HoopsHype.com Rumors

The joke -- "Has anyone noticed that Chris Paul has Michael Jackson's original nose?" -- drew chuckles from Griffin, although Paul tried to play it off as if he wasn't amused. As it turns out, the tweet was penned by a Mavericks fan who was apparently upset after Paul helped the Clippers knock off the Mavs this year. The fan, who goes by the Twitter handle @undertaker594, took to Twitter to issue a light-hearted apology... and added another quick jab about Paul's "potato nose." Dallas Morning News

Los Angeles Clippers, Chris Paul, Twitter, Michael Jackson 

The Boston Celtics signed Shavlik Randolph to a 10-day contract because they needed another big man in their front court. If they ever need an entertainer, they now have one of those as well. "I love playing the piano," Randolph enthusiastically told CSNNE.com. "I love playing the piano and I do a mean Michael Jackson impression dancing." CSNNE.com

Boston Celtics, Shavlik Randolph, Michael Jackson 

Heat forward Shane Battier held his annual "Battioke" event Monday night in Miami Beach. Teammates and executives again embarrassed themselves in front of an audience in order to raise money for the Battier Take Charge Foundation. Obviously, the night produced epic pictures. Check some of the best below. HoopsHype

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Shane Battier, Michael Jackson 

When LeBron James said he was taking his talents to South Beach, he wasn't talking about his vocals. The Miami Heat superstar took the stage Monday night at a charity event hosted by teammate Shane Battier and performed Michael Jackson's classic Rock With You. Let's just say that all-around dominance on the basketball court doesn't equate to all-around dominance on the stage. But we have not come here to bash LeBron. His performance was at a charity event that benefits youth and teens through philanthropy and scholarship programs. He got on stage and sold his performance without a hint of vanity. There's something admirable about that. The sweater: much less so. USA Today Sports

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Shane Battier, Michael Jackson 

LeBron James sings Michael Jackson's "Rock With You" Miami Herald

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Michael Jackson 

Alex Kennedy: For the record, I've seen @Shawn Marion do a great Michael Jackson impression. Halftime performer was warming up before a game and he killed it. Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Shawn Marion, Michael Jackson 

Out of nowhere one afternoon, Michael Jackson made a call to the irrepressible and isolated Kobe Bryant, and so much changed for him. From a distance, the King of Pop could sense so much of his own obsessive genius within the prodigy. Bryant was the 18-year-old wonder for the Los Angeles Lakers, and no one knew what to make of a restlessness borne of a desperate desire for greatness. “He noticed I was getting a lot of [expletive] for being different,” Bryant said. Yahoo! Sports

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jackson 

They would talk for hours and hours, visiting at Neverland Ranch, and Bryant has long been fortified by the lessons Jackson instilled about the burden of honoring true talent, about the ways to open your mind to be smarter, sharper and insatiable in the chase. “It sounds weird, I guess, but it’s true: I was really mentored by the preparation of Michael Jackson,” Bryant told Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo! Sports

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jackson 

“We would always talk about how he prepared to make his music, how he prepared for concerts,” Bryant said. “He would teach me what he did: How to make a ‘Thriller’ album, a ‘Bad’ album, all the details that went into it. It was all the validation that I needed – to know that I had to focus on my craft and never waver. Because what he did – and how he did it – was psychotic. He helped me get to a level where I was able to win three titles playing with Shaq because of my preparation, my study. And it’s only all grown. “That’s the mentality that I have – it’s not an athletic one. It’s not from [Michael] Jordan. It’s not from other athletes. “It’s from Michael Jackson.” Yahoo! Sports

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jackson 

So when you start a question, “I know you don’t see the end coming … ,” Bryant corrects you quickly. “But it’s a lot closer; I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.” And you won’t be the one to stay too long, to make them rip the jersey off your back? “Just thinking about some of the guys that I take advantage of now, taking advantage of me later – that doesn’t sit too well with me,” Bryant said. Yahoo! Sports

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jackson