TMZ Sports - Page 50

Carmelo Anthony says he REALLY appreciates the loud ovation he got from Knicks fans Wednesday during his return to Madison Square Garden ... saying, "Real know the real!"

The Portland Trail Blazers star hadn't played at MSG since Dec. 2017 -- after the Knicks traded him to the OKC Thunder.

Of course, OKC eventually waived Melo. He had a short stint with the Rockets and then spent months unemployed before eventually signing with Portland in Nov. 2019.

Now, 35-year-old Melo is back to balling out ... averaging 16 points and 6 rebounds in the 20 games he's played so far. NOT BAD AT ALL!

Clearly, the fans in NYC -- where Melo spent almost 7 seasons -- still respect the guy and got a super loud ovation during the intros of the Portland vs. NY game on Wednesday.

"Real recognize real," Melo told us about his reception ... "I appreciate the love, always."

We also asked Melo if he thinks his jersey should be retired by the Knicks -- and he had an interesting response to that.

"I don't know man. You're talking something that ain't on my mind right now."

There's a solid argument for Melo's jersey to hang in the rafters at MSG -- he was an All-Star every year he played in NYC while averaging 24.7 points per game.

LA Galaxy star Jonathan dos Santos is havin' one helluva start to his 2020 ... hitting up the beaches in Mexico with not only one gorgeous bikini-clad lady -- but TWO gorgeous bikini-clad ladies!!!

The 29-year-old MLS midfielder is enjoying his time away from the soccer field this week by catching some rays in Cancun ... and the views are spectacular.

Oh yeah, and the beach is pretty cool lookin', too.

JDS has been playing in LA for 3 years now ... and has recently said he wants to retire a member of the Galaxy when it's all said and done. We take it his retirement plan involves more beaches and babes.

In total, there were more than 2 hotties with dos Santos in the water ... but that headline wouldn't have been as creative, now would it have???

Khabib Nurmagomedov is still adamant he's NOT considering a rematch with Conor McGregor ... despite what Dana White has been saying, this according to Khabib's manager.

White has been talking about a Conor vs. Khabib rematch for weeks -- telling BT Sport, "If Conor can get through [Cowboy Cerrone], and if Khabib can get through [Tony Ferguson], then we’d be looking at a rematch with Conor and Khabib down the line pretty soon."

So, when we saw Ali Abdelaziz out in NYC, we asked how Khabib felt about running it back with Conor ... and he made it pretty clear, the Dagestani ain't down.

"Conor is not on our radar," Ali says ... "He might lose to Cowboy. I think he might lose!"

Ali pointed out the first fight ... saying Khabib simply kicked Conor's ass for 4 rounds before making the Irishman tap out. He thinks Justin Gaethje is a better opponent for McGregor but has his own suspicions about why the UFC hasn't booked that fight.

"The UFC made the right choice not to fight Gaethje because he would have beat his ass, simple."

What's interesting is Ali -- who reps both Gaethje and Khabib -- says he thinks those two should fight it out one of these days because they're two of the best in the world.

In fact, we spoke with Gaethje about the possibility of a Khabib fight a few months ago ... and he says it's nothing personal, he just wants to fight the best.

As for Ali, he had one hell of a year in 2019 ... with clients like Kamaru Usman, Henry Cejudo and others winning belts and putting on great fights.

So, how can things get better in 2020? He's got a plan ...

#45 just can't get enough of Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence ... 'cause President Donald Trump will be checking out the big College Football Playoff championship game!!!

POTUS -- who witnessed Burrow's Heisman campaign firsthand during the LSU and Alabama game this season -- is expected to hit up the huge match-up between the 2 undefeated teams, according to The New Orleans Advocate.

We know what you're thinking ... and yeah, we're assuming security will be SUPER TIGHT considering the recent developments with Iran. Hell, it better be.

As for the game, it's gonna be AWESOME -- with both #1 LSU and #3 Clemson entering the Jan 13th game undefeated.

