NBA Pacific

Jerry Buss At Cedars-Sinai With Cancer, Reports Say

Jerry Buss is in the hospital with cancer, with some reports indicating that he's gravely ill and that family, friends and members of his Lakers basketball organization such as Kobe Bryant have come to his side. However, Buss was hospitalized in summer and he bounced back despite some media specula ... More >>

10 Best Places for Mall Food in Los Angeles

Hidden within Los Angeles' seemingly infinite number of mini-malls and mega-malls is a staggering amount of good eats. The food court in the basement of Koreatown Plaza is a neon wonderland of potent kimchi and oversized bibimbap bowls; the food court at Mercado La Paloma, just south of USC, inspire ... More >>

Mike D'Antoni Is Lakers' New Coach

Phil Jackson was the man everyone seemed to want. But it was former Suns coach Mike D'Antoni who got the job as the next coach of the Lakers following the abrupt firing of Mike Brown at the team's dismal 1-4 mark this season. According to a team statement Lakers spokesman John Black ...

5 Reasons to Cancel the Lakers Championship Parade

There are some crazy-ass Lakers expectations floating around town. The last time expectations were this high, USC had a No. 1 pre-season ranking and Matt Barkley had a premature Heisman coronation. How's that working out for Trojans fans? No doubt the new-look Lakers will win a lot of games and go ... More >>

Will the Golden State Project's Album Ever Come Out?

Any hip-hop journalist knows that rappers aren't known for their punctuality, and neither are rap albums. Of course, Dr. Dre's Detox is famously delayed -- it's been more than ten years -- but there's actually an anticipated album (or, perhaps a once-anticipated album) with L.A. ties that's taken ev ... More >>

AEG, L.A. Parent of Coachella, Staples Center, For Sale

Updated at the bottom: AEG confirms that it's looking to sell. L.A. based Anschutz Entertainment Group, the downtown powerhouse behind Staples Center, LA Live, the proposed Farmers Field football stadium, and the world's second-largest concert promoter, Live Nation, might be for sale. Several outl ... More >>

Live Stream the James Beard Awards: Cheer Mozza Possible Foie Protest

If you're the sort of food-obsessed person who will be following Twitter this afternoon and evening to find out exactly who's winning awards, or who's complaining about not having done so, at tonight's James Beard award ceremony, you might consider just live streaming the event. That's what the folk ... More >>

Kids Don't Need Sports or Energy Drinks: OMG, You Can Actually Drink Water

Flickr/96dpia glass of water​ If you've ever spent much time at a kids' soccer game -- much less a middle school basketball jam session at Staples Center sponsored by Gatorade -- you'd think that kids required sports drinks as much as adults training for triathalons or the NBA finals (go Mavs! ... More >>

Pau Gasol: Lakers' Class Act

Lakers: Five Reasons L.A.'s NBA Dynasty Isn't Over Yet

The best player in the NBA is still with us.​The Lakers flamed out like Charlie Sheen in rehab -- in spectacular, unprecedented fashion (via a sweep the likes of which coach Phil Jackson has never seen). And now Phil Jackson says he's coached his last NBA game and Kobe Bryant is talking about ... More >>

Dallas Mavericks Diss L.A. Lakers on YouTube: 'Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Lakers Fans'

YouTubeDirk Nowitzki, the "Toy Story" version​Something to rile you up for tomorrow's big Game 3 between the Lakers and the Mavericks: This infuriatingly catchy, anti-L.A. jingle we haven't been able to get out of our heads since we heard it on the radio yesterday morning. (Damn you, KNX!) Th ... More >>

Raves: How Do You Get L.A. Politicians to Get Behind Parties and Ecstasy? Here's How ...

