TMZ Sports - Page 50

Atlanta Hawks head coach Michael Budenholzer says he was NOT driving drunk when he was arrested for DUI last night ... and says he has some semi-convincing proof to back his claim.

Budenholzer was arrested in Atlanta around 10:30 PM Wednesday night ... after a Georgia State Trooper noticed the NBA coach's car had a broken taillight.

During the stop, cops say they noticed a strong odor of alcohol on Budenholzer's breath -- and asked him to submit to various field sobriety tests, including a breathalyzer.

According to the incident report, obtained by TMZ, MB agreed to everything BUT the breathalyzer ... and then proceeded to perform poorly during the other field sobriety tests.

During the arrest, Budenholzer reportedly admitted to having consumed 1 glass of wine earlier in the evening. He was arrested and hauled to a nearby jail.

Budenholzer was eventually released from custody around 3:45 AM this morning (5 HOURS after the initial arrest) ... and his lawyer says the coach went directly to a local hospital where a blood test revealed his B.A.C. was less than .01.

Golden State Warriors star David Lee tells TMZ ... he thinks the NBA drug testing policy is rock solid -- and believes the reason only 1 guy has tested positive for hard drugs since 2000 is because the players are simply staying clean.

Lee was leaving Hooray Henry's nightclub in L.A. last night when we asked about the drug culture in the NBA -- specifically the statistic that the ONLY person who tested positive for a drug harder than weed in the past 13 years is Chris "Birdman" Andersen.

"I can tell you [the NBA is] very thorough with their testing," Lee told us.

As we reported, multiple NBA sources tell us players have found a loophole in the NBA drug testing policy -- because they're only tested 4 times a year, and after the 4th test "It's like Christmas Day."

Lamar Odom is not the only basketball player who was high on drugs during the season -- not by a long shot, TMZ has learned.

Multiple NBA-connected sources tell TMZ ... the big problem is that the league is only allowed to test players 4 times during a season. Because testing is randomized, the last test can be administered as early as January, and the season lasts for months thereafter. As one recently-retired NBA player put it, after the 4th test, "It's like Christmas Day. We can take whatever we want."

One NBA-connected source says pot is "ubiquitous" in the sport. The source adds, however, that most athletes who indulge do so in moderation so it doesn't have a perceptible impact on their performance. An NBA rep tells us ... weed is not only prevalent, it's hardly hidden -- he says the hotel rooms where the players stay, and even the halls, have the telltale smell.

The players we've spoken with all agree ... pot is prevalent. But some of the players say Lean -- Sprite and Codeine cough syrup -- has become a recreational drug of choice during the season. One player said it was even used during the recent playoffs.

One current and famous player tells TMZ, he estimates 30% of his fellow NBAers use hard drugs -- including Molly, Ecstasy, and Lean -- at some point during the season. He says he's never been aware of anyone doing cocaine during the season.

Another current and famous player tells us he estimates only 10% of NBA players use hard drugs, and no one uses cocaine during the season -- it's too risky. He also says Lean is a drug of choice.

An NBA source agrees -- he estimates 10-15% of the players use hard drugs during the season.

One NBA insider believes the drug use problem has gotten better over the last 5 years because of social media. He says players have been burned because pictures of them doing things they shouldn't be show up on Instagram and Facebook, and it's inhibited them.

Lamar Odom would rather order tacos than answer questions about his crack problem ... and we don't blame him ... his order sounds delicious.

The NBA star was making a munchies run moments ago, hitting up a Taco Bell drive-thru near his and Khloe's Tarzana home ... and proudly displaying his wedding ring ... when he was pelted with questions about his drug addiction.

Lamar wasn't feeling talkative, but he did manage to complete his order ... laughing in the process.

It's a good sign Odom has stopped smoking crack -- at least temporarily -- because one does not typically make food runs while zonked.

As we reported, Lamar has returned home after going MIA for several days and is now listening to his wife Khloe's advice, though he's still undecided about seeking treatment for his crack cocaine problem.

Fun fact: the famous Taco Bell chihuahua died in 2009. R.I.P.

