See results from all the baseball, basketball and soccer games played Thursday.

View full sizeThomas Ondrey/The Plain DealerLuke Brazier, starting pitcher of the Australian U14 baseball team Victorian Kangaroos, listens to assistant coach Tom Stewart before a Thursday game at Gilmour Academy. Th Kangaroos lost to Post 83 Jrs., 12-1.

Here are the Continental Cup results for games played Thursday. The youth sports tournament continues through Sunday.

Baseball

U12 Boys:

Hudson Explorers 11, Diamond Dawgs 4

New Era Welland 5, Triway Titans Express 8

Revlution Baseball 6, Wadsworth Grizzlies 16

Hiram Hilltoppers 4, Solon Chargers 11

Diamond Dawgs 6, North York Blues 3

Triway Titans Express 3, Diamond Boys 8

Solon Chargers 12, New Era Welland 3

Wadsworth Grizzlies 7. Hudson Explorers 2

Diamond Boys 9, Hiram Hilltoppers 2

North York Blues 6, Revolution Baseball 9

U14 Boys:

Warrior Baseball 2, Coach Tony's 3

Euclid Pony All-Stars1, Bombers Baseball 9

Diamond Boys 0, Post 83 Jrs 8

North York Blues 5, Willoughby Wildcats 5

Olentangy Blue Lightning 5, Quad City Hitmen 1

Marion Merchants 1, Arena Starz 11

Coach Tony's 10, Medina Sting 2

Bombers Baseball 3, Mentor Cardinals 7

Post 83 Jrs. 12, Victorian Kangaroos 1

Quad City Hitmen 17, Euclid Pony All-Stars 0

Willoughby Wildcats 12, Warrior Baseball 7

Arena Starz 16, Diamond Boys 1

Mentor Cardinals 4, Olentangy Blue Lightning 8

Medina Sting 2, North York Blues 6

Victorian Kangaroos 3, Marion Merchants 9

Basketball

U18 Girls:

Lenawee Magic 59, Singapore Comets 44

St. Joe's Academy 51, Lake Ridge 74

Magnificat 62, Ottawa Next Girls 31

U18 Boys:

Grammar School Cyprus 35, Waukee High School 69

Youngbloods, UK 42, The ROC 60

St. Lucia 46, Toronto Knights 48

The ROC 57, Born 2 Hoop 50

Kenya B Team 24, Durham City Bulldogs 110

Waukee High Schools 63, St. Ignatius 53

Soccer

Click here to see all of Thursday's soccer scores.

Starting Blocks TV is getting an early jump on the holiday weekend, and will continue celebrating early into next week. Accordingly, there will not be a five-minute Web video show Friday or Monday.

Starting Blocks TV is getting an early jump on the holiday weekend, and will continue celebrating early into next week. Accordingly, there will not be a five-minute Web video show Friday or Monday. Look for Starting Blocks TV to return on Tuesday.

Click here to watch previous shows.

An introductory news conference is planned for today at 3 p.m.

View full sizeThomas Ondrey/The Plain DealerCleveland Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant, left, and new head coach Byron Scott share a laugh during Friday's introductory news conference at the team's practice facility in Independence.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cavaliers confirmed the hiring of Byron Scott as their new coach this morning, General Manager Chris Grant announced. A news conference is planned for today at 3 p.m.

"Byron's combination of high-level success and depth of experience, both as a head coach and as a player, is a tremendous asset for our organization," Grant said in a statement. "He is a strong leader with a proven track record of winning in both the regular season and the playoffs. We're confident Coach Scott will positively impact the strong culture we have put in place here in Cleveland over the past five years."

Scott, 49, has 10 years of head coaching experience in the NBA, starting in the 2000-01 season.

He coached the New Jersey Nets to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in his second and third seasons.

After four seasons with New Jersey, Scott was hired by the New Orleans Hornets. He was named coach of the year in the 2007-08 season after leading the Hornets to a franchise record 56 wins and an appearance in the Western Conference semifinals.

"I want to thank Chris Grant and Dan Gilbert and the entire ownership group for this great opportunity," Scott said in a statement. "In meeting with Dan and Chris I could tell they have a solid team and family approach to everything and that really impressed me. The deeper we got into these discussions, the better I felt about the situation. This is a great job and an impressive organization and I am very happy to be a part of it.

"Everything about it just felt like a really good fit for both me and the team. I am anxious to get going and to build on the success the Cavaliers have experienced in recent years."

Scott played in the NBA for 14 years, including three championship seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.

"Replace Hafner and Peralta with Chisenhall and Goedert and the element of 'something new and exciting could happen at the ballpark today' is enhanced even more. Congrats to the Tribe for suddenly becoming watchable. I like it." - spIndianFever

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerSome Indians fans are ready to see players like Lonnie Chisenhall at the big league level.

