Category: Entertainment Blog

Entertainment blog

Kevin Durant being sued over Durantula nickname

kevin durant

Hoops superstar Kevin Durant is one game away from losing the NBA Finals, and now one lawsuit away from losing his famous nickname — “Durantula” — because a guitarist claims KD jacked it from him.

Durant was sued today in Federal Court by a guy named Mark Durante — a guitarist who, according to the lawsuit, was a big deal in the 80s … playing with Public Enemy, The Aliens, The Next Big Thing, and (our favorite) The Revolting Cocks.

TMZ obtained a copy of the lawsuit, in which Durante says he adopted the name “Durantula” for his “on-stage and performance persona” — and has used it to market “music, recordings, apparel, t-shirts, guitars, and related merchandise.”

— Reported by TMZ

Kris Humphries having trouble with ex-girlfriend Myla Sinanaj

kris humphries

Kris Humphries’ ex-flame Myla Sinanaj threatened to release sordid details about her relationship with Kris … and TMZ has the voicemail.

Sources say … after photos of Myla and Kris began leaking, Kris broke off all contact with her. Myla became enraged after trying in vain 17 times to reach Kris and then called one of his friends.

Myla left a message, demanding that Kris stop stonewalling her and return her calls.

Myla says, “If he’s going to play me like that, I have way more sh*t I can put out.”

The voicemail does not show alleged extortion on Sinanaj’s part, as Humphries claims. Nonetheless, we’re told Kris’ lawyers gave it to the FBI when they made their extortion complaint.

— Reported by TMZ

Tim Donaghy wins $1.3 million civil suit against book publisher

Remember Tim Donaghy?

Delco native. Ex-referee in the NBA. Recovering gambling addict. Felon.

Yeah, that guy. A Florida jury wants to make him a millionaire.

After 5 rough years that included banishment from the NBA, gambling and wire-fraud convictions for betting on basketball games, and even 2 weeks spent in solitary confinement “like Charles Manson” while serving a 15-month prison term, Donaghy can finally put one in the win column.

According to Donaghy and his lawyer, a St. Petersburg jury on Friday awarded Donaghy $1.3 million in his civil suit against Shawna Vercher and her now-defunct company VTi Group, which published Donaghy’s tell-all book about the NBA and its referees.

“The lady made my life a living hell and basically tortured me through the press by putting fictitious stories out there,” Donaghy said Sunday. “I knew, at some point, my time would come. And my time was Friday.”

— Reported by William Bender of the Philadelphia Daily News

Miami nightlife can be distracting to visiting NBA teams

Games 3, 4 and 5 of the NBA Finals will be played at American Airlines Arena in Miami, a town that lures visitors to its nightlife.

During the 2006 Finals between Dallas and Miami, Mavericks coach Avery Johnson ordered his players to switch hotels after the Heat won Games 3 and 4 to tie the series.

Johnson said his players had developed a “vacation mentality” and moved them 25 miles north to Fort Lauderdale, away from family and friends who had been sharing the previous hotel. Miami went on to win four straight and claim the series 4-2.

In last year’s Finals against the Heat, which the Mavs won 4-2, Dallas players and coaches were booked into one hotel while family and friends stayed in neighboring hotels.

Asked if he was concerned about his players engaging in the Miami nightlife, Thunder coach Scott Brooks deadpanned, “What about the coaches?” before playfully revealing his wife was on the trip.

“I’ve never had any issues with our guys playing on the road,” Brooks said, not kidding. “They’ve always been focused. Miami is a great city, there’s no question. It’s a great environment, but we’re here to play basketball. There’s only 10 days, two weeks left of the season, then there’s plenty of time to vacation.”

— Reported by John Rohde of the Oklahoman

Unfair but amusing Durant and Westbrook gif

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook is definitely a scoring point guard. His best attribute is the ability to produce points, ahead of his ability to produce for others. That’s how Russell is. He’s an awesome player, even if he occasionally takes a few shots that maybe could have instead gone to Kevin Durant or another teammate. He’s not a “true” point guard. But he still makes his team much better — most of the time.

With that said, check out this very amusing gif of Durant and Westbrook:

See more funny NBA GIFs.

Three women likely cut from cast of VH1 Basketball Wives

Dwight Howard can finally relax — because his baby mama Royce Reed just got her ass axed from [VH1] “Basketball Wives” … along with two other stars on the show.

Sources connected with production tell TMZ, Jennifer Williams and Kesha Nichols also got the chop — and will be replaced next season. It’s unclear who’s in line to take their spots.

According to sources, producers will be giving the girls their walking papers any day now to drop what they called “dead weight” from the show.

— Reported by TMZ

Horse co-owned by Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol set to race

A horse co-owned by Los Angeles Lakers stars Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol is set to run in Sunday’s first race at Betfair Hollywood Park.

[Siempre Mio] is trained by Doug O’Neill, who guided I’ll Have Another to recent victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

[Siempre Mio] will take on five other older horses at six furlongs in the $12,500 claiming race. He will be ridden by Joy Scott. The 4-year-old gelding won his March 31 start by 2 1/4 lengths at Santa Anita.

Bryant and Gasol are part-owners along with Santa Anita CEO Mark Verge, who says Gasol has been a regular visitor at O’Neill’s barn since the Lakers lost in the second round of the playoffs.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Dwyane Wade enjoyed the Dream Team NBA TV special

dwyane wade

Wade, who was part of the 2008 “Redeem Team” and is a possible — though not certain — participant in the 2012 Games in London, was just 10 at the time. As a viewer, he was most amused by John Stockton getting off the bus and shooting video of fans who didn’t recognize the 6-foot-1, average-looking Jazz point guard.

He was most intrigued by the interactions.

“I didn’t know the relationships that them guys had or didn’t have,” Wade said. “I think the biggest thing that surprised me was probably Michael Jordan and (late Detroit and U.S. coach) Chuck Daly. I know the rivalry between Chicago and Detroit, and for those guys to go out and golf and have the relationship they had, I found that very shocking…. But you understand it, especially playing on the Olympic game, with all these great players and different personalities, and knowing how our team came together.”

— Reported by Ethan J. Skolnick of the Palm Beach Post (Blog)

Jay-Z will open 40/40 club in Brooklyn Nets Barclays center

Jay-Z and his 40/40 club are taking full advantage of the Nets move to Brooklyn, and doing it in style.

The 40/40 Club will open its new location at the Barclays Center, the new sports and entertainment venue and home to the Brooklyn Nets.  The $1 billion arena will house the 9,000 square-foot restaurant slated to debut on the arena’s opening night when Jay-Z performs in concert on September 28, 2012.

“There is no better home for another 40/40 Club location than the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn,” stated Jay-Z.  “The 40/40 Club has revolutionized restaurants in a way I anticipate Barclays Center to transform the arena watching experience.”

Located on the Barclays Brownstone Suite Level, The 40/40 Club will feature key materials and design concepts from its newly renovated New York City flagship location, including the custom illuminated amber resin bar top.  The design for the space is by SHoP Architects with consultation from designer Jeffrey Beers to ensure a consistent look and feel with the flagship venue.  The new location in Barclays Center will feature 36 TVs, including eight 80’’ TVs on the outside of the bar soffit, and will also offer great views of the basketball court.

“The 40/40 Club at Barclays Center will provide a dynamic environment to complement the experience of attending Brooklyn Nets games and other select events,” said Barclays Center and Brooklyn Nets CEO Brett Yormark. “The 40/40 Club will deliver the best in service and cuisine, while creating a vibe fitting for such a spectacularly designed venue.”

Sounds like the Nets will keep the party going both before and after games.

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