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LeBron James: 'I'm just a kid from Akron.' Where are you from? (video)

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Cleveland.com asked kids attending the Cleveland Cavaliers Championship Parade and Rally where they are from in responses to LeBron James often saying, "I'm just a kid from Akron. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - LeBron James said it again after winning the NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers. "I'm just a kid from Akron," the implication that no matter where you're from, you can achieve your dreams.

James, the 2016 NBA Finals MVP who was born and raised in Akron, on Sunday fulfilled his promise two years ago that he would bring a championship to Cleveland.

Wednesday, he celebrated that promise with fans from across Ohio - and the country.

At the end of the 52-year championship drought at the Cleveland Cavaliers Championship Parade and Rally, cleveland.com asked area kids where they're from.

Follow on Twitter: @CLEvideos


Savor this: A California U.S. senator forced to wear a Cavs jersey

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Cavs win, Warriors lose -- and California U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer today had to put on a Cavs jersey to pay up on her bet with Ohio U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown.

WASHINGTON -- Beer is nice, put a picture is forever. So savor this one, Cleveland.

What you see is U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer of California, a committed but humbled fan of the Golden State Warriors. She wore a Cleveland Cavs jersey -- a LeBron James replica -- briefly today because her team lost the NBA Finals. So she lost her bet with U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio.

The two bet beer from their respective home states, and the loser had to pay up while wearing a jersey of the winning team. It was a rerun of their NBA Finals bet last year, only with a different ending.

What the lawmakers bet

When collecting on last year's bet, Brown had to don a Warriors jersey.

But that's history, and the Cavs on Sunday made some some history of their own. No doubt the beer Boxer brought Brown, from the 21st Amendment Brewery in San Leandro, California, is tasty. But thousands of people in Northeast Ohio can't exactly share it.

That's okay. The picture is much more satisfying.

Read David Griffin's speech from Cavs' 2016 NBA championship parade

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Here is a summary of Cavaliers general manager David Griffin's speech Wednesday during the Cavaliers' celebration.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cavaliers play-by-play broadcaster Fred McLeod introduced David Griffin on Wednesday at the team's championship parade celebration and compared the general manager to chef Michael Symon.

McLeod reference the additions Griffin made to the roster, including Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye. They were some of the latest ingredients to help this team beat the Golden State Warriors in their NBA Finals rematch.

"They fit like a glove," McLeod said. "You have to have that to win a championship."

Here is a summary of Griffin's speech Wednesday during the Cavaliers' celebration.

Wow, this is unbelievable. Anybody feel like a champion today?

So, when you win, everybody gets credit they don't deserve. I'm really honored by the comments Dan made. But I'm actually humble enough to accept what Kyrie (Irving) said to me afterwards, which was I know that was supposed to motivate us, but it was like you handed us a school sill bus, so it de-juiced me just a little bit. But it's OK. Sorry, I actually have to collect myself here. I'd like to thank and congratulate (GM) Bob Myers and the Golden State Warriors organization on a truly historic run the last two seasons.

It's important you know that because it pushed Ty Lue and his coaches, it pushed him and his staff, it pushed Trent, and Kobe, and Mike in our front office. It pushed our ownership group, our entire team, and our team behind the team, and you guys all know who you are, to find excellence and find it as quickly as possible. I think it took a team that good to force us to the brink. To force us to ignore the noise and lean on one another, to sacrifice for one another and to find appropriate fear. They made us bring everything we had. We had to be all in in order to find our collective greatness. Without them we could not have made history by rallying for that brink and overcoming a 3-1 deficit for the first time?

So here we are Cleveland, after 52 years, everyone here, everyone in the state of Ohio, every Cavs fan that has rocked The Q or Richfield Coliseum, every member of wine and gold united, you are all champions. But with that, I'd like to challenge you and some responsibility comes with this. We can no longer be the city that defines its failures by titles. The shot, the drive, the fumble all must now be replaced by the block, the three, and the D. Our best basketball lies just ahead of us, and just as it does for the city of Cleveland the narrative of Northeast Ohio is no longer what we can't do or have failed to do, it is an expectation of excellence. It's a willingness to dream as big as you can dream as big as a kid from Mexico, Missouri, Ty Lue dreamed of being a head coach in the NBA. And most importantly, as big as a kid from Akron did when he returned home.

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.   

