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Cleveland Indians to give Michael Brantley a few days to rest shoulder, not supposed to be serious concern

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Cleveland Indians are giving Michael Brantley a few days to rest his shoulder. The team remains thrilled with his comeback from surgery.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Indians are going to give Mike Brantley a few days of rest from game action.

Manager Terry Francona said that Brantley has had a few problems "bouncing back" from playing games. It's not supposed to be a major concern.

Brantley had surgery on his right shoulder to repair a torn labrum on Nov. 9. The original report was the Tribe's star left fielder would be out five to six months. There were rumors it would be much longer than that.

"He is so far ahead of where he was projected to be," said Francona, adding that's why he didn't want to put any pressure on Brantley be ready for opening day.

"It's not fair to (put opening day expectations on) him," said Francona.

Brantley played in his first Cactus League game Saturday night. He batted three times, hit a homer and also threw out a runner at home from left field. He also played Monday, and was 0-for-2 with a walk.

"Because he's so far ahead of schedule, these things do crop up," said Francona. "That's why we're going to give him two days (to rest)."


What separates the Cleveland Cavaliers from the other two top teams, Golden State and San Antonio? (video)

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Chris Fedor, Bud Shaw and Michael Reghi discuss what the game over the weekend between the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors showed about the Cleveland Cavaliers. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Over the weekend, the Cleveland Cavaliers' clash with the Miami Heat wasn't the only intriguing game in the NBA. 

The top-seeded Golden State Warriors traveled to San Antonio to take on the second-seeded Spurs. The Warriors entered that game having lost 32 straight games in San Antonio and that streak was extended to 33 after the 87-79 loss. 

What did that game between the two Western Conference title contenders show about the Cavaliers? What separates the Cavs from the Spurs and Warriors? 

Michael Reghi, Bud Shaw and I discussed that. 

Watch the video above.

Live updates and chat: Cleveland Indians vs. Kansas City Royals at 4:05 p.m.

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Danny Salazar will start for the Tribe. Carlos Santana will bat leadoff.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Get scoring updates and participate in a chat in the comments section below as the Indians battle the defending champion Kansas City Royals at Goodyear Ballpark.

Broadcast info: SportsTime Ohio, Indians.com

Indians lineup

1B Carlos Santana

SS Francisco Lindor

2B Jason Kipnis

DH Mike Napoli

LF Will Venable

RF Marlon Byrd

3B Juan Uribe

CF Tyler Naquin

C Roberto Perez

Pitchers: Danny Salazar, Cody Allen, Jeff Manship, Zach McAllister, Kyle Crockett, Austin Adams

Report: LeBron James would take 'pay cut' to play with Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul

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LeBron James told The Bleacher Report that he hopes to play a year or two with friends Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - LeBron James said he would "take a pay cut" to play on the same team with friends Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and Dwyane Wade, and reportedly wants it to happen before one of them retires.

"I really hope that, before our career is over, we can all play together," James told The Bleacher Report's Howard Beck, for an expose on the long friendship between James and Wade.

"I would actually take a pay cut to do that," James said. "It would be pretty cool. I've definitely had thoughts about it."

The story, which, as previously mentioned, focuses almost entirely on the friendship and competing, 13-year NBA careers of James and Anthony, comes at perhaps not the best time for Cavs fans who are worried about James' future in Cleveland.

It's been a strange few weeks for the King in northeast Ohio, with various controversies sparked by James' use of Twitter as it relates to his happiness on the Cavs.

SEE: LeBron unfollows Cavs on Twitter

But James spoke to Beck on Feb. 8, before the All-Star break and before there was virtually any speculation about James conceivably leaving Cleveland for a second time. To that end, there still hasn't been any credible speculation that James is indeed considering leaving again, and he has in the past on multiple occasions expressed his intent to perhaps finish his career here.

But, given the weirdness surrounding James lately, when paired with his comments to Beck, it's enough to play the game virtually no Clevelander wants to play - what if?

James can be a free agent at season's end, and it is almost certain he will opt out of his two-year, $47 million contract - just like he did last summer when he re-signed with the Cavs. He's decided to take small deals like this so he can increase his earning potential each season, but it also leaves him with flexibility to do something, well, like this.

Wade will also be a free agent - he's playing out a one-year, $20 million contract now. Paul's got a player's option in 2017-18. Anthony is under contract through that season, with a player's option for the following summer.

Beck reported in the piece that the four of them all own homes in Los Angeles. James, as reported by cleveland.com and other outlets, purchased a $21 million estate there last year and his business partner, Maverick Carter, also has a home in L.A. now. Wade apparently bought a home there over the summer. Paul plays for the Clippers, and Anthony already spends his summers there, Beck wrote.

Also, last week, James posted a collage to Instagram of himself with his three friends, with a message that included this sentence: "Who cares what others say that don't agree with decisions we make because it doesn't matter, this is our journey, the path we was giving and we'll continue to walk it heads high guarding each others back throughout it all."

So if the - it's premature to call them the Big 4, right? - foursome were to try to get together, where could they do it?

