NBA

Jeremy Lin is getting public support from one of his Toronto Raptors teammates -- with Fred VanVleet telling TMZ Sports he believes Lin will get another opportunity to show he can ball.

Lin just made headlines because of an emotional speech in China -- where he cried when talking about the terrible season he had in Toronto.

Long story short, Lin says he hit "rock bottom" in Toronto during the championship 2018-19 season -- where he had the worst shooting performance of his career. In fact, Lin says at one point, he missed 17 3's in a row and because of that, he BARELY saw any action in the NBA Playoffs.

Lin also questioned his NBA future ... and said he felt the league has "kind of given up on me."

So, when we saw VanVleet -- a key member of that Raptors championship team -- we asked if he thought Lin was being too hard on himself.

"He was great, man," Fred told us on his way out of Catch restaurant in L.A. "He's gonna be alright. He's gonna land on his feet. He's gonna be alright."'

As for his future, VanVleet says it's ultimately up to Lin to decide if he wants to continue playing pro ball ... "He's got enough talent."

For the record, Lin has made more than $65 MILLION during his 9-year NBA career after being an undrafted free agent ... which in itself is pretty amazing.

But, Lin has said he's embarrassed of the way he played last season and doesn't feel he deserves to be called a champion because he was essentially a non-factor for the Raps.

Anthony Davis says Nike told him to kick rocks when it came to getting the #23 jersey from LeBron James ... saying the footwear giant said, "We don't care who you guys are, it's too much money!"

Davis says in a dinner date only a few days after he was traded from the Pelicans to the Lakers ... LeBron offered him his famous #23 jersey as a "Welcome to L.A." gift.

The problem? AD said on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" this week, Nike told him it would cost the company WAY TOO MUCH CASH ... and said the jersey swap ain't happening.

Davis was clearly bothered by the whole ordeal, saying, "I was a little hurt."

But, AD says his solution to the problem was simple ... fire up NBA 2K and try on other jersey numbers!!

Davis says he eventually landed on #3 because it looked nice ... and it was also the digit he rocked when he first started hoopin' in elementary school.

Kevin Durant seems to be making great progress -- because the NBA superstar was out in Los Angeles on Wednesday ... cruisin' around the restaurant scene WITHOUT crutches!

Remember, Durant tore his right Achilles on June 10 during Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals ... but the recovery is expected to be so tough, he could miss the entire 2019-20 season.

Which is why we were so impressed when we saw KD walking out of Catch restaurant in L.A. -- sure, there was a little hitch in his giddy up ... but overall, he was moving pretty well.

Durant didn't have much to say when we asked him about his comeback, but his legs did all the talking for him.

Of course, the last time we saw Durant ... he was leaving an office building in NYC with his leg bandaged and a medical scooter in tow.

Despite the injury, 30-year-old Durant signed a MASSIVE new contract with the Brooklyn Nets ... 4 years, $164 million.

If he does make it back for next season, Durant will join Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan on a Brooklyn team that could be VERY dangerous.

Tristan Thompson is finally clearing the air about the circumstances under which he met Khloe Kardashian ... and he's also defending his other baby mama.

Tristan on Wednesday debunked a report he had reunited with his first baby mama, Jordan Craig. There were reports Tristan, Jordan and their 2-year-old son, Prince, recently went on family vacay in Jamaica ... making it seem as if they were rekindling an old flame.

Tristan says there's ZERO truth to that ... and adds he's spent the last few months preparing for the NBA season, and that's it -- zero summer vacations. As for how the story took off ... seems Tristan posting a picture of Prince on a yacht in Jamaica made some people think he was there, but he's adamant he was not.

Then there's this ... in a second tweet, Tristan played a little belated defense, adamantly saying he met Khloe when he was single. As we reported ... there have been longtime allegations she cheated with Tristan at the expense of Jordan.

At the time, Khloe's story was Tristan pleading with her that his relationship with Jordan was over long before they met. He's backing that up now, insisting he was absolutely a free agent.

Cowboys fans should be pointing the finger at the NBA for Ezekiel Elliott's holdout this month ... so says Too Short, who tells TMZ Sports, basketball players "f*cked up" the NFL!!!

The rapper was standing outside of Bootsy Bellows in L.A. ... when he decided to drop the "f*cking truth" about NFL contract holdouts to our camera guy.

And, yeah ... dude says it's all Adam Silver's fault.

"The f*cking truth is that basketball f*cked everybody up in the head!"

Too Short says all the wild deals NBA owners have given out to mediocre players throughout the past couple seasons has poisoned NFL players who think they deserve MILLIONS now.

"Everybody was like, 'You get $100 million! You get $100 million! You get $150! You get $180! You get $220!' It's f*cked up, now!"

Too Short added, "Athletes are like, 'It's f*cked up. You gotta give us our money!'"

Bad news for the NFL ... it seems to be working -- 'cause Michael Thomas' holdout in New Orleans just ended with a new, 5-year $100 MILLION deal ... and most think Zeke's holdout will end in a similar way.

It's been 3 years since Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine's epic slam dunk contest at NBA All-Star Weekend ... and the Orlando Magic star tells TMZ Sports he's ready to RUN IT BACK!

The face-off between the 2 rim shakers is one of the greatest matchups in the event's history ... and a lot of people think Gordon got robbed after completing what might be the best dunk ever executed in the contest.

Of course, Dikembe Mutombo somehow disagreed and gave AG a '9' ... and LaVine eventually ran away with the title after the second round of tiebreakers.

TMZ Sports spoke to Gordon about whether he'd throw his hat back in the ring for next year's contest -- which LaVine's Chicago Bulls just happen to be hosting -- and he says he's DOWN!!

"I think so, it's starting to look like that," Gordon says. "It's really up to the NBA, but we're gonna do it."

We asked who he'd like to face off against ... and he name-drops his dunk foe, LaVine, and Zion Williamson!!

This clip has it all ...

-- A fired up Lil Pump clappin' back at LeBron James haters.

-- Lil Pump showing off his brand new, expensive Louis Vuitton purse

-- Lil Pump giving away $100 bills to strangers in Beverly Hills because he feels like it!

ESSKEEEETIT!!!!!

The rapper was leaving Mastro's Steakhouse in Bev Hills Monday night when we asked the massive NBA fan how he felt about people giving LeBron a hard time for celebrating on the court at his son's youth hoops game over the weekend.

"LEBRON CAN DO WHATEVER THE F*CK HE WANTS BECAUSE HE IS LEBRON JAMES, B*TCH!"

Pump also went to bat for Carmelo Anthony -- saying the guy deserves a spot on Team USA.

But, the best part of the video is when Pump flaunts his goodies from his Rodeo Drive shopping spree ... a super expensive designer hand bag that he drops on the floor because Pump DON'T CARE!!

And, the curbside free cash giveaway is fun too.

Kyler Murray's height won't keep him from reaching NFL greatness ... so says the shortest NBA player EVER -- Muggsy Bogues!!!

The Arizona Cardinals' #1 overall draft pick's height -- listed at 5'10" -- has been the center of criticism since Murray declared for the draft ... with some saying he'll struggle as an NFL QB.

Enter 5'3" Bogues -- who played 14 years in the NBA, despite having his fair share of doubters -- who says those critics will be eating their words ... 'cause Murray is a stud!!

"Kyler Murray is an unbelievable athlete," Bogues says. "Anybody that's undervaluing his size and underestimating his talent, they're in for a rude awakening when the season comes."

You can count on Kemba Walker being on the floor for Team USA during the FIBA World Cup ... because the NBA superstar made it very clear to us he ain't going anywhere!!!

With other superstars like James Harden, Anthony Davis and Damian Lillard opting to sit this one out ... we asked the Boston Celtics stud if he would be following suit.

But, great news ... Kemba says he's ALL IN!!!

