It was no surprise that Ohio State was represented on the list Moses released Monday evening of schools who will earn an official visit. But it's still a big deal.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Five-star outside linebacker Dylan Moses of Bradenton (Fla.) IMG already announced his intentions to officially visit Ohio State.

So it was no surprise that Ohio State was represented on the list Moses released Monday evening of schools who will earn an official visit. 

Just because it wasn't a surprise doesn't mean it's not a big deal. 

Rated the No. 2 overall player in the 2017 class in the 247Sports composite rankings, Moses amassed more than 40 scholarship offers during his recruiting process. That Ohio State is one of five teams earning an official visit means Urban Meyer will have the opportunity in crunch time to make the Buckeyes a real player in the 6-foot-2, 220-pound linebacker's recruitment. 

The best news for Ohio State is this: Moses will be in Columbus for the Buckeyes' biggest game of the season vs. Michigan.

Yes, being in Horseshoe for "The Game" will be a unique experience for Moses, but it's big for Ohio State because it's the linebacker's final official visit and basically guarantees Meyer's program will be in the mix until the very end. 

Here's the Moses complete official visit tour: 

* Oct. 1: Alabama for Kentucky game

* Oct. 8: Miami (Fla.) for Florida State game

* Oct. 15: Texas for Iowa State game

* Nov. 19: UCLA for USC game

* Nov. 26: Ohio State for Michigan game 

THE Official Fall '16 Tour [?] pic.twitter.com/plkSQ2UBCg

-- King [?]oses (@Dylan1Moses_) June 28, 2016

Pat Summitt, who led the Tennessee Lady Vols to eight national championships and helped women's basketball gain prominence, died Tuesday at the age of 64.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Pat Summitt, the winningest coach in Division I college basketball history who uplifted the women's game from obscurity to national prominence during her 38-year career at Tennessee, died Tuesday morning. She was 64.

With an icy glare on the sidelines, Summitt led the Lady Vols to eight national championships and prominence on a campus steeped in the traditions of the football-rich south until she retired in 2012.

Her son, Tyler Summitt, issued a statement Tuesday morning saying his mother died peacefully at Sherrill Hill Senior Living in Knoxville surrounded by those who loved her most.

"Since 2011, my mother has battled her toughest opponent, early onset dementia, 'Alzheimer's Type,' and she did so with bravely fierce determination just as she did with every opponent she ever faced," Tyler Summitt said. "Even though it's incredibly difficult to come to terms that she is no longer with us, we can all find peace in knowing she no longer carries the heavy burden of this disease."

Summitt helped grow college women's basketball as her Lady Vols dominated the sport in the late 1980s and 1990s, winning six titles in 12 years. Tennessee -- the only school she coached -- won NCAA titles in 1987, 1989, 1991, 1996-98 and 2007-08. Summitt had a career record of 1,098-208 in 38 seasons, plus 18 NCAA Final Four appearances.

Two Trinity High School grads were part of Summitt's legacy. Center Vonda Ward of Macedonia played on a 1995 national runner-up team. Cleveland native Semeka Randall was a key player on the 1998 national championship squad that was 39-0  some regard as Summitt's best team.

Summitt announced in 2011 at age 59 that she'd been diagnosed with early onset dementia. She coached one more season before stepping down. At her retirement, Summitt's eight national titles ranked behind the 10 won by former UCLA men's coach John Wooden. UConn coach Geno Auriemma passed Summitt after she retired.

When she stepped down, Summitt called her coaching career a "great ride."

Summitt was a tough taskmaster with a frosty glower that could strike the fear of failure in her players. She punished one team that stayed up partying before an early morning practice by running them until they vomited. She even placed garbage cans in the gym so they'd have somewhere to be sick.

Nevertheless, she enjoyed such an intimate relationship with her players that they called her "Pat."

Known for her boundless energy, Summitt set her clocks ahead a few minutes to stay on schedule.

"The lady does not slow down, ever," one of her players, Kellie Jolly, said in 1998. "If you can ever catch her sitting down doing nothing, you are one special person."

Summitt never had a losing record and her teams made the NCAA Tournament every season. She began her coaching career at Tennessee in the 1974-75 season, when her team finished 16-8.

With a 75-54 victory against Purdue on March 22, 2005, she earned her 880th victory, moving her past North Carolina's Dean Smith as the all-time winningest coach in NCAA history. She earned her 1,000th career win with a 73-43 victory against Georgia on Feb. 5, 2009.

Summitt won 16 Southeastern Conference regular season titles, as well as 16 conference tournament titles. She was an eight-time SEC coach of the year and seven-time NCAA coach of the year. She also coached the U.S. women's Olympic team to the 1984 gold medal.

Summitt's greatest adversary on the court was Auriemma. The two teams played 22 times from 1995-2007. Summitt ended the series after the 2007 season.

"Pat's vision for the game of women's basketball and her relentless drive pushed the game to a new level and made it possible for the rest of us to accomplish what we did," Auriemma said at the time of her retirement.

In 1999, Summitt was inducted as part of the inaugural class of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. She made the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame a year later. In 2013, she also was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

Summitt was such a competitor that she refused to let a pilot land in Virginia when she went into labor while on a recruiting trip in 1990. Virginia had beaten her Lady Vols a few months earlier, preventing them from playing for a national title on their home floor.

But it was only in 2012 when being honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award that Summitt shared she had six miscarriages before giving birth to her son, Tyler.

She was born June 14, 1952, in Henrietta, Tennessee, and graduated from Cheatham County Central High School just west of Nashville. She played college basketball at the University of Tennessee at Martin where she received her bachelor's degree in physical education. She was the co-captain of the 1976 U.S. Olympic team, which won the silver medal.

After playing at UT Martin, she was hired as a graduate assistant at Tennessee and took over when the previous head coach left.

She wrote a motivational book in 1998, "Reach for the Summitt." Additionally, she worked with Sally Jenkins on "Raise the Roof," a book about the 1997-98 championship season, and also detailed her battle with dementia in a memoir, "Sum It Up," released in March 2013 and also co-written with Jenkins.

"It's hard to pinpoint the exact day that I first noticed something wrong," Summitt wrote. "Over the course of a year, from 2010 to 2011, I began to experience a troubling series of lapses. I had to ask people to remind me of the same things, over and over. I'd ask three times in the space of an hour, 'What time is my meeting again?' - and then be late."

Summitt started a foundation in her name to fight Alzheimer's in 2011 that has raised millions of dollars.

After she retired, Summitt was given the title head coach emeritus at Tennessee. She had been cutting back her public appearances over the past few years. She came to a handful of Tennessee games this past season and occasionally also traveled to watch her son Tyler coach at Louisiana Tech the last two years.

Earlier this year, Summitt moved out of her home into an upscale retirement resort when her regular home underwent renovations.

Summitt is the only person to have two courts used by NCAA Division I basketball teams named in her honor: "Pat Head Summitt Court" at the University of Tennessee-Martin, and "The Summitt" at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. She also has two streets named after her: "Pat Summitt Street" on the University of Tennessee-Knoxville campus and "Pat Head Summitt Avenue" on the University of Tennessee-Martin campus.

She is survived by son Tyler Summitt. He said a private funeral and burial will be held in Middle Tennessee and asked that the family's privacy be respected. A public memorial service is being planned for Thompson-Boling Arena.

Miocic has opened as as a favorite to retain his UFC Heavyweight Championship against Alistair Overeem at UFC 203.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - UFC 203 is still three months away. But Las Vegas has already weighed in on who it thinks will win the fights set to take place at The Q on Sept. 10.

According to all major betting websites, such as Bovada, Sportsbook and others, Northeast Ohio native and UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic is favored to retain his title against MMA veteran Alistair Overeem. Though, most betting sites have it as a fairly close matchup.

Meanwhile, after news broke that former WWE superstar CM Punk would make his MMA debut at UFC 203; the odds are favoring his opponent Mickey Gall to give Punk a rude welcome. Gall, who has an MMA record of two wins and zero loses, is becoming more of a favorite in the fight as time goes on.

