TMZ Sports - Page 50

It's been six years since Kanye West dropped his famous "Yeezy just jumped over Jumpman" lyrics -- but the rapper says it STILL has Michael Jordan furious with him.

Ye made the revelation on Revolt TV's "Drink Champs" this month ... saying MJ had big beef with him after he released "Facts" in 2015 -- and is still holding a grudge over it all.

"Jordan still won't meet with me," Kanye said. "I'm trying to meet with Michael Jordan. I'm like, 'Man! It's a song, man!'"

Ye's '15 hit is filled with Swoosh disses -- West raps over and over again in the song, "Yeezy, Yeezy, Yeezy just jumped over Jumpman." -- and, of course, Jordan took exception to it.

West, though, tried to apologize to His Airness in 2016 ... writing in a tweet that it wasn't meant at all as a shot at MJ -- but rather a top Nike exec Mark Parker, who Kanye had issues with stemming from their previous collabs.

"I'm sorry Michael Jordan," Ye wrote in the tweet. "I love and respect you. My beef was with Mark Parker. I respect you so much."

Kanye, though, says the apology still hasn't been accepted all these years later.

"Michael Jordan said this thing like, 'Why y'all acting like Virgil made me hot? These shoes is hot!'" West said. "This is from somebody that met with Michael Jordan that used to work with me."

West, who clearly wants to repair things with the NBA legend, still continued to take shots at Nike nonetheless ... saying, "Nike really ain't had s*** since the Yeezys."

The Staples Center's name change will NOT erase the history Kobe Bryant made inside the building ... so says Kenny "The Jet" Smith, who tells TMZ Sports fans will get over the big switch once the Lakers build a statue honoring the Black Mamba.

The iconic venue will officially be referred to as Crypto.com Arena starting Christmas Day ... as part of an insane $700 million deal.

While it's good news for the team (that's a LOT of money), some fans are livid with the move ... especially because Staples is often referred to as "The House That Kobe Built."

We spoke with the "Inside The NBA" analyst about the switch ... and he thinks Laker Nation will forget all about the gripe once Kobe gets honored outside the venue -- no matter what it's called.

"The statue outside with Kobe in front, that’ll settle everything down," The Jet told us Wednesday. "Still, the name of the arena always changes, but what happens inside of it never changes."

Of course, Kobe is the first Laker to have two jerseys retired in the organization ... with both #8 and #24 hanging in the rafters.

Conor McGregor claims it wasn't Dustin Poirier who gruesomely broke his leg during their trilogy fight ... 'cause the limb was "severely damaged" heading into the scrap.

The 33-year-old former UFC double champ made the declaration in a series of tweets on Wednesday ... saying he knew the leg may give out, but he decided to continue with the fight despite the serious injury.

"In my last camp I’d a severely damaged left leg. Many of my sessions consisted of starting in open guard bottom. And staying there. Full rounds remaining on bottom. I was beating people up until they backed away from me. It then translated to the fight. True story," McGregor fired on Twitter.

In fact, Conor says he didn't have a big reaction to the painful break -- unlike Chris Weidman and Anderson Silva -- because he was well aware the leg may snap during the UFC 264 fight on July 10.

"Same leg, same spot. I attribute it to why I wasn’t in as much shock as Chris/Anderson where. I knew something may happen in advance. Chris was upset with my quote. Felt I was aiming at him. I was not. If any constellation to my reaction, It was because id a heads up it may snap."

McGregor is very much down the road to recovery ... and it's evident he's beginning to plot his return to the Octagon.

But, who will he fight?? Poirier for a 4th time? Max Holloway rematch (McGregor beat him in 2013)? Nate Diaz trilogy?

Whoever it is ... The Notorious says he'll be back and better than ever!

Mookie Betts showed off his big heart at a Thanksgiving charity event on Wednesday -- and then he showed off his dance moves ... and it was all awesome!!!

The MLB superstar was out at Algin Sutton Recreation Center in South L.A. -- just a few miles from Dodger Stadium -- giving away turkey dinners with a side of moves.

The 29-year-old passed out birds and all the fixin's to those in need ... and then he hit the Wobble with a bunch of people in attendance.

Check out the footage, it's clear the dude can play baseball well AND dance at a high level too!!!

As for the event, it was a Brotherhood Crusade affair that officials say Mookie had a hand in inspiring.

The giveaway included whole turkeys, vegetables and corn bread dressing -- and it ain't hard to see everyone there was stoked for the free dinners.

The debate over the NBA's anniversary team rages on ... this time Tracy McGrady has big beef with the list -- saying he believes it's insane that Anthony Davis made the squad over Dwight Howard.

