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J.J. Hickson trade for Omri Casspi: Cleveland Cavaliers fans tell us whether you support it - poll

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Cavs deal J.J. Hickson to Sacramento in exchange for small forward Omri Casspi. What do you think?

jj-hickson-joakim-noah-gunter.JPGView full sizeThe Cavs have dealt forward J.J. Hickson, shown here shooting over the Bulls' Joakim Noah, to Sacramento in exchange for small forward Omri Casspi.
The Cavs - who drafted 6-8 power forward Tristan Thomas out of the University of Texas with their second No. 1 pick and the fourth overall in last week's draft - traded power forward J.J. Hickson to Sacramento for small forward Omri Casspi and a future first round pick.

Click here to read Plain Dealer writer Mary Schmitt Boyer's account of the trade.

The drafting of Thompson, a power forward from the University of Texas, with the Cavs' second pick in the first round made Hickson expendable.

Hickson led the Cavs in total points (1,105) and minutes played (2,256) and finished second in points per game (13.8) behind Antawn Jamison (18.0).

Casspi averaged 8.6 points and 24 minutes per game for the Kings.

So Cavs, fans, we ask: Good trade or not?




Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the way back machine

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Fans saw stardom in Kyrie Irving early on.

Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson attend court dedication FridayKyrie Irving signs autographs.

NewJersey.com columnist Steve Tober writes about Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving, the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

Tober writes how the national media has written about Irving's time at hoops power St. Patrick of Elizabeth, N.J.; and his 11 games at Duke, but many have forgotten about Irving's first two years of high school at MKA, another high school in New Jersey.

No one will know whether or not if Irving had stayed at MKA if he would have been standing on the podium on June 23, 2011, shaking hands with NBA Commissioner David Stern after being announced as the No. 1 pick headed to play in the best basketball league in the world.

"For Kyrie, to work on his game and to hone his craft, St. Patrick was certainly a much different place than MKA in that the school simply breeds basketball players," said Jones. "I'd like to think that if he had stayed with us he would still be in the same position he is in today, but, of course, we'll never know that for sure."

In his last season at MKA, Irving led MKA to its first-ever state prep B-Division Tournament championship.

 

Omri Casspi: Get to know the Cleveland Cavaliers' newest player (videos)

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Watch some video highlights and interviews with Casspi during his time with the Sacramento Kings.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland Cavaliers today confirmed they have acquired swing man Omri Casspi, 23, from the Sacramento Kings for power forward J.J. Hickson.


Casspi became the first Israeli-born athlete in the NBA when the Kings made him the 23rd pick overall in the 2009 draft. The 6-6, 225-pound forward has been mostly a backup for the Kings, shooting 41 percent from the field and 37 percent from 3-point range, ranking 30th in the league last season.


The Cavs have had an eye on Casspi since 2009 but he was gone by the time the Cavs picked 30th in that draft. They took forward/guard Christian Eyenga instead.


Here are some videos of Casspi, on and off the court:


A Look At Omri Casspi and his impact on the Kings and the NBA for Kings TV on December 5, 2009:






Omri Casspi postgame interview following the Kings' 107-104 victory over the Cavaliers on Oct. 30, 2010:








Omri Casspi highlights from 2010-11 season:






Omri Casspi's top plays from 2010-11 season:






Casspi in a commercial for an Israeli breakfast cereal:




Casspi Youtube highlight video from 2009:





Fans' reaction: Cavaliers trade J.J. Hickson for Omri Casspi

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Cavaliers fans' questions about the team's logjam at power forward were answered Thursday when J.J. Hickson was traded to the Sacramento Kings for swingman Omri Casspi. Get there reaction from Twitter and post your comments.

j.j. hicksonJ.J. Hickson was traded to the Kings for Omri Casspi.
Cavaliers fans' questions about the team's logjam at power forward were answered Thursday when J.J. Hickson was traded to the Sacramento Kings for sharp-shooting swingman Omri Casspi.

Early reaction is mixed, with many fans bringing up that mythical deal between the Cavaliers and Suns in 2010 that would've brought Amare Stoudemire to Cleveland in exchange for Hickson.

Check out what Casspi tweeted after the deal was announced and other reactions from Twitter.


Chris Grant on the J.J. Hickson-Omri Casspi trade - Audio

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Hear what Chris Grant had to say to the media today in a conference call about the Cavaliers' trade of J.J. Hickson to Sacramento in exchange for Omri Casspi and a future first round draft pick.

chris-grant-talking.JPGView full sizeCavaliers General Manager Chris Grant.

The Cavaliers traded power forward J.J. Hickson to the Sacramento Kings today in exchange for small forward Omri Casspi and a future first round draft pick.

Grant spoke to the media this afternoon in a conference call about the trade, about J.J. Hickson and about what Omri Casspi brings to the table.

You can listen to the entire conference call by downloading the mp3 or by using the player beneath the photo.

NBA lockout 2011: Players union boss Billy Hunter says owners will lock out the players

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Sides could not close enormous gap in positions during meeting today. Collective bargaining agreement expires at midnight. Lockout will shut down all business.

jerry-kessler-billy-hunter.jpgUnion lawyer Jeffrey Kessler (left) and NBA union chief Billy Hunter (right) as they arrived at a midtown hotel for a meeting with NBA representatives Thursday in New York.

NEW YORK, New York -- Union chief Billy Hunter says owners are locking out players after failing to reach a new collective bargaining agreement, potentially putting the 2011-12 season in jeopardy.

Despite a three-hour meeting Thursday, the sides could not close the enormous gap that remained in their positions. The CBA was due to expire at midnight.

All league business is officially on hold, starting with the free agency period that would have opened Friday, and games eventually could be lost, too. The last lockout reduced the 1998-99 season to just a 50-game schedule, the only time the NBA missed games for a work stoppage.

Union executive committee member Matt Bonner says "we tried to avoid the lockout; unfortunately we couldn't reach a deal."

 

Cleveland Cavaliers' J.J. Hickson showed promise but was unable to reach his potential: Bill Livingston

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J.J. Hickson was the "Human Highlight Clip," but didn't crank out a whole reel full of highlights.

hickson.jpgView full sizeJ.J. Hickson, pictured during a March 27 game against the Hawks, was traded to Sacramento on Thursday for Omri Casspi.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - J.J. Hickson was the "Human Highlight Clip."