In response to the story Indians cruise to fifth straight victory, cleveland.com reader spIndianFever wants to see even more youngsters with the Indians. This reader writes,

"Replace Hafner and Peralta with Chisenhall and Goedert and the element of 'something new and exciting could happen at the ballpark today' is enhanced even more. Congrats to the Tribe for suddenly becoming watchable. I like it."

LeBron James recruiting continues as Miami coach Pat Riley has some rings to show the King.

Updated at 2:35 p.m with more details from Heat and Clippers visits.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerLeBron James makes his way through the IMG building to talk with the Miami Heat Friday, July 2, 2010 in Cleveland.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Day Two of the LeBron James pitch meetings are in effect, albeit with less fanfare.

The Miami Heat, the team with the most salary-cap space at around $43 million, was the first to meet with James on Friday. The presentation lasted nearly three hours, the longest of the chats James has hosted including meetings with the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets.

As Heat executives were leaving Friday afternoon, the Los Angeles Clippers arrived and were scheduled to be the last pitch of the day. The Chicago Bulls and Cavaliers are expected to meet with James on Saturday.

The Heat team was led by president Pat Riley plus billionaire owner and cruise ship magnate Micky Arison, head coach Erik Spoelstra and former star Alonzo Mourning. Nobody from the group commented as they exited the meeting.

As the Miami group left, they exchanged pleasantries and jokes with Clippers executives Andy Roeser and Neil Olshey in a hallway.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter/The Plain DealerLos Angeles Clippers executives Neil Olshey and Andy Roeser walk through the IMG building to talk with LeBron James on Friday.

While Olshey joked with Riley that he might get fined for going over his allotted time, the Clippers had the smallest contingent of the teams to meet with James and none of the heavy presentation gear other teams brought along.

Team owner Donald Sterling did not make the trip, the first team owner not to meet with James.

The Heat advance team was led by capologist Andy Elisburg, who arrived nearly 90 minutes before the 11 a.m. meeting to set up Miami's presentation. The most low profile on the team, Elisburg may have the toughest sell because the Heat's plan to is attempt to re-sign Dwyane Wade and then add James and Chris Bosh. The Heat met with Bosh on Thursday in Chicago.

If the three stars were to split the Heat's current cap space, James would potentially leave around $38 million on the table vs. the max he could sign with the Cavs. That is expected to be the largest impediment to signing the three stars, though the Heat is hoping to execute a sign-and-trade to pay them all the max.

Riley has hinted he might return to the sidelines as coach this season if it would help entice free agents to join the Heat.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerPat Riley makes his way through the IMG building in Cleveland to talk with LeBron James.

According to a source, Riley had planned to bring some or all of his seven title rings, five he won as head coach of the Lakers and Heat.

At about 10:20 a.m., the Heat's leadership arrived and prepared while waiting nearly 40 minutes for James. James arrived at his downtown offices just before 11 a.m., wearing shorts and a T-shirt with a backpack.

"Depth, depth and more depth. Would love to see OSU throw more to their tight ends. They'd produce more and open up other areas of the offense." - revkume

View full sizeMarvin Fong | The Plain Dealer Jim Tressel's 2011 recruiting class is shaping up as one of the best in the country.

In response to the story Tight end Nick Vannett becomes 16th pledge to Ohio State's 2011 recruiting class, cleveland.com reader revkume would like to see Ohio State use their tight ends more. This reader writes,

"Depth, depth and more depth. Would love to see OSU throw more to their tight ends. They'd produce more and open up other areas of the offense."

Soccer's perennial World Cup underachievers from the Netherlands knocked off mighty Brazil on Friday, stamping the Dutch as a strong contender to finally win that elusive title.

View full sizeAP Photo | Schalk van ZuydamNetherlands' Wesley Sneijder, second from right, celebrates after scoring the winning goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Brazil at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (AP) — Soccer's perennial World Cup underachievers from the Netherlands knocked off mighty Brazil on Friday, stamping the Dutch as a strong contender to finally win that elusive title.

Wesley Sneijder, one of the shortest players on the field, scored in the 68th minute on a header for a stunning 2-1 quarterfinals win over the five-time champions. Brazil, which also went out in this round four years ago against France, lost its composure after falling behind, and defender Felipe Melo was ejected in the 73rd minute.

The Dutch made the championship match in 1974 and '78, lost both, and rarely have lived up to their talent in other World Cups. They did this time, helped by an own goal off the head of unfortunate Felipe Melo that brought them into a 1-1 tie in the 53rd.

Robinho gave the Brazilians the lead on Felipe Melo's brilliant low pass up the middle of the field that the striker put home with a low shot.

But soon, the Dutch took control, and the end of the match presented the unusual sight of the Brazilians scrambling wildly to find an equalizer.

It never came.

Instead, it was the Oranje and their fans doing the dancing.