The Knicks will have somewhere between $22 million and $34 million in cap space next season for a projected $90 million cap, but would be hard pressed to round up the assets to pry Paul away from the Clippers in a trade.

The Clippers could have between $7 million and $13 million in cap space, and could perhaps entice the Knicks with a trade for Anthony's $24.6 million contract next season, but James and Wade would have to take considerable pay cuts, to the point where an immediate L.A. gathering isn't feasible.

The Cavs, meanwhile, have been mentioned peripherally in trade rumors surrounding Anthony and Paul (for, separately, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving) though front office sources say there was no truth in either case. Sources said James had never expressed a desire to Cleveland's front office to acquire either Anthony or Paul (or, for that matter, Wade). But here it is, in print, James stating his hope to one day play with all three.

Finally, there's James' letter from July, 2014, announcing his return to Cleveland from Miami (where he played four seasons with Wade and won two titles).

In that letter, James said: "My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn't realize that four years ago. I do now."

James also said: "what's most important for me is bringing one trophy back to Northeast Ohio," and "I always believed that I'd return to Cleveland and finish my career there."

READ: LeBron's 'I'm coming home' letter

Taken together, it's hard to see how it all adds up - James living up to what he wrote two years ago and what he's said about playing with Anthony, Wade, and Paul.

James was most likely talking with Beck about the distant future. Then again, he's 31, Wade is 34, Paul is 30 and Anthony is 31. Wade has won three titles, and both he and Anthony have battled some health issues. James has dealt with a bad back.

In other words, it's also tough to figure how much time together the four have left in the NBA.

Keep Saturday open on your calendars. James and the Cavs will be in New York to play Anthony and the Knicks. Think this will come up?

Are two Haslams better than one for the Browns?-- Bud Shaw's You Said It

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Cleveland sports fans wonder about Dee Haslam's role with the Browns and the state of the OSU-Michigan rivalry after Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh went after OSU AD Gene Smith on Twitter.

Joe Garagiola, ex-player turned glib broadcaster, dies at 90

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The Arizona Diamondbacks say Garagiola died Wednesday. He had been in ill health in recent years.

PHOENIX -- Joe Garagiola, who turned a modest major league catching career into a 57-year run as a popular broadcaster in the sports world and beyond, died Wednesday. He was 90.

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced his death before their exhibition game against San Francisco, and there murmurs of shock and sadness at the ballpark. Garagiola had been in ill health in recent years.

Growing up in the Hill neighborhood of St. Louis not far from future Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, Garagiola went on to hit .257 during nine years in the majors. His highlight came early, getting a four-hit game in the 1946 World Series and helping the hometown Cardinals win the championship as a 20-year-old rookie.

"Not only was I not the best catcher in the major leagues, I wasn't even the best catcher on my street," Garagiola once remarked.

But it was after he stopped playing that his fortunes took off. He thrived as a glib baseball broadcaster and fixture on the "Today" show, leading to a nearly 30-year association with NBC.

Garagiola won baseball's Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in broadcasting in 1991. He kept working well into his 80s, serving as a part-time analyst for Diamondbacks telecasts until he announced his retirement in February 2013.

"He had a genuine impact on the craft. He was among the first to bring a humorous, story-telling style to the booth," NBC announcer Bob Costas said.

Garagiola's son, Joe Jr., is a former general manager of the Diamondbacks and a current executive with Major League Baseball.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of this amazing man," his family said in a statement, "who was not just beloved to those of us in his family, but to generations of baseball fans who he impacted during his eight decades in the game."

"Joe loved the game and passed that love onto family, his friends, his teammates, his listeners and everyone he came across as a player and broadcaster. His impact on the game, both on and off the field, will forever be felt."

Commissioner Rob Manfred said "all of us at Major League Baseball are deeply saddened by the loss of Joe Garagiola."

"Joe began illustrious career as a baseball player, but it wasn't long before everyone knew that this unique individual would combine his multi-talented media skills and wonderful personality to make a mark off the field as well," Manfred said.

Manfred also praised Garagiola for being a leader in baseball's fight against smokeless tobacco.

The Cardinals signed Garagiola after rejecting Berra at a 1943 tryout. The two remained lifelong friends, with Berra often the good-natured subject of Garagiola's wit. Berra died last Sept. 15.

When both men entered retirement communities a few years ago, Garagiola recalled a phone conversation with Berra.

"I said, 'How's it going, Yog?'" Garagiola said, "and he said, 'It's all right, but geez, they've got a lot of old people here.'"

Garagiola played for the Cardinals, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs. He broke in with the Cardinals, joining a powerful team led by the great Stan Musial. Garagiola got four hits in Game 4 of the 1946 Series against Boston and batted .316 overall as St. Louis beat the Red Sox in seven games.

Garagiola broke into broadcasting in 1955 as a radio and television analyst for the Cardinals. He spent 27 years at NBC and was paired with Tony Kubek as the lead broadcast team from 1976-82 and then with Vin Scully from 1984-88. He was 62 when he left on Nov. 1, 1988, when his contract expired. He broadcast Angels home games on TV in 1990.

He didn't limit his talents to sportscasting.

