TMZ Sports - Page 50

Kevin Durant seems to be making great progress -- because the NBA superstar was out in Los Angeles on Wednesday ... cruisin' around the restaurant scene WITHOUT crutches!

Remember, Durant tore his right Achilles on June 10 during Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals ... but the recovery is expected to be so tough, he could miss the entire 2019-20 season.

Which is why we were so impressed when we saw KD walking out of Catch restaurant in L.A. -- sure, there was a little hitch in his giddy up ... but overall, he was moving pretty well.

Durant didn't have much to say when we asked him about his comeback, but his legs did all the talking for him.

Of course, the last time we saw Durant ... he was leaving an office building in NYC with his leg bandaged and a medical scooter in tow.

Despite the injury, 30-year-old Durant signed a MASSIVE new contract with the Brooklyn Nets ... 4 years, $164 million.

If he does make it back for next season, Durant will join Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan on a Brooklyn team that could be VERY dangerous.

Lamar Odom's professional days on the hardwood might finally be over ... so says BIG3 coach Reggie Theus, who tells TMZ Sports he just doesn't think LO wants it badly enough.

"I just don't know if he's hungry enough if that's what he really wants to do," Theus says.

Odom just got the boot from the BIG3 earlier this month ... and our sources tell us it's because the 39-year-old just wasn't in shape to play.

When we got Reggie -- who coaches the league's Bivouac team -- out at LAX this week, he echoed those sentiments ... telling us he didn't really get the vibe Odom was taking the whole pro basketball thing seriously.

"You gotta be hungry," Theus says ... "You can't play this game not being hungry."

For his part, Odom acknowledges his whole BIG3 career was a "setback" ... but he told the guys on "TMZ Live" last week he still has his sights set on playing overseas.

Theus ain't so sure that's going to work out for the ex-NBA star ... telling us straight-up, "He's got other stuff going on -- sometimes you just got to be able to make a pivot."

"You can't play forever."

Tristan Thompson is finally clearing the air about the circumstances under which he met Khloe Kardashian ... and he's also defending his other baby mama.

Tristan on Wednesday debunked a report he had reunited with his first baby mama, Jordan Craig. There were reports Tristan, Jordan and their 2-year-old son, Prince, recently went on family vacay in Jamaica ... making it seem as if they were rekindling an old flame.

Tristan says there's ZERO truth to that ... and adds he's spent the last few months preparing for the NBA season, and that's it -- zero summer vacations. As for how the story took off ... seems Tristan posting a picture of Prince on a yacht in Jamaica made some people think he was there, but he's adamant he was not.

Then there's this ... in a second tweet, Tristan played a little belated defense, adamantly saying he met Khloe when he was single. As we reported ... there have been longtime allegations she cheated with Tristan at the expense of Jordan.

At the time, Khloe's story was Tristan pleading with her that his relationship with Jordan was over long before they met. He's backing that up now, insisting he was absolutely a free agent.

Someone's really screwed the pooch this time -- at least that's how the owner of a reigning dog surfing champ feels after getting blocked from defending the crown.

Sources connected to the World Dog Surfing Championships, going down in San Fran this weekend, tell TMZ ... the reason Gidget The Pug was not invited back to compete this year -- after winning 2 categories last year, including the Goughnuts Top Dogs Award -- is Gidget's owner's fault.

We're told Gidget's owner was pissed that despite her pooch's victories, she was not featured in press materials or social media campaigns. Instead, WDSC hyped another doggo named Derby ... who's bigger and rocked shades while hanging 20.

Our Dog Surfing sources say the owner was constantly blowing up event staff and organizers demanding Gidget get more promotional face time. Not only that, but we're told the owner was riling up folks in the pug community to crap on the event.

We're told WDSC's top dogs made a call to cut loose Gidget and her owner.

Now, as for what the owner has to say about this ... she feels strongly Gidget was snubbed, but doesn't understand why. The owner claims that after making a simple request to get Gidget's photo in a WDSC press release, the event staff got argumentative and demanded the medals and accolades back.

The owner says she didn't budge on that. She says Gidget also won a bunch of categories in 2017 and claims the pup was slighted then too. Her biggest complaint is the lack of recognition is sabotaging Gidget's shot at a book deal. No joke.

