NBA

They're already on their quest for another, but the Denver Nuggets received their 2023 NBA championship rings before handling the Lakers ... and the bling comes complete with everything from diamonds and sapphires to a hidden compartment.

Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic and their Nuggets teammates got their new jewelry during a special on-court ceremony Tuesday night in front of the home crowd at Ball Arena in the Mile High city.

The ring, designed and produced by the undisputed championship ring authority, Jason of Beverly Hills -- is massive ... and awesome.

Jason tells us the piece contains over 16 carats of diamonds, rubies, and blue sapphires which represent the team's colors and the 16 playoff wins it took to win the chip.

The ring also features the Larry O'Brien Trophy, two pickaxes from the Nuggets logo, player's names, jersey number, and the words "World Champion," along with the team's manta, "Bring It On".

The piece also has what Jason describes as "two never before seen design elements" ... the background color of the ring can be changed when a lever is pulled, and there's a hidden compartment that contains a mini championship banner.

"I really wanted to make the ring for the Nuggets," Jason said, "challenging my team to come up with features we knew others just wouldn't think of that would help set our design apart."

"We got player feedback during summer league and were able to include two new design elements that make this ring stand out from anything ever seen before in Championship jewelry."

The fellas absolutely loved it ... especially The Joker, the 2023 NBA Finals MVP who showed off the ring for the cameras.

Denver fans let LeBron James and the Lakers know who runs the NBA ... and they rubbed it in, chanting "Who's your daddy?!" while their Nuggets squad handed the Lake Show an L in the first game of the season!

The defending champs came out hot against the Lakers at Ball Arena on Tuesday and led as much as 18 points during the 119-107 win.

It was also the night the Nuggets team received their championship rings.

So, you can understand why the crowd of 19,842 was extra lit ... and late in the fourth quarter, they decided to take a shot at the Lakers.

"Who's your daddy?! Who's your daddy?!" the Nuggets fans yelled.

Jamal Murray heard the chants ... and the point guard's reaction was priceless.

In fact, the former first-round pick blamed his coach Michael Malone.

"This is you! This is your fault!" Murray said. "This is what you started!"

It was a good night for the 1-0 Nuggets ... Nikola Jokic, no surprise, had a terrific game, notching a triple-double with 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists.

LeBron James pulled out all the stops for his first fashion statement of the 2023-24 season ... rocking over $28,000 worth of Louis Vuitton for opening night!!

King James -- who is entering his 21st season -- clearly wanted to come up with a special look for the Los Angeles Lakers opening game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena ... and he certainly didn't disappoint.

The 19-time All-Star forward is covered in Louis V ... from the $5k damoflage tweed chic collarless jacket and $1,250 pants to the $1,220 LV checker derby kicks.

He didn't stop there -- the Speedy Bandouliere 40 he's holding comes with an $11k price tag, and the briefcase will set the Average Joe back another $9,500.

So yeah, Bron's whole look is fit for a king.

BTW, some of those pieces LBJ is wearing are from Pharrell's men's Spring-Summer 2024 collection. The famous producer/rapper became the high-end brand's new men's creative director in February ... and debuted his items in Paris this summer.

James wasn't the only player showing up in style on Tuesday -- Michael Porter Jr. wore a signed Peyton Manning Broncos jersey ... and Peyton Watson was reppin' Deion Sanders with his own autographed "Coach Prime" gear.

High flyer Aaron Gordon also put his interesting taste on display ... going with a sleeveless burgundy blazer and shorts.

As for James' look ... anyone who wants to get their hands on the same items will have to wait just a bit -- pre-order sales start the first week of December.

LeBron James no escatimó esfuerzos para hacer su primera declaración de moda de la temporada 2023-24, luciendo más de $ 28.000 de Louis Vuitton para la noche de apertura.

King James, que está jugando su 21ª temporada, claramente quería llegar con un look especial para el partido inaugural de Los Angeles Lakers contra los Denver Nuggets en el Ball Arena, y ciertamente no decepcionó.

El delantero y 19 veces All-Star llegó cubierto de Louis V, desde la elegante chaqueta tweed de $5k sin cuello hasta los pantalaones de $1.250 pantalones y los zapatos de $1.220.

Y eso no fue todo, el Speedy Bandouliere 40 que está sosteniendo viene con una etiqueta de $11k y el maletín de otros $9.500.

