TMZ Sports - Page 50

LaVar Ball is already making the right impression on his son's new boss -- with Jeanie Buss telling TMZ Sports the Big Baller did a "terrific job" on WWE's 'Monday Night Raw.'

The Lakers owner was leaving Craig's in West Hollywood when she dished out praise for Lonzo Ball and his dad ... and credited Magic Johnson for bringing the family on board.

"I have complete confidence that Magic Johnson has put together the pieces that we need."

She added, "Him and Rob Pelinka, our general manager, have really REALLY re-energized the roster."

The praise continued ... "Our coach, Luke Walton, is a coach that understands the modern NBA and I'm just looking forward to summer league which starts next Monday in Las Vegas!"

We also asked about her ex-boyfriend, Phil Jackson, and his situation in NY -- but Jeanie wasn't havin' it.

Jerry West says his new role with the L.A. Clippers DOES NOT require him to get involved in the efforts to resign Blake Griffin and Chris Paul ... telling TMZ Sports, "It's not my responsibility."

West was playing coy when we saw him leaving Caffe Roma in Bev Hills on Tuesday -- saying it's up to other key members of the organization to bring in the players ... "I'm just an adviser."

He added, "Hopefully, everyone will make the right decision."

Meanwhile, we also spotted Clippers' assistant coach Mike Woodson out -- he was WAY stronger on the issue ... telling us locking up the two free agents is definitely a priority.

Stay tuned ...

Kris Jenner is down with Khloe Kardashian's BF in a big way.

Kris was leaving Craig's in WeHo Tuesday night when our photog asked if she would welcome Tristan Thompson to the family, and she made her feelings clear.

Khloe and Tristan joined Kris Sunday night for Khloe's 33rd birthday party, and from all accounts Khloe and Tristan are on the road to sealing the deal.

BTW ... check out the video from Sunday night ... yet another dinner at Craig's. Kris is 61. Good job!

WWE star David Otunga says he was so blown away by LaVar Ball's shirtless antics on Monday Night Raw ... he wants to wrestle him ... and he's asking Vince McMahon to make it happen!

We spoke with the Raw commentator about LaVar's wrestling debut ... and Otunga says it was the most entertaining part of the night, even if he went "off the rails."

Otunga hopes Ball gets invited back ... saying he'd dust off his spandex for a shot at LaVar ... if Vince gave him the green light.

Otunga -- who's engaged to Jennifer Hudson -- also talked to us about a movie he made with his son for Father's Day ... and it's safe to say David Jr. takes after his star parents.

UFC rising star Kevin Lee had no idea someone had pooped in the Octagon before his match with Michael Chiesa on Sunday until AFTER the fight ... and jokes, "There shoulda been a disclaimer!"

Lee (along with guest co-host Tyron Woodley) joined the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show and talked about Justine Kish soiling the mat in the fight before the main event.

Two members of the Vanderbilt football team are recovering from gunshot wounds after one of the players allegedly drew a pellet gun against a group with real weapons.

It all went down Monday night in Nashville where defensive backs Tae Daley and Frank Coppet, along with WR Donaven Tennyson were meeting another group of people in an effort to buy back a stolen cell phone.

The phone -- which belonged to Tennyson -- was stolen the week before during a botched sale attempt that was arranged through a website.

Tennyson reportedly found his exact phone back for sale on the website and created a fake account to try to buy it back.

He reportedly arranged the meeting outside of a Target store -- and brought 2 teammates along for backup.

When they arrived and met the sellers, things got heated and Coppet pulled a pellet pistol on the other group.

Problem is ... the other guys had a REAL pistol and a shotgun and opened fire, striking Daley in the leg and Coppet in the arm.

The gunmen fled from the scene -- and also stole Daley's car in the process.

So far, no arrests have been made.

Story developing ...

Here's proof Bill Belichick is secretly a happy, smilin', ooey-gooey romantic ... courtesy of a lovey-dovey photo shoot with his girlfriend!!

The New England Patriots coach showed off his MUCH softer side with his longtime GF, Linda Holliday, for N Magazine ... strolling through meadows, holding hands, and other mushy stuff.

B.B.'s only wearing one of his Super Bowl rings, though (he went with S.B. 49) ... and even lets Holliday wear it on THAT finger for a couple pics.

The shoot almost comes off as a wedding photo shoot.

Soooooo ... Bill gettin' another ring this year???

La La Anthony says she and Carmelo Anthony are still "the best of friends" -- and are keeping things civil in their separation for the good of their son.

La La just appeared on the "The Wendy Williams Show" and opened up about her split from the NBA star -- explaining that she's not rushing to court to officially file divorce docs just yet.

"Marriages are tough," La La said ... "It’s filled with ups and downs and we’re just going through a time right now. But him and I are the best of friends and our number one commitment is to our son, Kiyan."

"We have to set an example to Kiyan. And that’s what’s most important. So I would absolutely never say a bad thing about my husband. That’s my son’s father and he is an amazing dad. I could not ask for a better dad."

Wendy noted that it seemed like Carmelo was trying to win her back.

La La replied, "Why wouldn't he!?"

We know the two have been trying to keep things civil -- they even got together for a Mother's Day dinner with Kiyan and seemed to be getting along.

John McEnroe isn't the only one who thinks Serena Williams would get crushed on the men's circuit -- Billie Jean King told us the exact same thing last year ... and backed it up with science.