He couldn't be the "Human Highlight Reel," for that was Dominique Wilkins, back when celluloid was the scouting tool and Wilkins and Larry Bird were staging a memorable fourth-quarter playoff shootout. Also, J.J. didn't crank out a whole reel full of highlights.

I liked Hickson anyway because he was a galvanizing agent for the fans.

In one memorable game in LeBron James' last season here, Hickson both posterized James' B.F.F., Dwyane Wade, on a fast break dunk and later returned to sender a Wade retaliatory effort.

It was explosive stuff, and it had all the highlight show commentators wondering if it was Hickson's statement game. "Here I am! This is what I do!" seemed to be the message.

But he didn't do it that often. He spent the first half of last season in new coach Byron Scott’s doghouse. In the coming season, he was unlikely to play his way here into the big new contract he sought.

He took to wearing gold shoes (actually, they struck me as more mustard-colored). It invited the observation that all that glitters is not gold. When the Cavs drafted Texas' Tristan Thompson, a one-and-done college player, as was Hickson three seasons ago at North Carolina State, Hickson's fate was sealed. The team was not going to have two play-alikes at the same position.

In Hickson's defense, however, as a 6-8 power forward, he was playing out of position at center for much of last season after Anderson Varejao was hurt. Hickson was still close to a double-double on the block. He was not the black hole at the foul line Thompson was in college. Behind only Varejao, he was the team's best inside player. James liked Hickson and lobbied for him to get more playing time, although LeBron had liked almost all the players the team picked up to bolster him . . . until he didn't and ripped them.

Perhaps what I speculated last week was the front office's true view of Hickson: That he was a player who put up good numbers on bad teams. He never consistently developed a jump shot to complement his work around the rim. Plenty of his baskets in the James era had come on assists from LeBron because J.J.'s game was so limited that opponents felt they could double-team James with Hickson's defender.

He was a ball-stopper too. Hickson averaged barely more than one assist for every two games played during his Cavs' career.

But Omri Casspi, the player the Cavs will receive in the trade with Sacramento, might get more attention for his ethnicity as the only Israeli playing in the NBA than for his game. Also, with the also-ran Kings' first-round draft pick in the trade being lottery-protected, Hickson will probably get closer to his still intriguing potential before the Cavs ever see that pick.

Otherwise, to cite a phrase that's in vogue, what's not to like?

To reach Bill Livingston:

blivingston@plaind.com, 216-999-4672

On Twitter:
@LivyPD

 

Cavaliers forward Omri Casspi conference call - Audio

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Omri Casspi had a chance to speak with the media this afternoon in a conference call following his acquisition by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

omri-casspi.JPGView full sizeOmri Casspi.
The Cavaliers acquired Omri Casspi today from the Sacramento Kings along with a future first round pick in exchange for power forward J.J. Hickson.

Casspi had a chance to speak with the media this afternoon in a conference call following the trade. Hear his thoughts on how his game fits in Cleveland, what he thinks about playing for Byron Scott and more.

You can listen to the entire conference call by downloading the mp3 or by using the player below.


Cleveland's Jewish community ready to embrace Omri Casspi, the newest Cavalier

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"He plays hard in the contest of the team's game plan," says University Heights' Tamir Goodman, who played against Casspi in Israel.

omri-casspi-sac-bee.jpgOmri Casspi, shown scoring during a Sacramento Kings win over the Utah Jazz in Febuary of 2010, was the first Israeli-born player to make the NBA. Cleveland's Jewish community expects to throw its support behind him when he arrives in Cleveland.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - He's a Jew. He's from Israel. He's a Cavalier.

Jewish Clevelanders say 23-year-old Omri Casspi will be embraced by a Jewish community that has never found all three qualities in a single person.

"Are you kidding? People are going to be thrilled," said Anita Gray, a Cavs fan from Bratenahl and a Jewish community leader.

"Many of us have affiliations with Israel," she explained. "My kids are there right now. We've got ties back and forth. It's exciting. We've never had an Israeli basketball player."

The Cavaliers acquired Casspi from the Sacramento Kings today along with a first-round draft pick for power forward J.J. Hickson

Gray predicts a new Jewish cheering section at The Q.

The region's most accomplished Jewish basketball player says all the fans are in for a treat.

tamir-goodman.jpgTamir Goodman, shown during his playing days at Towson State, says he's excited that Casspi is coming to Cleveland.

Tamir Goodman, famously referred to as "the Jewish Jordan" by Sports Illustrated while a high school sensation in the 1990s, played six pro seasons in Israel before retiring in 2009. He lives with his wife and three children in University Heights, coaches at a Jewish middle school in Beachwood and runs area basketball camps.

"I am very happy and excited for Omri , the Cavs, and the fans," Goodman said in an email. "I remember playing against him for the first time. I was already in my third pro season in Israel, and I think he was only 18 years old at the time. After seeing him play for just two minutes, I thought to myself that he is different, he is a very special player.

"His style of play is congruent with the Cavs slogan of 'All for one and one for all.' " Goodman added. "He plays hard in the context of the team's game plan. He is also a great person!"

I wish Cleveland Cavaliers' trade of J.J. Hickson would have yielded more than Omri Casspi, draft pick - Terry Pluto column

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Lottery-protected draft pick leaves PD columnist lukewarm about the deal.

omri-casspi-sac-bee-2.jpgOmri Casspi, right, battles Carlos Boozer of the Utah Jazz for a rebound.

Talking to myself about the Cavs trading J.J. Hickson to Sacramento for Omri Casspi . . . .

Question: How do you feel about the J .J. Hickson-Omri Casspi deal?

Answer: I want to like it more than I do, because the Cavs need a small forward. They have too many power forwards. The moment Tristan Thompson became the No. 4 draft pick, Hickson was gone. The real issue is whom the power forward would bring to Cleveland.

Q: So you don't like Casspi?

A: He can really run on fast breaks, catch the ball in stride and dunk. He will feast off the lob passes from Baron Davis. Hickson did, too. I also like how Casspi shoots 47 percent from the corner on 3-pointers, a shot that is almost always open for a 6-foot-9 forward.

Q: What's wrong with the trade?

