TMZ Sports - Page 50

They're rivals on the court now ... but LeBron James HAD to take a second to congratulate Derrick Rose on his huge game Wednesday, saying, "So extremely HAPPY AND PROUD of you bro!!!"

D. Rose turned back the clock on Halloween ... droppin' a career-high 50 points in Minnesota's win over the Jazz -- and LBJ couldn't have been happier when he saw the news after his Lakers game.

"I seen it first hand how much you worked and dedicated on your body, craft, mind, etc etc just to play 1 game at a time!" LBJ wrote.

"Perseverance is a mutha and this is the ABSOLUTE perfect definition of it!! Salute Bro! #DRoseforPresident"

Of course ... Rose -- who was a role player on LeBron's Cavs squad last season -- was the league's MVP back in 2011, but injuries and inconsistent play led many to call his career dead years ago.

That's why NBA stars ... from Dwyane Wade to Stephen Curry to Vince Carter ... all took to social media to congratulate D. Rose on the epic night.

Even Baron Davis glowed about the 30-year-old when we got him out in L.A., saying, "He's been humbly doing it for a while so it's good to see him have that game that put him back in everybody's conversation."

Terrell Owens is sick of the excuses in New York -- and says the Giants need to suck it up and BENCH Eli Manning already ... because it's obvious he just ain't got it anymore.

"Odell can't perform because the quarterback is not performing. So, they should basically replace the quarterback," the Hall of Famer tells TMZ Sports.

"I mean, if it was anybody else, any other quarterback, he would have already been replaced. So, at this point, give someone else an opportunity."

And, to the people calling Eli a "legend" -- Owens has a bone to pick with them too.

"He's won a couple of Super Bowls, but I wouldn't put him in the legendary status. I wouldn't put him in that legend status as of yet ... no disrespect."

Owens also says he's sick of people blaming Eli's offensive line -- saying other quarterbacks in the league have similar problems ... but elite players find a way to win.

"You have special players that are behind those not so great lines that can make something out of nothing. Eli's not one of those types of quarterbacks. He needs protection."

But, the bottom line for Owens -- "[Eli's] skills are pretty much eroding and he's not really giving the guys an opportunity."

One last thing, even though he's a Hall of Famer, 44-year-old Owens is trying to get a roster spot with the Buffalo Bills ... and he's even rocking the hat to curry favor with management.

San Francisco Giants legend and Hall of Fame first baseman Willie McCovey has died.

McCovey, who played 19 seasons for the Giants and is one of the franchise's most beloved players, passed away peacefully Wednesday at Stanford Hospital after battling ongoing health issues.

Willie played for the Giants from 1959-73 and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986.

The first baseman was one baseball's most feared hitters during the 1960s and '70s, and his 521 home runs are still tied for 20th on MLB's all-time list.

Willie was a 6-time All-Star and the 1969 National League MVP. His 18 career grand slams are the most in NL history.

The Giants retired Willie's No. 44 and he has a statue outside the club's ballpark.

When the Giants started playing at AT&T Park in 2000, the area beyond right field was dubbed McCovey Cove, an homage to the many homers he belted to right field during his playing days.

Josh Hart has ZERO CHILL ... 'cause when the Lakers stud found Moritz Wagner's 2018 Michigan runner-up ring -- HE CLOWNED THE HELL OUTTA HIS L.A. TEAMMATE!!

It's actually pretty hilarious ... the ring does look like something outta a gumball machine rather than a celebration of nearly winning the NCAA Tournament -- and Hart couldn't believe it.

"This weak-ass ring!" he yelled at Mo ... "Thing weak as hell!!"

Hart continued ... noting the lack of shine in the diamonds, saying, "They fake as hell! This is what happens when you a runner-up. This what you get!"

To his credit ... Wagner took it pretty well -- though he did beg pretty hard for Hart to stop the initial clown down from happening.

The Lakers are about to hit the reset button and blow up the entire roster -- and it'll be LeBron James who decides which players get to stay in L.A. ... so says Jalen Rose.

Sure, Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka technically make the roster moves, but it's obvious keeping James happy is the #1 priority ... and probably the road to a winning team.

Rose says the guys on the current roster are basically auditioning to stay in Purple & Gold -- and right now it looks like Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart are the only ones who appear safe.

So, where does that leave Lonzo Ball?

"I love Lonzo. He got game. But, they're taking the ball out of his hands," Rose explained ... "I'm rooting for him."

Translation -- Lonzo needs to get used to playing a style of basketball that he's never played before ... one where he doesn't have the basketball.

For the rest of the roster, Rose gives this advice:

PARTY FOUL!!!

The Boston Red Sox World Series celebration just took a major hit at the championship parade on Wednesday ... after a rogue beer took out part of the Commissioner's Trophy!!

