Sharks cut series deficit to 2-1 with 4-3 victory over Vancouver.

Cinesport video: San Jose 4, Vancouver 3

For more Cinesport video on cleveland.com, go here

San Jose, Calif. – Patrick Marleau scored twice in the first period, and Antti Niemi made the early lead stand up with 27 saves to get the San Jose Sharks back into the Western Conference final with a 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks in Game 3 on Friday night.

Ryane Clowe and Dan Boyle also scored, and Joe Thornton had three assists for the Sharks, who still trail the series, 2-1, after winning a conference final game on home ice for the first time in franchise history.

San Jose looked like a completely different team than the one that was outscored, 10-5, in losing the first two games in Vancouver. The Sharks scored three times in the first period and had 15 of the first 16 shots on goal to snap an eight-game losing streak in the conference final.

Game 4 is Sunday in San Jose.

Alexandre Burrows, Dan Hamhuis and Kevin Bieksa scored in the third period for the Canucks, who were unable to overcome their slow start or capitalize on big chances in the second.

The Canucks nearly rallied from a three-goal deficit, thanks to a five-minute boarding call on Jamie McGinn against Aaron Rome that led to power-play goals from Hamhuis and Bieksa to cut San Jose's lead to 4-3 with 3:56 remaining.

But the Canucks couldn't get the equalizer.

Here's two of the latest projections after the Cavaliers won the draft lottery last Tuesday.

View full sizeAP photoIs Enes Kanter the best choice for the Cavaliers with the fourth pick in the NBA draft? It's a split decision for two mock draft creators.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- There will be thousands of mock NBA drafts produced by the time the real thing takes place on June 23. Here's two of the latest projections.

Joe Kotoch's mock draft

Joe Kotoch is a Cleveland based sports agent, who operates probasketballdraft.com

1. CAVS -- KYRIE IRVING, PG, DUKE

Comment: Irving is the top-rated player in the draft. This dynamic freshman proved he is a playmaker and facilitator capable of leading a team. While detractors will point to the time missed, Irving has played more collegiate games than LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and Moses Malone ever did. Fears about Irving's toe injury are overblown as he has no history of injuries nor does the injury appear to be lasting. With Byron Scott's track record of developing PGs, the Cavs would be foolish to pass him up.

2. Timberwolves -- Derrick Williams, PF, Arizona

3. Jazz -- Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky

4. CAVS -- ENES KANTER, PF, TURKEY

Comment: Kanter is a physical forward that hasn't played competitive basketball in two years. Kanter has, however, shown up big in prep tournaments and practice settings. Scouts love Kanter's punishing style in the post and believe he can step in and immediately contribute in the NBA. A lively debate can be made over whether Kanter or Valanciunas is a better C prospect but Kanter gets the edge because he doesn't have any contractual issues overseas.

5. Raptors -- Kemba Walker, PG, UConn

6. Wizards -- Jan Vesely, SF, Czech Republic

7. Kings -- Kawhi Leonard, SF, SDSU

8. Pistons -- Bismack Biyombo, C, Congo

9. Bobcats -- Alec Burks, SG, Colorado

10. Bucks -- Donatas Motiejunas, PF, Lithuania

11. Warriors -- Chris Singleton, SF, Florida State

12. Jazz -- Marcus Morris, SF, Kansas

13. Suns -- Jonas Valanciunas, C, Lithuania

14. Rockets -- Tristan Thompson, PF, Texas

15. Pacers -- Kenneth Faried, PF, Morehead State

16. 76ers -- Tobias Harris, SF, Tennessee

17. Knicks -- Jimmer Fredette, PG, BYU

18. Wizards -- Markieff Morris, PF, Kansas

19. Bobcats -- Jordan Hamilton, SF, Texas

20. Timberwolves -- Klay Thompson, SG, Washington State

21. Trailblazers -- Reggie Jackson, PG, Boston College

22. Nuggets -- Tyler Honeycutt, SF, UCLA

23. Rockets -- Lucas Nogueira, C, Brazil

24. Thunder -- Nikola Mirotic, SF, Montenegro

25. Celtics -- Travis Leslie, SG, Georgia

26. Mavericks -- Davis Bertans, SF, Latvia

27. Nets -- Justin Harper, PF, Richmond

28. Bulls -- Nolan Smith, SG, Duke

29. Spurs -- Darius Morris, PG, Michigan

30. Bulls -- Bogan Bogdanovic, SF, Serbia

Cavs picks in second round:

32. CAVS -- MARSHON BROOKS LEE, SG, PROVIDENCE

Comment: Brooks is a talented SG with length who could give the Cavs some offense along the perimeter that they sorely lacked last season. A proven scorer for 3 seasons Brooks could instantly compete as a starter. Brooks has first-round ability but his interviews at the NBA combine have not impressed and will likely cause him to tumble into Round 2, where he could be a good value.

55. CAVS -- PABLO AGUILAR, SF, SPAIN

Expect Cleveland to use one of their four picks on an international player to be stashed overseas. Another reason is because with a looming NBA work stoppage international prospects can play overseas uninterrupted. Aguilar is a solid shooter that could allow the Cavs to monitor his development and bring him over in a season or two when they are closer to competing for the playoffs.

Allen Moll's mock draft

Allen Moll is a contributor for thehoopdoctors.com

1. CAVS -- KYRIE IRVING, PG, DUKE

Comment: Immediate impact player who is the total package from PG position. Excellent handles with great end-to-end speed, elite level scoring abilities, lock down defender, and has the ability to take over a game. Improved outside shooting to go along with great mid-range game and high basketball IQ. Five-star floor general who many compare to Chris Paul. No brainer at No. 1.

2. Timberwolves -- Derrick Williams, PF, Arizona

3. Jazz -- Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky

4. CAVS -- DONATAS MOTIEJUNAS, PF, LITHUANIA

Comment: Offensive minded big (7-0, 225) in the mold of Andrea Bargnani. Excels in breaking down opposing bigs off the dribble with outstanding perimeter shooting and an array of jump hooks in the paint. Lefty shooter with very high ceiling. Average defender, needs to add weight. Excellent candidate to be paired for the foreseeable future with newly selected Kyrie Irving.

5. Raptors -- Enes Kantner, PF/C, Kentucky

6. Wizards -- Jonas Valanciunas, PF, Lithuania

7. Kings -- Kemba Walker, PG, UConn

8. Pistons -- Marcus Morris, PF, Kansas

9. Bobcats -- Tristan Thompson, PF, Texas

10. Bucks -- Alec Burks, SG, Colorado

By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer SERGIO TORRES/APIan Poulter refused to bite when Lee Westwood appeared to chide him Saturday. CASARES, SPAIN - Top-ranked Lee Westwood may have been giving an honest assessment of Ian Poulter's play but it sounded like sour grapes. A rare defeat left his No. 1 ranking in jeopardy. Westwood followed up convincing group-stage wins...

By STEVE DOUGLAS

AP Sports Writer

SERGIO TORRES/APIan Poulter refused to bite when Lee Westwood appeared to chide him Saturday.

CASARES, SPAIN - Top-ranked Lee Westwood may have been giving an honest assessment of Ian Poulter's play but it sounded like sour grapes.

A rare defeat left his No. 1 ranking in jeopardy. Westwood followed up convincing group-stage wins at the World Match Play Championship by shooting a 67 in his final 16 match against Ryder Cup teammate Poulter. He still lost by 1 hole and could be supplanted as No. 1 by England's Luke Donald or German Martin Kaymer on Sunday.

Maybe he just isn't used to losing. But Westwood didn't mince his words.

"You know he's not going to hit it great but he's going to make a lot of putts and get up and down from everywhere, which was typical Ian today," Westwood said. "He had a few breaks as well.

"That's the frustrating thing about match play ... sometimes it's not reflective of how the players are playing."

Poulter was thrilled for the win against someone with whom he engages in regular Twitter banter. He did his best not to bite.

"I'm not going to get in a tennis match with Lee," said Poulter, before giving a solid defense of his game. "I played lovely. I hit three bad shots in that whole round of golf.

SERGIO TORRES/APLee Westwood sounded a little like sour grapes after his defeat Saturday.

"I played pretty well this morning. Actually, I played very well. I shot a 66 to win that match. That's golf. I mean that's perfect match-play golf right there ... I played damn good."

Poulter was understandably delighted with his performance -- winless in 2011 and with only two top-10 finishes on tour, he hasn't had much to celebrate this year.

"I haven't done much for four months, so I'm not going to sit here and start welling up because I holed a few putts ... Give me a break," he said.

Westwood acknowledged his putter let him down to a certain extent against Poulter but couldn't hide his exasperation at the amount of breaks his opponent seemed to get, in his opinion.

Of the many "turning points" Westwood spoke of, the biggest came on the par-3 17 when the pair were all square. Poulter pulled his tee shot but the ball ran round the bank at the back-left of the green and rolled down, landing two feet away from the hole. Poulter tapped in for birdie and held his nerve on the last.

"He didn't hit a great shot at 17, wasn't aiming for the left fringe and comes down to two foot," Westwood said. "You have those days in match play."

Poulter, one of the circuit's great scramblers, acknowledged he had been fortunate on that occasion but again held back.

"Lee will be very frustrated about being 19 under through 45 holes (this week). I'd be frustrated as well. I guess, I'm annoying to play against in the match-play format. I hole putts at the right time."

Poulter wasn't finished there on Saturday. In the afternoon, he won the last four holes -- making birdie on the final three -- in a terrific rally to beat Italy's Francesco Molinari by 2 holes in a tight quarterfinal.

He plays Belgium's Nicolas Colsaerts next with a place in the final at stake. With his matchplay pedigree, Poulter will be hard to beat.

"I wouldn't mind playing about six (match-play events) a year -- that would shorten my schedule nicely," Poulter said.

Westwood heads to Wentworth, England for next week's PGA Championship. He may tee off Thursday no longer at No. 1, despite recent tournament victories in Korea and Indonesia.

"My game is in great shape," he said.

Baseball passed the 40-game mark last week. Here are 20 things to ponder about as the grand old game zoomed passed the quarter pole of the season.

View full sizeMike Carlson / Associated PressQuick ... can you name this American League batting average leader?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Twenty things to contemplate now that the unofficial quarter pole of the season, 40 games, has come and gone. Statistics are through Friday.

1. Raise your hand if you thought Tampa Bay's Matt Joyce would be contending for the AL batting title?

2. Former Indians manager John McNamara lived by one rule, "Never let a star [player] fall on you." Think anyone told that to Joe Girardi when he took the Yankees job? On a team of falling stars, Jorge Posada was just the start of Girardi's problems.

3. Manny Acta has led the Indians to the best record in the big leagues. Last week it was announced he'll be a coach for the AL at the All-Star Game. When do the Indians extend his contract? He's signed through 2012 with an option for 2013.

4. If all of the prospects in the Royals' pipeline can play like first baseman Eric Hosmer, good times will be returning to Kauffman Stadium.

5. Now for a tale of two appendectomies.

Matt Holliday had an emergency appendectomy on April 1. He returned after missing seven games and is leading the NL with a .357 average for the contending Cardinals.

DH Adam Dunn underwent the same operation on April 6. He missed six games, but is hitting only .196 with four homers and 20 RBI for a Chicago team still trying to find itself.

6. The White Sox are starting to move in the right direction and one of the reasons is Sergio Santos taking over the closer spot.

7. The more you see Brandon Phillips, the more you wonder why Eric Wedge wanted him out of Cleveland and why Mark Shapiro went along with it.

8. There are a lot of reasons why the Indians are in first place in the AL Central. One of the biggest is shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera.

9. The Indians signed Nick Johnson in spring training for just such a time as Friday when Travis Hafner was placed on the disabled list. Johnson, however, just started playing games in extended spring training after surgery on his right wrist. He's not an option right now.

