Kobe Bryant Judge Shuts Down Memorabilia Sale ... For Now

Published | Updated

A judge just gave Kobe Bryant a reprieve from his mother's attempt to sell his memorabilia ... by shutting down the sale ... at least for now.

TMZ has learned a judge issued a temporary restraining order against Goldin Auctions, prohibiting them from selling Kobe's jerseys, championship rings, trophies, and lots of other stuff until a full hearing can be held next Monday.

Kobe's mom claims her son gave her the stuff outright, but Kobe says his mom is just bitter because he wouldn't buy her an expensive house. He also says she stole some of the stuff from his house.

Kobe Bryant SUES My Mom STOLE My Memorabilia

Published | Updated

Kobe Bryant has fired off a lawsuit of his own over more than a million bucks worth of memorabilia ... claiming his own mother stole some of the stuff right from his home.

TMZ previously reported ... Kobe's mom, Pamela Bryant, has given an auction house 100 items from Kobe's basketball career from grade school on -- including jerseys, championship rings and trophies and lots of other stuff.

Pamela told the auction house the stuff was hers and got a $450,000 advance. Kobe told the auction house the stuff was his, so the auction house sued Kobe and asked a judge to rule they had the right to sell the memorabilia.

Now Kobe has countersued the auction house, claiming Pamela stole some of the items from his home and refuses to return many other items that Kobe left at her house when he grew up and left.

TMZ broke the story ... Kobe has given Pamela millions of dollars as well as homes and cars, but the two began feuding after he offered to buy her a house in Vegas but she wanted a more expensive one and he refused.

Kobe is asking a judge to shut down the auction and order the return of the items to him.

Kobe Bryant Feud With Mom Is Over MONEY

Published | Updated

We now know why Kobe Bryant is at war with his mother ... at least from his perspective, and it has to do with money.

As we previously reported ... Kobe and mama Pamela Bryant are locked in a battle over memorabilia ... his old jerseys, varsity letters from high school, championship rings, trophies and a whole bunch of other stuff.

Pamela has taken all the stuff to an auction house, claiming he gave it all to her, and she got a $450,000 advance which she says she's using to buy a house in Nevada. Kobe contacted the auction house and said they had no right to sell any of the items because they belong to him.

Sources connected with the Bryant family tell TMZ ... the dispute between mother and son erupted over real estate. We're told Kobe offered to buy his parents a "nice house" in Vegas for significantly less than a million bucks, but they wanted something bigger and more extravagant and Kobe drew a line in the sand and refused to up the ante.

Our sources say Pamela was infuriated and believed Kobe was shortchanging them, especially compared to what he does for Vanessa's mom, Sofia Laine. Kobe put Sofia up in a $3.2 million house in Newport Beach, CA, which sold recently. After the sale, Kobe moved Sofia to another multi-million dollar mansion nearby.

From Kobe's perspective, our sources say he's really upset because he believes he's stepped up for years, by giving his parents millions of dollars and buying them homes and cars.

This feud has been brewing for years ... dating back to when Kobe's parents went ballistic when he married Vanessa without a prenup.

Kobe tweeted on Saturday morning, saying, "When u give Give GIVE and they take Take TAKE at wat point do u draw a line in the sand? #hurtbeyondmeasure #gavemenowarning #love?"

Magic Johnson SWATTED But Cops Smelled B.S.

Published | Updated

Magic Johnson has just been swatted ... but this one is RADICALLY different from all the others ... because the LAPD is clearly hip to the prank now ... TMZ has learned.

Someone placed the electronic 911 call within the last hour ... claiming multiple shots were fired at Magic's L.A. home. We're also told the caller claimed the shooters were holding someone hostage.

As for the LAPD's response ... it was anemic compared to prior 911 incidents. We're told only a few patrol cars responded. There were no choppers, no SWAT team, no guns-drawn maneuver.

Apparently the LAPD has now figured out the markers that distinguish swatting from the real deal.

Cops on scene quickly confirmed it was a prank.

Kobe Bryant NBA Star and Mom In Bitter Legal Battle

Published | Updated

Kobe Bryant is in a tooth-and-nail fight with his mother over some priceless basketball memorabilia, including his 1998 All Star ring.

Seems Kobe's mom, Pamela Bryant, made a deal with Goldin Auctions to sell hoards of Kobe's bball swag, including a 2000 All Star game signed ball, game and practice jerseys from his days at Lower Merion High School, a Lakers jacket and shorts, trophies, his varsity high school letters and lots of other stuff.

According to a lawsuit ... obtained by TMZ ... the auction house gave Pamela a $450,000 advance, which she says will be used immediately to buy a new home. According to the lawsuit, Pamela told the auction house Kobe gave her all the stuff outright 5 years ago.

