This July, Elton Brand signed a 79.8 million dollar contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. Coming off a serious Achilles injury that kept him on the bench until the last month of the 2007-08 NBA season, Brand said he felt reborn.. “This is like a second chance. I’ll be 30-something in a year or two, so it’s very important to go out there and win something I’ve been on the youngest team in the league, the lowest-paid team in the league. And we made the best of it, but it’s definitely time to win. All of a sudden you’re relevant and ready to play some ball.”

With two months to go before the NBA season begins, Elton Brand is making sure that ankle is in perfect shape and well rested. He’s spending this Labor day weekend in Puerto Rico. Yesterday he was at Brother Jimmy’s BBQ pool party with the likes of..

Lance Bass.. and friend.

Former Soprano girl, Jamie-Lynn Sigler.

And Carlton.

Hah! That’s the only reason I posted this.. an Alfonso Ribeiro sighting.
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Images: (McCarthy/Wireimage)

This past Friday singer/songwriter Marion Winans celebrated his birthday at Guest House in NYC. Not sure what he’s been up to lately, but a track called “What Can I Do” leaked a couple of days ago. Doesn’t sound much like him nor is it particularly distinctive.

But we’re partying, right? Let’s go.

ANTM’s Nik Pace stepped out for the occasion.

Momma Combs made the scene.

Don’t know her name, but I should.

Birthday gift?

These girls are funky and stylish. How could you not like someone rocking the Teddy Ruxpin? And uh.. I’m not a fan of the male manicure, but something needs to be done about that paw on the lower left..

Bammm!

What’s that 6’4.. 6’5.. Chick needs a ball in her hand → a basketball.

A splash of color.

Peace.

Look who gave up the fight; Halle Berry was out in public with her daughter Nahla Aubry and as you can see, held her up for the world to see. She is very cute. The type of kid you’d expect coming from the Berry genes..

Give me those baby feet!

Halle even gave the camera a pleasant look. This is all she had to do to keep the paparazzi out of the trees in her backyard. But she could have given Nahla a headstart on her college fund if she sold them as a People exclusive.

Where is this kid’s father? Since Halle Berry had the baby you rarely if ever see them together. Splitsville?

Much sooner than predicted Hurricane Gustav swirled into a category 3 storm this morning. The winds are at 125 mph. Having killed 78 people in the Caribbean and on target to impact Cuba today, Gustav’s next victim could be any place from New Orleans to Texas. By that time, with the warm Gulf of Mexico waters, it could be a category 4 or 5.

There are reports of early evacuations going on in New Orleans, but I remember this same scenario when Katrina was off the coast. It was a Sunday afternoon and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin was talking about people needing to evacuate, but little in the way of real concern. Somewhat understandable, no one could have imagined the entire city being underwater. But this time there is no excuse..

If you’re in New Orleans, you should be reading this from a laptop in Kansas.

Get the f-k out of town!

Take it from my man.

It’s Evacuation Time!

While everyone is taking sides and talking about where they stand on Sarah Palin and John McCain’s brain (or lack thereof) Chris Brown was spotted Wednesday morning jogging on the streets of Beverly Hills with his candidate of choice on full display.

That’s if you caught him before he dropped the shirt.

So this is why Chris has looked a little leaner than when his album dropped. Call it part Rihanna inspiration, part gotta keep the high school girls in a frenzy.

While Chris Brown was staying in shape, Rihanna was busy with her second love..

smiling for the cameras while shopping (on Melrose Ave.). I guess Rihanna is getting her money situation straightened out because that ‘news’ hasn’t kept her out of the stores or dulled her shine - she always looks stylish (no pun intened).

Who’s the kid with the blonde Mohawk?