Tickets for UFC 203 are on sale now. A representative for the UFC says they are selling fast.

Tribe starters have limited the opposition to 44 hits in 74 2/3 innings. That's impressive. So are these nine other facts.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The last time the Indians did something like this, it earned them a spot in the American League Wild Card Game.

Cleveland's 10-game winning streak is the longest in the majors this season. The Indians are 19-6 in June. They own the second-best run differential (plus-86) in baseball. They hold a five-game lead in the division.

The Tribe won't stay sizzling like this forever, but they have produced a host of eye-popping statistics during this scorching stretch. Here are 10 facts about the Indians' 10-game winning streak.

1. The Indians have scored six or more runs in seven consecutive games. The team only has two longer streaks in the last 83 years, both of which happened in 2001.

Overall, the Indians are averaging 6.8 runs per game during the streak. Cleveland's offense ranks four in the AL with 4.92 runs per game.

2. The Indians have outscored the opposition, 68-21, in the 10 games.

Six of the 10 wins have come by at least five runs. Only once have the Indians allowed more than four runs in a game, and that is a controversial matter of its own. The Tigers were gifted a fifth run about 16 hours after the wacky conclusion of Friday's game.

3. This is the Indians' best 75-game start since 1999.

They also went 45-30 to open the 2001 campaign. In 1999, the Tribe started 50-25.

4. The Indians have only trailed at the end of an inning seven times in the last 10 games, and six of those came in one game.

They played from behind most of the night against Tampa Bay on June 20 before they stormed back for a 7-4 victory. They also trailed Detroit for nine minutes on Sunday.

The Indians have done plenty of playing from in front. They are 33-7 this season when they score first.

Projection systems like Indians, Cubs in October

5. Tribe starting pitchers have posted a 2.05 ERA during the streak.

June 17 -- Trevor Bauer: Seven innings, one run

June 18 -- Danny Salazar: 6 2/3 innings, two runs

June 19 -- Carlos Carrasco: 7 1/3 innings, two runs

June 20 -- Josh Tomlin: Seven innings, three runs

June 21 -- Corey Kluber: Nine innings, zero runs

June 22 -- Trevor Bauer: Nine innings, one run

June 24 -- Danny Salazar: 5 2/3 innings, three runs

June 25 -- Carlos Carrasco: Nine innings, no runs

June 26 -- Josh Tomlin: Eight innings, three runs

June 27 -- Trevor Bauer: Six innings, two runs

The hurlers have combined to limit the opposition to 17 earned runs in 10 games.

6. Relievers have only needed to patch together 16 1/3 innings in the last 10 games.

Salazar joked that he only lasted 5 2/3 innings on Friday so some of his teammates could see some action. The Indians tossed three complete games in a span of four contests last week. Jeff Manship and Tom Gorzelanny pitched on Monday for the first time in nearly two weeks.

7. The Indians have tallied 46 extra-base hits in the 10 games.

That includes 21 home runs. They only clubbed 75 home runs in their first 65 games. During the streak, they have collected seven triples and 18 doubles.

8. Tribe starters have limited the opposition to 44 hits in 74 2/3 innings.

No starter has allowed more than six hits, and it took the Tigers eight innings on Sunday to rack up that many against Tomlin.

9. The Indians are batting .329 with runners in scoring position during the streak.

They have produced 27 hits in 82 at-bats in such situations, with 21 of those hits coming in five of the 10 games.

10. It's the Indians' ninth winning streak of 10 or more games in the last 50 years.

They rattled off 10 straight wins to cap the 2013 regular season. They also pieced together 10-game streaks in 2001, 2002 and 2008. The franchise record stands at 13 consecutive wins.

Kyrie Irving will go for Olympic gold to add to his NBA championship ring. It's a chance to continue the growth he showed this season. Not bad for a player who doesn't turn 25 until March -- Bud Shaw's Spinoffs

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Kyrie Irving's magical year continues at the Olympics in Rio.

Irving would be credited as the author of "The Shot" if we didn't already associate the title with a far less happy time and place.

You felt watching Game 7 grind to a conclusion that Irving could be the difference - or at least I did. He was the one player on the court who seemed easily capable of getting a shot off to his liking.

His work around the glass was a beautiful blend of geometry and art.

Now, he goes to summer camp with Team USA where he gets reunited with Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski. It's a chance for Irving's growth to continue. That growth was on full display in the playoffs.

Almost makes you forget that time when some top NBA point guards got the best of him.

Bed bugs, too.

* A "Welcome to Hell" banner greets visitors to Rio, site of the 2016 Summer Olympics, at the city's main airport.

The rest of the banner: "Police and firefighters don't get paid. Whoever comes to Rio de Janeiro won't be safe."

My wife leaves for Rio in July.

And I must say I could be more excited for her.

* The NFLPA wants to know what evidence the NFL is using to support an investigation into PED use.

Other than the obvious eye test.

* Wanting to make sure players as big as houses who are running faster than Porsches have come by their size and speed naturally, I can't think of another reason.

Beyond safeguarding the integrity of the sport and deterring PED use for health reasons.

* Tiger Woods wearing red and dressing like a golfer in the booth Sunday while serving as a commentator at his tournament, the Congressional, was strange. Even more so because he sounded as if he might sit out all of 2016.

The upside: If he ever invites you to church and you arrive late, he won't be hard to find.

* Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant are playing on Team USA.

That gives Anthony even more time to lobby Durant, a free agent, to join the Knicks who recently traded for Derrick Rose.

"You know, for me, it's more just about just laying it all out for him," Anthony told ESPN, "giving him the real."

 Let's just say if Durant turns his back on Oklahoma City, and doesn't sign with Miami or Golden State, I'd be real, real surprised.

* Yahoo headline: "Anthony Bennett Reminds Everyone Why He Was The #1 Pick With This Devastating Dunk."

As for the rest of his game, he reminds no one.

* Sacramento Kings star DeMarcus Cousins, whose team raised eyebrows when it traded down from No. 8 in the draft to No. 13 and took big man Giorgios Pappagiannis, Tweeted this about an hour later:

Lord give me the strength [?] [?]

-- DeMarcus Cousins (@boogiecousins) June 24, 2016

Cousins explained he didn't mean that about what the Kings did on draft night. He called his Tweet bad timing.

"It sounds ridiculous, but I was in a hot sculpting class," he clarified.

I mean "clarified."

* Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher is giving his Seminoles "state championship" rings for beating both Florida and Miami during the 2015 season.

Yay?

* Florida State supporters say the goal is still national championships and ACC titles, that giving rings for beating its in-state rivals doesn't mean the school isn't keeping its eye on the prize.

(Insert Cracker Jack joke here).

* James Harrison said he would gladly agree to league interview about PED use if commissioner Roger Goodell wants to come to his house at a time friendly to Harrison.

The linebacker has previously said of Goodell, "I hate him and will never respect him."

I guess that will work in lieu of a "Welcome" mat.

* Suddenly I feel the need to apologize to LeBron James for ever calling him passive-aggressive.

* The Cavs parade might've dragged on too long. It might have been disorganized. Some of the "celebrity" participants on the floats might've invited chants of "Who are you? Who are you?"

But it passed the test.

My definition of that: when the fans are better behaved than the players.

* Sports radio host Jim Rome tore up the Browns past and present for participating in a parade that had nothing to do with them.

The Cavs invited Bernie Kosar, Earnest Byner and Joe Haden for three.

And if anyone in Cleveland found that appalling, I've yet to hear from them.

* The Cavs victory wasn't about a team finally overcoming The Shot and The Decision.

It was an all-encompassing reward for anyone who grew up here or adopted this city and its sports misfortunes.

 Kosar, Byner and Haden qualify.

And if anyone thinks Haden will get the benefit of the doubt come football season because of his Cleveland sports allegiances, I think the other 99 percent of us know better.

He won't be criticized until he allows his first completion.

* Australian golfer Jason Day is the latest to confirm he won't participate in the Rio Olympics.

