Los Angeles Lakers

The Game has a message for LeBron James ... GET ON THE LONZO BALL BANDWAGON!!!

Seriously, Game tells TMZ Sports the Lakers rookie will bring a 'chip to L.A. in ONE SEASON -- and advises LeBron James to come to join the Purple and Gold squad so he can be a part of the magic.

When asked if he thinks Lonzo would play second fiddle to LeBron, Game shot back -- "Lonzo don't need no help."

Here he is ... the man who REALLY created the Big Baller empire -- Grandpa Ball -- and he's spilling some family secrets to TMZ Sports!

LaVar's dad was at LAX after returning from the NBA Draft -- and says LaVar treated the entire Ball family to one of the best meals of their lives after Lonzo Ball got picked #2 by the Lakers.

"I had the best of everything!"

Grandpa says he couldn't be more proud of his son and grandson -- but revealed some interesting differences about his parenting style.

He also revealed his nickname for his son -- and why he doesn't call him "LaVar" like everyone else.

It's official -- Lonzo Ball is an L.A. Laker!!

The ex-UCLA Big Baller was selected with the #2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft ... and now dad LaVar Ball can rest easy knowing his son will suit up for the Purple & Gold next year.

In case you've been living under a rock for the past few months, LaVar constantly guaranteed that L.A. would pick Zo ... and even told us earlier this week that it was a sure thing.

Let the games begin.

If you're a NY Knick who's NOT from Latvia, pack your bags ... 'cause Shaq thinks it's time for you to go.

The NBA legend was at an American Express Teamed Up event in NYC on Tuesday when we asked about reports that Phil Jackson is taking calls about possibly dealing away Kristaps Porzingis.

"Keep Porzingis and trade everybody else around him," Shaq said.

"Try to build around him. This kid's got a great future."

We also asked Shaq how he felt about the Lakers most likely taking Lonzo Ball with the #2 pick in Thursday's NBA Draft (despite some back and forth trash talk with his dad, LaVar).

Shaq's all for it ... "He's a great player. He makes his teammates better."

Get the ice ready, 'cause the Lakers' new strength and conditioning director, Gunnar Peterson, says he ain't playing around when it comes to getting the squad in championship shape.

Peterson -- who trained the Kardashians, Magic Johnson and some of the biggest stars in the world -- tells TMZ Sports he plans on making an immediate impact with his customized gym plan.

"The new Lakers will be very different from what people are expecting."

He also has BIG hopes for Lakers star Brandon Ingram -- saying he's followed BG's career from Duke and claims the guy is a "special athlete."

"I'm gonna make sure he upholds the standard that I know he's capable of."

Magic Johnson says LaVar Ball reminds him of Kris Jenner ... and that ain't a bad thing.

Johnson was asked about LaVar Ball when he joined 'Afternoons with Marcellus and Kelvin' on ESPN radio ... and not only did he compare L.B. to Kim Kardashian's mama, Magic said he's got no problem with Papa Ball.

"The Kardashians, we didn't say the mom was bad. She made them a lot of money, right? She bragged on her daughters. And I think it's the same here. He's saying, 'hey, my son is great.'"

"There's nothing bad with that. We're not looking at LaVar being a problem if we're blessed to have an opportunity to draft Lonzo."

And Magic isn't the only Lakers decision maker to endorse LaVar. Lake Show head coach, Luke Walton, told TMZ Sports earlier this week LaVar's big personality doesn't scare him ... 'cause his own dad was a character.

The Los Angeles Laker's asses might be bustin' out the back of their shorts next year ... 'cause the team just hired Kim Kardashian's personal trainer (ass guru) Gunnar Peterson as their new strength coach.

Kim ain't the only famous client Gunnar has trained. He's worked with The Rock, Khloe Kardashian, Kate Beckinsale, Ciara, Antonio Brown, and Russell Wilson ... to name a few.

The team announced the hire Wednesday morning ... saying "Peterson will design and implement a strength and conditioning program for the team with the goal of keeping the players performing at elite levels throughout the NBA season."

Charles Oakley says Carmelo Anthony should stay far away from the Lakers when he looks for a new NBA home ... telling TMZ Sports, the future ex-Knick needs to play for a contender.

There have been rumors that L.A. could be a destination for the All-Star ... who has final say in where he plays 'cause of a no-trade clause in his contract.

Oak was leaving Catch in L.A. when we brought up the possibility of Melo joining the Lake Show ... and if that'd be a good fit for Anthony and the organization.