Tyronn Lue: 'I'm just proud to be the first one to bring you guys a championship'

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Fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers gather to celebrate the first national championship since 1964.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland head coach Tyronn Lue spent his time on stage Wednesday thanking his entire coaching staff at the Cavaliers Championship Parade and Rally at Mall B in downtown Cleveland.

Lue took over as the head coach midway through the regular season replacing David Blatt to guide the franchise to its first world championship.

"I want to say thank you to the state of Ohio and to the city of Cleveland," Lue said. "We did it, it took all of us to do it, the whole organization. I'm just proud to be the first one to bring you guys a championship. So thank you."

On Sunday, the Cavaliers became the first Cleveland major sports team to win a national championship in 52 years. This comes after defeating the Golden State Warriors in seven games of the NBA Finals. MVP LeBron James won the Finals MVP award after leading all players averaging 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 2.3 steals and 2.6 blocks.

"It's been a long journey folks," Cavs emcee Ahaamd Brooks said. "It's been a long journey, but 16 weeks later, we are NBA champions."

Fox Sports play-by-play announcer Fred McLeod announced that $717,365 was raised from the $5 admission fees to the Cavs Watch Parties. According to the Cavs, ticket proceeds from NBA Finals Official Road Game Watch Parties will be donated to Achievement Centers for Children and Special Olympics Ohio Greater Cleveland.

FOX Sports Ohio will re-air the parade today at 7:30 p.m., midnight, and Saturday June 25 at 8 p.m.

Follow more coverage of the parade at cleveland.com

Kyrie Irving at Cavs parade: 'I've been watching The Block more than anything'

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Cleveland Cavaliers erase a 52-year national championship drought in Cleveland. Kyrie Irving speaks at Cavs Championship Parade and Rally. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Kyrie Irving's final 3-pointer in Game 7 of the NBA Finals will forever be known as the play to help carry the Cavaliers to their first championship.

But in his eyes, his shot to give the Cavs a three-point lead late in the game was overshadowed by another play during the final game: The Block by teammate LeBron James.

LeBron's block featured on ESPN's Sports Science

"Man, I've been watching The Block more than anything because there's no shot without The Block," said Irving during Wednesday's rally downtown. "You see a guy chasing down a shot like that and then I get a chance on the biggest stage, Game 7, man, I wouldn't trade it for the world."

Irving averaged 25.2 points and 4.7 assists during the playoffs to help erase a major-sports championship drought in Cleveland that has lasted since 1964. Last year, Irving missed most of the the NBA Finals after suffering a knee injury.

"We're all together and bonded for life and this is an unbelievable ride that I'll remember for the rest of my life," Irving said to his teammates. "The only question that can ever be said about this team is what's next? So from the bottom of my heart, this is a very special year. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I love all y'all."

An estimated one million people attended the Cavs Championship Parade and Rally.

Follow more coverage of the parade at cleveland.com

Cleveland Cavs fans celebrate with replica Larry O'Brien NBA trophy during parade (photos)

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Cleveland sports fans got a chance to pose with a replica Larry O'Brien NBA Championship trophy while waiting for the Cavaliers parade to get started.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland sports fans got a chance to pose with a replica Larry O'Brien NBA Championship trophy Wednesday while waiting for the Cavaliers parade to get started. 

You may not get a chance to hold the real thing, but cleveland.com gave fans the next best thing with a couple of replicas of the trophy. Reporters hit the streets with the replicas during the parade. Fans, the Cavs girls, police officers, and members of the marching band from LeBron James' alma mater, St. Vincent-St. Mary, all posed with the trophies.

Click through the gallery above to see all the fans posing with the trophy. 

Cleveland fans waited 52 years for a pro sports championship and didn't seem to mind waiting a couple of extra hours more than anticipated for the parade to roll through downtown. 

Several people climbed light poles, bus stops, and street signs to get better views of the parade. Kids sat, and even stood on their dad's backs, for a better vantage point. Several times, the parade had to be paused as people flooded the streets in excitement.

But amidst all the waiting and pushing to get closer to their hometown heroes, Cavs fans celebrated in a raucous but peaceful way, remembering that for this series, we were all in it together. 

Reporter Brenda Cain contributed to this story

Read Channing Frye's speech from Cavs NBA championship parade 2016

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Read what Channing Frye had to say at the Cavs' championship parade.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here is what Cavs forward Channing Frye had to say during the team's championship rally on Wednesday:

It hit me when I got home. It's just been an amazing journey to go from where I was at the beginning of the year to where I am now. The city of Cleveland, this team embraced me. I'm not the best athlete in the world, but I've got that Jimmy stays nice. So I'm glad we can get a championship.

