Hooped Up

The Ohio State Buckeyes, beginning in the Big Ten Tournament, will become the first team to wear LeBron James’ “LJ23” logo on their uniform and will also be issued James’ signature shoes. In the past, Ohio State has simply worn the standard Nike swoosh.

“Ohio State is my pick in the tournament,” James said. “I just like the way they play; you got four freshmen out on the court. It reminds me of when I was a freshman in high school and the things we did.”

Beacon-Journal

Brian Cardinal underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Tuesday for problems related to a chronic knee condition. The veteran will miss the remainder of the regular season following the procedure performed by team physician Dr. Fred Azar at the Campbell Clinic. As the Grizzlies prepared to face the Utah Jazz tonight in FedExForum, Cardinal began to put behind him another disappointing season. He appeared in 28 games and averaged 11 minutes but never became a fixture in the rotation.

Memphis Commercial Appeal

Cedric Maxwell will apologize for saying a female referee should “go back to the kitchen,” over the air during a Boston Celtics game Monday night on WEEI-AM, a station official said Tuesday.

Over the airwaves, Maxwell ordered female referee Violet Palmer to vamoose after she made a controversial call.

“Go back to the kitchen,” Maxwell said.

Maxwell re-launched after a brief moment of silence, saying “Go in there and make me some bacon and eggs, would you?”

Boston Herald

Knick forward David Lee has been inactive for the past two games with a right ankle sprain, and, according to the New York Post, it doesn’t look good for tonight’s game in Boston.

“No, it still hurts,” he said. “It’s going to be a little while.”

Knicks coach/president Isiah Thomas said Lee didn’t do anything at yesterday’s practice, but he envisions him returning against Golden State on Friday.

“We’re going to need him healthy and live and vibrant,” Thomas said. “If he has to miss one more game, so be it. But I don’t see him missing more than one more game, but you never know with the ankles.”

New York Post

Derek Fisher, who was named president of the NBA Players Association over All-Star weekend, says his fellow players are being unfairly linked to reports of crime and violence from All-Star weekend in Las Vegas.

“I’ve heard a lot of opinions [in the media], but those ought to be reserved for when something actually happens. To associate the violence with the players, that’s not a fair assessment,” the veteran Utah Jazz guard was quoted as saying in the Los Angeles Times.

Las Vegas police made a reported 362 arrests, and several shooting incidents were reported, although none were fatal. The only professional athlete linked to any of the violence was Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones, whom police say sparked a melee that led to a triple shooting when he showered nightclub dancers with several thousand dollars as a visual effect. A scuffle broke out when the Houston promoter who hired the dancers told them to pick the money up.

ESPN

You know how we know that the Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard is just starting to break the ceiling of NBA stardom? He’s hanging out with porn stars.

Deadspin

Here is an excuse to look at women (SFW)

Black Sports

Reports of crime and violence in Las Vegas during All-Star weekend have NBA Players Association executive director Billy Hunter concerned about New Orleans’ ability to host the NBA’s midseason party next season.

On Monday, Hunter told Newsday that he’ll take the NBA to court to try and move the game if New Orleans, still recovering from Hurricane Katrina, can’t prove it’s ready to handle the event.

“If the union is not convinced that the city can accommodate the All-Star Game, it’s an issue that will be subject to litigation between the union and the league,” Hunter said.

ESPN

Will Conroy of the Tulsa 66ers has received his second call-up of the season from the Los Angeles Clippers . Conroy was signed to a 10 day contract by the Memphis GrizzliesClippers this season. To make room for the signing, shooting guard Von Wafer will not remain with Los Angeles.

The Clippers have suddenly become thin at the point guard position due to the gruesome knee injury suffered by Shaun Livingston last night. Sam Cassell isn’t totally healthy either (though he plays limited minutes), and the only other ball-handler on their roster is Daniel Ewing.

DraftExpress

The Knicks learned on Tuesday that Jamal Crawford will likely require season-ending surgery on a stress fracture in his right ankle, though the team said it’s possible he could return if the Knicks make the playoffs.

“It’s very disappointing, honestly,” Crawford told reporters on Tuesday. “You never expect anything like this to happen. I guess it’s just part of life.”

Crawford told reporters that surgery is “not definite, but a strong possibility.”

ESPN