Master P says he's thrilled his pal, Michael Thomas, signed a $100 MIL contract with the Saints -- but he's warning the WR to be SMART with his cash so he doesn't end up like Adrian Peterson.

Of course, Master P is like the King of New Orleans -- he knows everyone down there including Michael and his dad, "Big Mike."

The No Limit boss says Michael's dad played a huge role in helping the 26-year-old land that fat 5-year, $100 million deal ... telling TMZ Sports, "Fathers and sons are winning!"

Master P famously made a FORTUNE during his days as a hip-hop mogul -- so he's offering up some tips for Thomas so he can STAY RICH after his NFL career is over.

"Invest in stuff that you believe in. Don't let these financial advisers steal your money like it's been happening [to guys like] Kevin Garnett, Adrian Peterson."

"Watch your money, write your own checks," P said ... adding, "Invest time into economics, into banking."

In other words, don't bury your head in the sand when it comes to your money -- the best person you can trust when it comes to your finances is YOURSELF!!!

As for Peterson, he's made more than $100 mil during his storied NFL career -- but he's reportedly fallen into debt and can't pay his way out of it.

Ex-Pittsburgh Steelers running back and former NFL analyst Merril Hoge says Roundup weed killer caused him to get cancer back in 2003 ... and now, he's suing.

The 54-year-old says he first mixed and sprayed the popular weed killer all over while he was working on a farm in Idaho back in 1977.

Twenty-six years later -- in Feburary 2003 -- he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma ... and now, he's claiming it's the weed killer's fault.

In a new lawsuit obtained by TMZ Sports, Hoge says the makers of Roundup -- Monsanto Company -- knew an ingredient called glyphosate could potentially cause cancer ... but says they failed to properly warn him of the risks.

Hoge says if he had known the chemical's side effects ... he would have used a different, less dangerous product.

Now, Hoge is suing the company for an undisclosed amount ... claiming it caused him "life-threatening" cancer as well as a "diminished enjoyment of life."

For its part, Monsanto has categorically denied its product causes cancer.

Hoge played 8 seasons in the NFL -- 7 with the Steelers -- from 1987 to 1994 ... before head injuries forced him to retire after the '94 season.

Andy Reid has joined Donovan McNabb's quest for Canton ... saying without hesitation the quarterback belongs in the Hall of Fame.

It's been a huge debate since McNabb joined the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show back in May ... and stated his case for why he deserves a gold jacket -- using some impressive stats to back his argument.

The K.C. Chiefs coach -- who won 101 games with McNabb under center -- was asked for his take on the topic on Wednesday .... and he's siding with his old QB.

"I'm his biggest fan," Reid told reporters at training camp. "I was there. I know he belongs there. When you talk about the great players in the National Football League, five championship games, a Super Bowl, all those things."

"Good football player, man. Great football player and did some things that weren't being done at that particular time in a lot of areas."

"I think the world of him."

DO YOU SMEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL ... another WWE superstar in the making?

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson certainly does ... explaining why the Scottish Psychopath -- aka Drew McIntyre -- could be the next big thing in pro wrestling!

The People's Champ was out in NYC promoting his new flick, 'Hobbs & Shaw,' when he stopped to tell Adam Glyn why he thinks McIntyre has superstar potential.

"I think he's got a great look, great build," Rock says ... noting that he's only getting BETTER every time he steps in the ring.

Rock even offered up some advice to McIntyre ... reminding him to "[continue] to hone in on his craft and connect with the audience which is always the most important thing."

McIntyre is 34 years old and he's already built an impressive resume -- former NXT Champion, former WWE Intercontinental Champion and 2-time Tag Team Champion.

McIntyre has been dreaming of being a pro wrestling superstar since he was a kid and began training at 15 years old. He made his WWE debut back in 2007.

A coach of an all-female football team got into a HEATED argument with his quarterback ... and got so pissed during the altercation, he threw a chair across the locker room!!!

It all went down at the Legends Football League game on July 20 ... when Chicago head coach Sidney Lewis flipped out after the Bliss suffered an 8-6 loss to the Nashville Knights.

