NBA

John Salley can't understand the criticism over Dennis Rodman's trip to North Korea, because he believes his former teammate is in no small part responsible for what could be an historic summit.

We got John Sunday at LAX, and he was clear ... he says Rodman's 2014 trip showed a human side of Kim which he says eventually caused a diplomatic sea change.

John and Dennis are longtime buds ... they played together 30 years ago on the Pistons.

On the other hand, John thinks Dennis should now defer on the diplomatic front to the powers that be.

It isn't Shaq. It ain't Larry Bird. And it isn't Kobe ... but Lamar Odom DOES have a final member in mind for his NBA dream team's starting five.

The first four are obvious: "Magic Johnson, Abdul-Jabbar, Jordan, LeBron," he told TMZ Sports outside of Blind Dragon this week.

But the fifth member? Odom -- who was leaving a launch party for Humbly cryptocurrency in L.A. -- has someone off the wall for that spot.

LeBron James is making his already incredible home even more fit for a king ... 'cause the NBA superstar is adding some crazy renovations to his new Brentwood mansion, TMZ Sports has learned.

ICYMI -- LBJ bought the 15,846 square foot house back in December for $23 mil ... and it came with a theater room, wine cellar, cigar room with air purifying technology and an onyx bar.

But, King James is takin' it even further ... our sources tell us he's adding a basketball court, indoor wine tap (dude LOVES his wine), and is working on the paperwork to get a pizza oven ... while also making changes to the theater and pool.

Remember ... this is LBJ's 2nd Brentwood mansion. After all, he spends his offseasons in L.A. working on his entertainment career (and might be here year-round next season, right Laker fans?).

LiAngelo Ball believes his NBA hopes and dreams are alive and well ... telling TMZ Sports there are definitely NBA teams interested in retaining his services.

'Gelo just killed a private combine at the IMG academy down in Florida ... turning in a 37-inch vertical leap, and draining 3's with ease.

Question is, was it enough to make NBA teams think about taking a flier on the middle Ball brother?

We asked LiAngelo if the workouts had drawn any interest from NBA teams when we saw him out at LAX with LaVar, and his answer was simple.

"Yeah, of course."

There were reports that both the Lakers and the Warriors have agreed to workouts with 'Gelo ... but the Warriors refuted those claims soon after they were made public.

That's cool by LaVar, because he told our guy he'd rather 'Gelo play for a California team a little further south.

Roger Goodell is doing a helluva job as NFL commish ... and that's coming from a guy who ran the NBA for 30 years, David Stern.

TMZ Sports saw Stern in NYC ... and with the debate over the NFL's new rule on the National Anthem protest raging ... we asked the former commish how he'd handle the controversy.

Stern didn't exactly answer the question ... but he did offer a ringing endorsement to the NFL's head honcho.

"I think that commisioner Goodell is doing a great job in difficult circumstances."

He went on to say ... "I think every league needs rules to cover every situation. I don't know what rule I would implement, but there should be a rule that treats everyone fairly, and uniformly."

FYI -- the new regulation has been polarizing. Prez Trump and VP Pence applauded the league ... while others have been super critical of Goodell and the NFL.

Screw the Jumpman logo, Russell Westbrook went FULL FACE to honor Michael Jordan.

The OKC Thunder star was spotted out in NYC during a late-night shopping spree this week wearing a special hoodie that's a collaboration between Jordan Brand and NY-based fashion line Public School.

The back says, "We Need Leaders."

True that.

Jordan and Russ are fans of each other -- not only is Russ signed to Jordan Brand, but MJ sent him a personalized note last year to congratulate him on his first NBA MVP award.

The Milwaukee Bucks are blasting the Milwaukee Police Dept. over the "shameful and inexcusable" way cops abused Sterling Brown ... and they're demanding accountability.

"The abuse and intimidation that Sterling experienced at the hands of Milwaukee Police was shameful and inexcusable."

"Sterling has our full support as he shares his story and takes action to provide accountability."

The team continued ... "Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated case. It shouldn’t require an incident involving a professional athlete to draw attention to the fact that vulnerable people in our communities have experienced similar, and even worse, treatment."

"Racial biases and abuses of power must not be ignored. There needs to be more accountability."

"Get Out" star Lil Rel Howery is a Boston Celtics fan ... but he says there's a silver lining to the team losing a couple games, and he's telling TMZ Sports his glass-half-empty theory.

If you're asking why Lil Rel is a Celtics fan in the first place, he says it's because he developed a kinship with Kyrie Irving while the two men were shooting Irving's upcoming "Uncle Drew" movie.

Rel says it's that friendship that makes it kinda okay ... hell, he almost even likes it ... that the C's seem to be struggling to beat LeBron with no go-to NBA superstar.

"I've been watching all these stories about how the team is better without Kyrie and all this dumb sh*t and I was like, ah, no, this is superstar time."

"So, I'm just saying like, Kyrie, that's his team, man. So, don't ever question that sh*t again. It's his f*cking team. He's a superstar. They need to win with him."

