NBA

La NBA está en la mira del Departamento de Justicia de los Estados Unidos por las acusaciones de que la Asociación trabajó para torpedear la liga de baloncesto Big3 de Ice Cube, acusaciones que la NBA niega.

TMZ Sports ha descubierto que se inició la investigación hace meses, el examen de la presunta conducta anticompetitiva por parte de la NBA con el objetivo de aplastar el crecimiento de la Big3.

Supuestamente la NBA está emitiendo estas acusaciones para evitar que los patrocinadores y otros socios potenciales hagan negocios con la liga de la leyenda del rap y así convencer a las cadenas de televisión de no  mostrar los juegos de la Big3.

Cube y su socio Jeff Kwatinetz lanzaron la liga de 3 contra 3, compuesta casi en su totalidad por jugadores retirados de la NBA, en 2017.

Algunos jugadores actuales han expresado su deseo de jugar en la liga de Cube en la temporada baja, pero nos informan que la NBA ha impedido que los chicos lo hagan, poniendo reglas arbitrarias para evitar que los jugadores entren a la liga de Ice.

Para tu información, las temporadas de la NBA y de la Big3 no coinciden. Por supuesto, es habitual que los jugadores de la NBA —incluidas algunas de las mayores estrellas del mundo como LeBron James— participen en partidos que no son de la NBA una vez finalizada la temporada, como la famosa Drew League de Los Ángeles.

Según fuentes familiarizadas con la investigación, los directivos de Big3 creen que han sido injustamente atacados por la NBA.

También nos informan que se ha disuadido a los propietarios de la NBA de invertir en la Big3 al tiempo que poseen una franquicia.

Los árbitros tampoco han sido inmunes, según una fuente, se les ha dicho que no pueden oficiar para la Big3, a pesar de que algunos trabajan para otras organizaciones fuera de la NBA.

Una fuente familiarizada con la investigación del Departamento de Justicia nos dice que Cube y Kwatinetz se reunieron con abogados del DOJ durante la primera mitad del año. También nos han dicho que los investigadores han empezado a ponerse en contacto con los propietarios de la NBA como parte de su investigación.

Si finalmente el gobierno determina que la liga cometió infracciones antimonopolio, la NBA podría enfrentarse a una multa significativa.

Nos pusimos en contacto con la liga para hacer comentarios y el portavoz de la NBA, Mike Bass, se refirió a las acusaciones de interferencia de patrocinadores y cadenas de televisión y nos dijo: "Esas afirmaciones no son ciertas".

Bass también añadió: "Hemos apoyado a la Big3 desde su creación, pero declinamos invertir".

LeBron James might not be retiring for a LONG time -- the Lakers superstar's wife just revealed he's hoping to stay in the NBA until he plays with both Bronny AND Bryce!!

Savannah shared the surprising remark in the King's latest ad campaign for Beats By Dre ... in which she gives him a pump-up speech about his haters ahead of his 21st season in the Association.

"Tell them you're not done until you play with your son," LeBron's longtime partner said as Bronny's face popped up. "Then do that again," she added as Bryce stared into the camera.

38-year-old LeBron has always made it clear he wanted to suit up alongside 19-year-old Bronny, who is entering his first year at USC ... but now, it certainly sounds like he's planning to stick around long enough to do the same with 16-year-old Bryce.

Bryce is currently a shooting guard at Notre Dame HS in California ... and is slated to graduate in 2025, meaning he would not be able to enter the league until 2026 under the current rules -- and LeBron would be well into his 40s.

Bron admitted back in 2022 he had thought about the possibility of playing with Bryce ... saying, "I feel like I could play for quite a while," according to Sports Illustrated.

"So it’s all up to the body, but more importantly, my mind. If my mind can stay sharp and fresh and motivated, then the sky’s not even the limit for me. I can go beyond that. But we shall see."

Kim Kardashian's shapewear company is launching a men's line, and KK brought on one of the most famous and influential athletes in the world to promote the brand ... Neymar Jr.!

