There are 25 Ohio State players and seven former OSU coaches already in the hall.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In seven of the last 10 years, an Ohio State Buckeye has been part of the College Football Hall of Fame class.

Two more OSU legends are on the latest ballot released on Wednesday.

Running backs Keith Byars and Jim Otis are among the 75 players from major college football who are on that ballot. Expect about 12 of the 75 to be part of the Hall of Fame class to be announced on Jan. 6.

Players must be first-team All-Americans to be considered for the hall and be 10 years removed from his final college season. Former Buckeye Tom Cousineau was part of the 2016 class, and Jim Tressel was inducted in the 2015 class.

Here are the bios of the two Buckeyes that were presented in the announcement.

Keith Byars, Ohio State, Running Back -- Unanimous First Team All-American and Heisman Trophy runner-up who led nation in rushing (1,764), all-purpose yards (2,441) and scoring (144) in 1984... 1984 Big Ten MVP and two-time All-Big Ten selection... Ranks fifth all-time at OSU with 4,369 career all-purpose yards and 3,200 career rushing yards.

Jim Otis, Ohio State, Fullback -- Named consensus First Team All-American in 1969... Member  of the 1968 National Championship team... Named First Team All-Big Ten conference in 1969 and led the Buckeyes to two conference titles... Led the team in rushing three times.

Other nominees include Penn State quarterback Kerry Collins and Penn State running back D.J Dozier; former Browns quarterback Tim Couch, a star at Kentucky; SMU running back Eric Dickerson; Iowa receiver Tim Dwight; Michigan lineman Jumbo Elliott; San Diego State running back Marshall Faulk; Michigan State wide receiver and Major League Baseball player Kirk Gibson; Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning; Miami linebacker Ray Lewis; New Mexico DB Brian Urlacher; Michigan State running back Lorenzo White; and the late Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, the Pitt running back and father or former Buckeye Cameron Heyward.

Full College Football Hall of Fame ballot

Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy are the top picks at the Memorial Tournament, which is known for surprise winners. But what about Tiger Woods, Danny Willett and Justin Rose?

Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth have high praise for LeBron James and Stephen Curry heading into the 2016 NBA Finals. Watch video

DUBLIN, Ohio - Rory McIlroy expressed appreciation for what LeBron James has done while Jordan Spieth was moved by Stephen Curry heading into the 2016 NBA Finals, which begin tonight when the Golden State Warriors play host to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

McIlroy was asked Wednesday at the Memorial Tournament which team had more at stake in the rematch of last year's finals.

"I'd say the Cavs. Obviously, Golden State won it last year,'' McIlroy said. "LeBron's trying to win a championship at home.

"If you look at it the way they played their last series, you'd say the Cavs are playing better and Golden State just sort of -- well, they didn't sneak it out. They were unbelievable that Game 7 (of the Western Conference finals), but I'd say the Cavs have more at stake.''

Which team is McIlroy picking?

"I don't know. I mean, I'm in Ohio. So I can't really. . .,'' MeIlroy said, his voice trailing off as a media gathering erupted in laughter.

"Let's go to the next question,'' a moderator chimed in.

"Yes,'' McIlroy said, smiling. "Keep it to golf, please.''

Spieth said there is plenty to learn from watching Curry win an NBA championship last season and coming back to lead his team to a record 73 victories this season and a return to the Finals.

"I most appreciate that not only did he not settle last year, he did everything he could to improve as a player to better himself and his team, which is very difficult to do,'' Spieth said.

"I can learn from that certainly that he seems to be even having more fun by working even harder and climbing more mountains, reaching the top of the next peak and then seeing another one and challenging himself to get up there.''

Spieth, 22, won two Major championships last year and was ranked No. 1 in the world, but lost the Masters this year in a late meltdown and has fallen to No. 2. He won last week in his native Texas, the Dean & Deluca Invitational.

"It's very motivating to see somebody who loves what they do so much, and I can relate to that,'' Spieth said. "I love what I do, and I love working hard at it. So putting in the time, effort, to be able to see those results is something that he's shown for sure.''

McIlroy on Olympics and Zika virus: McIlroy has seemed hesitant in some of his comments this year about playing in the Olympics since the outbreak of the Zika virus in Brazil. He said he has sought more medical advice, feels more reassured and sounded more committed Wednesday.

"I'm ready to play,'' he said. "I feel like the advice I've sought out over the past ten days has put my mind at ease and makes me more comfortable going down there knowing that, even if I do contract Zika, it's not the end of the world. It takes six months to pass through your system and you're fine.''

McIlroy expressed more concern for the hundreds of thousands of people who will be traveling to the Olympics.