After scoring, Sneijder sprinted around the field, tapping the front of his head, then ran to a TV camera and tapped the lens. He was in the middle of all the postgame celebrating, too, as his teammates swarmed him when the final whistle blew.

A few yards away, several Brazilian players lay on the turf, bewildered and beaten.

"It's the same stuff every year from Browns' minicamp: 'So-and-so looks so improved' and 'Whats-his-name looks to be a steal.' We heard the same stuff about Derek Anderson in 2008 and 2009 only to see him flop when they started playing games that mattered. Until proven otherwise in the regular season, Delhomme is still a 35-year-old quarterback on the downside of his career who chucked 18 interceptions last year and Robiskie and Veikune are 2nd round busts." - mkeogh

View full sizeThe Plain DealerSome Browns are excited to have Jake Delhomme starting at quarterback. Others, not so much.

In response to the story Terry Pluto's Talkin' ... about an emerging young Brown, the clear No. 1 QB and why the Tribe had to deal Russell Branyan, cleveland.com reader mkeogh isn't as optimistic as some Browns fans. This reader writes,

"It's the same stuff every year from Browns' minicamp: 'So-and-so looks so improved' and 'Whats-his-name looks to be a steal.' We heard the same stuff about Derek Anderson in 2008 and 2009 only to see him flop when they started playing games that mattered. Until proven otherwise in the regular season, Delhomme is still a 35-year-old quarterback on the downside of his career who chucked 18 interceptions last year and Robiskie and Veikune are 2nd round busts."

The star offensive lineman from Minnesota also considered Ohio State and Miami before choosing the Trojans.

So the recruiting, or re-recruiting, of Seantrel Henderson is back on.

New USC coach Lane Kiffin used the word "re-recruit" while telling the Los Angeles Times that offensive lineman Henderson, the top-rated recruit in the Class of 2010, did not show up with the rest of the USC incoming freshmen this week.

Kiffin is confident that Henderson will still wind up at Southern California, but for now, Henderson is home in Minneapolis, at least thinking about a future somewhere else.

Rivals.comSeantrel Henderson

Miami and Ohio State, in that order, were Henderson's next options after USC. Henderson didn't initially sign a binding National Letter of Intent with USC, wary of possible sanctions, but eventually the left tackle signed on the dotted line, and now he would have to sit out a season if leaving for another school, unless the Trojans release him from his letter.

That doesn't seem to be in the Trojans' plans. But a source close to the situation said the Hendersons did not believe that the USC sanctions would be this severe, with large scholarship losses in future classes as well as a two-year bowl ban.

This could end simply, with Henderson eventually deciding that USC is the place for him, regardless of the sanctions. But this remains worth watching to see if the Hendersons decide to push the issue, asking to be released from the letter of intent, and how USC responds.

"I hope in the end Seantrel sees what every other freshman in this class has," Kiffin told the Times, "that one or two games isn't why you choose a university. They didn't come to SC because of a bowl game the first or second year. They came here because of the education; they came here because of the football program."

If LeBron James wants Amar'e Stoudemire as his wing man, he'll most likely have to choose the Knicks.

Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesThe Suns' Amar'e Stoudemire is close to signing a deal with the Knicks, Yahoo! Sports reported.

Yahoo! Sports is reporting Stoudemire and the Knicks are close to a five-year, $100 million max contract and a deal could be completed as soon as today.

Stoudemire's career with the Suns came to an end earlier Friday when Phoenix agreed to a four-year, $18 million deal with Hakim Warrick.

If James won't join Stoudemire in the Big Apple, maybe Dwyane Wade will. After meeting with the Knicks for two hours and 15 minutes, Wade told the New York Daily News, "It was a real good meeting. I will say, 'I'm intrigued.'"

Chris Bosh met with the Knicks immediately after Wade.

Meanwhile another Chris, Chris Paul, continued to put pressure on the Hornets, telling The Times-Picayune, "I want to win now... I would love for us to be very active in free agency because there are some players out there."

Paul told ESPN earlier he would be open to a trade and is close with new Cavaliers coach Byron Scott.

And finally another Paul, Paul Pierce, is off the free-agent market. The Boston Herald is reporting Pierce will remain with the Celtics after agreeing to a four year, $61-million deal.

CLEVELAND ---- LeBron James got a close look at what has eluded him during his seven years in the NBA. And Miami Heat President Pat Riley, who met with James and his group on Friday, easily obliged. "These people [James and his group] need to see who we are," said Riley at his hotel, shortly after his session with...

David J. Phillip/Associated PressPat Riley celebrated the 2006 NBA title with Shaq in Miami.

CLEVELAND ---- LeBron James got a close look at what has eluded him during his seven years in the NBA. And Miami Heat President Pat Riley, who met with James and his group on Friday, easily obliged.