Kardashian's multi-billion-dollar company is getting into menswear, and Kim wanted a top athlete to promote Skims Mens ... enter the 31-year-old international soccer star from Brazil, who currently plays for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia.

In addition to Neymar, Skims also signed 49ers star Nick Bosa and OKC Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the campaign.

"To have an icon like Neymar Jr be the face of our launch campaign, along with NBA All-Star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and NFL’s top Defensive Player Nick Bosa, I think speaks volumes to the way SKIMS has evolved into becoming a brand that can provide comfort for all audiences, not just for women," Kardashian said of signing the three top athletes.

Brandon Miller -- the ex-Crimson Tide star who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft -- has been sued for wrongful death by the family of the woman who was killed in a shooting earlier this year near the University of Alabama.

The lawsuit, obtained by TMZ Sports, was filed in a federal court on Friday by Jamea Harris' mother, DeCarla Heard ... nearly 10 months after Harris was allegedly murdered by Miller's friend.

In the suit, Heard claims Miller played a significant role in her daughter's Jan. 14 death ... alleging Miller was the one who came to the location of the shooting with the firearm that Michael Davis then used to kill Harris.

Heard claims Miller, Davis and former Tide basketball player Darius Miles had all been together earlier in the night at a row of clubs in Tuscaloosa, when Miller left because a line to get into one of the bars was too long. She says Miles left his gun in Miller's ride before the basketball phenom took off.

A short time later, though, Heard says Davis and Miles left the bar ... and got into a dispute with Harris, her boyfriend and her cousin. She claims in the suit Miles then texted Miller, now a Charlotte Hornet, asking for his "joint" because "someone was 'fakin',' meaning using words in an aggressive manner with no intention or ability to back them up."

Heard says when Miller showed up minutes later, Miles then retrieved the gun from the hooper's ride, before he handed it off to Davis. She alleges Davis then approached Harris, her BF and her cousin in a car and fired off rounds -- striking Harris with at least one in the face, killing her.

Heard is seeking damages ... claiming Davis, Miles and Miller "should have known that bringing a dangerous weapon to a dispute and discharging said weapon would likely result in harm to those around them."

For his part, Miller's attorney said in February that Miller "never touched the gun, was not involved in its exchange to Mr. Davis in any way, and never knew that illegal activity involving the gun would occur." He was never charged with a crime.

As for Miles and Davis, both are facing capital murder charges over their alleged roles in Harris' death.

Draymond Green reportedly avoided Jordan Poole like the plague after their infamous practice altercation last year -- the Golden State Warriors star allegedly refused to make amends with his teammate, despite head coach Steve Kerr's attempts.

The details of the fallout between the two sides were laid out in an article on the Ringer ... claiming Green never spoke with Poole following the October 2022 incident, but was willing to sing like a bird about it with the media.

In fact, the feature states Kerr tried to step in and get the two to go to dinner to bury the hatchet ... but Green wasn't down.

As we previously reported, both Green and Poole have spoken about their status in the past ... with the former calling it a "work in progress."

Ultimately, those close to Poole believe the Dubs suffered on the court as a result of their severed relationship ... leading to an early exit from the playoffs.

Bronny James was teachin' fans how to Dougie at a USC hoops event Thursday night ... dancing his tail off during player introductions -- but he sat out all of the night's competitions, an indication he's still not quite 100 percent after suffering cardiac arrest.

LeBron's oldest son received a super warm welcome at the annual Trojan HoopLA shindig at the Galen Center in downtown Los Angeles ... and he sure seemed to love it all, gyrating to Cali Swag District's "Teach Me How To Dougie" as people in the stands roared.

However, that was about all the physical activity he did during the evening ... electing not to participate in the skills competition, dunk contest and the 3-point contest.

Of course, it's not unexpected at all ... Bronny required surgery just a few weeks ago after he had the issue with his heart back in July -- and everyone involved has been making sure he's been brought along slowly ever since.

It's unclear when he'll be able to officially start putting basketballs in hoops for the Trojans this year ... a timetable has not been given -- but LeBron said just days ago the goal is for his son to make an impact at USC soon.

