Monica and Shannon Brown wed

By Mr. Hollywood
JR Staff Writer

Last year, Monica and Shannon Brown had almost everything they could have asked for. Monica released a successful comeback album and Shannon Brown won his second NBA championship. At the time, life was fantastic for both of them.

While 2011 has not been a bad year for the couple, it could have been much better. Monica has not released any official new music this year. Meanwhile, Shannon Brown's Los Angeles Lakers fell early in the 2011 playoffs.

Usually, when things are not going well, people often say it is time to make something go well. Monica and Shannon Brown already got married earlier this year. Now, the couple had an official wedding with all of their family and friends.

On the court, things may be looking worse for Shannon Brown, as the NBA season may be locked out, like it was in 1998. Last year, Monica and Shannon Brown met on the set of her video, "Love All Over Me," and they immediately began dating. Within months, they were engaged and have wed this year. Monica hooked up with Shannon Brown after breaking up with rapper, Rocko.

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Kobe Bryant paying for Homophobic Remarks

By Mr. Hollywood
JR Staff Writer

After winning two championships, in as many years, Kobe Bryant has risen to Michael Jordan-like proportions in the NBA. Many of his fans are ready to crown him as the second-coming of "His Airness." Jordan was known for being very aggressive on the court and arguing with referees.

Kobe Bryant has developed the same sort of killer instinct on the court. Right before the playoffs started, Kobe and the Lakers were preparing for the playoffs. In one of their final regular season games, Bryant was called for a foul. Believing he did not commit the foul, Bryant protested.

However, things went too far when Kobe Bryant referred to the referee as a "faggot." News quickly spread through various outlets and Bryant was fined by the league. In an effort to smooth things over, the NBA has turned this into a positive situation. In 2007, John Amaechi, a former NBA player, came out as a gay man and Tim Hardaway made homophobic remarks, but he soon apologized.

Trying to avoid a similar situation, the NBA has partnered the entire the Los Angeles Lakers team with the organization, GLAAD. Throughout their postseason run, Bryant and his Laker teammates will appear in various ads for the organization.

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Jason Richardson allegedly knocked up Steve Nash's wife

By Mr. Hollywood
JR Staff Writer

Steve Nash has been the face of the Phoenix Suns ever since he signed with them in 2004. Over the years, he has had several different players in the backcourt with him. In 2009, Jason Richardson was traded from the Charlotte Bobcats to the Suns, becoming Nash's new backcourt mate.

The two had great chemistry on the court, propelling Phoenix to a solid 53-win season and a trip to the Western Conference Finals, ultimately losing to the Lakers. Off the court, it seemed as if Nash and his backcourt mate, Richardson had a strong relationship. Rumor has it, Richardson had a much stronger relationship with Nash's wife.

In December of 2010, Steve Nash filed for divorce from his wife, one day after she gave birth to his child. While the child was supposed to be Nash's, many say the child was black. Richardson was traded from the Suns to the Orlando Magic in the same week. Initially, rumors stated Shaquille O'Neal was the father of the child, but reports are now saying Jason Richardson is the culprit.

If this is indeed the case, it would all make perfect sense. Steve Nash discovers the child is not his and files for divorce from his wife. A little investigating leads him in the direction of Jason Richardson. Being the face of the team, Steve Nash takes his issues with Richardson to the front office. Not wanting their franchise player upset, the Phoenix Suns trade Jason Richardson to a contender in Orlando in exchange for a similar player in Vince Carter.

Despite getting rid of Richardson, Steve Nash and the Suns have struggled, missing the playoffs one year after nearly beating Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.

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Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian finally land Reality Show

By TV Insider
JR Staff Writer

When Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian wed, it was a reality show in the making. Initially, the family of famed attorney, Rober Kardashian, the Kardashians have become known for their role in reality television. In 2007, critics said reality television was on its last leg. It was then when the Kardashians breathed new life into the genre.

Partnering with Ryan Seacrest and E!, the Kardashians have slowly taken over the network's schedule. Initially, the only show on E! with the Kardashians was "Keeping up with the Kardashians." The network now has spin-offs, "Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami" and "Khloe & Kim Take New York," the travel shows for the girls.

With Lamar Odom being a star for the Los Angeles Lakers, the most-popular team in the NBA and the two-time defending champions and Khole Kardashian rising to become a sex symbol, it was only a matter of time before they landed a show with E!. Again, Ryan Seacrest will be the executive producer of the show and the show will premiere right when "Khole & Kim Take New York" ends. This will be Lamar Odom's first time actually starring in a reality show, while he has made many cameo appearances on the other Kardashian reality shows.

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Magic Johnson envisions Sports Empire

By Sports Authority
JR Staff Writer

Ever since he retired from basketball, Magic Johnson went into the world of business. Johnson owns all kinds of businesses, but sports remain his true passion. No matter how rich he is, he still attends Laker games when he can and he even commentates some games.

Magic Johnson is now in his 50s and he feels like going back to his roots. The former NBA star is working hard in an effort to get an NFL team back in Los Angeles. Outside of his NFL aspirations, Magic Johnson has been checking in on the Detroit Pistons.