"These people [James and his group] need to see who we are," said Riley at his hotel, shortly after his session with James. "They need to see me, Andy [Elisburg], Zo [Alonzo Mourning], Spo [coach Erik Spoelsra], Mickey [Arison] and Nick [Arison] --- and the rings."

Riley has won five NBA titles as a coach. His last with the Miami Heat in 2006.

Riley and his Heat contingent of owner Micky Arison, Senior Vice President Andy Elisburg, VP of Basketball Operations Nick Arison, VP of Player Programs Mourning and coach Spoelstra arrived at James' office in two black SUVs at 10:30 a.m. and left at 1:50 p.m.

It was the longest meeting with James by any team so far. Riley also met with James' agent, Leon Rose, the night before.  
 
"The meeting was very relaxed," said Riley, who left the meeting cautiously optimistic. "We all know him."

Riley, along with the Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks, hope to know James a little better after this free agency recruiting process.

Riley hopes to team Dwyane Wade with another superstar like James, Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer and or Amare Stoudemire.

James is scheduled to meet with the Bulls and Cavaliers on Saturday.

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio - Strongsville incoming senior Ray Hamilton had 32 written scholarship offers from colleges across the country, and from all the major conferences. On Thursday, the 6-5, 240-pound tight end made his pick from his final four, giving a nonbinding oral commitment to Iowa.

Strongsville tight end Ray Hamilton caught 28 passes for 376 yards and five touchdowns last fall.



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(PD file)

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio - Strongsville incoming senior Ray Hamilton had 32 written scholarship offers from colleges across the country, and from all the major conferences.

On Thursday, the 6-5, 240-pound tight end made his pick from his final four, giving a nonbinding oral commitment to Iowa.

His other finalists were UCLA, Florida State and North Carolina.

"One of the big things that swayed him is every tight end that Kirk Ferentz has coached in his 11 years [at Iowa] has been drafted in the NFL," Strongsville coach Russ Jacques said.

Hamilton, who also is a standout forward on the basketball team, caught 28 passes for 376 yards and five touchdowns last fall. He missed three weeks with knee sprain.

Hamilton has a three-star rating from Rivals.com.

Who should LeBron listen to? Pat Riley, the ringmaster? Or Dorothy Gale from "The Wizard of Oz?"

View full sizeLynne Sladky / Associated PressPat Riley: just another guy with a lot of flashy jewelry.

Byron Scott wants LeBron James to know the Cavs will run and up-tempo offense.

Thomas Ondrey, The Plain DealerCleveland Cavaliers new head coach Byron Scott was officially welcomed at a news conference Friday at the Cleveland Clinics Courts practice facility in Independence.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Byron Scott has played and coached a lot of places in his NBA career that stretches back 27 years. But there are a few core values from his Los Angeles home that apply directly to his new job in Cleveland as head coach of the Cavaliers.

One is personal and the other is basketball strategy, but they both apply to the Cavs and especially LeBron James.

Scott is a Showtime-era Laker, the 1980s-era up-tempo squads that put up lots of points and owned the NBA. The other is that he's a three-time champion who won his rings in his hometown, literally, as he grew up a short distance from where the Lakers used to play in Inglewood, Calif.

Scott, who signed a four-year contract for about $18 million depending on bonuses with the Cavs on Friday, wants to pass both to James and the Cavs.

"There's nothing like winning at home, I won three titles in my hometown and there's not a better feeling," Scott said after he was introduced as Cavs coach Friday at Cleveland Clinic Courts.

"My last 5-6 years (of coaching), I used a Princeton (offense) style but I can't let go of my roots. We're going to be a running team, I think it is something that we can do."

The Cavs did like Scott's background as being a winner on numerous teams as a player and coach and his ability to communicate with star players and role players alike. Cavs general manager Chris Grant said the team also appreciated his defensive background, which was a result of having been schooled by Pat Riley.

But the message that Scott made clear is that he wants to run. Over the last five years the Cavs have been a defense-first and it has often come at the expense of offensive development. Scott seems to want to change that and incorporate James' talents more.

"We know how great of a basketball player he is and I think he has room to grow," Scott said. "He has a high ceiling and that ceiling has not been tapped."

Scott said the last few weeks have been interesting and that he thought earlier this week that he had lost out to Lakers assistant Brian Shaw for the job. But he said he was excited when the Cavs called back.

"I thought this was a home run for me," Scott said. "To be put in this situation with a team that has a chance to win right away."

Scott has already hired Paul Pressey to be his lead assistant, filling the same role Pressey did for Scott when both were with the New Orleans Hornets. He said he's still working on the rest of the staff.

"I think this team is right there, right now," Scott said. "I think this is the right time and I'm the right coach to get to a championship."

