TMZ Sports - Page 50

Trae Young is going to bat for his NBA buddy, Devin Booker ... saying the dude had every right to throw a tantrum in a pickup game Monday -- adding it's insane people were double-teaming him!!!

"DBook speaking facts," Trae said of the Phoenix Suns superstar Wednesday ... "There should be NO Double Teaming in pick up."

Of course, Booker went off on some guys in an open-run sesh earlier this week when he was doubled on the baseline while trying to attack the basket.

"Hey, bro, we not doubling in open gym, bro!" Booker yelled.

Devin caught a ton of heat for the blowup, with people claiming he was being a baby ... but Trae came to his defense on Twitter, saying Booker SHOULDA been pissed.

"When you trying to work on your game, and work on the moves and things you do individually in pick up... it’s annoying getting double teamed in that type of setting."

Trae added, "Just Sayin.. #OnlyAFewUnderstand"

For his part, Booker clearly appreciated the backing ... writing, "Only a few."

Scottie Pippen's estranged wife, Larsa Pippen, says she is NOT hooking up with NBA superstar Ben Simmons ... adamantly denying she was getting close to the hooper earlier this week.

There were reports Pippen and Kendall Jenner's recent ex-boyfriend were looking like a couple at The Highlight Room on Monday night ... with the non-couple leaving within minutes of each other that night.

The news would be a MAJOR deal in the Kardashian world since Larsa is BFFs with Kim and Kourtney. #SCANDALOUS!!

But, Larsa is having NONE of that talk ... saying she never even saw the 23-year-old Sixers point guard that night ... and would NEVER betray a family friend a la Jordyn Woods.

"I never even saw him, let alone left with him," Larsa said in a heated IG story. "He dated my bff's sister and I would never."

Seems like a low-key shot at Woods -- Kylie's ex-BFF -- who hooked up with Tristan Thompson which led to a messy split with Khloe Kardashian.

Ben and Kendall dated for a year and broke up sometime around May ... and he famously dated singer Tinashe prior to that.

Touching moment on the baseball field Tuesday ... Aaron Judge took time out of his pregame warmup to surprise a little kid whose dad just recently died -- and their meeting was awesome.

Kellen Wilson's father, Kyle -- who attended Judge's alma mater, Fresno State -- tragically passed away last October at the age of the 36 ... and Judge was so moved by the story, he sent the kid a jersey a few weeks later.

But, when Aaron's Yankees made the trip to Wilson's hometown to play the A's on Tuesday ... it was unclear if Judge would be able to meet up with Kellen in person, especially after the team bypassed pregame batting practice.

But, Judge made the time to go seek out Kellen anyway ... and the two had an awesome meeting -- which Kellen's mom said was a complete surprise to everyone.

"He [Kellen] had no idea, though [that he was going to meet Judge]," Chelsy Wilson told MLB.com ... "And we had no idea. And when the Yankees didn’t take batting practice, they thought no way."

"But Kyle is pulling strings from above. We are so grateful to Mr. Judge. He has been an incredible role model to Kellen, even sending Kellen a jersey back in December."

6-foot-7 Judge took a picture with Kellen on the field, signed his jersey and autographed his bat ... and the two were even able to have a short conversation.

Then, Judge went out and hit one of the most monstrous home runs of the season ... blasting a 474-footer!!!

"He is exactly the kind of human and player Kyle told Kellen to look up to," Chelsy said. "How hard he works. How he treats others. And all he stands for."

Roger Federer caused insane pandemonium out in the Big Apple on Tuesday ... when a crush of passionate fans crowded together to try to get a brief glimpse of the tennis superstar.

TMZ Sports got video of the insane scene outside Uniqlo on Fifth Avenue in NYC ... where Federer was doing a Q&A for the clothing brand.

Of course ... Federer -- currently the #3 ranked male tennis player -- famously left Nike for the Japanese company last year for $300 MILLION.

Just by looking at the scene outside the store, it's clear 38-year-old Federer is still one of the biggest sports superstars on the planet.

Of course, it's something that tends to happen when international ballers hit up NYC ... remember how bonkers it got when Manchester United superstar Paul Pogba hit up the Adidas store last month?

Mario Williams -- the #1 overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft -- was arrested for trespassing Tuesday after an incident at a woman's home in Houston, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

The 34-year-old defensive end -- who hasn't played in the NFL since 2016 -- was allegedly inside of the home without permission.

Sources connected to the incident tell us Williams "broke into the home and began yelling at" the woman who lives there. We're told the woman was extremely emotional and screamed at him to get out.

Cops were called to the scene and Williams was arrested and taken to a nearby jail where he was booked for trespassing. Bond was set at $100, which Williams has already paid. He's now out of custody according to official records.

Court records show Williams is listed at 6'7", 290 lbs.

Records show Williams has been ordered to undergo a mental health or intellectual disability assessment. According to the KHOU.com, the woman has previously filed a restraining order against Mario.

Williams is due back in court August 27.

Williams was a beast in the NFL -- making the Pro Bowl in 4 different seasons, along with 3 All Pro Teams.