Así que sí, el look de Bron es digno de un rey.

Por cierto, algunas de las piezas que lleva LeBron James corresponden a la colección masculina primavera-verano 2024 de Pharrell. El famoso productor y rapero se convirtió en el nuevo director creativo masculino de la marca de alta gama en febrero, y debutó con sus artículos en París este verano.

James no fue el único jugador que apareció con estilo este martes, Michael Porter Jr. llevaba una camiseta firmada Peyton Manning de los Broncos y Peyton Watson anduvo de representante de Deion Sanders con su propio atuendo autografiado de "Coach Prime".

Aaron Gordon también puso su interesante gusto en escena. El jugador usó un blazer sin mangas de color burdeos y pantalones cortos.

En cuanto al outfit de James, cualquiera quisiera tener esos mismos artículos en sus manos, pero tendremos que esperar un poco porque la pre-orden de venta comienza la primera semana de diciembre.

Scottie Pippen hates Michael Jordan's guts right now, but not all hope is lost for the legendary Bulls duo's friendship ... so says their former teammate, Dennis Rodman, who believes the two will eventually bury the hatchet.

It's no secret -- Pippen was pissed over the 'Last Dance' documentary that dropped back in 2020 ... claiming the Jordan-produced project glossed over his teammates' contributions to the Bulls dynasty and focused too much on #23.

Pippen has gone out of his way to throw verbal jabs at Jordan ever since ... calling him a "horrible player" before Scottie joined the team in 1987 and declaring LeBron James the G.O.A.T. in his eyes.

Rodman says the beef between the two is nothing like their dynamic during their playing days ... as he never saw them feuding during his time on the Bulls in the '90s.

"No, I never saw that before," Rodman claims. "I never saw them fight. Even after the season, I never saw that. They were always hanging out together, playing golf together, traveling together."

Things are totally different now, but the Worm seems to think the friendship is still salvageable.

"It's just a lot of things that's happened over the last couple of years. So, I think Scottie's a little bitter and Michael's more laid back and say, 'Okay, like whatever,' but they're gonna work it out."

Scottie and MJ's feud has taken an interesting turn recently as well ... with Pippen's ex-wife dating Jordan's son, Marcus.

As we previously reported, Michael said he didn't approve of the relationship back in July ... but Marcus later claimed his pops was joking.

The NBA's squarely in the sights of the United States Department of Justice over accusations The Association worked to torpedo Ice Cube's Big3 basketball league ... allegations the NBA denies.

TMZ Sports has learned the DOJ launched the inquiry months ago, examining alleged anticompetitive behavior on the part of the NBA, aimed at squashing the Big3's growth.

Those allegations, we're told, range from the NBA purportedly throwing its weight around to prevent sponsors and others potential partners from doing business with the rap legend's league ... to discouraging television networks from carrying Big3 games.

Cube and business partner Jeff Kwatinetz launched the 3-on-3 league, made up almost entirely of retired NBA players, in 2017.

Some current players have expressed a desire to play in Cube's league in the offseason, but we're told, as the Big3 sees it, the NBA has prevented guys from doing so, putting arbitrary rules in place to stop players from hooping in Ice's league.

FYI, the NBA and Big3 seasons do not overlap.

Of course, it's a regular occurrence for NBA players, including some of the biggest stars in the world like LeBron James, to hoop in non-NBA games after the season ends ... such as L.A.'s famed Drew League.

Big3 officials, according to sources familiar with the investigation, believe they've been unfairly targeted by the NBA.

We've also been told NBA owners have been discouraged from investing in the Big3 while simultaneously owning a franchise.

Referees haven't been immune, either, according to a source ... who says they've been told they cannot officiate for the Big3, despite some working for other organizations outside of the NBA.

A source familiar with the Dept. of Justice investigation tells us Cube and Kwatinetz met with DOJ lawyers during the first half of the year. We're also told investigators have begun reaching out to NBA owners as part of their investigation.

If the government ultimately finds the league committed antitrust violations, the NBA could face a significant fine.

We reached out to the league for comment ... and NBA spokesman Mike Bass, addressing the allegations of sponsorship and TV network interference, pressuring potential Big3 partners, and others, told us, "Those claims are not true."

Bass also added ... "We have been supportive of the Big3 since its inception, but we declined to invest."