Caesar Sebastian / InsomniacRavers at 'EDC.'​It was a day of magical thinking Wednesday at the L.A. Coliseum, where officials essentially said yes to another edition of a two-day rave that saw 60 mostly drug-related arrests, more than 200 medical emergencies and the ecstasy-related death of a ... More >>

Chicken and Waffle Fight: Roscoe's Vs. Pann's

No one knows exactly how the combination of waffles and fried chicken came about, but a lot of people are very glad it did. Salty and sweet have long made for a satisfying pairing, and why, after all, should bacon, sausage, and sliced ham have all the fun? Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles is on ... More >>

Year in Review: Top Food and Pot Stories of 2010

N. GalutenThe famed KFC dispensary, which even spawned a South Park episode​Marijuana has been in the news a lot this year. Prop 19 brought the legalization debate to the national forefront, even though it never had much of a shot at passing (despite our Governator's well-documented use during ... More >>

Top 10 Men With Meat Names

Men With Meat Names is an ad-hoc website that lists, you guessed it, men with meat names. We compiled the ten best into one, easy-to-read top-10 list for your reading (or is tasting?) enjoyment. Are the photos a bit large? Sure they are, but you don't want to see tiny thumbprint shots of these guys, ... More >>

How Honest is L.A.? Honest Tea's Pop-Up Store Puts SoCal Ethics to the Test

NBC ChicagoHonest Tea's "Honest Store"​ Despite our downfalls, we'd like to think we draw the line when it comes to stealing. To test this theory -- and the honor system -- try heading to Maryland-based organic tea company Honest Tea's unmanned pop-up "Honest Stores," loaded with one dollar b ... More >>

Despite Tickets Controversy, Mayor Villaraigosa Says He'll Be At Lakers Game

​Despite a snowballing controversy about his acceptance of often four-figure tickets, sometimes from sources who have business before City Hall, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says he'll be at the Lakers championship match-up with the Celtics at Staples Center Thursday night. Because, while accept ... More >>

LAPD Declares 'Unlawful Assembly' As Crowds Amass Near Staples Center Following Lakers Victory

​[Updated at 10:55 p.m.]. Some fans were starting to get out of control Thursday night following the Lakers' 83-79 win over the Boston Celtics. A few people appeared to have been beaten up as unruly men gathered at Flower Street and Olympic Boulevard near Staples Center. Some hooligans attacke ... More >>

Jack Nicholson Could Be Wearing Green If Lakers Lose Series

​Jack Nicholson must wear an all-green outfit and tape an advertisement touting the virtues of Boston if the Los Angeles Lakers lose the NBA championship to the Boston Celtics, according to a wager between Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. Should the Lakers win, Bosto ... More >>

Mayor Villaraigosa Heading To Lakers Game Despite Controversy Over Accepting Valuable Tickets

Fox 11 News​Despite a brewing controversy over his acceptance of high-priced sporting-event tickets, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa plans to be front-and-center at the Lakers NBA finals game against the Boston Celtics Thursday night, his office confirmed. The mayor is "attending with ... More >>

Some Of Mayor Villaraigosa's Prime Lakers Tickets Are Gifts From Staples Center Owner

Fox 11 NewsMayor Villaraigosa and KTLA reporter Lu Parker.​In a follow up on its report about how Mayor Antonio Villaragosa has been scoring some seriously valuable Lakers playoff tickets without disclosing the source of the gifts, Fox 11 News reported that the giver is indeed Anschutz Enterta ... More >>

Lakers Win: Thanks to Ron Artest & Artichoke Dip

The Lakers won at the buzzer last night on a Ron Artest put-back off of a Kobe Bryant air ball. But that, it turns out, is not what made Suns coach Alvin Gentry sick to his stomach. In fact, Gentry threw up in the first half, and claimed to feel much better afterward. So what was the cause of his il ... More >>

Short Attention Span Dinner Theater: Your Week in Food, 5/24-5/28

In which we highlight the past week in food, either at home or abroad. "Someday soon, we are promised, LAX will be a magical fairyland of cuisine, where the terminals will fairly bristle with the best that Los Angeles dining has to offer, where the enchiladas, pizzas, and exquisite regiona ... More >>

Mayor Scores Free Lakers Tickets Without Having To Tell You Who Gave Them To Him

Fox 11/YouTube​Last month we told you about Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's "statement of economic interests," essentially an annual list of valuable gifts he has to file with the state Fair Political Practices Commission. The idea is that the people should know who is showering their ... More >>

NBA To Put Logos on Food: The Phoenix Suns Can Be Toast, Literally

USA TodayToast the Phoenix Suns​Imagine watching last night's Western Conference playoff game between the Lakers and the Suns, getting up to make something to eat and being able to have your toaster brand the Suns logo onto that slice of toast. Not only would your hunger have been abated, but ... More >>

Kobe Bryant's Maid Walks Away With Six Figures

​Kobe and Vanessa "Do I Look Illegal?" Bryant have settled a "wrongful discharge" lawsuit that was brought by a former maid who alleged she was forced to perform demeaning tasks and was verbally abused by the Lakers star's wife. TMZ reported that Maria Jimenez got a $200,000 settlement, with ... More >>

Does Vanessa Bryant 'Look Illegal,' Or Just A Little Insincere?

