NBA Finals LeBron's King On The Court But Who's Queen Off Of It?!
LeBron James is the king on the court ... but does he wear the crown off of it??
You be the judge in this look at the best WAGS of the NBA Finals!!
Savannah James always kills it ... but Steph Curry's longtime wifey, Ayesha, and Tristan Thompson's baby mama, Khloe Kardashian, make it interesting.
Don't sleep on Jeff Green's boo, Stephanie, or Shaun Livingston's girl, Joey -- who might not be as famous, but still rocks it in a bikini!!
And if somebody should blow the rest of the series like J.R. Smith and George Hill did in Game 1 ... don't feel bad -- look who they get to come home to!!
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Kenyon Martin Flirting Is Dead ... Men Abused It
Kenyon Martin says "there's no such thing as simple flirting" anymore ... and it's all because men have crossed the line too many times when it comes to picking up women.
The ex-NBA star says he's well aware of the problems many women face in the workplace and other areas in their lives when men come on way too strong ... and it's not right.
"Over the years, men have abused their power," Martin tells TMZ Sports.
So, what happens now? Martin has advice for young men, including NBA players -- "Be smart. Notice the signs."
"No means no! Some resistance? Gotta turn away."
Bottom line ... Kenyon says be respectful to women and you'll be fine.
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Jordan Clarkson New Team, Same City Drops $3.2 Million On L.A. Pad
Jordan Clarkson's a Cleveland guy now ... but the dude just can't shake his old stompin' grounds, 'cause the ex-Laker just dropped $3.2 MILLION on a brand new L.A. home!!
The Cavs baller is currently in the NBA Finals ... but once the offseason hits, he'll be able to enjoy his 5 bedroom, 8 bathroom pad in Woodland Hills listed by Gabriel Ostrow.
Clarkson will have plenty to do ... his home's complete with a chef's kitchen, wine closet, dope home theater, saltwater pool and spa and a BBQ center.
Here's what's funny ... JC didn't close the purchase until AFTER he got traded to the Land back in February. But, when you reportedly make $12.5 mil a year ... the more cribs the merrier!!
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Matt Barnes All Eyez On My Tupac Tattoo!
All eyez are on Matt Barnes' right hand ... 'cause the ex-NBA baller just got the most insane Tupac tattoo!!
The artwork is crazy real ... and the story of how Barnes got it is even more wild.
The former Laker -- who's tatted all over -- was lookin' for a 'Pac piece ... and after seeing a Kobe Bryant tattoo that artist Steve Butcher did ... he hit him up on social media and locked down an appointment.
The dopest realistic tattoo artist we've ever seen flew all the way to L.A. (he's from New Zealand) to ink Matt's hand ... and he says the ex-hooper couldn't have been cooler!
The tat took about five hours to complete -- and we're saying, job well done.
BTW ... Butcher says Matt was the first NBA player he's tatted ... but he probably won't be the last. DeAndre Jordan's already told him he's interested in getting a piece done as well!!
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John Salley Zeke Upshaw's Mom Is Right ... In Death Lawsuit Against NBA
John Salley says the mother of the NBA G League player who died after collapsing on the court is "100% right" in her lawsuit against the league ... saying, "I think she has a case."
TMZ Sports broke story ... Zeke Upshaw's mother claims the team doctor didn't respond to her son for 4 MINUTES after he collapsed from a cardiac incident during a game back in March.
Upshaw's mother claims Zeke did not receive proper medical treatment that could have saved his life, and she's holding the Detroit Pistons and the NBA responsible.
Salley -- a 4-time NBA champ -- told us he stands with Zeke's mother, and says the league needs to do better moving forward.
"I think she has a case ... The fact that there was no professional EMS around would definitely have to fall on the squad."
In fact, Salley says he hopes the lawsuit will force the league to improve league standards when it comes to medical emergencies.
"This lawsuit should help them realize they have to train everybody that's going to be around people who are doing any kind of exhausting work, or that works for you."
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Brian McKnight Don't Let George Hill Off The Hook He Screwed Up Too
Brian McKnight is reminding the world that J.R. Smith isn't traveling alone on the screw-up train ... telling TMZ Sports George Hill deserves just as much blame for the Cavs' loss.
You already know the play by now ... but McKnight says Hill's missed free throw that led up to J.R.'s brain fart is just as bad ... and says the people are giving him the pass J.R. should've given LeBron.