Boston fans let the beers fly through the air at the team's World Series parade ... and players caught and CHUGGED them.

But, one fan missed their target and hit the championship hardware right in one of the flags ... denting it pretty badly. The trophy was riding with Mookie Betts at the time.

That's not all ... one fan threw an open beer at manager Alex Cora ... and the dude was clearly PISSED, stopping his duck boat to point out the potential culprit.

One man was arrested and charged with assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, minor in possession of alcohol and disorderly conduct after throwing an unopened beer can at a boat for the hit on Cora.

Overall, there were 6 total arrests during the parade.

It wasn't all bad for the Sox, tho ... guys like Blake Swihart, Matt Barnes, Craig Kimbrel and Rick Porcello were able to snag cans out of mid-air without incident ... and you better believe they didn't let them go to waste.

This ain't nothin' new for fans in New England -- Rob Gronkowski famously did the same thing (while wearing a Minions hat) when the Patriots won it all in 2015.

What else would you expect from the world champs??

Originally Published -- 7:06 AM PDT

Shareef O'Neal's heading to the operating table to fix his heart issue in December -- and his mom tells TMZ Sports she couldn't be more nervous for the UCLA superstar.

"I've been an emotional wreck, really. To be honest," Shaunie O'Neal says ... "I just really have. I still am. I'm just trying to push through."

We broke the story ... Shaq and Shaunie's son was diagnosed with an issue that will temporarily halt his hoops career -- and now that a date has been set for the open-heart surgery ... Mom says she's havin' a tough time.

"It's scary. It's scary no matter what. There's nothing anybody can say, do, tell me -- it's scary. And, I'm going to be feeling that way until this is over."

The good news ... Shareef doesn't seem too worried about the procedure -- telling us just a few weeks ago he's already planning for his life after the operation.

In fact, today he was goofing around on the basketball court in his Halloween costume.

As for Dad ... Shaunie says Shaq's been helping out families who have been put in similar situations as the O'Neals -- giving out iPads and even cash at the hospital.

If the calendar says Oct. 31, TMZ staffers are dressing to the nines to honor the best (and sometimes worst) pop culture moments -- and these costumes slayed, if we do say so ourselves. And we do.

We had everyone from Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov, Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson (pre-split), Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ... and Tonya Harding and her ma, LaVona Golden.

These were just a few standouts, but check out the gallery to see the rest -- including Bert and Ernie, Freddie Mercury (guess who dared), Tekashi69, bruised Cardi B and a very realistic Grinch and Cindy Lou Who.

File Under: "Shade????"

Seems like Randy Orton threw some John Cena's way before boarding the plane to Saudi Arabia ... 'cause when we asked how he felt about JC pulling out of the trip, Orton replied, "Does he still wrestle?"

Orton continued, "I didn't know he pulled out."

WWE had promoted Cena as one of the major participants at the 'Crown Jewel' pay-per-view event in Riyadh on Friday, but recently announced he'll be replaced by Bobby Lashley.

Cena is reportedly boycotting the trip over Saudi Arabia's alleged role in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Orton had previously told us he feels the WWE should push forward with the event to help make a positive change in the region and "make things better everywhere."

But Wednesday, he admitted money is also a factor -- "I've got 5 kids. I gotta go make that dollar. If they want me in Saudi, I'm going to Saudi."

Orton was joined at Washington Dulles International Airport by stars like Sheamus, The Miz and Big Show.

Sheamus told us he's not worried about the political drama -- he's focused on putting smiles on people's faces.

Similar message from The Miz -- who told us traveling all over the world and entertaining people is his dream come true.

1:00 PM PT -- A source close to Caroline tells us there's nothing romantic between the two ... in fact, Caroline's already in a relationship with model Heath Hutchins. We're told G-Eazy and Caroline connected after the game because they have mutual friends.

G-Eazy did what the Lakers couldn't do in Minnesota -- score a win ... with a hot blonde, or so it seems.

The rapper hit up the Lakers-T'Wolves game Monday night in the Gopher State. His presence there wasn't unusual ... he's boys with T'Wolves star Karl-Anthony Towns. But, all the action definitely went down after the game when Eazy shot baskets with model Caroline Lowe.

As you can see from the vid ... Eazy got a bit handsy. Some might even say flirty. We're told, after the mini shootaround, Eazy and Caroline had dinner with a group of friends. They later hopped on the same private jet together bound for NYC.

It's unclear if they're dating or just friends ... but you can smell the pheromones. Eazy's encounter came just days after his ex, Halsey, was enjoying the single life at her Halloween bash.

Clearly, no one's moping around.

What's better than one crazy $300,000 World Series party?? TWO OF 'EM!!!!

The Boston Red Sox know first hand ... 'cause after going through $300k worth of booze on Sunday night after winning the 'ship in L.A. -- they did it again in Boston!