Garagiola was a co-host of the "Today" show from 1969-1973, working with Barbara Walters and Hugh Downs, and again from 1990-1992, working with Bryant Gumbel and Katie Couric.

"God I'll miss Joe Garagiola. Was part of the soul of our show, and told me stories that made me laugh till I cried. Hall of fame person," tweeted "Today" host Matt Lauer.

When he stepped down from hosting in 1992, he continued as a "Today" correspondent at large, doing sports and human interest stories. Garagiola also stepped in on occasion to host "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," including a 1968 show featuring guests John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

Garagiola's work as a commentator for the Westminster dog show helped inspire Fred Willard's daffy character Buck Laughlin in the mockumentary "Best in Show."

"One of the world's good guys," said his longtime Westminster broadcasting partner, David Frei. "He loved the game, of course, but he loved life. That's why he was so well-loved everywhere he went, including the dog show."

Garagiola is survived by his wife of 66 years, Audrey, sons Joe Jr. and Steve, daughter Gina and eight grandchildren.

The funeral will be held at an unspecified date in his hometown of St. Louis. A memorial service also will be held in Phoenix.

Northwestern football adds three-star defensive end Trevor Kent of Kansas

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Trevor Kent is rated three stars by 247Sports.com and is the highest-ranked player in Kansas for the Class of 2017. He joins Pat Fitzgerald's Northwestern Wildcats.

TrevorKent.jpgTrevor Kent 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Pat Fitzgerald's Northwestern football program added to its pass rush Wednesday with a verbal commitment from Pittsburg, Kansas standout Trevor Kent.

A 6-foot-5, 253-pound defensive end, Kent is rated three stars by 247Sports.com and is the highest-ranked player in Kansas for the Class of 2017. He visited the Wildcats a week ago and announced his decision Wednesday on his Twitter account.

Kent's other offers included Oklahoma, Michigan and Nebraska. In-state schools Kansas and Kansas State also offered scholarships to Kent. Northwestern was one of the first to express interest.

Kent wrote in a message he posted on Twitter, "I have looked over all of my options and found a school that is a perfect fit for me. World class academics, an outstanding football program and great people!"

See highlights from Kent's junior season at Pittsburg in the Hudl video below.

Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email (mgoul@cleveland.com). Or log in and leave a message below in the comments section.

Cleveland Indians 2016 opening day roster projection: Paul Hoynes

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Here is beat writer Paul Hoynes' pick for the 25-man Indians roster for the April 4 season opener at Progressive Field.


How Scott Atchison ended up back with the Cleveland Indians: Previewing the Thursday Conversation

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In this week's Thursday Conversation, Atchison will detail the events from last year that led to him retiring and, ultimately, rejoining the Indians as a coach.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- For some athletes, the end can be daunting. Scott Atchison was at peace.

For a right-hander selected in the 49th round of the 1998 amateur draft, 17 years in the professional ranks -- he debuted in 1999 -- were more than enough.

He didn't care to latch on with a team as a spring training invitee and attempt to claim a bullpen spot as his 40th birthday approached. When the Indians cut ties with the reliever last June, he figured he'd give it one more try. It didn't work out in Minnesota, though, so at the end of the regular season, he called it a career.

That career included two years in Japan and major league stints with the Mariners, Mets, Giants, Red Sox and Indians.

Perhaps his most cherished season came with the Tribe in 2014. Atchison logged a career-high 70 appearances and he posted a 6-0 record and a 2.75 ERA, as he limited the opposition to 60 hits in 72 innings. He bridged the gap to late-inning relievers Bryan Shaw and Cody Allen and he earned a contract extension.

Atchison, however, began the 2015 season as a 39-year-old with more than 1,400 innings to his name as a professional. An arm can only take so much. Atchison found it increasingly challenging to bounce back from outings. It made the decision to retire a relatively easy one.

Atchison didn't wait long to move on to the next leg of his baseball journey. The Indians hired him over the off-season to serve on the big-league coaching staff. He'll help with advanced scouting reports and assist pitching coach Mickey Callaway and bullpen coach Jason Bere.

"Atch is somebody we respected so much," said manager Terry Francona. "The minute he decided he wanted to get back into coaching, we started talking about it and we talked to Atch about it. It seemed like a really nice transition into him coaching. I think it'll help him and it'll help us, too. Even though he's technically a rookie coach, he was a veteran pitcher who really paid attention."

In this week's Thursday Conversation, Atchison will detail the events from last year that led to him retiring and, ultimately, rejoining the Indians as a coach. He'll discuss his new duties and how his relationship with his former teammates is a bit different in his new role.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Milwaukee Bucks: Live chat and updates

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Get the latest updates and analysis on the Cleveland Cavaliers game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers will play the final home game before their two-game trip when they welcome the Milwaukee Bucks to town on Wednesday night.

Follow along in the comments section as Chris Haynes and Joe Vardon bring you observations and analysis throughout the game.

Make sure to follow Chris Haynes and Joe Vardon on Twitter.

Game 71: Cavs (50-20) vs. Bucks (30-41)

Tip off: 7 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena.