"I'm excited, USA basketball is something that I've been wanting to do for a very long time," Kemba told us at the legendary Rucker Park courts in New York.

"So, to get this opportunity, I'm excited. I won't be dropping out."

BOOM!!!

Walker noted that he does have other obligations ... but "I'll be there as much as I can. I'm looking forward to taking on that challenge."

As for making a prediction about another undefeated run for Team USA, Walker wouldn't commit to that ... but said, "I'm just gonna go out there and play!"

Walker will be joined on Team USA by other NBA stars like Kyle Lowry, Kyle Kuzma, P.J. Tucker and his Celtics teammate, Jayson Tatum.

We also spoke with Donovan Mitchell who told he's also stoked to play for Team USA -- and can't wait to represent the Red, White and Blue.

They may be estranged, but La La Anthony is still sticking up for her husband, Carmelo Anthony ... at least when it comes to basketball.

La La -- who wasn't wearing her wedding ring at LAX -- was asked about Melo not getting an invite to join Team USA in the FIBA World Cup, which kicks off later this year.

Instead of trashing Melo, La La defended him ... explaining that he's the greatest Team USA player of all time, according to the stats -- and should have gotten the call-out of "respect."

For the record, Melo is the only Team USA basketball player to compete in 4 different Olympics and he's also the first Team USA player to win 3 gold medals.

He also ranks 1st in games played (31), points (336), FGs made (113), FGs attempted (262), rebounds (125), free throws made (53) and he's 2nd in 3-pointers (57).

Melo also ranks 2nd in scoring all-time among all of FIBA Americas championship players.

Not too shabby ...

"Out of respect, they should [invite him]," La La said ... "Who was a better Team USA player than he was? Nobody."

La La says she doesn't know if Melo would accept at this point, but they should make the offer anyway.

Jeremy Lin says he's hit rock bottom in NBA free agency -- and also feels like the league has given up on him.

The veteran point guard made an appearance at a Taiwan event over the weekend, where he opened up and spoke candidly about his off-season woes. Lin was onstage coming to tears as he explained that free agency was getting harder and harder for him.

He also said his personal bottom in professional basketball keeps getting lower and lower.

Through a translator, Lin said that each year he gives more of himself to God -- but despite that each year gets harder. He also makes reference to an American saying -- when you hit rock bottom, the only way is up -- but sadly said that wasn't the case for him.

He admits that this latest round of free agency has been tough on him, and in some ways ... he feels like the NBA has abandoned him. It's an incredibly vulnerable moment.

Ya hate to hear about Lin's struggles, 'cause he's a good dude, and he started out promisingly with the Knicks way back in 2012 ... when "Linsanity" was a thing for a sec. Since then, he's been relegated to a role player, and has become a journeyman in the league.

He's also been plagued by injuries, possibly career changing ones at that.

This past year, he was coming off the bench with the Toronto Raptors, but hardly saw any playing time in the playoffs, let alone the Finals. Still, the dude's got a ring ... even though he's openly questioned whether he deserves it or not. Hey, a ring's a ring.

Anyway, Lin remains a free agent on the market for now, but it doesn't sound like anyone's giving him a call. Time will tell if a team shows interest as camps start to get going later this summer, but as of now ... he's drifitng. There are rumors teams in Europe want him there, and he's even entertained the idea of playing in Asia, alongside his brother.

Wherever he goes ... hopefully he finds success. Best of luck, man.

LeBron James is living vicariously though his son's AAU team -- dancing up a storm when they score a bucket ... and low-key willing them to victory from the bench.

The King was in Vegas Saturday for a basketball tournament that Bronny Jr. and his Blue Chips teammates are competing in right now -- and killing in, BTW -- where he was wearing his dad hat and coach hat at the same time, dishing out pep talks from the sideline.

In this video -- obtained by TMZ Sports -- you can see Bron Bron high fiving the coaching staff and fellow players as they played against the New York New Heights Youth team, which was coming in hot at 5-0 ahead of Saturday's game. The Blue Chips were coming in undefeated as well (reportedly 4-0), although it's unclear if this was a final or not.

