NBA

Forget the Clippers ... Ben Simmons turned PHILLY into Lob City today -- with the help of a stud 12-year-old hooper diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

The 76ers superstar hit the gym Thursday to surprise Tyler Osowski -- who just underwent a major operation in June to help him walk better.

Simmons had heard Tyler was a HUUUGE Sixers fan -- and loves Simmons -- so, he worked with FOX 29's Dawn Timmeney to set up a shootaround.

What ensued was pretty great -- the two bro'd down on the court and Tyler even dished up a pretty sweet alley-oop!

He's unemployed at the moment, but think Nerlens Noel misses playing for the Philadelphia 76ers??

"NAH."

It was that simple when we asked the 23-year-old about his old squad outside of Warwick nightclub in L.A. last night, where he was partying until 2 in the morning.

Noel's story is bizarre ... he was the 6th overall pick in the '13 NBA Draft -- and after bouncing from the 76ers to the Mavs, he's currently a free agent.

After watching the clip, seems a Philly reunion is out of the question.

Timberwolves star Jamal Crawford says he doesn't know if Minnesota's actively trying to land Kyrie Irving in a trade ... but he's definitely a fan of the idea.

We spoke with J. Crossover about reports of the Cavs star requesting a trade to 4 possible teams -- one being the Wolves.

We also asked Crawford if there's any beef left between his old teammate, Chris Paul, and coach Doc Rivers ... and it sounds like everyone's moving on.

Kobe Bryant went from "skins" to "shirts" in Italy on Wednesday -- keeping covered up on a boat in Portofino after being body shamed the day before.

The ex-NBA superstar was mocking himself about the topless pics that surfaced on Tuesday -- jokingly calling himself "Mamba Thick" and vowing to get shredded again in 30 days ... not that he really needs to.

Still, he didn't look too concerned during Wednesday's family boat trip -- smiling with Vanessa and his 3 daughters ... and snapping photos from a real deal camera (instead of an iPhone).

Say "cheese" ... even if it's not on the diet anymore.

Byron Scott's NBA coaching career is done FOREVER -- with the ex-Lakers skipper saying there's absolutely 0% chance of a comeback.

Byron started his coaching career in 1998 as an assistant with the Kings -- before taking over as head coach for the Nets, Hornets, Cavs and Lakers.

He's been out of the league since 2016 after an ugly breakup with the Lake Show -- but since he's only 56, we had to ask if he was mulling a return to the bench.

Scott's answer was straight and to the point -- "No" -- explaining he's moved on with his life and he's not looking back.

Still, Byron's got some thoughts on the new Lakers -- telling TMZ Sports he likes Lonzo Ball but agrees with Charles Barkley ... they ain't making the playoffs this year.

2:36 PM PT -- Kobe has ... (ahem) ... weighed in on the pics -- saying, "Objects on camera may appear larger than they do in the mirror haha."

He added, "ok...ok...ok. Gimme 30 days #challengeaccepted #mambathick #mambabeast."

Kobe Bryant's chest is just like his jumper ... SMOOTH!

The Mamba ditched the shirt for a relaxing poolside session in Portofino, Italy while on vacation with his family -- but just like the rest of us, he couldn't muster up the strength to put his phone away.

Italy is like a second home for Kobe -- he grew up there while his father played pro ball in Calabria and speaks fluent Italian.

Portofino is poppin' right now for rich people -- Kris Jenner hit up the vacation spot last month. Same with Tiffany Trump. And Heidi Klum was there last week!

Maybe they all use the same waxer?

File Under: "Too Little, Too Late"

Kevin Hart wants his good friend, Chris Paul, to stay in Los Angeles so badly, he's using his own money to convince him to back out of the Rockets deal.

Didn't work though.

Kev and CP3 hit up Madeo for dinner -- and on the way out, Hart whipped out his wallet to pay for Paul's valet ... telling his pal, "Don't leave L.A., Chris!"

Chris smiled and told Kev, "Don't do that."

Obviously, that ship has sailed -- Chris signed with the Houston Rockets after 6 seasons with the Clippers.

Sorry, Shaq and LaVar -- looks like the epic matchup between your sons ain't happenin' ... 'cause Shareef O'Neal says he's gunning to be 1-and-done before LaMelo Ball makes it to UCLA.

We got Shareef leaving LAX with his mom, Shaunie ... and the Arizona Wildcats recruit told us straight-up that he wants to dip outta 'Zona after just one year to go get that NBA money.

Since LaMelo's one year behind him ... that would mean no O'Neal on Ball action -- until the NBA.

There's more ... Shareef says he'd prefer not to follow in his dad's footsteps in the endorsement world ... meaning Reebok's probably off the table. Big Baller Brand isn't on the kid's short list either.

