TMZ Sports - Page 50

Dwyane Wade hasn't responded to Paul Pierce's bold claim that he had a better career than the Heat vet -- but he might not need to ... 'cause Gabrielle Union's got it handled.

Wade's wifey took to Twitter Saturday to put the retired Boston Celtic-turned broadcaster in check after he went on national TV Friday night to say he had a stronger run in the NBA than the Flash of Miami -- while also going on to speculate he'd have more championships under his belt if he had the help Dwayne had through the years, like LeBron and Shaq.

Paul got obliterated on social media, 'cause the fact is ... D-Wade has, for the most part, a better resume all-around than PP -- more All-NBA Teams, First Teams, All-Defensive Teams, more PPG and on and on. Plus, Dwyane has more ships ... period.

Gabrielle chimed in with her own two cents as well, saying Paul was obviously wrong for so many reasons but went on to point to what she saw as a larger issue ... hatin' just to shine.

Mrs. Wade-Union wrote, "[W]hat I find most troublesome is this idea of a man trying to diminish another man that looks like him, was raised like him, in order to shine a tad brighter. Sh*t isnt entertaining, it's sad."

Charlotte Flair is WWE royalty and Ronda Rousey and Becky Lynch ain't ... and by the end of their triple threat match at WrestleMania, both Ronda and The Man will "bow down."

That's according to Charlotte ... who told TMZ Sports the other 2 WWE Superstars are NOTHING compared to her.

"I think both of them are gonna bow down to the Queen, and I've done more in the last 7 years than they've done combined."

The crap talk leading up to the WM35 main event has been INTENSE ... and there's a lot on the line for all 3 women.

Earlier this week, Ronda told us the match was a "do-or-die moment" for her.

Lynch was a guest on "TMZ Live" the following day ... and responded to Rousey's comments -- saying she thinks Ronda will actually QUIT WWE if she loses Sunday night.

It wasn't all crap talk ... Flair also talked about her reaction when she learned she'd be headlining WM ... and the significance of the 1st all-female main event.

"Obviously wanting to let all the girls know this wouldn't happen without them. There's so much depth in our division. And, then obviously the women of the past," Flair says.

Stephanie McMahon has her sights set on Conor McGregor and Rob Gronkowski ... telling TMZ Sports she would LOVE to get both sports superstars in the WWE ring.

We talked to McMahon -- Vince's daughter AND WWE honcho -- Friday night in NYC ... and asked her if there was anyone outside the WWE fam (like Conor or Gronk) she'd be interested in signing to the organization.

"Anybody who has a real big personality. I'd love to have Gronk in the ring. Conor McGregor, huge personality," McMahon told us.

"It's really about bringing in the biggest personalities with the best athletic ability."

We followed up ... asking if there have been any conversations between WWE and Gronk or Conor.

"We are always having conversations."

So, yea ... definitely wasn't a no.

That wasn't all ... Stephanie also talked about the 1st all-female main event at WrestleMania -- and she made it crystal clear there's 1 simple reason Ronda, Becky, and Charlotte are headlining -- they're the best.

"It's not about women having this opportunity because of a movement. It's about these 3 women, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey being the biggest stars in WWE right now with the best storyline, the best characters," McMahon says.

This is Logan Paul like you've never heard him before ... almost sounding like a parent who is worried Gen X is producing a population of addicts in the grips of something more dangerous than drugs or alcohol.

We got Logan in Bev Hills Friday night leaving Mastro's, and he couldn't be more down with Prince Harry, who wants to put the brakes on Fortnite.

Logan confesses, he too was once an addict ... addicted to another video game, and it took over his life.

A-Rod hit up his go-to lunch place Friday PM, and as he left our photog planted a seed in his mind for a wedding venue.

J Lo's fiance chowed down at Nello in NYC and laughed at our suggestion ... Yankee Stadium might be an awesome place for a wedding. Something tells us they could easily fill the stadium.

And, speaking of baseball, A-Rod's undaunted by the struggling Yanks and Red Sox, essentially saying it's a marathon and not a sprint.

Metta World Peace has the perfect post-Big Baller Brand career move for LaVar Ball ... saying that LaVar should turn his focus to the NBA ... AS A HEAD COACH.