Trump has kept a close eye on LSU so far in the CFP ... with Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron saying he got a personal call from the president after trampling all over Oklahoma in the Peach Bowl.

"I was very honored to get a call from President Trump," Coach O told reporters.

"He was very pleasant to talk to. Very complimentary of our football team, our coaching staff. Complimentary of the way the state of Louisiana has rallied around us. Was complimentary of the way we played all year and wished us good luck in the game."

Burrow also previously talked about what it's like to play in front of the Prez ... saying, "Doesn't matter if you're a Democrat or a Republican, President at the game is pretty cool."

Bombshell report Friday ... an altercation with a wild boar was allegedly the reason NY Mets star Yoenis Cespedes broke his ankle last year -- and the story is NUTS!!

The season-ending injury the outfielder suffered in May last year happened when he got into a tussle with a boar on his Port St. Lucie ranch, according to the New York Post.

Cespedes -- who has traps set up on his property to keep wild pigs away from humans -- was allegedly startled when one of the boars got loose.

According to the report, Cespedes stepped in a hole in an effort to get away from the animal ... 'causing a nasty break in his ankle.

Ron Jaworski is praising the Eagles for NOT signing Antonio Brown when they were down in the dumps this year ... telling TMZ Sports that move could have been a train wreck.

"Short term, it might have been a good move," Jaws says. "But, I think long-term, it could've have been disastrous."

Jaws says he certainly considered the idea of his ex-team adding the troubled superstar ... especially when Philly was 5-7 and its wideouts were dropping like flies due to injuries.

But, Jaworski tells us once he really broke it down ... he realized the move could have SERIOUSLY damaged the Eagles' locker room.

"Antonio Brown is a fantastic football player, but he's also an incredible distraction," Ron says.

"And, when you build your team on guys of high character and team focus, it's hard to bring an outsider in, despite all that talent, and think he's going to integrate into your culture in a short period of time."

It appears Jaws -- and the Eagles' brass, for that matter -- made the right call, 'cause the team ended up winning the NFC East without Brown ... and has a real shot to beat the Seattle Seahawks in their Wild Card game Sunday.

As for that matchup, Jaworski tells us he's confident Carson Wentz can replicate what Nick Foles has previously done for the team in the playoffs -- saying CW is more physically gifted than the Super Bowl LII MVP.

NHL coach Jim Montgomery -- who was recently fired by the Dallas Stars -- says he's admitting himself into rehab after the "wake-up call" of losing his job.

50-year-old Montgomery got the ax in December over a mysterious incident that nobody seems to be talking about. But, whatever happened was so bad, the pro hockey team fired him with cause and voided the remaining 2.5 years on his contract.

Now, Montgomery is breaking his silence ... and while he's not explaining the actions that caused his termination, he claims he's had a break-through moment and realizes he needs help.

"Losing my job as head coach of the Dallas Stars last month was a wake-up call," Montgomery said ... "It was also the appropriate call."

"I let the team’s front office, staff and players down. More importantly, I let my wife and my family down."

"The team’s decision to end my role forced me to look into the mirror and decide whether I wanted to continue living a damaging lifestyle or get help. I decided to get help. I turned to professionals in the field of alcohol abuse for their guidance and counseling. It has been an overwhelming and a very humbling experience knowing that I am not alone."

He continued, "Today, with the unconditional support of my wife and family, and many close friends, I took another step forward by admitting myself into an inpatient residential program, where I intend to take the steps to be a better husband, father, friend, coach and mentor – one day at a time."

"It’s a process I am committed to. As I do this, I ask that my family’s privacy be respected. Thanks, Monty."

This is bad.

Bhad Bhabie -- AKA Danielle Bregoli -- is publicly shaming boxing star Adrien Broner for trying to slide into her DMs.

She's 16 years old. He's 30.

Not a great look.

Bregoli posted a screenshot showing an Instagram notification from Broner which reads, "Text me crazy girl."

