TMZ Sports - Page 50

Austin Rivers feels VERY strongly that the L.A. Clippers should do everything in their power to keep the core players for another season ... telling TMZ Sports they're just "a piece away" from being champs.

The rumors are swirling that Doc Rivers will break the team up -- possibly trading Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan or Chris Paul -- in the hopes of bringing in a fresh lookin' squad.

But Austin says it would be "idiotic" to break up the band -- "We still feel like we can be an NBA championship team."

Ex-NFL wide receiver Michael Jackson -- who led the NFL in receiving TDs in '96 -- was killed in a motorcycle accident Friday morning in Louisiana ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Louisiana State Police confirm Jackson was in an accident in Tangipahoa, LA while riding his motorcycle in the early morning. He was 48.

Officials say Jackson was driving a '13 Kawasaki on US 51 around 1 AM at a "high rate of speed" when a 20-year-old woman backed out of a parking spot and into both lanes of the highway.

The motorcycle crashed into the driver's side door of the car -- and the impact was so violent, the bike smashed through the door and killed the driver of the car.

Officials are investigating the crash.

Jackson played in the NFL from '91 to '99 for the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens. He exploded in '96 when he finished 6th in the league in receiving yards, behind guys like Isaac Bruce, Herman Moore and Jerry Rice.

He was also college teammates with Brett Favre at the University of Southern Mississippi.

After injuries cut his career short, Jackson turned to politics and became the mayor of Tangipahoa in 2009. He served until 2013.

Tom Brady is scaring the living hell out of Patriots fans -- not only is he on the new cover of Madden ... but he's essentially sticking his middle finger up at the curse!!!

James Harden wasn't in the mood to mope after his Rockets got beat up by the Spurs Thursday night -- he partied ALL NIGHT LONG while fans in Houston chanted at him, "MVP!"

TMZ Sports obtained footage of Harden at Set in Houston where he turned up in the VIP section while Travis Scott performed.

Kylie Jenner was in the building along with some Houston Texans players.

Harden and the Rockets had a rough night before the club -- losing to the Spurs in a 114-75 route that eliminated them from the playoffs. Harden only scored 10 points.

Paul Pierce rides with James Harden -- saying the guy is still "one of the greatest" and deserves the NBA MVP ... even after the disappointing way the Rockets ended their season.

The Truth was leaving Tao in L.A. Thursday night when he told us he'll ALWAYS support California-raised players like Harden and Russell Westbrook ... and explained why they should share the league's top individual award.

We also asked who he's rooting for in the Celtics vs. Wizards series since he played for both teams.

Bears WR Kevin White was straight jacked for his Maserati in an elaborate crime scheme in Chicago being called a "Bump and Run" theft.

Cops say White's girlfriend, Roksana, was driving his white Maserati around 6:30 PM on Thursday night when the car was struck by another vehicle.

When Roksana got out of the car to exchange information with the other driver, someone (presumably an accomplice) rushed into the Maserati and bolted with the vehicle.

Fortunately, Roksana was not hurt during the incident -- but still, that SUCKS!

Officials tell TMZ Sports there have been 6 other "bump and run" style car thefts in the past week and there's strong reason to believe they're related.

Mick Foley says his old WWE tag team partner, The Rock, would make a GREAT President -- and he seriously hopes Dwayne Johnson runs for office in 2020.

This is not a joke!

After The Rock told GQ that entering the race for the White House is a "real possibility" -- we asked Foley if he'd support the other half of the legendary "Rock n Sock Connection."

"I think the Rock has the potential to unite this country in a very real way," Foley says.

"I think he should run as an Independent and make it clear that he wants to work with everyone."

And the debates with Trump?? Foley says they'd be LEGENDARY!

And he's not the only wrestling superstar throwing his support behind Johnson -- we spoke with Taz who says Rock would crush it in Washington.

And yeah ... he's serious too.

Can you SMELLLLLL ... what President ROCK is cookin'?!?!

Here's the best example of keeping it real we've ever seen ... Bears rookie -- the 2nd pick in the Draft -- Mitch Trubisky pushing his grandma's '97 Toyota Camry to his first pro football camp.