But Kobe has beef, claiming he's the owner of the stuff and he's trying to block the auction.

So a fearful Goldin Auctions has gone to court, naming Kobe as the defendant and asking a judge to declare Pamela the owner of the goods.

A judge has yet to rule.

NBA Star Antawn Jamison Let's Be Realistic Not Everyone Will Accept Jason Collins

Published | Updated

​Not everyone in the NBA is thrilled about having a gay dude in the league -- in fact, there are definitely some "closed-minded" haters who are gonna have a hard time with Jason Collins ... so says NBA star Antawn Jamison.

The Los Angeles Lakers player was hangin' out in Beverly Hills today when we asked about Jason's big announcement ... and the 36-year-old veteran had a lot to say.

Antawn -- who's been in the league since 1998 -- told us he's glad Jason came out ... and he's happy the guy can "be who he really is."

But Antawn says not everyone feels the same way -- telling us, "Of course, you're going to have some closed-minded people, let's be realistic."

"That's life."

We also asked Antawn about the ass-kicking the Lakers got from the Spurs -- and the guy had a pretty good explanation. Check out the clip.

Tony Parker to Lakers Fans I'm Really Sorry For ... BEATING YOUR ASSES!

Published | Updated

Tony Parker feels really, REALLY bad for leading his San Antonio Spurs in a 4-game massacre of the Los Angeles Lakers ... and now he's even apologizing for it.

Parker and his hot french girlfriend, Axelle, hit up Katsuya in Hollywood on Friday night ... after destroying the Lakers in Game 3 of the 1st round of the NBA Playoffs.

Our photog -- huuuge Lakers fan -- thanked Parker for the ass kicking ... to which the 30-year-old actually APOLOGIZED.

Obviously, he didn't feel too bad about it -- Parker and the Spurs went on to complete the sweep yesterday ... finally putting the Lakers out of their misery.

Lakers Star Steve Nash In Dogfight Over Child Support

Published | Updated

L.A. Lakers star Steve Nash thinks he has a good reason NOT to pay child support -- if he does, he thinks his ex-wife will spoil the kids with limos and other luxuries.

Nash is locked in a legal war with Alejandra Nash over their 3 kids. She currently lives in Arizona, where a judge handled their divorce and ruled she was not entitled to child support. She's appealing the ruling and we now know what they're arguing over.

Steve convinced the divorce judge -- Alejandra doesn't need child support because he made her a millionaire 5 times over in the divorce settlement. On top of that, she pulls in more than $30k a month.

For her part, Alejandra says Steve makes a million bucks more than her every month, and it's unfair he's not forced to use some of it for the benefit of their kids.

Steve is saying he's paying plenty -- 90% of medical, school and extracurricular activities, and 82% of the nanny's $2k a month salary. He says he's worried if he pays more, she's an excessive spender who will spoil and damage the kids with crazy luxuries.

But there's more going on here. As we previously reported ... Alejandra wants to move to L.A. but Steve is objecting. It's really weird, because the b-baller has said he chose to go to the Lakers rather than the Knicks so he could be closer to his kids.

There's one thing for sure ... if Alejandra moved to L.A., Steve would probably get socked with a big child support bill -- that's just the way it works in California.

Steve Nash The Lakers Will NEVER Dump Kobe Bryant

Published | Updated

The L.A. Lakers and Kobe Bryant go together like peanut butter and bananas ... and the Lakers wouldn't dream of dumping him to save a few million bucks -- so says Lakers guard Steve Nash.

There's a lot of talk going 'round that the Lakers might cut Kobe after he tore his Achilles last week ... because it would save them a fortune in luxury taxes on his salary -- roughly $80 million to be exact.

But Nash doesn't believe a word of it ... telling TMZ, "Kobe is synonymous with the Lakers ... He's a strong person. He'll come back stronger than ever."

As for Nash's injury ... and whether he'll be ready for the playoffs ... you gotta watch the clip.

Kobe Bryant Getting Surgery High on Pain Pills

Published | Updated

Kobe Bryant found an upside to season -- and possibly career-ending surgery ... HAPPY PILLS!!!

Mamba tore his Achilles tendon during last night's game against the Golden State Warriors ... an injury that requires surgery and a lengthy rehab. The Lakers say Kobe's timetable to return is about 6-9 months.

He posted a pic as he was about to go into surgery today, captioning it by saying, "Surgery prep time. Lookin like Mrs Doubtfire with a jerri curl cap lol Anesthesia next #highasakite #mambaout."

Earlier, his wife Vanessa posted a pic while Kobe was still on crutches, writing, "Waiting for MRI results with Dr Patrick Soon Shiong and Rob Pelinka. I want to thank my family for your love and support. Kobe is in great spirits."

Every Lakers fan on Earth, however, is not.

