James Reportedly Invited to Join the Olympic Team

LeBron James, Stephon Marbury and Shawn Marion will be invited to join the U.S. Olympic basketball team, sources have told Associated Press.

The USA Basketball Selection committee held a conference call Tuesday to choose several replacement players on a roster that will be missing some of the best American players.

Three sources with knowledge of the selection committee’s actions said the U.S. federation had decided to add James, the NBA’s rookie of the year, as the likely replacement at shooting guard for Kobe Bryant.

Marbury was added to replace Jason Kidd, who has indicated he’ll probably withdraw, and Marion will provide depth at forward with Elton Brand, Kevin Garnett and Karl Malone not expected to participate.

“I feel comfortable with the guys I’m going to go with,” said U.S. Coach Larry Brown.

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New Orleans Hornet owner George Shinn acknowledged reports that Byron Scott is among the leading candidates to replace fired coach Tim Floyd.

“Obviously Byron Scott is one of the top on our list. He has the credentials,” Shinn said. “I don’t want to say something that might discourage somebody else, but his record speaks for itself.”

The Hornets fired Floyd on Friday. Scott was replaced in January by the New Jersey Nets.

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Indiana Pacer point guard Jamaal Tinsley practiced and expected to start in tonight’s Game 4 against the Miami Heat after X-rays were negative on his ailing left ankle. ... Milwaukee Buck General Manager Larry Harris was ticketed May 4 on a drunk-driving charge in New Berlin, Wis. ... Ivan Chiriaev, a 7-foot-1 Canadian high school star, removed his name from the NBA draft and will probably try to play professionally in Europe. He has an agent.