As for the O'Neal vs. Ball rivalry ... Shareef told us IT AIN'T REAL -- and that he hasn't even listened to Shaq's epic diss track.

Yeah ... right.

NBA player Steven Adams just got an offer to make big bucks playing another pro sport ... 'cause Rick Fox wants the killer Kiwi to join his pro gaming team.

Fox is the owner of team Echo Fox, a team that competes in Major League gaming ... and when we got him out at LAX and told him Adams is a huge gamer, Rick went all Jerry West.

"He's got time, I'll talk to him."

Rick's logic? A big time NBA guy like SA is just want the gaming community needs to bring in even more eyes to the sport.

Don't book the wedding venue just yet ... Chandler Parsons says he and UFC Octagon babe, Arianny Celeste, are "just hangin' out" -- at least, for now.

The two were spotted out together earlier this month -- they had dinner together Thursday night -- and the rumors are they're full on dating.

The greatest duo in NBA history is BACK ... stepping on the same court together for the first time in nearly 20 years.

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen joined up at MJ's Flight School basketball camp Sunday night in Santa Barbara ... gracing the hardwood with G.O.A.T.-level swag as they ran campers through shooting contests.

Jordan threw up some jumpers too -- and the kids LOVED it.

The camp told us it was the first on-court meeting of the Bulls legends since their last title run in '98 ... one a lot of fans didn't think would happen since they've never been too tight off the court.

Things seem cordial now. Take notes, LeBron and Kyrie.

NBA teams might not wanna plummet for Michael Porter Jr. next year ... 'cause the projected #1 pick in the 2018 Draft says there's a chance he won't jump to the pros after his freshman season.

We spoke with the 6'10", 215-pound phenom about being the big man on Mizzou's campus ... and MPJ says he's not worried about the hype surrounding him and just wants to focus on what he does on the court.

The 19-year-old 5-star recruit -- who was coached by ex-NBA star Brandon Roy at Nathan Hale H.S. in Washington -- is at the top of every way-too-early mock draft for 2018 ... but Porter says he might not even put his name into consideration after his first year.

We also asked if MPJ would ever be interested in signing with the Big Baller Brand ... and his response is hilarious!

Turns out Steph Curry does a dead-on impression of LeBron James in the gym ... and he busted it out at a wedding, in front of LBJ's running mate, Kyrie Irving.

Steph Curry mocks LeBron's workout, and Kyrie is laughing about it lololol

(via ryanonlyryan/IG) pic.twitter.com/Tpyc4U9C5H

A bunch of the Golden State Warriors were at their former teammate Harrison Barnes' wedding when Steph decided to show everyone what he'd been working on in the off-season. The fact, Kyrie was also there made it way more entertaining.

Irving reportedly wants to be traded so he can get out of LeBron's shadow -- and, of course, Steph and the Warriors just took the Championship from them.

To the victor goes the spoils?

Clippers rookie and SEC hoops star Sindarius Thornwell had a seriously funny run-in with cops in South Carolina -- but he's probably not laughing about the fact it ended up on live TV!

It all went down Friday night on the A&E show "Live PD" ... when police pulled over Sindarius' gf for speeding. Apparently, she was chasing him at the time, and Sindarius -- rocking a Clippers t-shirt -- stopped too when she got pulled over.

The hysterical part came when the officer recognized Sindarius -- he was SEC player of the year for the Gamecocks, after all. The cop said, "I know you from somewhere. Where you work at?"

ST's response ... "I don't got a job."

Why so shy? Well, Sindarius juuust signed his rookie contract on Thursday, and probably didn't want to rock the boat. He even tried to hide his Clippers tee from the cop.

To be clear -- cops had no issue with Sindarius, just his gf ... who apparently was riding around with all HIS stuff in the car.

He pimp, meet she pimp!

Memphis Grizzlies star Chandler Parsons and Arianny Celeste hit up Craig's in L.A. on Thursday -- essentially confirming rumors the CP and the smokin' hot UFC Octagon girl have been quietly dating.

Yeah, he's only in sweatpants -- but he also signed a $94 million contract so he can wear whatever he wants.

It's another solid score for both parties -- Chandler's been connected to everyone from Bella Thorne to Hailey Baldwin and model Toni Garrn.

Arianny dated Travis Barker back in 2015. She also dated UFC fighter Josh Burkman.

Game respect game.

Here's Warriors big man JaVale McGee Shaqtin' a fool on horseback -- 'cause life is good after you re-up with one of the greatest NBA teams of all time.

The Dubs officially completed their 2017-18 squad by bringing back JaVale on Thursday ... and the 7-footer celebrated by riding around on what looks to be a pony -- but that's only 'cause JaVale's HUGE.

McGee signed for the vet minimum (less than $3 mil) ... but dude's clearly pumped to be back in the saddle with the superteam.

More proof: