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Cleveland State gets rare production from subs in road game: Vikings Insider

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Josh McCoy and Ludavic Ndaye combine for 16 of 18 points from the Cleveland State bench.

josh mccoy.JPGView full sizeJosh McCoy
CHICAGO — A big plus for Cleveland State on Thursday night was the emergence of Ludavic Ndaye, who scored seven of the bench's 18 points in the 63-49 victory over Illinois-Chicago.

The freshman also contributed three rebounds and three blocked shots. He wasn't alone as guard Josh McCoy had nine points and three rebounds.

To get such production off the pine on the road has been rare during Horizon League play. In Cleveland State's past three league road games -- at Butler, Valparaiso and Youngstown State -- the bench produced just four points.

Big plus II: The Vikings, known for defensive pressure, entered the game committing more turnovers than the HL opposition on the road, including games of 15 miscues at Milwaukee, 18 at Butler, 16 at Valparaiso and 17 at Youngstown State.

That changed against the Flames. CSU forced UIC into 16 turnovers, but committed only 11. At home vs. UIC, the Vikings forced 24 turnovers and had only six.

The final hump: If CSU has visions of controlling its destiny, of bringing the Horizon League Tournament to the Wolstein Center, then winning it, of pushing its overall record upward toward 30 wins or more -- and even being nationally ranked -- the key to it all is now.

"The schedule, if we can get through the next two weeks, it's really going into our favor," coach Gary Waters said this week. After games this weekend with Illinois-Chicago and Loyola, followed by homes games versus Valparaiso and Butler, then on the road at Detroit, it is pretty much smooth sailing after that.

The Vikings will have no more two-game weekend swings in conference play. They will have five days off after Detroit to prepare for a home game against Youngstown State, four days after that to prepare for Wright State. Then, after a Feb. 19 road BracketBuster game, CSU will have five days to prep for a season-ending home weekend series with Milwaukee and Green Bay.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: ealexander@plaind.com, 216-999-4253



Ohio State women's basketball team loses at home to Michigan: College Basketball Roundup

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Also, the Lake Erie College men's and women's basketball teams both lose to Findlay.

jantel lavender.JPGView full sizeMichigan guard Jenny Ryan (24) steals the ball from Ohio State center Jantel Lavender (42) during the second half in Columbus.
Rachel Sheffer scored five of her 23 points down the stretch, and Michigan rallied from a 14-point deficit to beat No. 24 Ohio State, 69-66, Thursday in Columbus.

Sheffer made a basket and free throw to pull Michigan (13-7, 6-2 Big Ten) within a point at 66-65.

After Ohio State's Brittany Johnson missed a jumper, Sheffer made a pair of foul shots with 29.2 seconds left for the Wolverines' first lead since midway in the first half.

Samantha Prahalis, who led Ohio State (13-7, 4-4) with 25 points, missed a shot, but teammate Alison Jackson was fouled going for the rebound with 3.4 seconds left.

Jackson missed both free throws, and Jenny Ryan was fouled by Prahalis.

Ryan made both free throws, and Johnson missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Veronica Hicks added 14 points for the Wolverines.

Johnson finished with 14 points, and Cleveland Central Catholic's Jantel Lavender had 10 points for the Buckeyes.

Findlay 73, Lake Erie 49 Reserve Kendra Elam hit five 3-pointers and scored 19 points as the Oilers (13-4, 8-2 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) downed the host Storm (2-14, 1-9). Stephanie Rogers (Mentor) scored 12 points for Lake Erie.

Walsh 87, Ursuline 57 Jessie Miller scored 20 points as the host Cavaliers (17-4, 8-1 American Mideast Conference), No. 12 in the NAIA, downed the Arrows (5-18, 2-7), who got 14 points from Michele Hare.

Men

Findlay 63, Lake Erie 41 The host Storm (5-12, 1-9 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) was even with the fifth-ranked Division II team with 12 minutes to play, but the Oilers (16-1, 9-1) closed with a 26-4 run. Kyle Caiola (Normandy) scored 14 for Findlay. Garrick Sims (Barberton) scored 12 for Lake Erie.


Victory over Mayfield keeps Solon wrestlers in hunt for league title: High School Roundup

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Solon's Comets stayed in the thick of the Northeast Ohio Conference wrestling race with a 45-30 victory Thursday night over host Mayfield. Solon has one league loss, while Elyria is undefeated and Mayfield has lost three times.

Solon's Comets stayed in the thick of the Northeast Ohio Conference wrestling race with a 45-30 victory Thursday night over host Mayfield.

Solon has one league loss, while Elyria is undefeated and Mayfield has lost three times.

The Comets got pins from their 112-pounder, Brandon Thompson, in one minute, eight seconds; 130-pound Anthony Collica (:56); 160-pound Shiloh Moore (3:50).

A potential match between Collica, a sophomore, and Mayfield senior Mike Carlone didn't occur. Carlone wrestled at 140 pounds and won an 11-2 major decision. Collica is rated No. 1 and Carlone No. 2 at 130 pounds in Brian Brakeman's Wrestling Forecast.

Wadsworth 54, Barberton 9 The visiting Grizzlies (13-1, 7-0) extended their Suburban League winning streak to 34 matches and have outscored their seven league opponents, 468-28, this season. Barberton, despite the loss, is 18-2, 6-1.

Wadsworth wrestlers who pinned their opponents included 125-pound Kagan Squire (1:41); 130-pound Alfredo Gray (2:58); 160-pound Sheldon Brandenburg (3:01); 189-pound Dominic Owens (2:39), and heavyweight Jake Crowley (3:59).

Girls basketball

Beaumont 69, Elyria 54 Point guard Annie Bova scored 31 points, delivered six assists and made eight steals as the Blue Streaks (10-4) won a nonleague home game. Teammate Elizabeth Clarke totaled 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Laurel 52, Richmond Heights 38 Point guard Alexis Guy scored 27 points, making 10-of-18 field-goal attempts and 7-of-9 free throws, and had 13 rebounds, five steals, three blocked shots and two assists. Teammate Katie Kajfez netted 15 points for the host Gators.