Kobe Bryant Rants Time to Hang 'Em Up?

Published | Updated

Kobe Bryant is terrified his playing career is over -- after tearing his Achilles -- and he's so PISSED about it ... he couldn't stop himself from venting in an emotional, rambling Facebook post.

The Lakers superstar was up at 3:30AM nursing the injury he suffered in last night's game ... when he started railing, "This is such BS! All the training and sacrifice just flew out the window with one step that I've done millions of times! The frustration is unbearable. The anger is rage."

Kobe was so upset he even hinted at retirement, saying ... "Maybe I should break out the rocking chair and reminisce on the career that was. Maybe this is how my book ends. Maybe Father Time has defeated me..."

But in the middle of the post ... the Black Mamba recaptures his competitive edge and says he's looking for the "silver lining" and wants to get back to work with the "same drive and same conviction."

Best of all ... Kobe quotes the Jay-Z lyric -- "If you see me in a fight with a bear, prey [sic] for the bear". Ive always loved that quote. Thats 'mamba mentality' we don't quit, we don't cower, we don't run. We endure and conquer."

There's a lot more in the post, including how much pain he's in ... and prepping for surgery.

CLICK HERE TO READ KOBE'S FB POST

Lakers Star Jordan Hill We Can Win Without Kobe

Published | Updated

Kobe Bryant's possible career-ending injury will not thwart the L.A. Lakers chances for playoff glory ... so says comrade-in-arms Jordan Hill.

Jordan has something in common with Kobe -- they're both injured Lakers and out for the season.

So the question -- with only 2 games left, and the Lakers holding on to their playoff hopes by a thin string -- how can the team possibly prevail when their mega-star sits on the bench with a busted Achilles?

Jordan says ... no problemo.

Lakers Jordan Hill 'No Contest' Wasn't Enough Ex-GF Sues for Assault

Published | Updated

Lakers forward Jordan Hill's ex-girlfriend is suing him over an alleged domestic violence incident -- the same incident he pled no contest to in criminal court last year ... TMZ has learned.

According to the suit filed by Darlene Luna today in L.A. County ... she and Hill got in a knock-down, drag-out fight at his Houston apartment back in February, 2012.

Luna alleges Hill punched her in the legs multiple times ... "as if they were punching bags" -- and also threw her down and put her in "a choke-hold, constricting her throat for a terrifying duration."

Hill was charged criminally for the incident last year and struck a deal -- getting a one-year deferred sentence and a $500 fine in exchange for his 'no contest' plea.

Luna is now seeking unspecified damages. She's represented by Gloria Allred.

A call to Hill's rep has not been returned.

Kobe Bryant I'd Smack the Hell Outta Ex-Rutgers Coach

Published | Updated

Put your hands on Kobe Bryant ... he's gonna put a beatdown on you -- even if you're his coach.

During an interview with Jim Rome ... Kobe reacted to the infamous video of now-fired Rutgers coach Mike Rice getting physical with his players, saying if he was on that team ... "I woulda smacked the hell out of him. No question about it."

It's interesting since Kobe never played college hoops -- going straight from high school to the NBA -- but he points out that as an 18-year-old he didn't take crap from Shaquille O'Neal ... so why would he take it from a coach.

There is one person Kobe will let smack him around ... check out the clip.

The full interview airs tonight on Showtime at 9 PM (PT and ET).

Mark Cuban I'd Be HONORED If 1st Gay Player Was On My Team

Published | Updated

It's only a matter of time before an active NBA player comes out as gay ... so says Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban who tells TMZ he would be honored if the player was a member of his team.

Cuban called in to "TMZ Live" moments ago to discuss how Magic Johnson's support for his gay son will impact professional sports.

Mark also acknowledges a current NBA player who was raised by 2 moms -- and tells us how he's helping to change the culture in the league.

Magic Johnson Tells All Gay Son, Black Hatred & Closeted Athletes Coming Out

Published | Updated

Magic Johnson has never talked about it before ... but he wanted to open up about his gay son and the implications that Earvin Johnson III's coming out will have in the black community, in the sports community and in their lives.

TMZ sat down with the NBA legend for an unbelievably candid interview -- we've divided the video into three parts:

1) How Magic went to his son around the age of 13 and asked, "Are you gay?" Magic explains why he felt the need to approach his kid and the importance of letting EJ know his whole family loved and supported him.

2) Magic tells us how he feels about some of the hateful reactions to EJ's coming out on African-American blogs and whether he's bitter, given his unparalleled support of the black community.

3) Magic talks about how his son's coming out could inspire professional athletes to follow suit. Harvey also asks Magic how, as the owner of the L.A. Dodgers, he would react to a player coming out.

You gotta watch Magic -- he's awesome and inspiring.