"They spend three weeks at the Games, they go back out of Rio, and some might have contracted Zika and don't know about it, and then all of a sudden, instead of it being this virus that's contained in a certain part of the world, it's now a global epidemic. And I think that's the real concern,'' McIlroy said.

Was it an accident or a premeditated hit job? Only Kip knows for sure, but if you slow down the tape, it looks like the second baseman lowered his shoulder into Ketchup.

.@TheJK_Kid doesn't move for no one!

Ketchup runs into Kipnis during the hot dog race and falls hard to the groundhttps://t.co/94S75nFFHW

-- SportsTime Ohio (@SportsTimeOhio) June 2, 2016

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If you're familiar with the Hot Dog Derby during Indians games at Progressive Field, you know that Ketchup cheats.

Jason Kipnis aka The Ketchup Assassin.Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer 

So, Ketchup probably got what he deserved when he started to celebrate in the middle of the race, took his eyes off the course to acknowledge his fans and then was bulldozed by Jason Kipnis during Wednesday night's game against the Rangers.

Was it an accident or a premeditated hit job? Only Kip knows for sure, but if you slow down the tape, it looks like the second baseman lowered his shoulder into Ketchup. Kipnis, who even took a moment to seemingly admire his handiwork, later egged on the conspiracy theorists by Instagramming video of the crash with cryptic hashtag #comestrongordontcomeatall.

Despite the epic collision, Onion and Mustard couldn't catch up to Ketchup, who quickly got up on his Heinz legs (see what we did there?) and still somehow won the race.

You can now go on about your day.

Williams is the No. 17 weak-side defensive end according to the 247Sports composite ratings.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Spots in Ohio State's 2017 recruiting class are tight, but not so tight that the Buckeyes would turn away another defensive lineman.

So Jordan Williams, a four-star defensive end from Virginia Beach, Va., put Ohio State in his top five list released on Wednesday. And it appears that it's more than just for show.

Williams is the No. 17 weak-side defensive end in the country according to 247Sports composite ratings, but at 6-foot-4, 260 pounds he could project more as a college defensive tackle once he puts on some more size. The other schools in his top five are Clemson, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and Virginia.

Ohio State's 13-man 2017 recruiting class already includes two defensive tackles in Haskell Garrett and Jerron Cage. The top remaining defensive line target remains five-star defensive end Chase Young, who visited Ohio State last month and has the Buckeyes on his trimmed-down list of schools.

There are currently no defensive ends in Ohio State's 2017 class.

All Glory To God[?] [?] #Top5 pic.twitter.com/x4luYDnge6

-- Jordan Williams (@_blessed_23) June 1, 2016

So you'd think that Williams is at least behind Young on Ohio State's board, but even with spots tight the Buckeyes are always on the look for players who can become elite defensive linemen.

"Being able to see how productive Joey Bosa was and I feel like when I get in a college weight room and with the college coaches and get my technique down I think I can be that caliber of player," Williams told 247Sports about Ohio State.

"Being able to talk to Coach (Larry) Johnson and Coach (Urban) Meyer is great as well. Coach Johnson every week we're talking and I talk to Coach Meyer as well. He's straight up with you and tells you how things are."

Read Williams breaking down his complete top five here.

LeBron and Steph are meeting for the second consecutive season in the NBA Finals. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A couple of kids born in Akron could be the NBA's next intriguing rivalry. Steph Curry and LeBron James are leading their teams against each other for the second straight season in the NBA Finals.

Does James finally have a true rival in Steph? Is it a rivalry that could last beyond this season? Michael Reghi and Chris Fedor answered that question as part of our weekly series of sports videos. Check out what they had to say in the video above.

In his latest video, cleveland.com's Joe Vardon hems and haws over whether to pick the Cavs or Warriors in the Finals, given that he has already picked each of them to win at different points this season. Watch video

OAKLAND, Calif. -- You want to know who I think will win the 2016 NBA Finals?

Why, I ask. Because, really, I don't know.

I mean, I do indeed make a prediction on who I think is hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy -- LeBron James for the Cavs or Stephen Curry for the Warriors -- in the video above. And you should watch.

But the point is, this is the third prediction I've made on the Finals since October. I picked the Cavs before the season started and then the Warriors before the playoffs began.

My previous playoff predictions

Kind of like my life the past two days, my predictions are all over the place. Enjoy the Finals.

The Cleveland Cavaliers know they have to play near-perfect basketball to beat the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, writes Chris Haynes.

OAKLAND, Calif. - In the first round against the Detroit Pistons, Andre Drummond connected with a blindside, dangerous elbow to the back of LeBron James' head that took the 13-year vet to the floor.