Cleveland Indians GM Chris Antonetti delivers encouraging news on Grady Sizemore

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Indians GM Chris Antonetti gave an encouraging update on center fielder Grady Sizemore as he tries to get ready for the upcoming season following left knee surgery.

grady sizemore.JPGView full sizeGrady Sizemore's return to the lineup would offer a big boost to the Indians' offense.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Indians General Manager Chris Antonetti, who along with manager Manny Acta answered questions from fans at a town hall meeting Thursday night at the Idea Center at PlayhouseSquare, said Grady Sizemore should start playing spring training games by mid-March.
He didn't say if Sizemore would be ready for the season opener April 1, but it was encouraging news for a team trying to improve on the past two seasons, of which the Indians have lost 93 and 97 games.

A healthy Sizemore would certainly improve an offense that finished 26th in the big leagues with 646 runs last season. The AL champion Rangers scored 787.

Antonetti said Sizemore, if healthy, will start in center field.

"No. 1, that's where he's most comfortable," Antonetti said. "No. 2, talking to our medical people, center field is less demanding on his knee because, while he may have to cover more ground out there, he doesn't have to decelerate as quickly. In left and right field, you have to make a lot more quick stops."

Sizemore played just 33 games last season because of an injury to his left knee that required microfracture surgery. It was speculated that if he returned this season, he might be moved to left field to make way for Michael Brantley.

chris antonetti.JPGView full sizeIndians GM Chris Antonetti.

Sizemore, a two-time Gold Glove winner, is rehabilitating the injury in Goodyear, Ariz., the Indians' spring training site. Antonetti said Sizemore has been hitting and throwing and is close to starting a running program.

Acta would not say if Sizemore would return to the leadoff spot in the lineup. Acta moved him to the No. 2 spot last season.

Early this week an Internet rumor said the Indians were talking to the Nationals about trading Sizemore and No. 1 starter Fausto Carmona. Antonetti usually doesn't address rumors, but he did Thursday after a fan asked about it.

"We have not had a single discussion about potentially trading Grady Sizemore," Antonetti said. "There are teams that call us all the time to ask us about our players. They'll ask about almost everyone on our roster at different points in the off-season, but I can tell you at no point have we contemplated trading Grady and we have no intention of trading Fausto, either."

Acta said full and healthy seasons from Sizemore, Asdrubal Cabrera, Shin-Soo Choo, Travis Hafner and Carlos Santana will increase offensive production.

"Statistically, you have to score about 800 runs to make the postseason," Acta said. "Last year, we lost the top five guys in our lineup to injuries. No one hitting eighth or ninth got hurt."

Despite going 69-93 last year, the Indians' pitching improved greatly after the All-Star break. The staff's ERA in the second half was 3.89, including a 2.95 showing by the bullpen. The pen, led by closer Chris Perez, will return intact.

Regarding the rotation, Antonetti said Carmona, Justin Masterson and Mitch Talbot have established themselves in the first three spots with Carlos Carrasco closing in on the fourth. The fifth spot is wide open among Jeanmar Gomez, Josh Tomlin, Anthony Reyes, David Huff and others.

Other topics Antonetti and Acta discussed:

• Antonetti said he could add a couple more players in the near future. Fox Sports reported Thursday that the Indians are interested in signing free agent first baseman Casey Kotchman to a minor-league deal. Kotchman hit .217 (90-for-414) with nine homers and 51 RBI last season with Seattle. He could be a platoon option with Matt LaPorta.

• Acta said "the door has not been closed" on Jason Donald as an everyday player. Donald is going to get a chance to play second and third this spring.

• Antonetti expects the Indians not only to be a competitive team this year, but also a contending one, "I'll be disappointed if we're not."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158


Carmelo Anthony fiasco could be worse than what LeBron James did to the Cleveland Cavaliers: Terry Pluto

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The Carmelo Anthony fiasco may be even worse than "The Decision" and what LeBron James did to the Cavaliers.

CLEVELAND -- Carmelo Anthony wants to play in New York, but he doesn't want do to it the old-fashioned, LeBron James way -- play out your contract and become a free agent.

The Denver Nuggets star has an $18 million option on his contract for next season, which he can reject and then be free to sign elsewhere. But he wants a team to pick up that $18 million option and add the maximum of three more years at $65 million.

Denver is his current team, and they'd do it yesterday.

But Anthony doesn't want to do it.

Denver tried to trade Anthony to the Nets, who'd make the same contractual deal with Anthony.

But he doesn't want New Jersey.

No doubt the Cavs would love to add Anthony, and they have the salary cap room and trade assets to make a deal. But don't even think about Anthony coming here.

Anthony only wants New York. He wants it now. He doesn't want to wait until the July 1 free-agency period because that's when the NBA labor contract expires. This summer, there's an excellent chance the amount of money paid to free agents will go down when a new agreement is in place.

It's so true that James waiting a week into the free-agency period to make his embarrassing appearance on ESPN's "Decision" show to bolt to Miami was a new low for the NBA in terms of arrogance.

But as Nuggets coach George Karl told the Denver Post of a possible book about the endless Anthony trade speculation: "This has got a forward written about the LeBron saga this summer."

Yes, when James and Chris Bosh decided to join Dwyane Wade in Miami, it served notice to the NBA that it's old rules that allowed current teams to give their free agents one more year and more money than any other team would no longer keep players in town.

They want to form their own teams.

Chris Paul has been smart enough to keep his mouth shut lately. But before the season, the New Orleans star talked about playing in New York -- with Amar'e Stoudemire and perhaps Anthony.

As Denver comes to town to face the Cavs on Friday, Karl is doing one of his best coaching jobs. The Nuggets are 27-18, despite all the uncertainty over Anthony.

Anthony's gripe is Denver has not surrounded him with enough talent to win a title. In the previous three seasons, Karl led the Nuggets to 53, 54 and 50 victories. They have tried to team him with Allen Iverson, and later Chauncey Billups.

But they reached the Western Conference Finals only once.

You can argue that the Nuggets haven't surrounded Anthony with enough talent to beat the Lakers and Spurs, but who can? Those two teams have won nine of the past 12 titles since Michael Jordan retired in 1998.

In the end, Anthony probably will force a trade to the Knicks. Denver will figure it's better to get something than nothing for him -- in much the same way, the Cavs settled for some draft picks and a $14 million trade exception from Miami for James.

So we now have four players from the 2003 draft -- James, Wade, Anthony and Bosh -- acting as if the NBA were a summer league where players can jump from All-Star team to All-Star team. Maybe that's the modern NBA and the wave of the future.

