WISHING THEM THE BESTIt's been 5 years since the NBA forced Donald Sterling to sell the L.A. Clippers -- but the billionaire tells TMZ Sports he's STILL a fan of his former team and rooting for them in the playoffs.
Remember, Commissioner Adam Silver banned Sterling for life on April 29, 2014 over racist comments recorded by V. Stiviano and published on TMZ.
The league forced Sterling to sell the team -- which he did a few months later for the whopping price of $2 BILLION.
Sterling has since moved on with his life -- but when we spotted him in Beverly Hills, we had to know if he's still following the Clippers, and rooting for them in the playoffs.
"Of course," the 84-year-old billionaire told us on his way out of Nate'n Al ... "And, I wish them the best!"
We also asked Sterling how he felt about Magic Johnson stepping down as the President of the Lakers -- and that's when Sterling looked up and gave a devious smirk.
It's Sterling's previous comments about Magic that led to his own demise -- when he told V. Stiviano he didn't want her bringing black people to Clippers games, including Magic Johnson.
Weeks after we published the recordings, Sterling went on CNN to attack Magic again -- calling him an unfit role model for children because "he's got AIDS."
Johnson fired back at the time -- saying Sterling was an ignorant old man who's still living in the stone ages.
We reached out to the Clippers to see how the felt about Sterling's support -- but we haven't heard back.
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Matt Barnes, Derek Fisher 'Already Caught These Hands!'
Snoop Dogg Blasts Clippers, You'll Never Be the Lakers!
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Matt Barnes Derek Fisher 'Already Caught These Hands!!!'
4/19/2019 2:23 PM PT
Matt Barnes is FED UP with the Derek Fisher jokes ... going scorched earth on an internet troll for heckling him about his old enemy, saying, "He already caught these hands. You can be nxt."
Here's the backstory -- Barnes went to Twitter on Thursday to talk about the Warriors and Clippers game, saying "Hopefully y’all will stop w this PatBev locking up or shutting down KD.. Only person that can stop KD is Westbrook."
Harmless tweet, right? Except, of course, someone had to disagree. After all, this *is* the internet we're talking about ... and the troll had to reference Barnes' infamous incident with the then-Knicks coach.
"This exactly why Derek Fisher be f*cking ya baby momma you slow corny motherf*cker f*ck you for ruining all those Lob City squads with your sh*tty defense," the troll said to Barnes.
Anyone who knows Barnes knows the dude ain't gonna ignore that, so he hit the troll back with "After you done being mad go wash that green off your neck from that fake ass chain B*tch!"
The troll's response is a bit too NSFW to post word-for-word ... so we'll just say he mentioned Fisher and Barnes' ex-wife, Gloria Govan, again ... as well as calling him out for not being in the league anymore.
Barnes' response?? "I retired d*ckhead.. 15yrs & still being paid until November 2020! You gotta do better than DFish jokes. He already caught these hands. You can be nxt "
Here's what we know about Matt -- if he says it, he means it.
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Matt Barnes Gets Massive Reduction in Child Support Payments to Gloria Govan
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Kobe Bryant on Mathew Knowles 1-on-1 'I Don't Think He Made Another Point'
4/19/2019 9:20 AM PT
Kobe Bryant is setting the record straight on that old footage of his 1-on-1 game with Beyonce's dad ... saying he totally CRUSHED the guy ... and didn't let him score another basket!!
The 20-year-old footage surfaced last week ... showing Kobe and Mathew Knowles playing a quick pickup game on the set of Destiny's Child's "Bug a Boo" video shoot ... with MK scoring an easy layup on the Laker legend.
Mamba is finally addressing the highlight ... making it clear that even though the move was nice, he LET Knowles score ... and then he started playing forreal.
“I don’t think he made another basket after that.”@kobebryant tells the story behind his one-on-one game with Beyoncé's dad, @MathewKnowles. pic.twitter.com/apgypNPyzX
@FOXSportsIn natural Kobe fashion, Bryant wants people to know he ended up coming out on top ... even if the footage makes it look like he lost to a dude who didn't play a lick in the NBA (although Knowles hooped in college).
Kobe cops to trash-talkin' with Knowles ... and says agreed to hoop with Mathew after he mentioned playing at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
We also talked to Knowles about the viral footage ... and he wants another shot at Kobe, saying he'll "kick your ass" again!!
What do ya got going on, KB?? Let's make the rematch happen!!!
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I'D STILL TAKE KOBE TO THE HOOPSee also
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LaMelo Ball Gets Massive Chest Tattoo!!!
4/19/2019 9:15 AM PT
As one Ball brother tries his best to cover up his tattoos ... another is proudly putting his ink on display -- 'cause LaMelo Ball just got a MASSIVE chest piece done, and he seems to love it!!
Of course, Lonzo Ball famously covered his Triple Bs a couple weeks ago ... but TMZ Sports has learned the same artist that did Zo's cover-up put new ink on Melo last month too.
Tattoo artist Herchell Carrasco tells us the youngest Ball brother wanted wings and his jersey number on his chest ... and says the whole piece took about 4 hours to complete.
We're told there's still about an hour of work left to be done ... but seems Melo is stoked with the art -- 'cause he made sure it was poking through his tank during his workout Thursday!!
Tattoos have been a huge topic in the Ball family -- in addition to Zo covering up the BBBs with dice a couple weeks ago ... 'memba when LaVar Ball famously flipped out over LiAngelo Ball's ink on their Facebook reality show last year??
No word yet on how Papa Ball feels about Melo's new tat ... but one thing we know for sure -- Melo's got dibs on jersey #1 now for life!!!
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LaVar Ball Says LiAngelo Is Better Than Zion Williamson
NBA's Langston Galloway (Bed)Rockin' Fred Flintstone Kicks ... For Playoffs!!!
4/19/2019 8:18 AM PT
Detroit Pistons guard Langston Galloway is goin' prehistoric with his sneaks on Saturday ... copping a sick pair of Fred Flintstone shoes for his big playoff game!!
TMZ Sports has learned -- the 5-year vet wanted to do something extra special with his Q4 EM-55 kicks for Game 3 of the first round of the playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks.
We're told Galloway hit up Marcus Rivero -- AKA Soles By Sir -- to whip up a one-of-a-kind pair for the big game ... complete with the orange and black pattern of Fred's iconic outfit.
It's pretty much a do-or-die moment for the Pistons, who are down 0-2 in the series ... so maybe they'll give the squad some extra motivation.
As for Soles By Sir, he's the guy behind Montrezl Harrell's Nipsey Hussle kicks from last week ... and has worked with other athletes like Christian Yelich and Baker Mayfield.
Yabba-Dabba Do!!!
See also
Snoop Dogg Blasts Clippers, You'll Never Be the Lakers!
Floyd Mayweather Rocks 4 Gold Chains to Warriors Game, Meek Honors Nipsey
Snoop Dogg Blasts Clippers You'll Never Be the Lakers!!
4/19/2019 8:15 AM PT
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CLIPPER HATER**WARNING -- VIDEO CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE**
Snoop Dogg is already counting the Clippers out of the playoffs -- saying they SUCK -- and they'll never be as good as the Lakers.
The rap legend went OFF after the Clips got destroyed by the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night -- saying the series is a wrap already ... even though L.A. is only down 2-1.
"So what y'all made the playoffs, n**** , y'all ain't doing nothing," Snoop said ... "Same ol' Clippers."
Snoop is a hardcore Lakers fan -- and even though the Lake Show didn't make the playoffs, he still thinks it's WORSE to be a Clipper.
"Y'all still our little brothers, n****! Clippers gonna always be our little brothers ... No banners. No flags. Nothing!"
On the flip side, the Lakers have 16 championships and 31 conference titles ... plus, they've retired jerseys of some of the greatest players in NBA history -- from Magic to Kobe.
Bottom line ... there's no L.A. love for the Clippers here.
