DR. J CALLS ON STARS TO SAVE DUNK CONTEST Respect The History!!!

The NBA Dunk Contest is on relevancy life support ... but Julius Erving, the first-ever winner in the event, has a way to save it -- telling TMZ Sports it's time for the league's biggest stars to brush up on their history.

We caught up with the Hall of Famer in NYC this week ... and considering he has countless iconic slams to his name, we had to ask about the state of the All-Star Weekend staple.

It's no secret fans are starting to roll their eyes at it ... with randos competing against each other instead of franchise players. Zach LaVine, Aaron Gordon and G League star Mac McClung have certainly helped the cause ... but overall, it's been a dud for quite some time.

A big criticism is the fact that LeBron James never took part at any point in his career ... and the same can be said for other superstars.

Dr. J shut down the idea of making it mandatory to participate ... but he did encourage the household names to step up.

Erving suggested they educate themselves on the contest ... and he feels if they do, they'll change their stance on sitting out.

He added the players make too much money to be required to do anything nowadays -- that includes suiting up for games (spicy!!)

So, will the best of the best strove for slam dunk greatness moving forward?? If they do, we have Erving to thank.

There's more -- we also asked about Philly's chances against the Boston Celtics ... and let's just say he's quite optimistic!!

- TMZ

EXCLUSIVE: DEVIN HANEY I DON'T WANT MY KID ON MY EX'S SOCIALS ... 'Cause Of Her OnlyFans!!!

Devin Haney Slams Ex’s Request To Post Child On Social Media, Cites Her OnlyFans
EXCLUSIVE

Devin Haney is firing back after his ex-fiancée, Leena Sayed, filed legal papers in hopes of posting their kid on social media without his approval -- claiming her OnlyFans career is a good reason to keep their one-year-old off her pages.

As we previously reported, Sayed wants to modify the couple's custody order on their kid ... so she can share pics of Khrome without Haney being involved. As it stands, both sides have to sign off on any kid pics on the internet.

Getty / Instagram @leenasayed

According to court docs, obtained by TMZ Sports, Haney's legal team said the stipulation "does not unduly restrict Leena's self-expression," after she claimed "social media is an important part of how I share my life with friends, family, and my social media followers."

"That posting restriction, however, does not restrict Leena's ability to tell her followers all she wishes about 'her role as a mother,'" Haney's attorney, Rick Edwards, wrote.

Haney claims "Leena's self-objectification and encouragement of sexual fantasies via her postings on OnlyFans and on Instagram means that some of her internet 'followers' do not follow her because of her motherhood."

Haney's team included multiple exhibits from Sayed's OnlyFans page, which include captions like "All set for an orgy" and that she is "looking to juice a c***, any c*** will do."

"They are all of course protected by free speech," Edwards wrote. "And sex sells. But it takes one unbalanced fantasizer to create risk for [their child] Khrome."

The filing adds ... "The common sense point is that a celebrity's child on social media invites trouble. And Leena presents herself not only as a celebrity, but as a wealthy and fantasy-inducing celebrity."

Devin also addressed Leena's point that she can only share posts about their child if she is in "some proximity to his presence" -- including an exhibit in which he reposted a picture of Khrome watching him fight in Saudi Arabia.

"I learned that Leena wanted to post a picture showing the back of Khrome’s head in front of a television screen on which I appeared in the ring," Haney wrote. "I approved. I was carried away by the fight’s result and by seeing Khrome watching me, and did not exercise appropriate caution."

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The 27-year-old's legal team wrapped things up by saying, "Enough is enough." and asking the judge to deny her request.

- TMZ Sports

RUDY GOBERT SPLITS FROM PREGNANT PARTNER ... Get Out Of My House And Take Our Kid, Too!!!

 

Rudy Gobert Breaks Up With Pregnant GF, Tells Her To Leave Home With 1-Year-Old

7:34 PM PT -- Rudy Gobert is now sharing his side ... claiming "inaccurate information" is being thrown around, though he offers no specifics.

Gobert did confirm he is no longer in a relationship with Julia, but still plans to "keep supporting the well-being of all the people that I care about."

5:15 PM PT -- Julia Bonilla just addressed the situation in a lengthy social media post ... calling the whole ordeal "one of the most painful times in my life."

"I considered Rudy the love of my life," Bonilla said minutes ago. "I left everything for him. I gave him a child and poured my heart into our relationship."