Meanwhile, there were plenty more highlights from the Trojans event Thursday ... including when freshman forward Brandon Gardner threw down a massive slam over star USC quarterback Caleb Williams during the dunk contest.

Rap stars YG & Saweetie also performed!!

LeBron James certainly doesn't have writer's block -- the Los Angeles Lakers superstar just announced he's got another children's book on the way ... titled "I Am More Than."

The 4-time NBA champ teamed up with HarperCollins Publishers on the project ... to inspire young readers to understand they are more than just "one label, trait, or interest."

"'I Am More Than' is about believing in yourself and all the amazing things you're capable of, which no one else can define you," James said in a statement.

"I hope everyone that reads it feels inspired to be 'more than' in everything they do."

James is no stranger to the literature game -- his first kids book, "I Promise," became a New York Times best seller.

"It's been incredible to see students, teachers, and families respond to I Promise and its message of encouragement," the 38-year-old said.

"With the next book, we want to continue inspiring kids everywhere to keep dreaming big and not let anything hold them back."

The book -- slated to hit shelves on April 2 -- will feature illustrations from Nina Mata.

The future Hall of Famer also made a middle-grade level book called "We Are Family" this year with journalist and writer Andrea Williams.

The chiropractor to a ton of Hollywood stars -- ranging from the Kardashians to Logan Paul and Kevin Hart -- won't be providing services any time soon ... cuz he's now behind bars.

Dr. Patrick Khaziran is famous for appearing on "The Kardashians" and working with huge names like Jamie Foxx and Diddy ... but he got busted for his role in a fraud scheme with former NBA players and is now locked up at USP Lompoc in California.

Known as "Dr. Pat" to the Kardashians, he's featured on the latest episode of the famous family's Hulu series ... getting high praise from Khloe, who is trying to sell him as the answer to Scott Disick's lingering back problems from a 2022 car accident.

In the episode, Scott and Khloe pay Dr. Pat a visit at his chiropractic office in Los Angeles ... which prosecutors claimed was at the center of a scheme to defraud the NBA's health plan out of millions.

The feds say Dr. Pat created fraudulent invoices former NBA players used to bill the league's healthcare plan for medical services that were never actually provided.

The FBI says Dr. Pat was part of the fraud scheme from at least 2016 to 2019 ... during which the feds say he cost the NBA health plan $1.3 million in losses, pocketing $439K for himself and splitting the rest of the dough with former NBA players.

Dr. Pat, who is also a favorite of current NBA players Tristan Thompson and Justise Winslow, was ultimately convicted ... and in February he was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

Conor McGregor will not face criminal charges over the interaction he had with a woman at an NBA Finals game earlier this summer ... TMZ Sports has learned.

According to a closeout memo we obtained ... prosecutors said there was "insufficient evidence" as well as "contradicting and/or no corroborating witnesses" to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that McGregor sexually assaulted a woman during a bathroom meetup at the Nuggets vs. Heat game in Miami on June 9.

In the doc, prosecutors wrote they viewed CCTV footage from the Kaseya Center on the night of the incident ... and it showed McGregor and his accuser did go into a men's restroom together for approximately five minutes. They wrote it also showed that after the two left the lavatory, they were seen together in a club inside the NBA arena until they went their separate ways at around 12:40 AM.

Prosecutors added, however, that when they interviewed an attendant who was in the same bathroom ... he told them that while he did see the UFC star and his accuser go into a stall together, he "did not hear any signs of distress or sounds that would corroborate that whatever was occurring was not consensual."

Officials also said they spoke with McGregor's accuser's friend ... who told them the alleged victim never mentioned that Conor had attacked her. In fact, prosecutors wrote in the document that the accuser's friend said the woman had called her mother that same night "to tell her she had met" McGregor.

Prosecutors also wrote in the memo that when the woman initially attempted to make the claim against McGregor to cops ... she asked detectives if they believed the 35-year-old fighter "would like to 'settle' or 'pay her off' if she did not pursue charges."