She attached a video of the Akon song, "Locked Up" -- a clear shot at Broner for hitting up a minor.

Bregoli's fans immediately went after the boxer on social media -- lighting up his page with comments saying he should go to jail ... and even tagging the FBI and Atlanta Police.

Earlier in the day, Bregoli created a social media buzz by posting a video in which she's modeling a crop top. Broner's message seems to be in response to that clip.

We reached out to Broner for comment -- so far, no word back.

It's the latest misstep for Broner who was just ordered to pay more than $700k to his sexual assault victim stemming from a 2018 incident at a Cleveland nightclub.

Originally Published -- 12:10 PM PT

Nikki Bella has found her forever dance partner ... 'cause the ex-WWE superstar and Artem Chigvintsev are getting HITCHED!!!

The couple broke the news on Friday, saying they got engaged a few months ago after a romantic trip to France ... but just now decided to take it public.

"I said yes in France in November!" Bella said on social media. "We have been trying to keep it a secret but really wanted to share our excitement for the New Year!"

Of course, Bella was famously engaged to John Cena ... and they were together for 6 years before a very public breakup in 2018.

Cena tried like hell to win Nikki back shortly after the fallout ... but she slammed the door on that relationship and began dating Chigvintsev in 2019.

Bella and the "Dancing with the Stars" pro were paired up on the show back in 2017 ... before they were eventually eliminated in the 7th show of the season.

Artem also posted about the engagement ... saying, "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me . So excited for what’s to come I love you more then anything and thank you for saying Yes."

As for Cena, don't feel too bad -- he's moved on too with Shay Shariatzadeh ... and they've been spotted making out with each other all over the place, including airports!

Jenji Kohan, who created "Weeds" and "Orange Is the New Black," is remembering her late son as her "best work" ... but she says his fatal skiing accident has left her "broken."

Jenji says she can't even come up with a list of adjectives to describe her kid with justice ... which is saying a lot coming from a supremely talented writer.

TMZ broke the story ... Jenji's 20-year-old son, Charlie Noxon, died on New Year's Eve after crashing into a sign on the ski slopes in Park City, Utah. We're told he was skiing alone at the time of the crash, with his family ahead of him on the ski run. He crashed into a sign, was airlifted to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Jenji just shared a heartfelt tribute to Charlie ... saying she's doesn't "understand what life is now without him in the world." She adds she doesn't understand where he's gone and wonders if the tragedy is real.

Ohio State defensive end Chase Young -- one of the top college football players in 2019 -- has officially declared for the 2020 NFL Draft.

Of course, back in December, the superstar told TMZ Sports "the plan" was to return to Ohio State for his senior year.

Hey, like we said at the time ... plans change. We get it. Go be a millionaire!!

After our clip about his future intentions made headlines, Young clarified his comments, saying, "That moment was just a real spontaneous moment, caught me off-guard,"

Now, the 20-year-old made his next move official in an announcement on Twitter Friday ... saying, "After an amazing three years at Ohio State, it's time for me to begin the next chapter."

"I am extremely grateful to everyone who helped me make it to this point. I give thanks and praise to God for blessing me with the ability to play football and the opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself."

Despite missing a few games due to suspension in 2019, Young was a Heisman Trophy finalist and led the country with 16.5 sacks. He is projected to be the 2nd overall pick to the Washington Redskins in the draft in April.

"To me, Alabama was the best team but they aren't gonna be playing in the championship."

That's legendary college football coach Lou Holtz telling TMZ Sports he believes the BEST team in the country will NOT be playing on Jan. 13 ... and it all comes down to luck.

Unclear why Holtz believes The Tide got unlucky during the 2019 season, but it seems pretty clear he thinks they're the most talented squad.

Bama finished the season with an 11-2 record ... losing to LSU and Auburn.

When they played LSU, star QB Tua Tagovailoa was playing with a banged-up ankle, but the team as a whole simply got outplayed.

