News:Soror Star and her Line of Payless Shoes

[RedefinedDiva]

Originally posted by TonyB06
Not to mention Ben-Gay, Metamucil, Milk-o-magnesieum, heating pads.


..., and whatever that red stuff my mom used to put on every injury I had as a kid. It was bright red -- Mecuricum thiolate (sp) I think it was. Somebody has to know what I'm talking about.

That's what it was!!

[toocute]

Originally posted by TonyB06
Not to mention Ben-Gay, Metamucil, Milk-o-magnesieum, heating pads.

Daaannnnnng......

[CrimsonTide4]

Shaq sounded straight up like a HATING B**** in that article.


BEYONCE'S PICS

[abaici]

Originally posted by Kimmie1913
Gurrll,

WHile the loss of any babyperson is tragic...ghetto is as ghetto does. Therefore they will call that child Trey. (you know Tre' ( 3 in French) but different )

OKAY! I was wondering when someone was going to say something! SHE IS SO GHETTO (note: I ususally do not condone the use of this word, but as they say, if the shoe fits....)

[abaici]

Originally posted by Afrochic

Prince is taking his Jehovah's Witness religion serious. Prince goes door to door in Minneapolis spreading the word. His wife and Larry Graham often join him.

OK, who is Prince married too? He is divorced from Mayte. I believe, she was engaged to Tommy Lee for a while, but they are no longer together.

[abaici]

Originally posted by Steeltrap
In view of the wildfires down in my neck of the woods, I need some entertainment. So here it is, and I still think the Lakers need to be a FULL TEAM to win.

Shaq calls Lakers 'my team'

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Marc Stein
ESPN.com

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Lakers will open the season Tuesday night at home with all four of their future Hall of Famers starting against the Dallas Mavericks ... but nothing even close to total harmony.

That's because Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant are feuding anew, out in the open, after a long thaw in their historically icy relationship.

O'Neal and Bryant seemed to be interacting comfortably Sunday on the practice floor, sharing the ball freely during an afternoon workout. Then they traded nasty verbal jabs after the session -- arguably their harshest comments since L.A.'s second championship season -- all stemming from O'Neal's suggestion Friday night in Las Vegas that Bryant "should probably look to be more of a passer until he gets his legs strong."

Bryant, recovering from offseason knee and shoulder surgeries, didn't welcome the suggestion, saying: "I definitely don't need advice on how to play my game."

Not even advice from O'Neal?

"Definitely not," Bryant continued. "I know how to play my guard spot. He can worry about the low post, and I'll worry about the [perimeter]."

When apprised of Bryant's reaction, O'Neal lashed out harder.

"As we start this new season, we want [expletive] done right," Shaq said. "If you don't like it, then you can opt out next year. As long as it's my team, then I'll voice my opinion. If you don't like it, then opt out."

That was a reference to Bryant's plan to exercise an option in his contract at season's end and test the free-agent market next summer, a stance Bryant has said he won't change in the wake of his felony sexual assault charge in Colorado.

Asked to clarify his "my team" remark, O'Neal added: "Everybody knows that. You [media] guys may give it to [Bryant] like you've given him everything else his whole lifetime, but this is the Diesel's ship. So ... if you ain't right [physically], don't be trying to go out there and get right on our expense. Use the people out there, then when you get right you [can] do what you do."

Not since the middle of the 2001-02 season -- the second of L.A.'s three consecutive championships -- have O'Neal and Bryant sparred in the press like this. Their relationship seemed to blossom into friendship during the third championship and also appeared to survive last season's 11-19 start and subsequent crash out of the playoffs with a second-round loss to San Antonio.

Throughout this first month back to work, however, there have been thinly veiled hints from O'Neal that problems have resurfaced, starting from the veterans' first day of training camp in Hawaii. Bryant did not fly on the Lakers' team charter and reported to camp a day late. O'Neal said at the time that "the full team is here," leading some to speculate that he preferred to play this season without the distractions attached to Bryant's court case.

Days later, explaining why he was sitting out an exhibition game with a sore left heel, O'Neal said: "I want to be right [in the regular season] for Derek, Karl and Gary.'' He was referring to Derek Fisher and new teammates Karl Malone and Gary Payton -- and O'Neal ommitted Bryant's name from the conversation more than once.

Malone and Payton, by contrast, have publicly supported Bryant as strongly as anyone in Lakers circles. But even Payton has urged Bryant to ease his way back into the team flow, after Bryant fatigued quickly and shot poorly in the second half of the Lakers' final two exhibition games.