 

Sebastian Abreu converts the final penalty for Uruguay as it reaches World Cup semifinals for the first time since 1970

View full sizeAssociated PressGhana's John Mensah, right, heads the ball as Uruguay's Sebastian Abreu, left, and Ghana's John Pantsil look on during a World Cup quarterfinal. Uruguay won on penalty kicks, with Abreu converting the final attempt.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - Uruguay reached the World Cup semifinals for the first time since 1970, beating Ghana 4-2 in a penalty shootout Friday after the teams played to a 1-1 draw.

Sebastian Abreu hit the final penalty for Uruguay.

Sulley Muntari gave Ghana the lead with a 35-yard left-footed strike seconds before halftime at Soccer City, but Diego Forlan tied the game on a free kick in the 55th minute

Asamoah Gyan had a chance to win the match for Ghana in extra time, but he hit the crossbar with a penalty after Luis Suarez was ejected for a hand ball on the goal line.

Uruguay will play the Netherlands in the semifinals on Tuesday in Cape Town.

Watch live video from FoxSportsOhio.com as the Cavaliers introduce their new head coach Byron Scott

Watch video from The Plain Dealer as Byron Scott was introduced as the Cavaliers new head coach. Cavs General Manager Chris Grant also answered questions about the team's meeting with free agent LeBron James on Saturday.

New coach Byron Scott must get his message across to LeBron James when the Cavaliers meet with the free agent, Terry Pluto writes.

Scribbles while thinking about new Cavs coach Byron Scott . . .

Thomas Ondrey / The Plain DealerNew coach Byron Scott has a vision for the Cavaliers and he must sell that plan to LeBron James when they meet with the free agent on Saturday.

1. By LeBron James telling teams interested in signing him that they must come to Cleveland for their meetings, he seems to be sending them this message: "This is my hometown. I like it here. I'm comfortable here. It's going to take a lot to get me to leave."

2. Of course, I have no idea whether James said anything close to that. But he wisely dumped the idea of traveling to the various cities to be romanced by the Knicks on Broadway. Or the Bulls on the shores of Lake Michigan. Or the Heat on South Beach. Based on his T-shirt and sweatpants attire, he seems to be taking a very casual approach to this major decision. James is paying attention to everything said, but he certainly isn't acting like a guy looking for a reason to sign elsewhere.

3. When the Cavs and James meet today, it will be critical for new coach Byron Scott to sell James on what it means to win a championship in your home town. Scott grew up in Inglewood, Calif., not far from the old Forum where he was a member of three title teams with the Lakers. At his press conference, Scott talked about "his legacy" of winning a title at home, and how it can be so special to James.

4. Scott needs to assure James that he does seriously consider suggestions from key players. At his news conference, Scott wisely admitted he was part of the problem in New Jersey when he "bumped heads" with former Nets star Jason Kidd, also a friend of James. Scott said that players not only need "a kick in the butt," but that he has since learned to "give them a hug."

5. When the Cavs talked about Scott's "leadership and presence," you could see it at the news conference. He comes to town with 10 years of head coaching experience, two trips to the The Finals as a coach in New Jersey and three championship rings as a guard with the "Showtime" Lakers. He talk about being "old school . . . a Pat Riley [type coach]. . . . Defense wins championships." But he said he's added some "new school" over the years. He will be far more old school than what the Cavs have had in the past, and that probably is a change that's needed.

Bill Kostroun / Associated PressNew Orleans' Chris Paul, one of LeBron James' good friends, credits Byron Scott with helping him develop into one of the NBA's top point guards.

6. Scott heads into the meeting with James saying that friends insist the two-time MVP "wants to be coached and pushed." Scott said he will do just that. He does not have a previous relationship with James, but they both are close to Chris Paul. The Hornets' point guard is a fan of Scott, and had credited Scott with helping him grow as a player. Scott will talk about how Magic Johnson led the Lakers, and James can do that in a new, up-tempo offense that Scott plans to install "from Day One" of training camp.

7. In New Orleans, Scott's teams did not rank in the top 50 percent in fast-break points. Neither did the Cavs. So it will take a change in approach for Scott if the Cavs do indeed run. Scott does seem to want to put the ball in the hands of James, and let him ignite the offense.

8. Scott also said James may have "more talent" than Kobe Bryant, but Bryant has "five [championship] rings." He added that the difference is Bryant also had "more talent around him." Left unsaid is that Bryant also has had a confident coach in Phil Jackson who makes demands on the Lakers' star. When Bryant was a young player, Scott was brought back to the Lakers for the final year of his career (1996-97) to help mentor Bryant.

Byron Scott inherits a Cavaliers team that lost its way, in part because superstar LeBron James blazed new trails in apathy and denial. Can the new coach with the impressive record (three NBA championships as a player, two Finals appearances as a head coach) fill the void?

Thomas Ondrey/The Plain DealerCavaliers GM Chris Grant introduces the team's new head coach Byron Scott at a press conference on Friday.

