1 More Than Shaq For "The Bean!"

The Los Angeles Lakers won their 16th N.B.A. Championship defeating the Boston Celtics in one of the uglier games in recent memory last night. Series M.V.P. Kobe Bryant, who I affectionately refer to as "The Bean" won his 5th ring and as he stated in his press conference now has one more than Shaq. I'm on record as not being a big fan of "The Bean" but I can't deny his greatness. He's a top ten all time player right now and ultimately could land one level behind Michael Jordan when his career ends.

Is There Beef Between Maxwell, Jill and Erykah?

R&B singer Maxwell has been touring with fellow superstars Jill Scott and Erykah Badu for the past month to mainly sold out crowds. This week word leaked out that the second leg of the tour is either being postponed or cancelled due to friction within the camps of the three singers. The initial rumor has been that Maxwell's camp is not happy with the female superstars due to their sets going a little long. Jill Scott's people are denying any issues and Maxwell's publicist hasn't issued a statement regarding the matter.

New York dates at Madison Square Garden are completely sold out meaning this tour has the potential to make a lot of money for all parties. I would be a shame if egos derailed these talented performers from entertaining their fans based on the original tour schedule.

Michael Jackson's Brother Randy Hospitalized!

Randy Jackson, Michael's younger brother was hospitalized yesterday after experiencing mild chest pains. Speculation is that it may have been a mild heart attack, but that hasn't been confirmed. Randy Jackson is only 48, but the family continues to deal with the drama that has become Michael Jackson's death almost 1 year to the day of his passing. With his father Joe Jackson making crazy accusations blaming his mother Katherine for Michael's death, to dealing with the ongoing Dr. Conrad Murray hearings, the stress has to be constant for Randy Jackson.

Teacher Fired For Having Premarital Sex!

I found this interesting story from the New York Daily News in which Jaretta Hamilton, who was a teacher at Southland Christian School in St. Cloud, Fla. requested to take maternity leave. This would normally be a simple request with most employers, however, Mrs. Hamilton, admitted that the baby was conceived 3 weeks before she was married, and subsequently was fired from her job for violating the terms of her contract forbidding premarital sex for school employees. Hamilton is now suing the school for discrimination.

Video of Vince Young In Strip Club Fight!

Seriously, what is Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young thinking about after video has surfaced of Young getting into a fight at a Dallas area strip club this morning. Young was issued with a Class C citation for assault which is punishable with a fine of up to $500.

Young returned from oblivion to regain some form of normalcy in his NFL career last season. It's amazing that he would jeopardize all of his hard work by getting in a fight at a strip club of all places.

"The Karate Kid" No. 1!

The Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan movie "The Karate Kid" beat weekend estimates as it debuted with a weekend box office take of $56 million. The movie, which cost an estimated $40 million to make is well on it's way to being a box office smash and setting the young Smith up to be a future star at the age of 11 years-old. Seeing Will and Jada's son doing the media blitz for the movie, he seems like a seasoned veteran and not blinded by the lure of the big stage.

"The Karate Kid!"

Young Jaden Smith, the 11 year-old son of Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith stars along with Jackie Chan in "The Karate Kid" which premieres tomorrow at movie theatres. The movie is produced by Smith's parents as an Overbrook Entertainment vehicle and is tracking to have a decent opening weekend projected to be in the $30 million plus range according to the Hollywood Reporter. The young Smith and his sister Willow have been thrust into the family business at young ages, and it will be interesting to see how their careers progress over time. When your father is the biggest box office in the world, that's a heavy burden to carry for anyone.

Now We Will Find Out If Avery Johnson Can Really Coach!

Avery Johnson will be named the new head coach of the New Jersey Nets as early as tomorrow, eventually signing what is believed to be a 3 year contract. Johnson has the best winning percentage of any coach in N.B.A. history, but that was with the Dallas Mavericks and with Johnson blowing a championship opportunity at the hands of Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat. Johnson hasn't even won a championship, so I hope that the Nets aren't expecting a savior.

Avery Johnson will probably survive long enough for the Nets to become respectable and then head back to the analyst booth at ESPN. No one in their right mind will turn away millions of dollars to babysit millionaire athletes on a mediocre basketball team.

Kanye West Returns To Chicago For A Good Cause!