TV/radio: Fox Sports Ohio; WTAM AM/1100, WMMS 100.7 FM, 87.7 FM (ESP)

Cavs probable starting lineup: Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith, LeBron James, Kevin Love and Timofey Mozgov.

Bucks probable starting lineup: Jerryd Bayless, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker and Greg Monroe.

FREQUENTLY REFRESH this page to get the latest updates. If you're viewing this on a mobile app, click here to get updates and comment.

Cleveland Indians tell Michael Martinez, two others that they won't make final roster

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Utility man Michael Martinez and catcher Guillermo Quiroz won't make the Indians' opening day roster, but will stay in big league camp. Right-hander Felipe Paulino was sent to minors, while right-hander Craig Stammen won't exercise his out clause.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Indians continued to thin the roster Wednesday in preparation for opening the season on April 4 at Progressive Field.

Utility man Michael Martinez and catcher Guillermo Quiroz were told that they would not make the club, but will stay in big-league camp. Reliever Felipe Paulino was sent to the minors, but it's unclear if he'll stay in the organization.

Right-hander Craig Stammen, still recovering from right forearm surgery, had an out clause in his minor league contract that he could have exercised Sunday. After talking to manager Terry Francona, Stammen agreed to stay with the organization.

Martinez, a switch-hitter, is having a good spring. He's hitting .290 (9-for-30) with one homers and two RBI. Like Quiroz, he's in camp on a minor-league deal. The Indians acquired Quiroz after Tony Walters was designated for assignment in February.

Felipe Paulino, another minor-league free agent, posted a 9.45 ERA this spring. He allowed seven earned runs on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings. Paulino walked eight and struck out seven.

"We told Paulino that we had guys in front of him," Francona told reporters Wednesday morning in Goodyear. "He's going to go to the (minors) and pitch. We told him if he wants to look around with other teams, he's free to do that."

Stammen has spent almost six years in the big leagues, all with the Nationals. He underwent season-ending surgery in April and is still recovering.

"He seems to be happy and we're thrilled with his work ethic, who he is and what he's going to be," said Francona. "We just didn't want to assume anything."

Stammen, Hunter gives Tribe depth in pen

Stammen and Tommy Hunter, another veteran reliever, will not be ready for the regular season, but the Indians like the idea of being able to go to them at sometime this season when they need help in the pen.

Here are some other things Francona touched on Wednesday:

Jeff Manship has not had a good spring, but he owns a spot in the pen based on what he did last year.

"He knows he's going to be a part of our bullpen," said Francona. "There has been a couple of games where he's left some balls up, fallen behind and had to come in and gotten hit. But we've seen enough against righties where he's gotten ahead and he's thrown his slider and just kind of abused guys. He'll be fine."

Francona said he'll probably open the year with a seven-man bullpen. At the most, he will include one left-hander. Asked if he would carry two lefties and Francona said no.

Catcher Yan Gomes went home with the flu-like illness that has worked its way through the roster and coaching staff this spring.

Yan Gomes draws strength from MMA fighters

Rajai Davis and Lonnie Chisenhall went to the minors to get some at-bats on Wednesday.

Lefties Ross Detwiler, Tom Gorzelanny and Joe Thatcher, along with right-hander Tommy Hunter, threw a simulated game Wednesday morning against all left-handed hitters.

The Indians, with their 7-6 win over Kansas City on Wednesday, have won five straight games in the Cactus League. They're 11-10-2 overall.

Finally: Trevor Bauer will face Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers on Thursday at 10:05 p.m. ET at Goodyear Ballpark. The game will be televised on MLB Network. The webcast can be heard on Indians.com

Dan Otero, Bryan Shaw, Joba Chamberlain, Manship and Jarrett Grube are scheduled to follow Bauer.

Cleveland Indians scribbles from Goodyear: Tyler Naquin's two homers impress Terry Francona -- Terry Pluto (photos)

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Cleveland Indians rookie Tyler Naquin hit his first two homers of the spring and is batting .455, impressing Manager Terry Francona.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Scribbles in my notebook as the Tribe beat the Royals, 7-6, and Tyler Naquin continues to sparkle.

1. Naquin had two homers and a double, raising his spring batting average to .447. After the game, manager Terry Francona came very close to putting the rookie on the team: "He's really doing everything you can do. We'll get to the point where we will start to do things (about the roster). ... There is a time to start saying things about guys ... and he has done a really good job."

2. A few hours before he slammed two home runs, I was talking to Naquin. We discussed him finally being healthy after two years which included a hip injury, concussion and broken hand when hit by a pitch. The first two injuries came when he ran into outfield walls. "I've had some weird injuries at inopportune times," he said.

3. We talked hitting. He batted a combined .300 between Class AA Akron and Class AAA Columbus. He had 11 homers in 631 at-bats. He came into the game without a homer this spring. "I'm not a big power guy," Naquin said. "But I can drive the ball out of the park."

4. This was a sunny, windy Arizona desert day when the ball does carry. But Naquin also hammered his two homers more than 400 feet. His double was a sizzling line drive to right-center. He is 24 and the Tribe's first pick from 2012.

5. "(Naquin) is a strong kid," said Francona. "I don't know if we know what kind of hitter he will be. You just don't know with young guys. It's not like he's lacking strength. I don't care what ballpark you're in, those balls were hit really hard."

