Good Vibes

HONOLULU - Kobe Bryant was reportedly "very disappointed" with the lack of professionalism displayed by the FIBA referees and the stadium security.

The media caught up with Kobe Bryant after practice at the University of Hawaii at Manoa's Stan Sheriff Center and asked him several questions regarding his health and the upcoming preseason exhibition between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Utah Jazz.

When asked whether he watched the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship tournament the Black Mamba said, "I watched the finals. Yeah, the Chinese national team vs the Philippines."



"It would've been fun to see Jordan Clarkson there," Bryant said. Clarkson was supposed to be part of the Gilas Pilipinas squad but because of time restraints, the Lakers didn't clear him to play overseas.

When asked what he thought on the controversial officiating and off-court events before and during the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship Bryant said, "I was told that the Philippine team was having issues with transportation or something similar. The fishy thing is when they only attempted to fix the net when their crew was warming up. I'm not pointing fingers, but you know there's got to be something going on [laughter]."

"I didn't think too much about the early calls, but when they called the Filipino point guard for travelling while he was dribbling the ball, I knew something was wrong," Bryant said referring to a moment in the game when Jayson Castro William was called for a travel although he never moved his pivot foot before dribbling the ball.



The 5-time NBA World Champion also shook his head when showed the footage of several fans taunting the Gilas Pilipinas bench.

"Like I said, it is what it is. I hope the Philippine team still gets in the Olympics at Rio. [There's] still the qualifiers. It's not the end of the road for them. As for China, they have an impressive youthful squad. No matter the off-court antics are, they wouldn't get to where they are now without good staff and coaching."

Kobe Bryant expressed his excitement to play the upcoming NBA season alongside star rookie D'Angelo Russell telling the media that he's not afraid to play as a forward if he has to. "All for the team, man. All for that ring."

Basketball at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil will be held from 6 to 21 August 2016. The preliminary and knockout matches for both men and women will be played inside the first hall of the Olympic Training Center in Olympic Park which seats up to 16,000 spectators.

ESPN: Kobe Bryant on season opener against Utah Jazz

CHANGSHA - Scouts at the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship are eyeing the two Gilas Pilipinas rising stars for potential careers in the NBA.

Of the 30 teams in the NBA, 9 sent official talent scouts to the FIBA Asia Championship tournament held in Changsha in China. Among these are the Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat -- all of which are interested in both Terrence Romeo and Calvin Abueva.


Romeo, a Far Eastern University alumnus, is currently signed in the Philippine Basketball Association team GlobalPort Batang Pier. While Abueva, a Sebastino, is currently signed to the Alaska Aces.

Out of all the NBA teams interested in the two, the Miami Heat organization is apparently the closest to offering Terrence Romeo a 10-day contract albeit with their NBA D-League affiliate Sioux Falls Skyforce. This is according to multiple sources present in Changsha including the scout himself who refused to be identified on this publication.

Gilas Pilipinas faces the Chinese basketball team tonight at 8:30 PM Manila time for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship crown and a trip to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

CHICAGO, IL - Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose announces retirement after breaking his orbital bone.

The 26-year-old Chicago Bulls guard bid farewell to the NBA and his fans, announcing his retirement that's effective immediately. "I hate to admit this, but my body could no longer go on," said Rose. "I want to be there for my family while I can still walk and function normally."


The NBA Superstar also told the media that his last shoe for the adidas brand will be released on early 2016.

Several NBA personalities such as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf and Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg gave their support for the injured Rose. "No doubt about that. But we put the players' health and well-being above everything," said Silver when asked if the Rose's retirement puts a major dent on the league's overall star power.

Joakim Noah was present at the press conference and told the media, "you know [Rose] has had my full support since day one. This isn't the end for him. It's the beginning of another chapter of his lfie." Other NBA players such as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant also tweeted their support for their ailing on-court rival.

Derrick Martell Rose is a former American professional basketball player who played for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association.

ML - According to employees backstage, the 56-year-old pro wrestling veteran walked out of Vince McMahon's office upset, telling a concerned Big Show to "go f*ck yourself."


After his match with the WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, Sting apparently marched into Vince's office and had an argument with the Chairman and CEO of the WWE about his booking.

The result of the match can be read below:
WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Sting vs Seth Rollins (c)

Sting connects with a couple of right hands. Sting goes for the Scorpion Death Lock and Rollins grabs the bottom rope. Rollins knocks down Sting. Rollins with a crossbody and Sting rolls him over for a two count. Sting launches Rollins over the top rope. Sting sends Rollins rib first to the steel steps. Sting does it again on the other side. Rollins tries to get away again. Rollins back in the ring and stomps on Sting’s chest. Sting drops Rollins to the outside with a running clothesline. Sting sends Rollins to the barricade. Sting breaks the referee’s count. Sting with a right hands. Sting whips Rollins back first to the ring post. Rollins rolls out of the ring. Sting is on the announce table. Sting brings Rollins up and Rollins drives Sting back first to the spanish announce table.  Rollins grabs the WWE World Heavyweight Title and starts walking away. Rollins changes his mind and head back to the announce table. Rollins with a bodyslam on the floor.

Rollins brings Sting back in the ring for a two count. Rollins begins to stomp on Sting. Rollins taunts Sting. Rollins with a spinning neckbreaker for a two count. Rollins with a forearm. Rollins plants Sting for a two count. Sting fires back with right hands. Rollins send Sting to the ring post for another two count. Rollins goes for the Pedigree and Sting escapes. Rollins attempts a springboard dive, but Sting pushes Rollins off the ropes and Rollins lands on the barricade. Sting with right hands and chops. Rollins with a kick. Sting with multiple clotheslines. Sting with two Stinger Splashes. Sting sends Rollins over the top rope with a clothesline. Sting goes up top and lands a flying crossbody off the top turnbuckle onto Rollins on the outside. Sting with the Scorpion Death Drop for a two count as Rollins foot was on the bottom rope on the three count. Sting measures up Rollins for the Stinger Splash. Rollins drives Sting once again to the ring post. Rollins showboats. Rollins goes the Pedigree and Sting goes for the Scorpion Death Lock and Rollins grab the bottom rope. Rollins with a side kick. Rollins tries for another Pedigree and Sting counters with another Scorpion Death Lock submission attempt and Rollins rolls Sting up to pickup the victory. After the match Sheamus comes with the Money in the Bank Briefcase and fire explodes and out comes Kane with the Mask. Kane chokeslams Rollins. Sheamus trys to buddy up Kane and he gets Chokeslammed. Kane hits Rollins with a Tombstone Piledriver.

Winner: Still WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins

ML - "No disrespect to Daniel, he's cool and all, [but] I wanted to meet the AlDub couple."

On September 5, the 27-year-old guard from Golden State Warriors engaged in basketball drills, shoot-outs and scrimmage with several young basketball players from here and abroad as part of his first Asian tour with the sports brand Under Armour.


The one-time NBA Champion also participated in several photo shoots, interviews and media appearances.

One media appearance included was when he met local actor Daniel Padilla and his entourage. They shook hands, exchanged words for a few minutes and took pictures. Stephen Curry, however, was underwhelmed by this.

"I've seen the AlDub couple whenever my wife's Filipino friend watches them on YouTube. I think they're cool and it would've been cooler to meet them instead," Curry told the media before he left for China.

AlDub is a fictional supercouple pairing of Alden Richards and Yaya Dub (Maine Mendoza) from the daytime variety series Eat Bulaga!

ML - One of the most embarrassing aspects of U.S. politics is politicians who deny that money has any impact on what they do. For instance, Tom Corbett, Pennsylvania’s notoriously fracking-friendly former governor, got $1.7 million from oil and gas companies but assured voters that “The contributions don’t affect my decisions.” If you’re trying to get people to vote for you, you can’t tell them that what they want doesn’t matter.

This pose is also popular with a certain prominent breed of pundits, who love to tell us “Don’t Follow the Money” (New York Times columnist David Brooks), or “Money does not buy elections” (Freakonomics co-author Stephen Dubner on public radio’s Marketplace), or “Money won’t buy you votes” (Yale Law School professor Peter H. Schuck in the Los Angeles Times).

Meanwhile, 85 percent of Americans say we need to either “completely rebuild” or make “fundamental changes” to the campaign finance system. Just 13 percent think “only minor changes are necessary,” less than the 18 percent of Americans who believe they’ve been in the presence of a ghost.

So we’ve decided that it would be useful to collect examples of actual politicians acknowledging the glaringly obvious reality. Here’s a start; I’m sure there must be many others, so if you have suggestions, please leave them in the comments or email me. I’d also love to speak directly to current or former politicians who have an opinion about it.

• “Now [the United States is] just an oligarchy, with unlimited political bribery being the essence of getting the nominations for president or to elect the president. And the same thing applies to governors and U.S. senators and congressmembers. … So now we’ve just seen a complete subversion of our political system as a payoff to major contributors …” — Jimmy Carter, former president, in 2015. (Thanks to Sam Sacks.)

• “You have to go where the money is. Now where the money is, there’s almost always implicitly some string attached. … It’s awful hard to take a whole lot of money from a group you know has a particular position then you conclude they’re wrong [and] vote no.” — Vice President Joe Biden in 2015.

• “Lobbyists and career politicians today make up what I call the Washington Cartel. … [They] on a daily basis are conspiring against the American people. … [C]areer politicians’ ears and wallets are open to the highest bidder.” — Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in 2015.

• “When you start to connect the actual access to money, and the access involves law enforcement officials, you have clearly crossed a line. What is going on is shocking, terrible.” – James E. Tierney, former attorney general of Maine, in 2014.

• “Allowing people and corporate interest groups and others to spend an unlimited amount of unidentified money has enabled certain individuals to swing any and all elections, whether they are congressional, federal, local, state … Unfortunately and rarely are these people having goals which are in line with those of the general public. History well shows that there is a very selfish game that’s going on and that our government has largely been put up for sale.” – John Dingell, 29-term Democratic congressman from Michigan, in 2014 just before he retired.

• “When some think tank comes up with the legislation and tells you not to fool with it, why are you even a legislator anymore? You just sit there and take votes and you’re kind of a feudal serf for folks with a lot of money.” —Dale Schultz, 32-year Republican state legislator in Wisconsin and former state Senate Majority Leader, in 2013 before retiring rather than face a primary challenger backed by Americans for Prosperity.

• “The alliance of money and the interests that it represents, the access that it affords to those who have it at the expense of those who don’t, the agenda that it changes or sets by virtue of its power is steadily silencing the voice of the vast majority of Americans … The truth requires that we call the corrosion of money in politics what it is – it is a form of corruption and it muzzles more Americans than it empowers, and it is an imbalance that the world has taught us can only sow the seeds of unrest.” – Secretary of State John Kerry, in 2013 farewell speech to the Senate.

• “I think it is because of the corrupt paradigm that has become Washington, D.C., whereby votes continually are bought rather than representatives voting the will of their constituents. … That’s the voice that’s been missing at the table in Washington, D.C. — the people’s voice has been missing.” — Michele Bachmann, four-term Republican congresswoman from Minnesota and founder of the House Tea Party Caucus, in 2011.

• “The banks — hard to believe in a time when we’re facing a banking crisis that many of the banks created — are still the most powerful lobby on Capitol Hill. And they frankly own the place.” – Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., in 2009.

• “There is no question in the world that money has control.” — Barry Goldwater, 1964 GOP Presidential nominee, just before retiring from the Senate in 1986.

• ”When these political action committees give money, they expect something in return other than good government. … Poor people don’t make political contributions. You might get a different result if there were a poor-PAC up here.” — Bob Dole, former Republican Senate Majority Leader and 1996 GOP Presidential nominee, in 1983.

• “Money is the mother’s milk of politics.” — Jesse Unruh, Speaker of the California Assembly in the 1960s and California State Treasurer in the 1970s and 80s.


• “There are two things that are important in politics. The first is money and I can’t remember what the second one is.” — Mark Hanna, William McKinley’s 1896 presidential campaign manager and later senator from Ohio, in 1895.

Again, please leave other good examples in the comments or email them to me at any time — I’ll keep updating this indefinitely. I’m looking specifically for working politicians (rather than pundits or activists) who describe a tight linkage between money and political outcomes (as opposed to something vaguer).

[Source]

ML - President Barack Obama has been using his time in Africa to advocate for the rights and dignity of LGBT people. Currently, only 21 of the 56 countries on the continent have decriminalized homosexuality, and only South Africa has legal recognition for trans people.

Obama first arrived in Kenya, where, despite warnings not to discuss LGBT issues, he said in no uncertain terms that LGBT rights are human rights. Aware of his policy of spreading acceptance and protections abroad, many anti-gay Africans have been on their guard. So when a rainbow was seen in the sky as Air Force One landed in Addis Ababa on Sunday, a number of Ethiopian commentators had meltdowns.

The above photo, posted by Ethiopia's Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, was captioned:

"President Barack Obama just landed in ‪#‎AddisAbaba‬ ‪#‎Ethiopia‬ for his three days official visit. Stunning ‪#‎Rainbow‬ on the skies of Addis as he landed."

Comments quickly turned heated, however, as people lashed out at the LGBT community. Below are a number of comments rounded up by Gay Star News:

"This rainbow is sign of God’s protection from every evil activities like obama’s government allow homosexual not sign of well come."

"So be careful mr obama to your agendas and activities for this 2 days cuz this is Ethiopia not American or Kenya."

"Don’t forget ! In Our motherland Ethiopia , the rainbow symbolizes God’s promise for mankind, not homosexuality!"

"No dirty gay marriage in our continent Africa."

"Please keep your homosexual agenda in Air Force One before u step on the holy land. Thanks."

In Ethiopia, homosexuality is illegal and punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Over the years, President Obama's administration has embraced the promotion of LGBT rights and equality abroad as a cornerstone of foreign policy. Speaking alongside Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta last week, Obama said:

“I believe in the principle of treating people equally under the law, that they are deserving of equal protection under the law, that the state should not discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation."

[Source]

TEXAS - Back in the day, banks and savings and loans would give away toasters and other gifts to get new customers. Now, the Benny Boyd Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram dealership in Andrews, Texas, is taking the free-gift idea to a whole ‘nuther level.

A new car will get you spankin’ new gun, pardner.

That’s right. Buy a new car and you could also be a proud owner of a Smith & Wesson 9 mm handgun, an AR-15 assault rifle, or an American Ruger 243 deer rifle.

But it’s not as easy as it sounds. The dealership isn’t handing out weapons. It’s giving a $500 gift certificate to a local farm and ranch supply store, which requires the usual paperwork.



As you might expect, giving away guns is not all about selling cars, as General Manager Strate Colbath explained. “Just a lot of things going on right now around West Texas and a lot of things going on around the US. We thought this promotion would pretty much set us apart and celebrate our 2nd Amendment right.”

It seems to be working. The dealership is having a bang-up sales month that’s hotter than a two-dollar pistol.

[Source]

PHILADELPHIA – Angela Gardner, age 35, was shot in both her legs multiple times by Kenneth Bailor.


Angela, described as “always playing Candy Crush” is currently being treated in the emergency room in critical condition after being shot in both her legs. The gunman, 26 year old Kenneth Bailor is currently in custody and will face charges of attempted murder. Kenneth Bailor tells investigators, “I expecting a notification from bae but instead I was getting game invites from Angela.” He supposedly asked Angela Gardner to stop sending him game requests but she never stopped. He claims he even blocked her and she still sent him game invites. Bailor says, “it's like she was asking to be killed”.

“She played Candy Crush way too much,” says Allison Smith, a close friend of Angela. “She was getting annoying, it’s not that surprising that someone shot her, believe it or not.” It is reported Angela sent Kenneth and almost all her friends an average of 14 Candy Crush invites daily to all of her friends. Nurses reported that Angela, although, barely alive and well, asked for her iPhone so she can play “one more round of candy crush before I die.”

It is currently not known if Angela will survive the gunshot wounds, but it is obvious that she believes her life is over.

[Source]

YOUTUBE - "Filipino Food Or Not?" It's what these Americans answer in this hilarious, but informative video clip!

TORONTO - A University of Toronto research showed that Filipinos are the undisputed #1 bullies on the internet. See the rest of the list here.

3. Americans (United States)

2. English (United Kingdom)

1. Filipinos (Philippines)

NORTH CAROLINA - Watch this inmate walk out of prison by walking out. Security informed the media that he tricked the guards by impersonating his brother.

LOS ANGELES – It is being reported that rapper Kanye West and Kim Kardashian are separating after Kanye was allegedly caught masturbating to a picture of himself by his own wife Kim Kardashian.

Kanye West was discovered in his bedroom masturbating to a picture of himself. According to Kim, she walked back inside her home after forgetting her car keys, and walked inside her and Kanye’s bedroom where she found him masturbating. Upon discovering Kanye in the act, Kim immediately ran outside their home and began crying. “I cannot believe I married a man like that,” says Kim. “I can’t be with a man like,” she finished.

On top of that, Kanye reportedly continued to masturbate after he was discovered by Kim. Kanye West has not yet spoke to reporters about the incident. Kim Kardashian is expected to file for divorce soon. We will update you as the story develops.

[Source]

YOUTUBE - Renowned stand-up comedian and roasting specialist Jeff Ross went inside a high-security prison to make fun of the criminals inside. Watch it here!

FACEBOOK - After Ellen DeGeneres' invite to the infamous "Pabebe Girls," the duo posted their video response on their official Facebook page.

