Los Angeles Lakers

Vanessa Bryant claims she's not a shallow gold-digging, championship-hoarding basketball wife ... insisting she would have married Kobe Bryant even if he NEVER won an NBA title.

Bryant is finally responding to critics who skewered her for the interview she did with New York Magazine in which she said, "I certainly would not want to be married to somebody that can't win championships."

Now, Vanessa tells TMZ ... "I'm sad to hear that comments in my New York Magazine interview are being misconstrued and taken out of context. I have and will continue to support my husband’s dreams."

Vanessa continues, "I have been with Kobe for 13 years. I accepted his marriage proposal PRIOR to him winning any of his 5 championships with his teammates."

"For anyone to think otherwise is wrong. It is not about being married to a ‘winner’ it is about our sacrifice as a family. “

FYI -- Kobe and Vanessa got engaged in May 2000 ... and he won his first championship in June of 2000.

Dwight Howard's working on a backup plan if this Lakers thing doesn't work out -- celebrity impressions ... and he busted out his Charles Barkley today in Beverly Hills.

The Lake Show's new all-star was leaving a salon in the 90210 (he really likes BH), and when someone asked him to whip out his Barkley ... Dwight jumped right into it.

We'll say this ... it's okay. Not as good as the Kobe Bryant impersonation he did last week, but decent.

Just days before Dwight Howard got officially traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, he was presciently #trademarking the city he will now call home ... and TMZ has the hashtag-tastic photo.

For the uninitiated, "trademarking" is the latest in social media photo trends -- a la Tebowing and planking -- and all the crazy kids are doing it (Cody Simpson and the Jenner sisters, to name a few).

Howard was outside the L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills (where Howard has been staying the past few months) earlier this week when he ran into Ryan Nassif (left to Dwight) whose dad Chris Nassif is a prominent talent agent and whose uncle is "Real Housewives" star Paul Nassif.

Ryan asked Dwight if he would partake in a little trademarking with him ... since the city would soon be his ... and the two posed for the pic with a few friends.

Dwight Howard didn't waste any time busting on his new teammates -- and he started with the biggest one of 'em all ... Kobe Bryant.

Just a few minutes after the Lakers introduced Dwight at a news conference Friday afternoon ... he did an impression of Kobe -- a pretty good one too.

Dwight was telling reporters how his first convo with Kobe went after the trade ... and he just couldn't resist mimicking KB.

No one is more excited about the blockbuster Lakers deal than Dwight Howard -- who was sporting a megawatt smile on his way out of a Beverly Hills hotel moments ago ... telling TMZ, "I'm just happy."

Howard pulled out of the hotel in a gleaming white Bentley, and it was obvious the big man is pumped to play for the Lake Show.

We asked Howard why he finally decided on L.A. -- and he responded by saying it wasn't entirely his decision ... claiming, "It wasn't on me."

Dwight Howard is officially suiting up for the Los Angeles Lakers -- the NBA approved the 4-team trade that finally gets him out of Orlando and into the purple and gold.

General managers for the Lakers, Magic, Nuggets, and 76ers wrapped up a conference call with the league to finalize details of the trade this morning.

Howard, a 3-time Defensive Player of the Year, had asked the Magic to trade him several months ago ... and since then there have been non-stop rumors about him ending up on the Nets, Mavericks, Rockets, or Lakers.

Kobe Bryant says he's already spoken with Dwight Howard ... and says the two are "locked and loaded" to win an NBA championship together.

Bryant -- who's currently in London playing for Team USA -- just went to his Facebook page to declare "Superman has found a home" with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kobe writes, "The Lakers landed a piece that will hopefully carry the franchise long after I'm gone. I have spoken to Dwight Howard already and we are locked and loaded to bring back the title."

Kobe also mentions Andrew Bynum -- who will be shipped to Philadelphia as part of the 4-team trade.

"I wish nothing but the best for Big Bynum. I hope he follows what was a great season last year with an even better one next year."

Dwight Howard had nothing to say when we asked him about the rumored blockbuster trade that would send him to the L.A. Lakers ... well, actually he has a lot to say ... but he's being muzzled.

TMZ has confirmed with sources familiar with the situation ... Dwight is in "serious negotiations" to become a Laker in a trade involving 4 teams ... and it could happen VERY soon.

If the deal actually goes through, it would send Andrew Bynum packing ... possibly to Philadelphia.

Moments ago, our photog found Dwight in L.A., where he's still recovering from back surgery ... and asked the NBA star about all the wheeling and dealing.

Dwight pursed his lips at the question (pun intended) -- but with millions of dollars on the line ... it's probably a smart move.

L.A. Lakers stud Jordan Hill showed up to a Texas courthouse today to face a judge in his assault case ... instead, he got a front row seat to a TV reality show about a murder trial.

