(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

With Joe Johnson missing the All-Star festivities this weekend, Kevin Durant will replace him the three-point competition. KD was in the three-point contest last year and finished last.

News: Kevin Durant to compete in 3-point contest @NBAAllStar this weekend. He replaces Joe Johnson of Hawks. #OKCAS12 twitter.com/okcthunder/sta…

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) February 22, 2012

(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

The Atlanta Hawks have announced that  Joe Johnson will miss the All-Star game due to knee tendinitis in his left knee. The Boston Celtics’ Rajon Rondo has been choosen to replace Johnson in the All-Star game.

#Celticstalk And then there were two … #Celtics all-stars this year. Rajon Rondo will replace #Hawks G/F Joe Johnson.

— A. Sherrod Blakely (@SherrodbCSN) February 22, 2012

The Let Jeremy Dunk campaign has paid off for the Jazz’s Jeremy Evans. Evans will replace rookie Iman Shumpert in Saturday’s dunk contest.

Video below Jeremy thanks Jazz fans.

(Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

I see the Chicago Sky are really serious about getting to the playoffs.

The Sky have signed veteran guard and WNBA champion Ticha Penicheiro. Penicheiro is the WNBA’s all-time assists leader with 2,560 and in 2005 won a championship with the Sacramento Monarchs.

Head Coach/GM Pokey Chatman (Via Sky):

“A true leader, great teammate, and All-Time WNBA leader in assists, are just a few things that come to mind when speaking about Ticha. Needless to say, I’m thrilled she has chosen to join the Chicago Sky. I’m looking forward to the wealth of experience she will bring to our young core players, as well as continuing some of the best offensive efficiency of her career.”

Penicheiro was with the LA Sparks for the last two season’s and averaged 6.0 points per, 4.8 assists, and 2.8 rebounds last season.

Now that the word is out, I would like to thank the Sparks’ organization and the fans for 2 great years!! I wish you nothing but the best.

— Ticha Penicheiro (@TichaPenicheiro) February 22, 2012

I’m extremely excited about this new opportunity. I can’t wait for the season to start + team up with @pokeychatman!! #ChicagoSky

— Ticha Penicheiro (@TichaPenicheiro) February 22, 2012

USA Basketball will be sporting new uniforms for the Olympics this summer. Nike unveiled the new Nike Hyper Elite Uniform and they say the uniforms are  lighter. Nike also says the jersey is made of 96 percent polyester and the shorts are 100 percent polyester.

More on the new uniforms:

The innovation begins with Nike Aerographics, an engineered fabric that is a passive cooling solution allowing greater design and graphic flexibility while creating mesh areas in a garment without adding seams. It adds graphic interest to a garment that actually contributes to the performance by increasing air circulation. The Nike Hyper Elite Shorts to be worn by the USA Basketball team alone weigh in at 14 ounces lighter than the average shorts currently worn by professional players. Further, since unveiling Nike Aerographics in 2008, the NIKE design team has harnessed the technology’s bold design applications and endless graphic possibilities.

Taking these advancements into account, the NIKE Hyper Elite Jersey, our lightest jersey ever, features a breathable and durable design with striking Nike Aerographics. Its 3D-structured Dri-FIT fabric helps pull sweat away from the skin and reduce cling while a functional flock screenprint on the inside of the collar provides further sweat management. The sleeveless v-neck silhouette, including hem vents and modified armholes, offers mobility while the slim fit reduces bulkiness and distraction.

Take a closer look at the uniforms below.

(Source)

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Monday night, the Mavericks hosted to Celtics and beat them 89-73 . At the 5:59 mark, Jason Kidd stole a pass and that moved him past Michael Jordan for second in steals all-time. For the game, Kidd had three steals and his total stands at 2,517 now. John Stockton has the most steals in NBA history with 3,265.

Jason Kidd on passing MJ (Via ESPN Dallas):

“Well because Mike is everybody’s idol, he played both ends of the court,” Kidd said about passing Jordan. “Just being able to pass him in something is an honor in itself. When you talk about defense, he played both sides of the ball. (John) Stockton and Jordan are the two best at what they do. When you talk about guards, those two are the best all-time.”

(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

After the Lakers lost to the Suns Sunday, Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol made comments about the trade rumors involving Gasol. Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak has responded to those comments.

Via Lakers:

“As a former player, I understand how the days leading up to the trade deadline can be nerve-wracking for an NBA player. Nonetheless, as General Manager of the Lakers, I have a responsibility to ownership, our fans and the players on this team to actively pursue opportunities to improve the team for this season and seasons to come. To say publicly that we would not do this would serve no purpose and put us at a competitive disadvantage. Taking such a course of action at this time would be a disservice to ownership, the team and our many fans.

You can read what Kobe and Pau said here.

(Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

The Blazers have announced that Greg Oden underwent microfracture surgery on his left knee today and will miss the remainder of the season.

Via Trail Blazers:

“Initially, Greg was undergoing a procedure similar to the one he had a couple of weeks ago to have debris cleared from his right knee,” said Acting General Manager Chad Buchanan. “However, once the doctors were inside Greg’s left knee, they unfortunately found articular surface damage and determined microfracture was necessary.”

Earlier this month, Oden had a procedure done on his right knee to remove debris. Since being drafted in 2007, Oden has played a total of 82 games for the Blazers.

(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

The Celtics will be without the services of Rajon Rondo for two games. The NBA has suspended Rondo for two games for throwing a ball at a referee in Sunday’s game in Detroit. Rondo thought he got fouled on a play in the third quarter and didn’t like the no call.

The suspension begins tonight for the Celtics game in Dallas and for their game Wednesday against OKC.

Watch the incident below.

(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

The participants for the 2012 Taco Bell Skills Challenge have been named. Warriors’ Stephen Curry is the reigning champ and will try to defend is challenge.

Stephen Curry- Golden State Warriors

Kyrie Irving- Cleveland Cavaliers

Tony Parker- San Antonio Spurs

John Wall- Washington Wizards

Russell Westbrook- OKC Thunder

Deron Williams- New Jersey Nets