TMZ Sports - Page 50

Jeremy Lin believes Asian people have an uphill battle when it comes to making it in America -- essentially saying basketball players and non-athletes of Asian descent are "underestimated" in the U.S.

The Brooklyn Nets star was giving an interview in Mandarin Chinese to an ESPN reporter when he was asked how he felt about NBA summer league standouts Zhou Qi and Ding Yanyuhang, both from mainland China.

"I’m very happy and hope they can perform well," Lin said.

"In the U.S., a lot of -- doesn’t matter if it's basketball players or people in other professions -- they look at Chinese people or Asians and they surely will underestimate us."

"So I think if we can have more Asian basketball players it will help our masculinity a lot."

It's not the first time Lin has talked about the way Asian men are viewed in American society -- back in April, he gave an interview saying Asian men are viewed differently (and unfairly) from sports to dating ... but has hope that things will change.

Lonzo Ball made a good impression on the woman who signs his checks -- with Lakers owner Jeanie Buss telling TMZ Sports, "The future looks bright."

Buss was leaving Madeo in Bev Hills on Sunday when we asked about all the action in Vegas -- where the Lakers' summer league games are in full swing.

FYI, summer league tix for Lakers games are in super high demand -- they face value for $30 but have been fetching $250 and more on ticket resale sites.

We asked Buss if Lonzo is the reason for the renewed interest in the Purple and Gold -- and it's clear, she's excited about what Ball brings to her squad.

Ball stunk up the court on Friday night in his summer league debut but bounced back with a triple double on Saturday. The Lakers play again Monday night against the Kings.

Nate Diaz is firing shots at Conor McGregor and Dana White -- mocking the UFC duo on social media while proclaiming HIMSELF the real champ.

"There's 1 boss here," Diaz wrote under a picture of him busting out the Stockton Slap on both guys.

That's not all ... Nate also ripped into the photo Conor and Dana took together on Sunday after landing in L.A. for their Mayweather fight media tour.

"Little bitches," Diaz wrote ... "Got your ass beat. You lost bitch. Im the champ..."

Diaz hasn't stepped inside the Octagon since losing to McGregor in their rematch at UFC 202 back in August 2016.

White has told TMZ Sports he TRIED to make deals with Nate and his bro, Nick Diaz, to book them in other events ... but they flat-out refused every offer the UFC made.

Neither Dana nor Conor have responded to Diaz's comments -- yet -- but with the Mayweather media tour launching Tuesday, you can bet they'll have some thoughts on this dude.

Robert Kraft's got a new homie, Meek Mill -- and he likes the rapper so much, he let him wear his brand new Super Bowl ring!

The New England Patriots owner ran into Meek in Miami -- and the two hit it off. Shouldn't be too big of a surprise considering Kraft is tight with Meek's MMG label owner, Rick Ross.

Remember, Kraft once let Vladimir Putin try on a Super Bowl ring and the Russian leader straight JACKED it.

But Meek's no Putin -- he gave the ring back (good thing, since he's still technically on probation).

Legendary ring announcer Michael Buffer says he will NOT be ready to rumble at the Mayweather vs. McGregor fight on August 26 ... but he strongly hinted his famous brother, Bruce Buffer, could be handling the duties instead.

FYI, Michael is THE VOICE when it comes to boxing intros ... he's belted out his signature catchphrase at some of the biggest fights of all time ... including Mayweather vs. Pacquiao.

But he won't be calling THIS Mayweather fight -- telling TMZ Sports he's got prior obligations that'll keep him from working that event ... but says it's a "distinct possibility" his brother, Bruce, could handle the honors.

Of course, Bruce Buffer is the UFC ring announcer -- "IT'S TIIIIIIME!"

Mike wasn't exactly 100% confirming ... but watch the clip, Michael definitely knows something we don't.

Julianne Hough had to pull her wedding out of a ditch ... before she successfully made it down the aisle.

The "Dancing with the Stars" judge tied the knot with NHL star Brooks Laich over the weekend in Idaho -- but it was a rough rough ride getting there. One of the coaches porting their guests to the outdoor affair ... ended up in a ditch.

No one was hurt, and the bride and groom made it safely to the altar. Equally crucial to the big day ... Julianne's bro, Derek Hough's phone was apparently not damaged ... so he was able to text through the event.

Mazel!

Jason Kidd could have a new nickname -- Octodad -- 'cause the Milwaukee Bucks coach's ex-wife says he's expecting his 8th child!!

We spoke with Joumana Kidd outside Delilah in West Hollywood -- where the TV host broke the baby news to TMZ Sports ... and said she couldn't be happier for J and his wife, Porschla.

Kidd's oldest son -- Jason Kidd Jr. -- was also out that night (in more ways than one) ... telling TMZ Sports he's just wants to keep the crown as the "gay son" in the family.

It's the first time Kidd Jr.'s gone public with his sexuality -- and told us in a statement, "My sexuality doesn't change me, it only makes me the pink glittery sheep of the family. And I own it."

We reached out to Kidd about the baby news -- but so far, no word back.