10. The Phillies' Fab Four, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels, was a combined 16-10 with a 2.88 ERA through 45 games. They ranked second in the NL in ERA behind Atlanta and fourth overall. Oakland is No.1 with a 2.71 ERA.

11. The Giants, the defending World Series champs, have five walk-off hits and are 13-3 in one-run games.

12. Texas was 9-3 on April 12 when Josh Hamilton broke his right arm sliding into the plate against Detroit. In their next 33 games, they went 14-19.

13. After going 11-15 in April, including a 2-10 start, Boston won 13 of its first 18 games in May. Adrian Gonzalez, who leads the AL with 41 RBI, helped by hitting .342 (26-for-76) with eight homers and 26 RBI.

14. Joe Mauer hasn't played since April 12 and he might not be back until after the All-Star Game. He's suffering from bilateral leg weakness. The Twins won the AL Central last year without Justin Morneau (concussion) for much of the year, but in their first 33 games without Mauer, they went 11-22.

15. Joaquin Benoit, coming off a great season with the Rays in 2010, has struggled in Detroit. He's 1-3 with a 7.47 ERA and two blown saves in 17 games.

16. The Rays must be doing something right. At the end of last season, they lost almost their entire bullpen to free agency. The new pen, through 42 games, is 6-4 with a 3.28 ERA, nine saves and a .219 batting average against.

17. Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter, 36, entered the weekend needing 29 hits to reach 3,000. Jeter signed a three-year, $51 million deal this winter.

18. Toronto has stayed respectable behind the power of Jose Bautista. Rookie catcher J.P. Arencibia has assisted with seven homers in 32 games.

19. Seattle's offense is still dreadful, but rookie starter Michael Pineda (5-2, 2.45) has helped keep the Mariners close in the AL West.

20. Justin Verlander has been outstanding in his last three starts, 2-0, 1.44 ERA, but without Max Scherzer (6-0, 2.81), the Tigers would be struggling to keep contact with the Tribe in the Central.

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer PARIS  -  It's been eight years since the last time Roger Federer was not seeded No. 1 or 2 at a Grand Slam tournament. CHRISTOPHE ENA./APRaphael Nadal is one French Open victory away from tieing Bjorn Borg's record of six. It's also been that long since he went more than 12 months without...

By HOWARD FENDRICH

AP Tennis Writer

PARIS  -  It's been eight years since the last time Roger Federer was not seeded No. 1 or 2 at a Grand Slam tournament.

CHRISTOPHE ENA./APRaphael Nadal is one French Open victory away from tieing Bjorn Borg's record of six.

It's also been that long since he went more than 12 months without winning any major title.

With the French Open starting Sunday, top-seeded Rafael Nadal's pursuit of a record-tying sixth championship at Roland Garros and second-seeded Novak Djokovic's 37-0 start to the season are dominating the conversation.

The focus, for a change, is not on the third-seeded Federer, owner of a record 16 Grand Slam titles, including the 2009 French Open. And he sounds as if he is absolutely fine with that.

"This is definitely a year for me where I can come into this tournament with just a little less pressure than, let's say, the last six, seven years, really," said Federer, whose first-round match against Feliciano Lopez of Spain is scheduled for Monday.

Djokovic, who could face Federer in the semifinals, also is slated to play Monday, while Nadal's opening match will be Tuesday. Men in action Sunday include No. 7 David Ferrer and two-time major champion Lleyton Hewitt; 2009 French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova and 2010 runner-up Sam Stosur are among the women on the Day 1 schedule.

"Last year, I was the defending champion. The year before -- and the years before that -- I was trying to win (in) Paris for the first time. So I've always had that big cloud hanging over, and the, 'Am I ever going to win the French Open?' question," Federer said. "This year, maybe they expect more from Rafa and Novak, and that could be a good thing for me -- and more pressure for them."

For their part, Nadal and Djokovic are more than willing to declare the other the man to beat in Paris.

Asked whether he deserves that label, Nadal rolled his eyes and shook his head and replied: "No. No, probably this year the favorite is Djokovic."

That was relayed to Djokovic, who smiled and declared: "I say he's the favorite."

Djokovic has won all seven tournaments he's entered this season and all seven matches he's played against Nadal -- whom he beat in clay-court finals at Madrid and Rome this month -- and Federer. The Serb also won his last two matches of 2010, meaning he's at 39 in a row overall.

So Djokovic is closing in on the Open era records for most victories to start a season (John McEnroe's 42 in 1984) and longest winning streak (Guillermo Vilas' 46 in 1977).

"I don't feel unbeatable," said Djokovic, whose two Grand Slam titles came at the 2008 and 2011 Australian Opens. "Nobody is unbeatable, even though I had an incredible run that keeps going."

Nadal, meanwhile, has won 38 of his 39 matches at Roland Garros, taking the title five of the past six years. One more trophy would match Bjorn Borg for most by a man in French Open history.

The Spaniard turns 25 during the tournament's second week, and if he wins, he would be the second-youngest man -- trailing only Borg -- to collect his 10th Grand Slam trophy.

Federer entered Wimbledon in 2003 seeded No. 5 and without any major titles on his resume. He won that tournament, and by the Australian Open in January 2004, he was seeded No. 2. A second Grand Slam championship there moved Federer up to No. 1 in the rankings.

He has won at least one major title for eight consecutive seasons -- matching a mark previously held by Borg and Pete Sampras -- and completed his career Grand Slam by winning at Roland Garros two years ago.

During that stretch, Federer reached a record 23 straight Grand Slam semifinals and never went more than two major tournaments in a row without winning a title.

Until now.

After winning the 2010 Australian Open, Federer was upset in the quarterfinals of last year's French Open by Robin Soderling. That was followed a month later by another quarterfinal exit at Wimbledon, against Tomas Berdych. Soderling and Berdych went on to lose in the finals to Nadal.

Then Federer lost in the semifinals at the U.S. Open in September, and again in the semifinals at the Australian Open -- both times to Djokovic. Already overtaken at No. 1 in the rankings by Nadal, Federer has been at No. 3, a spot behind Djokovic, since March.

Federer enters the French Open with a 28-7 record and one title in 2011. He'll turn 30 in August; in the Open era, 10 men have won a Grand Slam singles title after their 30th birthday.

That includes Sampras, who was 31 when he beat Andre Agassi in the 2002 U.S. Open final, Sampras' final match on tour.

"Whenever Roger loses a few matches, people think the world's coming to an end. I don't look at it like that. Even when I lost a few matches, people would say, 'Oh, he's down. He should stop,'" said Sampras, who won 14 major titles. "Great players are unique in that way that they have this inner belief about themselves, that they're just better than anyone."

"I think Roger's walking out there still feeling like he's the best player in the world," Sampras continued. "He understands some guys have stepped up here, and he's not going to dominate like he once did. It was physically probably impossible for him to maintain that pace. But I don't see any decline in Roger."

If Federer does, he won't let on publicly.

And he's not bothered by not being considered one of the men most likely to win the title in two weeks.

"If in Wimbledon, for example, I was not among the top four or five favorites, then it would be a big change," Federer said. "But in the French Open, it's always more or less the same."

He lost to Nadal in the French Open semifinals in 2005, then the finals each of the next three years, before avoiding his rival in 2009 and beating Soderling for that title.

"I hope," Federer said, "I can put myself in a position to win this tournament again."

There's plenty of topics to be covered in this week's mailbag.

View full sizeScott Shaw / The Plain DealerBaron Davis seemed to fit in quite well with his new Cleveland teammates since the February trade from Los Angeles, and the Cavaliers look for more contributions from him in 2011-12.

Hey, Mary: Do you think Baron [Davis] is here next year, or traded? I loved his positive attitude even when the national media said he would be horrible for us. He also plays very well still and could mentor these young guys next year. -- Michael Spitale, Galena

Hey, Michael: The plan is for Davis to be a key player next year, both on the court and in mentoring a young point guard like Kyrie Irving, if he arrives. Davis bought in completely once he arrived here and the Cavs hope he will return with the same attitude.

Hey, Mary: Just wanted to say that I had a dream last night that the Cavs got the first and fourth pick in the draft lottery. Probably just a weird dream. But in case it was divine revelation, I wanted to have it on the record somewhere. -- Rich Smith, Columbus

Hey, Rich: Congratulations. Please write back when you dream about which player the Cavs take with that fourth pick.

Hey, Mary: What are your thoughts on using the trade exception to acquire Andre Iguodala? It was in the mix two years ago and AI seems to have fallen out of favor in Philly. He's way overpaid, but mix him in with Baron, Andy, Antawn and a couple of first rounders, we just might have something. -- Phil Stevens, Philadelphia

Hey, Phil: I think there could be some interest on both sides, there, but at least one person in Philadelphia tells me if Sixers trade him, they likely would do so to acquire players -- a center and/or scoring shooting guard, perhaps? -- rather than to dump salary.

Hey, Mary: In listening to LeBron's recent acknowledgement that "The Decision" was handled poorly and that he knew he couldn't beat Boston "by himself," I'm left to ponder the simple question, "Is this guy for real?"

Is it possible that the Cavs were unable to convince a big free agent to come here because the self-proclaimed King wouldn't commit to us? Is it possible maybe that had something to do with his buddies not coming here? Being from Cleveland, I'm under no illusion that it's a destination city, but I've got to think we would've had a shot to get significantly better if his highness had showed at least some loyalty and commitment to this franchise and city that gave him so much. -- Eric Sulzer, Columbus

Hey, Eric: For the last few years, the main reason no big free agent signed with the Cavs was that they were so far over the salary cap they couldn't offer the sort of max deal it would demand. They got over the cap by trying to build a supporting cast that would make/keep James happy. We all know how that worked out. Now the Cavs might have been able to work out sign-and-trade deals, like Miami did, but Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade have said they would not/did not consider Cleveland. How hard did James try to convince them, if at all? Who knows?

Hey, Mary: If the Cavs had ended up with the worst record last season, would we without a doubt have gotten the No. 1 and No. 2 picks? Or is impossible to know, since we are unaware exactly how the 1,000 combinations are assigned by the computer? -- Andrew Wilkolak, Parma

Hey, Andrew: I guess, technically, you would be right since the combination that netted the No. 2 pick belonged to the team with the worst record, regardless of which team that was. As it was, the Cavs were only one digit off winning No. 2 anyway. The Wolves won No. 2 with 9-7-5-1. The Cavs had 9-7-5-2.

Hey, Mary: When do you think the Cavs will use the trade exception that they acquired from the Heat? Is it safe to say that they will be active in trading picks and players in this upcoming draft? -- Mike Langshaw, North Royalton

Hey, Mike: The Cavs have vowed to actively pursue a deal using the trade exception. It expires on July 9, but it's possible there will be a lockout on July 1 after the collective bargaining agreement expires, so I would think something would happen by the June 23 draft. While promising to pursue it, the Cavs also have said they'd rather let it expire than make a bad deal with it.

Hey, Mary: Would offering the fourth overall pick and the trade exception for the second overall pick and an overpriced player interest the Timberwolves? Do the Timberwolves have any salaries they would like to dump? -- Dominic Coletta, Highland Heights

Hey, Dominic: After what happened at the lottery and Minnesota GM David Kahn's comments afterward, I don't see these two teams working on any sort of deal. But to answer your question, the Wolves already are way under the cap. They have the third lowest payroll in the league and are more likely to add salary than dump it.

-- Mary

Dan Gilbert scored a big win for his team and for his image nationally at the NBA lottery, Bud Shaw writes in his Sunday Spin.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter / The Plain DealerFor the first time in a while, Dan Gilbert was the focus of national media without being ridiculed, or with references to comic sans type. That is the start of a new storyline for the Cavaliers owner -- or it can be, if he takes advantage, says Bud Shaw.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The NBA lottery helped move the Cavs and Cleveland past the LeBron fiasco ... right, Dan?

Dan Gilbert won more than the first and fourth picks in the NBA draft. With a big assist from his 14-year-old son, Nick, and a trusty triumvirate of Browns' players present and past, Gilbert won the room. A big room.

After Gilbert's rant the night of "The Decision," the national view of him took an abrupt U-turn -- from the passionate, dynamic owner of the Cavaliers to Mark Cuban's crazy, vindictive cousin.

His statement may have been meant for his constituency. But given the bazooka overkill of his blast and the national profile of its target, only the naive would argue that Gilbert's words were justified solely because they served him well as a local rallying cry. Everywhere else, including in David Stern's office, they backfired.

That he couldn't bring himself to call LeBron James' anything other than the Player That Left in the months that followed and, at the same time, couldn't stop himself from tweeting in James' general direction, made him look seriously conflicted and hopelessly petty.

Lottery night changed that. Or should have. It's hard to imagine how Gilbert or Cleveland as a sports town could've come off any better.

Nick Gilbert helped. His "What's not to like" comment became an instant marketing campaign. Left to his own devices, the owner might've said, "What's not to like, except, you know, the way No. 23 did the city and its fans."

"What's not to like?" captured the moment and the mood of a suddenly forward-looking basketball town the way Gilbert's tweets never did.

Having Joe Haden, Josh Cribbs and Bernie Kosar at Gilbert's side made Cleveland and the owner look good. Primarily, it made Cleveland look like the kind of town where someone (no names) would be crazy not to want to play.

By extension, they made Gilbert look like the player-friendly owner he's always been. That's the biggest shame about Gilbert's image post-July 7. He gave James an opportunity to paint him as an owner who never really had his player's backs and, given the chance, would stab them on their way out.

As we know so well, Gilbert, in fact, treated James too well for too many years and poorly for one emotional night -- a night whose end result was exacerbated by one of the most self-aggrandizing spectacles in the history of professional sports free agency.

On the evening of the lottery, Gilbert talked about Cleveland making a comeback. He made one, too.

Now, if he could only get Nick to look over his tweets before they go out. Gilbert, like his team, has a chance to build on a most positive experience.

View full sizeEd Zurga / Associated PressKevin Kolb can probably be a solid addition for many NFL teams if and when the league gets around to football. But he's the wrong player at the wrong time for the Browns, says Bud Shaw.

SPINOFFS

Former Browns executive Mike Lombardi is quoted saying Philadelphia quarterback Kevin Kolb is not worth a No. 1 pick. Lombardi also says he considers Cleveland the favorite to land Kolb because they have a second No. 1 pick (Atlanta's). Hmmm. Can't tell if that means he thinks less of Kolb or the Browns...

Here's what I think. You don't trade out of the No. 6 pick, get a No. 1 for next year because you know it will take more than one draft to revive your team, then spend that No. 1 on Kevin Kolb. Even if you think Kolb is an upgrade over Colt McCoy, that's an expensive proposition...

The Eagles' rumored asking price for Kolb is a first-round pick and a starter on defense. Fine. But what the Browns need to contend is more No. 1 picks becoming starters on defense, not fewer of each...

I don't want to say Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is embarrassing himself, but the Lakers should commission a statue of Kareem begging for a statue...

Cyclist Tyler Hamilton has accused Lance Armstrong of doping. Two other ex-teammates, including close friend George Hincapie, reportedly testified before a federal grand jury that they saw Armstrong use performance-enhancing drugs.

Armstrong's camp says Hamilton is lying to sell a book. They discredited Floyd Landis' claims about Armstrong for similar reasons. Seems ridiculous to think they could all be lying. My guess: Armstrong will admit to blood doping and testosterone use in an upcoming book deal...

The disbanded NFL players union calls the owners a "cartel" in their latest court filing. They have a point. But most people I know would root for the Rapture before rooting for either side in the lockout...

HE SAID IT

"What do you want me to prove? I did that during the season. I was the most efficient player in the nation. I averaged 19 (points) and eight (rebounds). I shot 56 percent from 3. There's really nothing else to prove." -- Arizona's Derrick Williams on not working out for teams at the NBA combine.Somehow, he forgot to mention his humility.

View full sizeAP photoThis European blond suffers physical abuse to make sure he can catch and shoot accurately.

HE SAID WHAT?

"It bothers me, because I've been doing this for 17 years and never heard anything bad about me." -- former cyclist George Hincapie a year ago after Floyd Landis claimed Hincapie used performance-enhancing drugs.

So he must be innocent.

SEPARATED AT BIRTH

(It Must Be True if Two Readers Say So Edition)

Dirk Nowitzki and Sig Hansen, Captain of the Northwestern from 'Deadliest Catch' -- Roberto Kirchhoff

View full sizeAP photoThis European skipper doesn't mind being a maverick, but has no interest in catch and release.

Dirk Nowitzki and Sig Hansen -- Bart Rippl

Baltimore DH Vladimir Guerrero and will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas -- Tom Donato

YOU SAID IT

(The Greatly Expanded Post-Rapture Edition)

"Bud:

"If the world should end on Saturday night, will there be a Spin column in The Plain Dealer on Sunday?" -- Harvey

Yes. And it will be to die for.

"Bud:

"Given your penchant for sports spin, have you ever considered politics?" -- Tom Hoffner

Yes. Until I was told I made John Kerry look like the Most Interesting Man in the World.

"Bud:

"The Mental Floss store has "Law School in a Box" but not "Sportswriting in a Box." Is that because we don't have enough lawyers?" -- Joe Percio

No, it's because sportswriters never pass the bar.

"Hey Bud:

"Is it too late to remind Cleveland fans that a vote for Disney's Chelsea Kane is also a vote against the Steelers' Hines Ward on Monday's finale of Dancing with the Stars?" -- Tim, Twinsburg

No. But if it's come to rooting against Pittsburgh on Dancing With the Stars, we really need to get football back.

"Bud:

"Remember that time Lou Gehrig missed a game because of soreness in his right ribs?" -- Ed

I'm so old I remember when Adam turned up with a missing rib and slept through the pain.

"Bud:

"Didn't Dirk [Nowitzki] know that he would need to 'take my talents to South Beach' in order to play on a team with a chance to win?" -- Russ

First-time "You Said It" winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.

"Dear Bud:

"Given Nick Gilbert's magic touch, will he be banned from gambling in his father's casino?" -- Michael Sarro

Repeat winners crap out.

"Bud:

"Will Ohio State move their games from Eastern to double standard time?" -- Claudia

Repeat winners also get a case of sleep apnea.

Sure, the Indians are dominating the AL Central. Does that mean Tribe fans are fully on the bandwagon? Oh, you know better than that, right?

View full sizeChuck Crow / The Plain DealerShin-Soo Choo and the Indians may not be pounding the ball what at the plate, but they're making enough plays to keep stretching out their lead in the AL Central. Not that all Tribe fans are exactly embracing the team's heart-stopping finishes.

Hey, Hoynsie: Do you get the feeling that the Indians have finally realized they are in first place and have begun to play tight and stiff baseball, especially at the plate? Especially against really good pitching? -- Eliot Clasen, Cape Coral, Fla.

Hey, Eliot: The kind of pitching the Indians have faced of late would take a toll on a free-spirited team or one as tight as a bow string. The injuries to Travis Hafner and Grady Sizemore haven't helped.

Hey, Hoynsie: Does the general manager who signed Milton Bradley to his current contract still have a job? I can't think of a worse personnel decision based on the well-known track record of barely-average performance with truly disastrous clubhouse/off-field issues. -- Steve Cornelius, Avon Lake

Hey, Steve: Jim Hendry is still the Cubs' general manager. He's not the only one to take a chance on Bradley, but he is the only one to pay him $30 million.

Hey, Hoynsie: How come the Indians let Fausto Carmona get away with such a sloppy-shirt look? Is he trying to imitate CC Sabathia ... he at least maybe had a reason due to his bulk. Everyone else looks so presentable. Stop the cycle before he gets so great they can't do anything about him (i.e., Manny Ramirez). -- Gloria Schied, Bay Village

Hey, Gloria: Alert the fashion police. Carmona still has to face the White Sox a couple of more times this year. Next time he may take the mound wearing a paper bag over his head.

Hey, Hoynsie: What do the Indians and Charlie Sheen have in common? Answer -- Winning, duh! -- John Bartter, London, England

Hey, John: It sounds like Travis Hafner sent you a T-shirt.

Hey, Hoynsie: Here's a question I never thought I'd ask: Is it wise for Travis Hafner's teammates to pound on him in celebration after a walk-off hits given the fragile nature of his right shoulder? -- Ted Belak, Sierra Madre, Calif.

Hey, Ted: What do you think Kendrys Morales would say?

Hey, Hoynsie: Does this Indians club have the power hitting and power pitching within the organization or on the roster to compete with the hottest, battle-tested teams out there? -- Dan Tishman, Highlands, N.J.

Hey, Dan: Over the last few years they've made an effort to bring more power pitchers into the organization -- Alex White, Drew Pomeranz, Nick Hagadone, Carlos Carrasco, Chris Perez, Jason Knapp. They are lacking in power hitters.

Hey, Hoynsie: How quickly would Seattle hang up the phone if Antonetti called them and offered Jason Knapp, Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald and Lou Marson for Justin Smoak? Is the debate finally over as to which team received more for Cliff Lee? -- Rick Firestone, Columbiana

Hey, Rick: The Indians people I talked to felt Smoak was probably the best player acquired for Lee in the three deals that involved him starting with the Indians sending him to Philadelphia in 2009. The Indians, however, believe the package of players they received was a good deal. Carrasco is in the rotation and Marson is the backup catcher in the big leagues. Donald probably would have made the club if he didn't get hurt in spring training. Knapp is the wild card. If he can join Carrasco in the rotation in the next two to three years, the Indians did OK.

Hey, Hoynsie: If the Indians are still in contention at the All-Star break, do you think the front office will look to acquire a veteran starting pitcher? When healthy, I know the Indians have eight pitchers capable of starting a major-league game, but with the reliance on young arms, there has to be concern about whether this rotation can pitch deep into September and possible October. -- David Bruno, Chagrin Falls

Hey, David: First, they have to get to the All-Star break in contention. If they do, I think they will try to improve the team. I don't know if it will be with a veteran starter, but that's a good thought.

View full sizeChuck Crow / The Plain DealerMike Hargrove is back in the Indians' fold ... and suddenly there's plenty of Inhuman Rain Delays. Can this really be a coincidence?

Hey, Hoynsie: Any connection this year between Mike Hargrove being hired and all the rainouts that the Indians have been experiencing. -- Alex Pavlick, Cleveland

Hey, Alex: The Human Rain Delay and rainouts. I like the symmetry.

Hey, Hoynsie: Reading about supposed feud between the Yankees and Jorge Posada, I started to wonder, what if CC Sabathia secretly hates it in NYC -- is there any chance he would pass up the cash this free agency go around if he opts out after this season and signs back with the Tribe?

Am I dreaming/crazy to even be asking this? Probably. But if he opts out I think the Indians should at least make a call. -- Nathan Johnson, Jamestown, N.Y.

Hey, Nathan: Appreciate your optimism. If Sabathia does opt out of his contract, the Indians will probably give him a call -- to congratulate him after he signs his next huge contract. Last thing I heard is that Sabathia likes the Big Apple. He's certainly pitched like it.

Hey, Hoynsie: Is it me or is sliding a lost art? No more hook slide or fade away; these guys can't even do a pop-up slide without over shooting the bag and getting tagged out. It is no wonder Pronk and Grady Sizemore get hurt when they slide. -- Mike Furino, Bedford

Hey, Mike: Interesting that neither Hafner nor Sizemore were injured on the most dangerous slide in baseball -- the head-first slide. Hafner injured his foot on an innocent, but needless slide at the plate. Sizemore slid late and awkwardly into second base.