Day cited concerns about the zika virus.

I'd be more concerned if there were no firefighters and police in hell (see previous Rio mention) than no bug spray.

Former Mentor star QB Conner Krizancic will no longer play football because of concussions.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ohio QB and former Mentor star Conner Krizancic will step away from football due to concussions, his father and Mentor basketball coach Bob Krizancic announced on Twitter on Monday.

Conner sustained a concussion in Ohio's spring game in April and the team's doctors recommended that he give up football.

"It was the toughest news, athletics, that you can imagine," Coach Krizancic said. "I think they had prepared him for it after the spring ball. He didn't recover after his concussion like the other ones. That was a problem.

"It's brutal to hear. But I think again that he's a real intelligent young man. I think in maybe 2 to 3 years, he'll know that that was the right decision."

Conner Krizancic, the 2013 Division I AP Offensive Player of the Year and cleveland.com Offensive Player of the Year, signed with Minnesota on National Signing Day of his senior year after flipping from Cincinnati.

As a senior, he threw for more than 3,200 yards and rushed for 1,500 yards to lead the Cardinals to the Division I state championship game in 2013.

He transferred to Ohio after the 2014 season in hopes of playing quarterback and sat out in 2015 due to NCAA rules.

Conner went to a concussion center in Columbus after the spring game and Coach Krizancic said those doctors feel Conner will recover fully, but they are concerned if he took more hits.

"Maybe it's real lucky that with the movie and the emphasis on the head injury that maybe it's for the best," Coach Krizancic said. "I asked him if he would do anything different. And he said, 'Absolutely not.'"

Conner will get to stay on scholarship and he will help out as a strength and conditioning assistant coach.

The Cleveland Cavaliers biggest free agent needing to be signed is J.R. Smith. LeBron James has already said he's coming to Cavs. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- David Griffin has said his goal for the Cavs is "to keep this group together and see what we are capable of."

If the general manager means keeping Kevin Love, that is expected to happen. Both coach Tyronn Lue and Griffin have gone on record about wanting to keep Love.

As I wrote last week, that makes sense for a lot of reasons.

But get ready for some absolutely outrageous contracts coming when free agency opens in July. The salary cap is going up from $70 million to about $94 million. The rise is due to all the new TV revenue pouring in.

Teams are going to spend and spend and spend.

And as defending champions, some of the players will expect the Cavs to share the riches.

That's why I expect the Cavs won't have all their players back. You can say goodbye to Matthew Dellavedova and Timofey Mozgov.

WHAT ABOUT J.R. SMITH?

The fascinating question will be what happens to J.R. Smith, who opted out of his contract to become a free agent.

Like Love, Smith fits with the Cavs. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard has become a very good defender. Just ask Kyle Kover and Klay Thompson, who both were covered in the playoffs by the tenacious Smith.

He is a 3-point specialist. In the postseason, he averaged 11.5 points and shot 43 percent from the field and 3-point range.

Along with his willingness to defend, the other reason Smith blends in with the Cavs is his offense. They need long range shooters -- "snipers" as labeled by LeBron James.

There also is "usage" factor, a way to measure how a player dominates the ball. Smith keeps it moving. He either shoots it quickly, or passes it.

On a team with "high usage" players in Kyrie Irving and James, Smith's quick trigger is perfect.

So why not just sign him?

The Cavs will try to do so.

But Smith will be 31 years old on September 9. How many years do you guarantee a player whose legs and athleticism are a key part of his game when he's on the wrong side of 30?

That will probably be the big focus when the Cavs and Smith talk contract.

Smith also has switched agents, hiring Klutch Sports Management. That's Rich Paul and contract negotiator Mark Termini, who represent Tristan Thompson and James. Remember Thompson didn't agree to his five-year, $82 million deal until the final week of training camp.

This is a contract situation that probably won't be resolved quickly. They can look at the four-year, $40 million deal given Iman Shumpert last summer and say, "J.R. starts ahead of Shumpert."

But the other question is how much is Smith worth to other teams? Will there be a significant market for him?

Clearly, Cleveland is the best place for Smith at this time of his career. How and when this works out will take a lot of time.

DELLY MAY BE GONE

Matthew Dellavedova is likely to become a a restricted free agent.

I've heard a few teams are looking at him, and a few will probably prepare an offer sheet.

Suppose a team offers the backup guard a multi-year deal worth $6 million annually. If the Cavs match, that could cost them close to $10 million annually because they are in the luxury tax zone.

Do you pay that much for Dellavedova? He had a rough postseason, averaging only 3.9 points and shooting only .351 from the field. Even worse, it was .258 on 3-pointers.

He played only 45 total minutes in the seven-game NBA Finals. He shot 5-of-19 from the field and struggled defensively.

The Australian is a very valuable substitute in the regular season. He shot 41 percent from 3-point range. He can defend and set up an offense. Several teams will want him.

But suppose the Cavs sign Smith to a deal worth $10 million annually. And they are paying Shumpert about $10 million in 2016-17.

Do they pay Dellavedova at least $10 million (with the luxury tax)? I doubt it.

In fact, that could be part of the reason the Cavs paid $2.4 million for a draft pick to take Oakland point guard Kay Felder. I believe they are looking for depth at the position.

Mo Williams has exercised his player option for $2.2 million in 2016-17.

If you take Dellavedova off the roster, the Cavs have Irving, Williams and Felder as point guards. Shumpert has played the position, but he's far more comfortable at shooting guard.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES

If Timofey Mozgov had become a free agent last summer, he could have been in line for a deal similar to what Thompson signed with the Cavs -- $82 million.

Now, who knows?

The 7-foot-1 Russian had a miserable season. He was bothered by a knee problem early. He played with little confidence, and didn't move nearly as well as the 2014-15 season.

The Cavs have Channing Frye, Thompson and Love as big men. Frye has two years and $15 million left on his contract.

The league is getting smaller. The traditional 7-foot centers no longer have the same value.

I doubt Mozgov returns.

LOOKING AT THE ROSTER

1. LeBron James can become a free agent. I expect him to exercise the option and sign another 1-and-1 contract as he has the last two seasons. He signs a maximum deal for 2016-17, and has a player option for the maximum in 2017-18.

2. ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported James' maximum contract with the Cavs for next season is $27.5 million because they will be over salary cap.. If James signed with a team under the cap, it would be $30.8 million. James said he's coming back, so they'll work out something.

3. Richard Jefferson is a free agent. On the night of the title, he announced his retirement. He is now reconsidering. He'd be a great signing for the Cavs on a veteran one-year minimum contract. I'm sure they want him back.

4. James Jones is in the same spot as Jefferson, only he wants to keep playing. The Cavs appear to want him back on that veteran minimum deal because his leadership is valued.

5. The Cavs have an option on Jordan McRae for $875,000 in 2016-17. They like him. I think they will pick it up.

6. Dantay Jones is 35. He was signed right at the end of the season. If he comes back, it will be on a non-guaranteed deal to start camp.

7. Sasha Kaun has a $1.3 million deal for next season, so he should be back. The 6-foot-10 Russian center rarely played last season.

Now that Kyrie Irving has emerged as a supreme clutch player, LeBron James would like him to take the next steps professionally.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - LeBron James and Kyrie Irving had just made history, becoming the first teammates ever to both score at least 40 points in a Finals game, and they were about to share a funny moment.

The probing questioners who had access to the Cavs' dynamic duo wanted to know when, exactly, it was that James and Irving finally clicked, given their history of fits and starts over their two seasons together.

"I think it was like as soon as I was coming back to the team, I think we clicked right away," James said, after about the fourth question like this.

"Yeah, when he announced he was coming back. I think that's it," Irving added.

All of this was immediately after Game 5 against the Warriors, the game where the series changed. The Cavs were on their way to the largest comeback in Finals history, eventually erasing their 3-1 deficit.

At that same time, Irving was in the midst of one of the greatest personal turnarounds ever (for the purposes of this conversation, anyway).

Before you consider how Irving finished the Finals, remember this: After two games against the Warriors, James was so upset with Irving that he essentially called for his benching.

LeBron nearly called for Kyrie's benching in Finals

Irving averaged 27.1 points and shot 40.5 percent from 3-point range for the series. He scored 90 points over the Cavs' last three games. He obviously outplayed his counterpart - two-time reigning NBA MVP Steph Curry (who averaged 22.6 points and committed 30 turnovers to Irving's 18). And, yes, Irving buried one of the greatest shots in NBA history, given the time and the game, that 3-ball in Curry's face with 53 seconds left in Game 7 that proved to be the title clincher.

After two games of the Finals, James was all but done with Irving. It's a reason why, in an interview with cleveland.com last week, James said the team "culture" he was trying to build was not yet complete.

"Culture's not built in one year or two years," James said. "It's a longevity thing. While I'm here, I just want to implement what I've got, what I learned. And then hopefully someone can carry it on when I'm done."

LeBron and the next part of the greatest sports story ever told

This is not to say that James and Irving are at odds now. Of course they aren't. They just co-piloted an all-time Cleveland sports miracle. James gushes over Irving's MVP-like skills. Irving, awash in modesty, marveled over James' epic Game 7, saying he "watched Beethoven" weave together a triple-double.

James and Irving have had their moments over these past two seasons. They've clashed over how to defend, how to carry one's self off the court, when to pass and how, among other things. Irving had to first cede control of a team that had been his when James returned in 2014, and then learn how to best fill the role of Wingman A. James needed to come to respect Irving's talent and creativity.

LeBron, Kyrie smoothed their rocky start

All of that was just in Year 1, before James began to question Irving's toughness while he was nagged by injury during the 2015 playoffs. This season was, well, much more of the same.

James was furious with not just Irving, but J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert, after the first two games of The Finals for not playing hard enough, not running the offense, and backing down from individual challenges. Irving responded with a performance worthy of a Finals MVP, unless your teammate is James and he's busy leading both teams in most major statistical categories.

"I think Kyrie 'the winner' emerged here," Cavs general manager David Griffin said. "He became far more aware of those moments in games that are winning moments."

Irving is 24, and his growth as a player and professional is evident. At the championship rally last week, he said he'd been watching James' block of Andre Iguodala from Game 7, which preceded his 3-pointer, "because there's no shot without The Block."

"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 said.

Irving has always given James his due respect in public, but it came across as more genuine over the past few weeks. James wants Irving to continue to take steps to be the consummate pro, now that his game has exploded, with things like off-season work habits, body maintenance, and even decorum with the press.

Irving will enter the second year of a five-year, $94 million extension in 2016-17. He, like James, has his own signature Nike shoe. While James rests this summer, Irving will chase his first Olympic gold medal with Team USA at the Rio Olympics.

In other words, coming off a shot that immortalized him, Irving's star has a chance to burn even brighter. He also has an opportunity to take those next steps James wants him to take - believes he can and should take - to get closer to winning those MVPs James has predicted for him.

"I think that the trust factor was just a big thing," Irving said. "It's just been continuous and been consistent as we've continued to grow together."

Johnny Manziel let his dad know from Mexico on Tuesday that he's not too concerned about his warning that 'my son is a druggie.' He also wore Josh Gordon's jersey and pledged his support to the suspended receiver.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Johnny Manziel posted greetings from Mexico on Tuesday for Josh Gordon and Manziel's dad, Paul, who said Friday that his "son is a druggie'' and "I hope he goes to jail.''

In the Instagram photo, posted from a luxury resort in Cabos San Lucas, Mexico, Manziel is standing on a bluff overlooking the ocean, wearing a Josh Gordon No. 12 Browns jersey with his arms outstretched.

The caption reads, "I won't take this thing off for a week. You my brother FOR LIFE. JUST WAIT ON THIS COMEBACK!!!!''

Then, in a series of hashtags after the caption, Manziel makes it clear that #JoshAintHere and #hiDad, which seemingly thumbs his nose at his dad's harsh warning Friday that Manziel is in serious trouble with his substance abuse and that only jail or rehab can save him.

@flashgordonxii I won't take this thing off for a week. You my brother FOR LIFE. JUST WAIT ON THIS COMEBACK!!!! #CaboWabo #JoshAintHere #hiDad #HappyBdayDaveEvans

A photo posted by Johnny Manziel (@jmanziel2) on Jun 28, 2016 at 1:01pm PDT

"He's a druggie,'' Paul Manziel told ESPN's Josina Anderson. "It's not a secret that he's a druggie. I don't know what to say other than my son is a druggie and he needs help.

"He just hasn't seeked it yet. Hopefully he doesn't die before he comes to his senses. That's about all you can say. I don't know what else to say. I hate to say it but I hope he goes to jail. I mean, that would be the best place for him. So we'll see.

"He's either going to die, or he's going to figure out that he needs help. It's one of the two. But we've done everything that we can do. Life goes on. You can't just chase somebody that's not willing to listen. The story is not going to change. It's the same."

Paul Manziel went on to say, "If I have to bury him, I'll bury him. That's the fact. So if not, if he calls me and needs help, I'll go get him. Until then, he's on his own. I've done everything I can do. There is nothing [else] I can do as a father. Nothing. ... It is, what it is. He's a druggie and everybody needs to accept it."

Manziel, Gordon hang out at Coachella before agent drops Manziel

Mostly, Manziel's post seemed to be a shout out to Gordon, who will be eligible to apply for re-instatement to the NFL from his indefinite drug back on Aug. 1 -- a month from Friday.

Gordon, who sat out all last season, hasn't been heard from much since April, when he spent some time with Manziel in Los Angeles and then attended the Coachella music and arts festival with him in mid-April.

At the Browns Foundation Golf outing June 16, Browns special advisor Jim Brown told cleveland.com that he talked to Gordon twice in the past month and that he was in rehab for his substance issues and taking his comeback very seriously.

He also said that he believes the Browns will welcome Gordon back if he's reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and showing he's committed. He also said that Gordon's career shouldn't be over because he smoked marijuana.

Brown found him to be sincere and committed to returning to the club.

In the days before the trip to Coachella, Gordon picked Manziel up on the Sunset Strip after he was a passenger in a one-car accident. In addition, the owner of a luxury rental home agency told cleveland.com that a man identifying himself as Gordon was with Manziel at a house he's accused of trashing during two nights of partying.

Manziel is being sued for both the damages to the car and the rental home.

But he didn't appear too worried about either of those things in Cabo Tuesday, or about his dad's harsh warning.

Jose Ramirez not only plays everywhere, but hits everywhere. The Indians' utility man batted cleanup Tuesday night, giving him the distinction of starting one game at every spot on manager Terry Francona's lineup card this year.

ATLANTA - The cycle is complete. Jose Ramirez has hit in every spot in the Indians' lineup and the season hasn't reached the hallway mark.

Manager Terry Francona inserted Ramirez in the cleanup spot for Tuesday night's game against Braves at Turner Field. He did it reluctantly because pitchers are required to bat in interleague games played in National League parks and he didn't want DH Carlos Santana to go three games without a start.

The odd thing is that Santana, who has spent most of his career hitting in the middle of the Indians' lineup, was batting leadoff. If Santana and Ramirez stood shoulder-to-shoulder, Santana would be the overwhelming choice to hit cleanup with Ramirez receiving just as many votes to bat first.

Santana entered Monday's game tied for the team lead with 16 homers. The speedy Ramirez led the Indians with 17 doubles and had eight steals in 11 attempts.

"When you look at you think it's backward," said Francona. "But Carlos gets on base really well and Ramirez has been one of the league leaders hitting with runners in scoring position.

"It may not look like it in stature, but Carlos has been leading off so we keep some semblance of consistency in what we're doing."

Santana, making his 35^th start in the leadoff spot Tuesday, leads the Indians with 42 walks and is third on the team with 42 runs. Ramirez entered the game hitting .289 (67-for-232) overall and ranked second in the American League with a .383 (18-for-47) average with runners in scoring position.

