NBA

It's a wrap for Z-Bo ... Zach Randolph tells TMZ Sports he's ending his NBA comeback plans once and for all.

It's not Earth-shattering news considering 38-year-old Randolph hasn't played in the league since the 2017-18 season, but he had been floating the idea of a return for months.

In fact, back in June, Randolph seemed interested in a comeback, telling us he was "back to training" and was hoping to sign a deal with a team for the 2019-20 season.

But, that didn't happen ... and when we saw Randolph at Staples Center for the big Lakers vs. Clippers Christmas Day matchup, he was pretty matter of fact about his future.

Randolph had a pretty stellar career -- he was a 1st-round pick in 2001, a 2-time NBA All-Star ... and became a Memphis Grizzlies legend during his run there.

As for cash, he reportedly made nearly $200 MILLION on contract money during his career ... so yeah, NOT BAD AT ALL!!

So, what's next for Randolph? He's growing his music label ... but really, when you have $200 mil, you can do whatever you want!!

Oh, we also spoke with Randolph about NBA rookie sensation Ja Morant -- and shocker, Randolph thinks he's got all sorts of potential!

Nick Young saved his girlfriend's best gift for last ... asking her to marry him with a MASSIVE engagement ring!!!

The charming moment went down on Christmas morning with help from his son, Nick Jr. who filmed the whole thing. You can see Nick grab the huge ring box from a different room and walk over to his baby mama Keonna Green and said the proposal is "way overdue."

It's a pretty swaggy moment ... the entire fam -- wearing matching PJs -- saw Nick tell Keonna he wants to spend the rest of his life with her and, of course, she said yes. Nick let out a huuuuge cheer after he slipped the ring on her. He then turned to his son and said, "We did it, son!!" Nick Jr. was stoked about it too.

We're told Nick worked with Jason of Beverly Hills to come up with the perfect ring for his Keonna ... and he was really stoked with the results.

"Nick was very hands on and took his time to design the ring and plan the proposal. You can tell he really enjoyed the process and I can definitely see the connection between him and Keonna. He proposed to his soulmate," Jason Arasheben, CEO Jason of Beverly Hills tells us.

Nick and Keonna started dating in high school. They have 3 kids together ... Nick Jr., daughter Navi and daughter Nyce, who was born in July.

NBA star Trae Young is beastin' for the Atlanta Hawks right now ... and he's rewarding himself by buying a $1.5 million crib in his home state of Oklahoma!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... Trae bought himself a new 8,100-square-foot pad in Norman Oklahoma where he grew up --- his first LEGIT house ... and it's loaded!!!

The pad comes with 5 bedrooms, 6 baths, a massive kitchen, a pool with a cool slide, a pool house ... and you can put up to 7 cars in his giant garage!

It doesn't stop there ... the baller is also adding 14 TVs and a dope audio system --- and because of that, he's spending TONS of money on security. Not bad for a 21-year-old huh?

And, Trae -- who's averaging 28 PPG and 8 assists right now --- is serious about uppin' his game that he's having his trainers and nutritionist live with him at his new home during the offseason.

The newest New York Knicks coach is ... Kenyon Martin????

Don't rule it out ... 'cause the ex-NBA superstar is officially throwing his hat into the ring for the open job -- telling TMZ Sports he wants to be NY's next head man!!

And, get this ... the dude says he wants Metta World Peace to be an assistant on his staff!!

We got the 41-year-old out at LAX ... and when we asked him who should replace David Fizdale at Madison Square Garden next, he told us straight-up, "Me!"

When our photog informed him Metta has also been gunning for the job ... he said that's cool, saying, "Me and Metta, head coach and assistant coach!"

So, could it happen? Almost certainly not ... the rumored favorite for the opening is Mark Jackson -- but others like Stan and Jeff Van Gundy have also reportedly been linked to the job.

Tacko Fall is VERSATILE!!!

Check out the 7'5" Boston Celtics rookie -- a beloved fan-favorite -- taking over the famous Boston Pops Orchestra for their Xmas show ... AND KILLIN' IT!!

The 24-year-old -- born in Senegal -- took the stage at Symphony Hall in a size 48 double extra-long tuxedo ... and temporarily filled in for conductor Keith Lockhart for a rendition of "Sleigh Ride."

HE EVEN BUSTED OUT A SPIN MOVE!!! GIVE THIS GUY A CONTRACT!

Fall absolutely smashed his orchestra debut -- and the crowd went wild for him.

After the show, Fall gave props to Shaquille O'Neal -- who conducted back in 2010 --  telling the Boston Globe he prepared by studying Shaq's performance.

Shout out to Tacko ... one of the nicest guys in pro sports.

Fall was a college sensation back at UCF but didn't get picked in the 2019 NBA Draft. The Celtics signed him to a deal and he did well in the NBA's summer league -- eventually making his NBA debut in October.

