NBA

Is Rihanna missing out by not dating Joel Embiid? He seems to think so.

The following is a direct quote:

"I don't want to talk about Rihanna but, you know, I feel like every girl in the world should, you know, taste the process and see what the process is like."

Gotta love a man with confidence.

Remember, Embiid tried to shoot his shot at Rihanna back in the day, but it didn't quite work out for the young NBA star.

So, when we saw him out in Bev Hills the other day, we asked him about it -- and he made it clear he's moving on ... to EVERY OTHER WOMAN ON EARTH!

"Every girl in the world is missing out. You know you got to taste the process, you gotta see what the process is like."

Celtics star Jaylen Brown is officially the John Wick of the NBA ... because's he's vowing REVENGE on a fellow association player over a heinous popcorning incident from his rookie year.

We got Brown out in NYC and asked him a very simple question ... what's the best locker room prank he's seen in his young NBA career?

That's when JB revealed he's a victim ... telling us his car was filled up with popcorn his rookie year by veteran Amir Johnson, and then promising to deliver some get back for the transgression.

"Amir Johnson, I'm coming for you."

Chad Ochocinco is more FIFA Prince than FIFA King ... 'cause Paul George OWNS the ex-NFL superstar in the video game -- so says the Thunder stud himself.

Chad -- who's dubbed himself the "FIFA King" many times over the years -- has been obsessed with the soccer game ... and is a legend in the gaming community for showing up to random people's houses to pick up the sticks.

But PG-13 says the ex-NFL star is all talk ... and he NEVER wins when the two play.

"There's one person that can't beat me ... Ochocinco," Paul told TMZ Sports at the Fortnite Pro-Am on Wednesday.

It's huge if true ... 'cause just the other day Chad said he was in the FIFA lab for EIGHT STRAIGHT HOURS.

Mark Jackson says if the Lakers can get Kawhi Leonard ANYONE has to be on the trading block ... and that means any of their young stars ... including Lonzo Ball.

Talk in NBA circles is that Leonard wants OUT of San Antonio ... and IN to the Purple and Gold. But for that to happen, the Lakers would have to trade someone of value.

We got Mark out in Calabasas ... and he said it doesn't matter who that someone of value is, because Kawhi is too much of a beast to pass up on.

"I'm getting a top five player in the world so I definitely would be very aggressive in trying to get a home run hitter in my lineup."

Translating ex-NBA coach speak ... EVERYONE MUST GO!!!

The Game has created a brand new strain of marijuana -- obviously named after LeBron James -- and he's hoping it helps convince the NBA superstar to sign with the Lakers.

It's called "'LA' Bron James -- and created by Game's marijuana company, "Trees By Game" -- and the rapper says there's a very specific reason why he developed this strain.

"[It's] a strain inspired by my city & them trying to bring King James to the LAKESHOW."

FYI, Game is from Los Angeles -- and he's a die-hard fan of the Purple & Gold (and green too).

For the record, Game -- just like the Warriors -- has already smoked James. He liked it.

Shaquille O'Neal's flossy toes are now Cardi B approved ... but they're still soooo messed up.

The NBA Hall of Famer's legendarily bad feet got some MUCH needed TLC Wednesday at a mani-pedi spa -- and, while the nail techs went to work, Cardi's music was blaring in the background.

Warning: shield children's eyes from this video unless you WANT them to have nightmares.

Shaq opted for some gold glitter nail polish, which is definitely an improvement over what he's usually rocking -- but, honestly, there's not enough lipstick in the world for these piggies.

Still, Cardi said ... "I like them like that" ... but we're guessing what she really approves of is her music playing in the background.

She definitely can't love those feet.

Cleveland Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue has finally stepped out after his team was swept in the NBA Finals ... and we had to ask about the one thing everyone wants to know -- LeBron's future.

Ya gotta watch the video ... Lue's body language is a combination of frustration, pain and uncertainty.

Don't get it twisted, he was totally nice on his way out of Craig's in West Hollywood -- where he had dinner with Chauncey Billups -- but it's obvious LeBron isn't his favorite topic right now.

And why? Everyone knows it's almost certain Bron is leaving Cleveland, which leaves Lue with a bad team and not a lot of job security.

Don't spend too much time worrying about Lue ... he signed a 5-year $35 million contract in 2016 and the first 4 years are fully guaranteed.

Smash Mouth -- yes, that band from "Shrek" -- has got some balls on 'em ... throwing F bombs at NFL star Myles Garrett!!!

Why, you ask?

The band apparently took MAJOR offense to an interview Garrett gave ripping Kevin Durant ... where the Browns star said, "KD broke the league" by jumping to the Warriors to win a title.

"You hopped onto a 73-9 team and he took the easy way out in my mind," Garrett said on 92.3 The Fan.

He added one more shot -- "Me, I'm too competitive to try and ride on somebody's coattails to get a W."

Enter Smash Mouth -- big Golden State Warriors fans -- with expletive-laden Durant defense.

"Hey Myles Garrett,.....nobody knows who the F you are so nobody gives a F what you would do."

"And Genius the @warriors didn't win the Championship the season before KD signed. So not sure what 'coattails' you're referring to. This your Twitter page Aaaaahole? @MylesLGarrett."

