TMZ Sports - Page 50

Forget candy, jewelry and teddy bears ... Cookie Johnson says Magic's secret to Valentine's Day is simple -- FLOWERS AND DINNER!!!

"He goes more out for birthdays and things like that," Magic's wife tells TMZ Sports.

Of course, Magic doesn't usually have the chance to ball out on Feb. 14 ... Cookie says the couple is almost ALWAYS on the road for the day at the NBA's All-Star festivities.

Things don't appear to be changing this year ... Cookie was actually on her way to the big event when we got her at LAX on Wednesday morning.

But, it seems Magic's V-Day plans are working all right for the couple ... Cookie and the Lakers GM have been together for decades -- and she's just fine with MJ's annual game plan.

"We do a nice dinner, something like that."

Ya hear that??? It ain't too late to return that necklace!!!

Ben Simmons and Kendall Jenner just learned how tragedy can bring a couple closer together ... because lovebirds spent some quality time moments after Ben was assaulted on the hoops court.

By a vicious, savage, disrespectful, jaw-dropping dunk.

It happened during the Knicks vs. 76ers game Wednesday night, when Knicks rookie Kevin Knox delivered a two-handed destruction to Simmons that shook social media to its core (which is pretty easy to do).

It happened in front of a packed house of celebrities including Regina King (who almost got bulldozed by Joel Embiid), Tracy Morgan, Karrueche Tran, Justin Long and Maluma.

Kendall was there too, and after the game she and Ben hit the town with some pretty long (but beautiful) faces, probably contemplating Ben's basketball future, while dealing with post-dunk PTSD.

Here's the play ... please don't allow any young kids, people with cardiac conditions or small dogs to watch.

America almost lost a legend Wednesday night ... but thankfully, Joel Embiid's hops saved the day.

Golden Globe-winning actress Regina King had courtside seats at MSG for the Sixers and Knicks game ... but it might've been TOO close to the action considering what went down in the 3rd quarter.

Embiid went chasing after a loose ball that was heading for the stands, forcing him to jump over RK in the process ... and you can tell by King's face -- she was SHOOK.

Embiid ended up kicking the dude behind King square in the chest ... but he appeared to be just fine.

King tweeted about the scare ... saying, "Yoooo. Thank you God and @JoelEmbiid for your athletic abilities. Crisis averted."

John Elway made a desperate move trading for Joe Flacco ... and it could end up being a HUGE mistake -- so says Elvis Dumervil, who tells TMZ Sports, "Flacco is no Peyton Manning."

Elway took a page out of his 2012 Broncos playbook Wednesday ... acquiring a veteran Super Bowl MVP with the hopes of revitalizing a tired Denver franchise.

The problem? Elvis says Flacco ain't even close to what Manning was when Denver picked him up 7 years ago ... and now the former Bronco is SERIOUSLY concerned for the team's GM.

"It's a big gamble. Definitely desperate, no doubt ... It can be a great deal, or it can be another bad decision by John Elway."

Elvis' biggest issue with the move is Flacco's skill set -- the pass rusher tells us Joe NEEDS a good OC to thrive ... and he's worried that ain't there in Denver.

In fact, Dumervil says if Flacco DOESN'T have an elite play caller ... things are gonna get ugly at Mile High quickly -- the exact opposite of what went down after Elway signed Manning.

"[Elway] did a genius move with Peyton Manning. But unfortunately, Joe Flacco is no Peyton Manning."

You can't ball like Steph Curry ... but you can at least be romantic like him -- 'cause Ayesha Curry is giving TMZ Sports the superstar's Valentine's Day secrets!!!

We asked the real chef Curry to spill the beans on her hubby's go-to V-Day plans while out in New York on Wednesday ... and she gave us a rough outline of how it goes down in the Curry household.

Ya gotta hear it straight from her -- there's some steak ... some wine ... and "lots" of secret ingredients!!!

Imagine you're in line at In-N-Out ... about to order a delicious double-double with fries and a shake -- and all of a sudden, you get a call from Donald Trump!!!

DO YOU GET OUT OF LINE?!

That's exactly what happened to PGA Tour pro Pat Perez during Trump's presidential campaign -- and you bet your sweet ass he took that call!!! Here's how Pat's wife, Ashley, describes it:

"So [Trump's] assistant was like, 'Mr. Perez, Donald Trump would like to speak to you. Are you available?' And he's like, 'SH*T YES! I'm available!'"

Turns out, Perez -- who has 3 PGA Tour wins under his belt -- is a HUGE Trump supporter and while they've hung out in person before, they've never golfed together.

"I'd love to play with him," Perez told us while smokin' ciggies outside Craig's with Ashley ... "I'd love to get that chance."

So, why the passion for Trump?

50 Cent is going scorched Earth on Floyd Mayweather -- repeatedly blasting the boxer for undermining the Gucci blackface boycott ... and it's getting personal.

Of course, Mayweather publicly flouted the boycott and dropped thousands of dollars at Gucci on Monday night ... despite calls from stars like T.I. and Spike Lee to stop supporting the brand.