Bottom line, the people love Tacko!!

Here's Magic Johnson saying what ALL basketball fans are thinking ... WE WANT ZION!!

Of course, Zion Williamson has missed his entire NBA rookie season thanks to a meniscus tear in his right knee. The New Orleans Pelicans star underwent surgery about 9 weeks ago, but he's far from game-ready.

Magic's good pal Stephen A. Smith recently suggested Zion sit out the rest of the season and focus on his recovery ... so when we saw Johnson leaving Avra in Bev Hills, we asked his thoughts on the situation.

"We don't know the extent of his injury," Magic said ... "Whatever is good for him. I'm sure [Zion's team] will make a good decision."

"We wanna see him on the court but if it's better for him to sit out, then maybe he do that. If he wants to come back, then come back!"

The bottom line for Magic ... "The league misses him. We love seeing his talent because we think he's really gonna be a star in our league."

Here's a shocker ... Al Harrington is STOKED that weed is now legal in MLB, telling TMZ Sports it's about time baseball players can LEGALLY use pot to treat pain.

The former NBA player is a HUGE marijuana advocate -- he even has his own Viola cannabis company -- and has met with powerful figures (like ex-NBA commish David Stern) in the hopes of ending the weed ban in major pro sports.

So, when Major League Baseball finally removed weed from its list of banned substances, Harrington called it a "beautiful thing" that will make the sport safer.

"Athletes should have access to cannabis as an alternative way to medicate and for pain management across the board," Harrington says.

One of the motivating factors in MLB's decision is the death of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs --  who died from an overdose of painkillers -- fentanyl and oxycodone.

The logic is that if Skaggs could have used marijuana, he might not have used opioids.

Anthony Davis is NOT the kind of player you build a team around -- he's a #2 and will always be a #2 -- so says Charles Oakley.

The NY Knicks legend was out at Parish In NYC on Thursday when we asked if the Knicks should make a run at The Brow when he becomes a free agent at the end of the season.

Oak scoffed ... saying AD has no reason to L.A. because he's on a winning team with a true franchise player in LeBron James.

We asked if he thinks Davis will want to build his OWN team in another city after his time with the Lakers is up ... and that's when Oakley gave it to us straight.

"He ain't that type of player," Oakley said ... "He was in New Orleans and didn't do it. I don't know him personally but he ain't that guy."

"Whenever you go play with somebody else you ain't that guy, I don't care what you say."

Oakley noted there are only 3 or 4 guys in the league who are true franchise players -- in the sense you can build around them -- including LeBron, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard.

James Wiseman's NCAA career is officially over ... the Memphis superstar has left the school and will prepare for the NBA Draft.

It shouldn't come as a surprise considering the 18-year-old has been in a complicated battle with the NCAA when he was suspended earlier this season.

7'1" Wiseman was punished after the organization determined his family accepted $11,500 from now-coach Penny Hardaway in 2017.

FYI -- Hardaway was considered a Memphis booster due to a million-dollar donation he made to the school years before taking the coaching gig.

Wiseman was slapped with a 12-game suspension and was ordered to donate $11,500 back to charity in order to return to the court ... but has ultimately decided to leave school altogether and focus on his future.

Reporter Shams Charania broke the news ... saying Wiseman will hire an agent and prepare for the 2020 Draft. He's projected to be a Top-3 pick.

Wiseman addressed the suspension shortly after it was upheld, saying, "Sometimes bad things happen to good people. God has never left me nor forsaken me throughout this process!"

"God knows my destiny and I feel that even though hardships may be upon me! It too shall pass in the Grace of God. My journey isn’t finished, and this too shall pass."

Horrible setback for ex-NBA commissioner David Stern -- who is now in critical condition after undergoing emergency brain surgery.

77-year-old Stern has been hospitalized since Thursday when he suffered a sudden brain hemorrhage at a Manhattan restaurant.

It seems things had stabilized ... but now, The Athletic's Shams Charania says Stern suffered ANOTHER brain hemorrhage, requiring emergency surgery.

The NBA has issued a statement on Stern ... saying, "He is receiving great care and surrounded by his loved ones."

"The Stern family and everyone at the NBA appreciate the incredible outpouring of support.  Our thoughts and prayers remain with David and his family."

Stern served as NBA commish from 1984 to 2014. He famously shook LeBron James' hand when he was selected with the #1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft.

Russell Westbrook isn't fazed by the $100 MILLION lawsuit filed against him over an incident with a heckler ... we're told his camp strongly feels the suit is "meritless."

Westbrook is being sued by Shane Keisel -- a U.S. Army vet who got into it with the Houston Rockets player during a March 11 game in Utah against the Jazz.

In his suit, Keisel admits he tried to heckle Westbrook by telling the NBA star "that he should just sit down and ice his knees."