A: The Cavs also picked up a first-rounder from Sacramento, and that was exciting until I heard about all the restrictions. It is protected 1-14 in 2012, and never drops below 1-10 protection. It's complicated, but given the state of recent drafts, a pick after No. 10 is very iffy. Had this been protected 1-5, I'd be more upbeat on the trade.

Q: So it really comes down to Hickson for Casspi?

A: Yes, it does. I wish Casspi went to the foul line more often. He averaged fewer than two attempts per game – and shot 67 percent. He looks good moving without the ball and catching it even in half-court sets. In two years with the Kings, he shot 43 percent from the field, 37 percent on 3-pointers. He can rebound for a small forward -- 4.4 per game in 24.5 minutes. But he doesn't drive to the hoop well in the half-court.

Q: But he's only 23, right?

A: The same as Hickson. The power forward has been in the NBA one more year than Casspi. He will be a free agent in 2012, and wants big money. The problem isn't the Cavs suddenly being cheap. It's a new tighter salary cap coming. The Cavs have two young power forwards they like in Samardo Samuels and Thompson. Antawn Jamison's contract expires at the end of the season.

Q: So they don't need Hickson?

A: You always can use a player who can average 10 rebounds. Hickson averaged 10.8 rebounds and 16.8 points after the All-Star break. That also came after he was benched for a game by Byron Scott, and he dueled with the veteran coach. But Hickson was very productive near the end of the season. On the year, it was 13.8 points, 8.7 rebounds in 28 minutes per game.

Q: Why would the Cavs draft Thompson, and then deal Hickson?

A: Just as fans saw how Hickson could float on the court and disappear defensively -- so did the coaches and front office. Former coach Mike Brown and Scott were both frustrated with Hickson forgetting plays and defensive assignments. There also is a concern of how Hickson would play after he received a big payday. They believe Thompson can be an excellent defensive player who is highly motivated, despite his problems at the foul line.

Q: Doesn't Casspi at least give the Cavs a small forward who can play the position?

A: Yes, he fills a need. Certainly, he's an upgrade over Alonzo Gee, Christian Eyenga and the rest. Casspi started 27 games for the Kings last season, averaging 10.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and shot 43 percent (37 percent on 3-pointers) in 31 minutes. Casspi won't be a free agent until the summer of 2013, and there are legitimate reasons to believe he can significantly improve.

Q: Why did the Kings trade him?

A: They have a lot of small forwards: John Salmons, Tyler Honeycutt and Donte Green. They need power forwards. They gave up a player who is not in their long-term plans and a draft pick that won't be in the top 10. They take almost no risk on this deal.

Q: Is the risk is mostly with the Cavs?

A: This trade will tell us much about Chris Grant and the general manager's scouts. They have liked Casspi for two years. They don't say it, but they must believe that taking Casspi out of the losing and constant changes that have been part of Sacramento basketball and bringing him to the Cavs under a disciplined coach will help Casspi meet the optimistic projections they made for him two years ago.

Q: What's the bottom line?

A: I'm OK with trading Hickson, I just wish they had received more in return.



Cleveland Cavaliers trade links: Omri Casspi and J.J. Hickson help fill gaps for Cavs and Sacramento Kings

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Casspi will probably be the Cavs' starter at small forward, while the Kings needed to bolster their frontcourt. Many more trade links.

omri-casspi.jpgOmri Casspi brings some scoring potential at small forward to the Cavaliers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers and Sacramento Kings have swung a trade aimed at solving deficiencies for each team by exploiting each team's area of depth.

The Cavaliers, short of promising wing players, have acquired small forward Omri Casspi and a protected first-round draft choice from the Kings. Sacramento tries to solve a need for big men, getting power forward-center J.J. Hickson from Cleveland.

Marc Stein writes about the Cavs-Kings trade for ESPN.com.

The Cavaliers have been shopping Hickson for some time and have decided to part with the young power forward in exchange for Casspi, who has been coveted for his combination of defense, energy and underrated perimeter shooting by numerous teams after two solid seasons with the Kings.

Stein also addresses a monster trade rumor involving Hickson in February, 2010, when the Cavs were seeking to bolster their championship hopes:

The deal, though, also illustrates the decline in Hickson's stature within the Cavaliers' organization. As recently as the 2010 trade deadline, Cleveland's talks with Phoenix on a trade for Amare Stoudemire stalled in part because of the Cavs' reported reluctance to include Hickson in the deal -- although sources with knowledge of those talks insisted Thursday that the Cavs were prepared to go through with the deal and that the Suns were the team that backed away.

As that deal fizzled, for whatever reason, the Cavaliers eventually settled on a trade with the Wizards, sending center Zydrunas Ilgauskas to Washington for Antawn Jamison. Washington bought out the contract of Ilgauskas, who re-signed with the Cavs several weeks later. 

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Cavaliers coverage includes Mary Schmitt Boyer's Cavs-Kings trade story; audio of Omri Casspi's conference call interview with the media following the trade; audio of Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant discussing the trade; a fans poll on the trade; Cavs fans' reaction to the trade; Bill Livingston's column on the trade; video highlights of Casspi as a player and being interviewed.

J.J. for Omri, etc.

The trade is a step moving forward for the Cavaliers, writes Zac Jackson for FoxSportwsOhio.com.

An Associated Press report on the trade, by Tom Withers, on Yahoo! Sports.

"I'm happy," Sam Amick quotes Casspi as saying in a trade story for Sports Illustrated's SI.com.

Cavaliers-Kings trade story by Bob Finnan for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Hickson for Casspi and first-rounder, by Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Trade story by Jason Jones for the Sacramento Bee.

A photo gallery of Omri Casspi with the Kings, from the Sacramento Bee.

Feller no-hitter, foul ball made for a fair day for Indians fan

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This spring, we asked readers to tell us their best memory at an Indians game. More than 600 of you responded. The five finalists and winner were featured during the week leading up to Opening Day. All season long, The Plain Dealer will publish other fan memories -- one each day the Indians are scheduled to play. Here is today's essay by Andy Teiberis of Grafton:

fellerbob.jpgCatcher Jim Hegan congratulates Bob Feller after his no-hitter on July 1, 1951.

