National Basketball Association

California Vietnamese, Tibetans Protest Communist China Leader's Arrival For Summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping is getting a warm welcome from U.S. President Barack Obama this afternoon in Rancho Mirage for their summit and not just because the California desert temperature topped 110 degrees. In his five years in the White House, Obama has treated the Chinese leadership with guar ... More >>

Kobe Bryant Finishes Transformation from Homophobic Slur User to LGBT Champion with Tweet Supporting Out NBA Player

Man, what a difference two years can make. Just a bit over two years ago, Los Angeles Lakers superstar and Newport Coast resident Kobe Bryant made national headlines for calling an NBA referee a "fucking faggot," earning widespread condemnation and a half-hearted apology from Bryant. Now, just this ... More >>

Carl's Jr. Offers OC Lunch Date With The Laker Girls!

Who likes hot women? We have no issues with athletic ladies sporting purple, and you shouldn't either. Get to know a couple this month, as burger behemoth Carl's Jr hosts a series of meet-and-greets with your Los Angeles Laker Girls!And if that's not reason enough to do your laundry, we've got more ... More >>

Lupe Fiasco's "Jonylah Forever" is the Most Important Song in Hip-Hop Right Now

The funeral for Jonylah Watkins, a six-month old baby who died after being shot five times last week on the south side of Chicago, will take place this morning. Bulls basketball superstar Derrick Rose has offered to pay for the service. In a musical tribute moved by the gun violence in his hometown, ... More >>

[UPDATED with Mamba Tweets Back at Hater:] Vanessa Bryant Instagrams Blast at Kobe Fans Rapping Drake Line, Defends Her Parenting

See the update at the end of this post about Kobe's tweet defending Vanessa.ORIGINAL POST, JAN. 8, 12:29 P.M.: It was almost a year ago that Kobe Bryant reacted with a hearty laugh after one of the many fans who swarmed him as he was placing a post-game meal order yelled the end of this rap from Dra ... More >>

10 Signs You're Living Next Door to a Brothel

Anaheim and Huntington Beach police officers raided an apartment near La Palma Avenue and Euclid Street last week and arrested the 40-year-old "madame" there on suspicion of being a pimp. The Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force warns brothels are turning up (and turning tricks) ever more fre ... More >>

Jamaal Wilkes and Norm Nixon of "Showtime" Lakers Brighten Christmas for Homeless Kids

Showtime-era Lakers starts Jamaal Wilkes and Norm Nixon are scheduled to come to Buena Park tonight to help give Christmas gifts to homeless children. But, given the state of the Los Angeles Lakers these days, perhaps convincing "Silk" and "Stormin' Norman" to suit up and rejoin their old team would ... More >>

Dwight Howard Drops in 20 ... as in Million$ for Newport Coast Estate?

So, the purple-and-gold carpool is complete: Kobe Bryant will drive from whichever Newport Coast estate his wife Vanessa is allowing him to stay in over to Dwight Howard's supposed Newport Coast estate, pick up the Lakers new superstar center and then cruise over to John Wayne Airport.They'll then b ... More >>

NBC Affiliate and Network are 2-for-2 in Confusing I.D.'s of Famous Pro Athletes

You Navel Gazing commenters who love, Love, LOVE to point out my assorted flubs should get a hearty chortle out of this:Channel 4 is two-for-two when it comes to I.D. uck-fups involving  well-known sports figures, including Newport Coast shooting guard with the mostest Kobe Bryant. Film at 11.

¡Ask a Mexican! to Win 2012 All-Star Game Home Run Derby?

My Little League career is legendary in the La Palma Little League in Anaheim for its absolutely abysmal arc. One year, I had no hits--none. Another year, I had three, for a batting average I think we determined was .050. But no player was more feared than me, if only because my heckling of the oppo ... More >>

'Men At Work' Star James Lesure has two loves: Karaoke and the Celtics

If you're a sportsfan watching the Lakers choke miserably in the NBA Playoffs ,then you've likely seen the commercials for the upcoming TBS show, "Men at Work," starring Danny Masterson, James Lesure, Michael Cassidy, and Adam Busch. It's been a while since a sitcom caught our attention but this co ... More >>

The Top Five Most Violent Moments in Lakers History

With the Lakers facing the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight, we can't wait for the rematch between Metta World Peace and beard-boy James Harden. Really James, that 'bow to your dome was an accident. Here are the Top Five most violent moments in Lakers history.