"In light of the above facts and circumstances," prosecutors wrote in the memo, "the State would not be able to satisfy its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt."

Barbara Llanes of Gelber Schachter & Greenberg, an attorney for McGregor, said in a statement to TMZ Sports on Tuesday she was "pleased" with the conclusion.

The Utah Jazz have stopped selling a shirt that prominently features Michael Jordan's "Jumpman" logo ... this after fans complained the imagery brought up some painful memories for them.

The tee showed Jordan's famed silhouette jumping over Jazz lettering ... something Utah backers seriously frowned upon, given everything MJ did to them during his time with the Bulls.

You'll recall, while starring for Chicago in the 1990s, he beat the Jazz regularly ... including twice in NBA Finals matchups.

So, when some supporters saw the grey shirt being sold in the team's store -- they complained relentlessly -- and, according to Salt Lake Tribune reporter Andy Larsen, the Jazz ended up pulling the item quickly over the backlash.

As for how the shirt came about in the first place, following the NBA's partnership with Jordan Brand years ago ... teams all over the league -- not just the Jazz -- began rolling out the generic design with the "Jumpman" logo on them.

Michael Jordan got the red carpet rolled out for him at Usher's show over the weekend ... getting prime seats, a shoutout during the concert -- and even a sexy dance from Tiffany Haddish!!!

His Airness pulled up to the "Let It Burn" crooner's performance at Park MGM in Las Vegas on Saturday ... and almost immediately, king treatment commenced.

Jordan, his wife and a couple other friends were walked to some chairs in a VIP area that seemed to feature bottle service.

Then, as Usher was singing, Haddish cruised over to Jordan's group to give the NBA legend a show of her own ... gyrating in front of the former Chicago Bulls star -- while he clapped and laughed.

Usher himself then made sure Jordan felt special in the audience ... pausing his whole act to acknowledge that the hooper was in attendance.

"We love you, Mike," he screamed as everyone went crazy.

Of course, the conduct toward MJ shouldn't surprise anyone ... after all, he's the NBA's G.O.A.T. -- and he and Usher are longtime pals.

In fact, they famously collaborated to make an ultra-rare version of one of Jordan's signature shoes back in 2014 -- kicks that Usher actually broke out during Saturday's show.

"I'm putting them on because I want to be like Mike!" Usher said.

Unlike Joe Budden, Cam’ron’s not completely retired from rapping after adopting a career in podcasting, and he’s taking a baton passed by J. Cole and running with it for his own track.

On Monday, Cam expanded on Cole’s shoutout from Lil Yachty’s track “The Secret Recipe”
where Cole saluted the Diplomats rapper with the line, "I prolly put more n****s on pause than Cam and Mason Beth.”

Later on his verse, the Harlem rapper-turned-sportscaster plugged his show while taking aim at future HOF Chris Paul jumping to the Golden State Warriors ... "Say what I want, 'It Is What It Is'/Don't care who take offense/Like Chris Paul, y'all, on Golden State, it don't make no sense/Unless he 2nd unit, when the game start, he play the bench."

Steven A. Smith recently cast doubts on CP3's ability with the Dubs, but Cam and his cohost Ma$e are disrupting the world of sports commentary from a different angle -- they can professionally rap their hot takes!!!

The track eventually bleeds into a preview of Cam's upcoming Halloween-themed video, "Get Mine Regardless" where he dons a Freddy Krueger getup to slash home his point.

At 38 years old, even Chris wouldn't argue he's past his prime, but his immeasurable experience could surely prove valuable to GS' 2024 championship hopes.

Boosie Badazz is feeling like Coach Prime these days ... or at least he'd love to slip on a pair of his shine-blockas to protect him from all the haters coming after him lately.

That's the theme Boosie's operating with for his new video "Deion Shades," which he released on Thursday ... taken from the deluxe edition of his latest album, "Goin' Thru Some Things."

On the track, Boosie calls out rats and snakes with a barrage of sports references ... "I want my son around the best/This that Brady talk/My mind in everyone mouth ... I need Deion's shades!!!"