This spring, we asked readers to tell us their best memory at an Indians game. More than 600 of you responded. The five finalists and winner were featured during the week leading up to Opening Day. All season long, The Plain Dealer will publish other fan memories -- one each day the Indians are scheduled to play. Here is today's essay by Andy Teiberis of Grafton:

My most unforgettable moment was July 1, 1951. I was turning 16 in a few days, and my father, who was from Scotland and not into any type of sports, took me to a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers. I had a deep interest in baseball and the Indians and had never been to a major league game. He knew how much I would enjoy going.

We had seats in the upper deck, just inside first base. It was the first game and Bob Feller was pitching. Somewhere in the middle of the game, my dad went to buy hot dogs and drinks for me. While he was gone, Vic Wertz was batting and hit a foul ball high toward where we were sitting. The ball hit a railing four or five rows in front of me. It bounced back towards me and I stood up and made a nice one-hand catch. The pitcher . . . Bob Feller! His third no-hit game. My father returned and he could not believe what happened. I kept that ball for years. I did not attempt to have him sign the ball, which I regret to this day. Probably 25 years later, when my son was around 12 and into baseball, I gave him the ball to play with. Not too smart. But today, at 75, that day stands out in my memory like it happened yesterday.

P.S. Four years later, I went to my second baseball game with a date. We sat on the third-base side in the upper deck. And, yes, I caught my second foul ball. Believe it or not.

Cleveland Cavaliers trade J.J. Hickson to Sacramento for Omri Casspi and draft pick

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The Cavaliers traded power forward J.J. Hickson, 22, to Sacramento for 6-9 small forward Omri Casspi, 23, and a lottery-protected draft pick.

Anthony Parker had mixed emotions when the Cavaliers on Thursday traded power forward J.J. Hickson to the Sacramento Kings for 6-9 small forward Omri Casspi and a future first-round draft choice.

"I am sad to see J.J. go -- a great young player with a bright future," Parker said in an email.

omricasspi.JPGView full sizeOmri Casspi, a 6-9 small forward, averaged 8.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game last season for the Sacramento Kings.


Then again, Parker, having played with Casspi on the Maccabi Tel Aviv team that won the 2005-06 Israeli Premier League championship and the Israeli Cup, knows Cavs fans are in for a treat when the 23-year-old Casspi arrives.

"I think Cavs fans are really going to like what they see," said Parker, who becomes a free agent today. "Casspi plays hard, fearless and has the determination and desire to get better."

Thursday's trade was completed just hours before NBA owners locked out players after the two sides failed to reach a new labor agreement before the midnight deadline.

Casspi is unsure when he will come to Cleveland, but that did not diminish his enthusiasm.

"It's a great opportunity for me to come to a new team and start a new way in my basketball career," he said in a conference call with reporters Thursday afternoon. "I think Cleveland is a wonderful city with great fans. I can't wait to start."

The trade was not unexpected given what transpired with each team last week. The Cavs took Texas forward Tristan Thompson with the No. 4 pick in the draft, creating a logjam at power forward. The Kings, meanwhile, obtained small forward John Salmons from Milwaukee, making Casspi expendable.

But according to Cavs GM Chris Grant, the team has had its eye on Casspi since he first made himself eligible for the draft -- but then withdrew his name -- in 2008. He entered the 2009 draft, and while it's possible the Cavs would have taken him at No. 30, the Kings ensured they couldn't by taking him at No. 23. The Cavs selected Christian Eyenga at No. 30.

With the Cavs' shortage of wing players, Grant said he put together a list at the end of the season of eight to 10 young players that interested the team. He said he'd been talking to the Kings about Casspi for about a month.

In 71 games last season, Casspi averaged 8.6 points on 41 percent shooting, including 37 percent shooting from 3-point range, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 24 minutes per game. In his 27 starts, he increased his averages to 10.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 31 minutes per game.

"He's a tough, athletic 6-foot-9 kid who runs the floor great, which is good for our point guards," Grant said. "He's got some nastiness about him. He's got some fight in him, which we really like. He's a worker. He rebounds the ball well as a small forward. He can make shots. He's pretty good at curling and coming off a down-screen and catching and shooting, which is good with the makeup of our point-guard play, so he fits in well."

Casspi is the first Israeli-born player to play in the NBA and will play for Israel in the European championships later this summer in Lithuania. He certainly has a chance to become the Cavs' starting small forward, although he thought that talk was a bit premature.

"It's still early," said Casspi, currently conducting a camp at the Jewish Community Center in Los Angeles. "It's a very important summer for me. I need to step up. It's a great opportunity for me to come to a new organization and show everything I can do and be the best teammate I can be. I'm willing to put in the work. I'm always trying to get better. We'll see what happens. Competition is always great."

Not only does the move help balance the Cavs' roster, it also helps them avoid a sticky contract situation after next season.

Hickson, 22, has been the Cavs' starting power forward for the better part of two seasons in spite of a maddening tendency to disappear during games, especially on the boards. He rebounded better after moving to center in the middle of this past season, when Anderson Varejao went out with an ankle injury, and wound up averaging 13.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game last season while shooting 46 percent from the field and 67 percent from the free-throw line.

Hickson was scheduled to make $2.35 million next season, which would have been his fourth with the team. The Cavs would then have been forced to decide whether to make him a qualifying offer for 2012-13, making him a restricted free agent, or to sign him to a longer contract for much more money in spite of uneven performance.

To some extent, they will face the same situation with Casspi, who will make $1.34 million next season and $2.28 million the following year. But they will have two more years to judge his performance and will get that first-round pick. The pick is lottery-protected in 2012, meaning if the Kings are in the lottery, the pick will roll over to 2013.

There are additional protections. In 2013, the pick is protected from Nos. 1 to 13. In 2014, it's protected from Nos. 1 to 12 and from 2015 to '17 it is protected from Nos. 1 to 10. If the pick is not transferred to the Cavs by 2017, then Sacramento will give the Cavs its 2017 second-round draft pick.

No deal: Parker, still the Cavs' player representative in spite of becoming a free agent, said in an email he was not surprised by Thursday's lockout announcement.

"We've known for some time that there is a strong possibility that the owners would lock the players out," he wrote. "At a time when the NBA is as successful as its ever been, I'm hopeful that a deal gets done before games are missed."

No word: Grant said the Cavs have not heard whether they will get an extension of the trade exception acquired in the LeBron James trade last summer. It was set to expire July 11, but with the lockout freezing all business operations, it may have expired at midnight Thursday.