Lewis was ticked off over the team's play -- the Bliss had 4 fumbles, 2 INTs and 3 penalties in the loss -- and he was LAYING INTO his team for the poor performance.

Turns out, quarterback Chaz Duson took some exception to the comments ... and the two got into it.

At one point, Lewis was so pissed over the altercation -- he grabbed a chair and HURLED it into a wall!!!

Then, Lewis got face-to-face with the QB ... and had to ultimately be restrained by other players before the camera cut out.

It's been a brutal year for the Bliss -- they lost all four of their games this season and won't be making the playoffs.

Nikki Bella says she's "so happy" John Cena has found love again ... but don't expect the old couple to break bread together with their new partners anytime soon.

As we previously reported ... Cena was spotted makin' out with his new GF, Shay Shariatzadeh, on a steamy date in Tampa over the weekend.

TMZ Sports spoke with Bella -- who's now dating dancer Artem Chigvintsev -- about her ex's new romance .... and she's showing a lot of love for Cena.

"Oh my gosh, so happy for him," Bella says.

Of course -- Cena and Bella dated for years before breaking up in July 2018. John didn't give up on the relationship without a fight though ... he publicly pleaded to get Nikki back.

But, that's all old news and both sides have moved on ... and Nikki says she's down to be friends with Cena.

But, as for a double date with Artem, John and Shay??? Probably not gonna happen.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Nick Buoniconti -- who famously launched a charity to cure paralysis -- has died after a struggle with dementia. He was 78.

Buoniconti was a stud linebacker at Notre Dame who was drafted by the Boston Patriots of the AFL in 1962 ... but went on to become a superstar for the Miami Dolphins from 1969 to 1976.

During his career, Buoniconti racked up 2 Super Bowl rings, made 2 Pro Bowls and was a 6-time AFL All Star. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001.

Buoniconti believed he suffered from CTE due to his football career and in 2017 he announced that he would donate his brain for research purposes after his death.

During an interview, Buoniconti once said of his condition, "I’m positive that football caused this ... I always loved [the game]. I still do. But I’m paying the price."

Nick famously launched The Buoniconti Fund after his son, Marc, became paralyzed during a college football game in 1985. The Fund helped launch the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, which has become one of the global leaders in neurological research.

Nick and Marc were famously featured on an episode of HBO's "Real Sports."

Nick also hosted "Inside the NFL" from 1980 until 2001.

And get this, while playing for the Patriots, Nick earned his law degree and became a sports agent who represented a bunch of MLB players ... including Andre Dawson.

Yankees legendary owner George Steinbrenner once said Nick was the toughest negotiator he ever faced.

Long story short, Nick lived a pretty amazing life and will be missed.

WARNING -- If you come within 10 feet of Ben Simmons, there's a 100% chance he's gonna dunk on your ass ... and some kids in Australia found that out REAL QUICK!!

The NBA superstar attended the Helping Hoops charity basketball event in Melbourne on Wednesday ... and turned it into an absolute dunking CLINIC on the kids in attendance.

The vid is awesome ... Ben dribbles the ball up the court and puts his defender on a poster. The players lost their minds and Simmons playfully taunts his opponent for even jumping to block the inevitable dunk.

But, it's not like anyone was getting embarrassed by Simmons' rim shakers -- it looks like they WANTED the challenge of going face-to-face with the Sixers stud ... lining up to go against the 6'10" hooper.

Hey, it's not every day you can get dunked on by an All-Star ... can you blame 'em?!

By the way, Helping Hoops is all about supporting kids from underprivileged backgrounds through basketball -- basically, they run free hoops programs for more than 1,000 kids.

Cowboys fans should be pointing the finger at the NBA for Ezekiel Elliott's holdout this month ... so says Too Short, who tells TMZ Sports, basketball players "f*cked up" the NFL!!!

The rapper was standing outside of Bootsy Bellows in L.A. ... when he decided to drop the "f*cking truth" about NFL contract holdouts to our camera guy.

And, yeah ... dude says it's all Adam Silver's fault.

"The f*cking truth is that basketball f*cked everybody up in the head!"

Too Short says all the wild deals NBA owners have given out to mediocre players throughout the past couple seasons has poisoned NFL players who think they deserve MILLIONS now.

