Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James wasn't wrong in invoking Emmett Till's name when discussing racist vandalism at his home, so says Till's cousin who told TMZ Sports she doesn't get the criticism of the King.

James used Till's name during a news conference where he addressed the incident, comparing his public discussion of the crime to Till's mother using an open casket to show the world her son's battered body.

The comparison immediately drew the ire of those who said LeBron had no right likening his situation to one of the most horrific incidences of racial violence ever.

We spoke to Deborah Watts, Till's cousin and co-founder of the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation, and she told us she has no issue with LeBron's choice of words.

"I don't understand the criticism. What he did in using his platform was very, very powerful, and I really appreciate his courage."

Watts went on to clarify very strongly that while LeBron's incident was nowhere near the level of Till's, it warranted a strong public response ... especially now.

"Is it lynching the way Emmett was murdered and killed? No. Was it a part of an environment that created an opportune time for people to feel like they could do it? Yes."

LeBron James is turning to Kobe Bryant for a little help in the NBA Finals -- rockin' the Mamba's signature Nike shoes in preparation for Game 3.

King James showed up to Cavs practice at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland wearing the Barcelona Kobe 11s instead of his own signature Nikes.

No word on why Bron picked the sneakers -- maybe hoping Kobe's playoff swag rubs off on him.

Hey, at this point ... try anything, right?!

Kevin Hart's in a tough position -- he's friends with LeBron James AND Kevin Durant. But he knows when it comes to the NBA Finals, he can only really root for one of 'em.

Don't worry, Kev -- who was in NYC promoting his new book -- actually picks a side in the big Cleveland Cavs vs. Golden State Warriors matchup ... though he does it in such a smooth, politically correct way, he won't lose a friend over it.

Here's some GREAT footage of soccer superstar Neymar in a V.I.P. meeting with Kevin Durant and Draymond Green after the Warriors beat down the Cavs on Sunday.

The Brazilian soccer superstar -- considered one of top players in the world -- touched down in L.A. last week and has been hanging with Odell Beckham Jr. all weekend.

They decided to take in some hoops ... and, of course, sat right on the floor.

We're guessing Neymar wanted to meet LeBron James, too ... but he probably wasn't in a great mood.

Listen up, sports bettors ... Ex-NBA star Gilbert Arenas is about to make you a lot of money!! ... Maybe.

The man who claims to have put HALF A MILLION DOLLARS on the Cleveland Cavs to win the NBA Finals last year is doubling down on LeBron James and Co. ... telling TMZ Sports, "you can't bet against the King."

LeBron James and the Cavs went big the night before Game 1 of the NBA Finals -- teaming up for a big dinner at a famous S.F. steakhouse ... TMZ Sports has learned.

The team hit up EPIC Steak -- the same place SF Giants star Hunter Pence had his crazy "Game of Thrones" themed wedding last year.

James and the rest of the team ate like kings -- feasting on steak, shrimp, meatballs, filet mignon and wild striped bass.

We're told some of the players had wine to compliment the meal -- but don't freak out, no one got even remotely close to being lit. They left around 11:30.

After dinner, the guys were in a great mood -- dancing and singing as a team -- before getting back on the team bus.

An L.A. home owned by LeBron James was the target of a hate crime -- someone spray painted the n-word on the front gate and detectives are now investigating, cops tell TMZ Sports.

Here's what we know ... multiple LAPD units and a neighborhood patrol vehicle responded to the home early Wednesday morning. We're told the word was scrawled on the outer gate.

We're told investigators are looking for security footage from neighbors which may show the perpetrator.

Records show LeBron bought the house back in 2015 but it does not appear he lives there on any regular basis.

The graffiti has since been covered up.

We're told LeBron was not at the home at the time of the incident -- he's presumably in the Bay Area gearing up for Game 1 of the NBA Finals, which starts Thursday.

Pat Riley wishes nothing but the best for LeBron James in his 7th straight NBA Finals appearance ... but he doesn't want us to forget Magic Johnson's number.

We got Pat Saturday in Malibu, where we asked if he was wishing LeBron luck for the NBA Finals.

Even though Golden State Warriors co-owner Peter Guber doesn't want him to answer ... Pat -- who LeBron left in Miami to rejoin the Cavs -- breaks it down with half shade and half well-wishing.

LeBron James has one thing on his mind right now, and it sure as hell ain't Michael Jordan ... so says M.J.'s former teammate, Charles Oakley, who tells TMZ Sports the King only cares about beating the Warriors.

