NBA: In Toronto, Marty York writes that Raptors G Vince
Carter's "golden image is beginning to tarnish," as he has
"drawn criticism recently for being ... too much of a hot
dog and not enough of a team player, too mouthy with
officials and too affectionate with opponents" (Toronto
GLOBE & MAIL, 1/25)....Lakers G Kobe Bryant said that he
will "not defend his Slam Dunk title" at next month's All-
Star Game in Oakland "because his teammates, not some
ancillary individual title, come first" (OC REGISTER, 1/22).
NASCAR: Car owner Jack Roush is "going full speed ahead
with building a new race shop" in NC and "mapping out plans"
for driver Kevin Lepage "to run the entire" Winston Cup
season, despite having no sponsor for the car (DAYTONA NEWS-
JOURNAL, 1/22). Lepage was sponsored by TV Guide last year
(THE DAILY)....GA-based Realtree Outdoor Products has
renewed its primary sponsorship of Dave Marcis' Winston Cup
Chevrolet (NASCAR.com, 1/21).
XTREME SPORTS: In San Diego, Bill Center profiled the
marketability of Supercross racer Jeremy McGrath and writes
that Mattel is "getting ready to launch" a McGrath-branded
radio-controlled X-Treme Cycle, Hot Wheels car and action
figure. McGrath already has a line of clothes that "extend
from ... off-road riding gear to children's pajamas," as
well as his own video game. McGrath is also a national
spokesperson for Mazda trucks, Yamaha motorcycles, 1-800-
collect, SpyOptics, GT BMX Bicycles and No Fear Clothing.
McGrath, on his marketing: "We're just cracking the bottle
open" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 1/22).