Independence, Ohio -- Byron Scott inherits a Cavaliers team that lost its way, in part because superstar LeBron James blazed new trails in apathy and denial. 

Can the new coach with the impressive record (three NBA championships as a player, two Finals appearances as a head coach) fill the void? 

Scott said Friday at his meet-and-greet with the media that he's "Old School" enough to do just that after playing for the demanding Pat Riley with the "Showtime" Lakers. Riley's need to win and his blunt appraisal of players' flaws are both pronounced. 

Scott said he learned from his mistakes in his confrontational relationship with Jason Kidd in New Jersey and is now "New School" enough to "make players productive on the floor without losing myself." 

He also said most superstars want to be coached and pushed to their limits. He even offered the opinion that James, without a ring on a single finger, is more talented than the Lakers' Kobe Bryant, who now has a handful. 

No debate on that here. 

The difference is in the quality of James' supporting cast, in part, and in his own inner drive. 

The Cavs' season ended with a shrug when the players, the young King included, let the Celtics run out the clock in the last two minutes of the sixth game. 

The math against them was formidable, but not impossible. An epidemic of missed free throws has happened before. With so many hopes and dreams on the line, it was almost inconceivable that they would simply give the game up and not foul. 

At one point, doomed coach Mike Brown leaped off the bench, clapping his hands angrily, demanding, pleading, imploring and, by the end, almost begging his players to foul. 

"Him again?" the players might as well have said. 

Brown trudged back to the bench, ignored again, which maybe beat being openly contradicted in tone by James, but not by much. 

Anyway, "New School" was out. So much for the "partnership" between Brown and LeBron James. So much for James "allowing me to coach him," as Brown often said. If Brown was any kind of partner at all by the end to the season, he was a silent one. 

A firmer hand is what Scott seems to promise, and it is also what is needed at this time. No franchise in the league has given more latitude to a player than this one has to James and his "team," to use the unwittingly insulting term he employs for his posse. 

Some will excuse it as a slip of the tongue. But while this may sound very retro, his team is the Cavaliers. Not Nike, not the LRMR sports agency, not the guys from the 'hood. 

It would probably be good for James to be around a franchise authority figure who does not bow before him. Someone who has been to the summit of the game, not once but three times, someone who knows what it takes to get there. Someone who can challenge his stunning view that his lack of leadership amounted only to "three bad games in seven years." 

"I think you have to give Boston some credit," said Scott, who cited Detroit's inability in his playing era to get past Boston, and Chicago's inability to get past Detroit. 

It is true, in part. The Celtics played very well. It is also true that the Cavs could not get past the obstacle of their own lack of passion. 

"This team is knocking on the door. It is ready to win it all," said Scott. 

That is true of course only with James.

We have always been told that LeBron James was given so much so soon, more than anyone else ever. Scott's biggest, happiest challenge might become that of giving him what he lacks.

Athletics lead Indians, 3-0, through six innings tonight at Progressive Field.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- This is a daily briefing of the Indians' 2010 regular season. The Tribe plays host to the Athletics tonight in the first of a three-game series at Progressive Field.

Pitching matchup: Indians RHP Mitch Talbot (8-6, 3.88 ERA) vs. Athletics LHP Gio Gonzalez (6-5, 3.74).

In-game updates:

The Athletics led the Indians, 3-0, through six innings.

Gonzalez gave up four hits and walked four.

The Tribe's only hit through five was an infield single by Jayson Nix in the fourth. Third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff dived to his left to smother Nix's sharp grounder, hopped to his feet and threw wide of first. Daric Barton was forced to leave the bag to catch it. An on-target throw would have gotten Nix, but the effort Kouzmanoff had made to stop the ball gave official scorer Chuck Murr the leeway to rule hit.

Oakland took the lead in the first.

Former Indian Coco Crisp led off with a seemingly innocuous grounder to short. Jason Donald mishandled it.

Daric Barton singled, Crisp advancing to second. Former Indians prospect Kevin Kouzmanoff struck out swinging at a 76-mph pitch.

Kurt Suzuki ripped a one-hopper up the middle, where Donald laid out to snare the ball and flip to second baseman Jayson Nix. Suzuki barely beat the relay.

Talbot walked Ryan Sweeney to load the bases and Jack Cust to drive in a run. The fourth ball to Cust just missed off the outside corner.

Pitching coach Tim Belcher visited the mound. Talbot had thrown 27 pitches.

Talbot bowed his neck and retired Mark Ellis on a foul fly to right, Shin-Soo Choo doing a good job of getting to the spot and setting himself at the railing.

Gonzalez did not allow a hit. He walked four, including back-to-back batters in the second and third. In the second, the wildness happened with two outs. Mike Redmond flied out. In the third, it happened with one out. Carlos Santana struck out looking and Austin Kearns flied out.

The Athletics knocked out Talbot in the sixth.

