TMZ Sports - Page 50

Shaq is WRONG -- Kobe Bryant is NOT coming back to the NBA ... so says Mrs. Mamba herself, Vanessa Bryant.

There have been rumblings that 39-year-old Kobe is considering a return to the Lakers to join LeBron James for one last shot at a ring before he rides off into the sunset.

And, the rumors got even stronger when Shaquille O'Neal told TMZ Sports over the weekend, "Kobe coming back. You heard it here first."

Now, Vanessa is finally weighing in -- and assuring Laker Nation, Kobe ain't pulling a Michael Jordan.

"Kobe will not be coming out of retirement to play again," Vanessa wrote on Instagram.

"He doesn’t want to play again and frankly we really enjoy spending time together as a family without the crazy game schedule interfering with birthdays, holidays and special events."

Mamba out.

David Otunga says he flew into "flight or fight mode" when he encountered the dude who broke into his car Monday night -- telling TMZ Sports, "I'm ready to tear this guy's head off."

Little backstory ... Otunga had finished a shoulder workout at his gym in Chicago when he saw a man inside of his car trying to steal his stuff, including Apple AirPods.

The WWE star says he freaked out at first, wondering if the guy had a gun -- but quickly realized the burglar was a coward who immediately began to beg Otunga to let him go.

"I go yoke him up and dude just starts pleading with me, 'No! I'm sorry! Please, don't hit me. Don't hit me, don't hurt me. I'm sorry, I'm sorry!'"

Otunga says the man claimed he was desperately in need of money and wanted to steal D.O.'s stuff, so he could sell it.

"I almost feel bad for him," David tells us ... "Like, I'm so pissed off, I'm ready to tear this guy's head off and then he's pleading with me."

Otunga says he ultimately shoved the guy and he ran off.

But, the scariest moment -- David says he later found the burglar's KNIFE in the car ... and quickly realized things could have been a lot worse.

Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golvkin had real beef when they came together to shoot a promo for their upcoming fight ... sources tell TMZ Sports there was "real hatred" and real trash talk on the set.

The two had to be in the same room at the same time for the promo shoot in mid-July -- and even had to throw fake punches at each other. You can see in the video ... the mood on set was tense.

Remember, getting the deal done for this fight was not easy -- the sides went to war over how to split the profits ... with Canelo and his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, threatening to walk several times.

Before Draymond Green's alleged violent confrontation with Tristan Thompson ... the NBA star was partying with LeBron James and Kevin Durant and witnesses say he was in a great mood.

There are reports Draymond and his crew went from LeBron's Uninterrupted party at The Highlight Room to Delilah nightclub ... where Green approached Thompson and was struck in the face by the NBA star.

Some reports say Draymond was trying to apologize to Tristan for disrespecting him after the NBA Finals -- but TT was having nothing of it and had to be restrained.

Witnesses who saw Draymond and LeBron at The Highlight Room say the guys were hanging out and enjoying the evening ... no static, no tension.

We got video of Draymond and LeBron having a conversation before leaving for the next spot with KD -- but unclear what they were talking about.

The NYPD is investigating J.R. Smith for allegedly stealing a cell phone from a fan and throwing into a construction site ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... they got a call around 2:30 AM on Sunday morning from a guy who says he tried to take a picture with the Cleveland Cavs star outside of The Park, a hot spot in Chelsea.

Smith allegedly turned the fan down -- telling him no photos -- but he snapped one anyway ... and Smith snapped too.

We're told ... Smith allegedly approached the fan and snatched the phone out of his hand and then launched it into a nearby construction zone. The fan claims his $800 phone was damaged and he has filed a report with police.

Smith has not been charged with a crime -- but we're told cops would like to speak with him asap.

We talked to J.R.'s attorney, Alex Spiro, who vehemently denies the allegations ... saying, "the claim is nonsense and we do not have anything to say about nonsense."

New York Jets linebacker Dylan Donahue -- the guy who crashed into a bus in the Lincoln Tunnel -- has pled guilty to drunk driving ... TMZ Sports has learned.