Superstar producer and hip-hop artist Kanye West returned from his self imposed exile with performances at 3 Chicago schools in which he recognized the students' improvement in the areas of grades, behavior and attendance as reported by the Chicago Tribune. The 3 schools:Farragut Career Academy, John Marshall Metropolitan and Percy L. Julian High School were also treated to performances by Chicago products Common and Lupe Fiasco.

The Kanye West Foundation's third annual Stay In School Event shows that Kanye West still has his head on straight, and the fact that he celebrated his 33rd birthday with the performances shows his humility.

R.I.P. Marvin Isley!

Marvin Isley died yesterday at the age of 56. Marvin was the bassist for the Isley Brothers on their many hits after he joined the group in early 70s. When I was listening the to the incomparable Isley Brothers during the 70s and 80s, Marvin's brother Ronald's fluid voice lead the vocals on all of their hits. The one thing about groups and music back then was that the groups were self contained units that flourished because of many moving parts. Marvin's bass playing can be heard on hits such as "Voyage to Atlantis" and "For The Love of You." In his later years Marvin suffered from diabetes which resulted in both of his legs being amputated.

Marvin Isley leaves a lasting legacy of family music for all of us to enjoy, may he rest in peace.

Is President Obama Tough Enough!

President Barack Obama is being hammered right now during this BP oil fiasco. Even supporters of the President from Spike Lee to James Carville have criticized the Commander and Chief on what appears to be his lax handling of the crisis. When pictures began to appear last week of oil soaked birds, the perceived effects of the oil spill became a reality. Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News writes about how it's time for the president to hammer BP.

President Obama was elected to run our country, but his handling of the BP oil spill is raising red flags. New reports of the oil spill being fully fixed by late summer isn't acceptable. The President does need to get tougher with the company and restore the confidence in the people of our country that we showed him when we elected him as President.

What's Up With Mrs. Wade?

Basketball star Dwyane Wade has been involved in divorce proceedings so contentious that his estranged wife Siohvaughn has fired 9 attorneys. Yesterday the Wades's 2 sons were turned over to their father after an emergency order was granted due to Mrs. Wade interfering with Mr. Wade's visitation privileges. This divorce has been messy, but I hope Mrs. Wade gets a bearing on herself, because 9 attorneys is a lot to be going through in a short period of time. Clearly Dwayne is going to have to write a major check, so perhaps she may need to consult with the former Mrs. Michael Jordan.

Ebony Magazine Has New Editor-In-Chief!

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Ebony Magazine has hired a new editor-in-chief, Amy DuBois Barnett. Barnett brings a wealth of experience in the print world having run Honey and Teen People magazines in the past. She will have the challenging job of making Ebony relevant again. Technology has rendered the print media an endangered species, and Ebony which was once a staple within the black community is on that list. It was rumored to that Ebony was going to be sold to Magic Johnson earlier this year, but that sale never materialized.

Bloods Recruiting Young Girls As Prostitutes In New York!

The New York Daily News reports on a crazy story about Blood gang members being busted for running a sex trafficking ring that recruiting girls as young as 15. The girls and women reportedly were beaten and denied food unless they made $500 a day. An unnerving story to say the least but not at all surprising. The crazy world we live in gets crazier by the day.

R.I.P. Ali-Ollie Wilson

Ali-Ollie Wilson former lead singer of The Temptations has died after a bout of cancer. He was only 58 years-old. Wilson lead the group during it's 80s resurgence singing lead on the hit "Treat Her Like A Lady." While Wilson wasn't an original member of the group his voice is unmistakable on the group's hit songs during the 1980s when he replaced Dennis Edwards. Prayers go out to his family for their loss.

Janet Still Brings A Smile To Everyone's Face!

I admit that I was surprised yesterday morning when I found out that Janet Jackson performed on the American Idol finale on Wednesday night. She looked and sounded like Janet again. Her performances following late brother Michael's death last year were very lackluster, but it's good to see that Janet has found her voice again.

Can Kevin Garnett Find The Fountain of Youth?

The Boston Celtics looked like they were going to waltzed to the N.B.A. finals, but the Orlando Magic has awaken from it's malaise and decided to make the Eastern Conference Finals a series. Kevin Garnett has been looking like a dead man walking the last 2 games, and now the question is can Garnett find the fountain of youth one last time to assist his team in getting to another championship series. There's no question that Garnett is not what he used to be, but perhaps he can summon one more monster game out of his body to assist his team in winning Game 6. The Celtics definitely don't want to return to Orlando for a potential Game 7.