With one out, Suzuki had an infield single to third. An exceptional play was required by Jhonny Peralta.

Suzuki moved to second on Sweeney's single. Cust walked for the third time, the fourth ball coming on Talbot's 99th pitch.

Ellis made him pay on No. 100, lining a two-run double to left-center for a 3-0 cushion. Talbot's fastball veered into Ellis's swing plane.

Tony Sipp relieved and eventually escaped a bases-loaded jam with a strikeout.

In the Tribe's half of the sixth, Jhonny Peralta, Matt LaPorta and Jayson Nix singled with two outs to load the bases. Redmond grounded out to right field.

Yes, Redmond grounded to right. Sweeney made the one-hop pick and threw out Redmond by a step.

Pregame notes:

Indians shortstop Jason Donald blamed himself for hurting Justin Masterson's chances for a shutout Thursday afternoon against the Toronto Blue Jays.

 The Indians won, 6-1, to complete a four-game sweep. Masterson pitched 8 1/3 innings to earn the victory. Nobody in Tribe quarters was complaining, but Donald felt bad.

 With one out and Jose Bautista on second in a 6-0 game, Adam Lind grounded to Donald. Instead of making the routine play at first for the second out, Donald threw to third baseman Andy Marte. Bautista easily beat the tag.

 Aaron Hill followed with an RBI single. Lyle Overbay singled, sending Masterson to the dugout. Frank Herrmann relieved and got Jose Molina to ground into a double play.

 "I made a dumb play,'' Donald said Friday afternoon. "I was thinking first all the way, then I saw him cross my sight and went to throw it over there. It was a lapse in judgment. I'm going to learn from it and move on.''

 Donald, who will play in his 38th major-league game tonight against Oakland, said he spoke with Masterson in the aftermath.

 "I apologized to him because I thought I cost him the shutout,'' Donald said. "I told him: 'My bad -- dumb decision.' He was great about it. He said I didn't cost him the shutout. He said it didn't matter. But I think that's just Justin being a nice guy.''

 Indians manager Manny Acta is confident Donald will be better for the experience.

 "He made a mistake,'' Acta said. "He understands. We're up by six runs, there's already one out, you get the second out at first base. Don't take any chances.''

 Cab fare: Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera fielded grounders effortlessly and did some light sprinting in the afternoon. Cabrera has been on the disabled list since May 18 because of a fractured left forearm. He underwent surgery May 19.

 Acta said Cabrera has begun taking "dry'' swings and likely will travel to St. Petersburg, Fla., when the Indians play the Tampa Bay Rays next Thursday through Sunday.

 "He will intensify his workouts,'' Acta said. "From there, we'll look into rehab.''

 He's back: Catcher Mike Redmond started at catcher and batted eighth. Carlos Santana was the designated hitter and batted in his customary third spot.

 Santana, who debuted with the Indians on June 11, made his previous 18 major-league starts at catcher.

 Acta said he wanted to get Redmond some playing time and to give Travis Hafner a rest against a tough lefty. Gonzalez entered the night having held lefties to a .140 average (12-for-86).

 Redmond started for the first time since June 19 at Pittsburgh. He appeared in his third game since June 9.

 "Manny told me a couple of days ago that I'd be playing Friday,'' Redmond said. "I'm ready no matter what. I've been doing this for 13 years. I've gone 20 days without playing. I've done pretty much everything.''

 Braden out: Athletics lefty Dallas Braden, who pitched a perfect game against Tampa Bay on May 9, will miss his scheduled start against the Tribe on Saturday because of elbow tendinitis. He also was scratched last Tuesday in Baltimore.

 Right-hander Clayton Mortensen, 10-2 with a 3.58 ERA at Class AAA Sacramento, replaces Braden.

 To a tee: Santana and center fielder Trevor Crowe, under the tutelage of hitting coach Jon Nunnally, hit balls off the tee before batting practice. Nunnally had them focused on getting the hands through the zone.

 Dunk tank: Shelley Duncan all but called the Netherlands' upset of Brazil in the World Cup today. On Thursday, he said that he wanted to pick Brazil to win it all but really liked the way the Netherlands was playing.

 Netherlands won, 2-1.

 "When the tournament started and I filled out my bracket, I picked Brazil to win it all,'' said Duncan, the Tribe's World Cup expert. "But when I watched the group-play games and saw Netherlands, I realized they're very good. They don't have the big-name players Brazil has, but their defense is awesome, they're really organized and they find ways to win. I figured it would be really hard for Brazil to beat them.''

 Duncan said he considers Brazil/Netherlands and Argentina/Germany as the World Cup semifinals. He has Argentina winning the whole thing.

 Chess smack: Travis Hafner said he is not sure when he will again face off against Duncan in chess. Hafner, a poor man's Garry Kasparov in the Tribe clubhouse, suffered what he called a "one-in-a-million'' loss to Duncan earlier this week.