Here is how Ramirez's starts throughout the lineup break down this year: No. 1 (two starts), No.2 (three), No.3 (two), No.4 (one), No. 5. (27), No. 6 (14), No. 7 (3), No. 8 (3), No. 9 (5).

Future of third base for Indians

Ramirez has also played four positions -- second base, third base, shortstop and left field.

"Jose has done a great job all year," said hitting coach Ty Van Burkleo. "With us missing Michael Brantley, and to have him to step up and hit in the heart of our order and do such a great job, has been a real shot in the arm."

Brantley update: Brantley, after being shut down for five days after receiving a cortisone shot for right biceps tendinitis last week, has spent the last two days hitting off a tee at Progressive Field.

"He's doing good," said Francona. "I think he took 50 to 55 swings and by all counts really did well. We'll let him continue on this path until we get home. Then maybe we can set up a calendar.

"We're going to completely go off of him. I think if he continues this path, he'll be doing really well."

Brantley is recovering from November surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He's been on the disabled list twice this season because of it.

Top secret: The Braves haven't announced who will be their starting pitcher Wednesday night, but they've told the Indians.

"They told us today, but they've got to make a roster move," said Francona. "So we're going to respect that."

This way the Indians have a chance to prepare for Wednesday's mystery starter.

Future stars: Indians prospects Clint Frazier and Francisco Mejia were named to the Futures Game as part of this year's All-Star Game festivities in San Diego in July.

Frazier will play for Team USA. The right-handed hitting outfielder is batting .295 (47-for-258) with nine homers, 38 RBI and a .870 OPS for Class AA Akron.

Mejia, a right-handed hitting catcher, will play for the World Team. He's hitting .347 (83-for-239) with seven homers, 51 RBI and a .915 OPS for Class A Lake County. He was just promoted to Class A Lynchburg.

Finally: Crew chief Jerry Layne, who left Monday's game after getting hit in the mask and neck with a foul tip, did not work Tuesday's game between the Indians and Braves. ... Tyler Naquin's last eight hits have gone for extra bases.

NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown has accepted a $600,000 offer from video game maker Electronic Arts to end a lawsuit alleging the company illegally used his likeness in its NFL Madden games.

LOS ANGELES  -- NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown has accepted a $600,000 offer from video game maker Electronic Arts to end a lawsuit alleging the company illegally used his likeness in its NFL Madden games.

A law firm representing Brown announced the deal on Tuesday. EA had no comment.

Brown said in the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County in 2013 that he declined to license his likeness to EA, but EA used it anyway. He accused the company of violating his right of publicity.

Brown also sued EA in federal court, but a judge dismissed the case.

Brown repeatedly led the league in rushing as a running back for the Browns in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

The Indians extended their MLB-high winning streak to 11 games by scoring three runs in the ninth to beat the Braves on Tuesday night at Turner Field.

ATLANTA -- On Monday night, Lonnie Chisenhall said one of the best parts about what the Indians have been able to do lately is score runs late in games.

Well, the Indians took that to the extreme Tuesday night, but took it they did and they've won 11 straight games because of it. Carlos Santana's go-ahead RBI single in the ninth inning started a three-run rally as the Indians beat the Braves, 5-3, at Turner Field.

Santana's single made a winner out of Corey Kluber, who was replaced by pinch-hitter Michael Martinez in the ninth after Tyler Naquin and Juan Uribe worked right-hander Arodys Vizcaino (1-3) for walks.

Kluber (8-7, 3.50) couldn't have been much better. He took a no-hitter into the sixth and wasn't even at 90 pitches through the eighth. He struck out seven, walked one and allowed two hits on eight inning.

The starting rotation is 8-0 with a 2.07 ERA (19 earned runs in 82 2/3 innings) in the streak.

"I thought Corey was very good," said manager Terry Francona. "Through five innings, he had 49 or 50 pitches."

The last Indians' team to win 11 straight was the 1982 edition. Their streak ran from May 23-June 4. This year's version of Team Streak has not lost since June 15.

The Indians added two more runs in the ninth. Pinch-runner Rajai Davis scored on an error by shortstop Erick Aybar on Francisco Lindor's grounder. Jose Ramirez followed with an RBI single to make it 5-2.

Closer Cody Allen registered the save, but it was not easy. He gave up a homer to Jace Peterson and a triple to Freddie Freeman before getting Nick Markakis to fly out for his 15th save.

"The Braves were game tonight," said Francona. "They played right to the end and put some pressure on us. It was a fun game to play."

Allen and the Tribe were helped by a close play at first base. Santana bobbled Ender Inciarte's grounder at first and was late with his flip to Allen. First base umpire Hunter Wendlestedt called Inciarte out and the call withstood a challenge by the Braves. Outfielder Jeff Francouer came off the Atlanta bench to argue and was ejected.

Kluber, working on seven days' rest, faced the minimum through five innings. Atlanta's only base runner, Inciarte, walked in the first but was erased in a double play.

Aybar ended the no-hitter with an infield single to the hole at short to start the sixth. The hit could have been called an error because Lindor had time to make the throw, but he did so from an awkward angle and pulled Santana off the bag.

"I should make that play," said Lindor. "I was anticipating that play. Kluber made a great pitch."

Emilio Bonifacio followed with a clean single to center to put runners on first and second with no one out. Pitcher Matt Wisler, born in Bryan, Ohio, advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt, but Kluber struck out Peterson for the second out.

Inciarte, who entered the game 2-for-3 lifetime against Kluber, fell behind in the count 0-2. He fouled off four pitches before taking a ball, then lined the next pitch into center to tie the score, 2-2.

"You just have to go on from there," said Kluber.

The Indians struck quickly for a 2-0 lead in the first. Jason Kipnis, Lindor and Ramirez hit consecutive one-out singles off Wisler. Ramirez's single scored Kipnis and sent Lindor to third.

Lindor and Ramirez worked a double steal with Ramirez drawing catcher A.J. Pierzynski's throw to second as Lindor stole home for a 2-0 lead. Wisler's recovered nicely to retire Chisenhall and Yan Gomes to end the inning.

It was the first steal of home by an Indians' player since David Dellucci did it against the White Sox on May 27, 2007.

Wisler left after six innings with the score tied. He struck out nine, walked two and allowed two runs on six hits.

What's it mean

The Indians climbed to 16 games above .500 at 46-30. They are 20-6 in June following a 16-13 showing in May.

In the winning streak, the Indians have outscored the opposition, 73-25, while hitting .315 (121-for-382) as a team.

The pitches

Kluber threw 87 pitches, including 64 or 74 or percent for strikes for strikes. Wisler threw 98 pitches, 67 or 68 percent for strikes.

On the run

The Indians stole four bases, including two by Ramirez. They entered Tuesday's game ranked second in the AL with 58 steals in 72 attempts (81 percent).

Thanks for coming

The Indians and Braves drew 19,206 fans to Turner Field. First pitch was at 7:10 p.m. and the temperature was 75 degrees.

Heavy rains hit the ballpark a few hours before game time, but they caused no delays.

What's next?

Right-hander Danny Salazar (8-3, 2.23) will face rookie Joel De La Cruz on Wednesday at 7:10 p.m. SportsTime Ohio, WTAM 1100 and WMMS/FM 100.7 will carry the game.

Salazar has won five straight starts and is 7-1 in his last nine. He's 0-1 against the Braves and 1-5 against National League teams. The Atlanta players who have faced Salazar are hitting a combined .154 (4-for-26) against him.

De La Cruz will be making his big league debut. He was 1-3 with a 4.68 ERA in 21 games, including five starts, at Class AAA Gwinnett. He was 0-2 as a starter.

Outfielder Bradley Zimmer was ejected after a strikeout in the eighth inning.

RICHMOND, Virginia -- The RubberDucks managed only five hits off four Flying Squirrels pitchers, and outfielder Bradley Zimmer was ejected after a strikeout as Akron lost, 6-3, on Tuesday in a Class AA Eastern League game.

