Lakers draft player who once called Kobe Bryant a 'rapist'

As if the Los Angeles Lakers don't have enough problems on the court these days, there might be another one in the vetting department.

The Lakers chose Larry Nance Jr. with the 27th overall pick in the NBA Draft on Thursday night, then learned the Wyoming forward sent out a brutal tweet about Kobe Bryant three years ago.

"Gee I sure hope Kobe can keep his hands to himself in Denver this time.." Nance tweeted on May 1, 2012, adding the hashtag "rapist."

Seems the Lakers' new draft pick just deleted this old tweet from 2012. Probably a good idea. pic.twitter.com/kC33QuIvPL

— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) June 26, 2015

Nance, the son of former NBA star Larry Nance, quickly deleted the 2012 tweet, but not before it was widely shared on social media immediately after the Lakers selected him with their second first-round pick. The tweet referred to Bryant's July 2003 arrest for sexual assault. The case was settled out of court, and Bryant apologized to his accuser without admitting guilt.

But it appears that the Lakers were well aware of the critical tweet before they made the decision to draft Nance:

LAL GM Mitch Kupchak said he & team PR boss John Black addressed Nance's Kobe tweet. Said Kobe & Nance will have to work it out themselves.

— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) June 26, 2015

Nance now joins the Lakers facing the possibility of an awkward meeting with the team's biggest star.

That first Lakers practice should be a lot of fun. Watch the elbows.

Ex-NBAer Smush Parker punches out 16 y.o. reality star during pick-up game: Report

The basketball playing son of a reality show couple might be getting a little less face time after getting punched in the jaw by former NBA player Smush Parker during a pick-up game the other day.

Wolfgang Novogratz — the 16-year-old son of HGTV stars Robert and Cortney Novogratz — got smushed after showing up the former Lakers guard at Basketball City — the popular westside Manhattan basketball facility, reported Page Six of the N.Y. Post.

The 32-year-old Parker punched the smaller Wolfie — a 6'2", 185 pound star at Brooklyn’s Poly Prep High School, where Chicago Bull Joakim Noah played — after fouling the former Fordham star — who is two inches bigger and a lot heavier. 

The teenager was taken to the hospital.

“Wolfie scored back-to-back baskets on Smush,” said a source. “At the other end, Smush went up for a shot. There was a hard foul, and they both went down. Smush got up and punched Wolfie in the face.”

Wolfgang — already recruited by some colleges — is the eldest of seven children who were featured on Bravo’s “9 by Design” and he has appeared in “Home by Novogratz,” the HGTV show where his parents design a new house or apartment on each episode.

Parker, who had two good seasons with the Lakers under Phil Jackson, was cut by the Miami Heat in 2008 after getting into a fight with a parking attendant.

“Wolfie did not pass out and tried to keep playing, but he had to sit down. For the sake of safety, he went to the hospital to be checked out, and he was fine,” said the source. “He declined to press charges.”

Parker could not be reached for comment.

Wizards' Drew Gooden fined $15,000 for 'unnecessary act’

Drew Gooden has been hit with a $15,000 fine for committing what the league called an "unnecessary act" against the Lakers' Nick Young.

The league said Gooden "clamped Los Angeles Lakers forward/guard Nick Young's arm and attempted to throw him to the floor."

The scrap occurred in Friday's game between the Wizards and Lakers with only about two minutes remaining. Gooden was assessed a flagrant two foul and ejected on the play. Jordan Hill who stepped in for Young was also ejected, but not fined.

Blake Griffin punctuates Lakers historic loss with epic alley-oop (VIDEO)

It might not have been the best dunk of Blake Griffin's career but the emphatic alley-oop that the Los Angeles Clippers star slammed down in the third quarter Thursday night against the Los Angeles Lakers punctuated what was the most embarrassing and historic loss in the Lakers storied past.

The acrobatic dunk, after a pass from Chris Paul, happened when the Clippers already led their Staples Center roommates 102-56 and knocked home the realization that there's a new show in town.