One of the best at sliding that I saw was Jim Thome, especially at the plate.

Hey, Hoynsie: I see that Monday evening the Tribe has its first nationally televised game against the Red Sox with Justin Masterson pitching. Is there any added pressure for him going against his old team? -- Rich Smith, Columbus

Hey, Rich: Masterson certainly didn't look like he was feeling the heat last year when he went 2-0 against the Red Sox. He held them to one run in 14 innings.

Hey, Hoynsie: It seems that by dropping Adam Everett and bringing up Cord Phelps the Indians would improve the team. Phelps could play more at second, be more of an offensive threat, and also spell Jack Hannahan at third. This would also give Orlando Cabrera more chance to rest and play four or five games a week instead of six to seven. Will the Indians mess with this winning team or keep hands off as long as they keep winning? -- Bill Kopetski, Missoula, Mont.

Hey, Bill: Unless they're forced to make moves because of injuries -- as they did Thursday with the promotion of utility man Luis Valbuena -- I don't see the Indians making big changes. That could change if they hit a rough patch, but Everett has done a nice job as a bench player and I would imagine the Indians still want Phelps to get regular playing time in Class AAA Columbus.

Hey, Hoynsie: What's wrong with this picture? The Indians win by 18 runs on Monday night, great hitting, defense and pitching. The Kansas City pitcher gives up 14 runs. ESPN SportsCenter's focus is on the ineptness of the KC pitcher? -- Pete Angove, Adelaide, Australia.

Hey, Pete: You're talking about Vin Mazzaro, who allowed 14 runs on 11 hits in 2 1/3 innings.

I can see why ESPN focused on Mazzaro. This guy was scheduled to start Tuesday's game, but was forced to pitch Monday when Royals starter Kyle Davies was injured in the first inning. Then he goes out and gives up more earned runs in fewer innings than any pitchers in the modern era (1900 to today). To top it off, the Royals sent him to the minors after the game.

It's a strong storyline.

Hey, Hoynsie: I really feel bad for Jason Donald. First he probably has his best shot to become a viable MLB starter, but got hurt in spring training when he was hit in the hand by a pitch. Now he's out with a knee injury. I've always rooted for the guy, but he might never get a chance to break out of the utility role now. -- Mark Cesarik, Chicago

Hey, Hoynsie: Baseball can be a cruel game. Talked to Ross Atkins and he said Donald is about four weeks away from playing following his knee injury. Donald has talent and a great attitude. He'll get another shot in the big leagues.

Hey, Hoynsie: What's happened to Bryce Stowell? Early in spring training there was a lot of chatter about this hard-throwing relief pitcher. Then he had some control problems and was re-assigned to the minor-league camp. He seems to have disappeared from the face of the earth? Is he pitching anywhere in pro baseball? -- Bob Kirchner, Fort Washington, Md.

Hey, Bob: Stowell hasn't disappeared, he's just in extended spring training in Goodyear, Ariz.

-- Hoynsie

What lockout? There's always plenty of Browns questions when Tony Grossi opens his reader mailbag.

View full sizeAP photoOzzie Newsome may want to see Art Modell enshrined in Canton, but Tony Grossi says the former Brown tight end and longtime Ravens GM hasn't pushed the issue with him.

Hey, Tony: Ozzie Newsome was recently quoted in the Baltimore Sun that he constantly tells you to get over the move and that Art Modell deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. How do you respond to him in these conversations, as it was not mentioned in the article? -- Brian Carlin, Conshohocken, Pa.

Hey, Brian: Newsome's comments were news to me. We never talk about Modell and the Hall of Fame. I know where he's coming from and he knows where I'm coming from. I think he said what he said because he was speaking to his ticket-buyers and his owner was on the conference call. Everyone should understand why Newsome is loyal to Modell. Unfortunately for Modell, Newsome doesn't have a vote.

Hey, Tony: Jabaal Sheard played exclusively right end at Pitt. The Browns have a glaring hole at right end. Vernon Gholston has been released by the Jets. Do you think the Browns have any interest in him? -- James Gabbert, Wadsworth

Hey, James: Unless something unforeseen happens, Sheard will be the starting right end when the first game is played. Gholston is receiving much love in my mailbag. I don't see a problem with the Browns bringing him in for a tryout at minimum salary, but I don't detect any interest on their part.

Hey, Tony: Do you think the fact that we didn't draft a developmental QB this year is a strong indication that Mike Holmgran and Tom Heckert are probably going to keep Jake Delhomme around? I actually like the idea, because his tutelage of Colt McCoy was instrumental last season. If he stays, do you think they'll ask him to renegotiate his contract? Lastly, what do you make of the fact that in all the news about Camp Colt and the latest mini-camp in Berea this week that there has been no mention of Seneca Wallace? Is there a rift between him and the rest of the team? Did he learn nothing from last season, when he had almost zero chemistry with any of the receivers? -- Jim Jarrell, Lakewood

Hey, Jim: 1. I wouldn't say Delhomme is a lock to be back. The Browns could fill that developmental QB role with an undrafted free agent. 2. If he stays, it would likely be for the NFL minimum. Delhomme took home $7 million from the Browns and $12.25 million from Carolina last year. He's not hurtin'. 3. I wouldn't overreact to Wallace not being at Camp Colt. He knows the offense better than any of them and is held in high esteem by the front office and new coaches. His perceived attitude problem last year was a misperception caused by one honest interview he gave. Having said that, Wallace didn't exactly have confidence in what the coaches were trying to do on offense.

Hey, Tony: Why is the media reporting on free agency? There is no clear indication that there will be any free agency in the near future, so why are there stories based on mere rumors? It seems like a waste of time to me. -- Kyle Chormanski, Los Angeles

Hey, Kyle: To some extent, I agree. But we're all struggling to write about something other than the labor dispute. Plus, most fans want to fantasize about signing players. My guess is free agency will be a big letdown for Browns fans -- if it ever takes place this summer.

Hey, Tony: I am starting to believe the Browns don't need a star WR with the West Coast offense. I am buying that the scheme will make the WR. If a big move is made on offense, I would like to see a big-name RB. Marion Barber did pretty well with an awful O-line. Any big name RBs you see out there? -- Eliot Clasen, Cape Coral, Fla.

Hey, Eliot: I believe the Browns won't sign a receiver in free agency. As for a running back, Barber doesn't fit what they want -- a third-down, change of pace, pass catcher/scatback. Jerome Harrison? Darren Sproles? Brian Westbrook?

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerD'Qwell Jackson is a nominal starter in the Browns' projected linebacking corps in 2011, but his streak of serious chest injuries should force the team to consider other options.

Hey, Tony: Do you think the Browns have the linebackers to play the 4-3? If so, who do you envision will start at each position? Do you think the team will look for help in free agency? -- Steve Bohnenkamp, Geneva, Ill.

Hey, Steve: The projected starting linebackers, from left to right, are Scott Fujita, Chris Gocong and D'Qwell Jackson. I believe they need another solid linebacker to compete with Jackson, who has had two major pectoral injuries in two years. His durability is a natural question mark at this point.

Hey, Tony: Do you know why Greg Little did not go to Camp Colt? I hope this is no indication of this guy's motivation. If any one needed to be there, it was him. -- George Cole, Richfield

Hey, George: Little's agent said this week that he had a previous family commitment and that he intended to attend future player-organized workouts but would not take part in workouts on the field to avoid the risk of injury.

Hey, Tony: I often joke that Browns could have saved money on scouts and just bought a magazine at the airport on the way to the draft, and used that as the guide, and had more success than they have had. To my chagrin all of the pre-draft magazines have Phil Taylor, Greg Little and Jabaal Sheard projected as 2-3 round picks. Did the Browns over-reach -- again -- on these guys? Was it really necessary to give up a third-round pick to move up to get Taylor? -- Mike Waller, Alexandria, Va.

Hey, Mike: Most national experts have given high marks to the Browns' draft. I tend to agree with you. My stance on the huge trade down -- and then trade up -- is well documented. I'll give Heckert the benefit of doubt, but it's fair to question some of the things they did.

Hey, Tony: Colt has a playbook -- are there rules against him making copies for the players? -- Steve MacDonald, Tallahassee, Fla.

Hey, Steve: If he hasn't made copies by now, he's not as smart as we thought. Rules, schmules. Any rules during an owners lockout are probably antitrust violations, anyway, so forget them.

Hey, Tony: You have raised the important point that the Browns will lose a lot if there is no draft in 2012, because of the trade with Atlanta. Could the Browns (or any team) have framed the trade to be for the "next draft" and not designate a year? That way should there be no draft in 2012, but possibly in the future, the Browns would not be left high-and-dry. -- Erol Altug, Stony Brook, N.Y.

Hey, Erol: Sorry. The language of the trade explicitly stated the first- and fourth-round picks in 2012. As an NFL official said before the draft on the subject of trading for 2012 picks, "Trade at your own risk."

Hey, Tony: Is it true that the defensive players did not get a playbook when the lockout was [briefly] lifted? What's up with that? I don't think there is a good enough explanation for that, do you? -- Mike Love, Merritt Island, Fla.

Hey, Mike: Defensive coordinator Dick Jauron told me that no defensive players were in town for the 24-hour period the lockout was lifted and none came in for a playbook. A bit of an oversight, I would say, on the players' part.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / PDThere's no reason to be particularly concerned that Pat Shurmur plans to devote extra attention to offense in his first season with the Browns, says Tony Grossi.

Hey, Tony: 1. Wouldn't making copies of playbooks be bad? Players that are cut/traded can distribute playbooks to other teams for a competitive advantage. 2. How involved do you see Ray Rhodes being in the defense? 3. I know this is all speculation, but do you expect Pat Shurmur to regret not hiring an offensive coordinator? 4. Shurmur was criticized by St. Louis fans last year for their "vanilla" offense. Should I be worried? -- Browns Fan, Toledo

Hey, Fan: 1. All's fair in times of war, and the owners and player definitely are embroiled in labor war.

2. Rhodes will be very involved in the teaching and planning of the defense. He and Jauron have worked together before.

3. I'm not that hung up about Shurmur not hiring a coordinator. Any offensive-minded head coach wants to put his imprint on his team before delegating his offense to someone else. He'll be fine.

4. The Rams broke in a rookie QB and a rookie left tackle and had no receivers after a few veterans were injured early. Plus, Shurmur was taking orders from a defensive-minded head coach. I think things will be different here.

Hey, Tony: You have said over and over that what you were opposed to was the Browns trading down so far and then trading back up to get Phil Taylor. So that assumes that if you were the GM, you would have tried to trade down a little less, but with a little less of a drop (mid-first round?). Well what if there were no trading partners in the middle of the first round, or even in the high 20s that would be willing to give up as much as the Falcons did. Would you stay put and take a player that you are not enamored with (JJones) or take the only blockbuster deal proposed? The point is, the Falcons may have been the only team willing to give up five draft picks for our #6....In that situation, won't you admit Heckert did the right thing? -- Jeff Kennedy, Duncan Falls

Hey, Jeff: Listen, he's getting high marks for what he did. I've said I was "uneasy" with the trade but getting the No. 1 next year made it "doable." I'll be more excited about the trade next year. But let's hope there is a draft in 2012 and the players don't prevail in making every player coming out of college a free agent. Haven't found anyone who will guarantee the draft will be held.

Hey, Tony: You have said "If there is a draft next year." Assuming there won't be, how will teams acquire players and fairly, how many to each team, etc.?

Have you spoken to Phil Dawson since he was franchised and if so what are his thoughts? Do you get the impression he still wants out and if so is there a way for him to go assuming he wants to?