They're upset over a Gucci sweater that depicts blackface -- with T.I. calling the clothing item straight "racist."

Mayweather told TMZ Sports he refuses to let other people tell him how to live -- and blew off the boycott as irrelevant to him.

The move pissed off 50 Cent ... who's been lambasting Mayweather on social media non-stop -- telling the boxer he's been "saying all the wrong sh*t" ... and urging him to get a publicist.

He also posted a meme of Floyd in the blackface sweater.

50 seems to be putting his money where his mouth is -- he posted a video burning a Gucci shirt and says he's donating all of his Gucci to the homeless because he won't wear the brand anymore.

Remember, 50 and Floyd used to be friends ... then enemies ... then friends again ... and now back to enemies.

Cleveland Browns stud tight end David Njoku says he's "excited" to play with Kareem Hunt next season -- telling TMZ Sports the RB will only add more firepower to an already explosive offense.

"I'm really excited that he's here," Njoku said ... "I know he can definitely help our offense in years to come rather than just next year."

You already know the backstory with Hunt ... but Njoku says he's "comfortable" playing with the former Chiefs star and wants to help him move forward with his career.

Njoku is also STOKED to get back on the field with Baker Mayfield.

"Baker coming to Cleveland is one of the greatest things that's ever happened to us. His mindset, his mentality ... he's the man!"

Of course, Cleveland hasn't won a division title since 1989 -- but Njoku is confident 2019 will be the year the Dawg Pound gets back in the postseason ... thanks to stars like Nick Chubb, Antonio Callaway, Jarvis Landry and others.

"We're very confident in each other ... and it's going to be a very fun year next year."

We also spoke with Njoku about his brothers -- who are also freak athletes and will both be playing college ball next season -- and he says he wouldn't be surprised if they're all balling in the league at the same time!!

Zion Williamson is SO good ... a shoe company could sign the guy to a $100 MILLION contract when he leaves Duke -- so says Jay Williams.

TMZ Sports spoke with the Blue Devils legend out in NYC when he told us Zion is so insanely talented, he should get the biggest sneaker contract since LeBron James.

"He has that marketability. That smile. And, who else is 6'7", 285 with a 43-inch vertical that can entertain you like that? Nobody."

Of course, LBJ famously signed a 7-year, $90 million Nike contract back in 2003 before he entered the NBA. But, most guys coming out since haven't come close to those figures.

In fact, DeAndre Ayton's deal with Puma last year was worth just a reported "multi-million dollars."

Translation ... NOWHERE near 9 figures.

But, Jay says Zion deserves a deal at least as big as LeBron's ... and seeing as it's been nearly 16 years since that contract -- doesn't seem it'd surprise him if that was in the $100 MILLION range!!!

Johnny Manziel ain't the only one in his family with moves -- his wife, Bre Tiesi Manziel, put her ass-shaking skills on display at a huge bash in Hollywood ... and we've got the footage.

Mr. and Mrs. Manziel -- along with stars like Farrah Abraham and Steelo Brim -- hit up Avenue nightclub in Hollywood for the launch of Bre's lingerie line, Se Mouiller.

Tiesi -- who created and designed the lingerie -- has been working on the line for years. Last year, she threw a private party in L.A. to introduce the brand ... with huge stars like Diddy and Trey Songz.

And, on Tuesday night, she went hard -- dancing it up with her friends, including "Bad Girls Club" star Natalie Nunn ... who was also promoting her eyelash line, Natalie Lashes.

Of course, Johnny was on hand to support his lady -- especially when she was grinding up another lady friend.

Good times!

Ex-Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle adamantly denied rape allegations in court Tuesday ... saying he didn't commit a crime because, "she never said no."

The former NFL player was arrested last September in Sedgwick County, Kansas for allegedly raping a woman for hours ... and was later hit with 11 charges including rape and aggravated criminal sodomy.

He appeared in court Tuesday to face the charges ... and told a judge he was innocent, saying, "She didn’t tell me. She never said nothing. She never said no. So how am I supposed to know?”

The alleged victim said otherwise ... testifying that Randle had gotten drunk, punched her in the face and forced her to have sex with him.

The woman claims she was able to escape ... and half-nakedly ran to her neighbor's home to call 911.

A Wichita Police officer testified in court Randle reeked of booze when he showed up to the scene.

Randle adamantly denied everything ... yelling at the judge multiple times -- which caused the judge to fire back at the ex-RB for speaking out of turn.

Randle did not enter a plea -- the arraignment portion of his hearing has been postponed to a date later this month.

His defense attorneys argue the 27-year-old -- who's been in and out of jail and mental health facilities for months -- isn't mentally competent to stand trial at this time.

The judge said he didn't agree ... but acknowledged Randle's mental health issues could be brought up in the case at a later date.

Broncos legend Terrell Davis says he's FIRED UP about John Elway's decision to bring Joe Flacco to Denver -- telling TMZ Sports, "I like the move because you're being aggressive."

The Hall of Famer -- who won 2 Super Bowls with Elway -- says he respects the fact that Elway isn't rolling the dice and betting the season on getting a quality QB in the draft.