TMZ Sports has the vid ... J.D. Martinez, Mookie Betts and others turned ALL THE WAY UP at Icon Nightclub -- tearing through champagne bottles like it was the Dodgers' pitching staff.

We're told the Sox had massive 15-liter bottles of Luc Belaire Luxe (which they happily shared with the crowd) ... and OVER 40 CASES OF THE BUBBLY!!!

Of course ... they ruined a famous DJ's laptop with champagne over the weekend -- but it appears computers were safe Tuesday ... maybe.

Mandy Blank -- one of the most famous female fitness competitors ever -- died this week at the age of 42, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... the former IFBB World Champion was discovered by a housekeeper in the bathtub of her L.A. home on October 29.

The housekeeper called 911 and paramedics raced to the scene -- where she was pronounced dead.

Our sources say no drugs or alcohol were found at the scene and there's nothing criminally suspicious about her death. We're told the plan was to conduct an autopsy and toxicology to determine an exact cause of death.

Blank was a legend in the bodybuilding and fitness world -- winning the IFBB World Championships in 1999, the youngest competitor to ever do it at the time.

She also placed 5th in the 1998 World Arnold Classic and was later honored by Bodybuilding and Fitness magazine as having the "Greatest Glutes of All Time," according to her website.

Mandy went on to become a major celebrity fitness trainer and listed clients from Marcus Allen to Mickey Rourke, Alex Rodriguez, Pauly Shore, Rohan Marley and Natasha Lyonne.

Kobe Bryant's just been made an ambassador for the new 2019 hoops World Cup ... and he's got a message for his home country heading into the big tourney.

"DON'T F*** THIS UP!"

No pressure ...

The FIBA World Cup is a brand new, 32-team tournament set to go down next August and September in China ... and Kobe's new role is to help promote the event globally.

Bryant kicked that off with a video Tuesday ... callin' out Brazil, Spain, Australia, France and China to show him what they got.

But, the Lakers legend made sure to let the Stars and Stripes know they better win the damn thing (Team USA's roster has yet to be picked ... but they've been warned.)

FYI ... Yao Ming was the first ambassador for the event -- and he'll help with the draw for the tournament on March 16 in Shenzhen.

Question: How do you block the Rams' D-line now that it's added Dante Fowler to the mix??

Answer: YOU DON'T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At least, that's what Todd Gurley's saying ... 'cause when we got the Rams superstar out in L.A. after his squad added the ex-Jags' pass-rusher -- he gushed over the former top-5 pick.

"I like Dante Fowler, man," Gurley says ... "He's the best!"

Then ... T.G. told us exactly how O-linemen can block his defense's front now.

"YOU CAN'T!!!"

Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, Ndamukong Suh AND Fowler?? Yeah, Todd ain't wrong.

All 4 of the guys are former 1st-round NFL Draft picks -- and Donald is currently leading the NFL with 10 sacks.

The Rams got 24-year-old Fowler from the Jacksonville Jaguars in a trade on Tuesday -- the Jags will get the Rams' 2019 3rd round draft pick and the 2020 5th round pick.

Fowler will become an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Fowler has a ton of talent but has had a bunch of off-the-field issues ever since he was drafted back in 2015.

Kellen Winslow Jr. is finally speaking against allegations he raped 3 women -- claiming, "I'm an innocent man."

The 35-year-old ex-NFL star appeared in court in San Diego on Tuesday to face multiple felony charges including kidnapping and forcible rape. If convicted on all counts, he faces life in prison.

Remember, he was initially arrested back in June. Officials say he kidnapped and raped 2 transient women. A 3rd woman claims Winslow raped her 15 years ago while she was unconscious.

Outside the courtroom, Winslow finally commented on the allegations to FOX 5 -- saying, "I’m innocent."

"To the people who know me out there, who know what type of person I am, know my character, my NFL friends and family, just my regular friends and family ... they know who I am. And I’m an innocent guy. I’m an innocent man."

When asked about his accusers, Winslow said, "It’s a money grab. It's a money grab and unfortunately, that’s the society we live in now. That's alI I got."

Winslow played in the NFL from 2004 to 2013 -- and made the Pro Bowl in 2007 as a tight end for the Cleveland Browns.

Khloe Kardashian might just be the good luck charm The Cleveland Cavaliers need ... she was in the crowd to cheer on baby daddy Tristan Thompson as his team got it's first W of the year.

Khloe was spotted at Quicken Loans Arena Tuesday in the same section we saw her seated in so many times last year. It's been a rough season for Tristan and the LeBron-less squad ... they came into the game winless (0-6), and fired their head coach Tyronn Lue just a couple days ago.

The team's luck changed with Kardashian in the crowd ... locking down a 136-114 victory over The Atlanta Hawks. Tristan had a good game too, with 11 points and 13 rebounds.