6. Naquin on hitting: "I go to the plate looking to swing at strikes and hit the ball up the middle. That's always been my approach. I just want to get on base."

7. Kris Medlen gave up both homers. Medlen didn't know Naquin's name, but he told reporters: "That dude, the young dude in center, he's got a really good swing."

8. When Michael Brantley came to the Tribe, it took him a few years to develop his power. He didn't hit 10 homers in a season until he was 26. That was in 2013. In the last two years, Brantley has 35 homers. Could that happen with Naquin? That was Francona's point. No one knows.

9. The Indians are giving Brantley a few days off to rest his surgically repaired shoulder. Francona said it's not serious, and Brantley remains well ahead of schedule.

10. Francisco Lindor hit his first homer of the spring. He's batting .289 and looks ready. Jason Kipnis hit his third homer.

11. Danny Salazar had a rough day, giving up six runs (five earned) in 2 1/3 innings. He consistently pitched from behind in the count. He was bouncing his breaking ball. Salazar gave up six hits and walked three.

12. Francona said he wanted Salazar to go five innings. According to Francona, Salazar said he had trouble gripping the ball, "and Danny balked about 12 times, they just didn't call it." Francona is not worried, but you can tell the manager was hoping for more from one of his key starting pitchers.

13. Salazar has a 7.63 ERA in spring training. He is a lousy spring pitcher, his career Arizona ERA is 6.16. Last spring, he had a 8.18 ERA and was sent briefly to the minors.

14. Marlon Byrd has had some iffy moments in right field. He bobbled a grounder in Sunday's game. He wasn't charged with an error, but showed he was rusty. In Tuesday's game with the bases loaded, Reymond Fuentes lined a single near the right field line. Byrd ran over to field it, then sort of over-ran the ball. It rolled past Byrd for a 2-base error.

15. Byrd didn't report to the Tribe until last Friday. The 38-year-old veteran was a free agent hoping for a guaranteed big league deal. He finally signed a minor league contract with Tribe. Byrd was 1-for-3, and is 3-of-8 this spring.

LeBron James missed a dunk but is really on the mark: Joe Vardon's instant analysis

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LeBron James compiled 26 points, six rebounds, and eight assists in Cleveland's win over Milwaukee.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The play of the night for LeBron James, the best sign that he is perhaps truly shifting into postseason mode now, didn't even go in the hoop.

With 3:07 left in the fourth quarter of the Cavs' 113-104 win over the Milwaukee Bucks Wednesday night, James came tearing down the lane for a full assault on the rim.

The 6-11 Miles Plumlee was among those standing and jumping in James' way. He cocked the ball back mid-air and tried to cram it home. The dunk missed and no foul was called (looked like James could've gotten a whistle there), but the sheer athleticism of the play said it all.

James has his legs and that look with just 11 games before the second season starts.

James finished with 26 points, six rebounds, and eight assists on 9-of-22 shooting in 37 minutes. He had a few spry-looking slams, including one where he caught a no-look pass from J.R. Smith in the third quarter and did a reverse dunk in traffic.

On Tuesday James confirmed what sources close to him said the night before - that some of his behavior (Twitter, anyone?) was attributed to his sharpening focus a little ahead of schedule to get ready for the playoffs.

"Everybody is different. Everybody prepares a different way," James said before the game. "For myself, I approach it different ways different seasons but I'm looking forward to it. But I'm not going to shortcut the process of what we have left still in the regular season."

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love played well and, to the point, seemed to heed some of James' calls. Irving contributed 16 points, but his eight assists and eight rebounds were more notable. The Cavs piled up 29 assists on 40 baskets, one game after registering 38 assists against the Nuggets.

"I think we're best when we played like we played last game, with 30-plus assists," James said. "Everyone is in a great groove and everyone feels in great rhythm offensively."

And of Love, who scored 24 points to go with 10 rebounds and shot 8-of-14 from the field, James had said: "He's had the opportunities. Just got to make em, knock em down. We've got to continue to go to him, believe in him. We're not too worried about his shooting struggles. He's got so many other ways he can affect the game."

J.R. Smith to part ways with CAA; plans to sign with LeBron James' agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports

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J.R. Smith is in the process of parting ways with Creative Artists Agency and plans to sign with Rich Paul of Cleveland-based Klutch Sports, league sources informed cleveland.com.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith is not only making plays on the court, he's doing so off of it as well.

Smith is in the process of parting ways with Creative Artists Agency and plans to sign with Rich Paul of Cleveland-based Klutch Sports, league sources informed cleveland.com.

A formalized pact is expected in the near future. Paul represents Smith's teammates LeBron James and Tristan Thompson as well.

Smith, 30, could become an unrestricted free agent this summer. He has a $5.3 million player option for the 2016-17 campaign. This season he's averaging 12.5 points and shooting a blistering 40 percent from 3-point range.

The 6-6 long-range marksmen has been the perfect complement to James and Kyrie Irving since being acquired at the midway point last year. His efficient catch-and-shoot skill set has created extra spacing on the floor for stars to maneuver and his outside touch has served as daggers in many games this season when teams have chosen to double members of The Big 3.

