediately booked it to the court -- and checked into the game in the middle of the 2nd quarter, and instantly made an impact!!
After he stepped the court, the Suns came back from a 37 to 23 deficit to take a 65 to 64 lead by halftime!!
Ayton had 6 points and 2 rebounds in just 10 minutes!
There's a 4-team race for the final playoff spot in the West ... so shout-out to everyone who busted their ass to get Ayton on the court!!
Shredded?? Check. Hot?? Yup. Vacation in paradise?? Better believe it!!
Star couple Caroline Wozniacki and David Lee have taken their summer getaway around the globe to Italy ... soaking up the sun at a pool in Portofino.
Of course, the former tennis superstar and ex-NBA hooper have been doing a bit of sight-seeing after Woz announced her retirement in January ... recently hitting up Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat in France.
And, just like in France, the couple ditched their clothes for their swimsuits ... proving there's no such thing as a retirement bod for either of them.
Woz decided to go with a one-piece patterned suit this time around ... although we know she's a big fan of bikinis -- even rocking one for a hike last week.
But, CW ain't the only one who can show off -- gotta give Lee his credit as well!!
We'll be sure to keep you posted on their next stop on the Hot Couple World Tour.
Now entering the game for the (insert NBA team name here) ... J. Cole?!?
NBA player Larry Sanders says HELL YEAH ... telling TMZ Sports he truly believes the rapper has a real chance at making his pro ball dreams come true.
Of course, the idea took off when 35-year-old Cole -- who grew up loving and playing basketball -- starred in a Puma commercial hinting at trying to get a shot at the Association.
We spoke with Sanders -- who's played in 6 NBA seasons -- and asked if Cole's got a realistic chance ... and his answer may surprise you.
"I do, for real. I've seen him hoop before in some games and I knew he took the game seriously when he was younger."
"He always raps about it, so that's dope. I'm excited to see that."
Sanders knows exactly what the process will be like, but in reverse -- the 31-year-old has made waves in the music industry off the court ... and even produced a song for PARTYNEXTDOOR.
"It's gonna be just like the music game. Me doing music, everybody laughed at me, everybody went at my head and challenged me ... and I had to go prove myself."
Sanders -- who recently told us he's working on making it back to the league as well -- says he loves the idea of joining forces with Cole on a team next year ... which could end up in some music collabs!!
Bad news for Jake Paul ... one of the best young boxers in the game is giving his biggest secrets to NBA star Nate Robinson -- undefeated two-time WBC super middleweight champion David Benavidez!!
Of course, Robinson is prepping to take on the YouTube superstar-turned-fighter in an undercard match for the Mike Tyson and Roy Jones, Jr. fight on September 12.
Some experts believe Paul may come away with the easy dub because he's 2-0 and has more experience ... but Benavidez makes it clear Robinson has been putting in that work.
"I was in there giving him some pointers," the 23-year-old tells us. "I was trying to teach him a little bit about the boxing game. So, I definitely gave him a few gems, so I feel like he's gonna be more than ready for his upcoming fight."
FYI -- Jake and Nate have been going AT IT ever since the fight was announced ... and recently got into a heated trash-talkin' sesh in an interview with TMZ Sports.
Benavidez -- who has a big fight against Alexis Angulo August 15 on Showtime -- says he knows Robinson picked up the sport a few years ago, so any talk of him being too fresh to boxing is simply not true.
"He's been training for a couple years now, so I feel like he just needs to sharpen a little bit of his tools ... but definitely, I feel like he can win this fight."
LeBron Jamessays the NBA won't miss Donald Trumpas a viewer -- essentially telling POTUS not to let the door hit him on the way out!
"I really don't think the basketball community are sad about losing his viewership," James said after the Lakers lost to the OKC Thunder on Wednesday ... "And, that's all I got to say."
SPOILER: That wasn't all he had to say.
Of course, Bron as reacting to comments Trump made earlier that day -- when he blasted the NBA kneeling protests as "disgraceful" during an interview with "FOX & Friends."
LeBron and the overwhelming majority of people inside the bubble have been kneeling during the national anthem before games while wearing Black Lives Matter shirts.
Trump no likey.
"When I see people kneeling during the playing and disrespecting our flag and national anthem, what I do personally is turn off the game," Trump added.
When asked about the comments, LeBron said he didn't want to get into another public social media spat with POTUS ... but followed up by essentially calling for people to vote Trump out of office in November.
"I think our game is in a beautiful position and we have fans all over the world and our fans not only love the way we play the game, we try to give it back to them with our commitment to the game."
"But also respect what else we try to bring to the game and acknowledge it -- what's right and what's wrong," James said.
"And I hope everyone, no matter the race, no matter the color, no matter the size, will see what leadership that we have at the top in our country and understand that November is right around the corner and it's a big moment for us as Americans."
"If we continue to talk about, 'We want better, we want change, we have an opportunity to do that."
"But the game will go on without his eyes on it. I can sit here and speak for all of us that love the game of basketball: We could [not] care less."
LeBron knows what will likely happen next -- Trump tweet in 3 ... 2 ... 1 ... ??
"You're talking about grown men, 85% of them single and you have them locked up at Disney World?!"
