TMZ Sports - Page 50

LeBron James brought tears to a 6-foot-6, 315 lb. man's eyes Monday night ... 'cause ex-Browns superstar Joe Thomas says LBJ's retirement tribute before the Cavs game hit him right in the feels!!

TMZ Sports spoke with the future Hall of Famer about the King showing love with a HUGE hug on the court before the game against the Bucks ... and J.T. says he got so emotional, he had to sneak out of eyesight to gather his emotions!!

"It was a really special moment to get love and respect from an icon like LeBron James, somebody that I've been a fan of since I was 12 years old ... it was really special." Thomas says.

J.T. also points out it was a great way to cap off his career ... 'cause he was was first introduced to Cleveland fans as a rookie when the Cavs were in the Finals in 2007.

Gervonta "Tank" Davis made it known that he wants to smash on UFC fighters -- but before that, he says he's gotta remind the boxing world why he's known as the "mini Mike Tyson."

"I have to prove myself to show people that I am a champion," Davis told TMZ Sports. "I'm ready to take over the sport of boxing."

Tank admits he didn't bring his A-game in his last scrap -- the co-main event of Mayweather vs. McGregor -- even though he won by KO ... taking 8 rounds to finish Francisco Fonseca.

But, Gervonta says he's made all the right moves leading up to his April 21 bout with Jesus Cuellar -- from leaving his hometown to hiring a personal chef ... so he's expecting a vicious rebound.

Remember, Tank recently said he's also gunnin' for a UFC fight like his mentor, Floyd Mayweather, so he ain't lackin' confidence.

YES! YES!! YES!!!

Four-time WWE world champ Daniel Bryan is BACK -- medically cleared to return to the ring after over 2 years away from pro wrestling ... the WWE just announced.

The 36-year-old was forced into an early retirement in Feb. 2016 after suffering "at least 10" concussions and post-concussive seizures ... but the WWE says he's got the green light to strap on the boots after seeing a number of leading neurosurgeons and neurologists, as well as WWE's Medical Director.

Bryan has been serving as the General Manager of 'SmackDown Live' ... but this effectively opens the door for him to be an active competitor at WrestleMania 34 in April.

Von Miller was havin' yachts of fun in Miami over the weekend ... partyin' it up on a boat with a BUNCH of bikini-clad chicks ... and we've got the pics!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... the Denver Broncos superstar was posted up outside the Epic Hotel in South Beach on Saturday, soakin' in all the lovely sights of the St. Patrick's Day festivities.

FYI -- Miller's seen wearing the words "Drugs are my Life" on his shirt ... but don't freak out, guys ... it says "Channing University School of Pharmacy" in REALLY tiny letters underneath. Get it?

Miller's got a lot to celebrate ... the Broncos signed quarterback Case Keenum last week. Or maybe it was just the girls.

Terrell Owens ain't even a little intimidated by Iggy Azalea's pyromaniac past ... saying he'd risk his entire wardrobe for a shot with the rap star.

You probably heard -- on Monday, Iggy admitted to torching ALL of Nick Young's designer clothes after she caught her ex-fiance slippin' ... and seemed to be pretty happy about it.

We asked T.O. about it when we got him in L.A later that night ... and instead of coming down on Iggy, he asked us, "Is she single?"

But, what about your damn clothes, Terrell?!

"She can burn 'em up. Just buy some more!"

Anyone dumb enough to call out Brock Lesnar -- like UFC star Francis Ngannou -- is gonna end up with a 1-way ticket to the ER ... so says Brock's advocate.

We got Paul Heyman in Dallas after 'Monday Night Raw' ... just hours after Lesnar laid a VICIOUS beating on WWE superstar Roman Reigns -- which got Reigns carted off on a stretcher.

Heyman told us that's the fate that awaits Ngannou, and any UFC and WWE heavyweight that steps up to The Beast.

"It's one thing to ask for a fight with Brock Lesnar. It’s a whole different story when you actually have to FIGHT Brock Lesnar. Just watch the footage," Paul told TMZ Sports.

We did. It's nasty. That said, we've also seen Francis nearly decapitate a man inside the Octagon.

Karma is a bitch -- just ask Draymond Green, who got hit with a groin shot 2 years in the making last night!!

You remember the play ... in Game 3 of 2016's Western Conference Finals, Draymond's leg punted OKC Thunder big Steven Adams square in the nuts.

Dray's always maintained it was accidental ... but it looked pretty bad.

Fast forward to Warriors vs. Spurs Monday night -- when Draymond met Danny Green at the rim and took a knee right around the ball bag!

He immediately keeled over and went to the locker room ... and was later diagnosed with a pelvic contusion -- a fancy way of saying a deep, painful bruise.

Green now joins Steph, KD and Klay on the injured list ... and ya gotta think Adams (and all of OKC) is smiling right now.

The boy band era is over, but the smack talk remains -- because Joey Fatone is telling the world if his crew ever had to face the Backstreet Boys in hoops, they'd make them go "Bye Bye Bye."

We got Fatone out in Beverly Hills and showed him footage of his ex-bandmate Justin Timberlake draining half-court shots, and asked him if JT really has the goods on the court.

Fatone said yes, but things got really spicy when we asked whether or not the rest of 'NSYNC could ball. More specifically, if they could take out the Backstreet Boys in hoop-life warfare.

"There's no think so. You tell that to Nick Carter."

Challenge issued.

BTW, we found some footage of the two crews playing back in the day. It ain't exactly Lakers versus Celtics ...

