Phil Jackson Totally ZEN on Kobe And NBA Lockout
Phil Jackson has one word for concerned Laker fans ... chill -- because the former coach says there's no way Kobe Bryant will miss a single NBA game if he plays overseas.
Phil was flying out of LAX when he talked about the possibility of the Black Mamba hooping in Italy during the cursed lockout -- and in his classic, laid back style ... said, "He won't miss any games."
Phil also talked about Ron Artest Metta World Peace ... and solved America's economic crisis. Not really, but you get the feeling he could. Om ...
See also
Kobe Bryant Church Dispute Case Referred to Prosecutors
San Diego police are referring the battery investigation involving Kobe Bryant to prosecutors ... TMZ has learned.
A parishioner at the St. Theresa of Carmel Church filed a police report last month against the L.A. Lakers star, claiming Kobe ripped a cell phone out of his hand in church, accusing the man of trying to take Kobe's picture.
Law enforcement sources tell us ... the case will be referred to the San Diego City Attorney, but cops think at best it would be filed as a misdemeanor battery, which carries a maximum sentence of 6 months in jail.
Calls to Kobe's people were not immediately returned.
See also
Ron Artest World Peace Bombs On "Dancing With the Stars"
Call him Ron Artest, Metta World Peace, Mr. Peace -- or just ... First Guy Voted Off "Dancing With the Stars."
The Los Angeles Lakers star lost with grace -- unlike his Cha cha -- and tipped his hat to "Jerry Maguire" on his way out the door Tuesday night.
Ron Ron was joined by Nancy Grace in the bottom two.
Yeah, we know ... they were both on TMZ Live. Coincidence.
Ron & Nancy on TMZ Live
Ron Artest Name Change FINALLY Official Say Hello to World Peace, Baby
Goodbye forever, Ron Artest -- TMZ has learned, the Lakers star is now legally "Metta World Peace."
It became official less than five minutes ago -- when an L.A. judge finally granted Metta's name change petition ... more than three months after Mr. World Peace decided to undergo an identity switch.
Good thing there's an NBA lockout -- because now there's plenty of time for the Lakers to crank out some new jerseys. So Metta.
More Name Changes
World Peace Delayed Due to Traffic Tickets!
Ron Artest will remain Ron Artest for at least 3 more weeks, because a judge just ruled there will be no Metta World Peace until Ronnie clears up his outstanding traffic ticket warrants.
Ron's name change petition went before a judge this AM, but hizzoner said he would not grant Ron's request because Ron is a scofflaw.
The new hearing is set for September 16. We're guessing Ron has the cash.
See also
Phil Jackson I Feel Kobe Bryant's Church Pain
Former Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson has been keeping himself busy in his retirement ... shopping, swimming and even following Kobe Bryant's church drama.
The zen master and his GF Jeannie Buss were leaving the Rochester BIg and Tall store in L.A. yesterday -- 'cause he's friggin' 6'8" -- when we asked if anyone has ever tried to sneak a photo of him in a private moment.
His answer probably won't surprise you ... but we're guessing when it happens to Phil, dude probably handles the situation like a champion ... an 11-time NBA champion.
More Lakers
Kobe Bryant Look at My Pretty Nails!
Kobe Bryant sent a strong message to the Lakers last week -- showing the team he isn't being reckless with his body during the NBA lockout ... by treating himself to a FABULOUS mani/pedi.
The injury-riddled superstar -- who's considering playing pro basketball in either Turkey or China this upcoming season -- rolled over to the Happy Nails salon in Newport Beach on August 2 ... where he got some serious attention on his shooting hand.
Kobe appeared to be real pleased with the final product ... admiring the ladies' handiwork from behind his over-sized sunglasses.
How cuticle.
Nailed It!
Ron Artest Bringing (Metta) World Peace TO LAS VEGAS
Ron Artest enjoyed what could be his last weekend in Las Vegas as Ron Artest -- partying it up at at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens at Paris Las Vegas last night.
Ron Ron's trip wasn't all about clubbin' -- he hit up a Celine Dion show and tweeted how it made him and his boys cry. Street cred ... gone.
See also
Mysterious Lakers Super Fan WHO ARE YOU???
Who killed JFK? What happened to Amelia Earhart? And now ... who is the Asian lady who's become as famous at L.A. Lakers games as Jack Nicholson? TMZ investigates.
Check out TMZ on TV -- click here to see your local listings!
More TMZ on TV!
Lindsay Lohan Do the Spike Thing
Lindsay Lohan befriended the most famous New York Knicks fan, Spike Lee, during last night's Knicks/Lakers game at the Staples Center.
LiLo and Spike both went home losers -- Lakers won 109-87.
More Lindsay Lohan
Dyan Cannon Lakers Official Brownie Noser
Dyan Cannon says she gets the Los Angeles Lakers baked before every game.
Outside the Staples Center in L.A. yesterday, Dyan confessed the type of brownies she makes for the guys: "The good kind. The kind that'll help the Lakers win today."
For the record, the Miami Heat cooked the Lakers' collective geese ... 98 - 80.
Dyan, how 'bout giving a batch to LeBron next time?
More LA Lakers
Jeremy Piven Hits RIDICULOUS Trick Shot
He was wayyyy above the rim -- but Jeremy Piven hit a CRAZY trick basketball shot in downtown Los Angeles last night ... firing the rock at a regulation basket from a balcony ... three stories up!!!
Piven shot alongside L.A. Lakers hero Rick Fox ... who missed all three of his attempts.
Just check out the footage already -- it's pretty awesome!
See also
Pau Gasol Sings Caught on Tape!
Los Angeles Lakers superstar Pau Gasol has never been incredibly vocal on the court -- but now that he's won two NBA championships, dude's decided it's time to record a song ... and TMZ got a hold of the track!
Just days after his teammate Ron Artest dropped his explosive single ... Pau -- aka The Singin' Spaniard -- hit a North Hollywood recording studio yesterday to bang out a song of his own called, "Get It Together."
But before you get all Simon Cowell on his ass -- it's important to know he's doing the whole thing to raise money for UNICEF. No word on when the track is set to be released.
More L.A. Lakers
Ron Artest Live on Stage
Ron Artest is used to performing in front of a crowd -- but last night in Hollywood, the Los Angeles Lakers star was rapping instead of playing basketball.
Along with T-Pain, Ron Ron performed his new song "Champion." It was almost as good as the version Ron did on
. Almost ...
More Ron Artest
TMZ Live: Artest, Lohan, and Jesse James
We took your questions on everything -- including Ron Artest's post-game partying, Lindsay Lohan's SCRAM bracelet results, and the latest with Jesse James and his ex Janine.
Plus: Tiger Woods' wife Elin is headed back to school.
Tom Cruise: I Love Black People!!!
Before you get all in a huff, it's a famous line from "Jerry Maguire."
Sitting courtside at the Lakers game, Tom Cruise said hello to both Chris Brown and Kobe Bryant last night.
Not pictured: Cuba Gooding Jr., probably seated in section 310.