Eyebrows were also raised when Bryant, for Thursday's exhibition in Anaheim against the Clippers, rode his motorcycle to and from the game instead of riding on the team bus.

Yet O'Neal, when pressed, insisted that the Lakers can play through any problems he's having with Bryant.

"I don't really worry about that," O'Neal said when asked about the state of the relationship. "I'm here to do a job. ... If he's open, I'm going to give it to him. If I'm open, I expect him to give it to me. I don't care about [expletive] else he does, and I know he don't care [expletive] else I do."

What's clear is that Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who spoke to reporters before his stars started volleying barbs, has his first real challenge of the season, less than 48 hours before the season opener. And it's right in his own locker room, not in a Colorado courtroom.

Asked about how he plans to play against the Mavericks on Tuesday night, Bryant said: "No change in my game whatsoever."

Said O'Neal: "Just ask Karl and Gary why they came here. One person, not two. One. Period. ... I'm not telling [Bryant] how to play his position. I'm telling him how to play team ball."

Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com. To e-mail him, click here. Also, click here

I hate to say it...but I agree with Shaq. THAT IS HIS TEAM!!! Kobe was told that once. He should know by know. SHAQ IS THE MOST DOMINANT CENTER IN THE LEAGUE. Kobe would be no better than any of the other great players in the NBA if he was on another team. He needs to get over himself and listen. Sorry, he's in that predicament now, because he's hard-headed...the boy don't listen. The Lakers could have taken it all the way again (as a die-hard Kings fan I hate to admit this--but I have to keep it real). He went on that 30 point a game run...and it really cost them in the end. He needs to realize, it's not about HIM! It's about the team! Don't get me wrong, he has skills. But, please. You can put me out there with Shaq and I'll do a little something. LOL.


ETA: I failed to read all of the posts before I began my tirade. Yeah... what you said Tony. LOL

[Afrochic]

4-1-1 ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 27TH, 2003

Singer Chico Debarge is doing better and is back with the Tyler Perry production "Why Did I Get Married?" Chico was stabbed in the back by an alleged mob figure at club in the city. Chico was held overnight for observation and he quickly rejoined his cast mates. Chico was in Philly starring in the production with singer Kelly Price. I had a chance to talk to playwright Tyler Perry about the incident and he was not pleased. Tyler feels Chico could have been killed and he has warned him to stay out of clubs while he is on the road. Details are still sketchy but according to police reports a fight broke out between two girls and somehow Chico got involved and he was stabbed by the mob figure.

What's going on with actress/singer Jasmine Guy? Remember when Jasmine played "Whitley Gilbert" on the TV show A Different World? Jasmine has been doing a lot of theatre work. She did a successful stint in the musical Chicago and she was recently on Broadway in the play The Violet Hour. During a performance last week Jasmine forgot her lines and she appeared vacant and listless. Sources say she was acting very bizarre. There would be long stretches of silence as she searched for her lines. A lot of people walked out but those who stayed booed her on stage. Is she suffering from a mysterious illness? Jasmine is no longer with the show. Her spokesperson says she left for medical reasons.

Basketball legend Dr. J, Julius Erving is going to have to watch where he parties. The "Good Doctor" was photographed at a party with a pair of women's panties on his head. There were a lot of young girls at this party. These girls were young enough to be his daughter. Dr. J was having a good time, and at one point, according to published reports, took time to behave wildly with the girls. I'm sure he had no idea these photos would become public. The basketball great has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons during the past few years. He and his wife Turquoise are divorcing after years of what she called "serial cheating." During their marriage he had children by other women. What is going on with Dr. J? Is he going through a midlife crisis?

A Miami music producer, Terrance Robinson, is suing Destiny's Child for $200,000. Terrance claims the group stole his music for the hit song "Survivor." He says he produced an earlier version of the song called "Glorious." Now speaking of Destiny's Child, Beyonce will be performing for a huge concert benefiting The African AIDS Crisis in Capetown, South Africa. The concert will air on MTV December 1st, during World AIDS Day.

Usher celebrated his 25th birthday with on again/off again girlfriend Chili by his side. Chili got Usher three strippers for his birthday. Usher had a 1978 "Pimp Daddy" party. Some of the guests included Janet Jackson and Jermain Dupri. They are back together but Janet refused to let anyone take photos of her. At one point she was seen running from a television crew from the show Access Hollywood. Janet has gained weight again and she is keeping a low profile. Janet's divorce from Rene Elizondo was finalized last week and now Jermaine is working overtime trying to get Janet to marry him. Will and Jada, Magic Johnson and his wife Cookie and Eddie Murphy and his wife also attended Ushers party. Actor Duane Martin (All of Us, UPN) is married to Actress Tisha Martin Campbell (My Wife and Kids, ABC). He was at the party without his wife and he was having a good time with the ladies. Jamie Foxx was also in the house. Ushers new album Confessions arrives in stores in February.