(My teammates are) cool. They alright. A couple of them I don't like. But I'll be kicking it with them because they're winners. No, no, no. But literally I love these guys. They know it. I give them a hard time all the time. But I love them to death. If they come to Portland, don't call me. I'll be busy this summer. But you know what? It feels good to be a winner.

Frye ended his speech with a mic drop. Cavs play-by-play man Fred McLeod joked that it was Frye's first turnover of the postseason.

Starting lineups, Game 71: Cleveland Indians vs. Tampa Bay Rays

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Can the Indians complete a perfect homestand?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Can the Indians complete an undefeated homestand? Here are the lineups and pitching matchup for Wednesday's series finale between Cleveland and Tampa Bay.

Pitching matchup: RHP Trevor Bauer (4-2, 3.46 ERA) vs. Chris Archer (4-9, 4.60 ERA)

Lineups

Indians

1. DH Carlos Santana

2. 2B Jason Kipnis

3. SS Francisco Lindor

4. 1B Mike Napoli

5. LF Jose Ramirez

6. 3B Juan Uribe

7. RF Lonnie Chisenhall

8. C Chris Gimenez

9. CF Tyler Naquin

Rays

1. DH Logan Forsythe

2. SS Brad Miller

3. 3B Evan Longoria

4. 1B Logan Morrison

5. CF Desmond Jennings

6. LF Corey Dickerson

7. RF Taylor Motter

8. 2B Nick Franklin

9. C Curt Casali


Cavs fans describe championship in one word (photos)

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Cleveland.com asked Cavs fans at the parade Wednesday to share their thoughts about the championship in one word or phrase. Here's what they said.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- "Proud," "euphoric" and "Cavs-tastic:" That's how Cleveland Cavaliers fans at the parade downtown described their team's NBA championship.

Cleveland.com hit the streets at Wednesday's victory parade in downtown Cleveland to ask fans how they felt about the Cavs bringing home the title -- in one word or phrase. 

The Cavaliers made history Sunday with their win in Game 7 against the Golden State Warriors. Not only did the team win the city's first major sports championship title in more than 50 years, but they also became the first team in NBA Finals history to come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the finals.

More than 1 million people came downtown Wednesday to celebrate the Cavaliers' accomplishment. 

Take a look through the gallery above to see what fans said about the win, and boil down your thoughts to one word or phrase in the comments below.

J.R. Smith at Cavs NBA Championship parade 2016: 'I'm not wearing a shirt. Don't ask'

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See what Cavs guard J.R. Smith had to say at the Cavs' championship parade.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cavs guard J.R. Smith started his speech at the Cavs' NBA championship parade and rally by joking about not wearing his shirt.

Play-by-play commentator Fred McLeod joked that before the parade started, Cavs fans found his shirt.

Here's all of what Smith said at the rally.

I'm not wearing a shirt. So don't ask.

Yeah, I think the last time I took my shirt off was after the game, I gave it to my dad, and I ain't put one on since.

No I mean, it's everything I dreamt it would be and more. Spending it with my family and my friends, with y'all, it was the best feeling in the world with these guys who I go to battle with every day, blessed. I appreciate every last one of you from the bottom of my heart. I promise.

Cleveland Cavaliers' parade -- a personal reflection: Bill Livingston (photos)

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In a city notable for the fortitude of their sports fans, Cleveland's championship parade was a salute to the fans almost as much as to the players.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- No cheering in the press box is a tradition honored more in the observance than the breach.

It turns Shakespeare's line from "Hamlet" around, which is only in keeping with the times, with the often downtrodden Cleveland Cavaliers on top of the basketball world.

Bells and bedlam

Real journalism, unlike amateur blogging, is a harsh mistress. We repressed souls in the press box try to capture the moment, doing the labor of the mind, rather than letting it seize us and our hearts. We are always on the clock.

Moments before bedlam broke out Sunday night in Cleveland, Plain Dealer colleague Tom Feran nervously left his home and took a walk. He learned of the victory from the loud cheers, exploding like firecrackers throughout the neighborhood.

Seconds later, he heard church bells ringing.

It was like that, almost a religious experience, to most Clevelanders. Cleveland waited for a championship two years longer than there have been Super Bowls. LII years in the wilderness. A dozen more than Moses.

It had been a long time between victory bells.

The boys in the box

Out in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday night, LeBron James lay on the floor after the game ended, shedding tears of joy.

