James will get invite for Athens

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

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

Three sources with knowledge of the selection committee’s actions, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the U.S. federation had decided to add the 19-year-old 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 likely withdraw, and Marion will provide depth at forward with Elton Brand, Kevin Garnett and Karl Malone not expected to participate.

The committee is still awaiting definitive word from Shaquille O’Neal, who has said his decision will depend in part on how far the Los Angeles Lakers advance in the NBA playoffs.

Tim Duncan reaffirmed his commitment to play last weekend, and Jermaine O’Neal, Richard Jefferson and Allen Iverson also will be members of the American team that will open training camp in late July.

Scott meeting with Hornets

Byron Scott is among the leading candidates to replace Tim Floyd as New Orleans Hornets head coach.

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

Shinn said he wasn’t sure when Scott would visit New Orleans but ruled out this week. He didn’t mention the names of other candidates but assured there would be more.

Bucks GM cited

Milwaukee Bucks general manager Larry Harris has been ticketed for drunken driving in New Berlin, Wis.

Harris was pulled over May 4 for driving erratically, and his breath test showed a blood alcohol level of 0.10 percent, police Lt. Dave Dunn said.

The state’s legal limit is 0.08 percent.