NBA

The woman suing Michael Jordan for paternity and child support -- claiming he fathered her 16-year-old son -- has dismissed her case against the NBA star ... but he might not be out of the woods yet.

TMZ has learned Pamela Smith has filed legal documents in Georgia asking the judge to dismiss her case against MJ -- and her request was granted without prejudice (meaning she can refile at a later time if she wants to).

It's unclear why Pamela wanted the case dismissed -- considering she had recently asked the court to order a DNA test ASAP.

It's possible MJ and Pamela reached some sort of settlement ... or agreed to halt legal action while they try to work things out. It's also possible she simply decided to walk away thinking she would lose in court. We simply don't know.

Either way, MJ has succeeded in taking the situation out of the public eye ... at least for now.

Pamela's attorney Randy Kessler tells TMZ ... she dropped the case on his advice that "dismissal at this time, without prejudice, is in her son’s best interests."

The owners of the nightclub where Chris Brown and Drake brawled last year are doing whatever they can to get out of paying Tony Parker for his injuries ... saying the two rappers should cut him a check if he wins his lawsuit ... and not them.

Parker, an NBA star with the San Antonio Spurs, was one of several people who claim they were injured in the June 2012 melee that went down at W.i.P. and he filed a $20 million lawsuit against the club shortly thereafter.

But the owners of W.i.P. (who are facing several lawsuits) filed docs last week in New York saying Parker's beef should be with Brown and Drake ... claiming they were the ones who "contributed to, instigated, participated and/or engaged" in the fight.

The club wants any and all damages awarded to Parker to come from Brown and Drake.

The case is still pending.

Michael Jordan's alleged baby mama believes the proof is in the puddin' ... so she wants the former NBA star take a DNA test STAT ... to prove he's the father of her kid.

Pamela Smith filed new legal docs this week in her ongoing paternity suit with Jordan asking a judge to force the b-baller to pony up some fluids or hairs ... or skin -- this after Jordan recently denied fathering her son, Grant Taj Reynolds ... born back in 1996.

In the docs, Pamela says she KNOWS Jordan's the dad because they had sex approx. 9 months before Grant's birth -- something she claims Jordan's NEVER denied -- and genetic testing will prove it resulted in the pregnancy.

As TMZ previously reported ... Jordan filed docs of his own earlier this month, DENYING he's the baby daddy -- and claimed paternity for the teenager was established YEARS ago in a previous case.

Lil Wayne had no shortage of famous visitors last night -- Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul and his wife Jada stopped by Cedars-Sinai to see how the famous rapper was doing.

Cameras also caught Drake, Weezy's protégé, visiting Wayne last night as well.

As TMZ first reported, Wayne was hospitalized twice this week for seizures. His situation was dire last night, but his condition eventually stabilized. According to our sources, Wayne went on a Sizzurp binge between his hospital visits and doctors had to pump his stomach three times to flush the drugs from his system.

Dennis Rodman plans to take a spin in the Popemobile during his trip to Rome ... but he tells TMZ, that's only the BEGINNING of his plans to change the world by meeting the new Pontiff.

Rodman was at Miami International Airport yesterday -- where he boarded his flight for Rome -- and we were able to fire off a bunch of questions before he took off.

Among the highlights ... Rodman discusses the most surprising thing he experienced in North Korea (involving a mummified Kim Jong Il), how he plans to broker peace between North Korea and the U.S. and what his agenda is for Vatican City ... we weren't kidding about the Popemobile.

But our favorite part ... Rodman tells us who the "pimpest" Pope of all time is.

No doubt Dennis Rodman knows how to rebound -- but heading to Vatican City to meet the new Pope might not be the smartest follow-up to his North Korean trip. Cardinals ... you've been warned.

Dennis Rodman -- fresh from his basketball summit in North Korea -- is now setting his sights on fixing those pesky problems plaguing the Catholic Church ... because he's jetting to Rome today in hopes of meeting the new Pope.

Rodman tells TMZ ... his "people" in Rome have been in touch with the muckety mucks at the Vatican and they're trying to arrange a sit-down with the next person to don the big funny hat.

Rodman -- who wants to be there when the white smoke fills the air -- is gambling just a bit, because the Cardinals are voting today and Rodman won't land until late tonight. But our top Catholic source -- Shevonne -- tells us ... it's unlikely anyone will get the nod on the first vote.

As for what Dennis wants to accomplish ... he tells TMZ, "I want to be anywhere in the world that I'm needed ... I want to spread a message of peace and love throughout the world."

Rodman cites his March North Korean excursion -- where he met with leader Kim Jong Un -- as proof he's the right man to hash out a peace plan ... claiming he broke barriers in the DPRK nobody else could.

San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick may not have a Super Bowl ring, but he still managed to get one perk ... courtside seats at the Clippers game on Sunday.

The 25-year-old brought along a few of his burly pals to watch the Clippers destroy the Detroit Pistons, 129 -97.

Los Angeles Clippers Star Ronny Turiaf is finally playing ball again in L.A. ... and the welcoming committee presented him with THREE traffic tickets in one day.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, Turiaf -- who signed with the Clippers back in July after a 5-year absence from L.A. -- was driving in Santa Monica Friday when he caught the attention of cops, because Ronny was blasting music with the windows down.

Police quickly noticed Ronny's whip was one big moving violation -- his front windshield was tinted (violation), he had no front license plate (violation) and he didn't have the proper registration sticker (violation).

Ronny got three fix-it tickets -- meaning he can skate with a small fine if he corrects the problems.