Oak -- who's good friends with LBJ -- gave us a bit of insight on what's going through LBJ's head during the playoffs, and the fellow Cleveland native says James only cares about getting that 4th ring.

J.R. Smith had a helluva day Tuesday ... taking his baby, Dakota, home and winning a playoff game ... and now we have the first photo of daddy and daughter at home.

As we previously reported, Smith and his wife, Shirley, took Kota home yesterday after a miracle 4 month stay in the hospital.

Kota was born in January at only 21 gestational weeks ... and many "experts" thought survival was virtually impossible.

They were wrong.

Kota's home, and J.R.'s 1 win away from the NBA Finals. It's good to be J.R. Smith.

Brian Scalabrine says there's absolutely NO WAY in hell the Celtics can beat the Cavs and advance to the NBA Finals ... that is, unless there's a zombie apocalypse!!

The NBA champ and current Cs analyst says even though Boston took Game 3 on the road, and only trails the series 2-1, they got no shot at dethroning King James and Co. with Isaiah Thomas sidelined with an injury.

"There's not one sliver of hope that they can actually pull this series off," ... UNLESS "we have a zombie apocalypse and LeBron gets bitten in the neck."

LeBron James turned all the way up at the Cleveland Cavs practice on Wednesday -- dancing hard in the gym with Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert ... and it's kinda awesome.

While most of the guys were working out in the team practice facility, Bron took a break when Playboi Carti's hit song, "Magnolia" came over the speakers.

The beat took hold. The guys danced it out. Bron's got moves.

Of course, the guys are in great spirits and well rested and ran through the Toronto Raptors in 4 games. Now, it's a waiting game to see who they get in the next round.

Why not turn up?!

Khloe Kardashian's safety is clearly a high priority at Quicken Loans Arena -- because there was a personal security detail assigned to her on Wednesday when the Cavs played the Raptors.

The reality star was in the crowd to support her boyfriend, Tristan Thompson -- but when it came time to leave, she had an arena security officer escorting her out -- and another officer keeping fans at bay.

We're told when nature called, a female security officer even escorted Khloe into the VIP restroom.

Khloe is becoming a fan favorite in Cleveland -- one witness tells us she took a bunch of pics with fans ... you can see her stop to pose with one very excited lady in our video.

Plus, she's also becoming friends with Cleveland Browns star Joe Haden and his wife. They not only socialized during the game, Khloe (along with her sisters, Kim and Kourtney) hit up a local amusement park with the Hadens the night before.

LeBron James is continuing to give back to his hometown in a HUGE way ... this time, he's opening his own public school for at-risk kids in Akron.

LBJ and his Family Foundation announced the plans to open the I Promise School ... with the goal to open its doors to 3rd and 4th graders in the Fall of 2018, and expand to 1st - 8th graders by 2022.

The project will focus on youth in similar situations the Cavs superstar experienced growing up.

"This school is so important to me because our vision is to create a place for the kids in Akron who need it most -- those that could fall through the cracks if we don't do something," LeBron says.

How do you rebound from blowing a 26 point lead in the 4th quarter? If you're LeBron James ... you hit the club!!

Bron -- along with J.R. Smith and Tristan Thompson -- hit up LIV nightclub in Miami hours after the Cavs lost to the Atlanta Hawks in ATL.

It was a shocking loss since the Cavs were up 26 points going into the 4th quarter. The game went into overtime where the Hawks put 'em away.

But after the final buzzer, the guys got on a jet and flew to Miami and partied with the likes of boxing star Adrien Broner.

The Cavs play the Miami Heat on Monday -- but LeBron will reportedly sit the game out to rest up.

The man being hailed as a HERO for breaking up a teen street fight in Atlantic City is crediting LeBron James for making the video go viral -- and now he's calling on the NBA star for more help.

Ibn Ali Miller hasn't just become an Internet sensation for talking sense into 2 brawling teenagers, he's also been honored by city officials.

Miller tells TMZ Sports it was LeBron who got the ball rolling by posting the video on his social media -- "If he doesn't give me a shout-out, none of this ever happens."

He even gives a personal message to Bron -- inviting him to the community so he can continue to help out with the youth.

By the way, Ibn was out shooting hoops with the neighborhood kids when we spoke with him ... and got love from a bunch of proud locals ... including cops and cons!