TMZ Sports

Seems LeBron James does indeed think he's passed Michael Jordan as the NBA's best ever ... 'cause during a backyard hoops session with his son on Thursday night, he bragged repeatedly that he's the "G.O.A.T.!!!"

LBJ and his 16-year-old boy, Bryce, were getting some late-night shots up at their ritzy mansion in Los Angeles ... when for some reason, the young James started chirpin' at Dad.

The teen called the Lakers superstar "trash" ... and said over and over again he would miss his next shot.

Taylor Swift is defending her brief relationship with Matty Healy -- which came under a microscope by overly-concerned fans ... whom she's kinda ripping into on her new album.

The singer appears to slam her fan base on "The Tortured Poets Department" on one particular song that touches on the backlash she experienced for dating Matty last year ... the track's called "But Daddy I Love Him," and it eviscerates everyone who chimed in.

Her lyrics go something like this ... "I just learned these people only raise you / To cage you / Sarahs and Hannahs in their Sunday best/ Clutchin' their pearls, sighing, "What a mess"/ I just learned these people try and save you/ 'Cause they hate you."

Taylor Swift is singing about sports and feelings on her new album ... which is why a lot of people think she might've given her boyfriend Travis Kelce a shout-out.

The singer's new album "The Tortured Poets Department" dropped Friday ... and her song, "The Alchemy" paints a picture of a blossoming romance with loads of football lingo -- and plenty of her fans are pretty sure it’s a nod to her athlete boo.

Just dive into the lyrics and decide for yourself ... "So when I touch down / Call the amateurs and cut 'em from the team / Ditch the clowns, get the crown / Baby I'm the one to beat."

People are convinced Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke let out a big ole fart during a news conference on Thursday ... and if ya listen to video from the event, it sure seems they might be right!

Baalke and Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson were meeting with media members to break down next week's NFL draft ... when, according to a whole bunch of fans online, Baalke let one rip.

The 60-year-old was talking about how deep this year's quarterback class is and how it might help them land a good, non-signal caller at pick No. 17 ... when he suddenly paused.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce won't make their big debut at the Met Gala, because they're passing on soaking up the spotlight at fashion's biggest night ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the Grammy winner and NFL superstar were each issued individual invitations to the Met Gala, but both have RSVP'd "no" to the celeb-packed evening.

We know Taylor has a pretty good reason for skipping the event, which takes place on May 6 -- that's the same week she gets back on the road for her 'Eras' tour with a stop in Paris.

Ryan Garcia will live up to his King Ry moniker Saturday night in NYC ... 'cause the star boxer commissioned an insane iced-out crown -- with over 15,000 diamonds -- that he plans to wear as he walks to the ring!

TMZ Sports has learned celeb jeweler The Ice Champ is the man behind the royal piece ... making the crown for Garcia's highly anticipated boxing match with rival Devin Haney on Saturday night at Barclay's in Brooklyn.

"He was like 'let's create something where the champ of the boxing world and the champ of the jewelry world connect and make something unique,'" Ice Champ said. "We created a unique crown."

We're coming to the end of another jam-packed week full of stories for Swifties, sports fans and more. Here are some of our best from the Thursday that was!

On "TMZ Live" Harvey and Charles address the purported Taylor Swift album leak ... including the lyrics aimed at one of her famous exes!

Caitlin Clark has clearly had enough of Antonio Brown's social media antics ... she just blocked the ex-NFL player after he posted inappropriate things about her on his X page.

AB took to the app not once but thrice on Wednesday to say crass things about the WNBA's newest star following her Indiana Fever introductory press conference ... in an apparent attempt to be funny.

But, most rolled their eyes at the posts -- including Clark ... who straight up blocked the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout for the behavior.

Don't stick a fork in Larcus after all ... Larsa Pippen and Marcus Jordan look like a couple once more -- as they were seen getting close Wednesday on a beach day date in Miami.

The on-again, off-again pair were spotted enjoying each other's company under the South Florida sun ... holding hands, snuggling on lounge chairs, and sharing beverages out of a coconut.

Marcus was also seen chattin' it up with a few other hotties in the area before Larsa arrived -- looking somewhat flirty -- but, take a peek at how he interacted with Pippen once she got to the sand ... it sure seems the spark between the duo has been ignited yet again.

Major League Baseball just handed down a two-game ban on Aroldis Chapman ... after it says his meltdown on Monday night was simply "inappropriate."

If you missed it ... Chapman went off on Edwin Moscoso in the eighth inning of the Pirates' 6-3 loss to the Mets at Citi Field -- after he felt the home plate umpire had botched a few balls and strike calls.

Chapman walked off the mound toward Moscoso after giving up a go-ahead, two-run double ... and had some words for the guy.

Angel Reese is no longer the "Bayou Barbie!"

Nope ... the new WNBA rookie says she wants to be called the "Chi Barbie" now instead.

The former LSU hoops star made the announcement Thursday ... just a couple days after the Chicago Sky selected her with the 7th overall pick in the draft.

The Jets are no strangers to bad luck (Exhibit A, Aaron Rodgers last season) ... and that's why star Gang Green fans went into a full-on panic when star CB Sauce Gardner posted a photo with Drake, fearing the famed Drizzy Curse would plague them in '24!

But, the young Pro Bowler is trying his best to assuage the fan's fears ... saying he's actually using the Drake Curse for good, to take down the 31 other NFL teams.

"I told Drake that he should bet on all other 31 teams each week," the lockdown corner wrote on X.

Damian Lillard's estranged wife was apparently not a fan of GloRilla recently shooting her shot at the NBA superstar ... the hooper's ex clowned the Memphis rapper shortly after she was arrested for DUI.

GloRilla was arrested in Georgia on Tuesday for suspicion of driving under the influence, consuming/possessing an open alcoholic beverage container, as well as another traffic charge.

Kay'La -- who was married to Dame from September 2021 until he filed for divorce in October 2023 -- saw the legal trouble as an opportunity to roast the rapper ... this after she said she wanted to be with the Milwaukee Bucks guard.

Father Time still clearly can't quite win his battle with Tom Brady ... 'cause the NFL's GOAT just showed, once again, he's still ripped!!!

The 46-year-old popped his top for a workout down in Florida on Thursday ... and you can see the dude's still got chiseled abs, bulging biceps and a pair of defined pecs -- even though he hasn't played a down in the NFL in nearly two years.

It's apparent the muscles ain't just for show, too ... check out the footage of Brady running some wind sprints -- the ex-quarterback can still move!

Taylor Swift's new album supposedly leaked early -- and if it's real, fans are shocked to hear some Matty Healy references ... this when everyone thought it'd be all about Joe Alwyn.

Here's the deal ... a Google Drive link has been floating around the internet for the past 24 hours or so that purports to have all of Taylor's songs from "The Tortured Poets Department" -- her new project that's dropping Friday.

It's unclear if these are the real McCoy or not, but a lot of people on X think it's a legit leak -- and, if true, there's a lot of Swifties who are shocked to hear quite a bit about Matty.