Los Angeles Lakers Blog – Page 70 – NBA Blog

Steve Nash battling ex-wife in court

Steve Nash, the Suns former point guard, said Thursday morning on the witness stand in Maricopa County Superior Court that he expects to come back to the Valley after he ends his NBA career. Nash, who now plays for the Los Angeles Lakers and leases a home in Manhattan Beach, Calif., said he intends to keep his permanent residence in Paradise Valley, where he has made recent renovations.

His residency has become an issue in a two-day “relocation trial” regarding his ex-wife and three children, and whether he would be involved in their lives. Nash’s ex-wife, Alejandra Amarilla Menrath, wants Family Court Judge Thomas LeClaire to approve the relocation of their children from the Valley to Southern California.

Menrath has said she wants to move with the children to Southern California so the three kids can be closer to their father. She also has indicated the move may allow her to obtain child support from a California court…

Nash, under terms of a sealed divorce settlement, does not pay child support. He pays for the children’s private education and health-care insurance through his employer, according to testimony.

Reported by the Arizona Republic

Metta World Peace releases children’s book

Metta World Peace has released a children’s book entitled “Metta’s Bedtime Stories.”

Available via createspace.com, “Metta’s Bedtime Stories” was “written to help children think about daily events in a positive light.”

World Peace, formerly Ron Artest, has played the last four seasons with the Lakers — winning his first title in 2010 against the Boston Celtics.

Outside of basketball, World Peace is a spokesman for mental health, currently collaborating with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health with his “Talk It Out” campaign.

Reported by Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times (Blog)

Kobe Bryant auction dispute headed for June trial

Kobe Bryant and an auction house that wants to sell memorabilia from his high school days and early pro career are heading for a trial next month, unless they can work out a deal before then.

U.S. District Judge Renee Bumb on Monday set June 17 as a trial date, but also set a court-guided mediation session for Friday in a case that’s the manifestation of an ugly family dispute that all sides seem to want to resolve quickly.

”Maybe I should have had you bring your witnesses today and we would have tried the case,” Bumb said at a hearing. ”You’re all so ready to go.”

The main reason she didn’t schedule the trial for an earlier date was that Bryant’s father, Joe ”Jellybean” Bryant, said he could not get to a trial sooner because he’s coaching a Thai team in the Asian Basketball League playoffs.

Reported by Geoff Mulvihill of the Associated Press

Kobe Bryant`s parents accuse him of lying

The obstacles facing Kobe Bryant no longer consist of healing from a torn left Achilles’ tendon.

Lately, it involves something far more suffocating than navigating a double team.

Bryant’s mother, Pamela, and father, Joe, filed statements in federal court in Camden, NJ. on Monday suggesting the Lakers’ star has lied during his recent efforts to Pamela’s hope to give a New Jersey-based auction house more than 100 of his basketball memorabilia from both his high school and early portion of his Lakers career.

In a declaration filed in federal court in Camden Monday, Pamela insisted sworn statements from Kobe and his wife, Vanessa, “contained many false statements.” That included Kobe’s account of a May 2 phone conversation, in which she allegedly agreed he had never told her she could have his belongings.

Pamela Bryant claimed sworn statements by her son and daughter-in-law contained “many false statements.”

— Reported by Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News (Blog)

Pau Gasol will undergo knee procedure

Lakers forward Pau Gasol, who has been suffering from tendonosis in both knees, will undergo a FAST Technique procedure tomorrow. The procedure uses a probe inserted into the knee which directs ultrasonic energy to eliminate scar tissue without damaging healthy tissue. The procedure will be performed by Dr. Steven Yoon of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Group.

A timeline for Gasol’s recovery will be issued at the conclusion of the procedure.

Metta World Peace promotes mental health with new campaign

Metta World Peace has taken a leadership role in fostering mental health awareness.

Starting Monday, World Peace and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health will partner in May for Mental Health Awareness Month.

World Peace’s “Talk It Out” campaign will be on display on Metropolitan Transportation Authority shelters, depots, buses and trains in both English and Spanish.

“It’s unnecessary stress if you’re holding things in,” World Peace said.

— Reported by Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times (Blog)

Kobe Bryant and his mom feud over auction

A South Jersey sports-collectibles firm is at the center of a family fight between basketball star Kobe Bryant and his mother.

Goldin Auctions of West Berlin wants to sell more than 100 items from the Los Angeles Lakers’ pro career and his days as a high school player in suburban Philadelphia. The keepsakes – including uniforms, rings and trophies – would be offered on consignment for Pamela Bryant, the athlete’s mother.

But Kobe Bryant is trying to block the planned June auction, insisting he owns the memorabilia. The dispute moved to a federal court in Camden Thursday, when an attorney for the auction house requested a court order to allow the sale.

The filing noted Goldin Auctions already has paid a $450,000 advance to Pamela Bryant, who wanted to buy a new home in Nevada.

If a judge approves the sale, bidders could compete for shorts, jerseys, jackets and varsity letters that Bryant wore at Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pa. They could vie for NBA All-Star and Championship rings, a 1996 Gatorade National Player award and a 1992 Sonny Hill League Future Stars Champion Trophy.

— Reported by the Courier-Post

Dwight Howard health update: No shoulder surgery needed

Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard, who was diagnosed with a torn labrum after originally injuring his right shoulder on January 4th against the Clippers, was examined today by Dr. James Tibone of the Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Group.

Howard, who missed six games this season due to the injury, was advised that surgery is not necessary at this time.

In 76 games this season, Howard averaged 17.1 points, a league-high 12.4 rebounds and 2.45 blocks in 35.8 minutes, while finishing second league-wide with a .578 field goal percentage.

Dwight Howard to get shoulder examined

Dwight Howard has plenty on his mind beyond his pending free agency.

He also plans to see a doctor Wednesday to check up on the torn labrum in his right shoulder.

“Hopefully I don’t have to have surgery,” Howard said. “But whatever the case may be, I’m going to do whatever I can to get myself right this offseason.”

Howard didn’t have such a luxury last year. He remained sidelined last summer after having back surgery in April.

— Reported by Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News Blog

Antawn Jamison has wrist surgery

Los Angeles Lakers forward Antawn Jamison underwent successful surgery on his right wrist Tuesday morning.

“(The surgery) went well,” a source close to the 15-year veteran told ESPNLosAngeles.com. “No complications.”

Jamison suffered a slight tear in his right wrist during the Lakers’ 103-100 loss to the Washington Wizards on March 23.

Jamison played with the injury for the remainder of the season, appearing in the Lakers’ final 12 regular-season games and four playoff contests.

— Reported by Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles