Orlando Magic basketball star Dwight Howard had to go to court in Florida to keep Royce Reed – the mother of his 2-year-old son, Braylon – from talking about him. According to the request for injunction filed by Howard, Reed called him a deadbeat dad on her blog, via Twitter and in an ESPN interview.

Howard also alleged that Reed “is attempting to become a celebrity” based on her position as his son’s mother, agreeing to “participate in a VH1 television show called ‘NBA Wives.'” That show has apparently been put on hold (or canceled entirely) and was, interestingly enough, being produced by Shaquille O’Neal’s now-estranged wife, Shaunie O’Neal. (Shaunie filed for legal separation from Shaq earlier this month.)

The court ultimately granted a permanent injunction against Reed, prohibiting her from “using or publishing (orally, in writing, or otherwise), directly, indirectly or by innuendo, [Howard’s] name, nicknames, image, brand photographs, and/or likeness.” A review of the court record seems to indicate that the injunction was the result of a mediation – which means Reed agreed to the order. (We’d be interested to hear exactly how the situation was resolved in that negotiation. In most mediations, one party doesn’t give in unless he or she receives something in return.)

Howard and Reed, a former Magic dancer, dated briefly prior to Braylon’s birth in November 2007. She filed a paternity suit in the spring of 2008, although Howard had already publicly acknowledged paternity of the boy.