Maloof Brothers Again Play Anaheim Card in Talks to Keep NBA's Kings in Sacramento

​Once again holding Anaheim up as their pawn, the Maloof brothers reportedly say they are not convinced the city of Sacramento can build a new arena for their NBA Kings by a 2015 deadline and that the Honda Center is still in play.This deja vu moment is even more deja vu-ier: the NBA is coming to ... More >>

Muhammad Ali's Trunks, Lou Gehrig's Last Bat and Dr. J's Championship Rings Up for Auction in OC

​Thanks to a Laguna Niguel company, you can swing the bat last used by Lou Gehrig as a Yankee, slide on "Dr. J" Julius Erving's NBA championship ring or slip into the trunks Muhammad Ali wore in one of his memorable fights against Smokin' Joe Frazier.Of course, to do so, you have to be the highest ... More >>

David Alan Grier: On Where the Fly Girls are Now, Serious Cooking and Voicing Kobe Bryant

David Alan Grier has certainly come a long way from his In Living Color days. He's done tons of movies, he kills in Poker, he's a two time Tony nominee, the author of the book "Barack Like Me," and he was even on Dancing With The Stars! The one thing that shines the brightest amongst his many ta ... More >>

Mike Brown, Lakers Coach, Won't Let Traffic From Anaheim Hills Delay His Game

​As you might have heard, new Lakers coach Mike Brown and his wife Carolyn purchased a home in Anaheim Hills.That might sound like a rookie mistake given it's 44 miles to the Lakers practice facility and what seems like three days inching across the freeways if you're headed to the Staples Center ... More >>

Layoffs Said to Rock Los Angeles Times

​A media news site reports there were major layoffs at the Los Angeles Times today.Fishbowl LA does not get into specifics with numbers.However, some of the names mentioned after the jump will shock longtime readers.

Sons of New L.A. Lakers Coach, Mike Brown, Considering Mater Dei High

Mike Brown, the new king of the Lakers castle.​Last week, Lakers fans learned that the legendary shoes of its retiring coach, Phil Jackson, were to be filled by a mostly-unproven coach who's best known for being LeBron James' first NBA coach. The news of Mike Brown's hiring caused mixed reactions, ... More >>

PHOTOS: 'Angry Bird Droppings' Team Takes Second in Red Bull Soapbox Race

Angry Bird Droppings Facebook Page​It's a bird! It's a plane! It's . . . actually a bird. An angry bird! On a soapbox!   Flying through the finish line at the always-wacky Red Bull Soapbox Race was Angry Bird Droppings, a Garden Grove-based team made of former UCI engineering students. W ... More >>

[UPDATED with Kobe's Appeal of Fine:] Bryant Scolded for Yelling "Fucking Faggot" at Ref

​UPDATE, APRIL 14, 8:01 P.M: After last night's likely forever finale for the Sacramento Kings/preview for the Anaheim Royals, Kobe Bryant was contrite. Black Mamba told KCAL/Channel 9's John Ireland that the NBA's $100,000 fine for calling a referee "Fucking faggot" the night before was ... More >>

Dennis Rodman Worms His Way into Basketball's Hall of Fame

​If there was a Hall of Fame for loving and leaving them like Sinatra, drunken electric boat piloting through Newport Harbor, holding never-ending parties at your Newport Beach beach house, having a helicopter land illegally on the sand next to said abode and other assorted examples of debauchery, ... More >>

March Madness Comes to Anaheim: 5 Reasons to Ditch Your Plans and Tune In

​The so-called "madness" that comes along with the NCAA men's basketball tournament is into its second phase, and reconvening this evening at the Honda Center in Anaheim. The Sweet Sixteen. Sounds exciting, don't it? (Not really.)Beyond Duke, the sports media has been quick to dismiss the other th ... More >>

Armenians Beginning to Protest Kobe Bryant Over Endorsement Deal with Turkish Airlines

​A couple of weeks ago, the Los Angeles sports radio airwaves burned with anger as Southern California's massive Armenian-American community expressed their anger with a hero: Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. Seemed that Bryant had signed an endorsement deal with Turkish Airlines, a company p ... More >>

KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas Night One at the Gibson Amphitheater Last Night

Andrew Youssef/OC WeeklySmashing Pumpkins headlined. For more photos, check out our slideshow here.​KROQ Almost Acoustic Xmas Night OneDecember 11, 2010Gibson AmphitheaterIt doesn't feel like the end of the concert year until KROQ throws their annual Almost Acoustic Christmas shows at the Gibson A ... More >>