Coach Tyronn Lue wept on the bench, his face buried in a towel.

Veteran forward Richard Jefferson cried on the bench too.

J.R. Smith, seeing his father standing nearby on Fathers' Day, sobbed at the interview room dais, his grasp on his emotions slippery and tentative.

Above them, in the press box, sportswriters bent over their laptops, typing frantically, stealing glances but no more at exhausted men, King and princes in Cleveland forever, weeping at what they had done. No team had ever overcome a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals until the Cavs did.

The harsh mistress doesn't want diamonds. She wants copy. She treats a missed deadline with the scorn a forgotten anniversary would receive in a marriage. The price of getting into all the games for free is to keep all our emotions in check.

What pallid lives we live.

The "knee-jerk" reaction

A Cavaliers moment in 2009 was so startling that, abashed, I found myself with both hands clasped to the sides of my head, rising from my press box seat at The Q, shouting, "Wow!" after James turned defeat into victory against the Orlando Magic in a playoff game with a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

But usually, it is much more subtle. The term "knee-jerk reaction" isn't just an involuntary reflex, it's a way of bottling up the crazed genie trying get out of the bottle where we put it and run wild.

It's a knee twitch, trying to urge James, crawling on his hands and knees on the floor of The Q, to get to a loose ball.

It's a last comment in body language, trying to help Kyrie Irving's driving layup, taken from a pool hustler's angle, roll in.

If few of us write with pom-poms on, it's because of the business we've chosen.

It's not because we don't care.

The parade course

The fortitude of Cleveland's fans is remarkable in not abandoning the rooting life. The fans have had many chances to do so.

Everyone writing the story about the Cavs' magnificent comeback should know that the fans' perseverance was even greater. Just look at them on Wednesday, basking in the sun, then nearly wilting in it. Some arrived before dawn. Most were there to the end.

The day was a salute to them almost as much as to the Cavs.

An almost unfathomable number of fans watched the championship parade as it wound through the downtown streets. A city often unfairly criticized, its  considerable virtues of music, medicine, art, theater and dining too little appreciated, had its day in the sun because of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The parade crawled between swelling ranks of fans surrounding the cars in which the players rode. Most fans wore the team colors of wine and gold. 

Some of the players were shirtless. Some of them were smoking stogies. Some of them were drinking champagne. It was St. Patrick's Day in the summer-time.

The winning touch

The NBA championship touched everyone; at the watch parties near The Q and on the suburban streets when the bells clanged; on both the East Side and the West, all around the town; all the way across the country, even reaching up into  the press box in Section 102 at Oracle Arena.

It was located above the floor, on a line with the basket the Cavs defended as time ran out.

We didn't cheer. But we all knew we had been witnesses to something extraordinary. 

Kevin Love at Cavs Parade: 'We got the ultimate prize'

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Cleveland Cavaliers erase a 52-year national championship drought in Cleveland. Kevin Love speaks at the Cavs Parade and Rally.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Kevin Love sported not one, but two championship belts at Wednesday's Cavs Championship Parade and Rally.

Love and his teammates have been sporting WWE apparel since the playoffs and didn't stop days after winning the world championship.

#mood

A photo posted by @kevinlove on

"Some guys want rings, which I do too. But always been a wrestling fan and took on a life of its own," said Love. "That's why we're wearing different wrestlers' T-shirts. That's why I have two belts with me."

On Wednesday, Love addressed an estimated 1.3 million attendees at the Cavs Championship Parade and Rally at Mall B in downtown Cleveland. He averaged 14 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists during the playoffs as the Cavs went on to win the NBA Finals defeating the Golden State Warriors in seven games.

"We got the ultimate prize," Love said. "But none of this could have happened without these guys. We're all brothers, and forever solidified and forever connected."

Follow more coverage of the parade at cleveland.com

Cavs announcer Fred McLeod made boldest prediction last August (video)

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Cavs play-by-play announcer Fred McLeod does not shy away from predictions. He made one in our Plain Dealer studio back in August, we thought taking another look was a good idea. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cavs play-by-play announcer Fred McLeod does not shy away from predictions. He made one in our Plain Dealer studio back in August and as he emceed today's championship rally in downtown Cleveland we thought it would be cool to have another look at the final scene of his video.

