TMZ Sports - Page 50

LeBron James has settled the Michael Jordan debate ... at least, in his own head ... because he just publicly deemed HIMSELF as the greatest basketball player of all time.

Here's the deal ... LeBron is on the cover of the new NBA 2K19 20th anniversary edition video game ... and was asked to personally select words that describe him to be included in the cover art.

He chose words like "King," "Strive for Greatness" and "Equality" ... and also, "G.O.A.T."

Interesting ... considering the never-ending debates between LBJ and MJ.

Also, the timing sucks ... since LeBron's Cavs are down 2-0 in the NBA Finals (remember, MJ has 6 rings, LBJ only has 3).

One more thing ... the players who have graced the past 2 covers (and 4 out of the last 5) of NBA 2K have left their teams and moved on.

Donald Trump is furiously trying to prove pro sports teams still like him -- despite the Eagles not coming to the White House -- by listing off all the championship teams who have accepted his invite.

Remember, Trump called off the Eagles visit after learning only a small number of players were actually planning to attend. The others had opted out for several reasons, including Trump's stance on the national anthem protests.

POTUS has been taking heat over the move from athletes and politicians, including Philly mayor Jim Kenney who ripped Trump as a "a fragile egomaniac obsessed with crowd size and afraid of the embarrassment of throwing a party to which no one wants to attend."

Trump responded to his critics with a flurry of tweets Tuesday morning.

"We have had many Championship teams recently at the White House including the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Penguins, New England Patriots, Alabama and Clemson National Champions, and many others."

Seems like he forgot NASCAR's Martin Truex -- because he posted another tweet later including the driver's name.

"...@NASCAR and Champion @MartinTruex_Jr were recently at the White House. It was a great day for a great sport!"

Don't forget, Trump says he still plans on holding a national anthem ceremony at the White House today instead -- featuring the U.S. Marine Band and U.S. Army Chorus.

Meantime, the Eagles have decided to hold a team workout instead.

Terrell Owens has some strong words for his former 'Celebrity Apprentice' boss ... telling Donald Trump when it comes to the Eagles, YOU WERE REJECTED FIRST!

T.O. was leaving Avra Estiatorio in Beverly Hills when we asked the former Eagles WR for his thoughts on Trump uninviting the Eagles to the White House.

"I'm sure it wasn't him uninviting the Eagles. I'm sure they didn't wanna go! So, how does he uninvite people that didn't wanna go?! Come on dog, let's keep it real!"

According to Trump himself ... only a "small number of players" were planning on attending the Super Bowl ceremony Tuesday morning, so he pulled the invite rather than have a small showing.

As for Terrell's opinion on the NFL's new national anthem rule?

"It is what it is ... I just think they're taking away people's freedom of speech."

Teammates who buy dongs together ...

Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott decided to take their guys trip to Florida to the next level -- by buying a bunch of penis squirt guns ... and rocking them to the nightclub!

Here's what happened ... the Dallas Cowboys stars rolled into Shorty's Market in Key West, Florida on Friday night -- along with several Cowboys offensive linemen -- and decided to arm the group with some water wieners.

We spoke with store employees who tell us the guys were super nice and made the purchase as a joke while they were bar hopping.

Witnesses say the crew ended up at Rick's Bar ... where Zeke was seen holstering his penis in a black fanny pack, with the barrel dangerously pointed up.

We're told the guys had a great time ... and no one got in any trouble ... and, if you're interested, Shorty's says they've got plenty more guns available for $14.99 a pop!

Donald Trump has announced the plans for the Philadelphia Eagles to visit the White House to celebrate the Super Bowl victory is officially OFF ... and POTUS is making it seem like it was his decision.

Instead, Trump says he will still have the United States Marine Band and the United Army Chorus playing the national anthem at 1600 Pennsylvania ... while he stands proudly and watches.

The team was scheduled to visit on Tuesday ... without several key members from the team who opted out as a way to protest Trump's stance on the national anthem.

But, Trump says the "smaller delegation" of players who accepted the invite are no longer coming because "the fans deserve better."