McKnight says he doesn't feel bad for J.R. though ... saying it's the championship, and you either become a hero or you don't. Simple as that.
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Earnest Byner Advice To J.R. Smith: Here's How to Come Back from Major Blunder
Earnest Byner knows what it's like to make a major mistake with the game on the line (remember the '87 AFC Championship?) ... so, he's got some advice for J.R. Smith.
Byner is a legend in his own right -- he's a 2-time Pro Bowler and won Super Bowls as a player and a coach.
But back in 1988, he fumbled on the 2-yard line with time winding down costing the Cleveland Browns a shot at the Super Bowl. It's been ranked as one of the biggest in-game mistakes in NFL history.
The good news ... Byner didn't let the play define him and went on to have a great career.
So, Earnest is now dishing out some of that wisdom to J.R. Smith -- and says he's confident the fans in Cleveland will help J.R. bounce back.
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Ex-NBA Ref Tim Donaghy NBA Blew Cavs-Warriors Game Teams Should Replay Last Minute
The refs screwed up the Cavs-Warriors game so bad last night, the league should allow the teams to replay the final 60 seconds of the game ... seriously -- according to former NBA ref Tim Donaghy.
Here's the deal ... Donaghy was an NBA official for 13 years before he was sent to prison for gambling on games -- but knows the rulebook inside and out.
In fact, he even cites a REAL situation when the NBA acknowledged it screwed up a ruling -- and had the teams reunite to replay the end of a game nearly 4 months later (Hawks vs. Heat 2007).
In this case, Donaghy is honing in on that late 4th quarter foul involving Kevin Durant and LeBron James -- when two refs disagreed on who was at fault ... was it a charge or a block.
Donaghy says instead of going to the replay monitor and changing the call to favor the Warriors, it should have been ruled a jump ball.
You gotta watch the video ... Donaghy is pretty passionate about how the league should rectify the situation.
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J.R. Smith 'Donkey of the Day' ... Says Charlamagne
"J.R. Smith ran away from that basket the way Pusha T claims Drake ran away from his responsibilities as a father."
That's why Charlamagne tha God awarded Smith his "Donkey of the Day" title on "The Breakfast Club" Friday morning ... blasting the Cavs player blunder that cost LeBron Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
"I don't know if J.R. Smith uses drugs," Char said ... "but if he does, I think it's his duty as an American citizen to tell us what the hell he's on or has been on so we don't make the same mistakes."
Charlamagne also blasted Smith for his explanation of the blunder ... saying Smith clearly did NOT know the game was tied.
"J.R. Smith ... shut the eff up forever."
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Rev. Jesse Jackson Feeling Good Enough ... To Attend NBA Finals!
Good signs from Jesse Jackson ... he's not letting his Parkinson's diagnosis stop him from attending massive public events like the NBA Finals!
The Reverend was front and center for Game 1 of the Cavs vs. Warriors series in the Bay Area on Thursday flashing a big old smile.
76-year-old Jackson was diagnosed back in 2017 and said, "recognition of the effects of this disease on me has been painful."
He also noted that he "must make lifestyle changes and dedicate myself to physical therapy in hopes of slowing the disease's progression."
But, the NBA Finals are clearly the exception!
Jackson was joined by a ton of big stars including Jeremy Renner, Barry Bonds, E-40, Steve Nash, Bill Simmons, Jon Hamm and Adam Levine!
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J.R. Smith Made TWO Bonehead Plays ... Says Charles Oakley
Charles Oakley says it wasn't just the last play of regulation that J.R. Smith screwed up Thursday night -- he also made a crucial mistake in the 1st half that cost his team 3 points ... and maybe the game.
Oak was pretty upset with Smith's decision to go for a steal instead of playing shutdown defense on Steph Curry in the final seconds of the 1st half.
JR Smith with the dumbest play in NBA Finals history. LeBron is going to trade him to Siberia pic.twitter.com/rEX7pqlerS
@ericsports
Smith missed the interception and Steph bombed a 3 ... Oakley says that was a major momentum change.
"Why are you going for a steal on the best shooter in the game?!"
Oakley says he hopes the Cavs can recover and bounce back strong in Game 2.
We'll see ...
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Jalen Ramsey Goes Off On J.R. Smith ... 'Get the Strap!'
