NBA

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Cops in Atlanta have issued an official WANTED POSTER for former NBA player Javaris Crittenton -- who is suspected of murdering a 22-year-old woman in Atlanta earlier this month.

Crittenton is considered "armed and dangerous" -- and cops promise anyone who can offer any information on his whereabouts will not have to testify in court.

Cops are offering a cash reward for any information leading to his arrest -- but it's unclear how much money is up for grabs.

The FBI has joined the search for ex-NBA player Javaris Crittenton -- who is wanted for murder in the shooting death of a 22-year-old woman.

The feds have announced they are working with police in Atlanta -- where Jullian Jones was shot and killed on August 19.

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.

It's unclear if officials have an idea where Javaris may be hiding out -- and the FBI is not releasing any further information.

Former Washington Wizards player Javaris Crittenton -- the other guy in the Gilbert Arenas gun incident -- has been charged with murdering a 22-year-old woman.

Crittenton -- who has been bounced from the league -- is accused of shooting the mother of 3 on August 19 in Atlanta. Investigators don't believe she was the intended target. According to AJC.com, authorities believe Crittenton was gunning for someone who robbed him back in April.

The victim was shot in the hip and died in surgery.

You'll recall the famous incident in the Wizards locker room in 2009, when Arenas and Crirttenton pulled guns on each other. Crittenton pled guilty to gun possession and was placed on 1 year's probation.

Ron Artest will 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.

Gilbert Arenas' ex-fiancee is free to talk smack and get in as many catfights as she wants on "Basketball Wives LA" -- thanks to a federal court decision today.

A judge ruled against the NBA star's request to block Laura Govan from appearing on the show and mentioning his name.

The judge said Gilbert's claim that details of his family life should not be aired on the reality show -- is undercut by the fact he has "tens of thousands of Twitter users who follow [him] as he tweets about a variety of mundane occurrences."

LeBron James slam dunked into Barcelona by jumping off a high dive overlooking the city and into an Olympic pool on Monday.

Former Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson has been keeping himself busy in his retirement ... shopping, swimming and even following Kobe Bryant's church drama.

The zen master and his GF Jeannie Buss were leaving the Rochester BIg and Tall store in L.A. yesterday -- 'cause he's friggin' 6'8" -- when we asked if anyone has ever tried to sneak a photo of him in a private moment.

LeBron James was greeted by a massive swarm of fans trying to take his picture at an event in Shanghai, China on Wednesday.

Former NBA star Jalen Rose was released from a Detroit jail this morning -- after spending 16 days behind bars stemming from a DUI arrest back in March.

Rose -- who currently works for ESPN as an NBA analyst -- was originally sentenced to 20 days in the slammer ... after pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated during a March 11 crash.

TMZ broke the story ... the 38-year-old ex-Fab Fiver was driving along an icy roadway in Michigan with a female passenger when he lost control of his vehicle, flipping the car.

TMZ has obtained VIDEO showing NBA star Michael Beasley shoving a fan in the face during a heated altercation at a playground game in New York last night.

The footage shows the Minnesota Timberwolves star jawing back and forth with a fan at Dyckman Park in New York City ... before finally losing his cool, shoving the fan in the face, and walking back towards the court.

Beasley went on to lead his team to victory over another park team led by NBA superstar Kevin Durant.

We're told the fan had been heckling Beasley throughout the game -- screaming taunts like, "You're a f**king bum ... you ain't sh*t Beasley."

Beasley approached the fan and said, "I've never been a bitch ... I'll show you that right now."

Mr. Metta World Peace hit the stage at Caroline's on Broadway in NY for his 2nd ever live comedy show ... and TMZ was there to capture the new king of stand up in all of his glory -- even the part where he stopped the show in the middle of his set to hug a woman he recognized.