"Everybody was like, 'You get $100 million! You get $100 million! You get $150! You get $180! You get $220!' It's f*cked up, now!"

Too Short added, "Athletes are like, 'It's f*cked up. You gotta give us our money!'"

Bad news for the NFL ... it seems to be working -- 'cause Michael Thomas' holdout in New Orleans just ended with a new, 5-year $100 MILLION deal ... and most think Zeke's holdout will end in a similar way.

Hey ... is that Cam Newton in the canned food aisle?! YEP!!!

Turns out, the Carolina Panthers QB doesn't just wear his bizarre outfits to training camp, he also rocks the look at Walmart!!!

Newton was spotted at the store in Charlotte recently -- where the person who shot the pics told us Cam was cruising the aisles for about an hour before checking out.

Shoppers initially weren't sure if the man in the overalls, scarf and funky hat was actually Cam -- but, yeah ... that's definitely him. Who else would it be?!

Cam prides himself on his fashion ... nice to see the entire world is his runway, including supermarkets.

LeSean McCoy was ordered to pay $55,000 to a police officer who was injured in a 2016 bar fight that was captured on video and posted by TMZ Sports.

The fight went down at the Recess Lounge in Philadelphia on Feb. 7, 2016 ... when Roland Butler, who was off-duty at the time, got into an argument with LeSean's friend.

Cops said the fight began over a dispute over a champagne bottle. A witness told TMZ Sports things were tense ... but didn't explode until the champagne bottle was knocked to the ground and shattered.

A full-blown brawl broke out in the middle of the club ... and  you can see in footage obtained by TMZ Sports, McCoy is throwing at least one punch at Butler, who was down on the ground.

Butler suffered serious injuries in the fight ... including a broken nose, cuts to the face, broken ribs, a broken thumb and more. He claims the injuries forced him to miss months of work.

Despite video evidence and multiple witnesses, McCoy was never criminally charged over the incident ... with the person who was the Philadelphia DA at the time explaining:

"There is insufficient evidence to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, who started the fight and under what circumstances."

In fact, McCoy had argued at the time that he only acted out of self-defense.

Butler sued McCoy and McCoy's friend, Tamarcus Porter, a former college football player -- and the case eventually went to arbitration where they were each ordered to pay $55,000 to Butler, according to ESPN.

McCoy has already paid his judgment. Porter has not.

The NFL investigated the incident back in 2016 -- but ultimately did not punish McCoy for his role in the fight.

Jorge Masvidal has a message for Conor McGregor -- LET'S FIGHT!!!

The 34-year-old UFC superstar is on a tear right now ... he destroyed Darren Till in March and put Ben Askren to sleep in 5 seconds earlier this month and the fans have been calling on Dana White to match up Jorge with Conor.

And, guess what ... when we spoke with Masvidal, he told us he's ALL THE WAY DOWN -- if Conor wants to make it happen.

There was no trash talking ... there was no disrespect -- just one professional fighter telling another professional fighter that he's ready, willing and able to sit down and hash out a deal.

"I got good things to say about Conor," Jorge told TMZ Sports ... "He's done a lot in the sport and he's made his money already and if he feels he's not getting the money he deserves to come back, man I'm gonna be the first one to applaud him and be like do your thing my brother."

But ... "If he wants to come back and he wants somebody that's gonna stand with him and give him the type of fights that he likes, look no further my brother!"

Jorge says there's one BIG catch ... he doesn't want to have to "flirt" with Conor to bait him into the fight.

"Let's just scrap if were gonna scrap ... and if not, NEXT!"

Of course, Dana White recently told us he did NOT want to make the Masvidal vs. McGregor fight because Conor is too small physically to be fighting someone Jorge's size.

FYI, Jorge's last fight was at 170. Conor's last fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov was at 155.

But, Jorge thinks Dana's assessment is wrong -- insisting their natural weights are closer than people think. Conor also told Dana recently the "too big" argument is BS.

Besides, if they DO fight ... Jorge says he expects the two to stand and bang -- giving the fans the kind of violent show they've been begging for.

"He knows I'm only going for one thing on him -- the off button. I'm not going in there to outpoint him or nothing."

Masvidal ended with one final message to the Irishman ...