Former NBA 1st round draft pick Isaiah "J.R." Rider was arrested in Arizona this week for violating his probation ... TMZ has learned.

Rider -- who played in the NBA from 1993 to 2001 -- is currently behind bars in Maricopa County on a no-bail hold.  It's unclear why police believe Rider violated his probation.

Rider's probation stems from a 2010 incident -- where he fled from police after they tried to pull him over for driving erratically. He pled guilty to unlawful flight from a law enforcement vehicle.

Rider has had a long history of run-ins with police -- over the years, he's been arrested for fraud, battery, domestic violence, false reporting, kidnapping and possession of narcotic drugs.

Rider was an NBA journeyman -- who played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers and the Denver Nuggets.

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.

Metta's big Vegas show is set for Oct. 28.

With the NBA lockout threatening the 2011-12 season ... one Chicago Bulls star has found a way to keep his shooting skills sharp ... while boozing and tanning at the same time.

TMZ has obtained photos of Joakim Noah ... fully engaged in a competitive game of aquatic beer pong Saturday at an apartment complex near the University of Florida ... his alma mater.

Sources at the apt. tell us ... Joakim's pong skills were STRONG ... and he played for roughly 2 hours.

We're told Joakim -- who's frickin' JACKED by the way -- was "pretty cool" with the people at the complex ... and was a gracious winner after walking away with a victory on the water.

Beats workin'.

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 ... 

Marcus Camby swears he had no idea there was weed in his car when police booked him for marijuana possession Monday, sources close to the NBA star tell TMZ.

According to sources, Camby says the pot wasn't his. In fact, they say Camby doesn't smoke pot ... at least not since his last arrest for pot possession in 1997.

So where, pray tell, did the pot come from? Our sources say Camby is dumbfounded ... and was shocked when police pulled the stash out from under the passenger seat.

One little problem.  The cops -- who stopped the car because of an equipment violation -- searched it because they say it REEKED OF POT!

So, does Marcus' story pass the smell test? We report, you decide.

Pot is in the air.  Another pro athlete has been busted for pot possession.

Portland Trail Blazers star Marcus Camby was driving in Pearland, TX  Monday when police pulled him over for an equipment violation. That's when the officer noticed the car reeked of marijuana.

Cops tell us they found less than 2 ounces of pot, so Marcus and a buddy were busted.

Fun fact ... cops say Marcus and his friend were charged with possession of marijuana in a drug-free zone.

Where exactly are the drug zones?

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.

Indiana Pacers owner Herb Simon and his Miss Universe wife were totally right to fire two of the most UNGRATEFUL employees on the planet ... so says an L.A. judge.

Simon just scored a huge victory over his former nanny and his former driver -- who both accused the NBA owner and his wife Bui of treating them like crap and cheating them out of a TON of cash. 

Today, the court tentatively found that the Simons were not only in the right -- but the judge implied they are the most GENEROUS bosses ever ... who showered their former nanny with gifts like diamonds, iPods, Prada sandals, cash and even a MERCEDES ... out of the goodness of their hearts.

The accusations against the Simons were ridiculous -- with the nanny claiming the couple tried to embarrass her when they hosted a dinner at a fancy restaurant and failed to propose a toast to her pregnancy ... and ultimately fired her for being knocked up. The judge didn't buy her story one bit.

As for the driver -- the judge noted that he constantly fell asleep in court ... and was hardly believable as a witness.  The judge also noted how WELL he was treated by the Simons ... who also got a bunch of gifts as well as a $7,500 bonus so he could buy a new car.

Bottom line -- next time the Simons are hiring ... APPLY, APPLY, APPLY!!!

All LeBron James did was say two little words about the NBA lockout -- but that was enough to spark a HUGE battle between Harvey and Charles. No ... apparently we can't all get along

Check out TMZ on TV -- click here to see your local listings!

LeBron James celebrated his girlfriend's 25th birthday last night with a romantic double date in New York ... alongside fellow NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony and his wife ... and TMZ has the footage.

The foursome was all smiles as they left the Waverly Inn in NYC -- but the biggest question ... WHO  PAID?


The Waverly Inn ain't cheap -- but LeBron is in the middle of a 6-year $110 million contract and Carmelo recently inked a deal with the Knicks worth $65 million for 3 years.

So ...

Fun fact: Checkout LeBron's response when we ask if there's going to be hoops this season. His answer  ... optimistic. Sorta.

Former NBA player Javaris Crittenton has been arrested after trying to board an airplane in Orange County, CA.

Crittenton had checked in for a flight to Atlanta last night, where his lawyer said he was going to surrender in a murder case. He was taken to an L.A. police station and booked on suspicion of being a fugitive from justice, the FBI confirms to the Washington Post.



Javaris, who played for the Washington Wizards, was wanted for murder in the shooting death of 22-year-old Julian Jones.

As TMZ previously reported, cops believe Crittenton was not aiming at Jones -- but rather someone else in the area who may have robbed the former basketball player back in April.