“You're trying to tell me if Anthony Davis was to retire right now he has a better career than Dwight Howard?!" McGrady said this week. "No way."

The former NBA superstar went in on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team to Sports Illustrated ... saying Howard's exclusion from the list is a straight-up "travesty."

"Dwight Howard deserves to be on that list," McGrady said. "For eight straight years that kid was extremely dominant. And I just can't believe some of the guys they have on the list."

The former Magic and Rockets great -- who also did not make the list -- made it clear that he wasn't shading AD with his comments ... saying he means "no disrespect" to the Lakers star.

But, he did add, "Before [Davis] got to LeBron James and won that Championship with the Lakers, I mean ..."

The league revealed their highly controversial list at the beginning of this season ... and some of the snubs had players like Howard and Klay Thompson furious.

Howard claimed he was kept off due to politics ... while Thompson questioned if he was naive to think he's earned his spot.

NFL legend and Jackson State head football coach Deion Sanders is mourning the loss of rapper Young Dolph ... penning an emotional prayer to his close family friend.

FOX 13 is reporting the "Major" rapper was gunned down outside a local cookie shop in Memphis on Wednesday. He was just 36 years old.

Following the news, Sanders shared a heartfelt tribute to Dolph ... saying, "Lord help us as a people stop the hate, the violence and the hopelessness."

"When we realize we matter others will as well. Lord help us right now."

Dolph was tight with the Sanders family -- he even attended a recent Jackson State football homecoming game in October, where he was spotted celebrating with the team in the locker room as his "100 Shots" hit blared over the speakers.

"I appreciate you @YoungDolph for blessing us my brother after our homecoming win," Sanders said at the time. "Our young men love ya my man."

Ex-NBA center Kendrick Perkins also reacted to the news ... "It be the people from your hometown that be out to get you! RIP Dolph 🙏🏾"

Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell added ... "Damn man RIP young dolph🙏🏾"

Shareef O'Neal -- Shaq's son -- shared his disbelief, saying "Man not dolph bro!!"

Cam Payne of the Phoenix Suns tweeted, "RIP YOUNG DOLPH! Jamming out all day today! 🕊🕊🕊🕊"

Philadelphia Sixers star Tobias Harris added ... "Dolph news got me sick!!! Rest in Peace"

Henry Ruggs was just ordered to show up in court next Monday ... after a judge said the former Las Vegas Raiders star missed a required breath test.

The NFL player's attorneys were in court Wednesday over a separate matter in the DUI crash case ... when the judge presiding over the hearing said Ruggs did not properly submit a breath test earlier this month.

As part of the conditions of Ruggs' release ... the 22-year-old must submit to alcohol testing several times a day -- but the judge said he missed one of his required check-ins.

Ruggs' attorney, David Chesnoff, acknowledged the missed test ... but added that Ruggs had "self-tested" just minutes later.

"He's been dutiful," Chesnoff said. "Completely dutiful."

The judge didn't seem to care much though ... responding, "It doesn't matter. He still missed it so I would like to see your client."

The proceedings next Monday will be the first time Ruggs has been seen in public since he was in court on Nov. 3 -- the day after he crashed his Corvette into another car in Las Vegas, killing a woman and her dog.

At that hearing, in which Ruggs posted bond and was released from custody, the football player showed up in a wheelchair while wearing a neck brace.

As we previously reported, Ruggs has been hit with 5 charges -- including four felonies -- after authorities say he was drunk and speeding just before the fatal crash.

Matt Stafford's wife, Kelly Stafford, is apologizing for chucking a pretzel at a fan during the Rams vs. 49ers game Monday ... calling it all a "weak moment" and adding she was "embarrassed" by her actions.

TMZ Sports has learned ... the L.A. quarterback's significant other was in the stands during the Rams' "Monday Night Football" game in Santa Clara, when a fan behind her started trash talking.

According to one witness, Kelly snapped ... kicking off an altercation by hurling a soft pretzel at the man.

The witness tells us Levi's Stadium security eventually stepped in ... and escorted Kelly and her crew away from the area to other seats in the venue.

After the game -- one in which the Rams lost, 31-10 -- when a fan called out Stafford's wife for not diffusing the situation and letting things go ... Kelly issued a mea culpa.

"I'm an idiot," Kelly wrote on her social media page. "He was saying a bunch of things that were aggressive towards our crew but zero excuse."

"I tried to apologize, but in the end knew I was wrong. Will always stand up for my guy and everyone I love, but obviously needed to do it completely different!"

Kelly continued, "I'm embarrassed too! Sorry you had to witness me in my weak moment!"

We reached out to the Santa Clara Police Dept. to see if they were called over it all ... but a spokesperson tells us they were not aware of any such incident.

We contacted Levi's Stadium security ... so far, no word back.