After being signed with the #1 pick -- over Reggie Bush -- he signed a 6-year, $54 million rookie contract. After that, he famously signed a massive $100 million contract in 2012 with the Buffalo Bills -- with $25 million guaranteed. He last played with the Miami Dolphins in 2016.

Cristiano Ronaldo says 2018 was "probably my worst year ever" after publicly being accused of raping a woman more than 10 years ago in Las Vegas.

The soccer superstar was accused of sexual assault by Kathryn Mayorga in June 2009 after meeting her at a nightclub. She claims he took her back to his hotel room and raped her.

Cops opened an investigation last year and eventually decided that CR7 will NOT be charged in the case ... but Ronaldo says it was hard to have people question his character.

"When people question your honor, it hurts, it hurts a lot," Ronaldo told Portuguese television TVI.

Ronaldo did not address the case specifically, but really didn't need to. It's obvious he's referring to the allegation.

"When people attack your honor, it is difficult."

Lenny Dykstra's new fight training video shows the ex-MLB has real knockdown power ... because he almost put HIMSELF on the mat throwing a left hook!!!

Nails hit a boxing gym in NYC to train for his upcoming celebrity boxing match against Chris Morgan, AKA Angry Bagel Guy ... and he's working on everything from jabs to power shots.

Lenny is cocky as hell ... and with good reason, he's a former world-class athlete and Bagel Guy ... well, he's just angry.

But, remember, Bagel Guy has been training with legit UFC superstars -- and he's taking the fight very seriously.

So is Lenny from what we're told ... he's been working with Mel Millington, a former Marine-turned-boxing trainer.

Lenny's jabs looked pretty decent but his footwork needs help -- dude almost fell down throwing that hook.

It's all going down Sept. 28 at the Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City -- and Lenny says if/when he pummels Bagel Guy, he wants his NEXT fight to be against Mickey Rourke.

The legend of Bronny James continues to grow ... this time in China, with LeBron's kid hitting a wild circus shot against some international competition, and driving a packed gym wild.

Bronny is in China with Zaire Wade and the rest of his Sierra Canyon High School hoops teammates (yes, a high school basketball team is touring China, things have changed) and they're being treated like STARS!

He seems to be earning the treatment ... because LeBron Sr. just posted video of the his kid going hard to the rim and taking the contact, finishing with a Jordan-esque reverse finish.

Bronny has been tearing up the grassroots basketball circuit all-year long, but this is our first look at him as a high school athlete, and the early returns are pretty strong.

Gigi Hadid and Tyler Cameron are going strong after his one-and-done date with 'Bachelorette' Hannah B. -- and now, he's rubbing shoulders with Serena Williams!!!

Talk about riding the fame wave, huh? Tyler and Gigi were spotted out with the tennis legend Tuesday night at La Esquina in NYC, where they were hugging it out with a friend on the way out. Serena was on the move, but they all seemed to be together.

No sign of Serena's hubby, Alexis Ohanian, here -- but Serena was with another tennis great, Caroline Wozniacki ... who's hitched to ex-NBA star David Lee (he was absent too). Point is ... Tyler's racing up the Hollywood ladder since his time on TV.

Granted, the dude had a legit modeling career prior to making it on primetime television -- which is as strong as ever now post-Hannah's season -- but Tyler is the perfect example of having your cake and eating it too. He appears to have banged Hannah, and then quickly moved on to Gigi a few days later. Hannah's not trippin' by the way -- she says she's single.

Meanwhile, Tyler and Gigi have been going out together a lot more -- seems like they're the new "It" couple on the streets of Manhattan these days. A helluva come up for Tyler, if we do say so ourselves.

At the rate he's going, we wouldn't be surprised to see TC out and about with Obama and Beyonce next. That's how much he's level jumping in his celeb status right now.

But, it's all good -- keep on keeping on, bro.

Larry Bird is adamant he's NOT a "tattooed guy" -- and he ain't happy with a new mural in Indiana that depicts him as a walking canvas.

The NBA legend's attorney has reached out to Jules Muck, the artist who created the Bird tribute on a Fountain Square building in Indianapolis ... an image that shows a young Bird with ink on his face, chest and arms.

In the mural, Bird looks like a SoundCloud rapper -- with tats showing everything from bunnies humping to the word "Indiana" on his forearm ... there's also a clover (Celtics) and a spider web.

The image is a play off of Bird's famous 1977 Sports Illustrated shoot, when he played for Indiana State.

But, Bird's attorney says the image is a problem because the REAL Larry doesn't have tattoos and Larry feels he "needs to protect" his brand.

"Larry’s position is he has elevated himself from where he began to where he is now through a lot of hard work. He has developed a brand that is marketable and he needs to protect that brand,” attorney Gary Sallee told IndyStar.

"The mural, as originally painted, was a departure from that brand."

The artist says she's conflicted about how she'll handle the issue -- she's still considering her options.

Jon Gruden ... clearly wasn't invited to any birthday parties as a kid -- because his rendition of "Happy Birthday" on "Hard Knocks" sounds like it's the FIRST time he's ever sang it.

Seriously ... it's terrible. Like worse than Hunter Renfrow bad.