We get a lot of interesting Clevelanders to participate in the weekly Fashion Flash feature. McLeod came to The Plain Dealer studio with his wife, WOIO meteorologist Beth McLeod, to participate in the Fashion Flash. While we talked about life, sports and fashion he confidently ended our video segment with the boldest statement ever. It made his wife's eyes widen, made us worry about jinxes, but he said, "Nonsense!"

His fearless prediction leads us to today, the biggest, baddest celebration, parade and party in Cleveland history.

Have a look at the video above and click here to see the McLeod's Fashion Flash photos and interview from last August.

LeBron James at Cavs' parade: 'Let's get ready for next year'

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Jim Brown passed the Larry O'Brien Trophy to LeBron James following a speech Wednesday by the NBA Finals MVP at the Cleveland Cavaliers' championship celebration. Read James' speech here.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Jim Brown held the Larry O'Brien Trophy and walked toward LeBron James.

The last superstar to win Cleveland a championship 52 years ago passed the gold hardware Wednesday to James, concluding the Cavaliers' championship parade and rally. James accepted the proverbial passing of the torch from Brown, who led Cleveland's NFL title run in 1964.

James, the NBA Finals MVP, addressed his teammates one by one and did not hold back. Here is James' speech from a podium off St. Clair Avenue.

Oh, man. They asked me do I have a speech or something prepared, and I really don't. I'm just going to speak from the heart like I always do.

What's going on right now is still so surreal to me. It still hasn't hit me what actually happened, and for some crazy a-- reason I believe like I'm going to wake up, and it's going to be like Game 4 all over again. I'll be like, s---, we're down 2-1 still.

Like I swear. I keep feeling that, because it's so surreal. I was talking to my wife, and I'm like, babe, we did it. You guys always see the finished product, and when we step out on the floor -- either 18 minutes before the game or Kyrie's taking a long time to put two pairs of socks on or his shoes on and we come out at like 12. You guys see it from that point to the end of the game. But what you guys do not see is the hard work behind the scenes when all these cameras and all these lights and everything are not around.

I heard a lot of it "thank you LeBrons" today, and "thanks for coming home and keeping your promise." But really you guys should be thanking all the guys up here to be honest. I'm just one man. I'm one man with a plan, with a drive, with determination, with will, with a belief, a strong support system at home. But I'm just one guy. I look over here at Jordan McCray, a young guy that came to our team from the D-League, and he just automatically just bought into what we wanted to do. So he was ready to do anything that we asked from him. You know, being a young guy.

To my brother, judge. J.J., I've seen a lot of things. Like LeBron James made six straight Finals appearances. Well, s---, James Jones made six straight as well. You guys never see champ complain about playing time, complaining about shots, complaining about anything, and he's probably the most professional guy on our team J.J., thank you.

Dahntay Jones, we just picked him up. He's the luckiest man in the world. I'll tell you that. We picked his a-- up like two months ago. No, but seriously, a true professional. Competing against this guy, you always knew that you've got to be locked in. Every time he stepped on the floor, and then when he got on the team, we saw how great of a teammate he was. Also another guy that will give anything. And you guys saw that in our game, our Game 6 at home. J.R. Smith picks up three fouls. (Iman) Shumpert picks up three fouls. R.J. (Richard Jefferson) had three fouls at halftime. And Coach (Tyronn) Lue and myself, and Kyrie, we had a lot of faith in Dahntay, and Dahntay had faith in himself and gave us a huge boost to close out that quarter in Game 6. Thank you, Dahntay.

Mo Williams. Having Mo back. Me and Mo have some unfinished business last time we were together in '09 and '10. Making it to the Eastern Conference finals and losing to Orlando. Making it to the second round, losing to Boston. And we went our separate ways. But when we had an opportunity to pick him up in the offseason, I think it was great for our team, and I'm happy to be able to share this moment with Mo. Share a championship with Mo, because we had unfinished business. So thank you, Mo.

And to young guy, aka, Kyrie Irving, whatever you want to call him. This guy, he thought I was blowing smoke up his a-- early in the season when I said he could be the best point guard in our league and also be an MVP in our league. And I know every single one of you watched that Finals. You all saw what this guy's capable of doing. And he's only 24. Oh, my goodness. He's only 24. He don't reach his prime for another three years. Thank you, Kyrie.

You guys heard all the stories, you can't win with J.R. on your team. J.R. takes bad shots. You all heard them weak a-- stories. But when our GM (David Griffin) came to me and said we have an opportunity to get J.R. Smith from the New York Knicks, the Knicks said J.R. was a throw-in by the way. Yeah, we'll leave that to the side. But I was like I would love to have J.R. Smith. I know J.R. Smith and I know what he's capable of doing. And he showed not only is he a hell of a 3-point shooter, he's a hell of a defensive player, two-way player. Thank you, if J.R. Smith.