Metta is serious, he told our guy LaVar has everything he needs to be an NBA head coach, so much so that Metta would've been down to go to battle for him.

"He should go through the NBA's head coaching program, I would play for him."

Metta told our guy he thinks it's obvious LaVar wants to coach -- remember he's coached his sons in the summer for years -- and thinks it could really happen if Ball can handle one thing.

"As long as he can take criticism from his players, I think he should go through the program and be a coach."

We talked to LaVar recently, and he says he's not looking for a new gig, saying the Big Baller Brand is still alive, despite Lonzo covering his tattoo, and his manager tossing out his merch.

Le'Veon Bell is going to have a HUGE season for the New York Jets in 2019 ... and it's all 'cause he sat out last season -- so says NFL legend, Chris Johnson.

"He gave his body a rest," CJ2K tells TMZ Sports ... "Now he's coming back healthy. He rejuvenated his body and he's ready to go."

Le'Veon was known as arguably the NFL's biggest workhorse before he sat out all of last season over a contract dispute with the Steelers.

In 4 of the 5 seasons that he suited up for Pittsburgh ... he touched the ball at least 289 times -- including a staggering 406 in the 2017 season.

But, after carrying it ZERO times this past year ... Chris says he's projecting a monster year for Bell with his new team.

"I think it'll be a big season," Johnson says ... "It's a lot that goes into it, but, you know, I wish him the best and I hope he proves all the doubters wrong."

Great news for Shawne Merriman ... if Batista is too busy to take him up on his fight offer, there's another WWE superstar willing to take his place -- Bobby Lashley!!!

As we previously reported .... the ex-NFL All-Pro linebacker is getting into the MMA game with his own promotion, Lights Out Xtreme Fighting ... and called out Dave freakin' Bautista for a fight in the process.

TMZ Sports spoke to Lashley about the potential matchup ... and while he thinks that's cool and all, Bobby's got a better opponent in mind ... himself!!!

"Shawne Merriman, if he wanted to do it, sure. Call me up. I'll train, I'll fight. I would do it."

Look, Bobby ain't a scrub -- not only is he a wrestling champ, but he's also got a 15-2 career record in MMA.

So ... you still think this is a good idea, Shawne???

Betcha didn't see this coming ... Cris Cyborg -- who had a heated rivalry with Ronda Rousey -- says she's PUMPED to watch Ronda.

TMZ Sports saw Cris at LAX on Friday ... and asked her if she planned on watching her former foe at WM35.

"Yes, I will. I'm gonna be very excited."

That's not exactly shocking ... 'cause Cyborg's a big time wrestling fan -- but what she said next was.

"I think Ronda's doing great. She's showing girls from MMA can do it same thing."

Cris and Ronda had beef for years ... and although they never stepped foot in the Octagon together, there was no shortage of crap talking.

Lookout Ronda Rousey, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte Flair ... 'cause the prize for winning the triple threat match at WrestleMania is 5x WWE champ, Alexa Bliss.

TMZ Sports got Bliss -- who's hosting WrestleMania 35 -- out in NYC on Friday ... and it was clear, even though she ain't competing this weekend, she's keeping a very close eye on the headlining match.

"My plan is, ya know, whoever wins that women's main event, that's who I got my eyes on," Bliss tells us.

We asked Alexa who she wanted to win the historic match ... and cue the shade.

"Charlotte Flair is who I'm rooting for, and that's who I want to happen. Because, ya know, I feel like with the story and how everything is going on, the other 2, ya know, have gotten a little cocky, and I feel like the queen is the one who can humble them."

Bliss against any of the WWE superstar women would be a big deal ... she's been out of the squared circle for a minute after sustaining a concussion late last year.

But, she clearly seems ready to return in a big, big way.

We also talked to Sheamus and Cesaro aka The Bar -- the 5x WWE tag team champs -- who gave us their take on the best tag team EVER.

Hint, it's them.

Sorry, James Harden ... you are NOT the MVP of this year's NBA, so says Rip Hamilton -- who tells TMZ Sports, "I might have to go with Giannis."

The Association's MVP race is basically down to Harden vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo with only a handful of games left to play ... and Rip tells us he's giving the nod to the Bucks star for now.

And, why? The Detroit Pistons legend says he's gotta reward Giannis' win-loss record.

