Los Angeles Lakers

Jordan Clarkson is having a hell of an off-season -- as demonstrated in this video of the L.A. Lakers player in a heated game of beach volleyball ... with a bunch of hot chicks in thong bikinis.

Clarkson and his Oklahoma City Thunder pal, Andre Roberson, hit up the nets at Hermosa Beach, CA this past weekend -- went shirts off -- and got into a bit of a 2-on-3 situation in the sand.

The chicks sucked at volleyball ... but who cares?!

Lakers head coach Luke Walton knows ya never put a ceiling on a player -- including Lonzo Ball.

So, when he was asked if Lonzo could be the next Kobe Bryant ... he didn't exactly rule it out.

Walton's clearly excited about his team -- telling us good things about the Lakers on his way out of Catch in L.A.

But does Walton REALLY think LaVar's kid can rack up stats like the 5-time NBA champ, 2-time NBA Finals MVP, 18-time All-Star, 2-time NBA scoring champ, 2008 NBA MVP, 11-time 1st Team All-NBA & Slam Dunk Contest champ?

James Worthy on Lonzo Ball -- "He enhances everybody on the court. We haven't had someone with that type of talent really since Magic."

"Big Game James" just dished out some serious praise to Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball -- telling TMZ Sports he's REALLY excited about the kid ... and gave him one of the best compliments ever.

Of course, Worthy was Magic Johnson's running mate back on the Showtime Lakers in the '80s -- and has been heavily involved with the Lakers organization ever since.

So, for James to heap that kind of praise on Lonzo is a pretty big deal.

We know what you're thinking -- is James dissing Kobe?

We don't think so -- seems more like a pure point guard comparison to us.

His jersey's got the Swoosh ... but Lonzo Ball says he's still a BBB guy at heart -- and the proof is on his feet.

The L.A. Lakers rookie was at an NBA rookie photo shoot with teammate, Kyle Kuzma, when they started showing off their new Lakers uniforms, made by Nike.

That's when Lonzo told the camera, "I know you see the Nike jersey on ... it's still Triple B's though!"

He then pointed down to his $495 Big Baller Brand shoes.

Daddy likey.

L.A. Lakers star Larry Nance Jr. says he's totally pumped to take flight with new teammate Lonzo Ball ... telling TMZ Sports Zo's skills are gonna make the whole team better!!

We spoke with Nance at LAX about the #2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft ... and it's clear he's ready to be on the receiving end of some big-time alley-oops from Zo.

Nick Young is the Al Michaels of the wedding industry ... 'cause Swaggy P gave out an amazing play-by-play of Julius Randle's marriage ceremony Thursday ... and it's hilarious!!

The Lakers star tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend, Kendra Shaw, in front of his old Kentucky and L.A. teammates (including Jordan Clarkson) ... and Young provided some top-notch commentary to his recording of the ceremony.

Young really gets into it, saying it's a "proud unk" moment as he watches his ex-teammate exchange vows ... and emotionally whispers "he 'bout to cry!"

No word on if the water works came out ... but the party afterwards looked like a great time.

Byron Scott's NBA coaching career is done FOREVER -- with the ex-Lakers skipper saying there's absolutely 0% chance of a comeback.

Byron started his coaching career in 1998 as an assistant with the Kings -- before taking over as head coach for the Nets, Hornets, Cavs and Lakers.

He's been out of the league since 2016 after an ugly breakup with the Lake Show -- but since he's only 56, we had to ask if he was mulling a return to the bench.

Scott's answer was straight and to the point -- "No" -- explaining he's moved on with his life and he's not looking back.

Still, Byron's got some thoughts on the new Lakers -- telling TMZ Sports he likes Lonzo Ball but agrees with Charles Barkley ... they ain't making the playoffs this year.

Charles Barkley says any Laker fan thinking the team will make a playoff run behind new star, Lonzo Ball, is smoking purple and gold CRACK ... telling TMZ Sports the Lake Show has ZERO CHANCE.

The hype is officially here, Lonzo balled out so hard in the Summer league (winning the MVP), that a lot of fans are thinking postseason, so when we got Barkley out at LAX we asked him if it was possible.

"Hell no."

Pretty simple. In fact, Sir Charles says in his opinion the 76ers with their young core of guys like Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Markelle Fultz are waaaay better than the Lakers are right now.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver is showin' mad love for Lonzo Ball ... saying it's Zo's game -- not his dad, LaVar's big mouth -- that has the whole league buzzin'.

We talked to Silver -- one of the coolest guys in all of sports -- about all the talk surrounding the Ball family ... and he says he likes what he sees from the Summer League MVP so far.