Cleveland Gladiators looking to solve their problems on the road

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Gladiators coach Steve Thonn delivered a simple message for his team this week in preparation for Saturday's game in Milwaukee: Expect to win -- but not necessarily by 61 points. The Gladiators are coming off an 82-21 victory over San Jose last weekend at The Q. They came within one point of the franchise record for points in a...

Gladiators coach Steve Thonn delivered a simple message for his team this week in preparation for Saturday's game in Milwaukee:

Expect to win -- but not necessarily by 61 points.

The Gladiators are coming off an 82-21 victory over San Jose last weekend at The Q. They came within one point of the franchise record for points in a game and within one of the Arena Football League record for differential.

kurtrocco.JPGGladiators quarterback Kurt Rocco will again be the starter, Saturday in Milwaukee.


"Our players realize it was one of those games where everything went our way," Thonn said. "We played very well, we deserved to win, but those types of results don't happen very often. You never expect to score 82 or win by 61, so we're not taking anything for granted going forward. Milwaukee is going to be a very tough game."

San Jose dropped to 5-9 with the loss, and the Mustangs are bad, too (4-10). But the Mustangs feature the AFL's top-ranked total defense and pass defense. An inconsistent offense has been their main problem.

For the Gladiators (8-6), the most significant difference between last week and this week figures to be location. The Gladiators are terrific at home (6-1) and lousy on the road (2-5). The road victories came in their first two games, against Spokane and Tampa Bay.

"We just haven't been able to finish games away from home," Thonn said. "We play well enough for two, three quarters, but don't play the complete game."

Thonn said Kurt Rocco will resume being the starting quarterback. Rocco's inconsistency, particularly in a road loss to Kansas City two weeks ago, cost him the job against San Jose. Andrico Hines took over and performed well until a left-knee injury late in the second quarter knocked him out.

Rocco came off the bench and went 18-of-20 for 235 yards and seven touchdowns.

"Kurt's a professional, and he's handled the whole thing the way we thought he would," Thonn said. "We needed him to be ready against San Jose. He was prepared and did a great job."

Hines is out indefinitely. The Gladiators signed Troy Weatherhead to back up Rocco. The Gladiators also signed offensive lineman Rico Ochoa this week.

J.J. Hickson surprised but not shocked about trade to Kings

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J.J. Hickson was on his way to a workout in Las Vegas when he got a call from his agent, telling him the Cavaliers had traded him to the Sacramento Kings for Omri Casspi and a first-round draft choice. Hickson said the move wasn't a complete surprise -- his name has been mentioned in trade rumors for two years,...

J.J. Hickson was on his way to a workout in Las Vegas when he got a call from his agent, telling him the Cavaliers had traded him to the Sacramento Kings for Omri Casspi and a first-round draft choice.

Hickson said the move wasn't a complete surprise -- his name has been mentioned in trade rumors for two years, and the Cavs drafted power forward Tristan Thompson last week.

jjhickson.JPGView full sizeFormer Cav J.J. Hickson said the Kings are getting "a young, athletic big that's going to give it his all."


"I was surprised but I knew it was coming because they did draft a person in my position at a higher pick," he said in a conference call with reporters Thursday evening. "It's a part of the business. We've got to keep it moving and I'm glad to say I'm a King now.

"I'm not mad about it. I wish those guys the best of luck. We were like a family so I will stay in touch with those guys. . . . But life goes on and I'm happy to be a King right now. I'm glad it's over with so my name is not involved in trade rumors. I think the Kings did a good job picking up a young, athletic big that's going to give it his all."

Asked whether it was a relief to get out from under the "dark shadow" that covered Cleveland in the wake of LeBron James' departure, Hickson pointed out that the Cavs were without many more players than just James last season.

"We had a tough season last season," he said. "We were missing a lot of pieces. It's kind of relieving to get a fresh new start. I'm looking forward to meeting my new teammates. . . . We have a lot of good pieces on this team. We're young and athletic. It's going to be fun to see how it plays out this year."

Hickson said he doesn't really know many of his new teammates and said he likely would stay and work out in Las Vegas until the lockout ends.

But he was not shy when asked what he will bring to the Kings.

"Athleticism, excitement," he began. "I'm a big that likes to get up and down the floor. I run so it makes the guards push the ball even more. A low-post presence. Defensive rebounder. Offensive rebounder. A guy who's going to block shots and just make all the exciting plays."



Cleveland Indians: Projecting pitchers and hitters' stats to a full season

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Asdrubal Cabrera on pace for 76 extra-base hits, 107 runs, 96 RBI, 25 stolen bases. Fausto Carmona on pace for 8-21 record.

asdrubal-cabrera.jpgIndians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera is playing at an all-star level as the season nears its halfway point.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Indians, idle on Thursday, have played 79 of their 162-game schedule.

The Tribe is 42-37, a half game behind the first-place Detroit Tigers in the American League Central Division. Cleveland won 30 of its first 45 games, but is 12-22 since.

At their pace after 79 games, the Indians would finish with an 86-76 record, well beyond expectations for them as the season began.

The Indians, barring a rainout, will be at the halfway point of their schedule following Friday and Saturday's games against the Reds in Cincinnati.

Let's project what the full-season statistics will be for Indians players, based on their current numbers. Multiply the numbers by a shade more than 2.05, and the following is roughly a part of what you get:

Starting pitchers

Justin Masterson  10-12 with a 2.98 ERA, 154 strikeouts, 72 walks and just six home runs allowed in 216 innings.

Carlos Carrasco  16-8 with a 3.54 ERA, 123 strikeouts, just 47 walks and 14 homers in 193 innings.

Josh Tomlin  18-8 with a 3.86 ERA, 119 strikeouts, 29 homers and just 25 walks in 210 innings.

Fausto Carmona  8-21 with a 5.89 ERA, 125 strikeouts, 68 walks and 31 homers in 210 innings.

(We don't project stats for Mitch Talbot, who has returned to the rotation after being sidelined with an elbow strain and has made just nine starts; Alex White, sidelined by a sprained finger ligament after three starts; Jeanmar Gomez, now at Class AAA Columbus)

Relief pitchers

Chris Perez  68 games, 4-6 with 39 saves and a 2.37 ERA, allowing just 45 hits and two homers in 62 innings.

