Los Angeles Lakers

Magic Johnson doesn't seem too concerned that his franchise player is sidelined with a groin injury -- telling TMZ Sports it's all gonna be okay!

Of course, LeBron James scared the entire NBA when he left the Lakers' Christmas Day game against the Golden State Warriors after coming up limpy after an awkward fall.

Bron later announced the injury was just a groin strain -- nothing more serious -- but still, people are wondering if this is the beginning of the end for a soon-to-be 34-year-old who's never had any serious injuries.

"We don't worry about what people say," Johnson told us on the way out of Craig's in Los Angeles ... "We're having a great season, you can't worry about what people say."

"I'm happy and we'll be okay."

We asked if the injury scare increased Magic's sense of urgency in getting another superstar to the Lakers -- to which he replied, "Nope. Nope. Nope."

So, what's the message to the rest of the Lakers who will have to soldier on without LeBron?

"Play hard, play together, play Laker basketball."

As for LeBron's return date, Magic wasn't specific -- saying James is "taking a little time."

We also asked Magic how he felt about LeBron's controversy regarding his "Jewish Money" comments earlier this week ... and the NBA legend seemed satisfied with how James has handled it.

"He apologized so that's a good thing," Magic said.

"He's a great man and he apologized and everybody moves on, right?"

LeBron James not getting fined for his "Jewish Money" post was the right call ... so says NBA agent Daniel Hazan who is also Jewish.

We got the super agent out Monday night in NYC and had to ask him about LeBron's XMAS Eve Instagram post that sparked backlash. ICYMI ... LeBron posted a pic on IG with the caption "getting that Jewish money" which he THOUGHT was a compliment to Jews. It's not, so LeBron apologized.

Hazan -- the CEO and founder of Hazan Sports Management -- dropped a little knowledge on us about the term and why it's seeded with anti-Semitism. Hazan also explains what he thinks LeBron was trying to convey with the message. Bottom line ... LeBron shot and missed with his post but Hazan does give LeBron credit for one thing.

12/25 -- 21 Savage has also apologized ... saying, "the Jewish people I know are very wise with [their] money so that's why I said we been gettin Jewish money. I never thought anyone would take offense. I'm sorry if I offended everybody. Never my intention. I love all people."

LeBron James busted out a big "Sleecha" to Jewish people on Sunday -- after posting a photo on Instagram with the caption, "Getting that Jewish money."

Long story short, LeBron says he thought it was a "compliment" to Jews.

James was actually quoting a lyric from the 21 Savage rap song "ASMR" -- but there was a backlash online from people who felt someone as famous and powerful as LeBron shouldn't be pushing old Anti-Semitic stereotypes.

"Apologies, for sure, if I offended anyone," James told ESPN ... "That's not why I chose to share that lyric. I always [post lyrics]. That's what I do. I ride in my car, I listen to great music, and that was the byproduct of it."

"So, I actually thought it was a compliment, and obviously it wasn't through the lens of a lot of people. My apologies. It definitely was not the intent, obviously, to hurt anybody."

Despite LeBron's intent, there have been hundreds of books and articles written over the years about why the "Jews and Money" stereotype is a dangerous one.

Quite simply, it's been used a rallying cry to fuel anti-Semitism for hundreds of years.

LaVar Ball says he doesn't want to see Anthony Davis ballin' with Lonzo on the Lakers ... 'cause the BBB honcho tells TMZ Sports, the team's "got enough people."

"They got enough," Ball says.

Of course ... LeBron James might beg to differ -- dude told media members just a couple days ago it would "be amazing" to see the Pelicans superstar in purple and gold.

In fact ... reports say James and Davis had dinner after the two played against each other at Staples Center this past weekend.

But, the Big Baller says Lonzo, Bron and the Lake Show don't need the big center ... tellin' us straight-up he wouldn't even find it cool to see!!!

LeBron James railed on the NFL, saying the owners are a bunch of white guys who treat their players with extreme disrespect.

LeBron made the comments on his HBO show, "The Shop," contrasting the football league with the NBA. James said, "In the NFL they got a bunch of old white men owning teams and they got that slave mentality ... and it's a little like, 'This is my team. You do what the f*** I tell y'all to do. Or we get rid of y'all.'"

The Lakers star is clearly referring in part to Colin Kaepernick allegedly getting blackballed by NFL owners who were outraged by the kneeling movement the QB triggered.

James Worthy says L.A. should sign Carmelo Anthony ... 'cause the Lakers legend tells TMZ Sports Melo is exactly what LeBron James NEEDS!!!