Last question, with training camp only nine weeks away does your gut tell you a deal will happen at the 11th hour? I cannot believe the owners would be willing to lose all that revenue and their reputation, besides aren't there rules about playing a certain number of games in certain stadiums? Thanks for always doing an outstanding job covering the Browns! -- Jim Cole, Altus, Okla.

Hey, Jim: 1. In the event the draft is abolished through court action, every player coming out of college would be a free agent -- able to negotiate with any team. It would be a free-for-all scramble.

2. Dawson repeatedly has refused to talk about being franchised. It's a safe assumption he is too upset to talk about his situation. He does want out, from what I've been told. He did not sign his franchise tender before the lockout. If he does not sign it when business resumes, he could withhold his services but not jump to another team. If he did that, it would be ugly and I don't see Dawson doing anything ugly.

3. My gut tells me this: a. very likely the season is screwed up; b. probable that games will be canceled, c. increasingly possible the season may not be played at all.

Hey, Tony: You said last week that Philly became an elite team by picking Donovan McNabb as the second pick in 1999. How many Super Bowls did they win? -- Mike B, Dover

Hey, Mike: Zero. So your definition of an elite team is one that wins the Super Bowl? Mine is a team that consistently is in the playoffs with a chance to win the championship just about every year.

Hey, Tony: Who do you consider the leaders of the Browns defense? Why don't you think they got the defensive playbook when they could have? Do you think it is possible they did and it hasn't come out? -- Jim Murphy, Cincinnati

View full sizeChuck Crow / The Plain DealerWhether or not he has Dick Jauron's new playbook, Scott Fujita is clearly the leader of the Browns' defense.

Hey, Jim: Scott Fujita is a leader on the defense. He didn't fly back to Cleveland when the lockout was temporarily lifted because he knew the lockout would be reinstated 24 hours later. I don't know why some of the other defensive players who may have been in town did not come in to get a playbook.

Hey, Tony: After the first round, I really liked the draft, specifically Little and Cameron. I like the fact that the Browns feel they can develop elite athletes into football players. I think it shows Heckert and Holmgren have confidence in the staff and most importantly are forward thinking in terms of amassing depth at all positions, because as we know, needs change yearly. My million dollar question is, if we keep stockpiling talent and keep planning our drafts the way [title teams] seem to do, how long till The Big Show & Co. actually take us to The Big Show? -- Sean McNabb, Berea

Hey, Sean: I constantly answer this question this way because I believe it -- until the Browns find an elite quarterback, that other stuff is secondary. Is McCoy the elite quarterback? Let's hope so. If not, nose tackles, cornerbacks, tight ends and fullbacks won't matter much. Yes, it actually is that simple. The teams you mentioned have Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Flacco, Michael Vick, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady at quarterback. Once you have an elite quarterback -- Flacco is getting there -- the other pieces are so much easier to fit. Doing it bass ackwards isn't the way to get to the Super Bowl. The days of a journeyman like Trent Dilfer going for the ride to the Super Bowl are over.

Hey, Tony: I am very curious to know what the trade with Atlanta would have yielded if players were able to be traded? Any ideas? -- Justin Sack, Phoenix, Ariz.

Hey, Justin: The trade probably would have been the same. If the trade were with Philadelphia, there might have been a player or two Heckert would want. I'm not sure of any Falcons that would have been considered.

Hey, Tony: You said the reason the Eagles are a successful franchise is because they selected Donovan McNabb No. 2 overall in 1999. The Browns selected a quarterback at No. 1 that year and haven't been a successful franchise since then. What's your point? -- Bill Wyszynski, Cleveland

Hey, Bill: Picking a quarterback first or high isn't the point. Picking the right one is. McNabb was clearly the best of the five quarterbacks taken in the first round in 1999. They made the right talent evaluation. The Browns did not.

Hey, Tony: In your [May 14] interview with Dick Jauron you reported: "When the lockout was lifted for about 24 hours before the draft, none of the defensive players showed up at Browns headquarters to receive materials from Jauron and the defensive staff." The coach's response was: "The difficult side for us is they don't have their stuff." What prevented the team from shipping the playbooks within that 24-hour window? -- Dale Galbraith, Barberton

Hey, Dale: I'm not sure anything prevented the Browns from shipping the playbook. I would presume that teams are against doing that for fear of the top-secret playbook getting in the wrong hands.

Hey, Tony: In last week's Hey Tony, you said the following: "Consistently trading out of the top 10 is no more a blueprint for building a team than consistently drafting in the top 10." I would agree with you. But let's remember, last year, Heckert stayed where we were and took Haden. He then traded back up (not down mind you), to get Hardesty. In this year's draft, It seems obvious to me that Heckert wasn't in love with any of the top 10 to 15 guys, except maybe A.J. Green, and it was a very smart move to collect the picks he did. Two firsts next year for this franchise is a great coup. I don't think "consistently" was the right word to use. -- Joshua Jones, Fullerton, Calif.

Hey, Joshua: I realize Heckert was not here for the infamous trade-down in 2009. But that's two trade downs of epic proportions in three years for the same franchise. Football suicide, in my opinion.

Hey, Tony: I just read the column on the Browns' possible pursuit of a free agent wide receiver. Even if they do, don't you think that we are getting overloaded as is? Little, Robiskie, Mitchell, Massaquoi, Cribbs and a free agent on top of them? Who would be the first to go? -- Chris Zanon, Canton

Hey, Chris: Forget about a wide receiver. I was asked if they pursued one in free agency, which would be best. I suggested Vincent Jackson or Sidney Rice. Wasn't advocating they sign one and don't think there's any chance they will, for the very reason you point out.

-- Tony

The race was billed as a throwback to the Wild West, and track officials practically promised scores would be settled in the $1 million Sprint All-Star Race.

Associated PressCarl Edwards raises the trophy in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint cup series All Star auto race in Concord, N.C.

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — The race was billed as a throwback to the Wild West, and track officials practically promised scores would be settled in the $1 million Sprint All-Star Race.

Only the knock 'em down action never came, and the only fireworks were those in Saturday night's post-race show at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The only drama came after Carl Edwards took the checkered flag during his celebratory slide through the grass.

Although he appeared to hit either a manhole cover or a drainage device, his car instead seemed only to dip hard into the grass — contact that crumpled the front of his No. 99 Roush Fenway Racing Ford.

After his trademark celebratory backflip, Edwards needed a tow truck to take him to Victory Lane. He left behind a deep rut in Charlotte's infield grass.

"You never know what comes from misfortunes and it was definitely unfortunate," Edwards said. "Pretty wild twist of fate that we tore it up, but I'm going to have faith something good will come from it."

Edwards had a sheepish grin as he climbed out his window for his customary celebratory backflip, and he apologized to crew chief Bob Osborne for wrecking the car.

"That's a million dollars. We just won a million dollars," Edwards said from Victory Lane. "I feel so bad about tearing up the car. But I'm sure Bob's got a better one."

Edwards won three of the four segments in the 100-lap race, but still had one last pit stop and a 10-lap sprint to the finish before he could claim his first All-Star victory. NASCAR brought the field in for a 10-minute break following the third segment, then sent the cars back to the track for parade laps before they were required to return to pit road for a four-tire stop.

The stop is where the pit crews have their chance to shine in this event, and Edwards' team delivered. He came in as the leader and left as the leader, beating Busch back onto the track.

Edwards then got a terrific jump on the restart and easily pulled away.

"As far as he jumped out on me really surprised me," Busch said. "He took off so far, I was like 'Damn, there ain't no way I am going to be able to run him down in this short period of time.'"

Edwards praised his Roush-Yates engine for the speed he had throughout the race, and for the restart that helped him pull away from Busch.

"The restart was good, and man, that thing, it really runs," Edwards said.

Busch, who has a history of wrecking cars capable of winning the All-Star race, settled for second in a Toyota and will bring the car back next week as his backup for the Coca-Cola 600.

"Considering our fleet has been getting a little bit low, this is pretty good," Busch said of his second-place finish. "I didn't put a scratch on it. It was a good one."

Edwards had little time to celebrate. He was off after the race to catch a flight to Iowa to run the Nationwide Series race on Sunday.

"I really can't wait to go," he said. "The most enjoyable thing I can do is go race another car."

Most everyone else will have to wait for next week's Coca-Cola 600, the longest race of the NASCAR season. The All-Star race is usually the warm-up act for the 600, and the final 10 laps of Saturday night have always been billed as a wild, dash for the cash.

But the excitement never came, as the drivers raced clean and caution free.

"This was a pretty tame night, at least from the All-Star perspective," Tony Stewart said.

David Reutimann was third in a Toyota and followed by Stewart, who celebrated his 40th birthday a day earlier.

Greg Biffle was fifth, Matt Kenseth was sixth and RFR teammate David Ragan was eighth to put all four of the team's car inside the top eight. Ragan won the Sprint Showdown qualifier earlier Saturday to earn his spot in the field.

Denny Hamlin was seventh. Kevin Harvick was ninth and Ryan Newman rounded out the top 10.

Kurt Busch's struggles continued Saturday night and he sounded despondent over his team's performance for much of the event. He finished 13th. His teammate, Brad Keselowski, finished 18th after moving into the All-Star race with a second-place finish in the qualifier.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., made his way into the race by winning the fan vote that puts a third driver from the Sprint Showdown into the main event. But he had nothing for the contenders in the All-Star race and finished 14th.

Cinesport video: Carl Edwards wins All-Star race

For more Cinesport video on cleveland.com, go here.

From now until June 23, everybody will be guessing what the Cavaliers will do with the first and fourth picks in the NBA draft. But only the team's opinion counts.

View full sizeBill Kostroun / Associated PressKyrie Irving is the heavy favorite by fans and NBA observers who offer mock drafts to become a Cleveland Cavalier. But since the team isn't announcing their plans, the mocks are just guesses, says Mary Schmitt Boyer.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Let the guessing games begin.

From now until June 23, everybody will be guessing what the Cavaliers will do with the No. 1 and No. 4 picks in the NBA draft. But only the front office's opinion counts.

I left the NBA combine in Chicago last week with the distinct impression that the Cavs had not decided exactly what they were going to do, keeping all their options open, including trades. While they may very well wind up drafting Duke point guard Kyrie Irving with the top pick and Enes Kanter of Turkey at No. 4, I don't think they would definitively say that today.

Nor should they. By all accounts, they've barely met Irving. They were scheduled to have their medical staff meet and test Irving on Saturday, but that's just the beginning of their process. There is plenty of time to do the comprehensive vetting they've become known for.

Certainly Irving would appear to be a perfect fit. Coach Byron Scott's best teams have had dynamic young point guards, and one reason they brought Baron Davis on board was to run the team while mentoring a youngster such as Irving.

But there still are many questions to ask before the Cavs are ready to say Irving is the answer. Nonetheless, NBA observers will compile their mock drafts -- even if some are doing so under protest.

Take TNT's David Aldridge, who also writes for NBA.com. Under the headline "Mock draft: In act of lunacy, first attempt at first round," Aldridge wrote last week, "I mock out of protest. The folks at NBA.com asked me to put a mock draft together after Tuesday night's lottery. I hate mock drafts.

"There are people who spend months doing these things, and they always get 80 percent of the selections wrong -- not because they don't know enough, but because they may know too much. People tell you things, and you tend to believe them, even though a) they may well be lying, and b) they have no idea what the other 29 teams are thinking, because those other 29 teams are lying to them just like they're lying to you. So the whole notion of predicting accurately five weeks before the actual draft is, to me, lunacy."

Aldridge thinks the Cavs will take Irving at No. 1. "Rebuilding starts in earnest with the quicksilver point guard," he wrote. He also thinks they'll take Kanter fourth. "The line to move up to get Kanter or Jan Vesely starts here. But Cavs may not be able to pass up on a big who can come in and play right away."