The RubberDucks took a 2-0 lead in the second inning with a two-run double from Mike Papi but made few threats after that, adding a run in the fourth with an RBI single by Daniel Salters.

The RubberDucks trailed, 5-3, by the fourth, with the Squirrels scoring twice in the second and three times in the third. Richmond tagged on a run in the sixth for insurance.

Zimmer was ejected in the eighth inning by home umpire Mike Savakina after arguing following a strikeout.

Akron right-handed starter Michael Peoples (6-3, 3.95 ERA) gave up five runs on seven hits in five innings, walking three and striking out one. Nellie Rodriguez was the only RubberDuck with multiple hits, going 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Richmond left-hander Matt Gage (4-5, 3.75 ERA) held Akron to three runs on three hits in six innings and struck out eight.

Corey Kluber allowed two runs in eight innings as the Cleveland Indians defeated the Atlanta Braves, 5-3, Tuesday night in Atlanta, Ga. The Tribe extended its winning streak to 11.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Right-hander Corey Kluber allowed two runs in eight innings and Carlos Santana went 2-for-4 with a ginormous RBI single in the ninth inning as the Cleveland Indians defeated the Atlanta Braves, 5-3, Tuesday night at Turner Field in Atlanta, Ga. The Tribe extended its winning streak to 11 -- longest for the franchise since an 11-gamer in 1982.

Here is a capsule look at the key aspect(s) of the game, which was televised by Fox Sports Time Ohio:

WWWWWWWWWWW: The Indians notched the eighth winning streak of 11+ in franchise history.

Nick Camino Scoreboard Watch: The Indians (46-30) extended their lead in the AL Central to 6.0 games over Kansas City (40-36). The Royals lost to the Cardinals, 8-4, Tuesday night in Kansas City, Mo.

Andre Knott Run Differential: The Tribe has outscored four opponents, 73-25, during the streak.

For the season, the Tribe's run differential is +88 (374-286).

Finding a way: The Indians scored twice in the first inning and three times in the ninth. In-between were plenty of bad at-bats and several missed scoring opportunities -- a rarity during the streak.

No matter.

As Fox Sports Time Ohio play-by-play voice Matt Underwood said, "Tonight was not a pretty game, but they found a way to win it.''

El Oso delivers: With Rajai Davis on first and Tyler Naquin on second and one out in the ninth, Santana ripped righty reliever Arodys Vizcaino's 3-1 fastball (97 mph) into right field for the single. Tyler Naquin scored to give the Tribe a 3-2 lead; Davis advanced to third.

Credit third-base coach Mike Sarbaugh for having the guts to challenge right fielder Nick Markakis, who fielded the ball with momentum toward home. Naquin helped with speed and a good turn at third. As it turned out, Markakis' throw was up the first-base line a tad.

Jason Kipnis fouled to the catcher.

With Francisco Lindor batting, Santana advanced to second on a wild pitch. Lindor used an emergency hack to spray a 2-2 pitch toward the hole at shortstop, where  Erick Aybar mishandled the ball. Davis scored and Lindor reached first.

Jose Ramirez, who was down in the count, 1-2, fouled twice before lining an RBI single to center to make it 5-2.

Tribe closer Cody Allen allowed a homer to Jace Peterson in the ninth to account for the final margin.

Hip, hip, Jose: Ramirez had an RBI single in the first inning. He finished 2-for-2 with runners in scoring position, pushing his season's numbers with RISP to 20-for-49 (.408) with 25 RBI.

Ramirez stole two bases, pushing his season's total to 10. When he took off for second base in the first inning, Lindor, who was at third, waited for the throw to go through before stealing home.

Locking them down: Kluber (8-7, 3.50 ERA) gave up three singles, walked one and struck out seven. He did not allow a hit until the sixth. He threw 64 of 87 pitches for strikes.

The previous sentence did not include a typo. Kluber did, in fact, require just 87 pitches to record 24 outs. Here is the batter-by-batter breakdown:

1ST INNING

(L) Jace Peterson -- 92 fastball foul; 92 fastball called strike (inside edge); 89 cutter, grounder to first baseman (Kluber covers).

(L) Ender Inciarte -- 93 fastball outside; 92 fastball high; 92 fastball outside; 92 fastball called strike; 93 fastball high and outside, walk.

(L) Freddie Freeman -- 92 fastball called strike (outside edge); 89 cutter inside; 93 fastball, GIDP 6-3.

Skinny: Sharply hit grounder up the middle, where shortstop Lindor, who was positioned on the second-base side because of the shift, fielded behind the bag with the backhand. Lindor beat Inciarte to the bag by a whisker and fired to first.

(11 pitches)

2ND INNING

(L) Nick Markakis -- 92 fastball outside; 86 changeup swinging strike; 90 cutter high; 92 fastball called strike (off outside corner); 93 fastball, called strikeout.

Skinny: Markakis, probably looking for cutter in, was crossed up.

Adonis Garcia -- 93 fastball called strike; 83 breaking pitch swinging strike; 93 fastball, grounder to shortstop.

Skinny: Garcia reached for pitch on outer third.

(L) A.J. Pierzynski -- 93 fastball, grounder to second baseman.

(9 pitches)

3RD INNING

(L) Erick Aybar -- 91 fastball high and outside; 93 fastball, grounder to shortstop.

Skinny: Lindor, moving to his left, fielded sharply hit grounder, spun and threw on-target. He made a difficult play seem routine.

(L) Emilio Bonifacio -- 84 changeup outside (barely); 92 fastball called strike; 82 breaking pitch low; 92 fastball inside; 92 fastball, grounder to shortstop.

Matt Wisler -- 92 fastball called strike; 93 fastball foul; 90 cutter, swinging strikeout.

(10 pitches)

4TH INNING

(L) Jace Peterson -- 88 cutter called strike (outer third); 94 fastball, grounder to shortstop.

Skinny: Lindor fielded chopper behind the bag.

(L) Ender Inciarte -- 93 fastball called strike; 93 fastball foul; 93 fastball, called strikeout.

Skinny: Comeback action to inside edge.

(L) Freddie Freeman -- 93 fastball swinging strike (outer third); 94 fastball called strike; 93 fastball outside; 86 breaking pitch, swinging strikeout.

Skinny: Freeman chased a pitch near his feet.

(9 pitches)

5TH INNING

(L) Nick Markakis -- 92 fastball high; 92 fastball outside (barely); 89 cutter called strike; 89 cutter foul; 93 fastball foul; 84 breaking pitch, called strikeout (off outside corner).

Adonis Garcia -- 90 cutter, grounder to second baseman.

Skinny: Ball deflected off Kluber's glove.

(L) A.J. Pierzynski -- 93 fastball outside; 93 fastball ripped foul (near RFL); 93 fastball outside (barely); 90 cutter, grounder to first baseman (Kluber covers).

(11 pitches)

6TH INNING

(L) Erick Aybar -- 89 cutter outside (barely); 92 fastball called strike (outer edge); 83 breaking pitch swinging strike; 94 fastball, single to shortstop.

Skinny: Lindor moved to his right and in to field, but his throw on the move was wide.

(L) Emilio Bonifacio -- 93 fastball called strike; 93 fastball, single to center. Aybar to second.

Skinny: Liner off two-seamer that caught too much of the plate.

Matt Wisler -- 93 fastball, sacrifice bunt to catcher.

(L) Jace Peterson -- 83 breaking pitch called strike; 90 cutter foul (off inside edge); 85 breaking pitch foul (emergency hack); 94 fastball, called strikeout (inner third at thighs).

(L) Ender Inciarte -- 91 cutter foul; 94 fastball foul (off outer edge); 85 breaking pitch foul (off inside edge); 95 fastball foul; 85 breaking pitch foul; 94 fastball foul (outside edge); 94 fastball high and outside; 95 fastball, two-run single to center.

