TMZ Sports - Page 50

LeBron James wants people to "get off [Allie LaForce's] back" -- saying she did NOT blindside him on air with a question about the death of Gregg Popovich's wife.

LaForce was catching hell on social media Wednesday night from people who thought it was WAY out of line to ask LeBron about Erin Popovich in the moments after the Cavs playoff game.

But, LeBron went to bat for the reporter -- making a video explaining the entire situation and essentially saying LaForce couldn't have been more professional or sensitive to the situation.

"A lot of people feel that I was blindsided. That is absolutely false."

"Allie LaForce told me that she was gonna ask the question and if it was OK. And once I started talking about it, once I was on air ... that was just my emotions coming straight from my heart."

"So get off her back, man -- she's very professional and she does a great job."

Lamar Odom says he's busting his ass in the gym to get back on the court -- telling TMZ Sports he wants to strike a deal to play pro basketball overseas.

The 38-year-old was leaving Gold's Gym in Glendale -- where we saw him puttin' in work earlier this week -- and he told us it's all part of his comeback plan.

"I'm just working out trying to work my way back overseas," Odom told us.

Odom says it doesn't matter where he signs -- though he's eyeing Italy -- and says he can't wait to prove the doubters wrong.

As for his thoughts on his ex-wife, Khloe Kardashian, and all the drama she's going through (baby, cheating baby daddy, etc.) ... that's when Lamar shut down. He's clearly not ready to talk about that yet.

Stormi Webster was flying solo Wednesday night so her parents could hit the town in Houston.

Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott sat on the hardwood as they watched Travis' home team destroy the Minnesota Timberwolves.

It seems the fam is making Houston their second home ... earlier this month Travis, Kylie and Stormi flew to Texas so his family could meet their newest 2-month-old member.

Serena Williams is making an adjustment -- to her real estate game -- by slashing the price of her Bel-Air home ... to just a shade under $10 million.

The tennis star put the 6,101 sq ft, 6-bed, 7-bath mansion -- featuring a pool, gym, bar, salon and private hiking trails -- on the market for $12 mil back in October ... but apparently hasn't had any takers.

With a new price tag of $9,995,000, Serena's still set to make a nice profit on the sale -- she bought the place for just over $6 mil in 2006.

As we reported ... Serena plunked down $6.7 mil on a Beverly Hills pad right around the same time she listed her Bel-Air palace with Greg Piechota from KASE Real Estate.

James Harrison just hung it up, but could Tom Brady be next??

With rumors swirling on Brady potentially not playing this season, we asked Deebo himself -- Tom's teammate last year -- and he told us it would NOT surprise him ... given the sacrifices TB, Gisele and the kids make so he can play ball.

“That’s up to Tom and what decisions he and his family make as far as what he wants to do, and if he does want to continue to play, what he’s willing to sacrifice and the family is willing to sacrifice,” Harrison told TMZ Sports.

James would know -- telling us that's why he decided to retire earlier this week.

Specifically, the Pro Bowl LB says he's interested in introducing his 2 sons to tackle football -- and possibly even coaching them!

Deebo says it's a tough decision for any parent to make given everything that's out on CTE -- but explained why he wants his sons exposed to it before they hit their teens.

"Everything in life has dangers ... I'm not gonna live in fear of things that could possibly happen."

Gregg Popovich's wife, Erin, has died ... according to a statement released by the San Antonio Spurs.

Erin died Wednesday, but the cause of death is unknown at this time. The news comes as a shock to players and fans -- although it's being reported she'd been ill for an extended period ... Coach Popovich hadn't said anything publicly.

Erin and Gregg were married for 4 decades and have 2 kids and 2 grandchildren.

Spurs GM R.C. Buford says, "We mourn the loss of Erin ... She was a strong, wonderful, kind, intelligent woman who provided love, support and humor to all of us."

The Spurs are scheduled to take on the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of their playoff series Thursday night in San Antonio. Kevin Durant was told the sad news at practice and was at a loss for words.

Erin was 67.

Daniel Cormier says the clock is ticking on a Jon Jones rematch ... 'cause he's retiring when he turns 40 (next March), period.

We got the UFC light heavyweight champ on the "TMZ Sports" TV show ... and asked if there was any way he'd make an exception for his hated rival -- who could be on the shelf past then 'cause of his steroid suspension.

"If I'm not gonna do it for guys that I really like, I won't do it for somebody that I don't like," Cormier said. "So, if he doesn't come back before that date, our time will have passed."

DC also told us why Conor McGregor wouldn't stand a chance against his boy, Khabib ... and why ya gotta tune in to him and Stipe Miocic (a guy he likes waaaaay more than Jones) coaching this season of 'The Ultimate Fighter.'

Catch the full interview with Cormier -- and the premiere of 'TUF Season 27' -- Wednesday night on FS1!

Matt Mantei allegedly pushed his wife and threw her to the ground during a fight over a cell phone -- before being arrested for domestic violence ... according to an incident report obtained by TMZ Sports.

We broke the story ... Mantei was arrested for assault and battery in Michigan on Tuesday night. According to the report, Mantei and his wife of 3 months were at home when they began arguing.

In the report, Mantei's wife claims he "grabbed her forearms and threw her to the floor" after trying to grab her phone. Once on the ground, Mantei allegedly got on top of his wife to prevent her from moving ... and squeezed her hands, causing minor injuries to her fingers.

Once Mantei let his wife go, the report says he began "throwing items around the house and tearing things off the wall."

Mantei's wife called 911 and waited for cops to arrive. The report says she had "visible cuts and bruises to her right hand ... and both hands were somewhat swollen."

M.M. appeared in court this afternoon and pled not guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence ... before being released from jail.

He's due back in court next month.