"You gotta give credit to Giannis, man. He's on the No. 1 team. He could be All-NBA on defense. So, right now, with Giannis being the best team, I might have to go with Giannis."

Antetokounmpo's Bucks are No. 1 in the East with a 59-20 record ... while Harden's Rockets sit at No. 3 in the West at 51-28.

But, Harden's numbers KILL Giannis' ... James is averaging almost NINE more points per game AND more assists and steals per contest too.

Beyonce did NOT walk out of a meeting with Reebok because it lacked diversity contrary to reports ... this according to the shoe company.

A rep for Reebok tells TMZ ... "The report that Beyoncé walked out of a meeting with Reebok due to lack of diversity is categorically false. Our discussions with Beyoncé and her team continued for several months after our initial meeting. We are disappointed that false information is being reported as fact."

It is not yet clear why the deal ultimately fell through.

ICYMI ... ESPN reported during a segment on Rachel Nichols' show, "The Jump," claiming Bey walked out of a meeting with Reebok after realizing its corporate structure wasn't at all diverse.

As we reported ... it was just announced Beyonce ultimately signed with Adidas, which will relaunch Bey's Ivy Park line.

Rams head coach Sean McVay's L.A. home was burglarized Thursday night by men who broke in and made off with a bunch of valuables ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ Sports.

We're told 3 men wearing hoodies, bandanas and gloves smashed through the back door of the home ... before stealing $20k worth of jewelry and expensive purses.

No one was home ... and McVay's security system went off -- alerting police to the break-in -- but when they arrived, the thieves were gone.

In addition to what was stolen, we're told there was damage done to the house ... which is still being assessed.

McVay lives with his longtime girlfriend, Veronika Khomyn.

Our law enforcement sources tell us cops are trying to identify the men using surveillance from McVay's home ... as well as from his neighbors' cameras.

McVay isn't the first L.A. Ram to get burglarized ... receiver Robert Woods had his home broken into last year during a Thursday Night Football game.

Forget a Kamaru Usman rematch ... Tyron Woodley says the fight he REALLY wants is with Donald Trump's hair!!!

"Dana, set it up. Tyron Woodley versus Donald Trump's hair, UFC whatever the f**k."

OKAY, Woodley's just playin' around ... but it doesn't make his rant over Trump's hair any less HILARIOUS!!!

The UFC superstar was cruising through his TV channels when Trump popped up ... signature hairdo on full display for the cameras.

Woodley's reaction? "What the f**k are you doing, bruh?"

Tyron continued, "He should wear a bandanna, man. It's terrible. It's so f**king horrible. I hate your hair, man. I don't know you, but I hate your hair. I want to fight your hair."

For his part, Trump knows the look ain't exactly great ... the Prez admitted during a speech last year, "I try like hell to hide that bald spot, folks. I work hard on it!!"

As for Tyron ... he's reportedly agreed to rematch Robbie Lawler in late June.

Conor McGregor appears unretired from fighting ... and Justin Gaethje tells TMZ Sports he BADLY wants to be locked in a steel cage with The Notorious.

But, does Conor want to fight him? Gaethje says nah, doubt it.

"[Conor's] a warrior. I know that it would intrigue him for sure. But, I also think his mind would be like, 'no, thank you.'"

"He can't take my leg kicks. If I wanted to wrestle him, I could wrestle him all day. And, I could knock him out. The last thing he needs to be is f**king on his back reaching for the sky and I will, I could do that to him."

Gaethje's coming off a crazy impressive performance ... he starched Edson Barboza -- one of the scariest dudes in the UFC -- with a vicious right hook in the 1st round last weekend.

Earlier in the week, JG -- the 5th ranked UFC lightweight -- told us he wanted the Holloway-Poirier winner and then Khabib ... but when he was in the TMZ offices on Thursday, clearly things done changed.

"I wanna fight [Conor]. I wanna fight him in Ireland. I know it's not gonna happen in Ireland, but that's my dream. To go over there and be in that sorta chaos. That's what f**king wakes me up every day."

"I'm going out there. I'm gonna stand. I'm gonna stand, I'm gonna knock him out. If he wants to retire, I can help him on his way out."

Conor-Gaethje would be a sick fight ... both guys have great power in their hands and ain't afraid to stand toe-to-toe and mix it up.