Shump, want to thank Iman Shumpert. Another guy that we got in that deal from New York; young, hungry, guy that would do anything. Last year, you guys don't even know this because we don't ever put out our medical reports about being injured, Shump played all last year in The Finals with a partially torn groin and partially torn shoulder last year. You guys don't know that. It's not about that. We don't want sympathy; just hard work and dedication. This guy right here will run through that. Whatever the hell that is, that brick building right there, Shump will run through it.

Now I don't know if he'll go head-first because he loves his haircut, but he'll go face-first. Shump, thank you.

Delly ... (applause) yeah, and he deserves that. He deserves that.

If it was a bear right here, and it was Delly right here, and I shot the ball and I was wondering who was going to get to the ball first, Delly would tear that damn bear up. You all saw for the last two years, Delly giving everything. He damn near gave his life last year in The Finals. Had to go to the hospital after one of our Finals games. That's a guy who is dedicated. Who never cared about guys saying Delly's not fast enough. Delly's not strong enough. Delly can't shoot it well enough. Delly's not an NBA player. Well, guess what, Delly's a champion. Thank you, Delly.

Timo, another ex-Knick. But we'll leave that to the side again. When we got Timo, I remember when Griffin said we were going to get Timofey Mozgov, you want to know what's crazy? The first time I saw Timo we were in Golden State about to play Golden State. Last year you guys knew if you could cover us, which you guys did, that we needed a little more size in our interior, a little more athleticism. So I come down the elevator and Timo is in the lobby and I swear it looked like I was seeing like the biggest human being I've ever seen in my life. I looked at Griff. He said he's a big mother, ain't he? I said he is absolutely. And when I seen him the very next night, he sprint from baseline to baseline, blocked shots, tipped dunks, alley-oops. I said we've got a great one, and also, Timo, thank you so much. You're a champion as well.

Sasha (Kaun), a good friend of mine texted me the other day by the name of Mario Chalmers. He said, "You know you can't win a championship without a (Kansas) Jayhawk on my team." And I said, "You're right. I won two in Miami with you, and I get another one here with Sasha being an ex-Jayhawk in Kansas." Sasha, everything you did this year that no one's seen, working out with Timo every single day, committing to the game every single day. You worked out every single day with no vision of a coaching staff or us saying, "Sasha, you're going to play." You're going to get minutes. No entitlement. No entitlement all year, and you've got to be an unbelievable person and unbelievable professional to be able to take that and still come to work every day and give it your all. Thank you, Sasha.

Little Kev, aka, R.J., Dick Jefferson, whatever you want to call him. You don't know this story point, either. I've got a lot of stories. But I want to thank DeAndre Jordan, because if DeAndre Jordan did not decide to go back to the Clippers, we wouldn't have R.J. on our team. You can Google the story. I'm not going to tell you the rest of it. But it weren't for that guy, we wouldn't have him. From day one we had R.J., I knew I had a guy that was playing behind me that I could trust, ask, count on. I don't think he realized he was going to play 35 minutes in Finals games. That's why he said he quit the other night. R.J., man, like you said, your first two years going to The Finals, me and you being on the Olympic team in '04, which was a s--- show, finishing third, everything you've been through in your career ... I'm just happy I was able to be a part of you winning your first championship, brother, thank you.

Big Kev, Kevin Love. Wow. What y'all saying? Turn around? I will in a little bit. Give me a second.

Kev, when I knew we had the opportunity to get you two years ago, I didn't second-guess it. I think you knew how I felt. I told you in the 2000 Olympics that in order for us to win a gold medal, you had to be our anchor in the interior, and you looked at me like, man, you don't know me, shut up. And for the last two years, you kind of looked at me like that a few times as well. But this guy is so misunderstood. Everybody says he's not a team player. He's not a winner. He doesn't do what it takes. And you saw his struggles throughout The Finals. Everything that happened from the concussion to sitting out to him having the shooting struggles and things of that nature, and everybody burying him alive throughout The Finals. To be able to respond like he did in Game 7, that's what real men do. They respond in their most adverse times. We talk about the shot. We talk about the block, but the stop, that was on a two-time MVP, by the way. That was on a two-time MVP, but I'm going to let that go. Thank you, Kev.

