NBA

Matt Barnes had the best weekend ever -- rounding up some of his famous friends and teammates to party with hot bikini chicks ... and it was all for a really good cause.

The NBA star and Snoop Dogg teamed up for their annual Athletes vs. Cancer charity football game in L.A. -- but before the gridiron sesh, Barnes and his Warrior bros Draymond Green and JaVale McGee hit up Beverly Hills for the pregame pool party.

It all went down at Tai Lopez's mega-mansion where stars like Demetrius Shipp Jr. (aka movie Tupac) kicked it with James Harden, Reggie Bush and celeb photog Facet, who rolled deep with a squad of beautiful models.

The only pair of Air Jordan 3's ever made for Kobe Bryant has raked in an insane amount of cash on the auction block ... selling for more than $30,000!!

Here's why they're so freakin' expensive ... the kicks were exclusively made for the Black Mamba when he was in between shoe deals back in 2002. According to Nice Kicks, he even tested them out in a couple games that season.

But Kobe never ended up signing with the Jumpman. So, as legend has it, this is one of the only pairs of Kobe Bryant Jordan 3s in existence.

No word on who coughed up the $30,400 for the shoes ... but it's gotta be a big-time Kobe fan.

Aaron Gordon says he wants BOTH Gonzalez twins ... but hold your horses, perverts, he wants them strictly for basketball purposes.

You know Dylan and Dakota Gonzalez, they're the super hot ex-UNLV guard tandem who are so popular for their talents on the court (and on Instagram) that Drake used to frequent their games.

Basically, they can hoop, and are fine as hell.

We got Gordon at LAX and asked him about Master P starting a new co-ed 3 on 3 league, and who he'd want to ball with of the opposite sex.

Gordon didn't hesitate, saying he wants a double dose of the G twins.

Once again, it's all about basketball, people. Get your mind out of the gutter ... AFTER you check out this hot gallery of the girls.

L.A. Lakers star Larry Nance Jr. says he's totally pumped to take flight with new teammate Lonzo Ball ... telling TMZ Sports Zo's skills are gonna make the whole team better!!

We spoke with Nance at LAX about the #2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft ... and it's clear he's ready to be on the receiving end of some big-time alley-oops from Zo.

NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas says he no beef with Isaiah Thomas ... and no this isn't a 'Good Will Hunting' moment, he's talking about the NEW Isaiah, the one who tore it up for the Celtics last year.

Our camera guy spotted the original IT at LAX and broke some bad news to him, the news being that when "Isaiah Thomas" is Googled, the new model comes up first.

(Point of Information: No, Isiah Thomas and Isaiah Thomas are not related).

So the question ... is the vintage version a little salty about the handle jack?

Answer? NO. Thomas says he loves his namesake (it's true, the younger version was named after the older) and told our guy he's thrilled the name is living on.

Dear Kevin Durant,

Not everyone in Oklahoma hates your guts. In fact, one of the most powerful people in the state is welcoming you back with open arms ... Senator Jim Inhofe.

"Kevin Durant would be welcome back in Oklahoma any time he's willing to come and I want to be the first one he calls," Sen. Inhofe tells TMZ Sports.

"He took care of the victims of our tornadoes. He took care of families. Took care of little kids. So, he has a heart and he's not a bad ballplayer."

KD wasn't exactly the most well-liked guy in OKC after ditching the Thunder for the Golden State Warriors. Plus, his feud with Russell Westbrook didn't help either.

Here's the latest installment of the LeBron James Challenge ... courtesy of LeBron James!!

LBJ posted yet another shirtless workout vid Friday morning ... vibin' out to Meek Mill's new "Wins & Losses" album. This time, the King raps, sings and even maniacally laughs at his haters.

LeBron's been mocked by pretty much the entire Internet -- including Steph Curry -- for his first viral gym sesh, so it's only a matter of time before your timeline gets flooded with new challenge vids.

At one point, LBJ makes sure to point out one of Meek's lyrics directed at the President -- "Trump ain't feelin' us" ... which makes sense, considering Bron's never hidden his feelings towards POTUS.

As for LeBron's singing ... it's never too late for lessons, bro.

Nick Young is the Al Michaels of the wedding industry ... 'cause Swaggy P gave out an amazing play-by-play of Julius Randle's marriage ceremony Thursday ... and it's hilarious!!

The Lakers star tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend, Kendra Shaw, in front of his old Kentucky and L.A. teammates (including Jordan Clarkson) ... and Young provided some top-notch commentary to his recording of the ceremony.

Young really gets into it, saying it's a "proud unk" moment as he watches his ex-teammate exchange vows ... and emotionally whispers "he 'bout to cry!"

No word on if the water works came out ... but the party afterwards looked like a great time.

LaVar Ball ain't backin' down from Michael Jordan -- saying he's STILL confident he'd crush MJ in 1-on-1 even if he had 1 arm tied behind his back.

The Big Baller attacked LaVar at his basketball camp earlier this week, saying, "I don't think he could beat me even if I was 1-legged."

Ball's response?

"I could beat him with 1 hand tied behind my back with some glasses on with one eye lens out with some flips flops on in the rain."

There's more ... LaVar also goes after Shaq's diss track -- blasting the dude as old and irrelevant.

Then it's on to Charles Barkley ... saying Chuck was talkin' out his ass when he said Lonzo and the Lakers aren't a playoff team.

Enjoy ...

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.