Lakers take a 3-2 series lead with Artest’s game winning shot

(Associated Press) LOS ANGELES — A path through the lane suddenly opened up before Ron Artest. Kobe Bryant’s missed 3-pointer dropped right into his hands, and Artest’s awkward layup banked neatly through the net as the buzzer sounded on Game 5 of the Western Conference finals. What a pretty finish to an ugly game for the Lakers’ veteran troublemaker, who has struggled to find his role throughout his first season with the defending champions — and what a strange, thrilling way for Artest to carve out his own spot in the Lakers’ playoff lore. Artest banked home the winning shot after grabbing the biggest offensive rebound of his career, nudging the Lakers past the Phoenix Suns 103-101…

James, Wade and other top free agents to discuss their futures

(ESPN.com) Dwyane Wade has a big decision to make on where he’ll sign this offseason. And before he makes his choice, he said he’ll talk it over with fellow big-ticket free agents LeBron James and Joe Johnson. Wade told the Chicago Tribune that he’s not sure when the three players will talk, but they’ve been discussing their futures informally for a while now. “[Free agency] has been three years coming,” the Miami Heat superstar told the Tribune. “We’ve discussed it prematurely, at different times. [But] you don’t know what guys are thinking and where they’re going. I think we’ll all sit down, and before one of us makes a decision, all of us will have spoken to each other and [listened…

Clipper fans rally for LeBron

(ESPN.com) LOS ANGELES — No word on whether LeBron James has a Facebook account, but he has a standing invitation to a group that numbers more than 2000: “Bring LeBron to the L.A. Clippers!!” The group staged a parade outside L.A. Live across the street from Staples Center on Thursday before the start of Game 5 of the Lakers-Suns Western Conference finals series. According to the Facebook page, more than 500 people responded to say they’d attend the parade, but only about 75 waved signs and chanted slogans on Chick Hearn Court. With signs displaying the No. 6, which will be James’ uniform number next year, the fans chanted “We want the King!” and “L-B-J!” Longtime…

Raiders seek $9.55M from JaMarcus Russell

(Associated Press) ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders have filed a grievance seeking nearly $10 million back from recently released quarterback JaMarcus Russell. Yahoo! Sports first reported the story Thursday, saying the Raiders are seeking $9.55 million from Russell in what was paid as salary advances for the 2010-12 seasons. The team later confirmed the report. “We have filed a grievance against JaMarcus Russell and that’s all we’re going to say at this time,” Raiders general counsel Jeff Birren said in a statement.l Russell was released earlier this month after three disappointing seasons with the team. He had been paid about $36.4 million through last season and was still owed $3 million at the time of his…

BLOG: Has Bad Boy Breezy Finally Found His Lane?

GIANTMAG.com: Chris Brown has found himself deeply embroiled in scandal over the past year. Accordingly his image has undergone a series of overhauls. Chris has been floundering while trying to find his place in the industry post-domestic abuse scandal. He was immediately vilified after details of his fight with Rihanna surfaced to the public, and lost much if the fan base that adored him for his clean cut image. He has clearly struggled to regain that respect, with several failed attempts at proving to his audience that he remains the talented kid that they once lauded.  Now it seems that Chris has given up that battle and resolved to be what he is inevitably labeled…

House Votes To Repeal Gay Military Ban

(NewsOne) WASHINGTON (AP) — The House of Representatives on Thursday delivered a victory to President Barack Obama and gay rights groups by approving a proposal to repeal the law that allows gays to serve in the military only if they don’t disclose their sexual orientation. The 234-194 vote to overturn the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy reflected a view among many in Congress that America was ready for a military in which gays and straights can stand side by side in the trenches. “I know that our military draws its strength on the integrity of our unified force, and current law challenges this integrity by creating two realities within the ranks,” Democratic Rep. Susan…

Wyclef Jean Gets Honorary Doctorate Degree

From BlackVoices.com: Grammy Award-winning artist and philanthropist Wyclef Jean can now add another distinguished honor to his long list of achievements: The Haitian-born Jean was awarded an honorary doctorate on May 23 from Western Connecticut State University in Danbury. Dr. Jean delivered a commencement speech, titled “Vision for the Future,” to the graduating class of 2010 and was presented a check from the university in the amount of $9,500 for his organization, Yéle Haiti. Founded in 2005, Yéle Haiti was one of the leading organizations that stepped up to the plate in the aftermath of this year’s earthquake in Haiti. Jean, who came from humble beginnings, stated that he had to “ride a donkey to school in Haiti”…

PHOTOS: Michelle Obama Kicks Off Summer Exercise Series

(NewsOne) WASHINGTON (AP) — Dozens of Washington, D.C., schoolchildren scampered around the South Lawn of the White House Tuesday afternoon after first lady Michelle Obama announced a summer of activity designed to encourage kids to exercise. The series is part of Mrs. Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign against childhood obesity. To show youngsters different ways to get the recommended one hour of daily exercise, the White House is inviting local children, sports leagues, community programs and coaches to plays sports and other activities on the South Lawn throughout the summer. Mrs. Obama said too many children do not get the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity daily. Click here to view photos: RELATED: Michelle Obama: Why I’m Fighting…

Shocking Pics: 50 Cent Drops 50 Pounds

(ETonline) Rapper 50 Cent is almost unrecognizable as he has gone from 214 pounds to 160 pounds for an upcoming movie role — and he reveals how he dropped the weight. The rapper plays a cancer-stricken football player in the movie ‘Things Fall Apart,’ and, according to his Web site, he went on an all-liquid diet to shed the weight and endured three-hour-a-day treadmill walks for nine weeks. “I was starving,” he says on ThisIs50.com. “I’ve been eating. I’ll be back in shape in no time!” In addition to dropping 50 pounds, the rapper has also permanently removed some of his tattoos. He tells People.com, “It cuts down on the amount of time I have to spend in…

American Idol Names Ninth Winner; Says Goodbye to Simon Cowell

(ETonline) “American Idol” crowned the ninth winner of the FOX hit reality show on Wednesday, also paying tribute to judge Simon Cowell on his last night on the show. Lee DeWyze was crowned the ninth “American Idol” and the 24-year-old former paint salesman from Illinois was immediately mobbed by his fellow contestants hugging him. “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest divulged that Lee was victorious over fellow contestant Crystal Bowersox by an only two percent margin. “Oh my God,” Lee said upon hearing the good news. “Thank you guys so much, everybody, I can’t believe this. This is amazing. I love you guys. Crystal, I love you. I’m just a happy man. I’ve never been happier in my life.” He…