As for the Auburn game, Tua had suffered a season-ending hip injury before that game ... and Bama was playing with their #2 QB Mac Jones. They lost 48-45.

Bama went on to crush Michigan in the Citrus Bowl in a 35-16 shellacking.

So, is Holtz saying a healthy Tua gets Bama to the Natty? Maybe ... since Bama played in the National Championship game last season and won the title with Tua the year before.

There's more ... Holtz also talks about why he thinks Joe Burrow will go #1 in the NFL Draft and reflects on why his former Notre Dame star WR Rocket Ismail could be considered the greatest college football player he's ever seen.

Barack Obama might be a little grayer on top these days ... but his bod's looking as fit as it did before he took office way back in the 2000s.

The former Prez is still living it up in Hawaii in the new year, and he's moved from the golf course to the ocean for some paddleboarding fun ... which looks like quite a workout too.

The shirtless shots of 44 might not be as jaw-dropping as buff Barack in the Aloha State back in 2008 -- shortly before he became President -- but still ... pretty impressive.

Obama has some work to do before he becomes a pro on the paddleboard, but the important thing is ... he keeps getting back up after he takes a spill.

As we reported ... both Barack and President Trump are tied as the most admired man of 2019 according to Gallup's annual poll, but they're both on very different paths to start 2020.

There were 12 presents waiting for Olivia Culpo under the tree this year ...

Well, 13 if you're counting NFL hunk Christian McCaffrey ... who threw on a Santa hat and put on a belated Christmas extravaganza for his gorgeous model girlfriend!!

The super-attractive couple reconnected on Thursday after spending time with their fams for the holidays ... and the Carolina Panthers stud pulled out all the stops with a bunch of gifts.

"It's never too late for Christmas and Santa's here!!!!!!!!!!," Culpo captioned the shot of McCaffrey under the tree while playing with a toy train.

The 23-year-old Pro Bowler kept the yuletide cheer going while rocking out to a rendition of "Feliz Navidad."

It's been one action-packed year for the duo since they started linking up back in May ... and they ended 2019 by celebrating McCaffrey becoming the 3rd player to ever rush AND receive 1,000 yards in one season.

BTW -- Culpo was there to personally congratulate her mans right after the game ... so yeah, the dude is winning on and off the field for sure.

'Tis the season ... and shouts out to the beautiful couple for keeping the Christmas spirit alive for just a bit longer.

It's gone from REALLY bad to MUCH MUCH WORSE for ex-NFL QB Trevone Boykin -- who's now facing shocking new criminal charges even though he's been locked up since November.

As we previously reported, the former TCU superstar has been in SERIOUS trouble with the law after he allegedly broke his girlfriend's jaw in an altercation in March 2018.

Boykin was out on bond while he was fighting the case in court ... but he was thrown back in jail in November after cops say he failed to charge his electronic monitoring device.

But, while the 2015 2nd Team All-American has been in custody ... investigators have been working on other cases involving the 26-year-old, which have now resulted in MORE criminal charges.

Here's a brief summary of what Boykin is now accused of:

Lou Williams' son is now the owner of the best name EVER ... the L.A. Clippers star says he's callin' his newborn baby "Syx" -- and it's all 'cause of his famous NBA awards!!

"I always said if I had a son I was going to give him a unique name," Williams said.

Lou is a 3-time winner of the Association's Sixth Man of the Year honors ... and he confirmed in a postgame interview Thursday night his boy's name is a nod to those trophies.

"Nothing was coming to me, so I just said, 'You know what, I'm going to name him Syx, spell it a little different' and we just had some fun with it."

Seems the new kid is already a great luck charm for Williams ... after the point guard missed the Clippers' game Tuesday for the birth of Syx, he came back to pile up 22 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in L.A.'s win over the Pistons on Thursday.

As for when Lou will start training Syx to follow in Dad's footsteps ... Williams says it won't be long.

"A couple weeks," he said.