[UPDATED:] Lucas Anthony Tang, Toddler Who Plunged to His Death at Staples Center, Was From OC

​Update, November 24, 11:25 a.m.: The Los Angeles Police Department's juvenile division is still investigating the death of Lucas Anthony Tang, who fell from a luxury box at the Staples Center Sunday night.However, the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office has determined  the Garden Grove 2-yea ... More >>

Election 2010: Moxley Watches The OC Republicans

Jonathan Ho / OC WeeklyTran: Not time to concede. ​1:00 a.m.: Van Tran Remains HopefulInside the converted Garden Grove Blockbuster store, Van Tran continues to hold onto his dream of defeating Loretta Sanchez. Tran is trailing by more than 5,000 votes--and the gap seems to be getting larger. But ... More >>

[UPDATED:] Mike Smith, Clippers Announcer, Acquitted of Stealing $735,000 from Dead Guy

Mike Smith​UPDATED: Los Angeles Clippers color commentator Mike Smith was acquitted today on charges he stole $735,000 from a dead guy. (New information throughout) . . . Mike Smith, who sits next to longtime play-by-play man Ralph Lawler during those Clippers broadcasts no one watches, has been i ... More >>

We Need More Colombian Food in OC, Parte Dos

Chuzos, papas, tomates verdes, and the ubiquitous arepa​Okay, we've waited long enough. Turns out the power of suggestion was not sufficient to correct our county's dearth of comida colombiana. (Though Dave Lieberman and I were helpful enough to suggest road trips to Burbank or Hollywood.) Looks l ... More >>

ABC News & ESPN: Sports Stadiums Have Food Safety Problems

Remember last week when Sports Illustrated reported that more baseball parks were offering AYCE tickets at their stadium concession stands? This week ABC News and ESPN have produced what seems like the companion piece to that story.  Here's what it said:

Kobe Bryant to Team USA: Dream On

​Five-time NBA champion, back-to-back Finals MVP and gold-medal Olympian Kobe Bryant is the latest Team USA superstar to announce he won't suit up for this summer's World Championships in Turkey.The Black Mamba of Newport Coast needs the time off to mend his sore, tired and broken body.As the Ston ... More >>

[UPDATED:] Today's Important Unimportant Election, From My TV Screen to Your Computer/Phone Screen

​11:15 p.m.: Don't be surprised if KOCE is accused of turning over its election coverage to that rare Orange County bird known as the "Democrat." The "live, election night edition of Real Orange" came from the Artists Village in Santa Ana, OC's version of Havana. Their election expert was the Voic ... More >>

Ex-Maid Drops Suit Against Kobe and Vanessa Bryant for $200,000 (But No Diamond Ring)

Just another happy Newport Coast family​The poopy wrongful termination lawsuit brought by Kobe and Vanessa Bryant 's former maid has been settled out of Orange County Superior Court for $200,000--with $130,000 of that reportedly going to Maria Jimenez after her lawyers take their cut.

Respected Basketball Camp Comes to Anaheim

​If you have a little Kobe or Jordan in your household--and, no, this is not directed at the side dishes of notoriously roving NBA players--you should know one of the top basketball camps is coming to Orange County.Advantage Basketball Camps, which is considered one of the best ball handling instr ... More >>

Letters From OC Weekly Readers

NBA D-League: Anaheim Arsenal vs. Reno Bighorns

NBA D-League: Anaheim Arsenal vs. Reno Bighorns

Hoopty Doo

The 76 Classic

Preseason Gold

Lakers vs. Jazz

Last Night: Look Daggers, LD & Ariano @ The Prospector in Long Beach

Last Night: Look Daggers, LD & Ariano @ The Prospector in Long Beach 5/29 Better Than: Being a San Antonio Spurs fan last night Nothing caps off a Thursday night like a swirling mix of basketball, break beats and booze. Hell, it’s a good night if you can manage to enjoy even one of those things. ... More >>

When Love Comes to Town

B.B. King

Stories That Made a Difference

And some we regret

Diary of A Mad County

Whos Your Daddy?

Its Rebecca Schoenkopf!

Our Little Secret

The ABAs and Anaheim Surf attempt to do what few OC teams can: Survive

Costa Mesa

Its got the rest of OC licked when it comes to dining

Letters

NBA to Give Fans 40 Lakers and a Mule

Sellouts

Shaq Update

The Shaq Trap

The Lakers are not going to win with Shaquille ONeal