NFL star Jalen Ramsey basically spoke for everyone Thursday night when J.R. Smith brain-farted at the end of the NBA Finals ... questioning how the hell Smith screwed up so badly!
With the game tied, Smith got a crucial rebound with just seconds left in the game -- and instead of taking a shot or passing it to LeBron -- he tried to run out the clock, forcing the game into OT.
And you know the rest of the story goes ...
Jalen Ramsey was so baffled by J.R.'s move, he went to Instagram and fired off a 50 Cent-style rant.
Dude, we all feel your pain ...
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Rasual Butler Fatal Crash Autopsy Alcohol, Weed & Pills
Ex-NBA player Rasual Butler had multiple substances in his system at the time of his fatal crash back in January ... including alcohol, marijuana and painkillers ... according to the autopsy obtained by TMZ Sports.
As we previously reported, Butler was behind the wheel of a Range Rover -- with a female passenger, Leah LaBelle -- when he lost control around 2:30 AM and crashed into parking meters and a concrete wall. Both died immediately from injuries suffered in the crash.
Toxicology results show Butler's blood alcohol level was tested from blood collected from his heart and leg. The heart sample showed a BAC of .118, above the legal limit.
The leg sample showed a .062, which is under the legal limit. One law enforcement source told us the results are consistent with a person who was legally drunk.
Tests also show Butler tested positive for cannabinoids (marijuana), methamphetamine and oxycodone.
The report shows an empty box of Don Julio tequila was recovered at the crash scene.
As for Butler's passenger, Leah LaBelle -- a former "American Idol" contestant, who Butler referred to as his wife -- she had a .144 blood alcohol level.
The information could be relevant to Leah's family if they decided to go after Butler's estate for wrongful death.
UPDATE: We spoke with Leah's mother who is adamant the two were NOT married.
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Kevin Durant I Can Fly!! Thanks to My Massive Airplane Decal
Kevin Durant will never have to fly coach again ... 'cause the NBA superstar's riding on the OUTSIDE of this plane from now on!!
The Golden State Warriors baller got a massive 560 square foot decal on the side of a plane as part of his partnership with Alaska Airlines aircraft ... complete with an insane 50-foot wingspan!!
A rep for the airline says the Durant decal is made of 34 pieces and took more than 144 hours to install on the 737-900ER aircraft.
Durant's been partnering with Alaska Airlines since September 2017 ... and serves as the "Advisor to the CEO" ... which apparently means the dude gets to put his face on a plane.
Sweet gig.
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Kendall & Ben Simmons Hit the Hotel Together ... Nice Overnight Bag!
Kendall Jenner's date night with Ben Simmons seemed to go well ... because it ended at a fancy Beverly Hills hotel -- together!
After a dinner date at The Nice Guy, the two rolled over to Hyde Nightclub where they partied together until around 2:10 AM ... and then ultimately ended up at the Waldorf Astoria.
Ben helped Kendall bring in her bag from the car -- and you can probably guess how the rest of the night went from there.
Doesn't seem to be a one-night stand sorta thing ... the two have reportedly been dating for weeks -- and we know they already had a dinner date on Monday night.
Meanwhile, Ben's ex-GF, Tinashe, is also moving on ... she hit a nearby club where NBA star Donovan Mitchell happened to be partying too.
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Brooklyn Nets Player Claps Back at Jalen Rose ... You're Wrong About Us
Jalen Rose was talking out his ass when he claimed the Brooklyn Nets aren't text buddies in the offseason ... at least, that's the takeaway after hearing from Allen Crabbe and Jeremy Lin.
Rose made the comments on 'Get Up' -- saying teams that aren't winning don't REALLY have fun with each other. He pointed to the Nets and said:
"I promise you, the Nets. OK. They play right here in Brooklyn. Those players are not exchanging texts with each other this offseason."
So, when we saw Crabbe in Bev Hills hours after the show ... we asked if Rose's theory was true.
"I don't know where he got that from," Crabbe tells TMZ Sports ... "I feel like our team's pretty cool. We all hang out together."
Crabbe ain't the only Net who says Rose is wrong ...
Jeremy Lin weighed in saying ... "Hmm Jalen much respect to you but no idea where this came from lol. I just had the whole team over for a fat bbq last week."
Winner? Nets.