Joe Smith  57 games, 4-2 with a 1.03 ERA, allowing no homers in 54 innings.

Vinnie Pestano  65 games, 2-0 with a 1.52 ERA, with 82 strikeouts and allowing just 31 hits in 61 innings. 

Rafael Perez  74 games, 6-2 with a 1.65 ERA, allowing just 53 hits and no homers in 67 innings.

Tony Sipp  74 games, 6-2 with a 2.41 ERA, allowing just 35 hits in 69 innings, but 10 homers

Chad Durbin  57 games, 4-2 with a 6.68 ERA, with 57 strikeouts in 64 innings, but allowing 88 hits.

Frank Herrmann  29 games, 0-0 with a 5.06 ERA, with 39 strikeouts in 44 innings, but allowing 56 hits and eight homers.

Hitters

(We project stats for Travis Hafner, although he was sidelined with a strained oblique; for Grady Sizemore, although he was twice sidelined with knee problems; for Matt LaPorta, who is out with a sprained ankle; for Shin-Soo Choo, who is out for about two months after surgery for a broken thumb, but whose current stats give a fair indication of where his season was headed at his pace before the injury. We don't project stats for Lonnie Chisenhall, who has eight at bats, and Cord Phelps, who has 41 at bats)

Travis Hafner  .336, 275 at bats, 18 doubles, 14 homers, 39 runs, 59 RBI (one per every 4.66 at bats), 35 walks, 66 strikeouts.

Asdrubal Cabrera  .296, 664 at bats, 43 doubles, six triples, 27 homers, 107 runs, 96 RBI, 41 walks, 115 strikeouts, 25 stolen bases in 27 attempts.

Michael Brantley  .267, 599 at bats, 27 doubles, six triples, 10 homers, 86 runs, 59 RBI, 59 walks, 96 strikeouts, 18 stolen bases in 24 attempts.

Orlando Cabrera  .257, 527 at bats, 25 doubles, eight homers, 64 runs, 70 RBI, 21 walks, 66 strikeouts, 10 stolen bases in 12 attempts.

Shin-Soo Choo  .244, 545 at bats, 21 doubles, four triples, 10 homers, 62 runs, 57 RBI, 64 walks, 133 strikeouts, 23 stolen bases in 31 attempts.

Matt LaPorta  .242, 406 at bats, 21 doubles, two triples, 16 homers, 49 runs, 64 RBI, 35 walks, 96 strikeouts.

Carlos Santana  .226, 527 at bats, 29 doubles, 23 homers, 74 runs, 74 RBI, 111 walks, 125 strikeouts, six stolen bases in 10 attempts.

Grady Sizemore  .226, 381 at bats, 35 doubles, two triples, 14 homers, 47 runs, 41 RBI, 25 walks, 123 strikeouts, no stolen bases in four attempts.

(Sizemore's projected stats, more than any other player, are somewhat deceptive because of a quick start still having a large impact within relatively few at bats.

Sizemore hit six homers in his first 74 at bats; one in 112 at bats since. He had 17 hits in his first 45 at bats (.378) with 10 strikeouts. Since then, he is 25-for-141 (.177) with 50 strikeouts and nine walks). 

Jack Hannahan  .215, 439 at bats, 23 doubles, 10 homers, 53 runs, 43 RBI, 57 walks, 109 strikeouts.

Lou Marson  .245, 193 at bats, eight doubles, four triples, no homers, 14 runs, 14 RBI, 14 walks, 41 strikeouts.

Travis Buck  .241, 230 at bats, 16 doubles, four homers, 35 runs, 23 RBI, 12 walks, 41 strikeouts.

Shelley Duncan  .211, 185 at bats, 14 doubles, four homers, 16 runs, 35 RBI, eight walks, 55 strikeouts.

(Duncan's excellent rate of one RBI per every 5.29 at bats is due in large part to taking advantage of his situations as a pinch-hitter, going 4-for-7 with seven RBI. Otherwise, he has one RBI per every 8.3 at bats)

Austin Kearns  .194, 201 at bats, 10 doubles, two triples, no homers, 21 runs, four RBI, 18 walks, 74 strikeouts.

(Impressive numbers highlighted in bold; subpar numbers highlighted in italics [including some in both categories in a per inning or per at bat basis, and/or depending on the individual player's role]) 

Cleveland Cavaliers' trade for Omri Casspi thrills Jewish Clevelanders

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Jewish Clevelanders say 23-year-old Omri Casspi will be embraced by a Jewish community that has never found all three qualities in a single person -- Jewish, from Israel and a Cavalier.

tamir goodman.JPGView full sizeTamir Goodman of University Heights, shown above in 2000, has played against Omri Casspi and says he should be a good fit for the Cavaliers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — He's a Jew. He's from Israel. He's a Cavalier.

Jewish Clevelanders say 23-year-old Omri Casspi will be embraced by a Jewish community that has never found all three qualities in a single person.

The region's most accomplished Jewish basketball player says all the fans are in for a treat.

Tamir Goodman, famously referred to as the "Jewish Jordan" by Sports Illustrated while a high school sensation in the 1990s, played six pro seasons in Israel before retiring in 2009. He lives with his wife and three children in University Heights, coaches at a Jewish middle school in Beachwood and runs area basketball camps.

"I am very happy and excited for Omri , the Cavs, and the fans," Goodman said in an email. "I remember playing against him for the first time. I was already in my third pro season in Israel, and I think he was only 18 years old at the time. After seeing him play for just two minutes, I thought to myself that he is different, he is a very special player.

"His style of play is congruent with the Cavs' slogan of 'All For One and One for All.' " Goodman added. "He plays hard in the context of the team's game plan. He is also a great person!"

During a conference call Thursday, Casspi said he expects to be involved with the Jewish Community Center in Cleveland, but hadn't had time to think much about it.

"Everything went so fast. I just got traded. I haven't talked to the JCC yet," Casspi said. "Obviously I want to be a big part of it, as I've been in Sacramento and other areas of the United States. . . . I just can't wait to come to Cleveland and get to know my teammates, the organization -- obviously, the lockout changes things up -- but just get to know the city and the fans."

Anita Gray, a Cavs fan from Bratenahl and a Jewish community leader, predicts a new Jewish cheering section at The Q.