Channing (Frye), I didn't know you, man, before you got here. But I knew what you were capable of doing on the floor, and we had the opportunity to get you, I asked R.J. what type of guy he is. Said you're going to love him. I said bring him on. From day one since you got here, you've been nothing short of amazing. Both on the floor, but mostly off the floor. You are one of the greatest, funniest guys in the world. But also you're a true professional, and I'm happy to be along the ride to help win a championship with you. Thank you, Channing.

Last but not least. My little brother, "Double T," (Tristan Thompson) who I've been taking care of since he was 17. Just to see this guy grow every day. It's been unbelievable to be a part of it. "Double T," you talked about someone being reliable. I mean, 390 straight games? That's reliable. Knowing when you get on the court, there's going to be that guy there every single night that's a treat to have. Man. I love you, little bro. Always and forever. I love all of y'all. Thanks to all of y'all, dog. I really appreciate it. So thank you for all the "LeBron wishes" and "coming home wishes," but I'm nothing without the group behind me, man. I'm nothing without the coaching staff. I'm nothing without the city. You guys are unbelievable. And these guys told me I've got to turn around. So I'm nothing without y'all. I love all y'all. I love all y'all, and, s---, let's get ready for next year.

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.

Richard Jefferson tells Cleveland Cavliers fans he'll play one more year

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Jefferson tells crowd he is returning for another season after asking for their input.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Richard Jefferson didn't need much convincing to come back for another season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. It just took some persuading from 1.3 million of his closest friends.

Jefferson, who told Fox Sports Ohio's Allie Clifton that he was retiring following the Cavaliers' Game 7 victory celebration at Oracle Arena on Sunday night, was asked about his decision on Wednesday during the team's championship rally in downtown Cleveland by Cavaliers play-by-play announcer, Fred McLeod.

"You guys think I should play one more year?" he asked.

The crowd cheered in response.

"If you guys want me to play one more year, I'll play one more year," he said.

Jefferson, signed last offseason after backing out of a verbal agreement to re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks, was a key contributor during the Cavaliers Finals win over the Warriors. He started two games and averaged 5.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. He appeared in 74 games for the Cavaliers during the regular season, including five starts. He averaged 5.5 points per game and shot 38 percent from three-point range.

He became a fan favorite this season in part because of his discovery of a Tommy Bahama magazine ad featuring a model who looked like teammate Kevin Love. The Lil' Kev persona was born and became a star of Jefferson's Snapchat account.

Lil' Kev appears in full-page Tommy Bahama ad in The Plain Dealer

Jefferson's career in the NBA began in 2001 with the New Jersey Nets. The Cavaliers are his seventh team. He turned 36 on Tuesday.


Live updates and chat: Cleveland Indians vs. Tampa Bay Rays, Game 71

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The Indians and Rays will conclude their three-game series on Wednesday evening at Progressive Field. Get scoring updates and participate in a live chat as the clubs square off.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians and Rays will conclude their three-game series on Wednesday evening at Progressive Field. Get scoring updates and participate in a live chat as the clubs square off.

Game 70: Indians (40-30) vs. Rays (31-38)

First pitch: 7:10 p.m.

Broadcast info: SportsTime Ohio, WTAM 1100, Indians Radio Network

Pitching matchup: RHP Trevor Bauer (4-2, 3.46 ERA) vs. RHP Chris Archer (4-9, 4.60 ERA)

Fact du jour: The Indians have won 10 straight home games.

Pacers acquire Thaddeus Young from Brooklyn Nets, according to report

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The Brooklyn Nets traded Thaddeus Young to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indiana Pacers made their second big trade in two days, acquiring Brooklyn Nets forward Thaddeus Young on Thursday, including to Adrian Wojnarowski from Yahoo's The Vertical.

In return, the Nets will receive the 20th pick in Thursday's NBA Draft as well as a future second rounder.

Last season with Brooklyn, Young averaged 15.1 points and nine rebounds per game.

The Pacers also acquired former Hawks point guard Jeff Teague on Wednesday as part of a 3-team deal, sending George Hill to the Utah Jazz.

Who won the Cavs NBA championship parade and celebration? (poll)

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There were plenty of candidates. Who is your pick?

CLEVELAND, Ohio - As Cleveland basks in the aftermath of the Cavs' NBA championship parade and celebration, there is still one last award to be given out.

Who won the parade?