Either way, LeBron was definitely treating it like an important match, coaching up his boy before tipoff, and giving suggestions to players on the court as they D'd up against NHY.

At one point ... Bron even did a high-knee celebration dance after we're told his team made a huge dunk on the other end of the court.

Looks like the cheerleading paid off ... we're told the Blue Chips beat the New Heights 60 to 47 Saturday, with Bronny Jr.'s stat line at 10 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists.

New York Knicks owner James Dolan is getting a lot of hate from fans ... but it's ALL LOVE when it comes to his players -- just ask Allonzo Trier!!

TMZ Sports spoke with the 23-year-old hooper about the state of the Knicks -- from their playoff chances (they won just 17 games last year) to RJ Barrett to their rivalry with the crosstown Nets ... but the most interesting answer came when we asked about the team's controversial owner.

"I like James Dolan," Trier says.

It's interesting to hear what the players think -- considering we know what most fans and some former players (see Charles Oakley) think of the guy ... and we DEFINITELY know what he thinks of hecklers.

But, it all seems to be okay with the dudes in the locker room ... at least, according to Trier -- who, BTW, has a sick Bentley.

NBA star Andre Drummond is having a better summer than you ... and if you don't believe us just check out a clip from his new rap video, which features the life you want to live, complete with the beach and a ton of babes.

If you didn't know, the Detroit Pistons center is also a rapper ... and dropped a track called "Listen" earlier this year that made news because well ... it wasn't wack.

Now, Drummond has taken to IG and released a clip from the upcoming video for the song, and we gotta say ... IT'S LIT.

There's twerking, champagne showers, bikinis and millionaires ... all the things that make an NBA player's summer great.

Jordyn Woods and James Harden aren't anything more than 2 people with mutual friends who happened to run into each other at a bar ... at least that's what we're told.

Sources close to Jordyn tell TMZ ... the 2 didn't make plans to party together in Houston Wednesday night -- it just happened to work out that way. We're told despite video showing her dancing right in front of him ... there's nothing brewing.

Our Jordyn sources say she'd been working on a project in New Orleans and made a quick trip to Texas to go out with some friends. She ended up in a VIP booth at Belle Station, coincidentally next to the NBA star and his crew ... who we're told are friends with some of her gal pals.

Jordyn didn't arrive or leave with Harden, and hardly spent any time with him, according to our sources ... and all the hookah smoking and dancing was just her having a good time.

Other sources, however, have told us Woods has been hanging out with Harden for months ... even before she kissed Tristan Thompson, ruining her friendship with Kylie Jenner. We're told Jordyn told friends Khloe was totally cool with her hanging with Harden, but Khloe had no idea.

Of course, the sight of Woods hanging with another one of Khloe Kardashian's ex-boyfriends following the Tristan Thompson cheating scandal raised eyebrows.

Jordyn Woods likes what Khloe Kardashian likes ... stars on the hardwood, because she's hangin' with another of Khloe's exes.

Kylie Jenner's former bestie danced and smoked hookah alongside NBA star James Harden in Houston Wednesday night, and, if you're not keeping track ... Harden's another ex-boyfriend of Khloe's.

We're told Jordyn and James were partying together at Belle Station, and were cozying up in the same booth. At one point, Jordyn stood up and danced in front of him while taking a hookah hit.

We're told the 2 have hung out in the past -- pre-Khloe's split with Tristan -- and Jordyn allegedly told friends Khloe was cool with it ... our sources say Khloe never even knew about it. What's unclear is if Jordyn and James have taken it a step further.

Jordyn took Chernobyl-type heat for contributing to the breakup of Khloe's family after allegedly cheating with her baby daddy, Tristan Thompson, at a house party.

Woods claimed it was just innocent fun, though, and said he only kissed her once. Khloe first blamed Jordyn for destroying her fam, then took it back.

Things got so bad between Jordyn and Kylie ... Kylie kicked Jordyn out of her guest house.