The Oakland Raiders head coach was finishing off a team meeting when he instructed the players to serenade GM Mike Mayock.

What ensued was pure, hot garbage -- insanely terrible. Embarrassing, actually.

Of course, there was other important stuff that went down on HBO's "Hard Knocks" on Tuesday -- from Antonio Brown's frostbitten feet to his helmet drama ... to tight end Darren Waller's battle with substance abuse.

But, the worst part of the Raiders' camp ... Gruden singing.

Tyson Fury says he'd only need ONE hand to beat Andy Ruiz's ass ... and he tells TMZ Sports he'd even let the fans pick which arm he would use!!!

"I only need one hand for him," Fury said. "One hand."

The boxing superstar's fight schedule is pretty booked up this year ... he's got a bout with Otto Wallin on Sept. 14 and a rematch with Deontay Wilder set for Feb. 22, 2020.

But, Tyson tells us he'd be down for a fight with heavyweight champ Ruiz after that ... saying, "I can never say no to anything."

But, Fury says the fight probably wouldn't be a good one ... telling us he'd wreck Ruiz!!!

By the way, Fury didn't use up all his trash talk on Andy ... he also guaranteed a knockout in his fight with Wilder, saying, "I don't believe Deontay Wilder is going to put the Gypsy King to rest."

UFC star Israel Adesanya is a phony champ who hasn't beaten any level fighters ... so says Paulo Costa, the dude who just beat Yoel Romero.

TMZ Sports talked to Costa -- the #2 ranked UFC middleweight -- about his next move after his epic win over Romero ... and it's clear he ain't impressed with the 2 champs in his division.

"Yoel Romero is more tough than Whittaker, I know. And, man, Adesanya, Adesanya is a fake champion."

Why does Costa -- the 28-year-old undefeated (13-0) fighter -- think Izzy's a fake champ???

"Because he not proven yet. He needs to prove. He won against who? Tavares? Derek Brunson. Gastelum. Gastelum is good fighter, but Gastelum is not a middleweight. Against Anderson Silva. Man, Anderson Silva is not top 10. Not top 5. I beat a real beast. I beat Yoel Romero."

FYI -- Adesanya won the interim belt against Kelvin Gastelum earlier this year.

Whittaker (middleweight champ) and Adesanya (interim middleweight champ) are fighting October 5 at UFC 243 in Australia ... Costa says he'll be there, and he has a message for both fighters.

"I am a real deal. I'm training like a crazy guy. This is my life. [I'm] born to fight. [I'm] born to win, and I will take the belt."

Carli Lloyd stays winning on the soccer pitch AND the football field ... the USWNT star buried a 55-yard field goal at Eagles' practice -- and Philly's kicker himself was impressed!!!

Lloyd was at Eagles' practice Tuesday to cheer on her favorite football team (she's from New Jersey) and she decided to take a few kicks with Eagles stud kicker Jake Elliott after the workout.

Turns out, Carli's soccer skills translate to the gridiron ... 'cause she was nailing field goals all over the place -- including one from 55 yards out!!!

Oh, AND it was on a goalpost WAAAAYYYY smaller than regulation size!!!

"Unreal stuff!" Elliott said after the kicks ... "@CarliLloyd is very much #ForTheBrand."

Carli seemed to enjoy the day as well, writing of the practice, "Thank you to the @Eagles for having me out! Thanks to @JustinTuck @jake_elliott22 @MayorRandyBrown for the good time and tips!"

Ex-Michigan State star and NBA player Mateen Cleaves has been acquitted on ALL charges in his rape case ... after a jury determined the hooper was not guilty in court on Tuesday.

Cleaves -- who led Michigan State to a national title in 2000 -- was accused of taking a woman to a motel in 2015 and held her there against her will. The woman claimed Cleaves forced himself on her and raped her.

A jury of 9 women and 3 men deliberated for 2 1/2 hours before reaching the verdict.

Cleaves -- who has adamantly maintained the sex with the accuser was consensual -- had support from legendary Spartans coach, Tom Izzo, who attended the closing arguments in the Flint courtroom.

Breathe easy, Raiders fans ... Antonio Brown ain't getting the boot from Oakland -- Jon Gruden said the superstar practiced Tuesday with a certified helmet and is now "all in" with the team.

Of course, Raiders GM Mike Mayock was pissed at Brown over the weekend for not practicing while he fights the NFL over helmet issues ... and gave the WR a stern "all-in" or "all-out" ultimatum.

Clearly, AB is choosing the former ... 'cause Gruden said Brown put his problems with his helmet aside and fully practiced with the Raiders.

"He's all in, ready to go," Gruden said after the workout. "That's my understanding. Really happy to have him out here. He's a great player."

Gruden also said it appears Brown has put his frostbitten feet behind him ... saying he's under the impression AB is healthy and ready to go.

But, AB is still holding out hope he can switch back to his old helmet ... a source close to Brown confirmed with TMZ Sports on Monday that Brown has filed a new grievance with the league to try to get his old helmet cleared for at least the 2019 season.

Unclear when an independent arbitrator is set to hear Brown's case vs. the league, but NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported it's supposed to be "expedited."