Skinny: Terrific at-bat by Inciarte, who spoiled good pitches until Kluber made a mistake. Catcher Yan Gomes wanted the decisive pitch deep inside, but it leaked over the plate above the knees.

First baseman Santana cut the throw from Naquin and caught Inciarte between first and second for third out. Based on how the game unfolded, the play proved to be very important. That Santana picked a short-hop made it all the more impressive.

(19 pitches)

7TH INNING

(L) Freddie Freeman -- 92 fastball high; 92 fastball swinging strike; 91 fastball outside; 86 changeup swinging strike; 84 breaking pitch, swinging strikeout.

(L) Nick Markakis -- 86 changeup, fly to left fielder.

Adonis Garcia -- 91 fastball outside; 88 cutter, pop to second baseman.

(8 pitches)

8TH INNING

(L) A.J. Pierzynski -- 92 fastball, pop to left fielder.

(L) Erick Aybar -- 92 fastball high; 85 changeup low; 92 fastball called strike; 94 fastball foul; 84 breaking pitch foul; 86 changeup pop to first baseman.

Emilio Bonifacio -- 89 cutter swinging strike; 87 changeup swinging strike; 93 fastball, liner to third baseman.

(10 pitches)

Klubotic: In his past two starts, Kluber has given up a combined two runs on six hits in 17 innings. He shut out the Tampa Bay Rays on June 21 in Cleveland.

LeBron James has elected to decline his 2016-17 player option to become an unrestricted free agent for the third straight off-season, his agent Rich Paul informed cleveland.com.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - To no one's surprise, Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James has elected to decline his 2016-17 player option to become an unrestricted free agent for the third straight off-season, his agent Rich Paul informed cleveland.com.

However, the 31-year-old will either re-sign with the NBA Champions for another one-year term or accept a multi-year deal once the free-agency frenzy begins on July 1.

James had a player option deadline of June 29.

Paul says there isn't a decision yet and added there is no timetable for when James will ink his deal. James is turning down a $24 million salary for a pay raise that will take him closer to $30 million with the salary cap hike of $70 million to $94 million. 

James announced he was returning to Cleveland moments before last week's championship parade.

"I love it here. I love being here. I love my teammates," James told cleveland.com days after leading the franchise to its first championship. "Obviously my agent will take care of all the logistical things, but I'm happy. I've got no plans to go nowhere at this point."

The four-time MVP possesses a 13-year career average of 27.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists. ESPN's Chris Broussard first reported James' opt-out decision.

LeBron James declined his $24 million player's option with the Cavs Wednesday to become a free agent. He'll return to the team next season to defend the title, but there is intrigue in which kind of contract James signs in July.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - LeBron James is re-signing with the Cavaliers, so give little thought to his choice not to exercise the $24 million option in his contract and become a free agent July 1.

The question is whether James wants a $3.5 million raise next season, or a $7 million boost, and what each means for his long-term plans and earning potential.

As expected, James, 31, will let pass a Wednesday deadline to pick up his contract option for next season. His original plan when he first returned to Cleveland in 2014 was to maintain the flexibility to bring in as much money as possible every season.

Keeping as much of the shifting dollars and confusing language of the NBA's collective bargaining agreement with its players' union out of the following explanation, James wanted to sign a series of one-year deals with options until next summer, when a $24 billion TV deal will be in its second year and a new CBA could be in place.

The salary cap is expected to explode in 2017-18, to the point where James, 31, could sign a multiyear deal worth north of $230 million.

The issue is the salary cap is already jumping higher than expected for next season - to $94 million from a predicted $89 million (and from $70 million for the 2015-16 season).

Because of those complicated CBA rules, the one-year, $27.5 million James could sign with the Cavs beginning July 7 would be less than what another team with more cap space - like the Heat or Lakers - could offer.

Teams with cap space could offer James nearly $31 million next season. The Cavs, at present, are nearly $31 million over the cap, and that number is sure to grow.

But James, who just received his third NBA Finals MVP, isn't going anywhere. Remember, he told cleveland.com "I've got no plans to go nowhere" and "this is the happiest time in my life right now." It's beyond comprehension that he would even consider this summer leaving the city where he is now hailed as the man who ended a 52-year championship drought, especially given his birthplace (Akron) and the history he already shares with northeast Ohio.

LeBron intends to defend NBA title in Cleveland

James isn't missing that ring ceremony. Of course he'll want to defend the city's first major pro sports title since 1964.

Also, he recently called Cavs coach Tyronn Lue the "best coach in the world." Lue and the team are currently working on his new contract as well. The odds of James leaving a coach he actually likes are nil.

Man you can't tell me I don't have the Best Coach in the World!! Parade Swag Champ on em T Lue!!! #StriveForGreatness #TheLand #MessUpSomeCommas

A video posted by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Jun 24, 2016 at 8:01am PDT

But what about James' plan?

He could sign a multiyear deal now - both the Cavs and James' camp acknowledge that's more of a possibility than it's been in either of the past two off-seasons - and make nearly $31 million from Cleveland in 2016-17. There's your $7 million raise, versus the $3.5 million raise in option 1.

But regardless of the years he agrees to on a long-term deal, he'd miss the 2017-18 window.

If James agreed to a four-year deal now, it would be worth about $138 million, costing him nearly $100 million (in terms of the value of the contract) over what he could get if he signs a one-year deal with the Cavs now and then signs that big contract next summer.

So if waiting a year to hit that $31 million number is OK with James, signing another short-term deal may still be his best option.

There is also the stability of the Cavs to consider. Things can change so quickly in the NBA - injuries can ravage a team, coaches can fall out of favor, chemistry can grow stale.

But as of now, the defending champs have Kyrie Irving ($17.6 million next season), Kevin Love ($21.2 million), and Tristan Thompson ($15.3 million) all under contract for another four seasons, with Lue likely to join them. It's the core of a team that climbed out of a 3-1 hole to upset the Golden State Warriors for the biggest comeback in Finals history.

James should, and has said he does, feel strongly about the direction of his home franchise.

As for the timing of James' re-upping with the Cavs, consider this: Last year, with uncertainty hanging over Thompson's contract (represented by Rich Paul, James' agent), and perceived uneasiness toward then-coach David Blatt, he informed the Cavs on the first day possible that he would re-sign here.

It would seem the only issue to resolve between the two sides is which math is more preferable to James.

With NBA summer leagues about to kick off, here are the former Ohio State Buckeyes who will get a look.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- D'Angelo Russell will be playing to get a little better, while other former Ohio State Buckeyes will be playing with eyes on a new job.

Russell is the headliner of the group of Buckeyes on rosters for the NBA's upcoming summer leagues in Orlando, Las Vegas and Utah.

According to Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News, Russell is expected to suit up for the Los Angeles Lakers this summer. 

That's a bit of a surprise considering Russell's status as the No. 2 overall pick from last summer's draft. But it could be a valuable time for him to improve after an up-and-down season that featured a well-publicized off-court snafu and ended with Russell being left off the NBA All-Rookie first team.

Russell finished his rookie season averaging 13.2 points, 3.3 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game.

Can Russell become an NBA superstar?

Other former Buckeyes participating in summer league play include Shannon Scott, Sam Thompson and Deshaun Thomas. Thompson and Thomas will play for the Charlotte Hornets, while Scott will play for the Phoenix Suns.

Here's an update on how Scott, Thompson and Thomas got to this point:

Shannon Scott

Scott went undrafted last summer, which didn't come as a surprise. He signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Toronto Raptors, and was waived in October before the season started.

But Scott did have some good moments this past season for Raptor 905, the NBA Developmental League affiliate of Toronto. He averaged 9.2 points and 5.7 assists per game, making 37 starts. Scott recorded a triple-double of 24 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds on March 24.

Sam Thompson

Thompson also went undrafted last summer, signed a free-agent deal with the Hornets and was waived before the season started.

Thompson was the No. 7 pick in the 2015 D-League Draft. He averaged 7.8 points per game last season combined for the Grand Rapids Drive and the Delaware 87ers.