Maybe it's even something Commissioner David Stern likes, given all the attention that the free-agent soap operas receive and how the NBA office is based in New York. But if the commissioner really wants to do what is best for the entire league, he will insist upon some type of NFL-type franchise player tag as part of the new labor agreement -- something to help teams keep their stars, or at least make better trades for them.

Mark Olver's goal leads Lake Erie Monsters to win at Hamilton

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John Grahame makes 25 saves for Lake Erie.

Monsters rookie Mark Olver, who Thursday was named to play in the AHL All-Star Classic, scored at 9:25 of the third period to break a 1-1 tie, and the Lake Erie Monsters beat the host Hamilton (Ontario) Bulldogs, 2-1, on Thursday.

Olver will be at the Classic in place of teammate Ryan Stoa, who is currently playing with the NHL's Colorado Avalanche.

Joel Chouinard and Kevin Montgomery assisted on Olver's team-leading 19th goal of the season. The 23-year-old center is second on the team in points (30) behind Ben Walter (36).

Justin Mercier scored an unassisted goal at 16:34 of the first period to give the Monsters a 1-0 lead, which held until midway through the second period when Hamilton tied the score.

John Grahame made 25 saves for Lake Erie (23-21-3-4), which with the win takes sole possession of third place in the AHL's Western Conference North Division.

Shaker Heights hockey coach Mike Bartley is an ice guy who might finish first

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Mike Bartley has presided over the coldest classroom in Shaker Heights for 35 years. Yet, you will get no complaints from his students, the hundreds of hockey players who have studied under him at cozy Thornton Park Ice Arena.

Shaker Heights hockey coach Mike Bartley, overseeing practice at Thornton Park Ice Arena, is closing in on becoming Ohio’s all-time leader in wins. - (Thomas Ondrey l PD)

Mike Bartley has presided over the coldest classroom in Shaker Heights for 35 years.

Yet, you will get no complaints from his students, the hundreds of hockey players who have studied under him at cozy Thornton Park Ice Arena.

When the Raiders practice, even after a long day at school, there is always time set aside to explain the reasons for a drill and a diagram or two to illustrate it on the grease board propped along the rink's sideboard. Bartley's lesson plans for the game he loves have proven more than successful over the years.

Heading into tonight's game at Mentor, Bartley is three victories away from having the most coaching victories in the state. Only retired Jim Cooper from Sylvania Northview has more at 585.

Bartley, 60, could tie Cooper on Sunday with a victory against Hudson, which is coached by Bartley's son, Matt. It is only appropriate.

"I appreciate it because I know it's been in the media, but my focus has been on my team," said Mike Bartley, who has the Raiders at 22-2 overall and 7-0 in the Red South Division of the Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League.

"It's the team that wins. We play a minor role in the success. The guys playing the game should get the credit."

For those who know Bartley best, it was a true response from the school's dedicated physical education teacher who came to the district in the fall of 1976. After playing in Canadian junior leagues, he skated at Bowling Green in college and for a short stint as a professional minor leaguer.

Teaching and playing the game the right way, then carrying those lessons to living a good life, have always been the important subjects.

"I always responded better to coaches who had patience and worked with athletes," said Bartley, who has taken 10 teams to the state tournament's semifinals and returned with three championships. "You have to have empathy. It's about building confidence and enjoying the game. That's first and foremost to me."

Getting Bartley to talk about his accomplishments is not that easy. With his low-key style, he deflects most compliments, no matter the approaching milestone.

But in his small office off the Raiders' locker room at Thornton Park, the mementos form the archives of Shaker Heights hockey. While all the trophies are on the floor, the team pictures, jerseys and significant game pucks jam every shelf and wall.

While they are all special, Bartley admits one photo stands out. It is the team state championship picture from 2001 that shows Matt Bartley enjoying the glorious moment.

"That was the most satisfying," said the coach, whose club defeated Padua that year for the title. "We were the underdog, and my son got to experience it. It was a special thing."

Matt Bartley, 28, has followed in his father's footsteps as a teacher in the Hudson school district and as coach of the Explorers. He said it wasn't difficult playing for his dad, and he has tried to follow in his manner, though he admits he is a bit more vocal at times.

"He's a modest man is the best way to put it," said Matt Bartley, aware of the significance Sunday's game could hold. "He's definitely a teacher in his approach to the game. So many coaches try to fix things right away. He thinks it's better to take some time and go over things."

That doesn't mean the elder Bartley lets everything wait until a game is over. But when he has a point to make, he doesn't make a spectacle of it.

Veteran North Olmsted coach Tim Murphy has seen Bartley from both sides. Murphy, 52, was a referee for 10 seasons before taking over the Eagles 21 seasons ago.

"He's quiet, but he's a competitor," said Murphy, whose Eagles face the Raiders in the regular-season finale Feb. 4 in what could put Bartley on top in coaching wins. "As a ref, I felt those steely-blue eyes looking at you. When he made a point, you had to think about it. It was never sarcastic or belligerent.

"As a coach, you know his team is going to be well-prepared and detail-oriented. After we play them and I watch film, I find myself watching his team as much. It's like a symphony out there."

Senior defenseman Aaron Goodman has spent the past four seasons getting firsthand knowledge from Bartley. He said his teammates have come to appreciate the scholarly approach.

"He's not a yeller," said Goodman, who is looking at Michigan and Georgetown as college choices. "I've played for every kind of coach. He knows how to get the best out of you without getting in your face. You know what he expects, and he doesn't have to tell you twice."

Former player Tyler Friedman, 31, said he always will remember losing the 1998 state title game in overtime to Bowling Green, 5-4. While the loss still hurts to a degree, the other aftermath has stayed with him more.

"At the time, it was the most devastating thing in my life," said Friedman, practicing law in New York City. "I was crying and trying to hold it together. The whole 21/2-hour bus ride home, he put his arm around me and told me to keep my head up. I still reflect on that as one of the most meaningful moments of my life. I think of coach Bartley frequently."

Coach Bartley would not ask for more than that.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: jmaxse@plaind.com, 216-999-5168

The Browns need to go Green in 2011

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The Browns need to have a go-to, top-tier, playmaking wide receiver and Green is that guy. Standing at 6-foot-4, he would be the tallest receiver in the Browns corps, besting Brian Robiskie by one inch. That is the only place where Robiskie is even close to Green, however.

