Tom Petty has become a die-hard Los Angeles Lakers fan - thanks to Jack Nicholson.

The movie star, who is one of the basketball team's most avid celebrity fans, started giving Petty his courtside seats to games whenever he couldn't make tip-off, and the rocker, who had never been interested in sports, suddenly found himself in love with the game.

He tells Men's Journal magazine, "I never had any interest in sports whatsoever, but then suddenly, about 10 years ago, I got interested in professional basketball. I'm loyal to my team, but right now, they're just a f**king mess."

The Lakers have just come off a terrible season, which saw them fail to reach the Nba play-offs.