Lakers, Clippers may not have a season, but they have schedules

NBA releases 2011-12 schedule, even though it has locked out players in a labor dispute that could shorten or cancel the season. Lakers are scheduled for 27 national-TV games, Clippers for a record 20.

Man sues Shaquille O'Neal over alleged kidnapping

Robert Ross is seeking unspecified damages. Attorneys for the former Laker and his partner call the accusations outlandish.

Changing Ron Artest's name, and then the subject

A Laker's name change gets the Fan of the House columnist thinking, and that leads to the Dodgers' woes, bobblehead nights and a proposal for sports' Ten Commandments.

LAPD memo criticizes man who says Shaquille O'Neal orchestrated his kidnapping

A detective says Robert Ross was an 'undesirable informant' who had a 'vendetta' against fellow gang members and adds that the accusations were attempted extortion.

Minnesota Timberwolves fire coach Kurt Rambis

The former Lakers player and assistant coach is out after posting a record of 32-132 over two years with the struggling franchise.

A funny thing happened to the Lakers' Ron Artest

First he changed his name, now he's hosting a comedy tour. But he's willing to give Mike Brown a chance.

Local trades: A look at the smash hits and flops

Southland teams have dealt for Nolan Ryan, Gretzky, Kareem, Wilt, Kobe and Teemu. But the Dodgers also let Pedro and Piazza get away.

Jellybean Bryant is still sweet on basketball

Kobe's father, no ordinary Joe, loves working with young players and would like a job in the NBA one day.

NBA lockout leaves draft picks with plenty of time to fill, minus a paycheck

For someone selected very early, like Derrick Williams, there's the option of hosting a camp or joining NBA stars overseas. For others, like Andrew Goudelock, taken in the second round by the Lakers, there's the opportunity to finish up a degree.

The NBA lockout has begun, and so has the posturing

Don't look for much to be accomplished, possibly until the NFL gets its act in order. If pro football reaches an agreement, NBA doesn't want to look bad.

NFL labor outcome could be a bellwether for NBA dispute

Sports law experts say NBA players' union may be waiting for a federal appeals court's ruling in NFL lockout case before determining next move. Decertification and an antitrust suit remain possibilities.

NBA lockout strips team websites of player images

A wrinkle in the collective bargaining agreement means that current players' names and images have been removed from the NBA and team websites. Now it's just cheerleaders, mascots and logos.

Kobe Bryant might take part in exhibition games in China

Kobe Bryant and his agent, Rob Pelinka, are trying to put together a tour to China by NBA players, says Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Derrick Williams, who also is represented by Pelinka. The games likely would be played in Shanghai.

Kobe Bryant undergoes a different kind of knee procedure

The Lakers' star had something similar to platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy in Germany about a month ago. Whether it really works is still debated, but the recovery time is said to be short.

While NBA and players squabble, fans can only sit back and take it

The lockout is an issue between the owners and the players and no outside influence is going to make it end any time soon.

NBA locks out its players after negotiations on labor deal fail

Commissioner David Stern says the league "didn't see any options" after meeting between owners' representatives and union leaders doesn't close big financial gap. It's the third work stoppage for the NBA.

Shannon Brown terminates final year of contract with Lakers

The 6-foot-4 guard says it's the best time to become a free agent despite the NBA lockout. He hasn't ruled out re-signing with the Lakers but says, 'I don't know if they will rule me out.'

Three rookies and others get chance to impress the Lakers

Andrew Goudelock, Darius Morris and Ater Majok and 17 other NBA free agents take part in two-day mini-camp, though uncertainty of NBA collective bargaining agreement clouds situation.

How a city reached its limit with the Dodgers

Los Angeles' love for the Dodgers was unconditional for four decades. But their grip on L.A. began to slip in 1998, and now their popularity is in free-fall. How did this happen, and can they get it back?