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NBA Draft's Keldon Johnson Flaunts $300,000 Supercar ... In Hollywood
4/19/2019 7:13 AM PT
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PRE-DRAFT WHIPKeldon Johnson is expected to be a 1st round pick in the 2019 NBA Draft -- and he's already rollin' around Hollywood like a BALLER!!!!
The former University of Kentucky star hit up Catch in L.A. for dinner and EVERYONE noticed when he pulled up ... behind the wheel of what appears to be a McLaren 720S Spider, which usually carry a $300,000 price tag!!!
You gotta watch the video with the SOUND ON -- the engine purrs like a tiger ... it's incredible.
We asked Johnson if he's rooting for any particular team to draft him in June -- and he gave the answer any smart future NBA star would give!!
Many experts predict Johnson could be selected between the 10th and 25th pick -- which means his rookie contract with likely be a 4-year deal worth anywhere from $10 to $20 MILLION!
Johnson has been a stud basketball player for years -- he was ranked in the Top 15 high school players in the country back in 2018 ... and when he got to Kentucky, he led the team in scoring for most of the season.
He started 36 out of 37 games in his freshman year -- averaging 13.5 points per game in college with 5.9 rebounds.
Good luck!
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Zion Williamson To The Knicks Could Be A Mess, Says Jay Williams
NBA Prospect Tacko Fall Reveals Worst Part About Being 7'6"
Floyd Mayweather 4 Gold Chains at Warriors Game ... Meek Honors Nipsey
4/19/2019 6:39 AM PT
Gallery GettyFloyd Mayweather gave his neck a workout at the Clippers vs. Warriors game at Staples Center on Thursday ... busting out 4 HUGE GOLD CHAINS to floss in front of a star-studded crowd.
Mayweather -- who paired his chains with some funky checkered shorts -- sat courtside to watch Steph Curry and Kevin Durant put the smackdown on L.A. in a 132 to 105 blowout in Game 3 of their NBA playoff series.
There were a TON of celebs at the game ... including Meek Mill, who wore a shirt honoring rapper Nipsey Hussle.
Terrell Owens was also in the building along with Billy Crystal, Scottie Pippen, John Calipari, Maverick Carter and more.
Game 4 is set for Sunday back at Staples Center -- a huge game for the Clippers if they have any hope of winning the series.
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Clippers' Patrick Beverley Says 'No Beef' With Kevin Durant, 'It's All Fun'
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NBA Prospect Tacko Fall Worst Part About Being 7'6" Is ...
4/18/2019 2:35 PM PT
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APRIL 2019 TACKO TIMEIt ain't always great being a giant ... just ask 7'6" NBA draft prospect Tacko Fall ... who's telling TMZ Sports what sucks most about being incredibly tall!!
The ex-UCF Knights star was towering through LAX on Thursday ... when he gave us the lowdown on the pros and cons of being one of the tallest people on the planet.
Tacko says it comes in handy at the grocery store whenever he needs to reach the top shelves and "look over everything" ... but when it comes to bathing, it really stinks ... 'cause he's taller than the shower!!
Fall -- who had a big showdown with Zion Williamson in the NCAA Tournament last month -- doesn't have a custom shower to accommodate his size just yet ... but if he gets drafted, expect that to be one of his first purchases.
We also asked Fall what team he'd love to go to in June's draft ... and what Tacko's favorite kinda taco is!!
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Michael Jordan Tiger's Masters Win ... Greatest Comeback Ever!!
4/18/2019 9:40 AM PT
Forget coming back from a 2-year baseball career to win an NBA championship ... Michael Jordan says Tiger Woods' Masters victory last weekend is the greatest comeback of all-time!!!
"He had to change his game; he had to change his perspective a little bit," M.J. told The Athletic ... "To me, it was the greatest comeback I’ve ever seen."
Of course, Michael knows a thing or two about comebacks ... he ended a 2-year MLB career to return to the hardwood to win 3 straight NBA titles in the 1990s.
But, even Jordan admits that can't compare to what Tiger did this past weekend ... returning from all kinds of injuries and off-the-course issues to be the best golfer in the world again.