01.27.11 AJ Green.jpgIf Available, Wide Receiver A.J. Green Is The Only Pick For The Browns

For Cleveland Browns fans, the Super Bowl is right around the corner. No, not Super Bowl XLV between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers.

The Browns' Super Bowl – the 2011 NFL Draft.

Earlier this week, ESPN's Mel Kiper said that the Browns could be left to select between wide receiver A.J. Green of Georgia and defensive end Robert Quinn from North Carolina when their slot at No. 6 in the 2011 NFL Draft comes up.

With all due respect to Quinn, who is a great player and will probably be a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball in the NFL, this decision should be a complete no-brainer for team president Mike Holmgren, general manager Tom Heckert and new head coach Pat Shurmur.

The Browns need to have a go-to, top-tier, playmaking wide receiver and Green is that guy. Standing at 6-foot-4, he would be the tallest receiver in the Browns corps, besting Brian Robiskie by one inch. That is the only place where Robiskie is even close to Green, however.

In just eight games in the 2010 regular season after being suspended for the first four, Green amassed 57 catches for 848 yards and nine touchdowns, which included a nine-catch, 164-yard performance against eventual national champion Auburn.

With all of the receivers that the Browns have passed on over the last few years, it would be a mistake for there to be any name on their draft card other than Green if he is still available.

The Browns need to get Colt McCoy a weapon if they look at him to be the quarterback of the future and right now on their roster, that weapon is as visible as the weapons of mass destruction we were led to believe existed in Iraq.

While they may be serviceable receivers in the NFL at some point, Robiskie, Mohammed Massaquoi and Josh Cribbs are not the game-breaking wide receivers that a team needs as their top threat.

The Browns averaged just 187 yards per game through the air last season, which is what happens when the most reliable receiver is tight end Ben Watson. The only teams with worse passing games than the Browns were the Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers. While the Chiefs made the playoffs, the Panthers were led by Jimmy Clausen and Matt Moore and the Cardinals relied on Derek Anderson, John Skelton and Max Hall.

01.27.11 Colt McCoy.jpgColt McCoy's Job Would Be So Much Easier With A.J. Green On The Team

Sure, the argument can be made that a wide receiver does not make the difference, as the Cardinals have Larry Fitzgerald. The difference between Arizona and Cleveland, however, is pretty simple – would you rather have Anderson or McCoy throwing the ball?

Anderson has never completed more than 56.5% of his passes for a season in the NFL, while McCoy completed 60.8% of his throws in 2010. Fans in Cleveland are all too familiar with the disaster that is the Derek Anderson experiment and watching the frustration from Fitzgerald last season as passes flew over his head or 10 feet to his left or right, Cardinals fans see it too.

In Cleveland, McCoy can be accurate, so getting the ball in spots where Green can make the catch should not be a problem.

How nice would it be to have a wide receiver on the Browns who can actually stretch the field and make plays that go for more than six or seven yards? As much as Browns fans hate to admit it, the last time there was a player like that in brown and orange, he wore No. 17 and his name was Braylon Edwards.

Obviously the difference between Green and Edwards is that Green makes plays and catches everything in sight while Edwards was known more for the passes he did not catch than the ones he actually did.

In 2010, any success the Browns had offensively came from two sources – running back Peyton Hillis and trick plays. A player like Green would mean that the Browns can actually run a real offense, not one that has to rely on gimmicks and gadgets to gain a few yards, score a couple of touchdowns and win a game or two.

If Green is on the board when the Browns are selecting, Holmgren, Heckert and Shurmur should all be relaxing with a smile on their face knowing they are about to get their man, the playmaker they so badly need to make this offense run.

The 2010 draft was all about helping the secondary, which they did with the additions of Joe Haden and T.J. Ward, so this season they must do something to fix the offense and Green is a great place to start.

Of course if Green is already taken by that point, Quinn would be one heck of a backup Plan B.

Somewhere, McCoy is nodding in agreement.


LeBron James, Dwyane Wade voted NBA All-Star starters

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Derrick Rose, Amare Stoudemire and Dwight Howard round out the East Team.

lebron_heat_dust.jpgLeBron James was voted to his 7th straight NBA All-Star Game.

NEW YORK CITY, New York — LeBron James and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat are headed to the NBA All-Star game together, and Derrick Rose gave the Chicago Bulls their first starter since Michael Jordan.

They will be joined in the Eastern Conference starting lineup by Amare Stoudemire, who will become the first New York Knicks player to start in nearly two decades, and Orlando center Dwight Howard, the leading vote-getter in the conference with nearly 2.1 million.

The Lakers' Kobe Bryant earned his 13th straight All-Star selection for the Feb. 20 game at his home arena. He is one shy of the record held by Jerry West, Shaquille O'Neal and Karl Malone.

Bryant, a three-time MVP of the All-Star game, was the overall leading vote-getter with more than 2.3 million.

The other starters announced Thursday were Hornets guard Chris Paul, forwards Kevin Durant of Oklahoma City and Carmelo Anthony of Denver, and Houston center Yao Ming, who is injured and will be replaced on the roster by a player of commissioner David Stern's choosing.

James and Wade, who both received more than 2 million votes from fans, will become the first set of teammates to start for the East since Wade and O'Neal represented the Heat in the 2007 game in Las Vegas.

"We try to represent our team, try to represent our franchise the right way every time we go out on the basketball court, and the fact that we've had so many votes by these fans, like I said it's very humbling and we appreciate it," James said before the Heat faced the New York Knicks.

Rose beat out Celtics guard Rajon Rondo to earn his first All-Star start and the first by a Chicago player since Jordan started the 1998 game.

"I think it's recognition for the job he's done this year," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "All-Star games, those are great. He certainly earned it, but ... I'm more concerned with what he's done for our team. And he's done a lot for the team."

Fans voted for the starters, but the reserves will be chosen by the head coaches in their respective conferences. Their votes must be submitted to the league office by next Tuesday, and the announcement will come next Thursday night.

Stoudemire has revitalized the Knicks since arriving from Phoenix in the summer. He beat out perennial starter Kevin Garnett for the second forward spot and is just the fifth Knicks player to be selected a starter since fans began voting in 1974-75. Patrick Ewing was the last one to start in 1992, though he was elected again in 1997 but couldn't play because of a strained left groin.

In a rarity in All-Star balloting, the fans nailed it in the East. Stoudemire, James and Wade all rank among the league's top five in scoring, and Rose and Howard are right there with them as MVP candidates.