 "We probably won't be playing for a while,'' Hafner said. "I want to let him enjoy that victory as long as he can, so he can build up his confidence.''

 Duncan said: "The longer he waits, the more I practice I get, and the worse he's going to feel when I beat him again.''

 Stat of the day: Much-maligned lefty reliever Rafael Perez gave up zero earned runs (one run) in 13 appearances in June covering 10 2/3 innings.

Lineups:

Athletics (39-41) -- 1. Coco Crisp cf; 2. Daric Barton 1b; 3. Kevin Kouzmanoff 3b; 4. Kurt Suzuki c; 5. Ryan Sweeney rf; 6. Jack Cust dh; 7. Mark Ellis 2b; 8. Gabe Gross lf; 9. Cliff Pennington ss; and Gonzalez.

Indians (31-47) -- 1. Trevor Crowe cf; 2. Shin-Soo Choo rf; 3. Carlos Santana dh; 4. Austin Kearns lf; 5. Jhonny Peralta 3b; 6. Matt LaPorta 1b; 7. Jayson Nix 2b; 8. Mike Redmond c; 9. Jason Donald ss; and Talbot.

Umpires: P -- Rob Drake; 1b -- Joe West; 2b -- Angel Hernandez; 3b -- Paul Schrieber.

Mike Redmond grounds out to right field with bases loaded in sixth inning as Indians lose to Athletics, 3-0, Friday night.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The ball landed in the outfield grass with the bases loaded.

The crowd roared in anticipation of a run and a sixth-inning rally continuing.

Two problems: Indians catcher Mike Redmond did not hit it all that far, and he is speed-challenged.

Right fielder Ryan Sweeney, positioned like a rover in softball, threw out Redmond at first to thwart a potential rally in the sixth inning as the Athletics defeated the Tribe, 3-0, Friday night at Progressive Field.

The Indians (31-48) had their winning streak snapped at five.

The Athletics, led by lefty Gio Gonzalez, busted several other significant Tribe streaks.

Matt LaPorta went 1-for-3 with a walk but did not homer. He had gone deep the previous three games.

A Tribe loss meant its starter did not earn a victory for the first time in six games. Right-hander Mitch Talbot gave up three runs (two earned) on five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

But the Indians did extend their extra-base-hit streak to 28 games when Shin-Soo Choo doubled to left with two outs in the seventh.

Choo was the last batter to face Gonzalez, who allowed five hits.

Choo exited the game late. He might have jammed his wrist when he attempted to make a diving catch in the eighth.

Gonzalez carried a one-hitter into the sixth and led, 3-0.

Jhonny Peralta, Matt LaPorta and Jayson Nix singled with two outs to load the bases. Redmond hit a liner to right that dropped with plenty of room to spare, but Sweeney made the one-hop pick and threw out Redmond by a step.

Score it GO 9-3.

Redmond started at catcher and Carlos Santana at designated hitter.

The Tribe's only hit through five was an infield single by Nix in the fourth. Third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff dived to his left to smother the sharp grounder, hopped to his feet and threw wide of first. Daric Barton was forced to leave the bag to catch it. An on-target throw would have gotten Nix, but the effort Kouzmanoff had made to stop the ball gave official scorer Chuck Murr the leeway to rule hit.

Oakland took a 1-0 lead in the first.

Former Indian Coco Crisp led off with a seemingly innocuous grounder to short. Jason Donald mishandled it. Daric Barton singled, Crisp advancing to second. Former Indians prospect Kouzmanoff struck out swinging at a 76-mph pitch.

Kurt Suzuki ripped a one-hopper up the middle, where Donald laid out to snare the ball and flip to second baseman Jayson Nix. Suzuki barely beat the relay.

Mitch Talbot walked Sweeney to load the bases and Jack Cust to drive in a run. The fourth ball to Cust just missed off the outside corner.

Pitching coach Tim Belcher visited the mound. Talbot had thrown 27 pitches.

Talbot bowed his neck and retired Mark Ellis on a foul fly to right, Choo doing a good job of getting to the spot and setting himself at the railing.

Gonzalez walked back-to-back batters in the second and third innings. In the second, the wildness happened with two outs. Mike Redmond flied out. In the third, it happened with one out. Santana struck out looking and Austin Kearns flied out.

The Athletics knocked out Talbot in the sixth and surged ahead, 3-0.

With one out, Suzuki had an infield single to third. An exceptional play was required by Jhonny Peralta.

Suzuki moved to second on Sweeney's single. Cust walked for the third time, the fourth ball coming on Talbot's 99th pitch.

Ellis made him pay on No. 100, lining a two-run double to left-center for a 3-0 cushion. Talbot's fastball veered into Ellis's swing plane.

Tony Sipp relieved and eventually escaped a bases-loaded jam with a strikeout.