Congratulations to Flex Alexander (One on One, UPN) and his wife, singer Shanice. They are expecting baby number two in March.

Get ready for a new version of "We Are The World". "We Are The World" 2005 will be produced by Timbaland to mark the 20th anniversary of the Quincy Jones produced classic. "We Are The World" featured the biggest music stars of the 80's gathering to record an anthem to raise money for hungry children in Africa. Some of the artists included: Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Bruce Springstein, Bono, Willie Nelson, Dionne Warwick and Stevie Wonder to name a few.

Earth Wind and Fire is hard at work on a new album and this time they will be teaming up with some of the hot artists out today. The group will be working with Musiq, D'Angelo and Raphael Sadiqq. The album is due out next year.

Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin and Donnie McClurken will be hosting the 19th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards. The awards take place on January 10th, and Shirley Caesar will be the recipient of the "James Cleveland Award."

A family in Harlem, New York is suing singer Roberta Flack. The family is claiming their son was injured in a building she owns that is dangerous, decayed and defective. The building has been the subject of various building code violations including poor lighting and boiler problems. Roberta says this is not her fault.

Did Re-Run leave a will? Actor Fred Berry died last week at the age of 52 from natural causes. Earlier this year he had suffered a stroke and he was in declining health. Fred played the popular character "Re-Run" on the TV show What's Happening. Fred was in Philly a couple of years ago with the Universoul Circus and he starred on an episode of Star Dates, a popular dating show on the E Channel. Fred was married six times and had numerous children and now the exes and the kids are wondering what did he leave behind? During his life he squandered millions of dollars on drugs, alcohol and reckless spending. Is there anything left for his exes and his kids?

[CrimsonTide4]

The transcript of Kobe Bryant's interview with ESPN's Jim Gray:

GRAY: What was your reaction to Shaq saying the Lakers are his team, and everybody knows it?

BRYANT: It doesn't matter whose team it is. Nobody cares. I don't, Karl [Malone] doesn't, Gary [Payton] doesn't, and our teammates and the fans don't either. There's more to life than whose team this is. But this is his team, so it's time for him to act like it. That means no more coming into camp fat and out of shape, when your team is relying on your leadership on and off the court. It also means no more blaming others for our team's failure, or blaming staff members for not overdramatizing your injuries so that you avoid blame for your lack of conditioning. Also, "my team" doesn't mean only when we win, it means carrying the burden of defeat just as gracefully as you carry a championship trophy.

GRAY: Do you consider Shaq to be a leader?

BRYANT: Leaders don't beg for a contract extension and negotiate some 30 million [dollars] plus per year deal in the media when we have two future Hall of Famers playing here pretty much for free. A leader would not demand the ball every time down the floor when you have the three of us [Malone, Payton, Bryant] playing beside you, not to mention the teammates you have gone to war with for years -- and, by the way, then threaten not to play defense and rebound if you don't get the ball every time down the floor.

GRAY: Shaq says that you have not been a team player. Is he right?

BRYANT: That's ridiculous. I have been successfully sacrificing my game for years for Shaq. That's what Phil [Jackson] wanted me to do, so I did it. Last year Phil told me Shaq was not in physical condition to carry the trust of our offense, so he asked me to do it. But then he saw Shaq was getting upset that the team wasn't running through him, so Phil asked me to pull back and I did. This year is no different; my role is whatever Phil want it to be. Period.

GRAY: Through out the preseason, your leg and conditioning has been lagging. Are you in the proper shape to start the season?

BRYANT: My knee is not strong enough to play yet. I know it. When it is I will play.

GRAY: Does that mean you will miss the opener [Tuesday] night and other games?

BRYANT: I probably won't play tomorrow night or until I'm ready. But I don't need Shaq's advice on how to play hurt. I've played with IVs before, during and after games. I've played with a broken hand, a sprained ankle, a torn shoulder, a fractured tooth, a severed lip, and a knee the size of a softball. I don't miss 15 games because of a toe injury that everybody knows wasn't that serious in the first place.

GRAY: Kobe, Shaq said if you didn't like what he had to say you can opt out and leave next season. Will you leave the Lakers?