"I never thought he’d get back physically,” Jordan said ... “He didn’t think he’d get back physically. But he did it. No one expected him to be back the way he is now."
M.J. added, "He’s probably the only person who believed he could get back. To me, that’s a major accomplishment. To me, it’s unbelievable."
Jordan ain't the only one feeling that way ... everyone from Donald Trump to Tom Brady to Michael Phelps commented on their amazement over TW's 15th major championship win.
As for the debate between who's the greatest athlete of all time between Tiger and Jordan ... we actually asked Scottie Pippen that this week -- and you'll wanna hear his answer ...
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NBA's Jordan Clarkson Gets Nipsey Tat ... After Nightclub Speech
4/18/2019 9:28 AM PT
Jordan Clarkson is following up on his passionate nightclub speech on the late Nipsey Hussle with a more permanent tribute ... honoring the slain rapper with a tattoo on his body.
As we previously reported ... the Cleveland Cavaliers guard gave an emotional tribute to Nip at a Scottsdale nightclub hours after Hussle was murdered ... calling for an end to gang and gun violence.
Clarkson decided to go one step further to show love for Nip ... getting the rapper's face tattooed on his left arm on Wednesday ... along with "TMC," for Hussle's "The Marathon Continues" slogan.
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THIS HAS TO STOPJC already has a bunch of body art -- he's almost fully covered now -- but this one has to mean a lot to the baller, hitting up Canada-based artist Steve Wiebe for the job.
You've probably seen Wiebe's work before -- he also works with stars like Future, Kelly Oubre Jr., Rita Ora and P.J. Tucker.
Clarkson joins fellow NBAer J.R. Smith with the permanent tribute to Nip ... who also paid homage with body art.
#RIP
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Zion Williamson Knicks Drafting Him Could Be a Mess ... Says Jay Williams
4/18/2019 8:43 AM PT
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IDEAL LANDING SPOTSZion Williamson better hope New York doesn't end up with the #1 overall pick ... 'cause Jay Williams tells TMZ Sports he's not confident the Knicks owner would know how to handle a player of his caliber.
"I live in New York City, so obviously everybody wants the answer to be New York. But, I don't know if I trust James Dolan enough with that yet."
And why? Jay -- who was outside The Cabin NYC -- doesn't go into detail, but it's pretty clear he's referencing ALL the missteps Dolan's taken recently ... which includes booting fans for telling him to sell the team.
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MARCH 2019 GET OUTTA HERE, WISE GUYSo, where IS the ideal landing spot for the Duke beast? Jay tells us that's with the Hawks.
"It would be kind of dope to see him in ATL with Trae Young," Williams says.
Of course, Zion doesn't have much of a choice -- he's expected to be the top pick in June's NBA Draft either way -- so, better hope the ping pong balls land the right way!!!
By the way, when it comes to filling the voids left by Magic Johnson and Luke Walton on the Lakers ... ya gotta hear Williams' perfect fits for those jobs!!
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Aaron Rodgers Defends Himself At Milwaukee Bucks Game
4/18/2019 6:01 AM PT
Scary moment for Green Bay Packers fans ... when Aaron Rodgers almost got TRUCKED Wednesday night at the Milwaukee Bucks playoff game!!
Don't worry ... he's fine. But, good lord.
The Packers QB was sitting courtside with girlfriend Danica Patrick at Fiserv Forum in Wisconsin to watch the Bucks take on the Detroit Pistons in Game 2 of their NBA playoff series.
All of the sudden, Bucks shooting guard Pat Connaughton came charging toward the sideline ... and nearly crashed into Green Bay's $134 MILLION man.
Scary considering Rodgers just revealed he played most of the 2018 season with a broken bone in his leg ... and EVERYONE wants a healthy Rodgers this time around.
... especially Packers legend Brett Favre, who recently told us he thinks Rodgers is the best player in football -- better than Tom Brady -- and he's expecting BIG things from the QB in 2019.