Word to the wise ... if you see Jessie "Mr. PEC-Tacular" Godderz on the streets, DON'T challenge him to a thumb wrestling match, or your butthole might just pay the price.

Our TMZ camera guy learned that the hard way in Manhattan, when he faced off against the jacked "Big Brother" legend in a battle of opposables ... and LOST.

What was on the line? Loser gets a wedgie.

Well, our guy lost ... and the punishment was so bad, Jessie literally ripped the photog's undies as he pulled 'em over his head.

UFC star Max Holloway is calling for a tag team match -- a 2-on-1 meg-brawl with Cub Swanson and Frankie Edgar ... and let's be honest, THAT SOUNDS AWESOME!!!

TMZ Sports spoke with Holloway about the next man on his hit list -- and he told us he's ready to fight both dudes ... even if it's at the same time.

Yeah, we know it ain't gonna happen -- but we can dream, right?

Ted Cruz thinks James Harden deserves every nickel of his historic $228 million contract extension with the Houston Rockets ... just as long as it pays off on the court.

The Texas senator was in D.C. Sunday morning where he was asked what he thought of Harden landing the record NBA deal. He gives a bit of a stump speech answer at first -- saying Harden and CP3 should give Golden State a run for their money.

Amanda Nunes pulled out of her UFC 213 fight because she was dealing with a chronic condition that didn't allow her to breathe properly ... according to the brawler herself.

Amanda posted a statement Sunday explaining her sudden withdrawal from her main event fight against Valentina Shevchenko, saying she suffers from chronic sinusitis.

She goes on to explain that she's fought with the condition before, but couldn't soldier on this time because she felt off balance and couldn't breathe at the official weigh-in. She also says UFC docs cleared her based on blood and dehydration tests ... but a CT scan later found mucus build-up in her sinuses.

As we reported ... Amanda pulled out of UFC 213 last minute Saturday, only hours before her title match. She told UFC officials she did not feel well enough to step in the Octagon.

LaVar Ball is fed up with people calling his family the Kardashians of basketball, telling TMZ Sports his clan ain't nothing like the Calabasas crew ... and he HATES the comparison.

We got LaVar out in L.A. and asked him about the new Ball reality show, and if this officially makes his family the Kardashians of the hardwood.

"I ain't no Kardashain, I ain't Kris Jenner. We the Balls, welcome to the Ball era."

Keeping it real, the Kardashian comparisons make sense. Each family has one super famous kid, names that start with the same letter, and like Kris Jenner, LaVar seems to be a branding genius.

Add in the new reality show and all you need is a steady influx of Black athletes for them to be identical ... wait, got that too.

But do you want to be the one to call out LaVar on it? We thought not.

Everyone's seen the clips ... and the memes of the time sports talk radio legend Mike Francesa fell asleep on the air.

Now, Mike is explaining how the hell it happened ... and it's actually a pretty solid excuse.

We got Francesa out at a falafel truck in NYC when he told us the backstory of that one fateful moment with Yankees reporter Sweeny Murti back in 2012.

Mike also weighed in on his beloved NY Yankees -- and told us why it would be a huge mistake to sleep on Aaron Judge.

Good news for Derek Carr ... you won't have to use all that new scratch to fix BROKEN BONES given to you by jealous NFL players ... that's according to one massive Denver Bronco who says it's all good.

We got Domata Peko at LAX -- a 6'3'' 325 pound MAMMOTH who kills QBs -- and asked him if there was any extra incentive to punish Carr, now that the Raiders stud signed that $125 million deal.

If you're waiting for Peko to snarl, you're gonna wait a while, dude goes full Teddy Bear, saying he's happy to see Carr get paid, 'cause it's an inspiration to other players.

Lionel Messi's having a great week -- like super duper great -- and the celebration's continuing for him on his honeymoon in the Caribbean.

Messi and his new wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, hit up the beach with their 2 sons for some fun in the sun ... and an epic game of Smashball!!!

If it looks like the soccer star doesn't have a care in the world, it's probably because he signed a massive contract with FC Barcelona -- $33.6 million a year through 2021 -- just days after tying the knot with his childhood sweetheart.

Oh and by the way ... she looks smoking hot.

Amanda Nunes has mysteriously pulled out of her title match with Valentina Shevchenko ... and we say mysterious because that's the way UFC views it.

TMZ Sports has learned Nunes complained this week about not feeling well and went to the hospital both Friday and Saturday. Our sources say doctors repeatedly checked her out but found nothing wrong. Nonetheless, Nunes said she was not well enough to fight Saturday night and has pulled out.

Since her decision came just hours before the fight, we're told the co-main event is now the main event -- Yoel Romero v. Robert Whittaker.

And get this ... we're told UFC Strawweight champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk called UFC officials Saturday late morning and begged to replace Nunes on a minute's notice. What's amazing about this is Joanna weighs 115 lbs but is willing to fight in the 135 class.

She told UFC officials she had a suitcase with clothes to fight and was ready, but the UFC couldn't allow such a disparity in the Octagon ... but they think she's totally baller for asking.