The following series, James was shoved from behind by Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague and sent crashing into the stands, plowing through defenseless fans deep into the third row.

James and his teammates said all the right things at the conclusion of those playoff games. Their premise was essentially that they'd just continue to play basketball and let the league handle the extracurricular activities.

Each time, the Cavaliers were of the belief that a penalty would be levied. In their minds, the blows were vicious and intentional. It was a forgone conclusion that at minimum, a fine was forthcoming.

When those attacks went unpunished, the organization and in particular the players were left fuming and bemused. That's when the topic of conversation swiftly ventured off to the Golden State Warriors' two-time MVP, Stephen Curry.

"If Steph was elbowed and hip-checked into the stands, that player probably would have been kicked out for the rest of the playoffs," one enraged Cavalier player who shall remain nameless told me.

Players nearby nodded in agreement.

Then the discussion moved towards James' physical stature, and how it has failed him when it comes to the league evaluating if an opponent has issued a cheap shot against him.

Sources close to the forward said he felt the sting of that elbow for days but refused to reveal that to the media. J.R. Smith told me after learning the attacks on James were exonerated, "If that was me, I would have been suspended for two games."

In both incidents, James bounced up rather quickly as if he didn't absorb any pain. Had he remained down on both occasions to milk it, the plays might have appeared more severe in nature to those deciding the fate of Drummond and Teague.

"That's not how I play the game," James said back then. "If I'm hurt, I'm hurt. If I'm not, I'm going to get back up and continue playing."

Players around the league view Curry as the untouchable Golden Boy and the Warriors as the darlings of the association. The chatter among players is that they tend to get away with things other teams can't.

The Cavaliers couldn't believe Draymond Green avoided a suspension after his multiple high kicks on Oklahoma City Thunder players during the Western Conference Finals, while their teammate Dahntay Jones was suspended a game for hitting Toronto Raptors forward Bismack Biyombo in the groin.

The Cavs' conclusion: They have to play as close to perfect as possible during this NBA Finals to depart with four wins, and they believe they can. The Cavaliers have a great opportunity to knock the Warriors off their pedestal and ruin what would be considered a legendary season.

This is the opponent and the stage they've been waiting for all season long. They know it won't be easy. They know it might come with "Warrior Whistles," but they're mentally and physically prepared for this epic showdown.

And James is prepared for a bruising or two. He has accepted the reality that he's officiated differently -- than let's say, Curry -- as he suggested in his response after Drummond was allowed to resume playing following his elbow.

"Initially I was surprised, but then I thought about who he did it to, and then I wasn't surprised."

Hudson Swafford opened the Memorial Tournament with a 29 on the front nine, tying a Memorial Tournament record in the PGA Tour event at Muirfield Village.

MUIRFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio -- Hudson Swafford tied a Memorial Tournament record with a 7-under par 29 on the front nine in the first round Thursday at Muirfield Village Golf Club.

Swafford had five birdies and an eagle and was the early leader, while much of the field had yet to tee off.

Hole-by-hole: He started the run with a 7-foot birdie putt on 3, chipped to within 3 feet at 5. He made another 7-footer at 6. 

On the 558-yard, par-5 seventh hole, Swafford's 300-yard tee shot landed safely in the middle of the fairway, and his second shot was a 259-yard arrow to the green within 5 feet, 5 inches of the pin on the right corner, between two bunkers. He sank the birdie putt.

His 13-foot putt on the par-3 No. 8 gave him another birdie.

He finished the front nine by draining a 26-footer on the par-4 , 411-yard ninth.

The record: Swafford tied the front-nine mark set by John Huston (1996, round 2), Mark Wilson (2007, round 3) and Aaron Baddeley (2014, round 1).

The overall nine-hole mark also is 29. Bobby Wadkins shot the lone back-nine 29 in 1977.

None went on to win the tournament.

Georgia grad: Swafford, 28, is a 2011 graduate of the University of Georgia. He is No. 102 in the FedEx Cup rankings.

He has four top-25 finishes this season, but none since January. He tied for ninth at the Sony Open in Hawaii in January.

Swafford (6-3, 205 pounds) ranks seventh on the PGA Tour in driving distance (306.5 yards).

He is 61st in shots gained putting (.227).

Update: An errant drive left into trees forced him to punch out at 11 and Swafford made bogey, dropping to six-under.

He followed with a birdie on 15 and a bogey on 16.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Golden State Warriors prevailed in the Western Conference Finals and now they will be facing the Cleveland Cavaliers Thursday in the 2016 NBA Finals in a rematch from 2015.  Last year the Cavs felt they weren't at full force with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love injured. This year there are no excuses and the best team will...