He's out with the Clippers, but Lamar Odom could have a new home in Memphis ... if Grizzlies superstar Zach Randolph has anything to say about it.

Randolph -- a former Clipper himself -- was outside The Emerson Theatre in L.A. last night when we asked if he'd welcome Lamar to his team, if L.O. can get his life back in order.

"Damn right," Randolph said ... "He's a good dude."

Randolph knows a thing or two about second chances -- he's had multiple run-ins with the law over the years and was once suspended for punching a teammate in the face ... yet overcame his troubles to emerge as a bona fide superstar.

... a superstar who knows what it's like to get SWATTED hard by L.O. (check out the video below).

Lamar Odom has finally returned home ... with Khloe Kardashian ... but he remains undecided about seeking treatment for drug addiction, TMZ has learned.

Odom returned to his L.A. pad Monday after going off the grid for several days. Sources tell us both Lamar and Khloe are inside the home and addressing some serious issues, including Lamar's out-of-control crack problem.

We're told there's still no talk of divorce -- and Khloe is determined to help Lamar get his life back on track.

One source tells us Lamar is "open to reason and listening to the people who love him the most" ... a drastic change from a week ago, when L.O. rejected an attempted intervention.

We're told no decision has been made on possible treatment, but Lamar is "receptive."

Lamar seemed to be in good spirits Monday night -- when he was spotted out on a gas run near the home and stopped to pose for a photo with a young fan.

We know ... several of Lamar's NBA friends have tried to reach out to him, but it seems for the most part, L.O. is keeping to himself.

It's not every day an NBA superstar like Kevin Durant gives you advice on something he knows all about -- SPORTS!

So, watch KD and his fellow hoopsters (one real, one from a movie) drop some knowledge ... listen up, Harv!

Chalk up ANOTHER victory for Scottie Pippen ... TMZ has learned the retired NBA superstar will NOT be prosecuted for kicking a guy's ass outside of a Malibu sushi joint back in June.

The L.A. County D.A. determined there was simply not enough evidence to prove Scottie did anything wrong during a confrontation with 49-year-old Camran Shafighi outside of Nobu on June 23.

According to official documents, obtained by TMZ, Pippen -- who's now represented by mega-attorney Mark Geragos -- admitted pushing and spitting at Shafighi but officials determined it was impossible to tell if Pippen was the aggressor or if he was acting in self-defense.

Plus, officials concluded the victim was FAKING multiple injuries -- and even faked seizures -- in an effort to make Pippen look like the bad guy.

According to the document, doctors believe Shafighi's injuries were minor at best and included a cut to his lip and a bruised chin.

TMZ broke the story ... the two scuffled in the parking lot of the restaurant after Scottie refused to pose for a SECOND picture with Shafighi.

Officials claim Shafighi was extremely intoxicated at the time of the confrontation (.18 blood alcohol level) ... and also tested positive for opiates.

Shafighi can still go after Pippen in civil court -- he's already filed a $4 million suit -- but this is a pretty big blow to his case.

Khloe Kardashian hasn't given up on her marriage to Lamar Odom ... at least publicly ... because she's still wearing her wedding ring.

Khloe was on her way out of a medical building in L.A. Monday when the photo was taken -- and while it's obvious she was trying to hide her face, she was clearly NOT trying to hide her symbolic commitment to her husband.

Lamar Odom was deep into drugs while he was playing for the Dallas Mavericks and there is evidence he was doing the exact same thing while playing for the Lakers ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected to a Westin hotel in Memphis tell TMZ ... in March of 2012, shortly before Lamar was cut from the Mavs, he stayed in one of the guest rooms while his team was in town playing the Grizzlies.

Our sources say when Lamar left, hotel employees found major carpet damage ... including quarter-sized burn marks. The damage was so bad, the hotel had to replace the carpeting in the room.

Our sources say hotel employees also found white powder on the desk blotter and the room reeked of noxious smoke. Our sources say it was obvious there was serious drug use going on in the hotel room.

The Westin is one of numerous hotels where NBA players stay when they're on the road. TMZ has contacted a number of these hotels in various cities. We've learned from several hotel employees ... they had complained about the state of the rooms when Lamar left -- similar to what happened in Memphis -- and this was while he was playing for the Lakers.