La NBA está en la mira del Departamento de Justicia de los Estados Unidos por las acusaciones de que la Asociación trabajó para torpedear la liga de baloncesto Big3 de Ice Cube, acusaciones que la NBA niega.

TMZ Sports ha descubierto que se inició la investigación hace meses, el examen de la presunta conducta anticompetitiva por parte de la NBA con el objetivo de aplastar el crecimiento de la Big3.

Supuestamente la NBA está emitiendo estas acusaciones para evitar que los patrocinadores y otros socios potenciales hagan negocios con la liga de la leyenda del rap y así convencer a las cadenas de televisión de no  mostrar los juegos de la Big3.

Cube y su socio Jeff Kwatinetz lanzaron la liga de 3 contra 3, compuesta casi en su totalidad por jugadores retirados de la NBA, en 2017.

Algunos jugadores actuales han expresado su deseo de jugar en la liga de Cube en la temporada baja, pero nos informan que la NBA ha impedido que los chicos lo hagan, poniendo reglas arbitrarias para evitar que los jugadores entren a la liga de Ice.

Para tu información, las temporadas de la NBA y de la Big3 no coinciden. Por supuesto, es habitual que los jugadores de la NBA —incluidas algunas de las mayores estrellas del mundo como LeBron James— participen en partidos que no son de la NBA una vez finalizada la temporada, como la famosa Drew League de Los Ángeles.

Según fuentes familiarizadas con la investigación, los directivos de Big3 creen que han sido injustamente atacados por la NBA.

También nos informan que se ha disuadido a los propietarios de la NBA de invertir en la Big3 al tiempo que poseen una franquicia.

Los árbitros tampoco han sido inmunes, según una fuente, se les ha dicho que no pueden oficiar para la Big3, a pesar de que algunos trabajan para otras organizaciones fuera de la NBA.

Una fuente familiarizada con la investigación del Departamento de Justicia nos dice que Cube y Kwatinetz se reunieron con abogados del DOJ durante la primera mitad del año. También nos han dicho que los investigadores han empezado a ponerse en contacto con los propietarios de la NBA como parte de su investigación.

Si finalmente el gobierno determina que la liga cometió infracciones antimonopolio, la NBA podría enfrentarse a una multa significativa.

Nos pusimos en contacto con la liga para hacer comentarios y el portavoz de la NBA, Mike Bass, se refirió a las acusaciones de interferencia de patrocinadores y cadenas de televisión y nos dijo: "Esas afirmaciones no son ciertas".

Bass también añadió: "Hemos apoyado a la Big3 desde su creación, pero declinamos invertir".

LeBron James might not be retiring for a LONG time -- the Lakers superstar's wife just revealed he's hoping to stay in the NBA until he plays with both Bronny AND Bryce!!

Savannah shared the surprising remark in the King's latest ad campaign for Beats By Dre ... in which she gives him a pump-up speech about his haters ahead of his 21st season in the Association.

"Tell them you're not done until you play with your son," LeBron's longtime partner said as Bronny's face popped up. "Then do that again," she added as Bryce stared into the camera.

38-year-old LeBron has always made it clear he wanted to suit up alongside 19-year-old Bronny, who is entering his first year at USC ... but now, it certainly sounds like he's planning to stick around long enough to do the same with 16-year-old Bryce.

Bryce is currently a shooting guard at Notre Dame HS in California ... and is slated to graduate in 2025, meaning he would not be able to enter the league until 2026 under the current rules -- and LeBron would be well into his 40s.

Bron admitted back in 2022 he had thought about the possibility of playing with Bryce ... saying, "I feel like I could play for quite a while," according to Sports Illustrated.

"So it’s all up to the body, but more importantly, my mind. If my mind can stay sharp and fresh and motivated, then the sky’s not even the limit for me. I can go beyond that. But we shall see."

Kim Kardashian's shapewear company is launching a men's line, and KK brought on one of the most famous and influential athletes in the world to promote the brand ... Neymar Jr.!

Kardashian's multi-billion-dollar company is getting into menswear, and Kim wanted a top athlete to promote Skims Mens ... enter the 31-year-old international soccer star from Brazil, who currently plays for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia.

In addition to Neymar, Skims also signed 49ers star Nick Bosa and OKC Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the campaign.

"To have an icon like Neymar Jr be the face of our launch campaign, along with NBA All-Star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and NFL’s top Defensive Player Nick Bosa, I think speaks volumes to the way SKIMS has evolved into becoming a brand that can provide comfort for all audiences, not just for women," Kardashian said of signing the three top athletes.