"Despite how I have been treated, I choose to protect his name for the sake of my children," she added.

Bonilla also noted she has "NEVER EVER been unfaithful to the father of my children" ... adamantly denying cheating played a role in the split.

Rudy Gobert broke up with his pregnant girlfriend, told her to move out of his home and take their one-year-old son with her right at the start of the NBA playoffs, TMZ Sports has learned.

Sources close to the wives and girlfriends of Timberwolves players tell us the split was a bit of a shocker ... considering Julia Bonilla and baby Romeo were spotted at Minnesota's final regular season game on April 13.

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In fact, 32-year-old Gobert went up to them after the game for a warm embrace ... so all appeared to be completely normal with the family.

But, we're told things changed some time after Bonilla revealed she was pregnant with their second child ... and Gobert is now a single man.

Our sources say Bonilla hoped to move back to her home country of France following the split ... but the four-time Defensive Player of the Year wants her and Romeo to stay in the States so they can figure out child custody after the Wolves' season comes to an end.

We're told Gobert has lawyered up and his reps have applied pressure to ensure she stays in Minnesota.

We actually talked to Gobert back in March 2024 -- right before his first son was born -- and he said it was a "blessing" to have a child entering the world.

As we previously reported, Bonilla was outspoken in her support of the 32-year-old French hooper ... and defended him after his peers voted him the most overrated player in the league.

Gobert and the Wolves are currently in a playoff run ... and the big man played a major role in their series wins over the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors.

We've reached out to Gobert's side for comment ... and his agent, Bouna Ndiaye, told us his company has zero interest in ever speaking with TMZ Sports about any of its clients.

- TMZ Sports 

JULIO CÉSAR CHÁVEZ JR. VOWS TO AVENGE MIKE TYSON ... Against Jake Paul

Julio César Chávez Jr. is ready to step in and defend Mike Tyson's honor ... telling TMZ Sports he plans to whoop Jake Paul in the ring in June to avenge the boxing legend.

Remember, Paul -- 11-1 as a pro boxer -- beat Tyson by unanimous decision in an eight-round bout in November 2024, the most watched fight ever.

Chávez, a former middleweight world champion, will have his chance to get some payback for Iron Mike on June 28 ... when he faces Paul at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

And best believe that's the goal.

"I wanna take revenge for Mike Tyson," César Chávez Jr. told us from his boxing gym in L.A. "When I saw the fight, my first thought was, I wanna fight Jake Paul."

On paper, it's a challenging fight for Paul ... who only has 12 professional fights in his short career.

- TMZ Sports 

FERNANDO VARGAS HITS BACK AT SONS' BOXING CRITICS Won't Say It To Our Faces!

Former boxing champion Fernando Vargas is calling out anyone criticizing his sons' boxing careers ... telling TMZ Sports they're bold behind a keyboard, but don't have the guts to say any of it to their faces!!

Vargas' three sons are all boxers ... including Amado, who has a fight on Saturday against Angel Luna at the Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta.

Vargas is confident his son will secure his 13th straight win by knockout in "four, five rounds" and maintain his perfect record.

Even with that said, some remain unimpressed with the 24-year-old fighter. Pops -- a former middleweight with a 26-5 record -- chalks it all up to how negativity is part of the boxing game.

He also knows that none of the doubters would dare back up their words in person.

"Be mad! Be mad!" Vargas said. "It doesn't matter to me! You not gonna say nothing crazy to me or come up and say anything crazy to me. It's never been done!"

"You can run your mouth and say whatever you want, but you will never say it to my face or you will never say it to my boys' faces."

Vargas -- who shared the ring with legends like Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad, and Shane Mosley -- believes his sons will silence the haters, backed by his full support and their boxing DNA.

"My boys got what it takes to become champions."

- TMZ Sports 

COLIN KAEPERNICK STILL TRAINING FOR NFL RETURN ... Says Partner Nessa

Colin Kaepernick hasn't played in a professional football game in nearly a decade, but the former star quarterback is STILL training for his NFL comeback ... this according to his longtime partner Nessa Diab.

TMZ Sports caught up with the radio and TV host this week in New York City ... when we asked about Kap, who remains a free agent, as several NFL teams are still without a QB.