So, what now? There's only one solution -- Smash Mouth must fight Myles Garrett.

Looks like Michael Jordan turned up on a Wednesday ... 'cause the G.O.A.T. left his NYC hotel Thursday morning with half a bottle of tequila in one hand -- and a box of booze in the other!

What was he drinking? Seems to be a bottle of Tres Alegres Compadres Extra Anejo -- and, to be honest, we're having a hard time tracking down a price point on a bottle.

So, if you happen to be an agave juice connoisseur, hit us up!

We know MJ loves his tequila -- in fact, he once turned up in a San Diego nightclub back in 2015 with a $4,000 bottle of Clase Azul Ultra ... and danced his face off!

And don't forget the private dance he got from his wife while sippin' on tequila back in March!

Ben Simmons not only ruined his chances at a reconciliation with Tinashe ... he also blew it for EVERY OTHER PRO BALLER -- because the singer tells TMZ Sports she's 100% done with athletes.

The "Faded Love" singer was leaving Delilah in West Hollywood after hitting the club on Wednesday night -- and, after all the drama with Ben, we asked her what she's looking for NEXT in a man.

"Not to be an idiot," she told us ... noting that she finds a LOT of idiots in this town.

And when we asked if that meant no more ballers, she responded ... "Oh yeah. That's 100."

For the record, Tinashe recently dropped a ton of new music with big stars like Future, Offset, Ty Dolla $ign and French Montana ... so who needs NBA stars when you've got rappers?

It's time for TMZ SPORTS DECODES ... starring NBA superstar Paul George, who might've just given the basketball world a huge clue about his future and the future of Mr. LeBron James.

Or did he?

First a little context ... rumors in NBA circles say LeBron joining the Lakers depends on him luring another big name star to Hollywood, and most people think George -- an L.A. native -- is that star.

In order for that to happen, George would have to want to play with LeBron and, when we got him at the Fortnite Celebrity Pro-Am in L.A. and asked him ... he seemed like he was down.

"Yeah, I'm with LeBron every All-Star. Every one of my All-Stars I've been teamed with LeBron ... I like playing with him."

We continued decoding as we asked George if he even likes Los Angeles ... and once again, he gave us more positive feedback than an eastern Tinder swipe.

"I'm from L.A., I can say I love L.A. because I'm from L.A."

What do you get when you love both playing with LeBron and L.A.? Seems like Purple & Gold.

Andre Drummond says he's a HUGE fan of his new head coach, Dwane Casey -- and tells TMZ Sports he can't wait for Casey to join the Pistons so they can kill it next season.

"Love Dwane Casey," Drummond told us at the Fortnite Pro-Am at E3 in Los Angeles ... "I'm really excited to have him."

Casey was the head coach of the Toronto Raptors -- which put up the best record in the East before being swept by the Cavs in the playoffs for the 2nd straight year.

Casey was fired -- despite winning the National Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year.

Dennis Rodman had a hearty laugh about President Trump possibly winning a Nobel Peace Prize, because he thinks someone else should be considered ... Dennis Rodman!

We talked to The Worm about the historic meeting between his friends, Trump and Kim Jong-un, and what it might mean in the long run ... he makes some jokes, but tells us he's truly happy it went down.

Rodman insists he's not seeking accolades for the 2 leaders talking peace, but also reminded us he played a part in it ... and feels vindicated for his efforts.

We also asked Rodman about Donald's comments back in 2014 ... accusing him of being drunk or high when discussing Trump and North Korea.

Steph Curry and Kevin Durant went champagne crazy at their victory parade on Tuesday ... 'cause the Warriors sprayed and drank HALF A MILLION DOLLARS worth of booze ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Fresh off their $400k locker-room celebration after sweeping the Cavaliers on Friday, the Dubs had all the Luc Belaire Rare Gold, Luxe and Rosé they'd possibly need to keep the party going ... including 6-liter and HUGE 15-liter bottles!!

Nick Young and J.R. Smith LOVE to show skin when it comes to celebrating titles ... so it's only right we presented an NBA championship parade edition of "Who Wore it Better?!?!"

Swag Champ -- formerly Swaggy P -- lost his shirt for the Warriors parade earlier Tuesday afternoon ... spicing it up with a snazzy sport coat and a couple chains.

But, let's not forget the OG J.R. Swish ... who went completely shirtless for the Cleveland Cavs' title parade back in 2016.

So, now that both Shirtless Bros are NBA champions, we gotta ask ...

Draymond Green's over the smack talking and onto the shirt talking once again.

The Golden State Warriors' biggest troll dipped way back into a November tiff with LeBron James to bring some subtle LBJ smack talk to the Dubs' victory parade Tuesday.

You remember the story ... 'Bron posted an Arthur closed-fist meme and captioned it "Mood..." back in the fall.

Unclear what LBJ was referring to, but Green fired back later with his own "Mood..." post.

The beef chilled -- at least, until this week ... when Draymond brought back the meme on a black T-shirt -- with three rings on Arthur's hand.

FYI ... this ain't the first time Draymond's used a championship parade to take shots at the King -- tellin' the crowd at last year's party that James "started the super team, bro!" while wearing a "Quickie" shirt in reference to the series only lasting 5 games.