Here's the deal ... 24-year-old Hill appeared at Harris County Criminal Justice Center to be arraigned for allegedly attacking his girlfriend back in February.

The hearing happened to be taking place in the same courtroom where A&E producers were taping an episode of "The First 48" ... a reality show about on-going homicide investigations.

In fact, there was a sign posted outside of the courtroom warning people that they were entering a "filming area."

Since Hill's case was set to go AFTER the murder trial proceedings, the NBA star had to sit and wait until that case wrapped up.

Turns out, the taping was the most interesting part of Hill's day -- the judge pushed his arraignment to August. 9th.

Kobe Bryant says his rape case in Eagle, CO helped him grow as a person ... saying he not only learned a lot about himself ... but matured in the process.

In an extremely rare moment with sports interview guru Graham Bensinger ... Kobe opened up about his state of mind during the 2003 legal battle ... calling the court proceedings a "dark time."

Kobe explained, "I think it challenges who you are as a person. To have to go through something like that not only individually but as a family. For the Lakers organization, my teammates. It was extremely difficult and you kinda had to do some soul searching, because you’re fighting numerous battles at the same time. You just kind of try to figure your way through all of this mess. And the only thing that you can do is put one foot in front of the other, and just continue to move forward."

Kobe ultimately settled with his accuser and admitted no guilt ... but did fess up to cheating on his wife Vanessa. He apologized ... and reportedly dropped $4 mil on some make-up jewelry.

During the in interview with Graham, Kobe revealed that he has discussed the case with NFL superstar Ray Lewis ... who was once charged with (and cleared of) murder ... because he could relate to the kind of pressure Bryant was facing.

The MVP has landed ...

Steve Nash -- the newest member of the Los Angeles Lakers -- finally arrived in L.A. last night to sign his contract ... and the NBA superstar tells TMZ he can't wait to finish the paperwork and officially join the squad.

When we asked if he had anything to say to all the Phoenix Suns fans mourning his loss ... Nash simply replied, "It's tough ... you're always gonna disappoint somebody."

As for all the touristy stuff ... like Disneyland ... Nash says the Happiest Place on Earth will have to wait ... explaining, "I gotta get to work."

Famed L.A. Lakers owner Jerry Buss was rushed to an L.A. hospital last night, where he was treated for severe dehydration -- Buss family sources tell TMZ.

According to sources, 78-year-old Buss fell ill at his home around 9pm and someone inside the house called 911. The L.A. City Fire Department responded and paramedics rushed Jerry to a local L.A. hospital.

Jerry is still being treated, but a rep for the Lakers says, "He is recovering and is expected to be released soon."

Buss was most recently hospitalized in December for blood clots in his legs due to excessive travel.

After finally conquering the Denver Nuggets, Kobe Bryant was greeted outside the locker room by his two daughters ... and estranged wife Vanessa Bryant ... the latest photo to fuel rumors of a possible reconciliation.

As TMZ first reported, the pair shared a post-game kiss on Valentine's Day (see below) but hit up a Los Angeles Kings game last month as "really good friends."

Minutes after the Los Angeles Lakers went down to the Denver Nuggets ... Metta World Peace's evening was just beginning ... at a fancy Hollywood nightclub.

MWP -- who's still suspended for elbowing OKC player James Harden -- rolled up to Avalon nightclub around 10:30 PM last night ... right around the same time the rest of his Lakers teammates were hitting the showers.

Mr. Peace was seen leaving the establishment shortly after midnight.

Metta -- formerly known as Ron Artest -- has been enjoying his time off. Earlier this week he appeared on "Conan" ... and admitted, "The elbow was too much and I deserved the suspension."

TMZ has obtained the mug shot for Los Angeles Lakers star Jordan Hill ... taken moments after the basketball player turned himself into authorities in Houston, Texas yesterday.

TMZ broke the story ... Hill is accused of choking his girlfriend during a nuclear argument back in February. Hill insists the allegations will not affect the Lakers' playoff run.

After Hill was taken into custody, he immediately posted the $5,000 bond and was released. The judge set no travel restrictions on his bond -- so the case shouldn't affect his playoff run.

L.A. Lakers star Jordan Hill turned himself in to authorities earlier today -- after allegedly choking out his girlfriend during a nuclear argument in Texas back in February.

Hill showed up to court today in Houston to face the felony domestic violence charge -- and the judge set bond at $5,000. Hill was briefly taken into custody before immediately bonding out.

The judge set no travel restrictions on his bond -- so the case shouldn't affect his playoff run.

But the judge did impose a protective order -- barring Hill from contacting or going anywhere near his ex.

And there's this -- Hill played against Denver last night in L.A. (scoring six points) which means he must have booked it on an airplane soon after the game.