ESPN.com's Chad Ford agrees on all of the above, including difficulty in making predictions now.

"At this point, very little is set in stone," he wrote. "Expect this mock draft to fluctuate greatly over the course of the next six weeks. The process of team workouts has just started. The Chicago NBA pre-draft combine, the Reebok Eurocamp and hundreds of team workouts will dramatically alter the face of the draft."

Of Irving, Ford wrote, "What a big win for Cleveland ... Yes, the Cavs have Baron Davis, but he's not a big part of their future plans. Irving can come in and immediately give them a backcourt foundation to fit with J.J. Hickson and the No. 4 pick."

Of Kanter, he wrote, "Few teams watched Kanter play during the past year unless they saw a Kentucky practice, so they are projecting Kanter's potential largely on the strength of a stellar performance at the 2010 Nike Hoop Summit.

"Kanter is tough, can play inside and out, rebounds the basketball and has a higher basketball IQ than most other players his age. While a bit undersized for a center, his toughness in the paint would be very welcome in Cleveland."

Alliance native Chris Monter has been producing the Monter Draft Report since 1991 and has been dedicated to the draft longer than any other media person. It is a full-time, year-round job -- and then some. But even he doesn't do a mock draft year-round.

"I think that is crazy," he said. "I wait until the lottery is over."

He's still working on his mock draft.

Those are just opinions. Google 2011 NBA mock drafts and you'll have a choice of more than 67,000 entries. Just keep in mind that none belong to the Cavs.

Even when he is off his game, Dirk Nowitzki can still get the job done as the Dallas Mavericks' closer.

Associated PressDallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) of Germany attempts a shot over Oklahoma City Thunder's Nick Collison, center left, as the Mavericks' Tyson Chandler, left, looks on in the second half of Game 3 of an NBA Western Conference finals

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Even when he is off his game, Dirk Nowitzki can still get the job done as the Dallas Mavericks' closer.

Nowitzki shrugged off a rough start and made a few key jumpers in the fourth quarter, helping the Mavericks hold off the Oklahoma City Thunder for a 93-87 victory Saturday night and a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference finals.

The big German had missed 10 of his first 14 shots, but Dallas kept going to him with the Thunder trying to become the second team to rally from a 23-point deficit to beat the Mavericks in these playoffs.

"He's our guy. In the fourth quarters, he's going to touch the ball as frequently as we can get it to him," coach Rick Carlisle said. "If he misses a few shots, he's not going to get deterred, he's not going to get discouraged. He's got the kind of will, he's going to keep going at it."

The Mavericks didn't care that Nowitzki couldn't seem to make a shot most of the game. They still gave him the ball on 10 of 11 possessions at one point, and he scored three times — enough to keep Oklahoma City at bay.

Nowitzki finished with 18 points on 7 for 21 shooting.

"We didn't really have a lot going in the second half offensively, so I've got to keep attacking for this team like I have for the last 13 years," Nowitzki said. "This team needs me to score and to keep being aggressive."

NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant also struggled from the field, hitting just 7 of 22 shots to finish with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Russell Westbrook responded to a fourth-quarter benching with 30 points, helping the Thunder make it interesting in the final minutes.

Dallas had already blown a 23-point lead in the final 13 minutes in the first round at Portland, and led by 22 with 17 minutes to go this time.

Westbrook and Daequan Cook each missed 3-pointers that could've gotten the Thunder within three, and Westbrook then lost the ball out of bounds before Jason Terry's jumper stretched the advantage to 86-78 with 1:42 remaining.

Nowitzki added a jumper from the left elbow to put the lead back at eight after Durant hit two free throws, and Dallas held on from there.

"We fought through a lot in the second half there, we stuck together and we grinded it out," Nowitzki said.

Shawn Marion also scored 18, and Kidd and Terry each chipped in 13. Tyson Chandler had 15 rebounds, including six on the offensive end.

The Mavericks, who tied with Miami for the league's best road record during the regular season, won for the fourth straight time outside Dallas in these playoffs and reclaimed home-court advantage just two nights after letting it get away in Game 2.

"In a game like this in someone else's arena, coming off a loss, you have to come out with anger and an intensity," Terry said. "We did that."

The Thunder leaned on their bench again in the fourth quarter, but this time Westbrook was on the court instead of the bench like he was in Game 2. Reserves Nick Collison, James Harden and Cook joined the All-Star tandem of Durant and Westbrook on the floor, but the bench didn't come up nearly as big in this one — scoring just 16 points after besting the Dallas reserves 50-29 in Game 2.

The Thunder missed their first 16 3-pointers — including all eight by Durant — before Westbrook made one in the final minute to get Oklahoma City within 88-83. Dallas made five of its six free throws to close it out, and Terry swiped the ball with 10 seconds left and ran out the clock on the win.

Oklahoma City fell behind by as many as 23 after a dreadful start, and it didn't get much better for a while. The Thunder had made only 10 of their 41 shots when Dallas bumped its lead back up to 58-36 by scoring the first six points after halftime.

"Frustrating," said Durant, his head in his hand. "It's tough to start a game, not make shots and you give teams easy baskets. That's like a backbreaker."

Harden — the bench star with 23 points in Game 2 — started a rally by driving for a layup and then taking an elbow from Chandler to draw a technical foul. That started a burst of eight straight points to get the Thunder within 65-52, the closest they'd been since the end of the first quarter.

Westbrook continued the comeback in the fourth by exploiting a matchup against J.J. Barea to get to the rim and the foul line repeatedly. He had the first eight points in a 10-2 run for Oklahoma City, with Harden's two free throws getting the deficit down to 80-74 with 5:36 to play.

The rally fizzled after that, though.

Westbrook also picked up his fifth technical foul of the postseason for shoving Nowitzki in the back after a third-quarter whistle. He and Chandler are each two shy of earning a one-game suspension.

The Thunder missed 15 of their first 19 shots and committed eight turnovers while Dallas rushed out to a commanding 35-12 lead, finishing the impressive start by scoring the first eight points of the second quarter.

Oklahoma City had its worst first quarter of the season and couldn't get much of anything going through the first 14 minutes, scoring two of its four baskets on tipped-in misses and losing Westbrook briefly after he picked up two fouls in the opening 9 minutes.

"There's no question they started the game really hitting us and knocking us out of our offense," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said "And we missed a lot of 3s. Those 3s weren't all contested."

NOTES: Brooks said before the game that Harden has played well enough to earn consideration on whether he should start ahead of Thabo Sefolosha — but not until after the playoffs. "There probably will be some long and hard thoughts about him being a starter. He definitely has that ability," Brooks said. "This year, no." ... Dallas coach Rick Carlisle on what he thought about Durant's highlight-worthy monster dunk in Game 2: "I thought it was unfortunate." ... Hanson sang the national anthem. ... Oklahoma City hasn't lost consecutive games this postseason, but is just 1-6 after its last seven wins.

Cinesport video: Mavericks 93, Thunder 87

 

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As NFL owners and players battle over their billions, hundreds of promising college players bypassed in last month's draft find themselves in frustrating football limbo.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain Dealer North Ridgeville's Sean Bunevich played football for Duquesne and hopes to be signed as an free agent for the upcoming NFL season, but the lockout has left him in limbo. "It's just hard to stay motivated," Bunevich says. "I've been working out for six months just waiting for something to happen."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Sean Bunevich, a 6-4, 230-pound tight end from Duquesne, knew the NFL Draft could mean he'd be packing his bags headed for somewhere. He just didn't think it would be back to North Ridgeville.

But back home from the Pittsburgh campus he is -- training at Speed Strength Systems in Avon to be ready if and when the NFL lockout ends and teams can finally sign undrafted rookie free agents.

With $500-an-hour lawyers batting around the NFL's future in court, the entire league is on indefinite hold. Coaches have no one to coach. Some players, such as those Browns participating in the unofficial Camp Colt, meet for informal practice sessions; others work out on their own.

Meanwhile, Bunevich and hundreds of other promising college players bypassed in last month's draft find themselves in frustrating territory, a black hole of unknown that even veteran players, drafted rookies and coaches wouldn't understand. Once the labor mess is finally settled, those players know which uniform they'll wear and where they'll be living.

But the undrafted? By now, they're usually signed, sealed and delivered to an NFL mini-camp. The uncertainty is unsettling, to say the least.

"It's just hard to stay motivated," Bunevich said. "I've been working out for six months just waiting for something to happen."

His agent also arranged for him to attend an open tryout with Jerry Glanville's Hartford Colonels of the United Football League on June 4, "just in case," Bunevich said, "this lockout lasts longer than anticipated."

In a normal year, the draft ends in a flurry of activity. Immediately after the last player is chosen, teams burn up their cell phones with calls to players they considered taking but didn't for one reason or another. At the same time, agents are calling teams, shopping their clients.

Typically, each team signs 10 to 15 undrafted free agents -- about 400 total -- within two hours after the draft ends.

Not this year.

When Rice defensive end Cheta Ozougwu was the 254th and final pick, affectionately known as "Mr. Irrelevant," there were no buzzing cell phones. No free agent contracts to sign. No nothing. The owners' lockout banned teams from even sending players a message in a bottle.

"Usually, at least the day ends on a high note," said Cleveland sports agent Andy Simms. "As disappointed as they are [in not being drafted], they're going to bed knowing they've been signed by an NFL team."

Simms, who's firm represents two third-rounders and a sixth-rounder (Ohio State linebacker Brian Rolle) in this year's draft, now waits for normalcy to return so such undrafted clients as Ohio State defensive end Dexter Larimore can either get on with football or another career.

"They're in limbo," Simms said. "They're without jobs. They're not sure they're going to get jobs."

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerFor undrafted players like Sean Bunevich, there are no guarantees that they'll find a suitor when the lockout ends. "They're in limbo," says sports agent Andy Simms. "They're without jobs. They're not sure they're going to get jobs."

It's not life-changing money they're doing without at the moment. The highest signing bonus an undrafted rookie got last season was about $25,000, but the average is about $3,000. They're also paid $130 per off-season workout four times a week and about $900 per week during training camp. Teams also put them up in a hotel and feed them.

If they make the team, however, the NFL rookie minimum is $330,000 paid over 17 weeks, depending on how long they're on the active roster.

Agents are also feeling a financial pinch. They typically invest $10,000 to $20,000 up front to train, feed and house each of their rookie clients, with the hope of a financial return when a player is signed. But the lockout prevents teams from signing veteran free agents and drafted and undrafted rookies.

"Cash flow can become an issue," said Chicago-based agent Joe Flanagan, who said other options might have to be considered if there's no budge in the labor fight by late June.

"The last thing I want to do," he said, "is become a lawyer again."

Almost half of the 330 college players invited to the NFL Combine this year didn't get drafted. That means there's plenty of talent left for teams to fill in their rosters, including players with local ties.

The undrafted have little choice but to follow the same script: train, eat well, be ready, try not to get too discouraged ... and wait.

"You've just got to stay focused, stay the course and know what you're doing it for," said Toledo center Kevin Kowalski, a 6-3, 305-pound hulk who played at Nordonia.

Watching the draft with his family in Macedonia, Kowalski knew he would either go late or not at all. When no teams called, he wasn't surprised.

Last week, Kowalski earned his degree. This week, and for the foreseeable future, putting the diploma to work will have to wait as he trains for a chance that might not come.

"This is my focus right now," he said. "I'm not going to give up on it."

Kent State safety Brian Lainhart spent the draft at home with his family in Cincinnati. Miami told him they had two seventh-round picks and were interested, but passed. Chicago and Philadelphia called during the draft as well and talked about free agency.

"It's just like in high school," Lainhart said. "I only had one [college] offer. It's the same situation all over again. It's just doing the same thing, proving people wrong. I'll be all right."