"The Philadelphia Eagles are unable to come to the White House with their full team to be celebrated tomorrow."

"They disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our country."

"The Eagles wanted to send a smaller delegation, but the 1,000 fan planning to attend the event deserve better."

"These fans are still invited to the White House to be part of a different type of ceremony-one that will honor our great country, pay tribute to the heroes who fight to protect it, and loudly and proudly play the National Anthem."

Ex-NFL star Dwight Clark -- the guy who made "The Catch" in the 1981 NFC Championship -- has died from complications stemming from ALS, his wife has confirmed.

"I’m heartbroken to tell you that today I lost my best friend and husband," she tweeted.

"He passed peacefully surrounded by many of the people he loved most."

"I am thankful for all of Dwight’s friends, teammates and 49ers fans who have sent their love during his battle with ALS."

Clark put together one helluva career after being selected in the 10th round of the 1979 NFL Draft -- earning his way into 2 Pro Bowls and leading the NFL in receptions in 1982.

He also won 2 Super Bowls as one of Joe Montana's favorite receivers.

His #87 jersey was retired in 1988.

UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber says Conor McGregor is his "boy" -- but even he wants to know ... WHEN ARE YOU COMING BACK?!

McGregor hasn't fought in the Octagon since Nov. 2016 when he defeated Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205. Of course, he boxed Floyd Mayweather in August 2017 ... and reportedly made around $100 mil.

Floyd had said he wants his next fight to be in the Octagon -- but he hasn't signed a contract and even Dana White has said he has no idea when the Irishman will fight again ... if ever.

So, when we saw Faber out in Hollywood with Patrick Schwarzenegger ... we asked if he knows anything!

"I don't know what the f*ck's up with Conor ... that's my boy," Faber told TMZ Sports.

If game really does recognize game ... bet the house on LiAngelo Ball getting drafted later this month ... 'cause a top NBA draft prospect says Lonzo's bro is "for sure" getting picked.

Collin Sexton -- the stud point guard from Alabama -- is widely viewed as one of the 10-or-so best players available in the NBA draft pool ... and when we caught up with him in West Hollywood, he says there isn't a doubt in his mind 'Gelo will be picked right along with him on June 21.

"He's a good player," Sexton told us. "He can shoot it. He can shoot it real good. He'll wind up at a team for sure."

FYI ... Collin isn't just bein' nice for the camera. He played against 'Gelo last year during the Ballislife All-American Game -- alongside future pros Trae Young and Mo Bamba -- and Ball went for a cool 13 points and three boards on his team.

Boxing champ Vasyl Lomachenko tells TMZ Sports ... he's 100% down to fight Gervonta Davis in December when he recovers from shoulder surgery -- but ONLY if Davis comes up to his weight class.

The Ukrainian superstar was out shopping in Beverly Hills -- just one month after winning the WBA lightweight title over Jorge Linares ... and told us he's already thinking about his next fight!

Lomachenko says he knows he'll probably fight Mikey Garcia down the line ... but Davis is a realistic opponent for December.

Davis is the IBF and WBA super featherweight champ ... but Lomachenko says he won't go down to Gervonta's class to fight him there -- Tank needs to come up to 135.

The guy who got mistaken for Odell Beckham in a Tennessee airport last week says he loves to mess with people who mistake him for the real OBJ -- but there's one line he won't cross ... the vagina.

Meet Jamal Carter ... aka NOdell Beckham, aka FauxBJ ... who tells TMZ Sports he gets mixed up for the NYG wide out ALL THE TIME (especially by drunk people).

In real life, Carter is a recent college grad and current HS hoops coach from Tennessee -- but people mistake him for Beckham so often, he leans into it sometimes.

The perks? Sometimes he gets free drinks and people ask for his picture.

We asked if he ever pretends to be Odell to nail cleat chasers who don't realize he's not the NFL player ... and that's when Carter got serious and told us he absolutely has not and will not go there.

"I'm not gonna take advantage of anybody like that."

