NBA

Magic Johnson says Bronny James simply isn't ready for the NBA just yet ... claiming what's truly best for LeBron's son is to spend a season developing his game in the G League before joining the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Hall of Famer shared his take on the father-son duo during his interview on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on Thursday ... and while plenty of folks are interested in watching the James Gang take the court together in 2024-25 -- he thinks the experiment should be put on ice for a year.

"If I'm Bronny, I would tell my dad, 'Just let me play in the G League all season so that I can develop,'" Johnson said. "He needs playing time. He doesn't need to be sitting on the Laker bench and not playing."

Denver Nuggets star Aaron Gordon is opening up on his brother's tragic death ... crediting his teammates for their support "every step of the way" -- even attending the funeral services.

Gordon spoke with the media on Thursday -- the first time since Drew's passing in May -- and he praised the players for being there for him as he grieved the unthinkable loss.

Gordon admitted he didn't have the strongest relationships outside of his family prior to the fatal car accident ... but now, he cherishes all his connections -- and he considers the players his "brothers."

Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose is calling it a career -- announcing his retirement in a heartfelt social media post on Thursday.

"Thank you, My First Love..." Rose said on Instagram. "You believed in me through the highs and lows, my constant when everything else seemed uncertain. You showed me what love truly meant."

"You turned the court into my sanctuary, a home where I could express myself freely. You made every early morning and late night we spent together worth every drop of sweat."

Boston Celtics star Derrick White clearly ain't happy that he was involved in a melee at the Colorado vs. Colorado State game earlier this month ... telling journalists Tuesday, "I shouldn't have been there."

White spoke briefly on the matter while out at his team's media day ... when a reporter questioned how he was doing some 10 days after he was whacked in the head during a scuffle at the big Sept. 14 rivalry game in Fort Collins.

White said he was feeling just fine -- revealing his advisory's spinning back fist didn't connect flush -- but he did appear to be embarrassed over it all.

Janet Jackson is not reversing course on Kamala Harris, Kim Kardashian is meeting with the Menéndez brothers, and LeBron James is showing off some new ink ... all this on today's TMZ TV Hot Takes.

First up on "TMV Live," Harvey and Charles explain why Janet is not walking back her comments about Harris' racial background.

If you're a 7-footer looking for a customized home in Southern California that fits all of your vertical needs ... you're in luck -- TMZ Sports has confirmed Kareem Adbul-Jabbar's old place, which was tailormade for his gigantic frame, has just gone up for sale!

The Marina Del Rey pad -- which the 7-foot-2 NBA legend owned from 2011 to 2021 -- was listed this month for $2,995,000 ... and it's got everything a tall homeowner could want and more.

The property is part of a gated community that only has 12 homes ... and it comes with harbor views, four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen, a family room with a fireplace and a side garden patio area.

LeBron James may have played in his last Olympics, but that doesn't mean the Games won't be part of him forever ... the NBA legend got a new tattoo -- the Olympic rings!

The Los Angeles Lakers superstar recently hit up famed artist Ganga Tattoo just months after he led Team USA to a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The five interlaced rings were tatted near his right elbow ... with the logo representing the union of five continents, America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.

Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero is about to make the jump to elite status ... so says Wendell Carter Jr., who tells TMZ Sports there's no doubt in his mind his teammate will contend for the NBA's Most Valuable Player award this season.

The 21-year-old former No. 1 overall pick improved in nearly every statistical category in his sophomore outing ... earning himself All-Star honors after averaging 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists -- and leading his Magic to the playoffs.

Many expect the former Duke standout to build off that momentum in his third season --  including Carter, Jr., who spoke highly of the young hooper while out at LAX this week.

Christian Koloko -- who had a career-threatening blood clot issue earlier this year -- says he's ready for a fresh start with the Lakers, telling TMZ Sports he's optimistic he can play this season!

We spoke with Koloko at LAX just days after he signed a two-way contract with the Purple & Gold ... a 7-foot-1 center that could provide valuable depth with Anthony Davis prone to injury.

"I feel amazing," the Cameroonian athlete said.

Jayson Tatum's first NBA championship will be with him -- or on him -- forever ... 'cause it seems the Boston Celtics star just got a new tattoo ... showing the NBA superstar kissing the Larry O'Brien trophy.

Photos of the piece started circulating on social media this week ... a large tattoo located on the back of the 5x NBA All-Star, next to other tats paying homage to his hometown, St. Louis.

The tattoo is taken straight from real life ... after the C's beat the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals in June, securing the title.

NBA champ Iman Shumpert and Amber Rose stripped down to their swimsuits and enjoyed a day in the Miami heat ... but before ya get any ideas -- TMZ Sports is told it was nothing more than a platonic gathering.

The former Cleveland Cavaliers guard and model/personality were spotted lounging on some beach chairs on Wednesday ... smoking what appeared to be some ciggys as they chopped it up near the water.

Rose rocked a black halterneck suit for the occasion ... and Shump sported some light-colored trunks.

Shaquille O'Neal still adamantly denies he's the big man in the photo burning up social media, using a Shaggy hit to get the word out ... this after the woman shared evidence she claims proves she was with the Big Fella!

52-year-old Shaq shared a video on Instagram ... where the Hall of Famer, sitting alongside Peter Gunz, lip-synced to Shaggy's 2000 hit, "It Wasn't Me".

The video is a response to a woman named Maria Ozuna Teachey ... who earlier in the week shared a now-deleted Rated-R photo with a giant dude who many assumed was O'Neal (the person is so tall their head is out of frame).

LeBron James is rallying behind Bryce Young ... telling the second-year quarterback to stay focused on his goals after losing his starting job with the Carolina Panthers.

King James -- a fellow No. 1 overall pick himself -- went to X to show support for the young signal-caller on Tuesday ... making sure his 53 million followers saw his encouraging message.

"Bryce Young hold ya head Young 🤴🏾!! Rooting for you and know this ain't on you! Continue to put the work in and it shall prevail! 🙏🏾👑"

If basketball ends anytime soon for NBA star Tyrese Haliburton ... he's clearly got a career in the wrestling world -- as during another WWE appearance on Tuesday, he played the heel role perfectly, taking a swipe at Orlando Magic fans!!

The 24-year-old Indiana Pacers forward stopped by NXT -- the company's developmental brand -- in Orlando with initial goals of helping set up a match contract between Trick Williams and Ethan Page.

Haliburton wasn't alone, though ... he rolled to the squared circle with a ton of his Pacers teammates -- and when the Florida fans weren't happy to see him, he showed off his villain skills on the mic.

Social media detectives can relax ... Shaquille O'Neal says he is NOT the man in the PDA photo making the rounds all over the internet Tuesday.

If you haven't seen it yet ... the selfie was posted by Maria Ozuna Teachey to her 200K-plus followers on Instagram earlier this week -- and it featured her in front of a mirror with a large man's arms wrapped around her.

Because of the dude's size, many believed it was the Big Diesel -- after all, the dude appeared super tall and really buff -- and he seemingly had big hands and feet as well.

Michael Jordan has finally found a buyer for his near-$15 million mansion in a Chicago suburb ... after sitting for 12 years!!!

The 56,000-square-foot estate is currently listed as "contingent," indicating the would-be buyer and MJ have a deal, but it's contingent upon several conditions being met.

The property is located in Highland Park, Illinois ... and it's got a bunch of amenities, including the iconic No. 23 gate, nine bedrooms, 19 bathrooms, a cigar room, a library, an indoor gym, and of course, a full-sized basketball court.