Wade was the MVP of last year's game in Dallas Cowboys Stadium and hit the winning shot in the East's 2006 victory in Houston.

"It's an honor," Wade said of his election. "It's not as big a deal as it was when I first came in. It was like my heart was racing the day of the final vote hoping I get in. It continues to be an honor to get the same respect from the fans."

The West vote was flawed by the election of Yao, who despite missing nearly the entire season continues to earn a huge vote total from his native China. West coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs will pick one of his reserves to start.

Paul is the first player in Hornets franchise history to twice be voted a starter.

Fans will vote for All-Star skills challenge field


Fans will decide which guards will show their skills on All-Star Saturday night.

The NBA announced Thursday that the Skills Challenge would be expanded to five participants, and fans would vote for four of them.

Players eligible through the "choose your squad" program are: Derrick Rose, John Wall, Russell Westbrook, Tyreke Evans, Derek Fisher, Tony Parker, Baron Davis and Stephen Curry.

Chris Paul, who has twice competed in the event, which is sponsored by Taco Bell, will be the fifth participant in Los Angeles and serves as spokesman for the program.

Fans can vote at www.NBA.com/chooseyoursquad through Feb. 14.

Live on DSN: NFL Draft talk, Super Bowl XLV, Cavs and more

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Today's guests include Ric Serritella from NFLDraftBible.com at 10 a.m.

dsn logo smallGet live sports talk now at cleveland.com/dsn
What is the Browns' biggest need in the draft? We'll talk with an draft expert at 10 a.m.  Who are you rooting for in Super Bowl XLV? Where will Bernie Kosar end up? Can the Cavaliers break their 18-game losing streak tonight against the Nuggets? Are Carmelo Anthony's actions worse than LeBron James?

Talk about those topics and more - including Cleveland State wins again and the Indians hold their annual town hall meeting - all day on Digital Sports Network, cleveland.com's online sports station featuring live streaming video and audio.
Plus, don't miss Digital Sports Network's blog with Ryan Isley's analysis on the Browns' upcoming draft.

Cleveland Cavaliers A.M. Links: What could have been; Jokes; Positive thinking; Impressive rookie

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ESPN reports Anderson Varejao could have been traded to Oklahoma City.

Cleveland Cavaliers lose to Jazz, 101-90Cavs center Anderson Varejao, right, hugs teammate Daniel Gibson.

Since the Cavaliers continue to lose, the most interesting story (besides the losing streak) are the trade possibilities.

Will the Cavaliers trade Mo Williams and or Antawn Jamison?

One trade that may have happened, writes ESPN's Marc Stein, is a trade between the Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder that would have involved Anderson Varejao.

Varejao still hasn’t decided whether he’s going to have surgery on the ankle, but the severity of the injury brought an understandable halt to some thought-provoking negotiations that sources say had quietly begun to percolate between the Cavs and Oklahoma City.

The Thunder, as noted in Monday’s Power Rankings, began the week having outrebounded only 22 teams … compared to 55 last season. The Thunder, in short, need another big man to truly contend in the West. And they know it.

But Stein has heard (and most of us know) the Cavaliers really don't want to get rid of Varejao. But if the Cavs would have pulled the trigger, they could have received draft picks and some size in return, like Cole Aldrich and Byron (aka B.J.) Mullens.

 

Jokes

This article in The Denver Post is a preview of tonight's game between the Cavaliers and the Denver Nuggets. Reporter Benjamin Hochman has a little too much fun in describing the current state of basketball in Cleveland.

 

The last time the Nuggets played here, it was a nationally televised battle of basketball titans. Tonight, the game will be aired on Altitude and, possibly, in a bar or two in Cleveland . . . if the bartender can't find the remote. And while the Nuggets (for now) still have their star in Carmelo Anthony, the Cavaliers ... well, at least Alonzo Gee is making strides.

The Cavaliers, at 8-37, have the worst record in the NBA, a season after LeBron James took his talents to South Beach, without saying goodbye and thanks. Tonight, the Nuggets are here, the third game of Denver's five-game road trip — the Nuggets (27-18) have won the first two.

 

Positive thinking

Despite the losing streak, Cavs coach Byron Scott says on Ohio.com that the team is playing better on the defensive end.

Seriously.

''On the defensive end I think we've gotten better; we just have to continue to do it for 48 minutes, and that's what we're going to continue to preach,'' he said.

But is Scott's preaching being heard, especially since the losing must have some type of effect on the players.

''It's a challenge. Unfortunately, we've been hit with a lot of injuries on top of our struggles on the court,'' guard Anthony Parker said. ''I think we're looking at it as in certain areas we're making a lot of improvement and in other areas we still have a long ways to go.''

Parker cited the fact that the Cavs played well against the New Jersey Nets and Boston Celtics, both losses, and he said he could see progress on the defense.

  

Rookie level

News-Herald reporter Bob Finnan writes how no one was familiar with Christian Eyenga when he was drafted by the Cavaliers in 2009.

Now Eyenga is starting to make a name for himself, especially with his recent play for the Cavaliers.

Coach Byron Scott is impressed with Eyenga's athleticism and toughness.

"The only negative was his inexperience and lack of knowledge of the game," Scott said. "He's getting some valuable lessons in each and every game. He's learned a lot. He still has a lot to learn. He still has a ways to go.

"His potential is unlimited. He can be one of the most dynamic athletes in the game, with his jumping ability and the way he can get up and down the floor."
 

Cleveland Browns A.M. Links: Jim Zorn out in Baltimore; Browns make donation

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Nick Wass / Associated PressJim Zorn The Baltimore Ravens fired quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn on Thursday. Does this mean Zorn could become a candidate to join the Cleveland Browns? Could Zorn become the Browns' quarterback coach or next offensive coordinator? Since Browns coach Pat Shurmur will call his own plays (and since so many other candidates have turned down the...

jim zorn.jpgJim Zorn

The Baltimore Ravens fired quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn on Thursday. Does this mean Zorn could become a candidate to join the Cleveland Browns? Could Zorn become the Browns' quarterback coach or next offensive coordinator?

Since Browns coach Pat Shurmur will call his own plays (and since so many other candidates have turned down the Browns), Zorn could become a good fit. Zorn has a history with Browns president Mike Holmgren.

According to The Baltimore Sun:

Zorn's release came after a seven-hour meeting this week with Cameron and coach John Harbaugh in which they questioned him about Joe Flacco's development this season, a league source said.