Rumors have been swirling this week that the move could go down ... 'cause John Salley hinted to us something was in the works -- and then LBJ was spotted with Anthony at dinner just a day later.

Worthy tells us he supports making the move happen ... saying Anthony would bring something to the Lakers that they currently lack.

"I think Carmelo has proven that he's an outstanding shooter," Worthy says ... "Kind of what we need!"

But ... for as much as Worthy respects Melo's game -- he ain't so sure Anthony is the missing piece for LBJ to win a ring THIS season.

LeBron James ain't the GM of the Lakers ... but it sure seems like he sent a message to the guy who is Tuesday night, saying, "I've always wanted to play along Melo."

Of course ... rumors of Carmelo Anthony teaming up with LBJ in Los Angeles have been smoldering ever since John Salley told TMZ Sports it could happen.

Those rumors weren't quieted when Bron and Melo were spotted on a double date with their wives at an NYC steakhouse Monday night.

And, on Tuesday, Bron seemed to send a clear message to Magic Johnson after L.A.'s loss to the Nets that if he can make the Carmelo move happen, LBJ would be a happy man.

"I don't run the team. And, obviously there's some things that would need to be worked on both sides," LeBron told reporters in the postgame locker room.

"But, I've always wanted to play along Melo and if the opportunity presents itself, it'd be great. So, we'll see what happens."

LeBron James and his wife had an interesting couples dinner date Monday -- hitting up an NYC steakhouse with Carmelo Anthony and La La ... and fueling rumors Melo's coming to the Lakers.

Remember, we spoke with John Salley a few days ago and he implied he had some inside information about Melo coming to the Lakers before the NBA All-Star break in February.

So, when we saw these pics of Melo and Bron leaving Quality Italian steakhouse in midtown ... made us think Salley's intel might be pretty solid!!

Of course, LeBron and Melo have been friends for years -- so, maybe they just wanted some quality meat and wine ... but hey, maybe there was some shop talk too!

The Lakers are in NYC to play the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night.

The other interesting thing about the dinner ... Melo and La La seem to be in a pretty good place.

Back in October, La La told People she and Melo were still figuring out their relationship after separating in 2017 ... but noted, "We're good."

Did we just get Salley-Bombed?!

The 4-time NBA champ seems to know something about Carmelo Anthony's basketball future -- suggesting he'll sign with the Lakers before the NBA All-Star break.

... and then he winked at us like a guy who knows things.

Our photog smartly pushed John Salley to see what he knows -- but that's when John started to play coy ... and said Carmelo plus LeBron is the formula for Anthony to win his first NBA championship.

So, how would Salley know?

He's tight with Magic Johnson and he's still plugged in with a ton of important NBA people.

Then again, he might have just had something in his eye ...

34-year-old Anthony signed a 1-year $2.4 million contract with the Houston Rockets back in August -- but it wasn't a good fit and, in November, the team announced they were parting ways with Melo.

He's still technically on the roster -- but it's clear his days in Houston are done.

Melo and LeBron played together on the 2008 and 2012 Olympic team -- they won gold both times. The two are good friends off the court.

In fact, Melo was there during the infamous banana boat ride back in 2015 -- but Anthony never actually got on the raft.

James Harden was channeling his inner Migos before takin' on LeBron and the Lakers ... showing up to the game Thursday in a full Versace snakeskin short suit -- and then he BALLED OUT!!

With the majority of his thighs out on display, Harden swagged his way into the Toyota Center in Houston and then dropped a 50 BURGER on the Lake Show.

The Rockets eventually won the game 126 to 111.

So, how much does drip like this cost? Versace tells us the faux python outfit isn't even available to the public until the start of 2019 -- the top will set ya back $7,595 ... and the pants are $3,495!!!

Harden's also in the middle of a $228 MILLION contract extension, so money is no object when it comes to fashion.

Seems the fit could be a tribute to Bron's trend-setting look from the NBA Finals last season ... when the King rocked a short suit before Game 1.

We gotta say, Harden's got the upper hand on LBJ with this one.

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade faced off on the court for the last time on Monday night ... and the biggest names in Hollywood had front row seats for the epic showdown.

It was a bittersweet moment for NBA fans ... LBJ and Wade have had some insane matchups over the past 16 years, so there was no way the biggest Laker fans would miss this one.

Wade's wifey, Gabrielle Union, had a courtside seat with her "L.A.'s Finest" costar Jessica Alba ... and Rams studs Brandin Cooks and Jared Goff also grabbed floor seats for the big game.