Our sources say no one on the Mavs knew Lamar was a substance abuser while he was on the team, but everyone knew something was seriously wrong with him.

We're told that during at least part of the time he was playing for the Mavs, Lamar was smoking Oxycontin and cocaine.

Odom's problems were so severe, he was cut from the Mavs mid-season and paid in full just so he would go away.

TMZ broke the story ... the drug use escalated to crack -- and we're told Lamar's level of crack use is now alarming and life-threatening.

Lamar Odom is wearing the stress of his marriage -- and possibly his NBA career -- falling apart as he battles addiction to hardcore drugs ... and TMZ has the first photos of him in several days.

Lamar's face looked gaunt when he was spotted Monday afternoon driving his SUV around the San Fernando Valley ... not far from his home with Khloe Kardashian.

As TMZ first reported ...Khloe kicked Odom out of the house last Wednesday when he rejected her attempt to stage an intervention -- hoping to convince him to get treatment for his addiction to crack cocaine.

But 2 interesting signs from Lamar's outing Monday -- he was still wearing his wedding ring ... and he was spotted driving into the gated community where he and Khloe live.

Lamar Odom will remain a free agent -- at least for now -- because the L.A. Clippers refused to re-sign him in light of his abuse of drugs, including crack cocaine ... TMZ has learned.

NBA sources tell TMZ, team officials really wanted to re-sign Lamar over the summer after he performed well last season, but he was nearly impossible to reach ... and they couldn't make progress on contract discussions.

We're told the Clippers were STILL interested despite Lamar's flaky behavior, but after news broke about the NBA star's issues with drug addiction ... the team closed the book on a new deal, permanently.

Good news Beliebers ... your fearless leader has been a GOOD BOY recently, so says one of his famous Calabasas neighbors.

TMZ spoke with retired NFL stud Willie McGinest -- who lives right near Justin Bieber in the ultra-exclusive gated community where the singer gained his reputation as the WORST NEIGHBOR EVER.

But Willie says things have quieted down since the infamous Justin vs. Keyshawn neighborhood war ... and even JB's entourage (Lil Twist and Lil Za) have been staying out of trouble.

Soooo ... Joe Rogan works out.

The UFC announcer went shirt-off at the beach in Hawaii this weekend ... proving Carrot Top ain't the only comic who knows his way around the weight room.

Fun Fact -- Rogan also happens to be a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu ... which is why we're immediately issuing the following apology for comparing him to Carrot Top.

Sorry Joe.

Khloe Kardashian has met with Lamar Odom ... and she is desperately trying to save his life -- TMZ has learned.

Sources familiar with the situation tell us, Khloe found Lamar and drove to see him at an undisclosed location.

As TMZ first reported ... Lamar has plunged into the dark world of crack cocaine and Khloe effectively separated from him after throwing him out of the house last Wednesday when he rejected a family intervention.

We're told Khloe has not given up on Lamar although she says she will never get back with him until he's clean. On the other hand, we've learned she has taken no steps to file for divorce because she believes there's still a chance Lamar can be saved.

We do not know how Lamar has received Khloe's latest plea.

Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom are separated, but neither has taken any step toward divorce ... sources tell TMZ.

Multiple sources familar with the situation tell us Khloe "effectively" declared separation when she threw Lamar out of the house Wednesday, after he refused her attempt at an intervention. TMZ broke the story ... Lamar has had a crack addiction problem for at least 2 years, and Khloe simply couldn't take it anymore.

We're told Khloe made it clear if Lamar did not get help -- the point of the intervention -- she wanted nothing to do with him anymore.

But we are also told neither Khloe nor Lamar has consulted a divorce lawyer ... at least not yet.

If and when they do file for divorce -- which we're told is likely -- there won't be much to fight over. Sources connected with the Kardashians tell us the couple signed a hard-fought prenup before they married.

We're told Kris Jenner was right in the middle of the prenup battle because she wanted to protect her daughter -- who tied the knot after a 4-week courtship.

Short story ... the fat lady hasn't sung yet, but she's warming up.