Signing with the United Football League or Canadian Football League are possibilities, but at the risk of injury and contracts that restrict players from jumping to the NFL once the lockout ends. According to the UFL, just five of the 80 players signed so far are undrafted rookies.

Flanagan, who represents Ohio State's Bryant Browning and Dane Sanzenbacher, both undrafted rookies, said pursuing other leagues didn't make sense yet for players NFL teams are expected to pounce on "once the floodgates open."

View full sizeCarolyn Kaster / Associated Press"Days are not slowing down for anyone," says Kyle Jefferson (14, left), who was a receiver for Wisconsin after graduating from Glenville. "So the more days that go by, the less chance you have."

"Maybe around September you start looking at those options," Flanagan said.

Last week, Kyle Jefferson was too preoccupied to worry about an NFL career. The 6-4, 180-pound speedy wide receiver from Glenville and Wisconsin was preparing for the Big Ten track championships in Des Moines, Iowa.

When the draft was over and his phone hadn't rung, he sat down with his parents, who told him to keep the faith.

"I just went back to training and being a student," said Jefferson, who graduates in December.

Still, he senses a long lockout doesn't bode well for free agents who benefit from a full training camp to prove themselves.

"Days are not slowing down for anyone," he said, "so the more days that go by, the less chance you have."

Browning, a former Glenville standout who grew into a versatile 6-4, 315-pound offensive lineman at Ohio State, said a handful of NFL teams hinted they might take him in the seventh round. But the final round came and went without a peep.

"I definitely thought I might have a chance at it," said Browning, who earned a marketing degree last December. Now the daily routine centers on training at the OSU team weight room with other undrafted but hopeful Buckeyes -- Larimore, Sanzenbacher and, occasionally, guard Justin Boren.

Staying in football shape, for most, involves weight-training and running. But some manage football-specific drills however they can.

Bunevich runs routes with his younger brother, a North Ridgeville quarterback, and his brother's friends. Lainhart practices one-on-one pass coverages with current Kent State players.

As a Division III player, Baldwin-Wallace defensive end Keith Darbut knew he'd be perceived by some NFL scouts as a draft gamble. But when a few teams called his agent on the second day of the draft, he expected to be chosen. Days two and three passed, but his phone stayed silent. The disappointment left him with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove.

"It really does fire you up," he said.

Darbut's been busy studying linebacking 101, since that's where NFL scouts see the lightning-quick, 6-4, 236-pounder's future. Most days, he works out at Speed Strength Systems in Eastlake, training for a while with NFL players Troy Smith, Ted Ginn Jr. and Donte Whitner. They told him what he needed to hear.

"They told me I had the tools," he said. "They assured me I had what I need to be successful."

History has shown draft number doesn't guarantee success. Getting overlooked doesn't guarantee failure, either. Twenty-three players in this year's Pro Bowl made the NFL as undrafted rookie free agents.

Lainhart draws encouragement from that, and from talks with Julian Edelman, his Kent State roommate for four years. Edelman was an undersized quarterback taken in the seventh round (almost Mr. Irrelevant) in 2009 by New England, where he's found a home as a slippery, sure-handed receiver.

"He just tells me all you need is a shot," Lainhart said, "Whether it's the first round or the last round, football's football."

A fair shot, and an unlocked door.

Tampa Bay erased an early three-goal deficit and evened the Eastern Conference finals with a 5-3 win in Game 4 over the Bruins on Saturday.

Associated PressTampa Bay Lightning goalie Mike Smith reaches for the puck against the Boston Bruins in the third period of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference finals, Saturday, May 21, 2011, in Tampa, Fla. The Lightning won 5-3.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Mike Smith has joined Simon Gagne in hurting the Boston Bruins during the postseason.

Smith was perfect in relief of goalie Dwayne Roloson, and Gagne snapped a tie in the third period for the Tampa Bay Lightning, who erased an early three-goal deficit and evened the Eastern Conference finals with a 5-3 win in Game 4 over the Bruins on Saturday.

Roloson was pulled in the first period after he allowed three goals on nine shots. Smith came on and made 21 saves as the Lightning avoided dropping into a big hole against the surging Bruins. Boston will host Game 5 on Monday.

"There's no time to think," Smith said. "It's just one of those things where we got behind the 8-ball there in the first. That's why I'm on the bench, to come in and kind of settle the team down and give them a little bit of a momentum. It ended up working out."

Gagne scored the winning goal last season for Philadelphia when the Flyers rebounded from a 3-0 series deficit and a 3-0 hole in Game 7 to beat the Bruins in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

"I think what happened last year, it's behind (us)," Gagne said. "Things are different now. I'm playing with a different team. Boston is a different team. Right now it's just going out there and trying to be the difference in the game."

Teddy Purcell scored twice in the second period when the Lightning tied it at 3. Tampa Bay also got a goal from Sean Bergenheim, who leads the NHL with nine playoff goals after scoring 14 times during the regular season.

Martin St. Louis sealed the win in the final minute with an empty-net goal.

Gagne gave the Lightning a 4-3 lead when he beat Tim Thomas from the right circle 6:54 into the third period after Tampa Bay left wing Ryan Malone stole the puck near the blue line. The Lightning outshot the Bruins 9-1 through the first seven minutes of the period after scoring three unanswered goals in the second.

"We got outworked," Thomas said. "They took over. They took the play to us. They started getting scoring chances and we stopped getting scoring chances."

Smith replaced Roloson with two minutes to go in the first and then made 13 saves in the second en route to his first NHL playoff win in his second career postseason appearance — both this series in relief of Roloson.

Lightning coach Guy Boucher said Saturday's game doesn't change Roloson's status.

"We have our No. 1 goaltender," Boucher said. "He's taken us to this place right now, and that's the reason why we're here. Smitty has been terrific. So whenever it's time for him to help the team and try to change the momentum around, I don't hesitate. It was the same in Boston. We put him in. I don't remember the last bad game he's played."

Patrice Bergeron scored twice during a three-goal first period that put the Bruins up 3-0. The alternate captain missed the first two games of the series because of a concussion sustained when he was hit by Philadelphia's Claude Giroux in the final game of the second round.

"We stopped battling," Bergeron said. "The second, we sat back and they've got too much speed. We weren't executing at all. We were on our heels. It's frustrating. We've got to be a lot better."

Michael Ryder also scored for the Bruins, who had won two straight in the series.

"A lot of our players did not play their best game," Boston coach Claude Julien said. "We just lost our focus."

Purcell cut the Lightning's deficit to 3-2 with a pair of goals midway through the second. The first came on a backhander from the slot at 6:55. The right wing followed that with a goal from the right circle 1:03 later.

"It was a good shift for me, and one I'll always remember, that's for sure," Purcell said.

Bergenheim outworked Boston defenseman Tomas Kaberle for the puck behind the net and scored from below the right circle to tie it at 3 with 9:07 left in the second.

"We just have to let this one go," Bruins center Brad Marchand said. "We're going home in our building for Game 5 and we're excited about it."

It was Tampa Bay's second quick three-goal surge in the series. The Lightning scored a team-playoff record three times in a 1:25 spurt of their 5-2 win in Game 1.

Thomas, coming off a 2-0 victory in Game 3, had a scoreless stretch of 93 minutes, 40 seconds snapped when Purcell scored his first.

"I think the focus should be on winning the next game," Thomas said. "It is what it is. It's 2-2. I don't know what the use of worrying about that (momentum) would be."

Bergeron put the Bruins up 1-0 11:47 in after he got possession of the puck near the post and put a shot past Roloson. The goal came after Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman made an ill-advised pass from behind the net that got past teammate Brett Clark.

Ryder got a break at 16:34 when his pass toward the slot was deflected by Tampa Bay defenseman Mike Lundin and got past Roloson.

The Lightning not only failed to score on a power play, but allowed Bergeron's short-handed goal late in the first. The center made it 3-0 with 2:02 left in the period after stealing a pass by Lightning center Steven Stamkos in the neutral zone and firing a shot from the top of the left circle past Roloson, who was then removed from the game.

Bergeron has four goals and 14 points in 13 playoff games this season.

Tampa Bay right wing Steve Downie received a roughing penalty and a 10-minute misconduct during a scrum as the first period ended. Tampa Bay's Marc-Andre Bergeron and Boston's Rich Peverley both got fighting majors.

Notes: Bruins C David Krejci was a minus-3, and lost 9 of 12 faceoffs. ... The Lightning dominated faceoffs overall, winning 39 of 65. ... Tampa Bay D Pavel Kubina, out since the first game of the conference semifinals against Washington when his head went into the glass on a hit, missed his seventh straight game. He hasn't resumed skating and there is no timetable for his return. ... Boston fell to 7-1 in the postseason when scoring first. ... Smith also replaced Roloson in Tampa Bay's 6-5 loss to Boston in Game 2.

Cinesport video: Tampa Bay 5, Boston 3

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The Gladiators' offense got back on track as rookie quarterback Kurt Rocco was 18-of-29 for 233 yards and seven touchdowns.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter / The Plain DealerGladiators receiver Robert Redd puts a move on Philadelphia's Chris Martin to earn some extra yards during Saturday night's victory at The Q. Redd had four touchdown receptions for Cleveland.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In a game that deteriorated into personal fouls and five ejections, the Cleveland Gladiators (6-3) outlasted Philadelphia (3-7), 59-41, in an Arena League American Conference East clash Saturday before an announced crowd of 7,979 at The Q.

The teams had to be separated in pre-game, then went at it with jaws and fists throughout the fourth quarter. The Gladiators' Tim Cheatwood and Joe Phinisee were tossed. Three Soul players were given early exits as well.

"The bottom line," said Gladiators coach Steve Thonn, "is we have to keep our composure and walk away and we just didn't do that."

His team also didn't walk away as the Soul scrambled back from deficits of 17 points early in the second quarter and 19 points midway through the third.

Not surprising, the Gladiators' defense, which had allowed just 43 points per game, second lowest in the league, and a league-low 50 touchdowns, gave its usual sturdy performance. But the offense finally got back on track as rookie quarterback Kurt Rocco, more efficient in finding second and third receivers and buying time with his feet, was 18-of-29 for 233 yards and seven touchdowns.

Rocco's play had been inconsistent and his body banged up from the last three games.

"We really needed a game like that from Kurt," Thonn said, "and he did it tonight."

With leading receiver Troy Bergeron sidelined early with an injured shoulder, Rocco found Robert Redd four times for scores, including a 12-yard game clincher with just over four minutes left.

"He was great today," Rocco said of Redd. "Getting open, that's all I can ask for."

The second half started much like the first, with a flurry of Gladiators points and Soul turnovers. On the first series of the quarter, the Soul was called for illegal defense, wiping out a key fourth-and-goal stop.

"It was big, because we were struggling a little bit there," Thonn said. "That was huge at that time."

Given new life and a first down, Russell Monk punched it in from right tackle for a 30-20 lead as the Gladiators outscored the Soul, 22-7, in the quarter. A second Gladiators safety, this one on the following kickoff, gave Cleveland a 32-20 edge, and Rocco's fourth touchdown strike, 10 yards to Thyron Lewis, made it 39-20.

Redd, who leads the Gladiators in all-purpose yards, caught his third touchdown pass of the night on Rocco's seven-yard bullet over the middle for a 45-27 lead.

But Soul quarterback Ryan Vena connected four times with Donovan Morgan, including touchdowns from 33 and 40 yards as the elusive 6-3, 225-pound Morgan streaked wide open down the middle. The second long score closed the deficit to 45-34 early in the fourth quarter.

The Gladiators had won two of their last three games, but lost by 30 last week in Orlando while putting up just 26 points. They nearly matched that offensive performance in the first 30 minutes Saturday.