Nessa -- who had a child with the former 49ers quarterback in 2022 -- told us Kap's busting his ass in the gym, training regularly, hoping an NFL GM will give him a shot to show he's still got what it takes to lead a football team.

"All day, every day!" Nessa said of Kap's training. "Nothing has changed! Nothing!"

- TMZ Sports

DR. DRE GETS OLYMPIC TRAINING OFFER ... From Archery Gold Medalist!!

If Dr. Dre is serious about competing in archery at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, he has a two-time Olympic gold medalist in his corner willing to help him bring home the gold!!

Justin Huish -- a fellow Cali native -- was thrilled after the hip hop icon revealed he wants to participate in the Olympics archery event in four years ... telling TMZ Sports he believes he can succeed -- even at 59 years of age.

"Anyone can do it at any age. There's not really an age limit," Huish said. "You can be a phenom and you don't really know."

Huish -- who recently competed in the Outdoor Nationals in Texas -- feels it makes sense for him to link up with Dre to help him achieve his dreams ... and they both live in SoCal, so traveling is no issue.

"I'll come to your house," the 49-year-old said, "I will train you. I will dedicate my time to train with you."

- TMZ Sports 

BROWNS DE LONNIE PHELPS WAIVED AFTER CRASHING CAR INTO RESTAURANT

USA TODAY Sports 

 The Cleveland Browns waived defensive end Lonnie Phelps on Thursday, one day after police said he crashed his SUV into a Florida restaurant.

Phelps faces charges of drunken driving and damaging property following the incident at the Red Shoe Island Bistro in Key West.

Phelps, 23, was taken into custody after refusing to cooperate with officers, according to a Monroe County Sheriff's Office report obtained by Cleveland.com.

Facebook/Key West Police Department

Photographs reportedly from the scene were posted online by TMZ Sports and showed a vehicle wedged into the side of the restaurant. Reports estimated the damages at $300,000.

Phelps signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent in May 2023 and he spent last season on their practice squad. Cleveland signed him to a reserve/future contract in January.

Phelps played college football at Miami (Ohio) from 2019-21 and at Kansas in 2022. He recorded 23 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss in 41 games.

- Reuters 

FRANCIS NGANNOU: I WANT IMMEDIATE REMATCH W/ FURY Won't Appeal Decision Loss

 

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Francis Ngannou knows what he wants next ... telling TMZ Sports the clear choice is a rematch with Tyson Fury!

We talked to 37-year-old Ngannou on Tuesday ... just days after his incredibly impressive performance against 35-year-old Fury, and asked one of the most coveted athletes in all combat sports who and/or what he wants now that the world's at his fingertips.

"The rematch is what I want next the most," Ngannou told us.

BRONNY JAMES DOING WELL, MORE TESTS NEEDED ... Parents Relieved

Bronny James is doing well enough after his health scare that his parents are "relieved," sources with knowledge tell TMZ Sports.

LeBron and wife Savannah put everything on hold Monday after Bronny suffered cardiac arrest while practicing at USC.

TMZ broke the story ... Bronny, who was unconscious, was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and taken to the ICU.

MARK ZUCKERBERGTRAINS WITH UFC STARS ....CHECK OUT MY RIPPED"

Mark Zuckerberg is clearly taking his potential fight with Elon Musk seriously ... he revealed Tuesday he's already getting in training sessions with some of the UFC's biggest stars -- and he's looking damn good while doing it!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... both Israel Adesanya and Alex Volkanvski flew to Zuck's crib in Northern California following Saturday night's UFC 290 showcase in Vegas -- and almost immediately, they got to work with the Meta honcho on the mats to prep him for a possible tilt with Musk.

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA: TICKET PRICES SURGE FOR ROOKIE'S DEBUT ... IN NBA SUMMER LEAGUE

The Victor Wembanyama effect is real -- the most hyped prospect since LeBron James isn't just generating an uptick in regular season tickets sales ... fans are paying big money to catch a glimpse of the 7'5" phenom in the SUMMER LEAGUE!

Wemby -- who sat out the Sacramento Summer League games earlier this week -- is expected to make his NBA debut in the Las Vegas Summer League on Friday against the Charlotte Hornets.

JUSTIN GAETHJE VIA TMZ SPORTS

 

LEBRON JAMES, ADRIAN PETERSON & MORE PAY TRIBUTE TO DMX | TMZ SPORTS

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