We also talked to Matt's agent ... who declined to comment on the incident.

Karl-Anthony Towns got a lot of dope gifts for his 26th birthday on Monday -- but none were more meaningful than this ...

TMZ Sports has learned that one of KAT's good buddies got him an amazing diamond pendant -- that's worth over $16,000 -- to honor his late mother, Jackie, for the special day.

We're told Chuck Anthony -- who's been one of Towns' best pals for years -- hit up Tim Da Jeweler to get a bday gift for the Timberwolves center earlier this year.

Chuck wanted to pay tribute to Towns' mom, who passed away in April 2020 due to complications from COVID-19.

Tim tells us he and Anthony worked closely together on the project -- saying they "wanted to make something that would have some sentimental value to Karl given that he had a really hard time dealing with his mother's passing."

The honorary bling came out PERFECT ... it features a 48.6 gram yellow/white gold "J' pendant that's infused with 7.78 carats of round/emerald VVS Color E/F diamonds.

There's also a custom, hand-painted red rose with green and blue designs to give it "some pop," according to Tim.

It also comes with a 14k solid two-tone yellow gold/white gold rosary style chain -- and we're told it all cost $16,700.

Call Le'Veon Bell all the bad things you can think of, but the dude already beat you to it -- the NFL's newest free agent just roasted himself in his own Twitter bio ... saying he's washed, slow and even a bad rapper!!!

Bell's playing days in Baltimore are over -- the Ravens announced yesterday that they waived the former Pro Bowl running back after struggling in five games with the team.

Bell -- who signed with Baltimore back in September -- saw limited action in his brief tenure ... rushing for just 83 yards on 31 attempts and registering 2 touchdowns.

With the roster move, Bell ended up getting ahead of all the expected chatter on social media ... updating his Twitter bio to reflect what he feels everyone's been thinking and saying about him.

"#Washed #FellOff #Slow #BadRapper #WastedTalent #Clown #Greedy #LetDown #Old #OverRated Anything else I'm forgetting?," Bell wrote.

Of course, when the Ravens acquired Bell, they took a chance by kicking the tires on a running back whose most productive days are probably behind him ... but they were in desperate need of help after season-ending injuries to Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins.

So, people can't be too surprised this was the end result of the Bell experiment in Baltimore ... but it's Twitter, so haters gonna hate.

Philadelphia Flyers center Kevin Hayes scored his first goal of the season Tuesday night ... and celebrated by pointing to the sky honoring his late brother, Jimmy, in an emotional moment.

It was Hayes' first home game of the 2021 season since Jimmy's tragic death in August ... and the 29-year-old made the most of it with a goal during the second period of the Flyers' OT win against the Calgary Flames.

Hayes immediately looked up and pointed to the sky and placed his hand on his chest after securing the goal ... with broadcasters acknowledging, "he scored for his brother."

"It was a big goal," Hayes said about the tribute during the post-game press conference.

"Trainers got the puck for me. I'm going to give it to Jimmy's son Beau and it'll be one I remember forever."

Kevin was devastated by his older brother's death on Aug. 23, saying the day after, "I lost my best friend, my brother."

"My whole life it has always been Jimmy and Kevin or the Hayes brothers."

"Our world lost someone special and I don’t know if I will ever be the same but till we meet again, I LOVE YOU JIM!"

Jimmy -- who played 7 seasons in the NHL for several teams including the Chicago Blackhawks -- was found dead at his Milton, Mass. home. The toxicology report confirmed fentanyl and cocaine were in his system.

Free Jarvis??

Fresh off Odell Beckham Jr. being "freed," Jarvis Landry is opening up on his own offensive struggles this season ... saying he has no idea why he hasn't been getting targets.

"I haven't been getting the ball so much either," Landry told reporters at his annual Thanksgiving food drive. "But at the end of the day, I've been able to do with the opportunities I'm given."

When asked why he hasn't been getting the ball, Jarvis responded, "I don't know" ... adding he doesn't know why the passing game has been struggling.

The ex-LSU star's comments come right after OBJ -- who had just 17 receptions for 232 yards for the Orange and Brown this season -- was released, which allowed him to join the Los Angeles Rams last week.

The Browns have fallen to 23rd in the league in passing yards as Baker Mayfield battles injuries ... but despite how his comments sound, Jarvis isn't trying to throw his QB under the bus.

"He’s a tough man, and he’s doing all the things necessary to make sure that he can be out there with us," Landry added.

"As playmakers, when the ball’s in the air, we’re doing our best and understanding and knowing that it’s the situation where he’s got to get healthy. But we’re still out here making plays with each other, for each other, and he always gives his best. That’s all you can ask for."