BRYANT: I won't make that decision until the end of the season. I told Shaq last year that I was planning on opting out. He knew before anyone. I told him out of respect for what we have been through together. I thought he should be the first to know. The fact that he acts like this is such a big shock is a mystery to me. If leaving the Lakers at the end of the season is what I decide, a major reason for that will be Shaq's childlike selfishness and jealousy.

GRAY: Do you feel Shaq has been supportive in regards to your legal situation?

BRYANT: He is not my quote unquote "big brother." A big brother would have called to lend his support this summer. I heard absolutely nothing from him. I spoke to Devon [George], Rick [Fox], Mitch [Kupchak], Phil, and our owner Jerry Buss. And Shaq's own Uncle Jerome called and left three messages. Other teammates like Derek [Fisher], Mark [Madsen], and [Stanislav Medvedenko] left messages as well. Opponents called like [Chris] Webber, [Mike] Bibby, and many others. So did a lot of coaches. Michael Jordan, who didn't have my home phone, tracked it down to lend his support. So did Tiger Woods. But yet from my so-called big brother, I heard nothing.

GRAY: Why not resolve this behind closed doors? Why is this so public?

BRYANT: I asked Phil on Sunday [yesterday] to say something to calm this situation down before it boiled over. But he backed away, so now here we are. I have been a bigger person every time something happened with Shaq, and I don't expect this to be any different. But somebody in this organization had to speak up, because his unprofessionalism hurt us last year, and I don't want it to hurt us this year.

[kiml122]

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
The transcript of Kobe Bryant's interview with ESPN's Jim Gray:

I didn't want to quote the entire interview, but I wanted you to know what I was talking about when I say: My oh My

[Senusret I]

Originally posted by kiml122
I didn't want to quote the entire interview, but I wanted you to know what I was talking about when I say: My oh My

I'm with you, sands......that was like whoa.

[TonyB06]

Wow is alll I can say after reading that transcript -- and I'm one who basically sides with Shaq on this. Kobe does make some points about teamwork, but I think he, maybe unwittingly by his go-it-alone actions, puts some of his guys off.


As for Abaici: "You can put me out there with Shaq and I'll do a little something."

Ladies and gentlemen, this is Chick Hearn here, back from the great beyond with the call of tonight's game:

"The Lakers come down the floor, Shaq is posted on the left block; Abaici throws it in and cuts hard to the basket. Shaq flips it over his his head to Abaici flying to the rim. She jumps....DAAAAAAMN!!!! and crushes the rim with a nasty dunk over the top of Rasheed Wallace.

"Now what is this, fans? Abaici has broken into some sort of celebratory AKA party stroll on her way back down the court....Steeltrap throws off her warmup and is now at the scorer's table ready to get in on some of the AKA action herself.

"I've had enough of this...I'm going back to the great beyond

[CrimsonTide4]

I admit that I had not read it when I posted it but now that I have . . . .maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan, **SMH**. . . I have to remember that there are 3 sides to every story.

[1savvydiva]

Originally posted by TonyB06

Dag Tony...I think you need to revive the GC Soap Opera thread!

[Questions404]

This is the most blatant attempt at Kobe's grasping at straws that I've ever heard. He didn't mention that Rick Fox didn't call him . . . he didn't say that his high school coach called him. He is just trying to steer the attention away from his RAPE trial. He is the one who was always telling his teammates that he wasn't going to go out because he wasn't the kind of person that hung out until the weeeeee hours of the morning. He is instead the type of person who would skirt out on his wife without a condom while she is at home with the nanny and the servants and the newborn counting their money. I bet he never thought that he was going to be the one who was put up as an example of what not to do . . . and he has the nerve to mention that Shaquille was a distraction last year . . . what in the world does he calls these charges and this trial?? (with his flying back and forth to Colorado trying to defend himself against rape charges that would not have come up if he would have been able to control himself for a weekend self). CHUMP!!

[Honeykiss1974]

P. Diddy Clothing Line Sean John Accused of Using Honduran Sweatshop Labor

The Associated Press

NEW YORK Oct. 28 — Sean John, the clothing line of rap music mogul Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, is under scrutiny from a workers' rights group for allegedly using laborers from a Honduran sweatshop.

The director of the anti-sweatshop National Labor Committee, Charles Kernaghan, planned to release a report Tuesday detailing poor working conditions at the Southeast Textiles factory in Choloma, Honduras, where Sean John clothes are made.

Workers there are subjected to daily body searches, contaminated drinking water and 11- to 12-hour daily shifts, the report said. In exchange, they are paid 24 cents for each $50 Sean John sweat shirt they sew.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is so trif' Puffy...........