"Are you kidding? People are going to be thrilled," she said. "Many of us have affiliations with Israel," she explained. "My kids are there right now. We've got ties back and forth. It's exciting. We've never had an Israeli basketball player."

Plain Dealer reporter Mary Schmitt Boyer contributed to this report.

NBA lockout 2011: Cleveland Cavaliers' Antawn Jamison says players more unified than in 1998, when lockout led to shortened season

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Jamison was a rookie when the 1998-99 lockout reduced team schedules from 82 games to 50.

antawn-jamison.jpgCavaliers forward Antawn Jamison was a Golden State Warriors rookie during the long 1998-99 NBA lockout.

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Antawn Jamison was stunned in 1998 when he stumbled into the last NBA lockout as a rookie. He found the players disorganized, uninformed and unprepared for what lay ahead.

"You had guys saying one thing and you had other guys going behind their back and saying another thing," Jamison said. "The owners knew then they eventually would buckle."

Now one of the few players still active who experienced the last work stoppage, the Cleveland Cavaliers veteran forward senses a different atmosphere.

It's why just as the NBA was officially announcing Thursday night it was locking out its players, Jamison predicted the labor dispute will either be settled before games are missed -- or the entire season will be lost.

"I think in '98-99, we didn't think it would be a long, drawn out process," Jamison said after speaking to children at a school in his hometown. "Just the unity, the guys understanding what we're facing and what we're up against is totally different than what it was when I first got into the league."

Nearing the end of his career and due one of the largest salaries in the league next season -- about $15 million -- Jamison would have plenty to lose if next season is wiped out. But Jamison insists there's unity from the rookie draft picks to the league's stars.

"You've got the LeBron Jameses and the Dwyane Wades and all those guys who are really taking a stand and being a face of this movement," Jamison said. "I think back then we really didn't have the superstars that were together as the superstars are now. I think it's making a difference."

Jamison said the NBA Players Association is already setting up gyms around the country where players will be able to work out and get instruction and treatment. He said players are constantly getting updates from the union and there was a strong push that started "three or four years ago" to get players to save money and prepare for the worst.

"Let's be honest, there are going to be guys who did it and there are going to be guys who didn't," Jamison said. "You're going to hear stories about guys that didn't save their money and so forth, but I think collectively guys have done a good job being prepared for this lockout."

Jamison indicated that wasn't the case after he left North Carolina a year early and was the fourth overall pick in the draft before being traded to Golden State.

"You were on your own," Jamison said. "We weren't prepared for it and I didn't know what to do."

Jamison said he worked out at North Carolina, but when an agreement finally was reached in January, he wasn't prepared for the rushed start a 50-game season. It showed, as he averaged just 9.6 points before doubling that total in the full season that followed.

"It was probably the worst ever. I wasn't mentally prepared for it," Jamison said of his rookie year. "It was just one of those things that was a tough process and it definitely affected me throughout that season."

Jamison feels this labor dispute will be different, and insists players have the will to sit out an entire season instead of giving in to the owners' demands of salary rollbacks and a hard salary cap.

"I understand when they say they're losing money and so forth. I get that," Jamison said. "We said we'd give a certain amount of that money back. But some owners have to take the onus on themselves because they put themselves in a situation where they're overpaying for certain guys.

"We both have to look in the mirror and say, 'We both have to take responsibility for this.'"

 

 

Scott Barnes continues his superb pitching for the Clippers: Minor league report

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Lefty gives up one earned run on three hits in 7 1/3 innings for the win, making him 5-1 with 1.69 ERA in last eight starts. Aeros, Captains lose. Kinston, Scrappers win.

scott-barnes2.jpgScott Barnes pitching for the Akron Aeros late in the 2009 season.

MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT

AAA Columbus Clippers

Clippers 6, Mud Hens 2 LH Scott Barnes (7-2, 3.40) held Toledo to two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk, with five strikeouts, in 7 1/3 innings to lead the Clippers to an International League road win. Columbus RF Jerad Head (.303) slugged his 11th home run, a solo clout, and 2B Jason Kipnis (.301) keyed a four-run seventh inning with a two-run double. LH Nick Hagadone retired the final five Toledo batters, with two strikeouts.

Notes: Barnes is 5-1 with a 1.69 ERA in his last eight starts, striking out 55 in 48 innings. The Indians acquired Barnes from the San Francisco organization during the 2009 season, when they sent 1B Ryan Garko to the Giants.

AA Akron Aeros

SeaWolves 7, Aeros 3 LH starter Kelvin De La Cruz (4-6, 4.62) took the loss for Akron in the Eastern League game at Erie (Pa.), yielding five runs on eight hits while striking out eight and walking none. Aeros DH Jordan Henry (.281) was 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run, and LF Nick Weglarz (.218) was 2-for-4 with a double and run.

Notes: De La Cruz has 83 strikeouts in 74 innings. He had walked 51 going into the game. De La Cruz gave up just his second home run of the season, a two-run clout by Erie catcher Bryan Holaday.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Indians 1, Pelicans 0 RH Brett Brach (5-5, 2.80) held host Myrtle Beach (S.C.) to five hits — all singles — in eight innings to earn the Carolina League win for the Indians. Brach struck out three and walked none. Kinston scored in the top of the ninth inning when 3B Adam Abraham (.248) led off with a double, and pinch-runner Delvi Cid eventually scored on a single by DH Chase Burnette (.234). Kinston RH Jose Flores pitched the ninth inning for his second save.

Notes: LH Drew Pomeranz (2-2), the Cleveland Indians’ first pick and the fifth overall selection in the 2010 draft, leads the league with a 1.81 ERA. Pomeranz has struck out 81 and walked 27, holding opponents to a .201 batting average and one homer in 64 2/3 innings.

A Lake County Captains

Silver Hawks 4, Captains 2 Lake County LH starter Mike Rayl pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings, holding South Bend (Ind.) to two hits and no walks while fanning seven, but got a no-decision in the Midwest League game at Eastlake. 1B Jesus Aguilar (.284) slugged a two-run homer for the Captains in the sixth inning, but RH reliever Joey Mahalic (0-1, 7.27) took the loss by yielding all four Silver Hawks’ runs in the top of the eighth.