As Griffin admired his handiwork, en route to a lop-sided 142-94 Clippers victory, a chagrined Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak watched from sideline, looking slightly less than impressed with the 48-point deficit.

One Lakers fan leaves Dwight Howard hanging on high five (VIDEO)

When Dwight Howard was walking off the court after the first half of his return to Staples Center Wednesday night, the Los Angeles pariah still managed to get a few high-fives from fans — all except one.

Watch the one guy pull his hand back in a classic case of “psych.”

Howard ended up slapping five with his teammates though, after the Rockets cruised to a 134-108 win over the Lakers. 

Kobe Bryant gets the assist off Serge Ibaka's back (VIDEO)

No Steve Nash, Steve Blake, or Jordan Farmar on the Los Angeles Lakers? No problem for  Kobe Bryant .

Going into Friday night's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder without a healthy point guard left the Lakers' star dishing the rock. Bryant took over running the offense and doled out 13 assists during the game. But none of them were as creative as him passing the ball off Serge Ibaka's back to Jordan Hill for the easy dunk.



Four more Kobes would have been helpful. The Lakers lost by 25.

Jason Kidd says soda cup caper was worth $50K fine

If Jason Kidd was regretful about his spilled soda cup caper Wednesday night, he sure didn't sound like it after he was fined $50,000 by the NBA.

The Brooklyn Nets head coach was hit with the fine Thursday for intentionally spilling a drink to get a break in the action when his slumping team didn't have any timeouts remaining in the closing seconds against the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Kidd's pockets are $50K lighter now, but he basically said the muffed caper was worth it.

After the Nets diagrammed their play, Paul Pierce missed a potential tying three-pointer. "Paul got a great look," Kidd said after the 99-94 loss, "but the league fined me for something I probably shouldn't have done, and we move on."

Kidd showed little contrition before Friday night's game against the Rockets when asked if he regretted the Sodagate episode.

"It's about trying to win and those guys in that locker room," said Kidd, who apparentlysaid "hit me" and  had Tyshawn Taylor run into him so he would spill the drink. He said he learned the trick from listening to other coaches. "I tried to put those guys in position to get a basket or a good look, and we did."

It was a tactic the first year coach initially denied.

“Cup slipped out of my hand while I was getting Ty,” Kidd said. “Sweaty palms. I was never good with the ball.”

Taylor came to the defense of his coach as well.

“I wasn’t paying attention. I just kind of bumped him. I didn’t even know he was holding [anything]. [But] coach was drinking a soda on the sideline. I was like, ‘What’s he doing?’

Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni was less impressed , telling reporters in Detroit before Friday night's game against the Pistons: "That's not very savvy or cool . . . You can't do that. That's crazy."

Xavier Henry destroys rookie Jeff Withey with soaring tomahawk dunk (VIDEO)

New Orleans Pelicans rookie Jeff Withey was probably hoping for a cordial hello from his old college teammate Xavier Henry Tuesday night. The only problem was the Los Angeles Lakers wing had a different type of greeting in mind.

As the seven-foot Withey stood his ground in the paint, Henry posterized his old Kansas teammate with this massive tomahawk slam and Dunk of the Year candidate.

Gotta ask. How'd Xavier's shorts smell, Jeff?

Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian secretly selling family home: Report

It's looks like time is winding down for the marriage of Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian who are secretly selling their Los Angeles mansion, according to TMZ.

Real estate sources tell the gossip site that Kardashian has given several San Fernando Valley realtors a pocket listing — meaning the house will not appear in the multiple listing service —  in order to sell the house without much fanfare and to keep gawkers from getting inside.  Any prospective buyer must pre-qualify before seeing the house, meaning they must have enough cash to buy the place.  

The former NBA star and his reality show wife want a cool $4 mil for the house.  They paid $3.95 million in 2009.

TMZ's sources say the missus is the driving force behind the sale, telling realtors she wants to "start fresh and move on."

Title to the house is held in both Khloe and Lamar's names.

As TMZ first reported, Khloe intends to divorce Lamar, but no documents have been prepared or filed because she knows he's in a fragile state and doesn't want to push him over the edge while his drug addiction is still in check.

Lamar Odom flies to NYC for meetings with NBA executives: Report

Even after Lamar Odom's reported crack addiction and recent DUI charge, it sounds like the NBA is willing to take another chance on the former Sixth Man of the Year.

Odom flew to New York Wednesday to meet with executives from several NBA teams, reports TMZ, and he's carrying what he claims is proof that he's clean and sober, sources connected the troubled player told the gossip site.

According to TMZ, Odom tested negative for blood and urine tests for drugs and supposedly brought the results with him to New York as evidence. 

Odom has reportedly been in private talks with the executives and potentially wants to make a deal. He also planned to visit his family to get away from the "negative energy" surrounding him in LA.

This is consistent with what other sources have told TMZ about his time with the Kardashians on Tuesday. They said Odom was lucid and showed no signs of being under the influence of drugs.

Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers were once interested in Odom, but when his personal problems became public, they stepped away from signing him.

Odom —who has refused to enter rehab — was told by the interested parties they could meet, provided he could show he was clean. The purpose of the trip is to possibly strike a deal.

Sadly, this wouldn't be the first time Odom said he was done with drugs and ready to restart his NBA career.

Metta World Peace: 'The Lakers are going to the NBA Finals'

If you believe Metta World Peace he hasn't been paying too much attention to the war of words between the Knicks and Nets this offseason and it sounds like the former Lakers player harbors no ill feelings towards his old team either.

World Peace signed with the Knicks after he was waived by the Lakers via the amnesty clause. He won a championship with the Lakers in 2010, and surprisingly believes his former team is poised to make another title run.

"I think Kobe [Bryant] is going to be healthy, they're going to have Pau [Gasol], the Lakers are going to make a big trade like they always do . . . and they're going to go to the Finals," World Peace said at a signing for his children's book, "Metta's Bedtime Stories," in TriBeCa.

As for the Knicks' competition in the Eastern Conference, World Peace was underwhelmed. But conceded that the two-time defending champion Heat is "pretty good."

"I think all those teams are good, but I think the Knicks are going to be great," World Peace said.

Regarding all of the summer yammering between the two New York teams, the Queens native sounded hungry for more than just coffee talk.

"I don't have no energy to go back and forth with words because there's just too many great things happening in New York City," said World Peace, who signed a two-year deal with the Knicks in July. "I just want apple pie. I don't feel like talking. I want to go to Whole Foods and enjoy my Whole Foods."

The Nets' acquisition of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry in a blockbuster trade with the Celtics shook up the basketball world. But World Peace claims he has barely paid attention.

"Honestly, I don't even know who's on their team," World Peace said. "I'm not going to lie. I'm just happy to be a Knick."

World Peace could start at small forward alongside Carmelo Anthony or come off the bench. He noted that every time in his career he was assigned a reserve role, he eventually was moved to the starting lineup.

"I don't have an issue with coming off the bench. I've been starting for 15 years, so it should be somebody else's chance to start," World Peace said. "I could have gone to any other team I wanted to and started. I got calls from Oklahoma and the Clippers and all these teams. But I came here and it wasn't to start, it was to win a ring."

Carmelo Anthony on leaving Knicks: 'I'm not going nowhere'

Carmelo Anthony can become a free agent after the upcoming season, and has made it clear he doesn't want to talk about it. But he gave the strongest indication yet that his plans include re-signing with the Knicks when the season is through.

"I'm not going nowhere," Anthony said during an interview Tuesday with Bloomberg Television's "Market Markers." 

"That is one of the reasons why I wanted to come here to New York, just so I could take on those pressures and those challenges," Anthony said. "A lot of people do not like to deal with the pressure. A lot of people do not know how to deal with the challenges they face. To me, it is everyday life."

Anthony is due to make $23.3 million in the 2014-15 season. If he were to opt out, the Lakers likely would pursue the All-Star, but the Knicks can offer him significantly more —including a five-year deal. Under the collective bargaining agreement, the most the Lakers could offer is four years and roughly $96 million. Anthony could get a maximum five-year contract worth about $129 million from the Knicks, who can start negotiating with him in February.