Brandon Miller -- the ex-Crimson Tide star who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft -- has been sued for wrongful death by the family of the woman who was killed in a shooting earlier this year near the University of Alabama.

The lawsuit, obtained by TMZ Sports, was filed in a federal court on Friday by Jamea Harris' mother, DeCarla Heard ... nearly 10 months after Harris was allegedly murdered by Miller's friend.

In the suit, Heard claims Miller played a significant role in her daughter's Jan. 14 death ... alleging Miller was the one who came to the location of the shooting with the firearm that Michael Davis then used to kill Harris.

Heard claims Miller, Davis and former Tide basketball player Darius Miles had all been together earlier in the night at a row of clubs in Tuscaloosa, when Miller left because a line to get into one of the bars was too long. She says Miles left his gun in Miller's ride before the basketball phenom took off.

A short time later, though, Heard says Davis and Miles left the bar ... and got into a dispute with Harris, her boyfriend and her cousin. She claims in the suit Miles then texted Miller, now a Charlotte Hornet, asking for his "joint" because "someone was 'fakin',' meaning using words in an aggressive manner with no intention or ability to back them up."

Heard says when Miller showed up minutes later, Miles then retrieved the gun from the hooper's ride, before he handed it off to Davis. She alleges Davis then approached Harris, her BF and her cousin in a car and fired off rounds -- striking Harris with at least one in the face, killing her.

Heard is seeking damages ... claiming Davis, Miles and Miller "should have known that bringing a dangerous weapon to a dispute and discharging said weapon would likely result in harm to those around them."

For his part, Miller's attorney said in February that Miller "never touched the gun, was not involved in its exchange to Mr. Davis in any way, and never knew that illegal activity involving the gun would occur." He was never charged with a crime.

As for Miles and Davis, both are facing capital murder charges over their alleged roles in Harris' death.

Draymond Green reportedly avoided Jordan Poole like the plague after their infamous practice altercation last year -- the Golden State Warriors star allegedly refused to make amends with his teammate, despite head coach Steve Kerr's attempts.

The details of the fallout between the two sides were laid out in an article on the Ringer ... claiming Green never spoke with Poole following the October 2022 incident, but was willing to sing like a bird about it with the media.

In fact, the feature states Kerr tried to step in and get the two to go to dinner to bury the hatchet ... but Green wasn't down.

As we previously reported, both Green and Poole have spoken about their status in the past ... with the former calling it a "work in progress."

Ultimately, those close to Poole believe the Dubs suffered on the court as a result of their severed relationship ... leading to an early exit from the playoffs.

Bronny James was teachin' fans how to Dougie at a USC hoops event Thursday night ... dancing his tail off during player introductions -- but he sat out all of the night's competitions, an indication he's still not quite 100 percent after suffering cardiac arrest.

LeBron's oldest son received a super warm welcome at the annual Trojan HoopLA shindig at the Galen Center in downtown Los Angeles ... and he sure seemed to love it all, gyrating to Cali Swag District's "Teach Me How To Dougie" as people in the stands roared.

However, that was about all the physical activity he did during the evening ... electing not to participate in the skills competition, dunk contest and the 3-point contest.

Of course, it's not unexpected at all ... Bronny required surgery just a few weeks ago after he had the issue with his heart back in July -- and everyone involved has been making sure he's been brought along slowly ever since.

It's unclear when he'll be able to officially start putting basketballs in hoops for the Trojans this year ... a timetable has not been given -- but LeBron said just days ago the goal is for his son to make an impact at USC soon.

Meanwhile, there were plenty more highlights from the Trojans event Thursday ... including when freshman forward Brandon Gardner threw down a massive slam over star USC quarterback Caleb Williams during the dunk contest.

Rap stars YG & Saweetie also performed!!

LeBron James certainly doesn't have writer's block -- the Los Angeles Lakers superstar just announced he's got another children's book on the way ... titled "I Am More Than."

The 4-time NBA champ teamed up with HarperCollins Publishers on the project ... to inspire young readers to understand they are more than just "one label, trait, or interest."

"'I Am More Than' is about believing in yourself and all the amazing things you're capable of, which no one else can define you," James said in a statement.

"I hope everyone that reads it feels inspired to be 'more than' in everything they do."

