TMZ Sports - Page 50

Matt Barnes says the REAL reason people in the NBA don't like Tristan Thompson is because he's a fake-ass tough guy who's all talk ... no action.

Since Barnes is tight with Draymond Green -- who also hates Tristan -- we asked him where the animosity comes from ... and Barnes didn't mince words.

"A lot of people are tough on the court and then when you seem them off the court, they're not as tough as they want to be," Barnes told us.

Then, he added this shot ... "People know [Tristan's] not built like that. It's known, period."

As for Draymond ... he refused to shake Thompson's hand in Cleveland after the four-game sweep, and then said at the championship parade Tuesday, "Tristan, we ain't cut the same."

Barnes says the beef has nothing to do with the Khloe Kardashian drama ... it's solely about Tristan talkin' tough, but not backing it up.

L.A. Chargers star Mike Pouncey says he's ready and willing to take Donald Trump up on his offer -- telling TMZ Sports, "If he wants to talk, we'll talk."

Remember, earlier this month Trump said he wants to reach out to NFL players for input on people in the criminal justice system who deserve a presidential pardon.

"I am going to ask all of those people to recommend to me -- because that's what they're protesting -- people that they think were unfairly treated by the justice system," Trump said.

So, when we saw Pouncey out at Catch the other day, we asked how he felt about Trump and his offer.

"I don't think he has a bad relationship [with us] ... If he wants to talk, we'll talk."

Iman Shumpert says he doesn't need his wife's help with his rap career ... 'cause releasing songs with Teyana Taylor will only HURT his music goals!!

The NBA star told us he takes his rap seriously ... and if he blows up 'cause of songs he released with his famous boo -- he says it just wouldn't feel right.

"I could use my wife, but it's just I would rather people connect with me in certain ways," Iman told TMZ Sports at LAX this week.

Don't get it twisted ... Shump's got songs with Teyana -- and he says he has even more with celebs that would skyrocket his career.

But building a following that doesn't revolve around hoops or the big-name people he knows is something he takes seriously.

Logan Paul says his battle with KSI is gonna be a critical one ... because he plans to put his YouTube foe in the hospital.

We got Logan just a few minutes before he and KSI nearly came to blows at an L.A. nightclub earlier this week ... and when asked which hospital he was gonna put KSI in -- he didn't back away.

"I don't really know the L.A. hospitals, but I feel like he's gonna make rounds to all of them."

What's he gonna do AFTER he checks KSI in? We asked if it involved partying with Floyd Mayweather and, guess what ... IT DOES.

"You got to [celebrate with Floyd], bro," Logan told TMZ Sports.

"I trained at his gym, that was my first training session. So, I feel like it's only right."

The thing is ... KSI's also been in Floyd's TMT gym in Vegas -- with Floyd's pops giving him firsthand lessons ... so, either way, it looks like Floyd will get some turn-up.

Dude just can't lose.

The Drake and Pusha T beef is squashed ... so here's Lil Yachty to kick-start some new drama for the 6 God!!

TMZ Sports spoke with the King of the Youth at the Fortnite Pro-Am in L.A. on Tuesday ... and naturally, we had to ask which spitter was best at the uber-famous battle royale game.

While Lil Boat didn't know who should be deemed the best, he DID know Drizzy's far from earning the title ... and has some words for the dude's game.

Conor McGregor is sticking to his family-friendly tour of NYC ... and this time he kicked his Dad skills up a notch.

Conor was spotted rowing away from The Loeb Boathouse in Central Park Saturday with his girlfriend, Dee Devlin, and their cute son, Conor Jr. The famous fighter showed off his guns while handling the oars for his crew.

This is just the latest family outing for McGregor since appearing in court Thursday for his part in the attack on a UFC bus back in April ... on Friday it was a fun family bike ride.

Conor told the media he regrets his actions during the bus attack, but he's still facing up to 7 YEARS in prison if convicted on all counts.

Logan Paul and KSI officially went full Mayweather vs. McGregor today in L.A. ... and the bros' brouhaha to promote their upcoming bout got a little physical on stage.

The YouTube superstars took nonstop shots at each other -- mostly verbal -- at a massive news conference outside the L.A. Coliseum at noon Saturday. Their younger brothers, Jake Paul and Deji, opened up the presser ... because they're the undercard for the mega boxing event at Manchester Arena on August 25.

Heavyweight boxer Shannon Briggs was the surprise emcee, as the Pauls flaunted fancy suits and traded insults with KSI and Deji ... who opted for more casual wear.

The most exciting moment came when KSI put on a Logan Paul wig, which Logan yanked off and followed with a push ... which prompted KSI to charge like a bull. Unfortunately ... no punches were thrown.

As we reported ... Logan and KSI gave a preview of their smack talk during a heated exchange at a nightclub this week. Both guys have been busting their asses training for the fight ... and there's talk it could even haul in more viewers than last year's Floyd vs. Conor extravaganza.

Bruce Maxwell -- the only MLB player to kneel during the national anthem -- went off on cops during his Oct. 2017 arrest ... telling police he took a knee to protest "y'all motherf*ckers."

As we previously reported, Maxwell was arrested for aggravated assault at his AZ home after allegedly pulling a gun on a Postmates driver.

When cops arrived, Maxwell -- not wearing a shirt -- began berating the police officers.

"Think I'm intimidated? Cool. Cool. I hope so. I’m not afraid of f*cking none of y’all n*ggas. I don’t give a f*ck."

He continued, "Guess what, f*cking half of America afraid of y’all motherf*ckers. Yeah, that’s the reason why I took a knee. F*cking anthem, dog."

"F*cking our country is afraid of the f*cking police. Wanna know why? Because the f*cking police does unjustice sh*t and gets f*cking paid leave for it."