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Golden State Warriors prevailed in the Western Conference Finals and now they will be facing the Cleveland Cavaliers Thursday in the 2016 NBA Finals in a rematch from 2015. 

Last year the Cavs felt they weren't at full force with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love injured. This year there are no excuses and the best team will prevail, but one thing is for certain and that is that Cleveland is praying for the Cavs to end this 52-year drought.

Kyrie Irving says it best at the end of this video, "A win, that's it, a win. That's the only thing that matters ... is a win."

All the audio from the video above was recorded during press conference interviews throughout the playoffs.

The AIBA's decision to allow pro boxers in the Olympics is not a popular decision.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Wednesday's decision to allow professional boxers to compete against amateurs in the 2016 Olympics is criminal.

Or at least it has the potential to reach that level once one of the more experienced pro fighters injures a young amateur in a bout, especially since the Olympics no longer require fighters to wear headgear.

But despite the stupidity of the decision made by the AIBA, the organization that oversees amateur boxing, a potential severe injury is not the only reason why this is not a good idea.

It's also not fair to the amateurs who have spent years going through the various tournaments to quality for this moment, and the pros will become immediately eligible for the final Olympic qualification tournament in Venezuela on July 3. Olympic boxing is scheduled to start on Aug. 6.

From @MikeCoppinger: Pros #boxing in @Olympics is a dangerous proposition https://t.co/laeRaKReiz

-- Bob Velin (@BobVelin) June 1, 2016

This @AIBA_Boxing decision also devalues the Olympics as the pinnacle of achievement for amateur fighters. They will now look elsewhere!

-- Lennox Lewis (@LennoxLewis) June 1, 2016

Cleveland pro super featherweight Yaundale Evans (18-1) never fought in the Olympics and he does not have any plan to change that.

"To each his own," Evans said. "Why go backwards. I don't have any regrets [in not fighting in the Olympics]. I enjoy making money. I enjoy the pro experience. I love the pro life."

But there are some pro fighters who have interest, one in particular is Britain's Amir Khan, who wants to fight in the Games representing the country of his parent's birth -- Pakistan.

Really Khan?

This is the same Khan who was knocked out cold last week by Canelo Alvarez? This is the same Khan who won a silver medal in 2004 in Athens?

Maybe Khan needs a confidence boost.

"But if a pro loses to an amateur that's bad news [for the pro fighter]," Evans said. "Some guys that are pro may still have Olympic dreams, but that's not fair to the amateurs. We're already pro and we need to let the amateurs do their thing."

Pro boxers in the olympics. What are AIBA thinking. Goodbye amateur boxing now as far as I'm concerned. Can't say I'm a fan of this.

-- Ricky Hatton MBE (@HitmanHatton) June 1, 2016

Title shot

Cleveland native Mickey Bey will fight for the lightweight title against champion Rances Barthelemy (24-0, 13 KOs) at 9 p.m. Friday on Spike TV.

Bey will attempt to regain the belt he won in 2014 but was later forced to relinquish because of a hand injury and disappointing offers made to him to defend the title.

Barthelemy won the vacated belt in an unanimous decision against Denis Shafikov.

Friday will be only the second fight for Bey (22-1-1, 10 KOs) since he won the title. His last fight was a 10-round decision against then-unbeaten Naim Nelson in December.

Quick jabs

• Take a close look at the new book "In the Ring with Jack Johnson, Part II: The Reign."
• Shane Mosley loses and hopefully he'll finally call it quits.
• Tyson Fury changes diet in preparation for title defense against Wladimir Klitschko.
• Jessie Vargas signs to fight Kell Brook for unification bout in September.
• Shawn Porter is underdog against Keith Thurman for their title fight.

Back in the ring

Cleveland native Willie Nelson (25-2-1) returns to the ring on June 11 against Demetrius Andrade (22-0). Nelson comes into the fight with consecutive knockouts.

This week in boxing history

June 1, 1984: Livingstone Bramble knocks out Ray Mancini in the 14th round in Buffalo to win the WBA Lightweight Title.

Boxing schedule

Friday

9 p.m. (PBC on Spike): Rances Barthelemy vs. Mickey Bey, IBF lightweight title.

Saturday

10:30 p.m. HBO: Francisco Vargas vs. Orlando Salido for Vargas' WBC junior lightweight title.

11 p.m. (PBC on ESPN/ESPN Deportes): Artur Beterbiev vs. Ezequiel Maderna, light heavyweights; Bryant Perrella vs. David Grayton, welterweights.

Bud Shaw and Dan Labbe will talk all things Cleveland sports with our guests.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The NBA Finals start on Thursday night. The Indians are dealing with some adversity after falling out of first place. The Browns have one week left in their offseason program.