James is no stranger to the literature game -- his first kids book, "I Promise," became a New York Times best seller.

"It's been incredible to see students, teachers, and families respond to I Promise and its message of encouragement," the 38-year-old said.

"With the next book, we want to continue inspiring kids everywhere to keep dreaming big and not let anything hold them back."

The book -- slated to hit shelves on April 2 -- will feature illustrations from Nina Mata.

The future Hall of Famer also made a middle-grade level book called "We Are Family" this year with journalist and writer Andrea Williams.

The chiropractor to a ton of Hollywood stars -- ranging from the Kardashians to Logan Paul and Kevin Hart -- won't be providing services any time soon ... cuz he's now behind bars.

Dr. Patrick Khaziran is famous for appearing on "The Kardashians" and working with huge names like Jamie Foxx and Diddy ... but he got busted for his role in a fraud scheme with former NBA players and is now locked up at USP Lompoc in California.

Known as "Dr. Pat" to the Kardashians, he's featured on the latest episode of the famous family's Hulu series ... getting high praise from Khloe, who is trying to sell him as the answer to Scott Disick's lingering back problems from a 2022 car accident.

In the episode, Scott and Khloe pay Dr. Pat a visit at his chiropractic office in Los Angeles ... which prosecutors claimed was at the center of a scheme to defraud the NBA's health plan out of millions.

The feds say Dr. Pat created fraudulent invoices former NBA players used to bill the league's healthcare plan for medical services that were never actually provided.

The FBI says Dr. Pat was part of the fraud scheme from at least 2016 to 2019 ... during which the feds say he cost the NBA health plan $1.3 million in losses, pocketing $439K for himself and splitting the rest of the dough with former NBA players.

Dr. Pat, who is also a favorite of current NBA players Tristan Thompson and Justise Winslow, was ultimately convicted ... and in February he was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

Conor McGregor will not face criminal charges over the interaction he had with a woman at an NBA Finals game earlier this summer ... TMZ Sports has learned.

According to a closeout memo we obtained ... prosecutors said there was "insufficient evidence" as well as "contradicting and/or no corroborating witnesses" to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that McGregor sexually assaulted a woman during a bathroom meetup at the Nuggets vs. Heat game in Miami on June 9.

In the doc, prosecutors wrote they viewed CCTV footage from the Kaseya Center on the night of the incident ... and it showed McGregor and his accuser did go into a men's restroom together for approximately five minutes. They wrote it also showed that after the two left the lavatory, they were seen together in a club inside the NBA arena until they went their separate ways at around 12:40 AM.

Prosecutors added, however, that when they interviewed an attendant who was in the same bathroom ... he told them that while he did see the UFC star and his accuser go into a stall together, he "did not hear any signs of distress or sounds that would corroborate that whatever was occurring was not consensual."

Officials also said they spoke with McGregor's accuser's friend ... who told them the alleged victim never mentioned that Conor had attacked her. In fact, prosecutors wrote in the document that the accuser's friend said the woman had called her mother that same night "to tell her she had met" McGregor.

Prosecutors also wrote in the memo that when the woman initially attempted to make the claim against McGregor to cops ... she asked detectives if they believed the 35-year-old fighter "would like to 'settle' or 'pay her off' if she did not pursue charges."

"In light of the above facts and circumstances," prosecutors wrote in the memo, "the State would not be able to satisfy its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt."

Barbara Llanes of Gelber Schachter & Greenberg, an attorney for McGregor, said in a statement to TMZ Sports on Tuesday she was "pleased" with the conclusion.

The Utah Jazz have stopped selling a shirt that prominently features Michael Jordan's "Jumpman" logo ... this after fans complained the imagery brought up some painful memories for them.

The tee showed Jordan's famed silhouette jumping over Jazz lettering ... something Utah backers seriously frowned upon, given everything MJ did to them during his time with the Bulls.

You'll recall, while starring for Chicago in the 1990s, he beat the Jazz regularly ... including twice in NBA Finals matchups.

So, when some supporters saw the grey shirt being sold in the team's store -- they complained relentlessly -- and, according to Salt Lake Tribune reporter Andy Larsen, the Jazz ended up pulling the item quickly over the backlash.

As for how the shirt came about in the first place, following the NBA's partnership with Jordan Brand years ago ... teams all over the league -- not just the Jazz -- began rolling out the generic design with the "Jumpman" logo on them.