While Garnett's legacy is secure, he's the leader of this team and needs to lead by his performance right now.

Finally The End of Kwame!

Maybe after yesterday the City of Detroit is finally rid of Kwame Kilpatrick as he was sentenced to up to 5 years in prison for probation violations. Kilpatrick has to serve at least 18 months in prison, and lost his job as a software salesman with Compuware as well.

Kwame Kilpatrick's arrogance ultimately derailed is opportunity for redemption as he continually lied to the court system regarding assets and his ability to repay the $1 million that he owes the City of Detroit. Now he'll have at least 18 months to plan his next comeback, but if he's not on his best behavior it could be much longer.

Kwame's Luck May Have Run Out!

Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's luck may have finally run out, as today he will find out his fate in the hearings regarding his inability to pay the City of Detroit $1 million in restitution despite the appearance of a lavish lifestyle while living in a Dallas suburb with his family.

Kilpatrick has given the City of Detroit his middle finger, it's time for the city to return the favor.

Cavaliers Fire Mike Brown!

The first domino has fired in the Cleveland Cavaliers attempt to keep LeBron James as the team fired head coach Mike Brown. It's surprising to me that Brown lasted this long after the Cavaliers were bounced out of the playoffs last year. The issues for the Cavaliers is whether the firing was one year too late, and who the next coach will be. There are no championship coaches available who aren't presently coaching, and these playoffs are showing that coaching does matter to a teams success. I still think that it's 50-50 regarding LeBron James resigning with the team, and whoever the Cavs choose as coach will greatly impact James' decision to stay.

Mom Helped Adjust John Wall's Attitude!

Future #1 NBA John Wall was 9 years-old when his father died of lung cancer. His mother knew that he had talent, but that he needed an attitude adjustment because of the anger and frustration that he had due to the loss of his father. The young Wall had trust issues with his coaches at a young age, and at the age of thirteen his mother had to give him an ultimatum, either begin trusting or give up basketball. Enrolling him in a Christian school, and taking her son to church changed the young man for the better and the result today is the best college basketball player in the country. Great article from the Charlotte Observer.

"My Mom Doesn't Have Her Papers"

First Lady Michelle Obama encountered a very different situation yesterday when she visited students at a Maryland elementary school. A second grade student at New Hampshire Estates Elementary School informed the First Lady that her mother, an immigrant, didn't have the necessary papers to be a legal resident of the United States. The First Lady responded that the issue is something that has to be worked on and solved.

The immigration issue is a hot topic without a real solution. Our First Lady found out yesterday how big of an issue it is with a first hand example of the problem.

"Obama Threw Me Under The Bus!"

Rev. Jeremiah Wright states in a letter obtained by the Associated Press that President Barack Obama and his administration no longer to will respond to him according to FoxNews. In strongly worded language, he states the following:

"No one in the Obama administration will respond to me, listen to me, talk to me or read anything that I write to them. I am 'toxic' in terms of the Obama administration."

"I am 'radioactive,' Sir. When Obama threw me under the bus, he threw me under the bus literally!" he wrote. "Any advice that I offer is going to be taken as something to be avoided. Please understand that!"

It would be interesting to get President Obama's response to Wright's assertions, but the White House is very quiet.

The Death of 7 Year-Old Aiyana Jones In Detroit!

Urban violence continues to kill our next generation, and the accidental killing of Aiyana Jones by a policeman's bullet has all of Detroit searching for answers. The shooting, which occurred Sunday morning, appears to be at the hand of a an over-aggressive police officer who was searching for a murder suspect. Aiyana was laying on couch when a police officer entered her home and got into an argument with her grandmother. The entire chain of events is bizarre to say the least, and the police officer is now on leave and an investigation has begun. Unfortunately none of these actions will bring Aiyana back to her family.

The Detroit Free Press provides complete coverage on the senseless killing.

Everyone Should Have Jay-Z's Problems!

The New York Post reports on Jay-Z's 99 problems highlighting the success and failures of the hip-hop stars business ventures. Interesting read, and needless to say everyone should have Jay-Z's problems.