Money aside, Anthony pushed for the February 2011 trade from Denver to be in the New York limelight and try to help the Knicks win their first championship since 1973. He led them to 54 wins last season and their first Atlantic Division title in 19 years, but they lost to Indiana in the second round.

The 29-year-old Anthony remains committed to bringing a title to Madison Square Garden.

"That is one of the reasons why I wanted to come here to New York, just so I could take on those pressures and those challenges,'' Anthony said. "A lot of people do not like to deal with the pressure. A lot of people do not know how to deal with the challenges they face. To me, it is everyday life.''

Still, Anthony doesn't want his future or free agency to be an everyday discussion with the New York media. He told The Associated Press at a Sept. 11 charity event Wednesday that he would not address either issue during the season. "I'm just not going to do it,'' he said. "I'm going to let everybody know the first day that I'm not going to talk about it.''

The Knicks were the No. 2 seed in the East last season behind eventual NBA champion Miami, but they lost veteran players Jason Kidd and Rasheed Wallace. Their big offseason additions this winter were Andrea Bargnani, Metta World Peace and Beno Udrih —making the team somewhat younger.

Anthony and the Knicks could be looking up the rebuilt Nets and improved Bulls and Pacers but Melo still believes his team is still a front runner.

"I actually see this team being better than last year,'' said Tuesday. "That's just my opinion, that's the way that we feel. And if we feel that way as a unit, then there's nothing that can come between us.''

Metta World Peace wants fans to pick new nickname

After word spread around the Internet that Metta World Peace might be changing his name again ahead of playing for the Knicks next season, the former St. John's star — where he was known as Ron Artest — took to his Twitter account to squash the idea.

“Don’t believe anyone who said I’m changing my name again,” World Peace tweeted. “I am letting fans give me a new nickname. I am not legally changing my name.”

Don't believe anyone who said I'm changing my name again. I am letting fans give me a new nick name. I am not legally changing my name.
— Metta World Peace (@MettaWorldPeace) July 26, 2013

World Peace also said he will be picking a nickname a fan suggests in a couple of weeks, and that fans could tell him what nickname by going to his website.

And, so far,  it sounds as if MWP likes what's what he's hearing.

I love the nicknames that's coming . Keep them coming!!!;)
— Metta World Peace (@MettaWorldPeace) July 27, 2013

World Peace is making his return to New York this fall as a member of the Knicks after agreeing to a two-year deal — the second year a player option — shortly after being amnestied by the Lakers this month.

How about The Artest Formally Known As Peace?

Steve Nash's boozy, profane buddy audiobombs interview

During an MLS match between the Los Angeles Galaxy against the Vancouver Whitecaps, Kelli Tennant, a reporter for Time Warner Cable SportsNet (the Los Angeles Lakers' local broadcast partner) managed to get an interview with the Lakers star and Whitecaps co-owner Steve Nash. The seemingly clueless reporter began the doomed interview by asking Nash,"Steve, I know you are a huge soccer fan, what brought you out tonight?"

"Uh, two things," Nash replied. "One, I'm one of the four owners of the Vancouver Whitecaps. And one of my best buddies, it's his bachelor party, so, um, I think he's bombing this interview ..."

Nash's soon-to-be-married bud, with beer cup in hand, then stumbles over into the camera frame and drops a few choice words about a referee's call on live TV — sort of like video c---blocking.

A smiling Nash apologized for his friend's language, saying: "I'm going to enjoy the game. I hope I didn't ruin the telecast with the poor behavior."

He later posted a photo on Instagram with the caption, "@whitecapsfc vs @ galaxy for one of my best friends bachelor party. Due hard. Check him on YouTube cussing. Class act."

L.A. went on to win 2-1 by adding a second goal in the 57th minute — which probably had Nash saying a few choice words of his own.

Kobe used Instagram photo to solace himself after news about Howard

Kobe Bryant posted a photo of himself and teammate Pau Gasol on Instagram shortly after free-agent Dwight Howard confirmed that he was leaving the Lakers to sign with the Rockets.

The picture, which shows Gasol patting Bryant on the head, bears the caption “#vamos #juntos #lakercorazon #vino.” The Spanish words translate to “we go, together, Laker heart, wine.”

“Vino” is one of Bryant’s numerous nicknames, a reference to how he is aging well. Gasol is a native of Spain.

Bryant was acquired by the Lakers in the 1996 draft. The leading scorer in franchise history, Bryant has won five titles in L.A.

His longtime teammate, Gasol, was acquired by the Lakers in a 2008 trade with the Grizzlies. Together, Bryant and Gasol won back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010.

Howard was acquired by the Lakers in a 2012 trade with the Magic. He averaged 17.1 points, 12.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks last season. The Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Spurs after Bryant suffered a season-ending Achilles injury.

“I’ve decided to become a member of the Houston Rockets,” Howard wrote in a Twitter post. “I feel it’s the best place for me and I am excited about joining the Rockets and I’m looking forward to a great season. I want to thank the fans in Los Angeles and wish them the best.”

Both Bryant and Gasol will enter the final season of their respective contracts in 2013-14. Bryant is set to make $30.5 million while Gasol will earn $19.3 million.

Bryant immediately unfollowed Howard after he saw the tweet about leaving the Lakers.

It Just Got Real: @KobeBryant has unfollowed @DwightHoward within the last hour.
— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) July 6, 2013

Kobe says Magic's support for gay son is a lesson in 'tolerance'

Over the weekend Magic Johnson came out in support of his openly gay son Earvin Johnson III and said he could be any happier for his 20-year-old kid. The former NBA great told TMZ that he and his wife Cookie "support him in every way" and "we're very proud of him."

Kobe Bryant was so impressed by Magic's stand on his son's personal life, he lauded Johnson's support as a lesson to be learned by everyone — including pro athletes.

"Of course Magic is supportive of and loves his son," Bryant told TMZ on Tuesday, "Why should anyone be surprised?

"What I can't tolerate is a lack of tolerance," he added.

Incidentally, Bryant was fined $100,000 in 2011 when he referred to a referee with a homophobic slur. The basketball player apologized the next day and learned from his mistake. He even scolded two fans in February on Twitter for their negative use of the word "gay."

Bryant's support carries a lot of weight — especially with all of the talk of a pro athlete reportedly ready to come out of the closet and continue playing. The strong implication from the Lakers star is that tolerance isn't just limited to parents and their children — but may soon make its way into relationships between straight and gay professional athletes.

The younger Johnson — nicknamed EJ3 — was spotted with his new boyfriend on the Sunset Strip and  told reporters he was a huge fan of his dad's former team, the Los Angeles Lakers,  and was "hoping and praying" for the team this season.

Both Magic and Kobe's stature in the world of sports means their statements could help pave the way for players coming out in the future.

It seems like it's only a matter of time.

Magic Johnson's son goes public with boyfriend and loyalty to Lakers

Magic Johnson's 20-year-old son was spotted making the scene on the Sunset Strip with his boyfriend this weekend and it's hard not to see the resemblance to his famous father — especially when he grins.

Earvin Johnson III — nicknamed EJ3 — was hand-in-hand with his equally smiling BF when TMZ caught up with the happy couple.  EJ3 is one of Magic's three children and it sounds like the father and son have a great relationship together. The former Lakers star has already told the gossip site," Cookie and I love EJ and support him in every way." he added. "We're very proud of him."

And the bond between the NYU student and his wealthy dad — who is part owner of the Dodgers — extends into the world of sports too.  The younger Earvin said he caught a sneak peak at the "black print" of the remodeled Dodger Stadium and, from what he saw, said the new bathrooms looked "fabulous."

The fur-clad EJ — stylin' more like Walt Frazier's Clyde (sans purse) than Johnson's Magic — wasn't so enthusiastic about his father's former team's chances for the playoffs.