The Gladiators led, 7-6, after the first quarter on a perfectly floated 18-yard toss from Rocco to Redd, hitting the 5-10, 195-pound receiver in stride as he smashed into the padded end zone wall. The TD was set up by Gladiators defensive lineman Drew Berube, who ripped the ball from Vena's hands and hopped on the fumble in the game's first series.

"We talked all week if we could just keep pressure on Vena that some good stuff would happen to us and the safeties really helped," Thonn said.

First strikes have set a tone all season. The Gladiators are 6-1 after scoring first and 5-0 when leading after one quarter.

The Gladiators have a big matchup next Saturday at 9 p.m. when they travel to Arizona to face the 8-2 Rattlers, who lead the National Conference's West Division.

Charlie Wi began the third round at Colonial just hoping to cut into playing partner David Toms' big lead. Wi certainly never expected to be leading at the end of the day.

Associated PressCharlie Wi, of South Korea, watches his approach shot on the second hole during the third round of the Colonial golf tournament in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, May 21, 2011.

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Charlie Wi began the third round at Colonial just hoping to cut into playing partner David Toms' big lead. Wi certainly never expected to be leading at the end of the day.

Toms blew a seven-stroke margin Saturday, and Wi took the lead with a 32-foot birdie putt on the par-3 16th hole. At 13 under after a 4-under 66, Wi had a one-stroke stroke edge over Toms — and the 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour for the first time in his career.

"I'm very pleasantly surprised. I played really well today and David didn't," Wi said. "It's such a crazy game. I don't know what to say."

Soon after weather delay of 1 hour, 20 minutes, Wi's tee shot at No. 16 landed on the back side of the green and Toms pushed his shot right into the rough. Wi holed the birdie putt before Toms' 16-foot par chance just missed for a two-stroke swing that changed the top of the leaderboard.

"Tough day overall," said Toms, who shot 74 after building his huge lead with bogey-free 62s.

Toms opened with a birdie Saturday, but had three bogeys in a five-hole stretch while Wi got started with consecutive birdies.

Even worse for Toms was a three-putt from 7½ feet for double bogey at No. 14, where Wi chipped to 12 feet to save par before the delay.

"Until then I was still three behind him, so I wasn't even thinking about the lead or anything," Wi said. "Then it's 'Wow, I'm only one shot behind him.' I knew it was getting a lot more interesting than how I envisioned when I started the day."

Wi made his 100th cut in 147 PGA Tour events this weekend, but the 39-year-old South Korean has never won.

The 44-year-old Toms is a 12-time winner, but is looking for his first victory in more than five years. He is coming off a playoff loss to K.J. Choi last weekend at The Players Championship.

While Toms now has another disappointment to overcome, at least he still has one more round to play at Hogan's Alley.

"I'm right where I set out to be when I started this week," Toms said. "I certainly would like to be sitting here with a 10-stroke lead and trying to break some record or something like that. It's all about getting in position and see how I do. I did well last Sunday with a chance, but didn't quite get there."

John Senden, who began the third round with Wi in a quartet of players seven strokes back, shot even par and was third alone at 9 under. Stuart Appleby (67), Paul Goydos (67) and Mark Wilson (71) were 8 under.

After blasting out of a frontside bunker at the par-4 14th, Toms three-putted for his first double bogey in a stretch of 343 holes at Colonial. That coupled with Wi's impressive up-and-down at the same hole cut the gap to one stroke.

Before Toms and Wi finished No. 15, play was stopped because of an approaching storm. Only a little bit of rain fell before play resumed and both made their par putts.

Toms got to 17 under with his opening birdie Saturday at the 565-yard first hole, chipping from just short of the green to 6 feet. Then came a couple of bad bounces and three bogeys.

His approach at the par-4 second hit on the front of the green but rolled back into the greenside bunker. He blasted to about 19 feet and two-putted for his first bogey in 38 holes.

"From there, he kind of lost the momentum a little bit, but I didn't think I was going to be able to close the gap like I did," Wi said.

After missing the fairway left at No. 3 and hitting a low liner approach that stopped just short of the green, Toms pushed a 5½-foot par chance just right of the hole.

At the difficult 247-yard fourth hole, his tee shot landed in the frontside bunker so deep that the 5-foot-10 Toms' head was barely visible from the back of the green when he blasted to 9 feet. When he made that putt, he had a slight fist pump that was more relief than celebration.

But Toms got another bad break when his approach at No. 6 rolled off the right side of the green. He chipped 9 feet past the hole and couldn't save the par, and walked away with holding both hands out.

"I felt like after the first six holes, I was just hanging on," he said. "Trying not to make a mistake rather than going out and playing great. That's probably what that big lead does for you. ... I really never felt nervous. I just didn't fell as confident out there today. I just didn't feel in control, and that's a bad feeling."

After carding 31s on both nines on each of the first two rounds, Toms finished the front side Saturday at 2-over 37. He had already missed five greens, matching his total for first two rounds.

Still, at that point, Toms still was 14 under with a three-stroke lead over Wi and Wilson, playing in the group ahead.

"It can happen fast on this golf course, you can go either way quickly," he said. "There are some birdie holes if you're playing great and there's a lot of bogeys out there to be had if you're not."

Cinesport video: The Colonial: Round 3

For more Cinesport video on cleveland.com, go here.

Indians RHP Alex White will miss 8-12 weeks because of a middle-finger sprain, Tribe head trainer Lonnie Soloff said.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Indians right-hander Alex White will miss 8-12 weeks because of a middle-finger sprain, Tribe head trainer Lonnie Soloff said Sunday morning.

The injury will not require surgery, Soloff said.

White, the 15th overall pick in 2009, was placed on the disabled list Saturday morning because of what was described as middle-finger soreness. He underwent the MRI exam that afternoon.

White injured the finger while throwing a slider in the third inning of his start Friday night against the Reds at Progressive Field.

 Before going for the MRI exam, he said: "I have no clue what it is. I've never had this.''
  White finished the third inning Friday but threw nothing but fastballs and splitters.''

 "Nothing was wrong with the arm,'' White said. "I was definitely hurting, but the velocity was fine.''

 White is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA in 15 innings since being promoted from Class AAA Columbus.

 "Honestly, I think (the injury) was going to eventually happen, and there was nothing I could really do about it,'' he said.

 With right-hander Mitch Talbot ready to be activated, Acta was going to need to decide between White and Carlos Carrasco for the final spot in the rotation. White's finger issue took care of that. The front three are Fausto Carmona, Justin Masterson and Josh Tomlin.

 To take White's spot on the roster, the Indians recalled right-handed reliever Josh Judy from Columbus.

Cheer for your team and boo the opposing team . . . but do it as if your grandmother was listening.

View full sizeAssociated PressJoakim Noah is expecting a heavy fine -- at least -- for using a homophobic slur towards a heckling fan in Game 3 of the Bulls' playoff series with Miami.

Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 for using a homophobic slur toward a referee.

Well, to be wholly accurate, he was fined for being caught on camera using a homophobic slur toward a referee.

Now Joakim Noah is facing the wrath of the NBA for getting caught on camera using a homophobic slur toward a heckling fan.

Both men are guilty, and both deserve and deserved whatever punishment is meted out. At some point, society needs to understand that homophobia is as much evidence of moral bankruptcy as racism or any other kind of bias-fed -ism. Let's get that clear right up front.

But . . .

The two incidents are not the same. Bryant's epithet was borne of his own outrage and frustration at what was happening ON the court. Noah's outburst was triggered by a heckling fan. Here's what an Associated Press story said:

Some of Noah’s teammates stood up for him Monday, saying that the fan went too far in whatever comments were directed toward the Bulls’ bench.   

“It wasn’t just one time or two times,” said Bulls forward Luol Deng, who declined to say what comments the fan may have made. “He just kept going and it became really annoying. (Noah) just lost his temper.”  

Bulls forward Carlos Boozer said he was not aware of exactly what took place in the bench area, but noted it happens somewhat regularly.  

“That’s a part of the game,” Boozer said. “Fans have the right to say what they want to say after they buy their tickets. Unfortunately sometimes, for us, we just have to sit there and take it. Unfortunately, that’s part of sports.”

Plain Dealer OSU beat writer says suspended players will be hard to keep off the field after they have served their penalty. Watch video

Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Chuck Yarborough and Branson Wright. Today, they welcome St. Edward High School senior Brandon Jackson, who will play football at West Virginia in the fall. Jackson talks about Ohio State freshman quarterback Braxton Miller and what he thinks Miller's chances are to excel for the Buckeyes.

Speaking of OSU quarterbacks, Terrelle Pryor will have to sit out the first five games of the season while he and a handful of other Buckeyes serve a suspension for breaking NCAA rules. When Game 6 arrives in the form of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, should Pryor start if the Buckeyes are playing well without him? That's the question in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Today's guest, Plain Dealer Ohio State reporter Doug Lesmerises, says the question is an interesting one, but that the suspended players should regain their jobs after they become eligible. Doug also talks about his story today about the Big Ten's push for a nine-game conference football schedule; Brady Hoke's impact on the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry; which Buckeye might be the next candidate to enter the College Football Hall of Fame; and which team will be ranked No. 1 in the college football preseason.

SBTV will return Wednesday.

The Dallas Mavericks take a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals.

View full sizeRon Jenkins,
Fort Worth Star-TelegramDirk Nowitzki rode to the rescue again for the Mavericks, leading Dallas to an overtime win over Oklahoma City.

Luck? Team of destiny?

What ever it is, the Dallas Mavericks rallied from a 15-point deficit with five minutes left to beat the Oklahoma Thunder to take a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals.

What made this victory even more impressive is that the Mavericks looked like a team down and out.

But they still managed the victory.

Randy Galloway of StarTelegram.com writes:

Very surprising, however, was how the Mavericks had meekly responded to that ultimatum, counter-attacking in this Game 4 challenge with all the muscle of a mushroom.

Flat beaten -- actually, wiped out -- in all the basic elements of basketball, including points in the paint, second chance points, fast break points and worst of all, on the boards.

The difference in the game was Dirk Nowitzki.

Nowitzki's two free throws with six seconds left in regulation tied the score, completing a 17-2 run in under five minutes. Dirk scored 12 of the 17 points.

Experience matters

The Oklahoma City Thunder learned a hard lesson on Monday night. Berry Tramel of OKC.com writes (or just found out) that no matter how good or talented a team is, it often comes down to experience in the postseason.

This was on display as the Thunder choked wilted under the offensive onslaught by the Mavericks, who rallied at the end of regulation to pull out the victory in overtime.

Ahead 99-84 with less than five minutes left, the Thunder choked. Stopped short of the finish line in a game it had to win for any reasonable hope of reaching the NBA Finals.

Now, the Mavs have a three games to one lead in this series and seem perfectly capable of ending this with a gentle push in Game 5 Wednesday night.

 

Defense won't rest

Joseph Goodman of The Miami Herald writes how the Miami Heat's defense has dominated Derrick Rose and the Bulls in the last two games.

For example, Rose attempted only four shots in the fourth quarter of Game 2 and made none.

It might be the difference in the series. Sunday’s loss gave Chicago its first consecutive defeats since early February.

Rose built his MVP résumé this season on strong efforts in the fourth quarters of games. More specifically, his fourth quarters against the Heat during the regular season helped him win the award. What has been the key to containing the youngest MVP in league history?

“I don’t know,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Monday, a practice day for the Heat and an off day for the Bulls. “It’s a whole lot easier said than done.”

Noah fined

David Haugh of The Chicago Tribune writes how Joakim Noah apologized for his anti-gay slur, and now the focus of the team's attention is on the Miami Heat.

Oh, yeah, the basketball game. For the Bulls to beat the Heat in Game 4 Tuesday at AmericanAirlines Arena, for starters, Noah will have to defend Chris Bosh as tenaciously as coach Tom Thibodeau and teammates defended his character.