Notes: Rayl, who has a 5-2 record, lowered his ERA to 1.53.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Scrappers 7, Spikes 3 3B Jordan Smith (.324) drove in three runs with a two-run single and a groundout, 2B Todd Hankins (.262) singled home two runs and CF Cody Elliott (.245) was 3-for-4 with a run and RBI as the Scrappers earned a New York-Penn League win at State College (Pa.). RH Rob Nixon allowed three Spikes runs on six hits in six innings, before RH Will Krasne (1-0, 0.00) got the win by pitching a scoreless seventh inning.

Cleveland Indians manager Manny Acta switches up strategy for National League ballparks

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Manny Acta is no stranger to managing in the National League. He says the strategy of the senior circuit deals mainly with pitching -- how to use it, how to attack it and how to double-switch around it.

orlando cabrera.JPGView full sizeThe double switch worked well for the Indians on Monday when Orlando Cabrera, left, hit a home run in the ninth inning to give Cleveland the victory at Arizona.

Indians manager Manny Acta says it's all about pitching. He's talking about winning in the big leagues and managing under National League rules during interleague play.

Here are three examples to illustrate that from the Indians' three-game series against Arizona.

In the seventh inning of Monday night's opener, Acta inserted Orlando Cabrera at second base. Cabrera went into the lineup in the ninth spot, replacing reliever Joe Smith. Tony Sipp, the new reliever, went into the lineup in the second spot of the lineup that had been occupied by starting second baseman Cord Phelps.

It was a National League double switch.

"I did it to get rid of the pitcher [so he didn't have to bat] and to get Orlando's defense in the game at second base," said Acta.

There was a bonus as well. In the ninth inning, Cabrera hit a game-winning homer off Arizona closer J.J. Putz for a 5-4 victory.

"Manny knew I had good numbers against Putz," said Cabrera after the game.

In Tuesday's 6-4 loss to the Diamondbacks, Acta let lefty Sipp face right-hander Wily Mo Pena with two out and one on in the ninth inning with the score tied, 4-4. Right-hander Vinnie Pestano was unavailable because he had thrown 32 pitches Monday night. Still, righties Chad Durbin and Frank Herrmann were in the pen or Acta could have intentionally walked Pena with first base open to face lefty Kelly Johnson.

Acta stayed with Sipp and watched Pena hit a game-winning homer on an 0-1 pitch. He still felt it was the right move. Right-handers are hitting .187 (14-for-75) against Sipp this year and .202 (53-for-263) over the last three years. Acta pointed out after the game that Johnson has hit .305 against lefties over the past three years.

"I was walking out to the bullpen the next day and a fan asked me why I let Sipp face Pena," said Acta. "I told him and he said, 'Hey, that's a pretty good reason.' But I'm sure he was cussing me out the night before."

In Wednesday's 6-2 victory, Acta let starter Carlos Carrasco bat with the bases loaded in the sixth inning, even though Travis Hafner was available. There were two out and Carrasco was pitching well, but the Indians held only a 4-2 lead.

Carrasco struck out, but he pitched a scoreless seventh inning, which was what Acta wanted because the bullpen needed a rest.

Acta is well-versed in the NL. He came up as a player, manager and coach with Houston. He coached in the big leagues with Montreal and the Mets before managing the Nationals for 2 1/2 seasons.

"I think the strategy and approach is different more than anything else," said Acta, about managing pitchers in the American and National leagues. "It has to be different because you can't approach an eighth hitter in the NL the same way you approach an eighth hitter in the AL. It changes the whole thing.

"Actually the way you start pitching to hitters starts with the seventh hitter. You start to anticipate how many outs you have when the eighth hitter comes up. Can you push the envelope until you can get to the pitcher?"

The second-guess is as big a part of baseball as double plays. In the NL, there is more opportunity for it because there is more strategy.

"You can second-guess anything," said Acta. "Wily Mo Pena has been out of the big leagues for the last three years. He played independent baseball the last three years. So now all of a sudden Tony Sipp can't pitch to him [because he's a lefty]?

"Lefty and righty? Who cares about lefty-righty? Do I take Chris Perez out in the ninth inning when they sent a left-handed hitter up there?"

Acta compares managing in the NL and AL this way: "A lot of people love the strategy that comes with the NL. The bunting with the pitcher. Pitching around the eighth hitter. Walking two guys in a row just to get one easy out with the pitcher. It brings a little more to the table.

"In the AL, you just sit back and wait for the pitcher to get hammered and then you take him out of the game."

The Indians will end interleague play this weekend at Great American Ballpark. After going 5-13 against the NL last year, the Indians are 9-6.

Testing, testing: First baseman Matt LaPorta won't take batting practice this weekend in Cincinnati. He was scheduled to test the sprained right ankle that put him on the disabled list on June 18, but the ankle isn't as far along as the Indians thought it would be at this point.

LaPorta, scheduled to be activated Monday, isn't expected to take BP until next week.

Comeback trail: Center fielder Grady Sizemore is hitting .185 (20-for-108) since he came off the disabled list on May 27. He had some issues in center field on Monday and Tuesday against the Diamondbacks.

"It would be foolish for everyone of us to think he's 100 percent," said Acta. "Check out Carlos Beltran with the Mets. Grady is coming back from microfracture surgery. That's why we're still monitoring his playing time.

"He's done well. He's caught some good balls at home."

Acta has no plans to give Sizemore more rest.

"You guys know him better than me. Unless he's half-dead, he wants to be out there and he'll be out there," said Acta, "as long as he's ready."

Finally: Infielder Adam Everett, designated for assignment when the Indians promoted Lonnie Chisenhall from Class AAA Columbus on Monday, cleared waivers Thursday and was released. . . . Columbus manager Mike Sarbaugh has been named manager for the Class AAA All-Star Game on July 13 in Salt Lake City. Sarbaugh will manage the International League All-Stars against the Pacific League All-Stars. Clippers making the team include Jason Kipnis, Luis Valbuena, Zach McAllister and Jeanmar Gomez. The Clippers' 54 victories are the most in professional baseball, including the big leagues. . . . Former big-league catcher Michel Hernandez, 33, has signed a minor-league deal and will report to Class AA Akron. Hernandez has played 931 games in the minors. He appeared in the big leagues with the Yankees in 2003 and the Rays in 2009.

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

On Twitter: @hoynsie

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