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LeBron James was having a nice meal with his wife on a romantic getaway to Italy when someone came up to their table to say hello ... and it was none other than Elton John!!! The Los Angeles Lakers stud and 'Space Jam 2' star was enjoying the best Italian food money can buy while on vacation in Nerano with his wife, Savannah, when the Rocketman sauntered over to their table to exchange pleasantries.
At a Lakers home game in early November, where LeBron James is bopping through the crowd of reporters in the locker room, it’s “Out Tha Mud” by three-category nominee Roddy Ricch that’s booming for all to hear. At a mid-December game in Toronto, where former Raptors star Kawhi Leonard is in town for the first time with his Clippers, coach Nick Nurse is using the speaker inside his office near the locker room to go all the way back to 1972 with “Rocket Man” by Elton John (Grammy Legend award winner, 2001). But if you’re lucky enough to sneak into one of Donovan Mitchell’s off-day workouts, those creative sessions where the Utah guard works on his craft with assistant coach Johnnie Bryant, you’ll probably hear… Kenny G? Yes, Kenny G, the 16-time Grammy nominee and one-time winner whose dulcet saxophone tunes don’t typically make their way into the hoops space.
The network loved it, and the rest is history, set to a 60-piece orchestra. "Roundball Rock" became synonymous with NBC's glorious run of basketball coverage from 1990 until 2002. Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls never won an NBA title that wasn't accompanied by Tesh's theme. "Roundball Rock" was there when Shaq and Kobe ruled Laker-land; when Barkley made a Finals run as a Phoenix Sun; when O.J. Simpson's Bronco chase made chaos of a Knicks-Rockets final. "They played it every five seconds—into commercials, out of commercials," said Tesh, who owns the rights to the song. "It definitely put one of my kids through college." In 2002, ABC took over the NBA from NBC. "We offered it to ABC," Tesh said. "I sent a message saying, 'Hey, listen based on what this theme is, I know I could deliver me, Billy Joel, Elton John, The Edge. All these guys are fans of the theme, and we could all play it for you, and it would be an event." "They were like, 'No, we want a completely different song,'" Tesh said. "I get that."
Despite not winning a tournament in 18 months, Woods checks in at No. 6 on Forbes’ annual “Celebrity 100” list of the most powerful people or groups in the entertainment business. Lady Gaga tops Forbes’ overall rankings, followed by Oprah Winfrey, Justin Bieber, U2 and Elton John. In all, 19 athletes are on the list, including Miami Heat star LeBron James at No. 10 and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant at No. 14.
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Carmelo Anthony will flex his funny bone on "Saturday Night Live" tomorrow. Sources told us he'll appear in a segment on the show, which will feature Elton John as host and musical guest. "SNL" executive producer Lorne Michaels sat courtside at Monday's Knick game at MSG against the Orlando Magic, but sources say the two didn't speak about his upcoming appearance. An "SNL" spokeswoman said, "We never confirm guest stars."
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