Rich Eisen says Peyton Manning in the broadcast booth is worth whatever money networks wanna throw at him -- even if his price tag's $10 MIL ... or more!

We got Rich leaving Craig's in L.A. ... and the NFL Network star didn't balk at reports that Peyton could be in line for an 8-figure salary for calling "Thursday Night Football."

In fact, Eisen says Manning should bleed the fat cats dry ... 'cause if he cashes out, "I get half!"

Milton Bradley's in trouble with the law -- charged with battery -- for allegedly beating up a woman he's married to once again ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We broke the story ... cops were called to Bradley's L.A. home back in January. When they arrived, his wife told them Bradley roughed her up during an argument ... before fleeing the scene.

Officials investigated ... and the L.A. City Attorney decided to charge the ex-MLB All-Star with battery on a spouse -- a misdemeanor. If convicted, M.B. could face up to a year in jail ... and a fine.

FYI -- this ain't Bradley's 1st brush with the law ... he spent 15 months behind bars after he was convicted of beating up his previous wife.

UFC star Dominick Cruz thinks it's an absolute joke Floyd Mayweather says he can get Octagon ready by the end of 2018 ... saying he'd crush Floyd with 1 ARM if he made the move that quickly.

"He's only got 2 tools -- he doesn't have the other 8," Cruz told the guys on the TMZ Sports TV show (airs tonight on FS1).

FYI, Floyd recently told us he's applying for a pro MMA license -- and set 6 to 8 months as his timetable for getting ready to rumble with a UFC foe (probably Conor McGregor).

Dom says Mayweather would be lucky if he could nail JUST takedown defense in that amount of time ... and that's if he puts in consistent work with UFC welterweight champ Tyron Woodley -- a stud college wrestler.

Sounds like fightin' words to us -- your move, Floyd.

Jonathan Martin was charged with carrying a loaded weapon and making criminal threats ... after allegedly posting a threat to former NFL teammates and classmates on Instagram.

The L.A. County D.A. hit Martin with 5 charges ... 4 counts of making criminal threats and 1 count of possessing a loaded firearm.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... cops say Martin had a cache of weapons in his possession -- an ax, a large knife, and a loaded 12-gauge shotgun -- when he was arrested on February 23 ... only hours after allegedly posting a cryptic message on social media.

The Instagram post -- a photo of a shotgun with shells -- said ... "When you're a bully victim & a coward your options are suicide, or revenge."

Richie Incognito and Mike Pouncey -- 2 of JM's Dolphin teammates during the '13 bullying scandal -- were tagged in the photo.

Hope Nick Young's not expecting to get reimbursed for his designer clothes ... 'cause Iggy Azalea says she doesn't even feel a little bad about torching her ex-fiance's wardrobe!!

We got Iggy at LAX after her fiery interview with Andy Cohen ... and while it was clear she didn't wanna go into any more detail on the matter, she did offer us a few words on whether or not she regretted turning all of Swaggy P's clothes into ash.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson admits he's got daddy issues -- as in, getting his dad a brand new whip ... on doctor's orders.

His father, retired pro wrestler Rocky Johnson, posed next to a shiny brand new Cadillac Escalade ... which Dwayne purchased. As The Rock explained, "My pops just had his hip replaced and called me and said 'Hey Mr. D the surgeon really feels like I should have a bigger car since my hip rehab.' I cut my dad off and just started laughing because I knew what he was hustling for."

Dwayne says he told the senior WWE legend to pick out whatever car he wants ... and a few hours later, he sent this pic flossing next to his brand new ride.

He admits his dad used to kick his ass around the gym, and says, "I hated it when I was a kid, but grateful for it as a man." Dwayne called the SUV a small thank-you for the ass kickings his father gave him in the gym when he was growing up.

It's hip to be The Rock's Pop.

The Jets made a helluva great trade jumping up 3 spots in the NFL Draft ... guaranteeing they get a top QB, this according to former Jets star LB Bart Scott.

Gang Green made the blockbuster move over the weekend -- sending their 6th overall pick and three 2nd round picks to the Colts -- in exchange for the 3rd overall pick ... a price some thought was too steep.

Scott -- who spent 4 seasons with the Jets between '09 and '12, and now co-hosts 'The Afternoon Drive' on WFAN in NYC -- says the move sets the Jets up to land a franchise quarterback.

"Now they're in a safe spot, where I believe they can get one of the 3 premiere quarterbacks in the draft."

So, who's the ideal fit?

"I'm good with anyone. Darnold, Allen, Rosen. Rosen is the more ready, but I like Allen the best, 'cause I like the big arm."

But, what if Penn State superstar RB Saquon Barkley is still on the board when the Jets' pick rolls around?

Scott knows what to do ...

Can't wait!

Joel Embiid turned up in a BIG way for his 24th birthday -- dropping 12 RACKS on alcohol and partying the night away with smokin' hot models and 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin!!

The boozy bday bash went down at LIV Nightclub at Fontainebleau Saturday in Miami Beach ... where we're told the NBA star bought out the bar -- coppin' Magnum bottles of Dom Perignon for all his thirsty friends in attendance.

Other than Rubin, the celeb guest list included Nick Cannon (who was DJ'ing), Diddy's son Justin Combs, Victoria Secret model Jasmine Tookes and IG smokeshow Jocelyn Chew -- who did her best Marilyn Monroe impression and popped out of a cake!

FYI, the Sixers were off the entire weekend -- so we're pretty sure Embiid had all the clubbers trusting the process til early Sunday morning.