Instead of hiring a new quarterbacks coach, Harbaugh decided that Cameron will have more hands-on duties with the quarterbacks.


"We've talked about this since the end of the season, and we believe this will help improve our offense," Harbaugh said.  

 

Donation

Lake High School in Toledo was devastated due to a tornado last summer. The school got some relief when the Cleveland Browns presented a $20,000 check.

Because of the tornado, Lake is playing all of its home basketball games at a local community college.

On Fox Toledo:

Along with the $20,000 donated for the athletic facilities, the Browns have already honored the Lake football team by having them on the field before a preseason game with the Rams. They've also donated football equipment to the school.

 
 
Mock Draft
 
Here's one mock draft, WalterFootball.com, and this one predicts the Browns will select Alabama nose tackle Marcell Dareus.
 
Why?
 
Because Shaun Rogers is 32 and he is due $5.5 million next year.
 
The Browns would love to land a top-tier weapon for the impressive Colt McCoy like A.J. Green. But if Green isn't available, Cleveland will almost certainly beef up its front seven. 

Dareus hasn't been as dominant as some would have hoped this season, but he's still a top-10 prospect capable of playing in any scheme.

Snowshoes open door to unique winter adventures around Cleveland Metroparks

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The winter woods are especially quiet when you're wandering on a pair of snowshoes, even when you're covering a patch of oak and maple in the city.

 

Snowshoe 3.jpgWhile on an snowshoeing adventure, Institute of the Great Outdoors Manager Dana Smith (left) and naturalist Stacey Allen check out a "rub" made by the antlers of a male white-tailed deer on a tree near the Garfield Park Nature Center in the Cleveland Metroparks. Bucks remove velvet from their antlers and mark their territory by rubbing antlers against the bark of a tree.

 The winter woods are especially quiet when you're wandering on a pair of snowshoes, even when you're covering a patch of oak and maple in the city.

 Dana Smith, the manager of the Cleveland Metroparks' Institute of the Great Outdoors (IGO) programs, and Naturalist Stacey Allen were showing off some of the modern snowshoes rented to winter visitors by the Cleveland Metroparks when the snow is deep enough. We had the necessary four inches of white stuff on Thursday afternoon, with a couple of inches to spare.

 We were only a couple of hundred yards from the Garfield Park Nature Center in Garfield Heights, cars and trucks noisily rumbling along nearby Broadway Ave., when we spotted a few "rubs." Male deer rub their antlers on trees to remove velvet in the fall, and to mark their territory during the breeding season. The torn bark was evidence we were in whitetail country.

Allen spotted a couple of does, or female deer, a dozen yards away. Two more deer hidden in a grove of saplings picked up their heads, looked over their shoulders at us and shook their distinctive large, white tails as they slowly walked away.

"You often see deer around the park," said Smith. "They really stand out when there's snow on the ground. We've got lots of does and some bucks with very large antlers."

Snowshoes are a unique way to hike through the heavy snow, and more people each year are discovering the fun of a winter snowshoeing adventure. 

 "We began the weekend snowshoe hikes at the South Chagrin Reservation last winter," said Smith. "They were so popular we doubled up, offering them now in February, snow permitting."

The IGO, based at the Garfield Park Nature Center, had offered snowshoe classes. The hit-or-miss winter weather, even around Cleveland's snow belt, was a problem. Rather than offer lessons, the Cleveland Metroparks now has fledgling snowshoers learn on the fly.

 "We've discovered a 10- to 15-minute training session is enough for people to be comfortable on snowshoes, get them walking and on their way," said Smith.  

 Many years ago on a North Country winter outing, snowshoes were needed to hike a trail covered with knee-deep snow. We wore wooden snowshoes with rawhide bindings which were much larger than the modern, lightweight snowshoes, and much harder to use. Those old, wooden snowshoes are more commonly found over mantels than strapped to people's feet these days.

Snowshoes have been around for at least 5,000 years. In the North Country, where deep snow is a winter fact of life, snowshoes are popular. Trappers have relied on them for centuries. The design of both ancient and modern snowshoes are similar. They attach to boots with a binding and provide a much larger footprint to keep feet from sinking in the snow. 

 Modern snowshoes are made with light, strong material, making them easier to learn to use, and much safer. They have cleats on the bottom, providing a firm grip on the snow and ice mix found in northern Ohio. 

 Fit Frog Adventures in Calgary, Alberta says 46 percent of snowshoers are women, and 55 percent are under the age of 45. Their popularity has increased 60 percent in the last decade, perhaps because 45 percent more calories are burned than while walking or running at the same speed.

"Showshoeing can be a strenuous activity, a reason we suggest beginning snowshoers dress in layers," said Smith. "You'll heat up pretty quickly. We also recommend people wear waterproof hiking boots so bindings fit properly and feet stay dry. Take along some water and snacks."

The average weekend snowshoe outing is about an hour, she said.

 The Cleveland Metroparks makes snowshoeing easy to experience. Quality modern snowshoes cost $200, and more, but can be rented at the Cleveland Metroparks for only $5 an outing.

"We want get people on snowshoes, not worry about making an investment," said Smith. "If someone wants their own snowshoes, we have the experts who can give them the pros and cons of the different types, and the best places to buy them."

The facts on renting fancy snowshoes

Snowshoe 2.jpgModern snowshoes are light, but rugged. The cleats on the bottom of the Atlas snowshoe (left) give a hiker some grip on a snow trail. The bindings on the top of the Atlas showshoes (right) allow them to quickly be attached to a solid hiking boot.

 The Cleveland Metroparks rents snowshoes every weekend except Valentine's Day weekend through the end of February. This weekend snowshoes are rented from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the sledding hill at the corner of Sulphur Springs Dr. and Chagrin River Rd. in the South Chagrin Reservation. In February, weekend rentals are from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Squires Castle in the North Chagrin Reservation. Contact IGO, 216-341-1704, or visit clevelandmetroparks.com.

There is a Snowshoe Style Map & Compass course at the North Chagrin Nature Center today (Saturday, Jan. 29) from 1-4 p.m. at the North Chagrin Nature Center, and on Feb. 5 from 2-5 p.m. The fee is $10. A snowshoe night hike is Feb. 17 from 7-9 p.m. at the River Grove Picnic Area of the North Chagrin Reservation.