Our guests -- Cavaliers reporters Chris Haynes and Joe Vardon, Indians reporter Paul Hoynes and Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot -- will call in to talk all things Cleveland sports.

Click play on the player above when the red "Live" icon appears on the bottom to watch the show. A complete archive of the show will be made available later today.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are in the NBA Finals for the second straight year, set to play Game 1 against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night. Tipoff is at 9 p.m. and the game will be shown on ABC.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers are in the NBA Finals for the second straight year, set to play Game 1 against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night. Tipoff is at 9 p.m. and the game will be shown on ABC. On radio, it will be simulcast on WTAM 1100 and 87.7 FM (ESP). 

Game 1 can be viewed online via WatchESPN. 

The Cavaliers, No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, beat the Toronto Raptors in six games to advance to the Finals. During this postseason run, the Cavs are led by LeBron James, who is averaging 24.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 2.2 steals.

Kyrie Irving has added 24.3 points per game while Kevin Love, healthy this season, is chipping in with 17.3 points. 

The record-setting Warriors rallied from a 3-1 series deficit to topple Oklahoma City in the Western Conference Finals. Behind their All-Star backcourt, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, the Warriors are averaging 110.9 points in the playoffs. 

Golden State has won five straight games against Cleveland, including the final three of last year's Finals to win the NBA championship. The Warriors also won both meetings this season, with the most recent victory being a 132-98 blowout in January. 

Chris Haynes has the latest on the Cavs' mentality going into this series. Catch the coverage from before the game; join in the live chat starting at tipoff; and stick around for full postgame coverage. For all Cavs information, be sure to check out cleveland.com/cavs. 

Jack Nicklaus said he was disappointed the PGA Tour is moving a WGC event from Donald Trump's Doral resort to Mexico, but Nicklaus likes the idea of growing golf internationally.

MUIRFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio -- Jack Nicklaus has voiced his support for Donald Trump before, and on Wednesday Nicklaus echoed the Republican presidential candidate's disappointment over the PGA Tour's decision to move a marquis event from a Trump-owned resort to Mexico.

"I am disappointed for Doral and the city of Miami," he told the Palm Beach Post. "Both have been a staple on the PGA Tour schedule, as well as my own, since my rookie year in 1962."

The PGA Tour will move the WGC-Cadillac Championship from Trump National Doral in South Florida to Mexico City next year. PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said Cadillac had withdrawn its sponsorship and the Tour was unable to find another sponsor willing to partner with Trump.

However, Nicklaus agreed with Rory McIlroy's statement that the move could help golf expand globally.

"I have always believed that golf is a global game," Nicklaus said. "I have made it a lifelong mission to travel the world to introduce and grow the game by either playing it or designing golf courses. So I am delighted that an event with the significance of a World Golf Championship is coming to Mexico City, and I think it is a huge positive for the Tour and the game itself.

"My only hope is that golf played at its highest level will soon return to Miami and Trump Doral."

Nicklaus said on "CBS Sunday Morning" last month he likes "what Donald has done ... he's turning America upside down. He's awakening the country.

"I like the guy. He's a good man. And certainly -- if he's the one that's on the ticket, I'll be voting for him."

Nicklaus and Trump have partnered in golf ventures. Nicklaus designed the recently opened Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point in New York City.

The Cleveland Cavaliers were all about a slow pace and defense in The Finals last year. That has really changed, and Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr knows it.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Scribbles in my Cleveland Cavaliers notebook as they open the 2016 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors:

1. Warriors Coach Steve Kerr said this about the 2015 Cavs vs. this season's model in The Finals: "They tried to grind us to a pulp last year playing big, and they were slowing the ball down, slowing the pace down. This year they've added Channing Frey, they're not playing (Timofey) Mozgov. They've got shooting all over the place, and they're playing at a much faster pace. So it's really a much different team that we're seeing."

2. Part of the reason for the Cavs slower pace last season was the injuries to Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving. But former coach David Blatt was not able to get the Cavs to play at a faster pace, even when he had a full roster early this season. That has changed under Tyronn Lue.

3. Guess who leads the NBA in 3-point shooting in the playoffs? It's the Cavs at .434. Golden State is third at .418. The Warriors are averaging 110.9 points per game in the playoffs, the Cavs are at 106.9 points. They are the NBA's top two scoring teams in the postseason.

4. That's why Kerr was correct to say this should be a much different series than a year ago. It's also why the Cavs could surprise in the opener. In the regular season, Golden State was 2-0 vs. the Cavs. But both of those games were coached by Blatt. Last season, the Cavs averaged only 93 points and shot 38 percent in The Finals.