The former championship contending team is currently up for sale. As a native of Michigan and being very wealthy, naturally, Johnson was interested in buying the team. If things go well, Magic Johnson will be the owner of the Pistons. But, it appears as if the team does not want to sell to him. For many years, Johnson has been a part-owner of the Los Angeles Lakers.

While Magic Johnson doubts he will ever own the Detroit Pistons, he is confident that he will end up being the owner of some NBA team. Magic Johnson does not know if he will be the majority owner of any team, but he knows he will have an ownership role in teams of many professional sports leagues.

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Kobe Bryant keeps Lakers alive in NBA Finals

In game five of the 2010 NBA Finals, the Boston Celtics perfected their craft. They forced Kobe Bryant to defeat them, taking the rest of the team out of the game. Bryant would explode for 38 points in game five, this included 23 consecutive Laker points. Despite his astonishing performance, the Lakers would lose.

The Boston win gave them a 3-2 lead in the series. Another win for the Celtics means they win the championship. Ever since he led the Lakers to the championship last season, Kobe Bryant has been focused on repeating. His focus never changed and the Lakers were almost given the best record in the West by default.

Last season was supposed to be when the Boston Celtics pulled off another incredible run to repeat as champions. But, injuries decimated the Celtics, leaving them in the cold. The Orlando Magic would inherit the Celtics' battles, falling in the Finals. Ever since their untimely defeat, the Boston Celtics have been thinking redemption.

During the offseason, Kevin Garnett worked hard to return to his form when he was first traded to the Celtics and the team made sure to add the right supporting cast to the squad. When the Boston Celtics took the floor for the first time in the 2009-2010 season, they defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers and got off to a quick 23-5 start. But, for the remainder of the season, they went 27-27. Their finish was good enough for a 50-32 record and home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

The Boston Celtics pulled off an improbable run which has led them back to the NBA Finals. Despite everything that has gone on, the Celtics are where they planned to be over a year ago. After knocking off the league-leading Cavaliers, and the second place Magic, it has become clear Boston is the real deal. It did not take long for the Celtics to soon have Kobe Bryant and the Lakers against the wall. Behind 3-2, the Lakers needed a miracle. Luckily Kobe Bryant plays for the team and he attacked, but got others involved.

Only taking 19 shots, Bryant scored 26 points, pulled down 11 rebounds, dished out 3 assists, and nabbed 4 steals. In the process, he led the Lakers to their best defensive game of the playoffs, beating the Celtics 89-67.

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Kobe Bryant starring in the NBA Finals yet again

For the past three years, the NBA seasons have ended the same way, with Kobe Bryant as the focal point. For the past six years, the Los Angeles Lakers have been Kobe Bryant's team. Following the departure of Shaquille O'Neal, the team struggled to win games. In 2005, the Lakers found themselves out of the playoffs.

After two first round exits in 2006 and 2007, the Lakers finally brought Kobe Bryant proper help. The trade for big man, Pau Gasol and the emergence of Andrew Bynum placed the Lakers on top of the West. In the 2008 playoffs, Kobe Bryant was free for the first time. He did not have to create every play.

With this stellar team around him, Bryant led his team through the Western Conference playoffs. Right into the NBA Finals, they ran into the Boston Celtics. The Celtics were stacked with Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen. Despite how great Kobe was, he was not enough against three superstars. The Lakers fell to the Celtics, but the next season, they went on an inspired run and posted a better record than the Celtics.

However, injuries led to the Celtics falling to the Orlando Magic, who would end up facing the Lakers in the finals at the end of the season. In a reversal of what happened in 2008, Kobe Bryant improved his leadership skills and the Lakers would win the championship. This year, they have done what no team has been able to do since 2002 and made the NBA Finals three years in a row. If they win the championship, not only would they defeat the Celtics in the finals for the first time in twenty years, but they would also be the first team to repeat as champions since 2002.

The last team to accomplish the 2002 feats were the Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant-led Lakers. But, this time the focal point of the team is Kobe Bryant, as opposed to Shaq.

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Kobe Bryant signs extension in L.A.

For the past fourteen years, Kobe Bryant has played for the Los Angeles Lakers. During this time, he has gone from being just an average guard to becoming the best player in the NBA. With the upcoming 2010 free agency period, the list was expected to include Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade. The name Kobe Bryant can be taken off of this list.

Following the 2007 NBA Playoffs, Bryant demanded that he be traded from the Lakers. At the time, the team was nothing outside of him. Kobe Bryant felt that the best way for him and the team to improve was for him to move on. The Lakers ignored the pleas from Kobe to leave. As a result, he stuck it out and the Lakers are now one of the top teams in the NBA.

Back in 2007, no one would have ever guessed that Bryant would re-sign with the team. However, following his fourth championship, Bryant wants to retire in Los Angeles. To ensure his retirement, Kobe Bryant has signed a three-year deal with the Lakers that is worth $83.5 million. The deal does not kick in until after next season. When it does kick in Kobe will be making $27.8 million a year. When the contract expires, Kobe Bryant will have spent eighteen seasons in the NBA, all with the Lakers.

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