As we previously reported, officials say the 25-year-old was driving his Dodge Charger Hellcat the wrong way in the Lincoln Tunnel on Feb. 26, when he slammed into a jitney bus (a private passenger bus) which was carrying 15 people. 4 of those people were hospitalized.

Donahue was initially hit with 4 charges-- but, he struck a deal with prosecutors in which 3 of those were dropped in exchange for pleading guilty to operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

His sentence -- his license was suspended for 3 months, he must have an ignition interlock device (which tests for alcohol on his breath) on his car for 1 year and must complete a DUI education program.

Meanwhile, Donahue has been participating at Jets camp -- and reportedly impressing the coaching staff.

Johnny Manziel ain't just playing for a Montreal Alouettes win on Friday night -- his NFL future could be on the line as well ... so says NFL legend Warren Moon.

TMZ Sports spoke with the only man in the CFL and Pro Football Hall of Fame, and he tells us NFL GMs will absolutely have their eyes on Manziel's first-ever Canadian start.

"They're going to be paying attention the rest of the season," Moon says.

Warren tells us that doesn't just mean on the field ... but off of it as well.

"He needs to focus all of his energy and all of his comments on football," Warren says.

"And, stay away from anything that has to do with social stuff because that's what kind of got him in trouble before."

Blake Griffin has reached a truce with baby mama Brynn Cameron in their nasty custody fight -- striking a deal on child support payment and custody right before they were set to go to trial.

Blake and Brynn had 2 children together during their 8-year relationship -- and were supposed to get married back in 2017 ... until he called things off at the last minute and started dating Kendall Jenner.

Brynn went after Blake hard in court docs -- claiming Griffin left her basically homeless and cash-strapped when he bolted.

Our sources tell us a trial was scheduled to begin Wednesday -- but, the two sides were able to privately hammer out an overall custody settlement ... and now the trial is off.

We're told the two have agreed on joint custody on the children. They're both committed to co-parenting in a friendly manner for the sake of the kids.

As for Blake's monthly payments -- there's a report he'll have to fork over $258,000 per month ... but, we're told that number is wrong.

The terms of the settlement are confidential, but we're told the monthly payment is "significant."

Remember when Tekashi69 said Cristiano Ronaldo couldn't score on him??

Well, he didn't say anything about ridiculously hot Instagram models.

The "FEFE" rapper got into a shootout with Brittany Renner -- aka bundleofbrittany -- a former college soccer star who has racked up more than 4 MILLION followers on IG.

The two made a soccer bet -- if he could stop all of her shots, Brit would have to move to NYC. And, if she scored on him ... he's gotta pack up and move to L.A.

Tekashi made a valiant effort -- but the former Jackson State striker just killed him ... even hitting a sick upper 90.

Call the movers?

6ix9ine has boasted A LOT about his soccer skills -- and even hit the pitch with international soccer superstar Mario Balotelli. He is definitely not the worst goalie we have ever seen, but he ain't exactly David de Gea either.

We'll give Tekashi the benefit of the doubt -- maybe he was a bit distracted.

Conor McGregor was booked to appear on an episode of "Vikings" this year -- but canceled just hours before he was supposed to shoot his scene ... this according to one of the stars of the show.

We spoke with Katheryn Winnick -- who plays Lagertha on the show -- and she told us she personally wrote a role for the UFC star in an episode that she was directing.

But, when McGregor canceled right before the shoot -- Winnick says she was forced to scramble and change the entire scene.

Winnick has been an actor on the show since day 1 -- but only started directing episodes in 2018 ... so the incident must have occurred this year.

Winnick says she's not bitter -- in fact, she's even cracking jokes about the experience -- but you can bet she would have much rather had him show up and do the scene.

As for an apology -- Winnick says she never got one ... but she's still waiting!

With Ronda Rousey's movie career taking off, the UFC legend says she's aiming high -- and wants a very specific role if Quentin Tarantino goes forward with a 3rd installment of "Kill Bill."

We got Rousey in NYC where she was promoting her new flick "Mile 22" -- where she stars alongside Mark Wahlberg and John Malkovich. Ronda thinks the movie has a real shot to win an Oscar.

But, moving forward, Rousey says she REALLY wants to play a "grown-up B.B. in 'Kill Bill 3.'"

Of course, B.B. was Beatrix Kiddo's (Uma Thurman) daughter in the original movies.

Tarantino has talked about possibly making a 3rd 'K.B.' flick -- but there's nothing in the works.

Blake Griffin and Jeff Ross went scorched earth on each other during their 'Roast Battle' over the weekend ... with gay jokes, Kardashian jokes -- and even Clippers jokes.

It all went down at The Fonda Theater in L.A. -- where the stars declared comedic war on each other for the Comedy Central show ... and neither one pulled any punches.

Some of the highlights ...

Blake attacks Jeff's weight:

"The only way you could get inside of a gym is if you literally f**ked a guy named Jim."

Jeff attacks Blake's new team, the Detroit Pistons:

"Blake, good luck in Detroit ... you know what, I think you're just white enough not to get shot by the cops. But, be careful because you're now the worst shooter in the most violent city in America."

Blake attacks Jeff's hair:

"Jeff ... you're such a bald piece of sh*t. It honestly looks like we both got f**ked over by the Clippers."

Jeff attacks Blake's breakup with Kendall Jenner:

NY Giants co-owner Steve Tisch -- who's also a huge movie producer -- says he's down to put Odell Beckham Jr. in one of his flicks ... BUT, there's a catch.

"After a long career," Tisch tells TMZ Sports.

Still ... Tisch has produced movies like "The Equalizer," "Southpaw" and "Forrest Gump" (he won an Oscar) -- and can you fathom OBJ in any of those down the road?!

As for if Tisch envisions the receiver spending that long football career in New York ... he didn't exactly specify -- but his tone seems to suggest the Giants DO want to pay him long-term.

T.J. Dillashaw ain't the only one that's gonna get it from Cody Garbrandt Saturday night ... Cody's wife better watch out too, 'cause he's been holding out on the lovin' and says ... after the fight, IT'S TIME!!!

Garbrandt and Dillashaw have a date at UFC 227 in Staples Center this weekend, and it can't come soon enough for Cody ... who's been holding out from the boom boom for his entire fight camp.

"My poor wife," Cody said when we got him out in L.A., telling our guy he just doesn't believe in gettin' down during training camp.

How long has it been? 3 MONTHS according to Cody, who also said his post-fight celebration won't be at a club or a bar ... it'll be in his own bedroom.

"Saturday night, I'm gettin' it in, that's my after-party."

... and so it begins!

Magic Johnson and his wife, Cookie, have boarded their private jet bound for Italy -- where the family will begin their annual $3 MILLION summer vacation!!!

Remember, the Johnson family vacation is straight BALLER -- they rent out insane yachts and sail around the Amalfi Coast ... while visiting with their rich and famous friends.

In fact, Samuel L. Jackson and his wife are already in Europe -- guessing they'll meet up very soon as they usually do.

In the past, Magic's yachts have featured everything from movie theaters to dining rooms and impressive gyms with treadmills and free weights. We'll see if they upgrade for the 2018 edition!

Bon voyage!

NFL rookie Jordan Mailata might look like the Hulk ... but he can SANG like Jack Johnson -- 'cause the seventh round draft pick just SLAYED it on the guitar at Eagles camp!!

If you're unfamiliar ... Jordan is one of the baddest dudes on the planet, having consistently run over guys with his 6-foot-8, 346-pound frame on the rugby pitch in Australia the last few years.

But Philadelphia media members caught the new Eagles OL in a weak moment with his guitar Tuesday ... and the world is now a better place for it.

Jordan belted out 53 seconds of Mark Lowndes' "Hold" ... and it's guaranteed to make you swoon.