5. Very curious to see how LeBron James approaches this game. He knows some of his teammates will be nervous. James insists he never feels pressure, but he probably has his own form of basketball butterflies. Will he try to score early and help the Cavs to an early lead, or will be work hard to set up his teammates for open shots?

6. The Cavs are playing in a building where the Warriors were 39-2 in the regular season, 9-1 in the postseason. In 2015, the Warriors were 9-2 at home in the playoffs. The Cavs did win one of those games, it was Game 2 of The Finals.

7. It's not necessary, but if the Cavs can indeed win this opener ... well, that changes so much. Being down 3-1 to Oklahoma City and coming back to win the series shows the Warriors should never be counted out. But I'd love to see the Cavs grab an opening game victory and put pressure on them. And I'd love to see James be aggressive. Not shooting every time, but attacking Golden State's defense -- going to the rim, drawing fouls.

8. The Warriors are not a good rebounding team. if Kyrie Irving and James do drive -- even if they miss -- that should create lots of second-chance rebounding opportunities for the Cavs.

9. You can win some money with this question: Who was the MVP of the 2015 Finals? Most fans would probably say Stephen Curry or James. It was Andre Iguodala, who defended James. Curry led the Warriors in scoring in the 2015 Finals: 26.0 points, .443 shooting (.385 on 3-pointers). Iguodala was second on the team (16.3 points, .532 shooting).

10. Klay Thompson was very inconsistent against the Cavs in the 2015 Finals. He averaged 16.8 points, but shot only .409 (.300 on 3-pointers).

11. I was looking at the 2015 Finals stats and James was remarkable: 46 minutes a game, 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, 8.8 assists. He should have been the MVP, even if it was in a losing cause. The good news for James and the Cavs is that he's not required to carry a load like that.

12. The obvious difference between the Cavs team of this season and last year's NBA Finals model is a healthy Love and Irving. Also, the Cavs have Channing Frye. A year ago, Mozgov was the starting center. He had some good games in The Finals. But the Warriors figured out how to expose his lack of speed when they used a smaller lineup with Draymond Green (instead of Andrew Bogut) at center. The Cavs had trouble keeping Mozgov on the court because he was being destroyed on defense.

13. The 6-foot-11 Frye is much better suited for this series. He has the height of a center, and he's a decent defender in the low post. Golden State doesn't have much of a low-post attack. In fact, the Warriors most effective post-up player near the rim is Shaun Livingston, a 6-foot-7 guard. Neither Bogut or Green score much inside.

14. But Frye is quicker than Mozgov, and should be able to avoid being a defensive disaster. When the Cavs have the ball, he can be a force in short spurts. Frye is a magnificent 3-point shooter since coming to the Cavs. In the playoffs, he is averaging 8.6 points in 16 minutes per game. The veteran is shooting .621 from the field, .578 from 3-point range.

15. In the Eastern Conference Finals, Frye averaged 9.0 points and shot 58 percent from 3-point range. He can be a real factor coming off the bench. If Love is struggling with his outside shot, Frye can also play some power forward.

16. Cavs fans have a fondness for Anderson Varejao, and they should. He is a class act, an unselfish big man who is loved by his teammates because of his willingness to defend, rebound and hustle for loose balls. But that style of play led to one major injury after another. His last injury was a torn Achilles. The Cavs used Varejao as part of a three-way deal to acquire Frye.

17. Portland received Varejao (and a future first-round pick) from the Cavs, and then cut Varejao. The Cavs used Portland's accepting Varejao's contract as a way to clear salary cap room and obtain Frye from Orlando.

18. The Warriors signed Varejao after he was cut by Portland. He has played sparingly, only 51 total minutes (16 points) in the entire playoffs.

19. The discussion of Varejao possibly receiving a championship ring from the Cavs if they win a title -- well, the answer is easy. The Cavs should offer him a ring. His 11 1/2 seasons with the Cavs earned it, and he never wanted to be traded. Varejao can decide if he wants it. And Varejao answered the question as I would, he wants his ring from Golden State. That's where he now works.

20. I love this from James: "I don't get involved in that ... underdog, overdog ... whatever. It's stupidity."

Browns Hall of Famer Jim Brown will serve as more of a player liaison under Hue Jackson.

ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- Browns Hall of Famer Jim Brown has always been larger than life, and now his role with the Browns will be bigger too.

Owner Jimmy Haslam revealed Thursday at the Browns Foundation golf outing at Westwood Country Club Brown, a special advisor to the club since Haslam took over the team, will play an even bigger role in the organization under coach Hue Jackson. 