Hell no, Oak says ... 'cause Carmelo needs to play for a title contender, and L.A. just ain't got the pieces ... even with Melo on the squad.

Lakers coach Luke Walton ain't scared of LaVar Ball ... telling TMZ Sports the big personality on Lonzo's dad isn't an issue 'cause Walton's already dealt with a celebrity papa ... his own dad, Bill.

We got Luke at the Tour de Pier charity event in Manhattan Beach and talked to him about the most discussed family in basketball (maybe ever) ... and whether anything LaVar does turns Luke off as a coach.

The Big Baller had a hell of a week last week, getting into a televised sparring session with a TV host, and making remarks about Kyrie Irving's upbringing that some thought crossed a major line.

None of it seems to bother Walton ... he GUSHED about Lonzo when we brought him up, saying whatever team gets him is going to get better, and reminding us his own dad was a "big personality."

For a guy who wasn't big on passing ... Kobe Bryant delivered a HUGE assist to a high school class in Indiana by bailing them out of their final history exam!!

Here's the deal ... Ben Davis H.S. senior, William Pate, got his U.S. Govt. teacher to agree to cancel the final exam if he get could Kobe to publicly acknowledge him on Twitter.

Sounds impossible, right? Wrong.

Kobe saw Ben's online plea -- and Tweeted at him saying, "Hope you have an A in this class."

The teacher held up his end of the bargain and gave the entire class a "Get Out of Finals Free" pass. As you can imagine, Pate's become a local hero.

Magic Johnson will keep LaVar Ball in line while Lonzo is tearing it up in L.A. ... so says former Lakers coach Byron Scott who tells TMZ Sports Magic is too tough to fear the Balls.

It's the million dollar question right now ... is Lonzo's basketball artistry worth having to deal with LaVar every day? Scott said yes when we talked to him, and the reason he gave us was 6'9".

"If he's there at the #2 sport you gotta draft him. Earvin 'Magic' Johnson and Jeanie Buss are very strong minded people. I think they can handle Mr. Ball and his big ego."

Here's the thing, Scott ain't exactly a fan of LaVar, who he said is "sticking his foot in his mouth" when it comes to his son's playing career, but still thinks Lonzo's the best option for the Purple & Gold.

... unless the Celtics take him first.

Shaq says the Lakers shouldn't let LaVar Ball scare them off from taking Lonzo Ball with their #2 pic ... 'cause despite the media circus that follows the Big Baller, his kid's game is "fabulous."

The Big Diesel hasn't always been the biggest fan of the Ball clan -- he publicly dissed the price of Lonzo's new shoe ... saying $495 was way too much for kids to pay.

That was then ... because O'Neal had nothing but kind words to say about Zo when we got him out in NYC, telling our guy he's not sure what the Lake Show will do with the pick, but Ball isn't a bad idea.

Magic Johnson tells TMZ Sports he's "very happy" with the L.A. Lakers locking up the #2 pick in the NBA Draft at Tuesday night's draft lottery ... but he's making it clear Lonzo Ball is NOT a lock.

Kobe Bryant is about to have a new apprentice ... Paul George.

The Indiana Pacers star appeared on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and said he's gearing up to train with Kobe during the off-season -- "I plan on working out with him and pick his brain a little bit."

Kobe's sessions are legendary -- George says he's already training just so he can survive Mamba's workout.

George doesn't become a free agent until after next season -- but Kimmel put the court press on him to join the Lakers ... even busting out a Magic Johnson clip to help sway the guy.

Kendall Jenner nearly had a seriously awkward moment when she and A$AP Rocky ended up at the same party as her ex, Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson -- except Jordan had the smoothest reaction.

The trio were all at the Peppermint Club in WeHo Saturday night. Remember, Jordan and Kendall were a thing just last fall ... so you could understand him not being too thrilled to see her with her new guy.

But score one for Jordan ... we got him as his car was pulled around, and asked about bumping into Kendall. His reply was basically, "I'm a playa!" And then he piled into his ride with 3 hot chicks!

Meanwhile ... Kendall and A$AP did the sneak out separately thing trying to avoid cameras. Fail.

"Lakers win! Lakers win!!"

Is Magic Johnson making a play for Lonzo Ball? Will Kobe Bryant ever join the Lakers front office? When will the Lake Show actually win a championship again?

All questions we posed for a guy who knows all about this kind of stuff ... Magic Johnson's son, Andre!

AJ was out at Porta Via restaurant in Beverly Hills when asked about the state of his father's basketball team.