NBA

LeBron James is establishing some boundaries when it comes to Bronny ... making it crystal clear he's not going to speak for his son -- telling reporters if they want to know anything about the Lakers rookie's experience, they can ask him directly.

The four-time NBA champion explained his stance during media availability on Monday ... saying Bronny's fully capable of taking his own questions.

"He's a grown man, ask him how he's handling it," LeBron said of the Bronny-related question.

LeBron and Savannah James shared a touching moment with the woman who sprang into action during Bronny's cardiac arrest incident last year ... thanking the first responder for helping save their son's life.

The Lakers superstar and his wife of 11 years detailed Bronny's medical emergency in the new Netflix docuseries, "Starting 5" ... which premiered Wednesday on Netflix.

In one of the scenes, LBJ visited the USC Trojans' locker room with his mother, Gloria, and hugged a training staff member named Erin -- the woman who performed CPR on Bronny that terrifying day last July.

"Life saver," James said introducing Erin to his mom. "Literally."

R.J. Hampton -- a former NBA first-round draft pick -- berated a woman, told her to "shut the f*** up" and admitted to leaving bruises on her body ... and the disturbing behavior was captured on video.

Tiffany Jeffcoat, a social media influencer who shares a child with Hampton, posted the footage of the 23-year-old basketball player on her TikTok page on Monday.

Jeffcoat claimed the video was shot at an Oklahoma hotel, after she and their 13-month-old son had just traveled 11 hours to see R.J.

LeBron and Bronny James made history Sunday night -- the two officially became the first-ever father and son duo to share an NBA court together ... and afterward, The King called the game "SURREAL!!"

It all went down in Palm Desert, Calif. ... where the Lakers were taking on the Suns in a preseason matchup.

LeBron checked into the game first -- he actually started the tilt for L.A. -- and at the beginning of the second quarter, Bronny joined him on the floor.

Bronny James' NBA gear is rakin' in bank before ever playing a regular season game ... 'cause the young hooper's first Summer League jersey sold for over $38K!!

The purple and gold uniform top from the July 12 tilt between the Lakers and Houston Rockets at the Las Vegas SL was recently sold by Sotheby's (in mid-September) ... and is now part of "Lakers Shrine," one of if not the most impressive private collection of Lakers memorabilia in the world.

Bronny played 27 minutes, scoring 8 points in the contest.

Erik and Lyle Menendez are experiencing newfound fame behind bars thanks to the popular Netflix series about the gruesome murders of their parents ... and there's a weird request that keeps coming up in the fan mail that's been pouring in, TMZ has learned.

A source with knowledge at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego tells TMZ ... the infamous Menendez brothers have seen a "huge" increase in mail from fans (and, of course, some haters) thanks to wild interest in Netflix's "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story."

Perhaps the most interesting item the brothers are being sent ... 1990-91 Hoops Mark Jackson NBA cards -- the brothers are on the card, snapped sitting in the Knicks crowd, after the murders, before their arrests -- and people want 'em autographed.

Julius Randle's wife is opening up on the blockbuster trade that sent her husband to Minnesota in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns ... saying she's actually excited for the change of pace in a much smaller city.

Kendra Randle took to her TikTok to talk all about the chaos the family has gone through over the past 72+ hours ... revealing they flew out to Minneapolis immediately to try and find a house and school for their kids, seven-year-old Kyden and two-year-old Jaycey.

"It is pretty hectic," she said. "I'm really grateful that it's actually not in the middle of the season, like, before the tradeline, or whatever. But, it has been pretty crazy for our first time and unexpected."

Jaylen Brown stirred up a stink online with Ice Spice's Munchkins fanbase when he declared her "Think U The S**t (Fart)" song was the worst flood of diarrhea hip hop music ever experienced ... a comment on par for the opinions and buttholes equation, claims "Fisherrr" rapper Bay Swag!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Bay Swag in NYC earlier this week ... he, Ice Spice and Cash Cobain helped spread the sexy drill movement with the "Fisherrr (Remix)" earlier this year, which marches to the same drum as Ice's "Fart."