"The Lakers have a lot of work to do," he said. "I'm hoping and praying for my Lakers."

When the folks are in New York, it sounds like EJ plans the social agenda. According to TMZ, back in August, Magic tweeted, "Thx to my son EJ for hosting me at NYU. Look forward to taking him to dinner tonight in the city."

EJ might want to hope and pray mostly for a healthy Kobe Bryant.

Kobe keeping $20,000 bottle of champagne on ice for NBA Championship

Kobe Bryant must finally like what he sees in his Los Angeles Lakers team because the NBA star is keeping a $20,000 bottle of bubbly on ice in case his team wins the title.

Bryant was presented with a Black Gold Jeroboam of 1998 Dom Perignon — of which there are only 50 — and confidently joked, "We'll pop this in June," reported Page Six of The New York Post.

The moody Lakers star received the gift at the London West Hollywood for being named the latest brand ambassador for Hublot. There was no mention of his brand ambassadorship for Dwight Howard.

Guests at the Hollywood bash included Zac Efron, Jimmy Kimmel and a bunch of other celebrities.

The Lakers are still clinging to a two game lead for the final Western Conference playoff spot with 12 games to go, but have made great strides since early season disappointment.

Now Kobe has some added motivation to get his sixth ring.

Howard put on Kobe's uniform and mocked teammate in All-Star locker room

If you thought relations between Kobe Bryant and Lakers' teammate Dwight Howard had reached a truce during the All-Star weekend in Houston — think again.

Despite some some recent light moments between the two adversaries, sources report that Howard mocked Bryant behind his back in the locker room where he "grabbed Kobe's uniform, put it on, and imitated him in front of all the other players on the West team.  He was joking and berating Kobe" to fellow NBA stars, including Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Kevin Durant, according to Page Six of The New York Post.

Big man in a little top.

The source said Bryant later arrived in the locker room, "said hello to everyone on the team except Howard, grabbed his stuff and moved as far away from Howard as he could."

Despite a recent clear-the-air meeting in Memphis, relations between the two Lakers' stars hasn't improved .

At the All-Star Game, Bryant said, "It doesn't matter" what his team does with Howard as the trade deadline nears.  Ouch.

Neither Bryant or Howard returned calls to The Post.

Kobe dunks on Nets' Humphries and Wallace at Barclays; Gets M-V-P chant

After 14 All-Star seasons, Kobe Bryant has been called just about everything while visiting an NBA opponent's building.  But one thing he is usually never called outside the comfy confines of Staples Center is, "M-V-P!."

Bryant didn't hear the chant only once during the Lakers game against the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center Tuesday night — but three different times.

The Los Angeles Lakers superstar didn't let the Brooklyn fans down after this emphatic, one-handed dunk between the Nets' bookends Gerald Wallace and Kris Humphries after the "M-V-P!" serenade.

With 2:45 left to play, Bryant delighted the easily swayed Brooklyn crowd by slicing and dicing the dumbfounded duo with the right-handed jam to give his team an 82-80 lead.

Bryant later drove past Wallace for a layup with 1:42 left for an 86-83 lead and stole a Wallace pass with 45 seconds left to kill any chance for the Nets to make it a one-possession game.

"I was pretty shocked that the lane was so open. I think everybody's been drinking the Kobe-Pass Kool-Aid," said Bryant, who finished with 21 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for a 92-83 win. "So everybody kind of stayed on the perimeter with the shooters.  It just parted like the Red Sea so I felt a little like Moses."

Bryant claimed the play tweaked his sore elbow, but he resisted rubbing it down while the Brooklyn crowd went crazy because he didn't want to "mess up the swagger."




Even Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni was awestruck by the fantastic dunk.

"The dunk was pretty awesome so I don't know how hurt he is," said D'Antoni.  "I'm sure he's banged up, but he gets his rhythm."

"From my perspective it's pretty cool," said Bryant about the love from the stands.  "I enjoyed it immensely."

The Barclays Center crowd seems to agree.