"Jim has been re-involved in the franchise over the last three years, but with Hue coming in, Jim will be even more significantly involved,'' Haslam said. "Jim's knowledge not just of football, but Dee and I have seen it over the last two or three years, his knowledge of people is something that will help the franchise significantly.

"You have to have a coach who's secure enough to have an NFL legend around and feel good about it. We have that in Hue Jackson. Jim and Hue have formed a good, close bond. Jim will be around much more and in a much more significant way helping our players be not just better players but better men."

Brown, who golfed in the charity event to benefit children and education, is thrilled to have a more prominent role.

"It's good,'' he said. "I feel respected. I feel involved. And it's not just me. It's everybody. Hue is making the alumni feel welcome. Hue is a great choice and I'm motivated. I'm going to do everything I can do to help, and not get in the way, but feel like I'm a part of it.''

Brown, who founded the Amer-I-Can program in 1988 to help disenfranchised youth, said he believes one of his primary roles will be as a player liaison, a function he's had in the past.

"That's what I do in real life,'' he said. "I do it in Cleveland on the streets. I try to keep the respect in that arena, and I try to bring the right story.''

Brown, 80, said his work through the years with young people has helped him reach players.

"Sometimes you have to recognize that they have a psychological problem based on their upbringing, lack of father's love, trying to be with the boys on the corner,'' Brown said. "All of those things come into play, and when someone steps in, like in my life, someone stepped in and guided me,  I am beholden to them forever. I am a believer in trying to help people help themselves.''

Bernie Kosar reunited with Browns after accepting Hue Jackson's invitation to attend practice

Jackson anticipates leaning on Brown heavily for insight and guidance.

"My plan is to speak with him early and often because he's very bright,'' said Jackson. "He understands these young men. He understands truly how to deal with them, how to motivate them and how to push them and to me a guy like Jim, not to use him as a resource, would be not very smart on my part. He's been outstanding.''
Jackson has already had a lot of long conversations with Brown.

"We've obviously (talked) about the organization and the city and how he can help but one thing we all know about Jim, he's never going to do anything to hurt the organization so he's been unbelievable for me,'' said Jackson. "He's been a great sounding board and I appreciate him being as active as he is."

 Jackson has educated his players about Brown and about other alumni. He's also invited them out to practice and had them address the team, including Bernie Kosar, who had been somewhat estranged from the club since being taken off the preseason telecasts two years.

 "I want our guys to connect the right way and truly understand that there were a lot of men before them who have played the game here, who loved playing the game here, who won here, so it's not a question if it can be done, we just have to do the hard work in order to have it be done,'' he said.

Jackson sees the wisdom in having alumni talk to the team and share their experiences.

"I've never  played in he National Football league so there's people who are going to be able to give them very experienced advice on what they are dealing with, not just within the organization but also within the community and how they can be successful,'' said Jackson. "That's very important."

 He was grateful that Kosar accepted his invitation to attend practice and address the team.

"I was very impressed with him,'' he said. "I had an opportunity to talk to him and I know he's very passionate about the football team and the organization and the city and I thought it was important for him to be there and I thought it was well received by our football team."

Brown has been thrilled to see the parade of alumni marching back to the Browns facility.

"Hue has brought a healing to the team in a lot of ways,'' he said. "I am honored to be a part of it.''

 

Check out some sights and sounds from today's 17th annual golf tournament. Watch video

ROCKY RIVER -- The Cleveland Browns Foundation hosted its 17th annual golf tournament today at Westwood Country Club. Coaches, players and alumni participated both in the tournament and running games for kids from partners and schools directly impacted through the Foundation's programs.

Entering its 17th year, the golf tournament is the Cleveland Browns Foundation's longest standing and most successful fundraiser, raising more than $2.8 million since its launch through the collaboration of the Browns, the team's partners and other generous supporters.

Check out the video above for sights and sounds from the morning and check out our photo gallery below.

 

Browns Pro Bowl tight end Gary Barnidge underwent sports hernia surgery Thursday morning and will be out until sometime in training camp.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's hard to miss a 6-6, 250-pound man during an organized team activities practice, so when Gary Barnidge was missing Wednesday, it sent up a red flag.

Coach Hue Jackson said he had an excused absence, but provided no further details at the time.

But Thursday, at the Browns Foundation Golf outing, Jackson revealed that his Pro Bowl tight end underwent sports hernia surgery early that morning in Philadelphia.

He'll miss the mandatory three-day minicamp next week, but is expected back sometime during training camp, which begins in late July.

Barnidge is the second Browns Pro Bowl player to undergo surgery this season and be sidelined until at least sometime during training camp. The first was cornerback Joe Haden, who underwent ankle surgery in March and recently got out of his walking boot.