Of course, McEnroe's been getting killed over an interview this week in which he praised Serena as the best female player in the world but noted, "If she played the men's circuit she'd be like 700 in the world."

Williams shot back on Twitter saying, "Dear John, I adore and respect you but please please keep me out of your statements that are not factually based."

She added, "I've never played anyone ranked 'there' nor do I have time. Respect me and my privacy as I'm trying to have a baby. Good day sir."

But the Serena vs. Men debate has been going on for a while -- and back in August, Billie Jean King told us pretty matter of factly that Serena would have zero chance against the best men on the planet.

BJK is a TITAN in women's sports -- most notably for pummeling Bobby Riggs (who was 55) in a co-ed tennis match dubbed the "Battle Of The Sexes" back in 1973.

Matt Barnes ain't going to jail for his role in a Dec. nightclub brawl in NYC -- but he will spend some time helping out the community per a plea deal in the case ... TMZ Sports has learned.

The Golden State Warriors star appeared in court Tuesday morning where he formally pled guilty to disorderly conduct and in exchange he was sentenced to 10 days of community service.

We broke the story ... Barnes and DeMarcus Cousins were in the middle of a violent altercation inside Avenue nightclub on Dec. 5 after he allegedly "butt bumped" a woman near his VIP booth.

The woman claimed Barnes choked her. Barnes claimed he was merely defending himself.

The NBA star was eventually arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault -- but he cut a deal with prosecutors to get a lighter sentence.

Barnes is due back in court in August for an update on the community service.

Of course, Barnes is also being sued by the victims in civil court -- they want Barnes and DeMarcus to pay up big-time for injuries they claim the players caused.

LaVar Ball got a major stamp of approval from one of the biggest celebrity WWE super fans on the planet, Wale -- who tells TMZ Sports the Big Baller "f**king killed it" on 'Raw.'

Here's the deal ... Wale is such a huge wrestling fan, he once socked a dude in the FACE at a live event back in 2014. He takes this stuff seriously.

So, with some people tearing LaVar apart for his crazy topless cameo -- the rapper went to bat for the leader of the BBB ... saying he straight-up LOVED IT.

That said ... Wale says LaVar has limits when it comes to his career in the squared circle.

Zach Randolph doesn't want to leave Memphis for a super team ... he wants to bring the super team to Memphis!!

Z-Bo is entering free agency after 8 seasons with the Grizzlies and everyone wants to know what his next move is gonna be.

With "super teams" being the hot topic, we asked Randolph if he would consider pulling a Durant and joining a loaded squad like Golden State or Cleveland.

"Memphis," Randolph replied ... "We're gonna build a super team there!"

With Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and Gordon Hayward available, it's not completely out of the question ... though even Zach seems to acknowledge it's unlikely they'll end up in the BBQ capital of the world.

We also talked about his teammate, Vince Carter, who's 40 years old -- and Randolph told us he thinks Vinsanity can ball in the NBA for at least another 4 years!!!

Zach says they don't call him "Half man, half amazing" for nothing.

Game. Set. Match.

Serena Williams wins again -- in a big way -- stripping down to her pregnant birthday suit for the cover of Vanity Fair ... and she SLAYYYYYYED.

In the issue, the tennis superstar also details how she found out she was pregnant on the set of a lingerie shoot (she took 6 pregnancy tests!) and how she fell in love with her fiance, Alexis Ohanian.

Also, Serena revealed she knew she was pregnant when she decided to compete in the Australian Open back in January ... a tournament she dominated and won!

In fact, Serena says she expects to return to pro tennis as soon as January.

Until then ... that cover. Damn.

This is weird and fun ...

Taylor Swift just made a congratulations video for newly crowned NBA MVP Russell Westbrook joking with the guy like they've been buddies for years -- even though they've never met.

The Oklahoma City Thunder star got the award Monday night -- and hours later, Taylor released the video saying, "Russell, it’s Taylor. Remember? I was the one who taught you how to play basketball?"

She jokes that she taught him everything he knows about basketball ... he gave her the idea for "Shake It Off" ... and that they go back 20 years.

She then admits they've actually never hung out together once.

Kinda funny. Kinda weird. Kinda sweet.

What's interesting ... Taylor really hasn't done any public interviews or appearances since February -- so this is sorta like her reintroduction to the spotlight. Who'da thunk she woulda used the NBA as a way in?

LaVar Ball got really into his appearance at WWE Raw ... seeing how he took off his shirt and flexed for all of America Monday night.

LaVar was facing off against The Miz in the ring, and as soon as the wrestler mentioned he was the Michael Jordan of WWE ... LaVar was up and shouting. Nothing like a little MJ talk to get the Mr. Ball rolling.

At first, he tries to get his son, LaMelo, to handle the situation -- but Miz gets right in his face for some classic trash talk. Then Miz loses his shirt ... and LaVar does the same.

Make no mistake about it, Oscar De La Hoya is still pissed Dana White scheduled his superfight 3 weeks before Canelo vs. GGG ... but he's just taken the first step in repairing their friendship.

Long story short ... De La Hoya says White broke a very serious unwritten rule between fight promoters -- a rule everyone from Don King to Bob Arum hold sacred.

But despite their feud over the McGregor vs. Mayweather fight -- De La Hoya tells TMZ Sports he still "loves" Dana and even made a pretty solid peace offering.

No word if Dana will accept ... he's still pretty pissed too.