That's ex-NBA starGilbert Arenas raising some issues going on inside the NBA bubble ... insinuating players are reaching their breaking point after going weeks without sex.
Look, it's a fair point -- the players entered the bubble at the beginning of July ... and so far, officials have restricted families and girlfriends from joining them.
When we saw Arenas out in Calabasas on Wednesday, he told us he's been speaking with some of the guys on the inside -- and gave us the update on how they're holding up.
"[They're] primadonnas right now," Arenas says ... explaining they're used to living a fun, party lifestyle -- but that all changed when they stepped in the bubble.
Now, they're restricted to their confined space at Disney World -- and it's starting to take a toll.
Arenas is also calling out Lou Williams -- and saying his excuse about hitting up the famous Magic City strip club for chicken wings during his time out of the bubble is complete BS.
"I would never eat at a strip club. I don't go to the strip club to eat wings," Gilbert says.
"I can go to Wing Stop for some wings. I go to the strip club to see strippers."
Bottom line -- Arenas suggests the longer the guys are kept celibate, the tougher it will be to keep the bubble intact.
11:59 AM PT -- Doc Rivers just fired back at Trump ... with the LA Clippers head coach saying he really couldn't care less if POTUS stops watching the NBA over the kneeling protests.
UPDATE
"Well, we lost one guy," Doc said with a laugh. "I mean, so what? Like, really, I don't even care."
UPDATE
President Trump: "I'm not going to watch games." Doc Rivers: "Well we lost one guy. So what?" pic.twitter.com/dhRuC9uTnd
Doc -- who was wearing a hat with the word "Vote" on it for his meeting with reporters Wednesday -- continued, "We know that justice is on our side, right?"
UPDATE
"And, this hat that I'm wearing is what our president is trying to get us to not do, which I think is just as disgraceful."
UPDATE
The clapback is just further evidence Doc and Donald's friendship has deteriorated to non-existent levels ... remember, the two used to be buds and were even spotted having a chummy meal together in 2015 in Los Angeles.
But Doc famously told us in 2016 he was voting for Hillary Clinton ... and he clearly hasn't changed his opinion of Donald much since then.
Saw this coming from a mile away ... but here's President Donald Trump going scorched earth on the NBA kneelers -- calling the demonstration "disgraceful."
"When I see people kneeling during the playing and disrespecting our flag and national anthem, what I do personally is turn off the game," Trump said Wednesday morning in a phone interview with "FOX & Friends."
"I think it's disgraceful. We work with [the NBA], we worked with them very hard trying to get open. I was pushing for them to get open. Then I see everybody kneeling during the anthem. That's not acceptable to me."
"When I see them kneeling during the game, I just turn off the game. I have no interest in the game. Let me tell you this, plenty of other people out there, too."
During the call, Trump also claimed NBA ratings are way down -- when according to TV sports media outlets, the rating are up 14% from the average before the season was suspended.
Trump added, "We have to stand up for our flag, stand up for our country. A lot of people agree with me. If I'm wrong, I'm going to lose an election. That's okay with me. I will always stand for our flag."
Trump has always hated kneeling -- and publicly blasted Colin Kaepernick and other NFL stars for taking a knee back in 2017 ... calling for the NFL fire any "son of a bitch" who doesn't stand for the Star-Spangled Banner.
Ever since the NBA rebooted last week, just about every player, coach, ref and staff member inside the Bubble have taken a knee during the anthem before games.
Only 4 people -- 2 players, 2 coaches -- have stood for the anthem.
LeBron James, who took a knee, said he hopes the demonstration makes Colin Kaepernick proud and helps to shine a spotlight on police brutality and social injustice affecting the Black community and others.
During the call, Trump also claimed he's done more for the Black community than any other president -- with the "possible exception of Abraham Lincoln."
"There is no county line at which Kobe Bryant’s celebrity suddenly evaporates."
That's Vanessa Bryant's key argument as to why the court should REJECT a requested venue change in her wrongful death lawsuit -- claiming Kobe's legacy expands way beyond L.A.
As we previously reported, Island Express Helicopters and the estate for pilot Ara Zobayan had asked the court to move the case from L.A. to Orange County, arguing they couldn't get a fair trial in the city where the Lakers star played NBA ball for 20 years.
Now, Vanessa is firing back ... saying she lawfully selected L.A. as her venue because that's where the January 26th helicopter crash occurred -- and she's digging in her heels to keep it there.
Not only does Vanessa point out the Bryants have lived in Orange County for nearly 20 years and Kobe's "popularity there is just as strong as anywhere else" -- but she also claims it really doesn't matter where you go, Kobe is beloved all over the U.S.
"Defendant fails to acknowledge the extent to which Kobe Bryant’s legacy penetrates American culture," Vanessa's attorney states in new court docs obtained by TMZ Sports.
"There is no county line at which Kobe Bryant’s celebrity suddenly evaporates. Public esteem for Kobe Bryant is a fact of American life."
Vanessa is right about Kobe's popularity -- when he passed away back in January, tributes poured in from all over the world ... including Italy and Japan.
A massive Kobe mural even went up in Gradiška, Bosnia and Herzegovina!
As for the venue change, that's now up to a judge to decide.