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THEY SHOULD'VE WON MOREAs for the basketball game ... the Bucks beat the Pistons 120 to 99 -- and now they have a 2-0 lead in the series.
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NBA's Lou Williams I'm Worthy of Hall of Fame ... 'I Put in the Work'
4/17/2019 11:58 AM PT
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HALL OF FAME MENTALITYTMZ Sports spoke with future Hall of Famer Lou Williams on Tuesday night ... and yeah, you read that correctly ... 'cause the L.A. Clippers star says he's deserving of a spot in Springfield!!!
We spoke with the 2-time Sixth Man of the Year award winner at the Ethika pop-up shop in L.A. on Tuesday night ... and asked if he's done enough to join the game's best players in the Hall if he's named the league's best bench player again.
"Yeah, I've seen guys in the Hall of Fame with less. I've put the work in," the 14-year NBA veteran tells us.
As for his career numbers -- he's averaging 14.2 points, 3 assists and 2 rebounds a game. And even though he's never made an All-Star team, he's considered one of the greatest 6th men ever.
In fact, dude even got a shout-out in the 2015 Drake song, "6 Man" ... 'memba that:
"Boomin' out in South Gwinnett like Lou Will. 6 Man like Lou Will, 2 girls and they get along like I'm (Lou Will). Like I'm Lou Will, I just got the new deal."
Good times ...
Anyway, Williams says he's still got time to prove his HOF worthiness -- but tells us, "I've put a lot of work in, so it'll be nice to even get that appreciation."
Let the discussions begin.
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Clippers' Patrick Beverley 'No Beef' With Kevin Durant ... 'It's All Fun'
4/17/2019 7:28 AM PT
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NO BEEF, NO PROBLEMPatrick Beverley and Kevin Durant only LOOK like they hate each other on the court ... so says Beverley himself, who tells TMZ Sports he has ZERO real beef with the Warriors superstar.
"Hell no!" Pat says ... "I don't got no beef with anybody."
"It's all fun, man. Just two good teams, two good players battling."
Of course ... cameras seem to tell a different story -- 'cause the two have been at each other's throats in the first two Warriors-Clippers playoff games.
In fact, Pat and KD were both ejected in the Warriors' Game 1 win ... and it looked pretty heated.
But Pat told us at Lou Williams' Ethika pop-up shop in L.A. on Tuesday night they've got no bad blood ... and they're both just out there competing for a championship.
As for if their contentious on-the-court games will affect whether or not K.D. would consider joining the Clippers in free agency this offseason ... ya gotta hear Pat's answer.
By the way, Pat also tells us one of his Clippers teammates is a surefire Hall of Famer -- can you guess which one???
See also
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LeBron James Producing Boxing Docuseries ... for DAZN
4/17/2019 6:02 AM PT
Another huge move for LeBron James ... not the basketball player, the Hollywood mogul.
James -- through his media brand, Uninterrupted -- is launching a new show for DAZN called "40 Days" ... a docuseries which will follow top boxers as they prepare for major prize fights.
In fact, the first episode will follow Canelo Alvarez and Daniel Jacobs as they gear up for their May 4 fight in Las Vegas. Part 1 of the series is scheduled to premiere on April 23.
Canelo's participation is really no surprise considering he recently signed a $365 MILLION contract with DAZN.
We're told LeBron and his business partner, Maverick Carter, are executive producing the Canelo episodes -- in association with DAZN and Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions.
"These documentaries will shine a light on the 3-dimensional aspect of who these athletes are outside of the ring and empower them to tell their own stories as they prepare for some of the biggest moments in their boxing careers," Maverick Carter said in a statement.
De La Hoya has also weighed in ... saying, "This is excellent for the sport as it will provide the kind of unique lens that only LeBron James and Maverick Carter can bring. At the same time, there’s no better way for them to start this partnership than by featuring the most important boxing event of the year, so Golden Boy is proud to be a part of it."
LeBron is crushing it off-the-court these days -- besides this deal, he's also producing a new 'House Party' movie, a 'Space Jam' flick, a movie about his life and more.
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