Guess Kim Jong Un just isn't a Lakers fan ... 'cause Kobe Bryant claims he was NEVER approached by the North Korean dictator to come visit ... a la Dennis Rodman.

Bryant appeared on Jimmy Kimmel last night and talked about the missile crisis ... saying, "You know it’s a crazy world ... I mean, our President is a Chicago Bulls fan. Dennis obviously has great history with that and North Korea."

He added, "I mean, I think we are all just as shocked as everybody is here about that ... but it’s a weird world."

When asked if KJU ever reached out to him, Kobe replied, "No, I haven't heard anything yet."

And then came the zinger ... when Jimmy asked if Kobe would consider heading over to N. Korea if called upon.

Kobe: "Yeah, I would probably pass, I’d probably pass."
Jimmy: "Oh, for once you are passing!?"

Michael Jordan's gettin' serious about settling down ... TMZ has learned the NBA icon applied for a marriage certificate in Florida this morning in preparation for his April wedding.

MJ and his longtime GF Yvette Prieto were spotted at the counter at the courthouse in Palm Beach County, FL ... and a court spokesperson confirmed the couple had filled out the paperwork.

Jordan and Prieto are reportedly set to get hitched on April 27.

The move seems to be proof that Prieto isn't fazed by the paternity lawsuit MJ is facing in Georgia ... filed by a woman who claims the NBA legend fathered her 16-year-old son while he was still married to Juanita Vanoy.

LeBron James has finally selected a WEDDING DATE ... which is great news ... for everyone except LeBron's Jewish friends ... 'cause it's all going down on Yom Kippur ... TMZ has learned.

We've obtained a copy of King James' "Save The Date" ... which instructs his friends to block out Friday Sept. 13 through Sunday Sept. 15 for the NBA star's destination wedding to fiancee Savannah Brinson in exotic San Diego, CA.

The "Save the Date" even came with a fun caricature of Bron, Savannah and their 2 children ... each dressed in their finest wedding outfits. Cute.

But here's the problem ... Sept. 13 is the beginning of Yom Kippur -- a high holy day in the Jewish religion in which Hebrews and Shebrews are supposed to fast for roughly 24 hours while praying their faces off in temple.

And for the record, James DOES have Jewish friends ... including the famous Rabbi Yishayahu Yosef Pinto (pictured below) ... a man known around New York as the "Rabbi to the Business Stars."

The good news ... LeBron will probably save a bunch of cash on the buffet.
The bad news ... he won't be able to brag about the savings to the people who would appreciate it.

Mazel Tov!!!

Dennis Rodman was given full dignitary treatment during his visit to North Korea, which included a ridiculous presidential feast ... TMZ has learned.

During Dennis' 3-day excursion, we're told North Korean leader Kim Jong Un threw a lavish dinner -- 15 courses, which included sushi, turkey, beef filet, kimchi, and a whole roasted pig.

After the feast, Dennis and Kim Jong were entertained by an all-girl orchestra -- the Moranbong Band. They were serenaded with American TV and movie theme songs, including "Dallas" and "Rocky."

We found video of the girls playing the "Rocky" theme song last year (below).

As for what Dennis and Kim Jong talked about ... he's not saying. We're guessing the payoff will be the HBO show which filmed the spectacle.

Dennis Rodman is already planning his next trip back to North Korea, TMZ has learned ... and his goal ... Rodman wants to broker lasting peace between the United States and the DPRK.

Rodman's publicist tells TMZ, for all The Worm's life accomplishments -- the Basketball Hall of Fame, rebounding records, defensive player awards -- the NBA legend says securing peace between Kim Jong Un and Barack Obama would be his greatest honor. Ya think?

The rep says Rodman wants to use his newly-minted friendship with Kim Jong Un to set the stage for a peace deal, convincing the dictator to engage in talks with Obama. He plans to return to North Korea in the next 6 months to host another kids basketball clinic.

And when he goes back -- Rodman will be a LOT more careful about calling Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung "great leaders" ... in fact, he wants to apologize for making the comment in the first place.

According to the rep, Rodman regrets complimenting the former dictators without fully understanding the extent of their human rights violations. The rep says Rodman is deeply sorry for offending anyone.

Dennis Rodman -- America's unofficial pseudo-ambassador to North Korea -- is already getting a great head start on his career in politics ... hitting up a strip club in Florida just days after his triumphant return from the DPRK.

The photos were snapped inside Dean's Gold last night in North Miami Beach -- where Dennis is a regular.

We're told Dennis came in with a few friends around 8:30pm to watch some sports on TV and hang out with the dancers. He stayed for roughly three hours before leaving.

Lamar Odom is in a New York courthouse right now ... battling it out with baby mama Liza Morales over child support and visitation ... and it must be exhausting because Lamar fell asleep on a bench in the hallway.

Lamar told TMZ ... he was exhausted with jet lag, which is why he fell into a deep sleep before the hearing. Cops actually became concerned because the Clippers star wasn't moving, so they nudged him awake.

On Liza's way out of court, we asked her if she happened to see Lamar snoozing ... and she laughed, saying, "He's tired."

In addition to child support and visitation, they're reportedly bickering over whether their son and daughter can appear on their reality TV shows. Lamar is on "Keeping Up with the Kardashians." Liza was on a show called "Starter Wives."

And get this ... we asked Lamar about being in the same restaurant last night as Kris Humphries. As we reported, they didn't speak ... but Lamar told us he didn't see Kris and would have gone up to him and said, "What's up," if he knew.

Bros before ...