The winter's big snowshoe event takes place this weekend, with a two-day IGO snowshoe adventure in southern Ohio's Hocking Hills State Park.

The Lake Metroparks has Snowshoe Lodge at the Penitentiary Glen Nature Center in Kirtland and snowshoe rentals for $3 per hour and $12 per day. Penitentiary Glen has almost seven miles of trails, with the Peppermint Trail for beginners. Snowshoes are rented until March 4 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., depending on snow cover.

Don King, Cleveland's own, still promoting his sport

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Cleveland native Don King remains more popular than most of the fighters he promotes.

don king.jpgDon King

After all of these years, Cleveland native Don King is still the center of attention when it comes to boxing.

Although what could possibily be the fight of the year in Saturday's junior welterweight “Super Fight” between unbeaten champions Devon Alexander (21-0) and Timothy Bradley (26-0) in Detroit, King remains more popular than any boxer not named Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather.

Yahoo.com's Dan Wetzel has this solid article that peeks into King's history as a numbers runner and ex-convict who graduated from John Adams High School. King was also headed to Kent State, but he got caught up in the numbers racket.

Even as an 18-year-old, would-be college student, King was a prodigious earner, talking everyone in his territory to bet more and more. He was relentless. Then one day he lost a woman’s betting slip -- it wound up stuck to the bottom of a flower pot. Her number came in. His boss said since it was King’s mistake, he was on the hook for the payout. There went the tuition. There went college. King became a full-time numbers man.

Within a year, he was in charge. He was a natural, folks flocking to him. Just like now, it’s all about connecting with people, creating the perception of entertainment, making them think he’s in on something they aren’t. When someone’s number hit, King would stuff the cash into a bag and take it to a bar where he’d pay out in front of everyone.

 

WR Plaxico Burress would not be a good fit for the Cleveland Browns, says Tony Grossi (SBTV)

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PD Browns reporter answers fan questions from his weekly Hey, Tony! feature. Watch video


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, our Web morning show about what's happening in Cleveland sports. Today's show is hosted by Branson Wright, as Chuck Yarborough is still on vacation in Belize.


Today's guest is Plain Dealer Browns reporter Tony Grossi, who answers fan questions from his weekly Hey, Tony! feature.


Should the Browns show interest in former New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress? Cast your vote in today's Starting Blocks poll.


Tony has thoughts on that question; as well as whether the Browns should try to reacquire defensive end Kamerion Wimbley; how the Browns should approach the No. 6 pick in the draft; and how Lawrence Vickers will fit in the Browns' new West Coast offense.


SBTV will return Monday.


Jeff Fisher would've been available, should the Cleveland Browns have waited before hiring Pat Shurmur?

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Jeff Fisher would've been available, should the Cleveland Browns have waited before hiring Pat Shurmur?

Jeff Fisher

President Mike Holmgren made his biggest move since taking over for the Cleveland Browns when he hired St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur.

Not only does Shurmur have the offensive pedigree, he also has shares the same offensive philosophy with Holmgren. But Shurmur does not have any experience as a head coach.

So now that former Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher is available, (and if he could) would Holmgren want a do over so he could hire Fisher instead? Fisher finished 142-120 with the Titans. He was 5-6 in the postseason.

 

The eyes have it as Avon Lake boys basketball team tops Berea: You Pick the Game

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BEREA, Ohio — Avon Lake boys basketball coach Eric Smith thought Jay Seaton's eyes must have been as big as saucers in Friday's 66-54 Southwestern Conference win over Berea. With the Braves (8-6, 4-4) sagging defensively to help minimize the height advantage of Avon Lake (13-0, 8-0), it was catch and pop all night for the Shoremen.

Avon Lake's Jay Seaton, left, goes up for a shot against Berea's Jared Paster on Friday at Berea High School. Seaton had 23 points for Avon Lake, going 7-for-7 on 3-pointers. - (Tim Harrison l Special to PD)

BEREA, Ohio — Avon Lake boys basketball coach Eric Smith thought Jay Seaton's eyes must have been as big as saucers in Friday's 66-54 Southwestern Conference win over Berea.

With the Braves (8-6, 4-4) sagging defensively to help minimize the height advantage of Avon Lake (13-0, 8-0), it was catch and pop all night for the Shoremen.

"We had a hunch they'd play a box-and-one on Ronnie [Willoughby]," Smith said. "We told our guards, if they do that, their eyes should be wide open."

Seaton finished with a game-high 23 points. He was deadly from behind the arc -- going 7-of-7 -- and finished 8-of-11 from the field.

It's no secret, the Shoremen's offense runs through their big man. With Willoughby (6-5), Eric Stuczynski (6-4) and Trent Troy (6-3), size is usually on Avon Lake's side.

But when the 5-8 Seaton got hot against Berea, the team knew it was going to be a special night.

Seaton, whose previous season high was 17 against Brunswick, opened the scoring for the Shoremen with two 3-pointers, closed out the first half at the buzzer with a trey and had 18 points – all on threes – by halftime.

"The coaches told me I'd be open and to keep firing them," Seaton said. "Once the first few went in, I was feeling good. I'm not going to say I played differently, but I could tell I was feeling it."

Despite Seaton's efforts, it was a six-point ballgame at halftime. But the Braves, who came in on a five-game winning streak, had to increase their defensive efforts.

That's when Willoughby, who will play football at the University of Buffalo next year, got going.

The senior post had eight of his 20 points in a 2:22 stretch of the third quarter.

It happened to be the most important stretch as Avon Lake took a five-point advantage and made it 49-38 at the end of three quarters, thanks to Willoughby, who scored the final eight points of the quarter for the Shoremen.

"That's what Ronnie does," Smith said. "He can score, but he's not selfish. He gets his points in the flow of the game. That [stretch] was huge. It extended our lead and put the game away."

Stuczynski was solid for Avon Lake with 16 points and 6 rebounds, while Willoughby (10 rebounds) crashed the boards to finish with a double double.

Javon Cook led Berea with 16 points, and T.J. Wade scored 10 in the losing effort.

Brad Bournival is a freelance writer in North Royalton.

Garner, Flannigan lead Villa Angela-St. Joseph boys basketball team to win over Lake Catholic

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MENTOR, Ohio — Three times, Lake Catholic had a chance to tie Villa Angela-St. Joseph in the final minute of their game Friday night. Three times the Cougars' 3-pointers missed the mark.