Basketball prodigy Mo Bamba ain't even in the NBA yet, but that didn't stop rising rap star Sheck Wes from giving him the ultimate tribute in his breakout single ... and TMZ Sports has the backstory.

We spoke with the Harlem spitter about his uber-catchy song titled after the ex-U. of Texas hooper ... and he explains Bamba asked him for a shout-out in one of his tracks ... and Sheck did him one better!!

Sheck says he and the 6'11" Bamba spent their childhood together in NY ... and explains how their journeys are similar, despite different career paths.

FYI -- If you haven't heard of the 19-year-old MC yet ... it's just a matter of time before you do. He's signed to both Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music and Travis Scott's Cactus Jack Records.

As for Bamba ... he was a 5-star recruit out of high school and is projected to be a lottery pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.

12:21 PM PT -- Mantei appeared in front of a judge (over a livestream) in Berrien County, Michigan ... and plead not guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence.

MM was given a personal recognizance bond ... meaning he will be discharged from county jail without paying any money.

He is due back in court May 2.

Flame-throwing ex-MLB pitcher Matt Mantei was arrested and thrown in jail for assault and battery Tuesday night in Michigan ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Mantei -- a closer with a 100 MPH heater -- played 10 seasons in the big leagues for the Marlins, Diamondbacks and Red Sox. He had a career ERA of 4.07, and racked up 93 saves ... before retiring in 2005.

According to officials, Mantei -- 44 years old -- was booked into the Berrien County Jail Tuesday night on the charge of assault and battery.

It's unclear exactly what led up to the arrest.

Mantei is still in custody.

Tony Gonzalez says Dez Bryant would have fun hangin' with Odell Beckham in the Big Apple ... but if he wants to win Super Bowls, there's only one place to consider in free agency -- the Patriots!!

TMZ Sports spoke with the NFL legend about Dez's possible new homes now that he's no longer a Cowboy ... and T.G. says teaming up with Tom Brady in Foxborough will guarantee him a ring.

Bryant recently said in an interview it would "be crazy" to play alongside OBJ ... and Gonzalez agrees, but says it's all about gettin' 'ships.

Khloe Kardashian was horribly conflicted on what last name to give her baby girl in the wake of Tristan Thompson's cheating scandal ... before finally deciding to go with Thompson.

Our Kardashians sources tell us ... Khloe chose the name True about a month ago, and up until the cheating scandal broke -- it was a lock that True's last name would be her father's.

We're told that quickly faded after video from October surfaced -- days before Khloe went into labor -- of Tristan cheating on her ... and she was beyond conflicted on whether to go with Kardashian or Thompson when it was time to fill out True's birth certificate.

Our Kardashian sources say it took Khloe a couple days after True was born before she finally decided the right thing to do was give the baby Tristan's surname.

What's better than Patriots offseason workouts?

If you're Rob Gronkowski, the answer is a pool day with your smokin' hot model girlfriend!!

FYI, things have been heating up between the Patriots star and his lady friend, Camille Kostek -- an ex-Patriots cheerleader who SLAYED the Sports Illustrated swimsuit mag earlier this year.

On Tuesday, Gronk and his GF hit up Camille's grammy's house somewhere that's not Boston ... and the Pro Bowl tight end went full Optimus Prime, transforming into her HUMAN WATER SKI!

Yeah ... Camille likey.

The hot-bod couple also got in some canoodling with a cute-as-hell puppy belonging to Gronk's little bro, Glenn -- and we're starting to get the feeling this is a lot more than a spring fling.

Forget Conor McGregor ... UFC star Dustin Poirier says he should be the first guy to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov for his strap -- and he's making a damn good case.

"I'm locked on Khabib," Poirier told TMZ Sports. "It's time. I've earned it. No more denying me."

He ain't lyin'. Dustin put on a Fight of the Year contender this past weekend on FOX, taking out Justin Gaethje with a vicious 4-round TKO ... and with Conor and Tony Ferguson shelved, that could make him first up.

Of course, "The Diamond" took some SERIOUS damage himself -- dude's getting his hands, knee AND "boomerang shape" nose checked out by UFC doctors -- so he's gonna need some R&R.

But once his face ain't broken, he wants Khabib to know he's comin'.

"Shine that belt up nice, hang on to it tight, 'cause it's gonna come home with me."

Dustin also updated us on his fight gear auction for the Gaethje fight -- so if you dug the scrap, check it out!

Canelo Alvarez just got slapped with a 6-month suspension for his failed performance enhancing drug test that he blamed on tainted meat ... the Nevada Athletic Commission just announced at a hearing in Vegas.

The commission only took minutes to deliberate on Alvarez's case ... ultimately giving him half of a maximum 1-year ban, noting that he's been "cooperative with investigators."

Canelo's May 5 rematch with Gennady Golovkin has already been scrapped ... but, this opens the door for Alvarez vs. Golovkin 2 to happen in September -- a time frame GGG previously told TMZ Sports he's gunnin' for.

As we previously reported ... Canelo got popped for the PED Clenbuterol in March from a test administered on Feb. 17. Because his ban is retroactive to the date of the test, Alvarez is eligible to fight as soon as Aug. 18.

Canelo has maintained his innocence throughout the process ... blaming Mexican beef for pumping 'roids into his veins.

Takeoff & Quavo watch out ... Offset might've found a new companion to kill stages with, 'cause him and Ric Flair totally pinned the whole 'Tonight Show' crowd with a performance of "Ric Flair Drip."

Offset kicked off the proceedings, strutting his way through the first verse before Flair came out and drove the crowd wild, showing that at 69 (lol) he can still style and profile with the best of them.

We're not sure how far Offset and Ric will take this whole thing -- remember, they already dropped an epic video for the song together -- but the robes match, the swag matches and the struts are identical.