James and Smith have become inseparable at times. They had a friendship prior to teaming up, but it has since blossomed, translating into instant chemistry on the hardwood. Their alley-oop connections have routinely made the rounds on highlight packages across of the country.

Plus (and don't tell Phil Jackson) he has grown into a locker-room leader.

"Just talking to him the other day after the game, just hearing his maturity. I think him taking that step he took this summer, I think that's helped him off the court," head coach Tyronn Lue said. "And then on the court, every night, he's giving us effort every single night. He's playing hard. He's competing and that's all we can ask of J.R. It's been good because I've known him since he was 18 years old, just to see the growth and how he's matured over the years."

Klutch Sports has been quite busy. On Wednesday the company officially signed LSU forward Ben Simmons, the presumptive No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, and in January landed Washington Wizards All-Star guard John Wall.

Paul was recently voted onto the Cleveland Orchestra board. One of his main points of emphasis will be to promote the importance of the orchestra in inner-city schools in light of music programs becoming obsolete.

In the last 24 months, Paul and chief negotiator Mark Termini have negotiated approximately $327 million worth of contracts.

LeBron James: 'I don't know how realistic it could be' to play with Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and Chris Paul

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LeBron James seemed to put a little distance between himself and the strong statements he made to The Bleacher Report about playing with Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Paul.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - LeBron James confirmed his wish to one day play with close friends Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and Chris Paul on the same team, but made it sound as though it wasn't something he was actively pursuing.

"I don't know how realistic it could be," James said Wednesday, after the Cavs beat Milwaukee 113-104. "It would definitely be cool if it happened, but we don't know how realistic it could be to have us four, but, I mean, if you got an opportunity to work with three of your best friends, no matter what.

"It's not even about sports, it's about being around guys that you don't even have to say nothing, you automatically know. We just have that type of history, so, can it happen? I don't know if it can even happen but it would be cool."

SEE: LeBron tells Bleacher Report about his hope of Big 4

Earlier Wednesday, The Bleacher Report published a story about the 15-year friendship and competing NBA careers of James and Anthony in which James said "I really hope that, before our career is over, we can all play together.

"I would actually take a pay cut to do that," James told The Bleacher Report. "It would be pretty cool. I've definitely had thoughts about it."

Though James gave the interview on Feb. 8, the comments raised suspicions given James' recent actions and social media posts, including one last week of James, Anthony, Paul, and Wade together.

The reality is, though both James, 31, and Wade, 34, will at least briefly become free agents this season, most suspect they'll remain in Cleveland and Miami, respectively. Paul has at least one season left on his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, and Anthony has at least two with the Knicks.

James and Wade played together for four seasons with the Heat, of course, and the four have have been teammates for Team USA.


LeBron James, Kevin Love lead Cleveland Cavaliers' 113-104 win over Milwaukee

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LeBron James and Kevin Love combined for 50 points to propel the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 113-104 victory over a pesky Milwaukee Bucks squad Wednesday night at The Q.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - LeBron James and Kevin Love combined for 50 points to propel the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 113-104 victory over a pesky Milwaukee Bucks squad Wednesday night at The Q.

James recorded 26 points, six boards and eight assists while Love contributed 24 points and nine rebounds after missing Monday's game with an illness. Cleveland (51-20) has won 11 of its last 13.

Milwaukee (30-42) is missing three high-end rotation players for the season due to injuries, but they always manage to play well against Cleveland. Bucks head coach Jason Kidd says his young team likes playing against top-level opponents.

"Well, they're the best," Kidd said of the Cavs. "I think when you look at not just LeBron being the best player in the league, but the Cavs being the benchmark of the best team in the East, we have to get up. We have to compete. If not, you can find yourself on a lopsided score."

Kyrie Irving celebrated his 24th birthday by flirting with a triple-double, producing 16 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue says although Irving is a supreme talent, he wants him to continue to develop and build championship habits.

"The biggest thing in this league, as far was that I've seen, is winning, "he said. "I think Kyrie is ready to take that next step. We've been talking a lot and sharing a lot of things back and forth and he's ready to take that next step."

For much of the game, the Cavaliers felt like they weren't getting home-cooking calls. Players constantly complained. One noticeable no-call blunder came midway in the second quarter when J.R. Smith received the ball in transition and threw the ball behind his back to James. No. 23 skied in for a dunk and was hammered on the arm by Giannis Antetkounmpo.

James screamed to the referees, signaling that he was hacked while retreating back on defense. Milwaukee drew a foul on that offensive possession and the fans broke out with boos as a way to voice their displeasure.

After the Cavaliers led by 13 in the first quarter, the Bucks outscored the Cavaliers 36-28 in the second to climb within two at intermission. Milwaukee captured its first lead of the game two minutes into the third quarter.

As the Cavaliers labored to shake free of the Bucks, Smith and James connected again. Smith took a hard drive on the baseline and gave a no-look pass to James who sprinted to the cup and pulled off a double-pump, reverse slam in traffic. Those types of dunks don't typically happen in half-court sets. James obviously didn't care.

Cleveland held a four-point advantage entering the final quarter, built it back to 10 only to have Milwaukee make one last charge. With the Cavaliers up six with the clock hitting three minutes to go, Smith missed a trey with Thompson getting the offensive rebound. Twenty seconds later, James drove hard and tried to slam it, only to bang it off the rim -- and Thompson rebounded. As the possession reached a minute in length, Irving's 3-pointer rimmed out -- and Thompson grabbed the ball again. This time he banked in a put-back.

Milwaukee promptly called timeout and Thompson was as animated and as pumped as we've ever seen him. One possession that lasted 68 seconds, dominated by the rebounding workhorse and the Bucks were pretty much done. Thompson finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.

Lue went nine deep with Matthew Dellavedova, Thompson, Channing Frye and Iman Shumpert as the subs. He's starting to buckle down on a rotation.

"Like I said, the last seven or eight games, you really want to have your set rotation going into the playoffs," he said.

Smith drained three treys and had 12 points and Timofey Mozgov contributed 10. Cleveland outrebounded Milwaukee, 42-31.

Antetokounmpo had 24 points, six rebounds and six assists for the Bucks.

Ben Simmons, the consensus No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, sat courtside right next to his newly-signed agent, Rich Paul of Cleveland-based Klutch Sports.

On deck

The Cavaliers hit the New York tour. They play at Brooklyn Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on Fox Sports Ohio, and then the New York Knicks on Saturday at the same time and on the same channel.

Browns QB Robert Griffin III says his struggles 'would break a lot of people' but 'this is my calling'

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Browns QB Robert Griffin III is hungry to compete and rebound from this tough times he had in Washington, where he was demoted to third-string last year.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Robert Griffin III has plenty of emotional and physical scars from his four years in Washington, but insists they're not too deep.

"What I learned most was just the love that's inside of me for this game of football,'' the Browns' new quarterback said on a conference call Thursday shortly after signing his two-year deal. "What happened down there would break a lot of people, and I thank God for the people He surrounded me with to help me get through that time and to show me this is what I'm supposed to do.

"This is my calling. I'm real excited to have another opportunity to grow with a coach who believes in me. That's big. Now I've just got to go out and prove it."

He acknowledged that being demoted to third team last season behind Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy was rough, after earning NFL Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowl honors in 2012.

"I wouldn't be where I am today if that wasn't tough on me last year,'' he said. "But I learned a lot, grew a lot, dedicated myself to make sure I took the time after practice every day for an hour to continue to work because I knew I'd be presented with an opportunity like this coming in the off-season if I continued to work.''

And if the Browns draft Cal's Jared Goff or North Dakota State's Carson Wentz? The Browns are considering both prospects, and Jackson was at the pro day of Wentz Thursday while the Browns were signing Griffin.

"You compete," Griffin said. "I'm just excited about the opportunity. After not playing football for a year, I'm real appreciative of the Browns stepping up and giving me an opportunity to go out and grow with their team, compete on a daily basis and lead the team. I'm real excited about that.

"And if they draft a quarterback, I'll take the guy under my wing. I'm considered a vet now after four years in the league and I've been through a lot more than a lot of guys go through their entire career. I've got a lot of experience and I can help a young guy.

"If they draft a quarterback, it doesn't bother me at all. I'm just ready to compete."

5 pressing questions about Robert Griffin III

Griffin, who signed the two-year deal Thursday worth $15 million, including $6.75 million guaranteed, is also excited about the possibility of being reunited with his former Baylor teammate Josh Gordon. The NFL has yet to rule whether Gordon will be reinstated from his indefinite suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

"Yeah, man, Josh is family,'' he said. "We went to Baylor together. I love the guy. I don't know what's going to happen with him and the league or with the team, but he always knows he has a brother in me, so if the opportunity comes that he can get reinstated and play for the Browns then I won't be upset with that, let's just put it that way. He is family and at Baylor we believe that no matter what happens we've always got your back."

As for whether or not he's talked to Gordon, "No, I just try to be there for Josh as much as I possibly can. It would be a lot of fun. But you've just got to take things one step at a time and he's taking care of the business. He knows I'm there for him.''

Robert Griffin III signs 2-year, $15 million deal with Browns

Griffin said starting in 2016 isn't foremost in his mind. Last year, after working to develop as a pocket passer, he was benched and didn't take a regular-season snap. After going 9-7 in his sensational rookie season, he's gone 5-15 in the three years since.

"This isn't about me, to be honest with you,'' he said. "I really just want to go out, help this team win football games and I believe in what coach Hue is preaching, I believe in Pep Hamilton and what they plan to do, so that's really what it's about for me.

"It's about the team, it's about coach believing in this team and this city, otherwise he wouldn't have taken the job and if didn't believe in what I could do he wouldn't have brought me to Cleveland with him, so I'm just really excited about the opportunity. It's not about me or my career. It's about this team and growing with this team and that's what I set out to do."

Griffin's career was derailed, in part, by all of his injuries in Washington, including torn anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments from his rookie year and a dislocated ankle that cost him six games in 2014.

"I feel great,'' he said. "God's been good through all the years. Maybe I'll write a book about it later, but right now, I'm not focused on that kind of stuff and really, really happy to be feeling good and moving forward."

Griffin, 26, acknowledged that Browns coach Hue Jackson is primary reason he believes this can work.

"Just his excitement for the game, the passion that he has and dedication,'' he said. "You have those things and things will eventually turn in your favor. He's got a proven track record of working with quarterbacks, working with teams and molding the offense to what the team has. I look forward to growing with him.''

Griffin knows he's got a lot of work to do "to not only get back to where I was personally in 2012, but to where we want to be as a team and where I want to be as a professional, so I'm ready to work, never been afraid of that and I'm looking forward to being able to do that with my teammates coming up on April 4th.''

Watching from the sidelines last year made Griffin appreciate the game even more, and as Jackson said, it humbled him.

"I learned it's a beautiful game that we play, it's a privilege to play the game and really just how much you have to love the game to go through some of the ups and downs,'' he said. "I'm looking forward to growing with Cleveland, growing with coach Hue and Pep (Hamilton) and my teammates to do something special here in Cleveland.''

Four years ago, Griffin and his agent thought he was coming to Cleveland with the No. 2 overall pick, but the Redskins beat them out in the trade up with the Rams.

"We were ready then and we're more than ready now,'' he said.

Robert Griffin III is a Brown: If team trades No. 2 pick, what could it get?

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The Browns could have a tough decision to make on the No. 2 pick now that they have signed Robert Griffin III.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Now that the Browns have signed former Washington Redskins QB Robert Griffin III, the next question is what will the Browns do with the No. 2 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft?

ESPN's Adam Schefter among others feels that the RG3 signing will have no impact on the team's draft plans and that a QB like North Dakota State's Carson Wentz or Cal's Jared Goff could still be the pick.

But there is also the possibility that once again, the Browns could trade out of a high draft pick. They have done so most notably in 2009, 2011 and 2014.

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote a report that the Philadelphia Eagles could have interest in swapping positions with Cleveland to draft Wentz.

The Browns may consider the RG3 signing as separate from their draft plans and may not be interested in trading unless the price is something they cannot refuse. Washington dealt three first-round picks and a second to get Griffin in 2012. So odds are the price tag would be as high if not much higher depending on the drop.

Also, the team will likely have a bad season again regardless of whom they add in the draft and the rest of free agency. So future picks will play a big role in if they decide to do a deal.

TradeValueChart.jpgBased on the NFL Draft trade value chart, the Browns would need a significant haul to trade out of the No. 2 spot. 

Should they decide to pull the trigger on a trade, here are three teams who could be interested in the No. 2 pick.

San Francisco (No. 7 overall): The drama between the 49ers and QB Colin Kaepernick could have the team looking for a replacement. One of the top two QBs could be there at No. 7, but the 49ers could also seek to assure they get their guy without another team jumping them.

Moving down five spots could require this year's first and second as well as a future first and maybe an additional third or a fourth.

Philadelphia (No. 8 overall): As mentioned by Zierlein, the Eagles and new head coach Doug Pederson could be interested in a top QB despite re-signing Sam Bradford. Bradford had a solid but unspectacular first season in Philadelphia, throwing for 3,725 yards, 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. The Eagles traded Byron Maxwell to Miami to move up to No. 8, so another move up could be possible. The price for Philadelphia to move up could be similar to San Francisco's, but it may also need to throw in an additional second to make a more appealing deal.

Los Angeles (No. 15 overall): The Rams have a new home, and they need something to get their new fans in Los Angeles excited. The team announced that Case Keenum will start in Week 1, but he's thrown for just 15 touchdowns in 16 games. In other words, they could be looking for an upgrade from him and Nick Foles. This would be quite the ironic situation for the Rams, four years after getting a massive haul from the Redskins in the RG3 deal. To move up 13 spots would require at least three firsts and possibly two seconds if not more than that. The Rams might need to move up higher to make a jump to No. 2 a bit more realistic.

Mary Kay Cabot on how the RGIII signing impacts Josh McCown

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Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot joined Sports Insider on Thursday. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns have signed Robert Griffin III, which adds another experienced quarterback to the roster but also creates questions about what else they plan to do at the position.

Cleveland.com Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot joined me today on Sports Insider to talk about the April draft, quarterback Josh McCown's future and wide receiver Josh Gordon's status.

Watch her response to our question above and make sure you check out Sports Insider live every Thursday at noon.

Paul Hoynes on the Indians outfield and the remaining roster decisions

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Indians beat reporter Paul Hoynes joined the Sports Insider on Thursday. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It looks as if the Indians will go with Josh Tomlin as the No. 5 starter ahead of Cody Anderson.

And the Opening Day leadoff hitter could change based on whether Michael Brantley is ready to play on April 4.

Cleveland.com Indians beat reporter Paul Hoynes joined me today on Sports Insider to talk about Terry Francona's roster decisions in the outfield and his own projections for Opening Day.

Watch his response to the question about the state of the outfield and whether Tyler Naquin's spring can be trusted, and make sure you check out Sports Insider live every Thursday at noon.

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