Lakers rookie star Kyle Kuzma says he's honored NBA coaches voted him to the NBA All-Rookie 1st Team ... but tells us he wasn't surprised.

"I thought I was gonna get it all year, really," Kuzma told TMZ Sports at Mastro's Steakhouse in Beverly Hills.

"It's definitely a good honor."

The twist ... his teammate, Lonzo Ball (the 2nd pick in the draft), only made the All-Rookie 2nd Team -- so, we had to ask Kyle if that would have an impact on their friendship.

"Not at all," Kuzma says ... "That's my brother."

Bradley Beal's a VERY lucky man ... and the proof is in gorgeous baby mama Kamiah Adams' totally nude pregnancy photoshoot.

The Washington Wizards baller and former 'Love & Hip Hop' star have been dating for over a year now ... and announced earlier this month they were expecting a little bundle of joy together.

Adams is 8 months preggo ... and revealed they're having a baby boy!!

K.A. posted several pics in her birthday suit for the big announcement ... and sent a message to their future son -- "Mommy & Daddy can’t wait to hold you. We already love you more than you can imagine!"

Bradley added a message of his own, saying "@kamiahadams and I promise to love you, protect you, teach you, support you, respect you, and be the best parents we can possibly be!"

Congrats!!

Ex-NBA star Glen "Big Baby" Davis was arrested Friday for felony assault with intent to cause great bodily injury ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We broke the story ... the ex-NBA star was being investigated for allegedly getting violent with a man outside of a West Hollywood nightclub back in April.

Sources told us ... 32-year-old Davis was accused of almost hitting a man with his car and, when the man confronted Davis, he allegedly picked him up and slammed him on the concrete.

We're told the alleged victim was hospitalized for severe injuries including facial fractures, a broken tooth and broken ribs.

Law enforcement tells TMZ Sports ... Davis surrendered on Friday with his attorney and a bail bondsman. He was booked and released on $50k bail.

People of the Garden State rejoice!!! Chris Christie says you'll be betting on sports in no time ... telling TMZ Sports New Jersey will be making wagers in a matter of DAYS!!

Now that the Supreme Court ruled to eliminate the federal ban on sports gambling ... we asked the man behind the charge when people from his home state will be able to start gambling.

"You'll be betting by June," Christie tells us.

It's a huge turnaround on such short notice ... but CC makes it clear he doesn't want to take all the credit for making it happen.

Kobe Bryant is finally revealing his initial reaction to Kanye West's slavery comments on "TMZ Live" -- and it's the same feeling mostly everyone else had ... "What the hell are you talking about?!"

The Mamba was speaking with L.A. high school students at We Rise LA when 14-year-old Kaya -- a BSO junior reporter -- wanted to know what Kobe made of Kanye's "slavery is a choice" argument.

"Completely disagree," Kobe explained.

"The thing about our country is that you have the right to say whatever it is that you want to say ... that's the beautiful part about living in a democracy."

He added, "Conversely, you also have to take the responses that come after that as well because everybody has the freedom to say what it is that they feel."

"For him, he's one of these entertainers that's always in a constant state of growth ... he's always challenging not us as people but really himself. He's doing a lot of questioning internally himself."

"I just take it for what it is and completely disagree."

If Dwyane Wade wants to be a big Hollywood actor, Chris Bosh is ready to buy a ticket ... telling TMZ Sports his friend has the looks and physique to be a real star actor!!!

"He's buff and a good-looking dude," Bosh said about his old Miami Heat teammate ... "He can do what he wants!"

Remember, just a few days ago Wade told us he wants to costar in "something romantic" with his movie star wife, Gabrielle Union, who's been in roughly 40 movies herself!

So, when we saw Bosh leaving Il Pastaio in Bev Hills (after taking pics with fans) ... we had to ask what he thought of his good friend's new career goals.

Shannon Sharpe wanted to rub Skip Bayless' nose in LeBron James' greatness Monday morning -- so, he put on the goat head, ditched his sleeves ... and even busted out a Black & Mild!

... and it was HILARIOUS (and weird).

Sharpe LOVES Bron -- Skip's a lifelong doubter -- so ... after James brought the Cavs back to life with a dominating 30-point win on Saturday, the ex-NFL star was hyped about it on FS1's 'Undisputed.'

Matt Barnes will "absolutely not" be in attendance when his ex-wife, Gloria Govan, marries Derek Fisher ... so says Gloria, who claims the ex-NBA stars are still NOT on great terms.

Remember, Barnes congratulated Govan and Fisher after they got engaged back in April -- saying he's happy for the couple because his kids have grown to love him.

But Govan says the relationship between the former Lakers teammates is still not great -- and Matt's presence would be "really awkward."

"[Matt] and Derek aren't cool," Govan said ... "They're cordial. I wouldn't say 'beef' but they don't talk every week."

It's about what you'd expect ... considering Matt and Derek famously fought back when Derek began dating Gloria a few years ago.

Govan closed with some advice to Matt ... don't waste your time buying a wedding gift either, because "I will throw that gift away."