READ: "Pabebe Girls" Invited To The Ellen DeGeneres Show



The Pabebe Girls posted a video response on their official Facebook page that they're not interested with Ellen DeGeneres' invite. A partially-corrected excerpt has been provided below:

"Ellen DeGeneres, wala kaming paki sa show mo at hindi din kami interesado sa first class first class mo na yan. Kung sa tingin mo madadaan mo kami sa kalokohan mo, pwes nagkakamali ka. Dahil walang makakapigil samin. Di kami interesado sa show mo. At sa mga haters namin, inggit lang kayo kasi kami napapansin na sa ibang bansa. Wala na talagang makakapigil sa pag-papabebe namin."

Translation provided on the post's comments:
"Ellen DeGeneres, we don't care about your show and we are not interested with your first class flight offer. If you think that you can trick us, then you're mistaken. Because nobody can stop us. We are not interested with your show. And for our haters, you're just jealous because we're being noticed in other countries. Nobody can stop our 'pabebe ways.'"


The Pabebe Girls also posted a few more responses for those who "mock" them on national television, specifically ABS-CBN and GMA talents.

Ellen DeGeneres, whose popular daytime show is currently on its season break has been promoting her website as a new online lifestyle magazine destination.

NEW YORK - Rapper 50 is making headlines after filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy and now changing his rap name to 5 Cent.

Curtis Jackson, more known by his previous rap name 50 Cent, told the media that he intends to change his rap name to 5 Cent on all records from this point on. He said, "I want this change to reflect my current state in life. I'm down right now, but I'll get back up there."

Jackson lost a case over a sex tape he produced commentary on. He was to pay $5m and excess before filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Lastonia Leviston sued the Get Rich Or Die Tryin' rapper for invasion of privacy over the 13-minute video which appeared on the internet in 2009, featuring 50 Cent wearing a wig as narrator "Pimpin' Curly".

"This is not the end. I will be 50 Cent again," said the now 5 Cent. "I ain't done yet."

TWITTER - The Dallas Mavericks owner accidentally posted a screen cap of his email tab during the DeAndre Jordan free agency fiasco. Look at it in its entirety here!

Image too small? Click to enlarge

WASHINGTON - 'No, really, fuck every one of you,' Barack Obama exclaimed to the White House correspondents in a shocking turn of events.

President Obama went out on the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in rage Saturday night in the wake of conveying a discourse over and over advising the whole space to "fuck off."

"No, genuinely, every single one of you cocksuckers can go fuck yourselves; I fucking loathe every one of you," Obama said to the uproarious giggling and praise of the gathered legislators and media identities.

"Quit giggling. I'm not fucking joking, boneheads. Every one of you assembled here today are a group of cowardly, misleading bits of poop, and I have completely zero admiration for anybody in this room. Along these lines, fuck all of you, and may you and your families go straight to fucking hell."

Critics have lauded Obama's execution at the yearly supper, saying the president's jokes were sharp and his timing has "never been something more."

TEXAS - A man mocked alligators, then jumped in the water -- despite warning signs -- leading to his demise in Texas.

The Orange County Police were called to Burkart's Marina near the Louisiana with reports that Tommie Woodward, 28, and a still unidentified woman were swimming in a lake that's inhabited by large alligators.

Woodward's body was found several hours later. The woman was not injured.

Eyewitnesses told news reporters that Woodward kept shouting "crikey"at the alligators and told the largest, "I will make a belt out of your whole [expletive] crew."

LOS ANGELES - Philippine internet sensation "Pabebe Girls" were invited to The Ellen DeGeneres show earlier today by Ellen herself. The TV show host will pay for plane tickets and accommodation of the three girls involved in the original video.

The "Pabebe Girls" took the internet by storm with their video where they threatened people who do not agree with their "pabebe" ways. Whether they were serious or not remains unknown, but they've caught the attention of multiple local and international celebrities.


The latest international celebrity to hop on the "Pabebe Girls" hype train is 27 time Emmy award-winning TV show host Ellen DeGeneres who hosts her daytime show in the United States. The trio, including the girl who recorded the video, were invited by Ellen to come on the show.

"I'll pay for their plane tickets -- first class -- and their hotel fees. I really want them on the show," said Ellen.

Ellen was amazed at how passionate the "Pabebe Girls" were with their "pabebe" ways and was also intrigued by one of the girls' seemingly lack of eyebrows. The host joked: "I'll also pay for fake eyebrows if I have to."

READ: Pabebe Girls To Ellen: "Di kami interesado sa show mo!"