There certainly are lots of candidates. LeBron James will surely get votes, especially after he mimicked the large banner at the beginning of the parade route, then delivered a memorable - if not entirely safe for work - speech at the end of the event.

Shirtless J.R. Smith was popular.

Kyrie Irving danced on top of a truck.

Richard Jefferson seemed to go back on his retirement talk, and Kevin Love lugged around two championship belts.

Jim Brown provided a symbolic moment by passing the Larry O'Brien Trophy to James.

And then there were the fans, who overwhelmed the city streets and even scaled walls to see the parade.

So who won?

Vote in the poll and let us know what you think.

The legend of Lil' Kev is real: Hundreds show up to meet Cavaliers' Richard Jefferson and his trusty sidekick

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Lil' Kev's popularity grew as Jefferson chronicled their adventures on his Snapchat account. He said it actually brought the team closer together, as the behind-the-scenes posts on social media erased questions about team unity. Watch video

BEACHWOOD, Ohio -- Everywhere Cavaliers forward Richard Jefferson goes these days, the chants are the same.

"One more year! One more year!"

"Oh my God, that was crazy. I don't think those people [at the parade] understand how tired I am, I'm exhausted," Jefferson said with a smile prior to an appearance Thursday at the Tommy Bahama store at Beachwood Place Mall. "One more year might be tough."

His answer was curious, considering he told 1.3 million Cavaliers fans a day earlier he was going to play next season. That was after he seemingly announced his retirement moments after Cavaliers won the NBA Championship last Sunday.

"Unfortunately, I'm a free agent," Jefferson said as more than 300 fans waited to meet him and get his autograph. "The team and us, we have to work through all of that stuff. I'm probably going to spend a little time with my family and figure out what I want to do next.

"This was the No. 1 goal that I always wanted to accomplish, so now I might have to see if there's other things I want to do and accomplish. I know we're already talking about next year, but I'm still enjoying this year."

Jefferson was at the store in Beachwood, of course, because of Lil' Kev, the magazine cutout of a Tommy Bahama ad featuring a model that's a dead ringer for Kevin Love that's become a good luck charm for the Cavaliers.

"Lil' Kev embodies so much, you don't want to throw a label on him. We just all thought it was so funny. It started off as a gag on the plane," Jefferson said. "I had no idea the fans were going to take to it."

Lil' Kev's popularity grew as Jefferson chronicled their adventures on his Snapchat account. He said it actually brought the team closer together, as the behind-the-scenes posts on social media erased questions about team unity.

"If fans see that we are close, then you get to stop answering those questions, it actually made us a little bit closer," Jefferson said. "So, I was going to keep doing it just so that, if it took, not pressure, but any attention off of other things, and put it on something funny and positive, then I was going to do it." 

Cavaliers fan Helga Dimitrov, who showed up at the store wearing a Lil' Kev shirt, agreed.  "Generating the Lil' Kev meme really showed me how together the team was and made me believe they were going to win the championship," she said.

"Lil Kev should get a ring," Jefferson said. "Everyone knows, there's a reason why all these people are here. Lil' Kev was the MVP of the season."

As for Tommy Bahama, the Seattle-based manufacturer of casual island wear finds itself basking in some unexpected publicity thanks to Jefferson and Lil' Kev. Even Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova was spotted wearing Lil' Kev's favorite $178 Tommy Bahama jacket during the team's championship celebration in Las Vegas.

"We're so amazed and so proud to be part of this experience with Cleveland," Eric Karp, Tommy Bahama's director of brand marketing, said. "We have not offered RJ an endorsement deal, but if he'd like to have a chat about it, we sure can."

As if Jefferson needed something else to do next season.

LeBron James has come a long way from eating Skittles: Terry Pluto (video)

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LeBron James has grown from a kid eating Skittles to an NBA statesman with three championships, including this special one with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The first time I interviewed LeBron James, he was 15 years old. Just a kid, sitting in the gym eating Skittles.

Now, he's an NBA statesman ... a three-time NBA champion ... the MVP of the 2016 NBA Finals after his Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors.

He's come a long way.

In leading the Cavs to the NBA title, he touched off a celebration that was 52 years in the making, and threatening to last that many more, judging by the length of Wednesday's parade in downtown Cleveland.

While he said he wasn't anxious or nervous during the Finals, it was obvious he had some anxiousness. He knows nothing is given and that includes making the Finals. You don't know if there will be another time.

In the end, he reacted the way we hoped he would ... he was emotional ... he showed how much this one meant to him.

He's won three titles, but this one was special.

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