The Lakers are now 1 and 2 for the season, but Andrew Bynum's record this week is even worse -- he's 0 and 2 on the streets of L.A.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Bynum was pulled over Tuesday for driving without a license plate and having illegally tinted tail lights. Bynum walked away with a fix-it ticket.
But it was not lesson learned, because today Bynum was pulled over in his Porsche 911 on the freeway for going over 80 mph. Bynum was cited and released.
Truth be told, Bynum has actually slowed it down, because last year he was cited for driving 110 mph on an L.A. freeway in his Ferrari.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Devin Ebanks -- a 2nd round draft pick in 2010 -- is off the hook in an LAPD rape investigation ... TMZ has learned.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the alleged victim told police Ebanks took her home from a nightclub on September 13, 2011 ... but when she turned down his sexual advances, Ebanks "forcibly penetrated [her] vagina with his penis five to ten times."
Cops say the woman reported the alleged incident to police later that night.
But here's where it gets crazy -- cops say the woman wanted to get Ebanks to admit to the sex, so she sent him a text message FALSELY claiming he had given her a sexually transmitted disease.
But Ebanks didn't fall for the trap -- and replied that he couldn't have transmitted anything to her ... BECAUSE THEY NEVER HAD SEX!!!
We're told the woman also underwent a sexual assault examination, which revealed no foreign DNA anywhere on her body.
The L.A. County District Attorney eventually decided the woman had no credible evidence to back her story -- and rejected the case against Ebanks.
A rep for Ebanks had no comment -- but sources close to the Lakers tell TMZ, it's not the first time the alleged victim has made such accusations against pro ballers ... and law enforcement sources confirm that's the case.
Hanukkah came early for a bunch of Jews in Irvine, CA tonight -- when Kobe Bryant rolled up to the local Jewish Community Center and asked if he could borrow the basketball court for a hardcore private training session ... TMZ has learned.
Yentas at the JCC tell us ... the honchos at the center were more than happy to let Kobe use the facility -- and the Black Mamba couldn't have been nicer.
Kobe and a trainer proceeded to work on shooting drills and cardio training while a gang of the chosen people looked on in amazement.
We're told the training session went on for more than an hour -- and Kobe looked as sharp as ever.
Of course, the NBA lockout is just about over -- but players aren't expected to rejoin their teams for a few days ... so it seems Kobe is simply trying to get ahead of the game.
The NBA offseason from hell just got worse for Los Angeles Lakers player Matt Barnes ... who just announced that he's officially broken up with his "Basketball Wives" baby mama Gloria Govan.
Barnes -- who has 2 children with Govan -- just released a statement saying, "We have reached the difficult decision of ending our relationship and will be going our separate ways at this time."
He adds, "We will work together to raise our sons and wish each other only the best."
Barnes and Govan have had some issues in the past -- including the time Matt was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence back in 2010 ... but prosecutors didn't press charges due to a lack of evidence.
Metta World Peace is taking his aspiring comedy career VERY seriously -- and TMZ has learned he's even enrolled in a stand-up "boot camp" to hone his skills during the NBA lockout.
MWP made his comedy debut a few months ago ... and has another big show scheduled at the Planet Hollywood in Vegas later this month.
But sources close to the basketball star tell us he is dedicated to making improvements -- and has joined the "Laff Mobb " comedy group in L.A. ... which claims its worked with HUGE comics in the past, like Bernie Mac, Chris Tucker and even Dave Chappelle.
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 ArtestMetta World Peace ... and solved America's economic crisis. Not really, but you get the feeling he could. Om ...
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.
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.
Ron Artestwill 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.