But, Keisel claims Westbrook misheard him believing he shouted a homophobic insult -- "get down on your knees like you used to."

Westbrook went nuclear on Keisel and his girlfriend, Jennifer Huff -- yelling, "I'll f*ck you up. You and your wife. I'll f*ck you up." Video of Westbrook's comments went viral.

In fact, Keisel says he was banned from the Vivint Smart Home Arena and all Utah Jazz games for life. Plus, Keisel says he was fired from his job, kicked out of a pilot training program and has received numerous death threats.

The Jazz claims they conducted an investigation before issuing the ban -- but Keisel says the probe is massively flawed ... with no video evidence showing him making any sexual or racial slurs. And, Keisel says witnesses who were sitting in the area are siding with him, not Westbrook.

He and Huff are now suing both Westbrook and the Jazz for $100 million for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, false light and more.

A source close to Westbrook slammed the claims telling us, "The lawsuit is meritless. The Jazz conducted their own investigation of the guy's conduct at that game and based on their investigation, they decided to ban him from attending any future Jazz games."

Steven Adams kept it about as real as possible after sinking a game-winning free throw for the Thunder on Monday ... saying the moment caused him to "absolutely s**t" his pants!!

The Thunder were tied 106-106 with the Chicago Bulls with just a few seconds remaining in the game ... when Adams was fouled near the basket and sent to the free-throw line.

The situation was pretty simple for the 26-year-old 7-footer ... make a free throw and win the game, or miss it and give the Bulls a shot at their own game-winner.

Adams sank the first one, and while he missed the second one ... he secured the rebound, sealing the win for OKC.

After the game, Adams said the moment really got to him ... straight-up telling the team's sideline reporter, "I absolutely s**t my pants."

"It's a lot! It's pretty tough!" Adams said. "I didn't realize how much pressure it is."

Meanwhile, during the whole interview, teammate Dennis Schroder was hilariously making fun of Adams for needing to bank in the free throw to win the game!!

Charles Oakley says even though the dude's a LEGEND in New York, Patrick Ewing simply ain't the right guy to take over for David Fizdale as Knicks head coach.

But, don't worry, Oak's got someone in mind -- Mark Jackson!!

TMZ Sports spoke with the ex-NY star about the coaching vacancy ... and, while he lists off a number of ex-Knicks who are qualified for the gig, Ewing ain't one of them.

Why??

"Ya gotta be a different type of coach than Patrick," Oak tells us. "I think he tried before and they didn’t hire him. So, I don’t know. We’ll see what happens."

Also, why??

Kobe Bryant watched a major car crash unfold right in front of him in Newport Beach, CA on Friday -- but didn't leave the scene ... he stuck around to comfort everyone involved.

TMZ Sports obtained video shot moments after the accident -- we're told it was T-bone crash at an intersection -- and you can see Kobe in his fresh pink sweatsuit taking control of the situation.

In the footage, you can see Kobe walk right into the wreckage scene to speak with the people involved -- directing traffic and calling the shots before help arrived.

Witnesses couldn't believe their eyes when they saw the NBA legend get involved ... but he seemed to be making a real impact and really helped.

Ex-NBA commissioner David Stern suffered a "sudden brain hemorrhage" on Thursday and underwent emergency surgery, the NBA announced.

77-year-old Stern collapsed at the Brasserie 8 1/2 restaurant in Manhattan while dining on Thursday, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Stern was rushed to a nearby hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.

Stern served as NBA commish from 1984 to 2014. He famously shook LeBron James' hand when he was selected with the #1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft.

He was the 4th NBA commish and current NBA commish Adam Silver was his protege.

The NBA hired Stern in 1980 as the Executive Vice President after he put in 2 years as the league's general counsel.

Stern famously implemented the NBA's dress code which required players to wear business casual attire to games. It also required players to wear a sport coat and dress shoes while on the bench (if that player wasn't active for the game).

Stern is married to Diane Bock Stern and they have 2 adult sons together, Eric and Andrew.

During his run as commish, Stern helped launch and grow the WNBA.

There were no boo birds for Kawhi Leonard's big return to Toronto on Wednesday ... with the Klaw getting an epic tribute before his Clippers played the Raptors.

Of course, this is Leonard's first game back in the 6 after bailing for L.A. this past off-season ... and the Dinos gave an awesome video tribute of Leonard's many highlights from his lone year with the squad.

The best part of the ceremony came on the court ... with the arena lights highlighting Kawhi's path to his incredible buzzer-beating shot over the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Semis last season.

The reception is totally understandable ... the guy helped the Raptors earn the franchise's very first championship.

Raptors team ambassador Drake was courtside for the moment ... giving the Klaw a shoutout on Instagram, saying "Kawhi's home" while showing off his own bling.

Leonard -- who is known for showing no emotions -- clearly looked appreciative of the gesture as he hugged all his ex-teammates and received his own title ring.