Dr. William Meyers, a sports hernia specialist in Philadelphia, performed the surgery.

"He had the best doctor and he will be back and ready to go at training camp,'' Jackson said. "I'm glad that we're dealing with this now, so that we can get it behind us and get him back to where he needs to be. And me knowing him, he'll be chomping at the bit way before time, but we'll slow him down and make sure he's ready to go.''

Jackson said the Browns are confident Barnidge, 30, will be fine to participate at some point in camp and is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.

"I don't think there's any concern if he's not going to be ready to go or anything like that,'' he said. "But it's good to get these things behind us as fast as we can.''

Barnidge had been practicing with the hernia, and the medical staff was monitoring it. But it got to the point where he needed to have it repaired.

Barnidge led the Browns in 2016 with 79 receptions, 1,043 receiving yards and nine TDs, which all marked career highs.

Former Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce, now with the Los Angeles Clippers, said he never thought he'd see Cleveland win a championship. Then he picked them. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Paul Pierce said he never could see this happening to Cleveland.

An NBA championship? No way.

Pierce, now playing for the Los Angeles Clippers, gave that thought Thursday before Game 1 of the NBA Finals as a guest on ESPN/ABC's pregame show in Oakland. Host Sage Steele asked her panel of Pierce, Doug Collins and Jalen Rose whether a title this year for the Cavaliers or Golden State can be more impressive.

"I never thought in my lifetime that Cleveland would ever win a championship," Pierce said. "I always thought certain franchises in this league have dark clouds over them."

Pierce played a role in stirring up those clouds. He starred on the Boston Celtics teams that eliminated LeBron James' Cavaliers in 2008 and 2010 - the last of those led to "The Decision."

While Pierce intended to heighten the potential achievement, he also played into the identity given to a city enduring a 52-year starvation for a major pro sports title.

Collins agreed with the gist of Pierce's comment. Of course, Collins also factored into previous Cavaliers heartache. Remember "The Shot?" Collins coached Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls for that one.

The former coach said a Cavaliers championship would be James' "greatest athletic achievement."

"If he were to do that, I can't imagine what that city would be like," Collins said.

Only Rose shied away from the thought, giving a needed contrarian view to the discussion. He favored Golden State's chance at solidifying its record 73 regular-season wins with another championship.

"This could arguably go down as the greatest single season a team has ever had," Rose said.

When asked for their predictions, Pierce responded: "Cavs in six."

The Warriors won Game 1, 104-89.

Say that again?!

Imagine Kobe Bryant in his prime substituted in for LeBron James on this year's Cavaliers team.

Think the Cavaliers would be favored in their rematch against the Warriors?

Stephen A. Smith thinks so. Smith made this proclamation Thursday morning on First Take. See it to believe it in the video clip below.

In case you missed it

Draymond needs to chill with these kicks... https://t.co/S8YpStLUbD

-- The Sports Quotient (@SportsQuotient) June 3, 2016

"Bruce Lee would be proud." - Jeff Van Gundy on Steve Kerr smashing his clipboard. https://t.co/UkjbjE8MMJ

-- Brad Galli (@BradGalli) June 3, 2016

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.

The OHSAA state softball semifinals for Divisions I and II are Friday at Firestone Stadium in Akron. Keystone, Archbishop Hoban, Walsh Jesuit and Amherst are among the teams competing for spots in Saturday's state championship games.

AKRON, Ohio -- The OHSAA state softball semifinals for Divisions I and II are today at Firestone Stadium in Akron. Follow updates in the comments section below from sports reporter Matt Goul and each Northeast Ohio team's Twitter accounts.

Here's a rundown of the games:

Division II state semifinals

Hamilton Ross (21-7) vs. Keystone (27-4), 10 a.m.

Archbishop Hoban (24-5) vs. Hebron Lakewood (27-0), 12:30 p.m.

Division I state semifinals

Walsh Jesuit (22-5) vs. Mason (26-2), 3 p.m.

Teays Valley (24-6) vs. Amherst (25-5), 5:30 p.m.

Here are the brackets:

• DIVISION I
• DIVISION II
• DIVISION III
• DIVISION IV

In case you missed it, here is a look at the regional tournaments and how teams reached Akron.

DIVISION I

• Clayton Regional
• Akron Regional
• Clyde Regional
• Columbus Regional

DIVISION II

• Bucyrus Regional
• Mason Regional
• Akron Regional
• Pickerington Regional

DIVISION III

• Lancaster Regional
• Dayton Regional
• Massillon Regional
• Bellefontaine Regional

DIVISION IV

• Kent Regional
• Pickerington Regional
• Clayton Regional
• Findlay Regional

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.