​It's a question our friends over at OC Weekly ask after spotting the wife-of-Kobe sporting a "Do I Look Illegal?" t-shirt at Monday night's Lakers game in apparent solidarity with those upset over Arizona's controversial new immigration law (and/or perhaps in-line with protesters outside Stap ... More >>

Picketing Planed For Lakers Game Against Arizona Team

Activists opposed to Arizona's controversial immigration law plan to picket the Lakers Western Conference finals game against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center Monday. They've expressed particular ire for Lakers' coach Phil Jackson because he hasn't voiced opposition to the law. "We are not happy ... More >>

Phil Jackson Wants To Be Seen As Neutral On Arizona

​Following tons of press Monday about his statements earlier this month expressing some understanding of Arizona's controversial immigration law, Lakers coach Phil Jackson stated that he wants to remain neutral on the topic. " ... It is my wish that this statement not be used by either side t ... More >>

Mayor Villaraigosa: If Suns Win, We'll Take Sheriff Joe

​Now that Los Angeles is boycotting the state of Arizona, it seems odd for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to be offering a wager with the mayor of Phoenix over the NBA Western Conference Finals.Apparently the embargo doesn't cover that. But this year's bet is no mere exchange of Laker jerseys for Ariz ... More >>

If It's Lakers vs. 'Los Suns,' Does L.A. Boycott?

​If the they beat Utah Monday night, the Los Angeles Lakers could complete a rare postseason sweep for the squad, matching the purple and gold against ... Arizona's pro team in the Western Conference finals. That's the state that enacted a controversial law empowering police to ask people they ... More >>

For Cinco De Mayo Lakers Game, 'Los Suns' Make Statement Against Arizona Immigration Law

Lakers.​When the Lakers face the Suns in game two of their playoff series in Arizona on Wednesday, L.A.'s hearts and minds will be with the purple and gold. But some in this half-Latino county will at least give the Phoenix team extra credit for changing its name temporarily to Los Suns in opp ... More >>

Suns Not Playing Lakers! Arizona Law Still Being Protested

​Breaking news: In our zealous pursuit of getting lots of news to you quickly we erred in stating that the Phoenix Suns were playing the Lakers Wednesday (the post, up for about a half an hour, has been deleted). In a game with San Antonio the Arizona team plans to protest its home state's imm ... More >>

Our Favorite Happy Hours

50 deal-driven places to get you and your wallet feeling a whole lot better

Lakers' Jerry Buss Headed To Basketball Hall Of Fame

nba.com​The Basketball Hall of Fame was widely expected to announce the induction of Lakers co-owner Jerry Buss Monday morning. The 77-year-old was one of 19 finalists for the honor. In the largest sports deal at the time, Buss purchased the Lakers, the Forum, the Los Angeles Kings hockey tea ... More >>

What Would Pau Do? LA Paella Brings Spain to L.A.

Nightranger Looks Back at '09 Fashion and Music

Pork in the Time of Swine Flu: Mexico City's Pig Cuisine, Snout to Hoof

Highland Park's Antojitos Chilangos and Metro Balderas

Rivera, John Sedlar’s return to the kitchen

Tequila sunrise

The New Cocktailians

The farmers market–loving, sleeve garter–wearing ladies and gentlemen of the bar taking over L.A.'s restaurants one glass at a time

L.A.'s Original Fusion Dude Opens the Mexican Rivera

New downtown spot is just a block from Staples Center and Nokia Theater

Fideua: The Poor Man's Paella

The Spanish staple with a Catalan accent

Donald T. Sterling's Skid Row Mirage

The billionaire Clippers owner claims he's creating a major homeless center. He's not, but image is what counts.

The Big Idea

Osteria Mozza

Mood Indigo

Blue Velvet’s Kris Morningstar cooks for the night

Velvet Goldmine

Blue Velvet

Welcome to Inglewood — Leave Your Aspirations Behind

For Erin Aubry Kaplan, coming home has been a labor of tough love