Instead, Davis says Elway made a smart move in bringing in a guy with real Super Bowl experience and leadership ... the kinds of qualities that can change the culture of an organization.

Davis says it's clear Case Keenum wasn't the answer as QB in 2018 -- and TD says he's not convinced the 2019 NFL Draft class is "rich of young quarterbacks."

Davis also really likes Flacco's arm -- and says with the right coaching staff around him, he can lead the Broncos back to the promised land.

Sounds like Floyd Mayweather wants to be the next big sports agent -- and he's already making his pitch to sign future NBA superstar Zion Williamson.

Floyd already runs Mayweather Promotions -- and reps a bunch of young boxing stars. But, Floyd tells us he's been working with NBA agent Alonzo Earle and he has serious interest in signing basketball players.

So, what's the pitch? Floyd says he can teach young superstars like Zion to not only make a ton of money during their careers, but he'll make sure they're financially set in RETIREMENT too.

"If Zion signs with me, you got my word that he gonna have a comfortable life when he's on the court and off the court ... if he did."

To prove his point, Floyd busted open a backpack filled with about $500,000 in cash.

Don't worry, Floyd says he's not worried about being robbed because he's smart when it comes to personal security -- with TMT bodyguards like Jizzy Mack and Badou, in addition to undercover police officers.

Floyd will obviously have competition when it comes to signing Zion -- every major agency in the world is trying to land the Duke superstar ... including Jay-Z's Roc Nation Sports.

Add another victim to the list of people smitten by Tom Brady's gorgeous eyes and granite cheekbones, because it's pretty obvious Charles Barkley has a man crush on the G.O.A.T.

Barkley was on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Tuesday when his friendship with Patriots coach Bill Belichick became a topic of conversation.

Apparently, the two men have been friends for years, so much so that Chuck was invited to a Pats practice during Super Bowl week. That's when it happened ... he looked Tom Brady in the eyes.

"I said, 'Damn, you're a pretty man.' That's what I was thinking to myself. I got so embarrassed I started turning my head to talk to him."

BTW -- Barkley offered this up COMPLETELY UNPROMPTED ... which tells you just how much of an impression God's perfect creation made on him.

Don't worry Chuck ... we felt it too.

Washington Redskins president Bruce Allen ain't delusional about the future of his badly injured QB, Alex Smith ... telling TMZ Sports his fingers are crossed but they're not ruling out drafting a QB.

"Alex is getting better everyday and we're gonna keep our fingers crossed on how he's doing," Allen told us on Capitol Hill.

"We're going to listen to the doctors. Whatever the doctors tell us, that's what we'll do."

Of course, Smith's right leg was snapped in half in a game against the Texans on Nov. 18 ... with the QB breaking both his fibula and tibia to the point where bone poked through the skin.

After undergoing multiple major surgeries, the 34-year-old finally reappeared in public last month wearing a complex stabilizing brace around the injury.

We asked Allen if the team would be looking at drafting Kyler Murray. He smirked and told us, "I'm looking forward to meeting him at the combine along with 31 other teams."

We pushed to try and get info on the Washington draft strategy -- but Allen just smiled and told us, "We'll go with somebody, I promise you. We're gonna draft really good football players for the Redskins this year."

There's more ... Allen also told us the team is in talks with Adrian Peterson to bring back the RB for another season.

Famed DJ Deadmau5 says he will NOT apologize for using homophobic language while streaming on Twitch -- saying the slurs were only "intended to insult a f*ckin asshat who was being a f*cking asshat."

The man behind the megahit "Ghosts 'N' Stuff" got hit with a temporary suspension from the video game streaming site after reportedly referring to a troll as a "f*cking c**k-sucking stream sniper f*g" while playing PUBG.

Deadmau5 believes the ban is unfair -- and fired off a fiery new statement announcing he will no longer work with Twitch ... which is a HUGE deal considering he has 500,000 Twitch followers.

But, the statement is far from an apology ... in fact, he DEFENDS the offensive language he used during his live stream and accused Twitch of having a "double standard" when it comes to meting out punishment.

"I'm not going to stand for twitch's double standard when it comes to censoring and suspending me for harmless sh*t," the DJ said.

"While we've had some fun partnerships here and there, and they were a great company to work with... im gunna have to cut this one short. I dont have the capacity to deal with that kind of sh*t."

He added, "While what i said was generally toxic as f*ck, and not an ideology i hold closely to my moral standing by a f*ckin longshot."

"While it was intended to insult a f*ckin asshat who was being a f*cking asshat.... it wasnt 'directed at an entire group of people who have a sexual orientation that differs from my own'. f*ck off with that sh*t."

"I know who i am, and i dont have to f*cking sit here and cry and defend my f*cking self with the obligatory 'IM NOT THAT PERSON, I AM SORRY' reflex. If im sorry for antying, im sorry that we live in a world where bottom feeding pieces of sh*t can sit there starring at a monitor, watching me play videos games, and just waiting for someone to get tilted so he can get a few fucking clicks. thats what i'm sorry for."

And, if you think Deadmau5 is bluffing, you're wrong -- he's already deleted his Twitch channel.