Maxwell explained he's mixed race -- "My mom is white as sh*t. My dad is black as a motherf*cker."

Later in the video, Maxwell gets emotional as he tells cops he and his family received death threats for his national anthem protest.

For their part, cops say Maxwell reeked of booze. He was transported to a nearby jail.

Is Rihanna missing out by not dating Joel Embiid? He seems to think so.

The following is a direct quote:

"I don't want to talk about Rihanna but, you know, I feel like every girl in the world should, you know, taste the process and see what the process is like."

Gotta love a man with confidence.

Remember, Embiid tried to shoot his shot at Rihanna back in the day, but it didn't quite work out for the young NBA star.

So, when we saw him out in Bev Hills the other day, we asked him about it -- and he made it clear he's moving on ... to EVERY OTHER WOMAN ON EARTH!

"Every girl in the world is missing out. You know you got to taste the process, you gotta see what the process is like."

Celtics star Jaylen Brown is officially the John Wick of the NBA ... because's he's vowing REVENGE on a fellow association player over a heinous popcorning incident from his rookie year.

We got Brown out in NYC and asked him a very simple question ... what's the best locker room prank he's seen in his young NBA career?

That's when JB revealed he's a victim ... telling us his car was filled up with popcorn his rookie year by veteran Amir Johnson, and then promising to deliver some get back for the transgression.

"Amir Johnson, I'm coming for you."

Chad Ochocinco is more FIFA Prince than FIFA King ... 'cause Paul George OWNS the ex-NFL superstar in the video game -- so says the Thunder stud himself.

Chad -- who's dubbed himself the "FIFA King" many times over the years -- has been obsessed with the soccer game ... and is a legend in the gaming community for showing up to random people's houses to pick up the sticks.

But PG-13 says the ex-NFL star is all talk ... and he NEVER wins when the two play.

"There's one person that can't beat me ... Ochocinco," Paul told TMZ Sports at the Fortnite Pro-Am on Wednesday.

It's huge if true ... 'cause just the other day Chad said he was in the FIFA lab for EIGHT STRAIGHT HOURS.

Former Chicago Bears starting quarterback Erik Kramer's legal problems are piling up ... his wife just filed for divorce on the heels of his arrest for allegedly assaulting her.

TMZ Sports has learned Cortney Baird filed for divorce from Kramer Friday in Southern California, the same day news broke of Kramer's arrest for a domestic violence charge.

According to various reports ... Kramer was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of felony corporal injury to a spouse at his home in Agoura Hills. Details about the incident are unclear, but he was released on $50k bond.

We've learned Baird also filed for a domestic violence temporary restraining order.

Kramer started 46 games for the Bears from 1994-1998, and also played for the Falcons, Lions and Chargers during his 10-year NFL career.

Mark Jackson says if the Lakers can get Kawhi Leonard ANYONE has to be on the trading block ... and that means any of their young stars ... including Lonzo Ball.

Talk in NBA circles is that Leonard wants OUT of San Antonio ... and IN to the Purple and Gold. But for that to happen, the Lakers would have to trade someone of value.

We got Mark out in Calabasas ... and he said it doesn't matter who that someone of value is, because Kawhi is too much of a beast to pass up on.

"I'm getting a top five player in the world so I definitely would be very aggressive in trying to get a home run hitter in my lineup."

Translating ex-NBA coach speak ... EVERYONE MUST GO!!!

Tyron Woodley has gone from wanting to murder Conor McGregor -- to being his biggest supporter -- and he's revealing the REAL reason he's rooting for the Irish star to beat his felony bus attack case.

Remember, the two nearly came to blows back in 2016 during a backstage altercation at the UFC 205 weigh-ins. It got bad.

But now, Tyron says ... he wants to be connected to Conor in a big way -- and kept it 100 on "The Hollywood Beatdown."

There's more ... Tyron also explains why he wants to end Colby Covington's life -- and makes the guy a REAL offer he hopes the UFC fighter can't refuse.

Plus, Woodley goes after Tekashi69 and breaks some news about his rap career.

Kellen Winslow Jr. threatened to murder BOTH of the women he raped if they spoke to anyone about the incidents ... this according to prosecutors.

The ex-NFL star just appeared in court -- in shackles -- where officials spelled out the case against him.

Prosecutors say Winslow picked up 2 hitchhiking transients -- one in March and one in May -- drove them to an isolated location and raped them.

In both cases, officials say Winslow threatened to kill them if they told anyone.

As for the alleged attempted rapes of two elderly women -- 71 and 86 -- officials say in both cases he broke into their mobile home units with the intent of raping them ... but ultimately left before anything happened.

Prosecutors say cops have had Winslow under surveillance for a while -- and saw him trying to sell his H2 Hummer in an attempt to destroy evidence.

The judge ultimately deemed him a danger to the public and ordered him to be held without bail.

Winslow pled NOT GUILTY to all of the charges against him.

Inside the courtroom, Winslow was supported by family and friends ... including his father, Kellen Winslow Sr. -- the former NFL star.

As we previously reported, Winslow was arrested Thursday after officials say they found evidence to charge the ex-NFL star with 9 felonies ... including forcible rape, forcible sodomy, kidnapping and burglary. The 34-year-old has been in custody since then.

Conor McGregor's quest to prove he's nothing close to a violent beast continued outside of a swanky New York City restaurant Friday -- when he smiled big for cameras and signed a TON of autographs for fans.

The Irish superstar rocked a pink shirt and grey sweatshorts, and made sure to give a shout-out to all of his supporters as he left Nello in NYC.

"Thank you so much, thank you guys!!" the UFC star yelled multiple times.

This latest spot of pleasant Conor comes on the heels of him taking his fam -- little baby Conor, and all -- for a sweet bike ride Thursday afternoon.