Apparently LeBron James isn't really releasing a new edition of his signature Nikes with "I love New York" stamped on the sole. The "leaked" photos that made the rounds on New Year's Eve were fakes, according to a spokesperson for Team Swoosh.

(Either that, or they've delayed the release until after King James signs with the Knicks. Hey, I can dream, right?)

Gilbert Arenas' handguns are not licensed in the District of Columbia, TMZ is reporting.

That revelation significantly ups the ante on Arenas' legal troubles... failure to properly register handguns in the District can carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Even if Arenas is somehow able to avoid criminal prosecution -- a possibility that seems remote at this point -- a significant NBA suspension is a virtual certainty at this point. The NBA's "zero tolerance" policy relating to handguns gives the commissioner's office total discretion when determining suspensions. A "remainder of the season" penalty - similar to the suspension given Ron Artest for his role in the infamous Pacers/Pistons brawl - might be in store.

Gilbert Arenas has released an official statement with his version of the confrontation between Agent Zero and Javaris Crittendon in the Wizards' locker room on December 21st. In what can only be called a minor upset, the statement comes via his attorney's Web site, and not Arenas' Twitter feed.

A highlight:

On Monday, December 21st, I took the unloaded guns out in a misguided effort to play a joke on a teammate.  Contrary to some press accounts, I never threatened or assaulted anyone with the guns and never pointed them at anyone.

Joke or not, I now recognize that what I did was a mistake and was wrong.  I should not have brought the guns to DC in the first place, and I now realize that there's no such thing as joking around when it comes to guns -- even if unloaded.

Read Arenas' full statement here.

Catching up on stories I've ignored while learning the ins-and-outs of the NBA's policy on firearms...

• Congratulations to Chris Bosh, who just became the leading scorer on Toronto Raptor history.
• I never get tired of watching big guys smash backboards... but Oklahoma's 290-pound Keith "Tiny" Gallon loses style points for missing the shot.
• Proving that the Washington Wizards aren't (necessarily) the most dysfunctional team in hoops... four members of the Tennessee Volunteers (including starter Tyler Smith) were arrested on drug and gun charges last week.
• Nate Robinson is officially back in Mike D'Antoni's rotation. Which means it's Larry Hughes' turn to start complaining.
• Evidence that playing overseas isn't always what it's cracked up to be... especially when the team stops cutting your paychecks.
• Not a fan of the fact that Tracy McGrady and Allen Iverson are in line to start the All-Star Game? Neither is Phil Jackson.
• The pick-and-roll is one of the most elementary plays in basketball. And one of the most popular.