There's more ... Silver also says he's a big fan of Ice Cube's BIG3 league and suggests there might be a way for the two leagues to work together in the future. Cool, right?

He also weighs in on the Houston Rockets sale and reveals which pro league commissioner foots the bill when all the honchos get together for lunch.

Lonzo Ball will have plenty of time to crush all the celebrity ass he wants -- AFTER he starts to kill it in the NBA ... so, don't go chasing the Kardashians just yet.

This is the wise message from ex-Laker Shannon Brown ... who knows all about dating famous women.

Of course, Brown famously married R&B star Monica back in 2010 -- after Brown had already won 2 NBA titles with the Lake Show.

Brown isn't saying to stay away from Kylie, Kendall or any other K-family member who might be interested (Kris?) ... he's just sayin' wait a minute.

BTW, Lonzo already has a hot girlfriend ... so, in theory, it shouldn't be a problem.

NBA champ John Salley ain't buying into the rumors that LeBron James is unhappy with the Cavs ... but if the King decides to bail on Cleveland again, he's got the perfect destination in mind -- L.A.!!

We spoke with the ex-Laker about the news of LBJ's frustration with the Cavs' lack of off-season moves ... and, although Salley doesn't believe it, he still makes a pitch to get Bron to join the Purple & Gold in 2018.

It's been rumored that King James would end up in La La Land, especially since he owns a home in Brentwood ... and Salley says it would be an "unbelievable plan."

Good news Laker fans ... a new era of Showtime could be right around the corner, that's according to Magic Johnson's wife, Cookie, who says Lonzo Ball has what it takes to be the next Magic.

Lonzo's been KILLIN' it in the Summer League, serving notice to the entire basketball world that he's really, really, good.

Question is, just how good can he be?

Cookie thinks he can be as good as her All-Universe husband, and told us as much when we got her out in Beverly Hills.

We'd say it's unfair to put such Hall of Fame expectations on the kid, but for some reason we think he's used to it.

Rock legend Flea -- a die-hard Lakers fan -- says he sees unparalleled GREATNESS in Lonzo Ball ... and guarantees he'll win Rookie of the Year.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist is no bandwagoner -- the guy is a hardcore hoops fan. He regularly attends high school games to scout out the top rising stars in the state. He's also had Lakers season tix for decades.

To say he's impressed with Lonzo's talent is a gross understatement -- you gotta watch the clip, he thinks Ball is already better than the legendary Jason Kidd.

Here it is ... your first Lonzo Ball, Michael Jordan comparison ... courtesy of ex-hoops star Jay Williams.

J-Will is FIRED UP about the Lakers star's potential -- and tells TMZ Sports, "That kid is gonna make passing what Jordan made scoring."

"He makes the game so damn easy for everybody."

Clearly, the ESPN analyst was impressed by the rook's 11-assist triple-double over the weekend.

That was 'Zo's first big summer league game for the Lakers, but Jay's already convinced the kid's special -- and he's predicting a $200 MILLION contract down the line.

Oh, and J-Will's got a message for everyone hatin' on Lonzo's funky shot ...

IT DOESN'T MATTER!!

Lonzo Ball made a good impression on the woman who signs his checks -- with Lakers owner Jeanie Buss telling TMZ Sports, "The future looks bright."

Buss was leaving Madeo in Bev Hills on Sunday when we asked about all the action in Vegas -- where the Lakers' summer league games are in full swing.

FYI, summer league tix for Lakers games are in super high demand -- they face value for $30 but have been fetching $250 and more on ticket resale sites.

We asked Buss if Lonzo is the reason for the renewed interest in the Purple and Gold -- and it's clear, she's excited about what Ball brings to her squad.

Ball stunk up the court on Friday night in his summer league debut but bounced back with a triple double on Saturday. The Lakers play again Monday night against the Kings.

LaVar Ball is already making the right impression on his son's new boss -- with Jeanie Buss telling TMZ Sports the Big Baller did a "terrific job" on WWE's 'Monday Night Raw.'

The Lakers owner was leaving Craig's in West Hollywood when she dished out praise for Lonzo Ball and his dad ... and credited Magic Johnson for bringing the family on board.

"I have complete confidence that Magic Johnson has put together the pieces that we need."

She added, "Him and Rob Pelinka, our general manager, have really REALLY re-energized the roster."

The praise continued ... "Our coach, Luke Walton, is a coach that understands the modern NBA and I'm just looking forward to summer league which starts next Monday in Las Vegas!"

We also asked about her ex-boyfriend, Phil Jackson, and his situation in NY -- but Jeanie wasn't havin' it.