The shades are indeed a hot commodity ... Deion recently gifted all his Colorado players their own pair ahead of a big game that went on to be etched in history.

The Louisiana rapper also pays homage to Ja Morant ahead of his NBA comeback ... posting up next to the signed #12 jersey the maligned All-Star sent him a couple of months ago.

Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson have reunited with Reebok ... the NBA icons just got new jobs with the athletic brand -- as President and Vice President of basketball!

Reebok CEO Todd Krinsky revealed the new roles were created for the former hoop stars this week and he's thrilled to have them back, in Shaq's case, 3 decades after first signing in 1992.

"As an athlete, he made an incredible imprint on not only our brand, but the entire sport and culture of basketball,” Krinsky said.

“With the combination of his deep-rooted history with Reebok and reigning influence he’s made on the game, there is no one better than this guy."

It's the real deal ... O'Neal even got an employee ID. Now that he can get in the building, Shaq will focus on helping the brand partner with athletes and organizations.

Iverson, who signed with Reebok in 1996, is the Vice President and will have duties similar to Shaq. He'll also work on community-based initiatives and athletic activations.

Reebok, for their part, is thrilled to be back with Iverson ... one of the "most influential players of all time" on and off the court as his "legacy continues to grow and impact future generations."

O'Neal says he's excited to start the new venture and plans to look for players, male or female, who can bring Reebok to the next level ... and working alongside Iverson helps.

Shaquille O'Neal y Allen Iverson se han reunido con Reebok. Los iconos de la NBA acaban de conseguir nuevos puestos de trabajo con la marca ¡como Presidente y Vicepresidente de baloncesto!

El CEO de Reebok, Todd Krinsky, reveló esta semana que las nuevas funciones fueron creadas para las antiguas estrellas del baloncesto y que está encantado de tenerlos de vuelta. En el caso de Shaq, tres décadas después de firmar por primera vez en 1992.

"Como atleta, dejó una huella increíble no sólo en nuestra marca, sino en todo el deporte y la cultura del baloncesto", dijo Krinsky.

"Con la combinación de su arraigada historia con Reebok y lo influyente que ha sido el juego, no hay nadie mejor que este tipo".

O'Neal incluso tiene una identificación de empleado. Ahora que puede entrar en el edificio, Shaq se centrará en ayudar a la marca a asociarse con atletas y organizaciones.

Iverson, que firmó con Reebok en 1996, es el Vicepresidente y tendrá funciones similares a las de Shaq. También trabajará en iniciativas comunitarias y activaciones atléticas.

Reebok, por su parte, está encantado de estar de vuelta con Iverson, uno de los "jugadores más influyentes de todos los tiempos" dentro y fuera de la cancha y su "legado sigue creciendo e impactando a las generaciones futuras".

O'Neal dice que está emocionado de comenzar la nueva empresa y planea buscar jugadores, hombres o mujeres, que puedan llevar a Reebok al siguiente nivel y trabajar junto a Iverson ayuda.

LeBron James está expresando su apoyo a Israel mientras la guerra hace estragos en la región. El jugador dijo que está desconsolado por lo que está sucediendo y denunció los ataques de Hamás como "terrorismo".

La superestrella de la NBA publicó una declaración conjunta sobre el tema en su página de X, con su socio desde hace mucho tiempo, Maverick Carter, el miércoles por la noche, en la que dice: "La devastación en Israel es trágica e inaceptable".

"El asesinato y la violencia contra personas inocentes por parte de Hamás es terrorismo", dijo. "La familia SpringHill Company envía sus más profundas condolencias a Israel y la comunidad judía".

James añadió en su comunicado que ahora reza por la paz.

"Todos debemos trabajar para asegurarnos de que esta tragedia no propague aún más el odio, el racismo y el antisemitismo", dijo.

LeBron no es la primera celebridad que se refiere públicamente al conflicto. Kim Kardashian también lanzó una declaración el miércoles, en la que escribe: "¿Cómo puede alguien no estar devastado por estas imágenes horribles que nunca seremos capaces de no ver?"