Before we go any further, Trubisky is rich -- with the #2 pick projected to have a contract valued around the $30 million ... so he definitely doesn't HAVE to push granny's ride to practice.

So, why's he doing it? Mitch is keeping a promise to Bears GM Ryan Pace, who asked the new QB to drive his "beat-up" car to his first practice.

Kid's a man of his word ... are you paying attention, Toyota?

Forget round tables ... Charlie Hunnam says he drew inspiration for his role in 'King Arthur' from a different shape -- an Octagon cage.

Now that Aaron Hernandez is no longer a convicted murderer, Robert Kraft WILL fork over a check for the $6 million he reportedly owes the ex-NFL star ... so says Willie McGinest.

As we previously reported, Aaron's legal team has been in contact with NFL agents to determine if the New England Patriots will have to pay out the remainder of his deal due to the abatement of his murder conviction.

McGinest -- who played 12 seasons with the Patriots -- says he believes Kraft will ultimately oblige and pay what he owes ... for 2 reasons.

The first reason -- McGinest says Kraft "has a heart" and will want to make sure Aaron's daughter is taken care of.

The second reason -- McGinest says if the law requires him to pay, he's not the kind of guy who will try to duck his obligation.

Junior Dos Santos says he has very specific plans for Stipe Miocic -- he's gonna knock him out at UFC 211 in Dallas this weekend ... and then take him out for a nice BBQ dinner!!

Here's the thing ... Junior says he plans on disposing of Stipe in a very violent way -- a ferocious K.O. early in the fight.

If this is true ... watch out.

Kenyon Martin Jr. -- a high school sophomore -- says he's confident he can beat his ex-NBA superstar father in 1-on-1 ... and his dad isn't really disputing it!

Kenyon Jr. is 6'6", 185 lbs and is already being recruited by some big college programs. The fact he's already got highlights that have gone viral doesn't hurt.

So, when Jr. and Sr. were out earlier Thursday, we had to ask, who's the better player right now?

Kid doesn't lack confidence.

The Game shoulda done more research about Michael Jordan before accusing him of slighting the black community ... so says ESPN's LZ Granderson.

As we previously reported, Game has vowed to buy a whole bunch of Lonzo Ball's $495 per pair ZO2 kicks instead of Air Jordans ... partially because he doesn't feel MJ has done enough for black people.

But Granderson says Game is simply misinformed when it comes to Jordan -- telling TMZ Sports, "Jordan does give back to the community. He just doesn't publicize it as much."

Granderson says MJ has been a big supporter for decades but it's mostly been "on the low."

If the Clippers wanna win next year, they GOTTA trade Blake Griffin ... so says current NBA player (and former Clippers teammate) Jared Dudley.

Dudley isn't just a sharpshooter for the Phoenix Suns, he's a league expert -- so when we got him leaving Warwick in L.A. we asked what Lob City needs to do to avoid getting punked in the playoffs.

His answer? Trade Blake Griffin ... and Dudley explains why it's the perfect move.

By the way, Dudley played with Griffin in '13-'14 -- meaning he probably won't be invited to the team reunion dinner now ... which would never really happen because they didn't win anything.

Cam Newton turns 28 today ... and he celebrated by hitting the water with the mother of his children on a crazy expensive Caribbean vacation.

Cam and Kia Proctor -- who he has 2 kids with -- were spotted out on jet skis Wednesday ... having a blast.

But the best part ... Cam made his own birthday music video showing off all the awesome stuff he's been doing on vacation ... and it's SICK AS HELL!

Yachts, ATVs, dance parties ... looks like his birthday wish has already come true.

It was Way Back Wednesday for Zach Randolph -- who rocked a Portland Trail Blazers hat to the club last night ... despite the fact he's still technically on the Memphis Grizzlies.

Randolph becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season -- and there's a buzz he could head to Miami or Denver ... or maybe even strike a new deal with the Grizzlies.

So, is the Trail Blazers hat he rocked to Warwick in Hollywood on Wednesday a clue ... or a throwback?

Remember, he played with Portland from 2001 to 2007 and became a superstar there while playing with guys like Rasheed Wallace, Bonzi Wells and Damon Stoudamire ('memba the Jail Blazers?).

Or maybe he just liked the hat with his outfit.