Of course, that means nothing to the 2024 NBA Finals MVP ... JB says Ice's pooting was the first song that came to mind ... and Bay Swag tells us JB has a right to feel that way, even if he doesn't agree.

Michael Jordan's racing team is suing NASCAR and its CEO, Jim France ... alleging the guy and his organization are "monopolistic bullies."

His Airness' 23XI Racing -- along with Front Row Motorsports -- filed the lawsuit in federal court in North Carolina on Wednesday ... after the two teams say they refused to sign updated pacts with NASCAR over "unfair terms."

In the suit, the teams said they wanted more when it came time to extend their charter agreements beyond 2024 -- namely, a bigger piece of the revenue pie -- but France and NASCAR wouldn't budge.

Savannah James is taking the NBA 2K "My Player" concept to a whole new level ... mom picked up the sticks to play as the human she birthed in real life -- her son Bronny James!

LeBron James showed off the funny video on social media ... with Savannah seemingly having a proud mommy moment, putting up shots as her (virtual) son on the hardwood.

"Only way you play the game, huh," James asked. "Only way I can get her to play the game."

Rob Schneider was one of millions to share their condolences following Dikembe Mutombo's death ... but his tribute to the legend stuck out in particular -- as he used the tragic news to push his anti-vax stance.

The comedian went to X to mourn Mutombo's passing on Monday ... starting it off by saying, "Rest in Peace..."

Many wish he would've just left it at that ... as the rest of his post -- which quoted a video Mutombo made in 2021 to promote the Covid vaccine -- speculated if getting the jab had anything to do with the former All-Star's death.

Damian Lillard was caught off guard while taking a bunch of basketball-related questions at Bucks Media Day ... when one reporter hilariously used the opportunity to ask him if he's dating rapper GloRilla.

The 25-year-old "Yeah Glo!" MC famously shot her shot at the Milwaukee hooper earlier this year ... but up until this point, both sides have been tight-lipped on whether the attempt was successful.

Dame Time finally provided some answers on Monday ... and it certainly sounds like it was an air ball for Glo.

Media Day wasn't all fun and games for Draymond Green on Monday ... he got into a feisty back-and-forth with a reporter that lasted nearly two minutes.

The journalist's comment -- "people worry about you" -- came as the Warriors superstar was sitting down for a Q and A at Golden State's annual (and normally lighthearted) preseason event ... and, check out the video, Green seemed to take umbrage with it right away.

He stopped the media member in his tracks ... and asked him, "Why are they worried about me?"

Ya don't need Photoshop to see LeBron and Bronny James rocking the Purple and Gold together anymore -- the father/son duo decided to stand side-by-side for some pictures at Lakers media day ... and it was adorable!!!

The two hoopers took advantage of the opportunity for a cool moment before meeting with reporters on Monday ... with Bron rocking his usual No. 23 and Bronny sporting his new 9.

Of course, it's the first time any team has been able to have such a photoshoot ... as the Jameses are the first father and son to be in the league at the same time -- and they're on the same team.

The sports world is mourning the passing of NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo ... and some basketball figures gave their reactions in real time at media day activities on Monday -- including Raptors team president Masai Ujiri, who was devastated by the news.

The longtime exec. went before reporters to passionately explain how much Mutombo meant not just to him and the sport ... but to the world.

"It's really hard to believe," he said as he held back tears. "It's hard for us to be without [Dikembe Mutombo]. You have no idea what Dikembe Mutombo meant to me. It's a tough one."

Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo -- one of the greatest defensive basketball players ever -- has died after a battle with brain cancer. He was 58 years old.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a statement announcing Mutombo's passing ... saying, "Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life. On the court, he was one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in the history of the NBA."

"Off the floor, he poured his heart and soul into helping others."