celebrities: June 2009 Archives

When a king meets a president: Obama summons LeBron for White House hoops. (AP)

The question is, will there be a handshake after this game for LeBron James?

President Obama, hard-core hoophead that he is, wants the NBA's Most Valuable Player - and most prominent sore loser - to break out the high tops to help inaugurate the new basketball court going on the South Lawn of the White House.

And the Baller in Chief isn't stopping there, telling Bloomberg News in an interview that he wants some other names in the game:

"As soon as we get the basketball nets up we're going to have some of these guys over for a game," Obama said.

Asked if he'd be playing, Obama bristled: "Of course. It's my court."

But the home court advantage may not be that strong for Obama. In addition to James having visited the White House already, he's also got a speed and size thing going that has the President somewhat in awe.

"When you get up close to him he's a legitimate six- eight, six-nine. He's huge. Moving that kind of speed? It's pretty remarkable," Obama said of the Cleveland Cavaliers star who racked up 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game this season.

No word on any stolen tigers, much less a bachelor party for Mike Tyson. (AP)

It's been a rough couple of weeks for Mike Tyson, with the death of his 4-year-old daughter, Exodus, in a tragic treadmill accident still fresh in his mind. But now he has at least a little joy to ease his grief - with the help wife no. 3.

Tyson tied the knot Tuesday with Lakiha Spicer La Bella Wedding Chapel at the Las Vegas Hilton hotel-casino in a ceremony that was called "sincere," but nothing special.

County marriage records in Las Vegas show the 42-year-old Tyson and 32-year-old Spicer got a marriage license about 30 minutes before their ceremony.

Tyson was previously married to actress Robin Givens in 1988 and Monica Turner in 1997.

His first marriage ended after one year after Givens filed for divorce and said in a nationally televised interview that she was afraid of Tyson. His marriage to Turner lasted five years.

And, of course, he also has a star turn in "The Hangover" going for him. Which is nice.

Spicer has had her issues with the law (majorwager.com)

As if Kobe Bryant didn't have enough going for him, Lil Wayne has weighed in on the Los Angeles Lakers' star's greatness with a new song - the "Kobe Bryant Song" - he recorded just in time for the NBA Finals.

LeBron will not be happy this with lyrics like this:

"Kobe doing work / 2-4 on my shirt / He the greatest on the court / And I'm the greatest on the verse".

And it must have worked to keep Kobe pumped up. Bryant dropped 40 on the Orlando Magic to lead the Lakers to a Game 1 win, 100-75.

Lil Wayne, motivational rapper.

Hold off there, fellas. Tiger Stadium has a movie to make. (AP)

The memories of the a great ballpark are almost gone in Detroit, but there will be one last moment of glory for Tiger Stadium.

A movie is being made at Tiger Stadium days before the Detroit ballpark's expected demolition. "The Irishman" tells the story of union organizer and mobster Danny Greene.

The picture stars Ray Stevenson, Val Kilmer, Vincent D'Onofrio and Christopher Walken. Producer Bart Rosenblatt says Detroit is standing in for 1970s-era Cleveland.

Filming began today at the stadium, which opened in 1912 as Navin Field.

The Tigers departed after the 1999 season.

The city says demolition work could begin as early as Monday.