Other stars include Future, Kevin Costner, Kate Beckinsale, Denzel Washington and Will Ferrell.

They picked a great game to go to ... with LeBron guarding Wade on a potential game-tying 3 in the final seconds of the game ... which he missed.

Lamar Odom says what you've heard is true ... he's coming for a BIG3 championship ... but if you think he's going to be doing it alongside his old Lakers teammate, Kobe Bryant, YOU'RE WRONG.

We got Lamar out in Beverly Hills looking lean and healthy -- remember, this man had 12 strokes and 6 heart attacks after nearly dying of a drug overdose three years ago -- and he says he's ready to play again.

"Yeah, I'mma play. You gotta go to the combine and all that, so I'm in shape working out."

Odom says he's coming for the championship, but when we ask him if there's any hope he'll be doing it with Kobe, the guy he won two NBA rings with ... not likely.

"I mean that's that far-fetched. Maybe, if he were to come, hopefully I could play with him but that's far-fetched."

Ice Cube has said in the past he wanted Kobe to take a crack at the BIG3 ... but we gotta believe L.O. is right when he says it's not likely.

It ain't some extra ketchup, a lawn mower or even peace and quiet ... no, the thing Lakers co-owner Jesse Buss wants most from new neighbor LeBron James??

"I'm sure his shoe collection is insane!"

Jesse just bought a $10 million mansion right up the street from Bron's palace ... so when we got the Lakers co-owner out at LAX -- we had to ask, what do you want most from your new neighbor??

Buss says nothin' but the kicks, tellin' TMZ Sports, "That would be nice to look at."

The one hang-up? Jesse says LeBron's foot is a helluva lot bigger than his -- so fashion advice might be the only thing he'd be able to take from The King's closet.

As for their pads in Brentwood ... Buss tells us the two are outta town so much -- he ain't expecting any block parties soon.

Well, that didn't take long ... LeBron James has already turned the Lakers into the biggest spectacle in Hollywood -- 'cause all the stars were out to watch him Wednesday!!

Of course, the regulars like Floyd Mayweather and Denzel Washington were in their usual seats ... but Adam Sandler, Benicio Del Toro, Andy Garcia and a whole lot more had to get a glimpse last night.

The King didn't disappoint ... dude dropped 42 points in front of the A-list crowd -- and the Lake Show rolled to a 121-113 win over the Spurs.

The bad news for Bron?? The crowd might've cost him a future teammate -- 'cause before the game, Kevin Durant said the environment LBJ brings to teams can be too "toxic."

Does having John David Washington, Flea, Ray J and even Alex Bregman sitting feet from the bench qualify?? Maybe.

No look passes, deep 3s, and rim-shakin' dunks.

Yep, Bronny James is basically a 5'10" version of LeBron James ... and the NBA superstar's 14-year-old son put on an absolute clinic in his Crossroads debut on Monday ... droppin' 27 points!!

King James' kid suited up for the Roadrunners for the first time since making the move to California ... sporting Bron's iconic #23 jersey and dominating the game just like Daddy.

Remember, he's only an 8th grader.

LBJ loved what he saw ... cheering on Bronny from the stands throughout the game.

According to reports, school officials tried to keep the game quiet -- meaning, there wasn't a massive publicity push to draw eyeballs to watch James. The school's athletic director reportedly said they want Bronny's school experience to be as normal as possible.

It's fun to watch now ... but the real treat will be when Bronny teams up with Shaq's son, Shaqir, next season.

For now, Bronny's Crossroads team looks solid -- they won 61-48.

How's the biggest sports dad on the planet coexisting with the biggest athlete in the universe??

Quietly ... 'cause LaVar Ball tells TMZ Sports he and LeBron James stay outta each other's way in Los Angeles -- and things have gone along just fine.

"I really don't have a relationship with LeBron," the big Baller says.

"I like it. He ain't done nothing bad to me, I ain't done nothing bad to him. So, as long as we good, we'll be all right."

Of course, that's music to Luke Walton's ears ... 'cause when Bron bolted from the Cavs to play with Lonzo and the Lakers -- how LaVar would fit in the picture was on everyone's mind.

Seems LaVar is playing nice for now ... although he did issue an ultimatum to L.A.'s coach when we got him at LAX -- saying if Luke doesn't play Zo more than 35 minutes a night, his job is in jeopardy.

"If he keep playing Lonzo a lot -- over 35 minutes -- he'll stick around," Ball says. "Less, he won't."