Carter does have a GREAT story about the time he tried to score a free meal while pretending to be Odell ... but it backfired spectacularly.

Derek Fisher is going to bat for his former player J.R. Smith -- telling TMZ Sports the Cavs should NOT quit on the shooting guard after his brain fart during Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

There's been a call from fans and NBA experts to bench Smith -- most famously from Stephen A. Smith -- who says J.R. just ain't playing good enough and needs to be benched for the rest of the series.

But Fisher ain't buyin' it ... explaining, "We're really only talking about one play."

D-Fish -- who coached Smith on the Knicks a few years back -- says J.R. played his ass off all year long and has earned his starting spot. Fish says you need to rely on the guys who got you there.

So, what about Smith's unimpressive stat line after Game 2 (5 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists in 31 minutes)??

Fisher says don't be fooled by the numbers, there are other ways for a player to have an impact.

OK, so it's not exactly Patriots practice ... but Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski are back at Gillette!

The two showed up at Patriots Fantasy Camp -- in which team members put paying fans through the paces of a regular day in the life of a Pats player. The money raised goes to charity.

Nobody really knew if Brady and Gronk would show up -- since they've been absent from New England's voluntary workouts the past couple weeks ... leading Bill Belichick to throw some not-so-subtle shade on his Hall of Fame QB.

But, when the event began Monday morning, the two most famous players were there.

Both players are expected to return for mandatory minicamp on Tuesday ... and their attendance at Monday's annual Patriots Fantasy Camp is a good sign that'll actually happen.

If James Harden was bummed about not being in the NBA Finals ... he ain't showin' it -- 'cause he was TURNING UP with shirtless Travis Scott onstage Saturday night!!

Just five days after being bounced from the playoffs ... the Rockets PG turned to his ex-GF's sister's BF to get away from it all ... and he got away from it.

The Beard joined Kylie Jenner's baby daddy during the last few minutes of his Governors Ball set, rockin' out to "Beibs in the Trap" ... and the crowd loved it -- giving a "F*CK THE WARRIORS" chant afterward.

Remember, Scott's a huge Houston fan ... and was spotted at Harden's games against the Dubs late last month.

Well, now we know why Floyd Mayweather took his private jet to Mexico ... his sister got married this weekend in Cabo!

Floyd -- along with several TMT staffers and bodyguards -- hit up the Paradisus Los Cabos resort to watch his sister, Deltricia Tawanna Howard, trade "I Dos" with her boyfriend George Forte III.

The ceremony was super romantic -- it all went down on the beach in front of the crashing waves. Floyd rocked a pretty slick white suit.

The rest of the weekend was lit, too ... parties, dancing, ATV excursions and a fireworks celebration when the bride and groom tied the knot!

Forget the Warriors vs. Cavs debate (sure looks like the Dubs ended that on Sunday night, anyway) -- it's time for the real question ... the LeBron 15s or the Curry 5s?!

The two NBA Finals superstars rocked their signature shoes in Game 2 ... and while Steph Curry got the win in his -- does he beat the King in shoe game as well??

New photos show Milwaukee Bucks player Sterling Brown suffered bruising and cuts to his face when he was unnecessarily tased and roughed up during a January police altercation.

You've already seen the video of Brown being violently accosted and tased by a team of Milwaukee PD officers during a January 26 parking dispute outside of a Walgreens around 2 AM.

Now, the newly released pics -- taken right after the incident -- show the damage inflicted on Brown's face. You can also see what appears to be puncture wounds on his body from the taser. The pics were first obtained by WISN 12.

There's more ... new police video shows cops were immediately concerned about looking "racist" ... saying on camera, "Because he plays for the Bucks, and if he makes a complaint, it's going to be a f*cking media firestorm."

"And then any little f*cking thing that goes wrong [with the investigation into the arrest] is going to be, 'Ooooooh, the Milwaukee Police Department is all racist. Blah, blah, blah.'"

"And then we end up in civil court. And then the DA asks, was all that necessary?"

In fact, the possible backlash ended up being exactly what happened ... with Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and the Bucks organization themselves blasting the cops' actions.