In Miami, Adam Beasley writes suspended Dolphins G RICHIE INCOGNITO's tweets on Monday and Tuesday "were as erratic" as his behavior in the locker room. In the "span of 24 hours, he appeared to fire his representatives, mega-firm Athletes First, only to take it back, telling the agency, 'I love you.'” Incognito also tweeted “How da (expletive) does joe still have a job?” -- a "possible reference to embattled" Dolphins coach JOE PHILBIN or Incognito’s agent JOE PANOS. Incognito was "far more conciliatory" yesterday morning. He tweeted, “I would like to also apologize to [Owner STEPHEN ROSS] and [TED WELLS]. (Expletive) got cray cray #MYBAD” (MIAMI HERALD, 2/19).
I'M THE TAXMAN: Thunder F KEVIN DURANT in a federal lawsuit is complaining his former accountant "made a number of mistakes on his company’s tax returns, such as deducting the cost of his personal chef as a business expense." Durant sued California-based accountant JOEL LYNN ELLIOTT in December on "counts of professional negligence, breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract." He is "asking for at least $200,000 on each count." The lawsuit is "pending in federal court in San Jose" and Elliott’s attorneys "have until March 13 to file a response" (OKLAHOMAN, 2/19).
NAMES: The Pirates yesterday were awarded with the Chuck Cooper Career Achievement in Leadership, Diversity & Community Service. Pirates President FRANK COONELLY accepted the award at a luncheon in the Lexus Club at PNC Park (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 2/19)....Boston Globe Owner JOHN HENRY plans to sell the newspaper's HQs on Morrissey Boulevard and "relocate the broadsheet to a smaller facility somewhere 'in the heart of' the Hub" (BOSTON HERALD, 2/19)....Nuggets G TY LAWSON appeared in a new PETA ad released yesterday. The "Ink, Not Mink," spot features Lawson "talking about how he'd rather tattoo his body than wear animal fur" (NEWS-RECORD.com, 2/18)....Heat F LEBRON JAMES’ eponymous family foundation on March 15 will present the “Aspire!” fundraiser at Todaro’s Party Center in Akron to benefit youth development programs at the Boys & Girls club of the Western Reserve (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 2/19)….Top Rank Chair BOB ARUM signed '12 Bronze Medal-winning Ukrainian boxer ALEXANDER GVOZDYK. He will make his pro debut in the spring (ESPN.com, 2/18)….Angels CF MIKE TROUT on Monday via Twitter announced that he would be “flying in from the Northeast" to Phoenix Sky Harbor Int'l Airport. When he landed, there were “roughly 200 fans” awaiting his arrival, and they lined up against the railing, “begging for autographs” (MLB.com, 2/18).
IN MEMORY: Former Tribune Media Exec VP/Media Operations JAMES DOWDLE, who ran the Cubs from '91-'00, died on Monday from congestive heart failure at the age of 79. Dowdle while running the Cubs was “hands-off … leaving the baseball decision to front office executives ANDY MACPHAIL and JIM HENDRY.” Dowdle is remembered as the man who hired late Cubs announcer HARRY CARAY away from the White Sox “despite opposition from other Tribune Co. executives” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/19).