FYI -- Landry has 23 receptions for 219 yards on 34 targets this season.

Mike Krzyzewski is clearly upset over his grandson's weekend arrest ... 'cause the Duke coach told reporters Tuesday he considers it a "violation of our standards."

The 74-year-old -- who's in his final season as the Blue Devils' head man -- spoke for the first time publicly about Michael Savarino's Sunday arrest ... and he promised he and his team will "handle that."

Unclear what any sort of punishment will be -- but it should be noted, Savarino, who's been playing for Coach K since 2019, was not spotted at Duke's game Tuesday against Gardner-Webb.

"We're already handling it," the coach said after beating Gardner-Webb, 92-52. "But, it's a violation of our standards. That's it."

As we previously reported, Savarino was arrested after cops say he showed signs of impairment during a routine traffic stop Sunday at around 1:10 a.m.

Authorities say the 20-year-old blew a .08 while in custody ... and was ultimately hit with three charges, including DWI.

His passenger, Duke star Paolo Banchero, was also hit with an aiding and abetting charge over the incident ... but unlike Savarino, Coach K allowed Banchero to start Tuesday.

The freshman forward played 26 minutes in the win, scoring 10 points.

"It's two different situations," Coach K said of why he started Banchero but sidelined Savarino. "Two entirely different situations. Headlines might make it look like it's the same -- it's not."

Krzyzewski added, "The decisions we made are in conjunction with our authorities -- our superiors. We're taking action. We took action and we will continue to take action."

Nelson Thomas was not up to the challenge of a pissed-off husband -- cops say the MTV star got knocked out cold after chatting up a married woman in Las Vegas!!!

According to the police report, obtained by TMZ, Nelson -- who's starred on "The Challenge" for years -- says he met a woman at ARIA Resort & Casino and started talking to her at the valet area, and then ... WHAM!!! Next thing he knew, Nelson was being awakend by someone telling him he'd just been punched in the face and had his chain stolen.

Cops say they saw video backing up that account ... showing Nelson talking to the woman before the knockout punch put him on the ground -- and the assailant socked him one more time.

Nelson says he was "sucker-punched" and left with a broken nose so swollen he couldn't get treated by a doctor until the swelling went down.

On social media, Nelson claimed he was attacked because someone was trying to steal his $10,000 chain, but the woman's husband, Kevin Dixon, tells a different story.

According to the police report, Dixon copped to the punch ... and said Nelson was talking to his wife in an elevator -- but when he walked off, his wife stayed on and kept talking with Nelson.

He says he lost sight of her and was trying to text and call her, then found her at valet talking to Nelson. Cops say he admitted being jealous, mad and drunk -- a bad combo any night in Vegas.

Dixon was arrested for battery and grand larceny.

Nelson's on the mend, and it looks like his nose is fixed after finally getting treatment.

Staples Center is no more ... the iconic building that the Lakers and Clippers have called home since 1999 is getting a new name -- Crypto.com Arena.

Officials announced the stunning name change Tuesday night ... explaining the rebrand will take effect on Christmas Day next month.

The new name will stick for the next 20 years as part of the new agreement, officials say ... and the new deal will all reportedly cost the cryptocurrency app around $700 MILLION.

Of course, the announcement was hardly met with joy from L.A. fans -- as the building has only been known as Staples Center for YEARS to Kings, Sparks, Lakers and Clippers fans.

Still, officials were pumped over the move nonetheless ... sending out a mock of how the new signage will look on the top of the building in 2022.

In the announcement of the new deal, officials also promised "large-scale, premium branding and signage throughout the interior and exterior" of the new Crypto.com Arena.

Frank Gore says he is a surefire Hall of Famer ... telling TMZ Sports if you think otherwise, you straight up don't know football.

"You go ahead and ask any coach, any old player, any -- tell them to call Bill Parcells," Gore says. "Anybody. Call anybody, and they'll tell you what type of ballplayer I was."

Gore's numbers say he's a first-ballot Hall of Famer -- he is, after all, third on the all-time rushing yards list with 16,000 -- but, still, some pundits say he doesn't belong in Canton.

The argument ... Gore was never named to an All-Pro team and was only selected to the Pro Bowl in five of his 16 years in the league.

Gore, though, made it clear he believes the people pointing to that have no idea what they're talking about.

"They don't know football," the 38-year-old said. "That's what I say. They don't know football."

"My numbers speak for themselves," Gore added. "Whatever they say, it's all good."

In addition to his 16,000 yards, Gore also recorded 81 rushing TDs and logged 3,985 receiving yards. And, Gore says there's still a chance he could add to those totals despite his upcoming fight with Deron Williams.

The ex-49ers star says if a Super Bowl-contending team called, he'd listen.