Before the NBA season, Kobe Bryant decided to invest in a helicopter to drastically cut down his commute time from his home in Newport Coast, CA., to the Lakers El Segundo practice facility (next to LAX) and Staples Center.

Up until this year, Bryant had occasionally chartered a chopper depending on his schedule, but usually commuted via his $250,000 Ferrari. Now, his gravity-impaired days are over thanks to an investment he claims cost him about the same as his italian sports car.

So how long exactly does it take Bryant to now commute 44 miles to the El Segundo practice facility and 49 miles to Staples in downtown L.A.? Read more…

Photos of Kobe Bryant’s mom Pam Bryant last night at Staples Center:

(I’d be smiling too)

Guy on the right in the sunglasses is Joe Bryant, Kobe’s dad and former NBA journeyman.

Read more…

Matt Barnes was Orlando’s designated instigator against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers Sunday. Exhibit A.:

(Greatest fake since Lamar Odom’s marriage)

In case you think that’s just the angle the video was shot from, here’s the video. Read more…

Mark Medina of the LOS ANGELES TIMES has a piece today comparing the behavior of zoo animals to the on-court personality of Kobe Bryant. In the politically correct-infested waters of the Tribune Company, I can’t say I’d have the stones to employ a concept so fraught with just-add-water outrage. (I’m told Medina enjoys juggling butcher knives and working as a backup cameraman for Bear Grylls in his spare time.)

First advisable move by Media, slough off all comparisons to the zookeepers:

I’m by no means an animal expert, and the grades in my biology classes prove it. But I figured I’d contact people who are to lend their insight. Los Angeles Zoo spokesperson Jason Jacobs provided me a rundown on the different behaviors of certain animals and Dana Brown, director of human resources at the L.A. Zoo and a Lakers fan, explained how they are comparable to Bryant’s play.

On to the animals… Read more…

The black entertainment blogs and message boards are buzzing about NBA all-star weekend in Dallas, with one of the hottest topics of that convo a supposed Kobe Bryant-hosted party on Saturday night.

(I wish)

TMZ.com reports that “reps” from the magazine and party venue have insisted they have a deal with Bryant that contractually obligates him to show up.

(No Laker logo? Coulda had it by dropping V.I.P. on O.D.B. (Ol’ Doc Buss))

I’ve got an email in to the publisher of Show Magazine, Sean Cummings, but have yet to hear back on the status of the party. That said, with the ticket prices apparently being charged for the event, I hope for the personal safety of those overseeing the event that Bryant shows up.

Read more…

Here’s a shot of Kobe Bryant’s wife Vanessa at the White House yesterday. She’s wearing a men’s watch called the “Rolex Oyster Special Edition Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona Leopard Mens Watch 116598-SE.”

(On this week’s edition of Pawn Stars, Chumlee meets Vanessa … )

It retails for $51,000, but a quick jaunt to the Univ. of Oregon campus might just yield a more palatable price it appears to be available slightly cheaper on some other websites. (Yeah, good to know.)

The watch has 48 diamonds, 36 sapphires along with a leopard-printed face and band. (Design reportedly inspired by Otter’s private abode in National Lampoon’s Animal House.)

Here’s one thoughtful critique of the watch from esteemed Amazon.com reviewer J.Gonzalez.

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Moon landing skeptics, out of my sight!

With my recent discovery of these formerly classified, plasticene-based slippers, I’ve finally irrefutable evidence Homo sapiens once traipsed the lunar landscape.

What’s more amazing is I unearthed them at Big Lots. Read more…

We’ve all been there. (Except maybe Deion.)

Video after the jump. Read more…

Here’s a photo of Kobe Bryant and his sisters Sharia  and Shayla @ LAX nightclub at the Luxor in Las Vegas last night.

Bless their hearts.

We’ve been waiting all these years for Vanessa Bryant to breakout into the public eye, perhaps now she has her chance?

Egypt Sherrod reports this week that “sources are buzzing that Bravo TV producers are trying to add NBA superstar Kobe Bryant’s wife Vanessa Bryant to the cast of The Real Housewives of Orange County.”

(Kobe and Vanessa Bryant’s daughter Natalie - future reality star?)

Read more…