Deshaun Thomas

Thomas was a late second-round pick of the San Antonio Spurs in 2013. He's never played an NBA regular season game, and is still trying to get there after a couple of seasons overseas and in the D-League.

Thomas averaged 14.7 points per game for the D-League Austin Spurs last season.

Cleveland sports fans wonder about LeBron James keeping his word and whether the Dalai Lama is a Cavs fan.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- You Said It is based on the premise that the only thing Cleveland sports fans need more than another championship is a sense of humor...

YOU SAID IT

Bud: When LeBron says "I've got no plans to go nowhere," should that double negative concern us? - Chas K

After the language heard at the parade, that sounds like poetry.

Bud: I didn't know the Dalai Lama was a Cavs fan! - BP in Pepper Pike

Wine and gold is one of the his favorite color combinations. As for hanging out with Lady Gaga, big hitter, the Lama.

Bud: With the Cavs ending the 52-year curse, when do you predict the end of the You Said It drought? - Joe, Avon

My fear is that what we're witnessing is actually the heyday of YSI.

Bud: I've enjoyed the week of celebration of the Cavs' championship so much that I'm marking my calendar for 2068 to do it again - John Bertschler, Broadview Heights

I've always said the optimism of Cleveland sports fans is contagious.

Bud: SI -- right team, wrong year? - Russ

Things are certainly looking good for Indians fans. Great product on the field and light traffic on the ride home.

Bud: The Tribe ranks last in the majors in attendance. Do you think they're counting on an "Almonte bump" come July 3? - Dick, Cincinnati

You Said It winners shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.

From the outside looking in manager Terry Francona's lineup card for Tuesday night's game against Atlanta looked like a pair of msmatched socks. But when the game started, everything flowed together as the Indians won their 11th straight game. Watch video

ATLANTA -- Sometimes managers push all the right buttons and everything that could go wrong still goes wrong. Sometimes they push all the wrong buttons and for whatever reason everything goes right.

And sometimes the best-laid plans of mice, men and Indians manager Terry Francona work exactly like they should.

Francona didn't like the looks of Tuesday's lineup. He told reporters before the game that he understood that it looked backward. But MLB's interleague play schedule insists that American League teams must have their pitchers bat when they play in National League parks.

So Francona put DH Carlos Santana in the leadoff spot, a position he's become familiar with this season. Since Santana had to play first base, that meant cleanup hitter Mike Napoli was on the bench. All to make sure that Corey Kluber, one of the better-hitting pitchers in the AL, received his fair dose of humiliation.

But that still left Francona without a cleanup hitter. So he looked around for the shortest guy on the club - not really, but it worked out that way - and started Jose Ramirez there for the first time in his career.

Francona's reasoning made sense. Santana not only walks and has power, but Francona liked the fact that one of the only true home-run threats on his roster would probably get one extra at-bat because he was leading off.

Ramirez has played so well during the first 75 games of the season that if you took a vote today for team MVP, he just might win it. Here's what he does - he can hit anywhere in the lineup, he plays all over the diamond and he's cold-blooded when there are runners on base.

So what if he's 5-9 and is called Juan Uribe's Mini-me.

"He's got one of the best averages in the league when it comes to hitting with runners in scoring position," said Francona, in explaining why he hit Ramirez fourth.

Francona did not have to wait long to see his lineup card come to life. In the first inning of the Tribe's 11^th straight victory, Jason Kipnis and Francisco Lindor hit consecutive singles with one out to put runners on first and second. Ramirez, who started the game hitting .383 (18-for-47) with runners in scoring position, singled to right for a 1-0 lead as Lindor reached third.

Ramirez and Lindor followed with a double steal. Ramirez was the trigger man, drawing catcher A.J. Pierzynski's throw to second, while Lindor, timing his move perfectly, broke for home and a 2-0 lead.

Team Streak wins 11th straight game

"I knew Ramirez was going with the speed he has," said Lindor, who said Atlanta's Matt Wisler set the heist in motion because he was slow to the plate. "I was just ready for it."

Lindor's steal of home was the first by an Indian in over eight years. David Dellucci did it against the White Sox on May 29, 2008.

In the third, Ramirez walked, stole second and reached third on an infield single, but nothing came of it. The Indians created several scoring chances - they were 5-for-14 with runners in scoring position and stranded nine runners - but didn't strike again until the ninth.

Once again Francona's mismatched lineup paid off.

Santana, following walks by Tyler Naquin and Uribe with the score tied, 2-2, took advantage of his extra at-bat. He lined a 3-1 pitch into right field for a 3-2 lead.

"I knew it was a big moment," said Santana. "I stayed focused and concentrated on making hard contact because I wanted to help my team."

The Indians made it 4-2 when shortstop Erick Aybar couldn't handle Lindor's grounder as pinch-runner Rajai Davis scored. Then Ramirez, the sawed-off No.4 hitter, added another RBI single to make it 5-2.

"Regardless of where they hit, they're good hitters," said Francona. "Good hitters can make you look smarter. You can juggle all you want, but if you can't hit it doesn't help. They're doing a good job of continuing to put pressure on teams."

Santana is hitting only .238 (67-for-282), but he's tied for first on the Indians with 16 homers and his 42 RBI are tied for second. During the Tribe's 11-game winning streak, he's driven in nine runs to tie Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall for the team lead.

Ramirez is hitting .292 (69-for-236) overall and a remarkable .408 (20-for-49) average with runners in scoring position. Twenty-five of his 30 RBI have come with a runner on second or third base.

Corey Kluber, who pitched the Indians to their 11th straight win Tuesday night, said winning streaks don't mean that much if a team can't build on the momentum created in those streaks. Watch video

ATLANTA -- Bummer alert.

The Indians are going to lose a game again. Corey Kluber just wanted you to know that.

It should be noted that Kluber said that after pitching eight sterling innings Tuesday night at Turner Field as the Indians beat Atlanta, 5-3, for their 11^th straight victory. It's been 34 years since the Indians won 11 straight games. The franchise record is 13 straight and that's been done twice, once in 1942 and again in 1951.

So Kluber is probably on to something. Team Streak is bound to go off the rails somewhere along the line in the remaining 86 games on the schedule. If that's not the case, somebody should alert the city of Cleveland that it better start preparing for another parade. This time don't forget the barricades and if J.R. Smith shows up, somebody better buy him a winter coat.

Kluber isn't a wet blanket, but he is pragmatic.

He says the winning streak is rarely mentioned in the clubhouse.A That might be because his teammates are too busy planting rubber snakes in ice coolers to scare unsuspecting victims, but a six-game lead in the AL Central is probably something that has caught their attention.

"No one is really talking about a winning streak or this or that," said Kluber. "We realize that we're playing well and we're just trying to keep that going. Ultimately an 11-game winning streak doesn't really mean much if you don't continue to build on the momentum that you have throughout that winning streak."

The Indians have momentum, all right. They're 16 games over .500 at 46-30 and have won 20 of their last 26 games. The last time they had this big a lead at this point of the season was 2007 when they won the division and reached Game 7 of the ALCS.

"I think we're just taking it game by game and trying to keep it rolling," said Kluber. "At some point in time we're going to lose a game and then we're going to have to start back up the next day and win that one."

Kluber (8-7, 3.50)A allowed two runs on three hits. He struck out seven and walked one. In his last two starts, he's allowed two runs in 17 innings with 16 strikeouts and three walks. In those two games he threw 67 percent (136 of 202) of his pitches for strikes.

Tuesday night Kluber needed just 87 pitches to get through eight innings. The extra rest he received after his last start probably had something to do with that, but like most things Kluber didn't make too much of it.

"Tito (manager Terry Francona) was looking to give me a couple extra days and that's fine," said Kluber.

Kluber was removed for a pinch-hitter in the ninth with the score tied, 2-2, after Tyler Naquin and Juan Uribe started the inning with walks. The Indians came through with three runs and closer Cody Allen hung on for the save to get Kluber the win.

The streak continued and so did the momentum. In the long run it will be interesting to see which one means the most to the Tribe's season.