MENTOR, Ohio — Three times, Lake Catholic had a chance to tie Villa Angela-St. Joseph in the final minute of their game Friday night.

Three times the Cougars' 3-pointers missed the mark.

When the Vikings finally grabbed a defensive rebound, they missed their chance to ice the game at the free-throw line. That is, until 6-7 center Demonte Flannigan grabbed an offensive rebound and turned it into a traditional three-point play -- the last of Flannigan's 21 points and 20 rebounds to help VASJ secure an 82-75 victory.

"That was probably one of the single-best rebounds I've ever seen," VASJ coach Babe Kwasniak said. "Obviously the sky's the limit."

The Vikings (8-6, 6-2 North Coast League) also got 28 points from junior guard Karl Garner, 16 in the second quarter. Garner made four 3-pointers and helped VASJ stretch its lead to 19 points in the quarter.

His best play may have come on an alley-oop by Flannigan, stealing the inbounds pass and making the basket, sending the Vikings' fans into a frenzy.

Just when it seemed the Vikings would run the Cougars (9-4, 5-2) out of their own gym, junior guard Joey Vuyancih took control of the game.

Vuyancih had a game-high 39 points, 15 in the second quarter. He made almost every shot Lake Catholic needed him to, fueling its comeback, but even Vuyancih missed both of his 3-point attempts to tie the game in the end.

"It was just a matter of them not going into the hoop," he said. "Like a lid on the hoop."

Kwasniak played collegiately at Army and said Vuyancih is a better player than he ever was. With no defense able to contain Vuyancih, Kwasniak even considered assigning Flannigan to guard him.

"They had the best player on the floor," Kwasniak said. "We did a good job. There just aren't that many high school kids that have that arsenal of moves."

The game was contentious and featured four technical fouls and a playoff atmosphere. Flannigan said the Vikings expected a tight North Coast League game.

"We came out with an intensity," he said. "It gives us a lot of confidence for our next game."

Teddy Cahill is a freelance writer in Shaker Heights.

Case Western Reserve women's, men's basketball teams fall to Chicago

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Erin Hollinger leads the Case women with 17 points and six rebounds, while Austin Fowler has 24 for the men.

Women

University of Chicago 81, CWRU 61
The host Maroons (14-3, 6-0 University Athletic Association) led the entire game and defeated the Spartans (10-7, 4-2). Erin Hollinger (Chardon) led Case Western Reserve with 17 points and added six rebounds. Chicago led by as many as 27 in the second half.


Men

University of Chicago 71, CWRU 66 (OT) The Spartans (7-10, 3-3 UAA) lost in overtime at Chicago (6-11, 3-3). Austin Fowler scored a career-high 24 for CWRU, and he also grabbed eight rebounds.

2010 is a year to remember for Cleveland Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo

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Shin-Soo Choo calls 2010 the "greatest year of my life." He had his second straight 20-20 season for the Tribe, was excused from a two-year hitch in the military after helping South Korea win the gold medal in the Asian Games, and signed a one-year $3.975 million deal. Watch video


CLEVELAND, Ohio — For several reasons, all of them good, Shin-Soo Choo will never forget 2010.

Choo escaped what could have been season-ending surgery on his right thumb in July and returned to finish a season in which he hit .300 (165-for-550) with 22 homers, 90 RBI and 22 steals. In November, he helped South Korea win the Asian Games in China to earn an exemption from his two-year military obligation. Finally, he signed a one-year $3.975 million deal, a raise of more than $3.5 million compared with his 2009 salary, to avoid arbitration.

"It was the greatest year in my life," said Choo on Friday at Beachwood Place Mall as the Indians started their winter tour.

The Asian Games were Choo's last chance to bring closure to his military obligation in a way that would keep the Indians and his country happy. At 28, he had to do his two-year hitch by 30 unless South Korea won the gold.

All Choo did was hit .571 (8-for-14) with three homers, 11 RBI, two steals and five walks in the five-game tournament. He hit a homer in his first at-bat and never stopped hitting.

"It was amazing," said Choo. "I don't know how I did it.

"I had so much confidence. I don't know why.

"During the season, I never think about losing. I always think about winning. But if you lose during the season, you play the next game. The Asian Games were different. It was my last chance. I don't know why I had so much confidence."

Choo will have to go through four weeks of basic training in November. He could have done it in October, but said, "We might be in the postseason."

For two weeks after the victory, Choo said he had trouble comprehending what had happened. "I just kept asking myself, 'I really made gold? I really made gold?' It felt like a dream."

Choo said that after he homered in his first at-bat of the tournament, he felt he could hit any pitch.

"I was just so comfortable," he said.

Right after the gold medal victory, North Korea shelled the South Korean island of Yeongyeong. South Korea returned fire as tensions heightened.

"I was in Seoul at the time," said Choo. "Seoul is about 30 miles from North Korea. I was staying on the 34th or 35th floor of a hotel. If North Korea started shooting, I could have seen it. It was scary."

shin-soo choo.JPGView full sizeAn awestruck Kaitlyn Niek, 10, of Streetsboro, gets an autograph from outfielder Shin-Soo Choo as he appears Friday with other current Indians at the Tribe on Tour program at Beachwood Place Mall. Kaitlyn was with her mother, Jacqueline Niek, at right.

Choo said his career has made a "180-degree turn" after being excused from his two-year military commitment.

"I'm not worried about it anymore," he said. "I don't think about it anymore. I feel so comfortable now. I'm more focused to play baseball."

The next hurdle facing Choo is deciding whether to pursue the Indians' offer of a multiyear deal. GM Chris Antonetti tried to entice Choo and agent Scott Boras into such an arrangement before he signed the one-year deal on Jan. 18. Antonetti said at the time that he would still pursue a long-term deal with Choo.

"Every player wants a multiyear contract," said Choo. "I will listen, yes. I don't want to talk during the season, [but] it's not closed. Antonetti and Scott can talk. My job is to play baseball."

When asked about the 2011 season, Choo laughed and said, "It can't be any worse than last year."

The Indians lost 93 games and finished fourth in the AL Central.

"If Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner are healthy, and both guys play a lot of games, it will change our season," said Choo. "We need everybody healthy, but especially Grady and Hafner."

Sizemore is recovering from left knee surgery that limited him to 33 games last year. Hafner, with a chronic injury to his right shoulder, played only 118 games.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158



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