James' three-day Nike camp in Akron begins Monday and ends on Wednesday. Thursday is the first day free agents can sign contracts, whether with their old team or with one trying to land them.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer LeBron James met at the IMG Building in downtown Cleveland with the Cavaliers and five other teams that seek to sign him.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Today being July 4, there may not be a lot of news on the LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers and NBA free agency fronts. Or, maybe so. We'll see. For instance, Phoenix Suns free agent forward Amar'e Stoudemire and the New York Knicks are getting serious.

In fact, regarding James, it appears he may not announce his decision on whether to stay with the Cavaliers, or sign with one of the teams trying to land him, until at least Wednesday night. Those teams would include the Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets, Miami Heat, New York Knicks and the longest of shots, probably, the Los Angeles Clippers. James met with each of those teams between Thursday and Saturday, including the Cavaliers and Bulls on Saturday, as The Plain Dealer Cavaliers beat writer Brian Windhorst reports here.

Now, Windhorst relays on PDcavsinsider on Twitter the following:

Sources say LeBron plans to wait until after 3-day Nike camp in Akron is over to announce decision. Ends Wed. nite

Windhorst followed moments later with:

Thurs. ironically is first day free agents can sign, cap numbers become official.

Athletics defeat Indians, 3-1.

Ron Schwane / Associated PressOakland's Vin Mazzero produced his second straight strong performance on Sunday, limiting the Indians to seven hits and a walk over 7.1 innings in the Athletics' 3-1 victory at Progressive Field.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In his first career start with "All-Star'' next to his name, Indians right-hander Fausto Carmona pitched well enough.

His teammates, however, had few answers for Athletics righty Vin Mazzaro.

Mazzaro gave up one run and struck out seven in 7 1/3 innings of Oakland's 3-1 victory at Progressive Field.

Mazzaro served up some Independence Day revenge. On July 4, 2009, he gave up five runs in six innings of a 5-2 loss to the Indians at Progressive Field.

At least the Tribe did not get blanked. Oakland has posted three shutouts in taking a 4-2 lead in the season series.

The Indians reached the mathematical halfway point of the season at 32-49. The record is identical to that of last year's club after 81 games.

Carmona allowed the three runs on seven hits in seven innings. He walked three and struck out three.

Oakland took a 1-0 lead in the first. Former Indian Coco Crisp led off with the walk and eventually scored on a grounder. The Tribe tied it in the third. Austin Kearns delivered a two-out single to drive in Carlos Santana.

Oakland pulled ahead 2-1 in the fourth when Mark Ellis singled to drive in Jack Cust, who was a royal pain to the Indians all series.

With two outs in the sixth and a 2-1 count on Cust, Carmona threw a pitch that Cust missed. Catcher Santana and first baseman Matt LaPorta, thinking it was the third strike, broke for the dugout. Santana reached the steps before he realized the inning was not over.

Cust took ball three and ball four. Ellis singled, Cust advancing to third. But Gabe Gross grounded to second to end the threat.

Adam Rosales homered to left in the seventh for the final margin. It was the first homer against the Indians since Reds first baseman Joey Votto took Chris Perez deep in the eighth inning June 27 at Cincinnati.

Fausto Carmona, who pitched seven strong innings but had his record fall to 7-7 in today's loss to Oakland, will be the Indians' representative at the July 13 All-Star Game in Anaheim.

Associated PressThree-time American League batting champion Joe Mauer, 27, led the fans' all-star voting.

New York – In the year of the pitcher, no-hit aces Ubaldo Jimenez and Roy Halladay lead a formidable National League All-Star staff. Rookie sensation Stephen Strasburg will have to wait at least another season before he gets the nod.

AL MVP catcher Joe Mauer was announced Sunday by Major League baseball as the fans' top choice for the July 13th All-Star game in Anaheim, Calif. Albert Pujols earned the most votes in the National League.

In the closest voting, the Mets' David Wright overtook the Phillies' Placido Polanco in the final week to win the NL starting third baseman spot.

Each squad still has one more spot to fill in their 34-man rosters. Fans will make the decision, choosing from a list of five candidates in each league in an Internet runoff.

Strasburg's 100 mph fastball has captivated fans around baseball since the Washington Nationals called the right-hander up June 8, but NL manager Charlie Manuel would like to see 21-year-old settle into his role as an ace before making the Midsummer Classic.

"He got quite a bit of consideration," Philadelphia's Manuel told TBS during the selection show. "He is going be an All-Star for a long time. What does he have, five starts? I just felt there are other guys who have started 18 to 20 games. I just felt leave him alone and let him get used to the major league level."

Strasburg watched the selection show on a clubhouse TV, but was called away by Nationals management after the first couple of pitchers were selected.

"I thought he had a pretty good shot," Nationals closer and All-Star pick Matt Capps said. "He's one of the top pitchers in baseball right now."

Halladay pitched a perfect game in his first season with the Phillies, and Jimenez had one of the four no-hitters this year and is off to a remarkable 14-1 start with a 2.27 ERA for the Colorado Rockies.

Halladay's teammate Chase Utley was voted as the starting second baseman for the NL, but he is out with an injured right thumb. He will be replaced in the lineup by Atlanta's Martin Prado.

Colorado's injured shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was chosen as a reserve by his peers. His spot will be taken by the Mets' Jose Reyes.

The other NL starters are: Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina; Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez; and Milwaukee's Ryan Braun, Los Angeles' Andre Ethier and Atlanta's Jason Heyward in the outfield.

In the American League, Mauer is joined by Minnesota Twins teammate Justin Morneau, the first baseman.

The other AL starters: Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and shortstop Derek Jeter; Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria; Texas designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero; and Texas' Josh Hamilton, Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki and Tampa Bay's Carl Crawford in the outfield.

The World Series champion New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have a leading six All-Stars each, but Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia and catcher Carlos Martinez are out with injuries.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi made several difficult decisions in finalizing the AL squad. He left off Andy Pettitte and took teammate CC Sabathia, both 10-game winners, and selected slugger Alex Rodriguez, who only has 12 homers but 61 RBIs.

Among the other players having strong seasons who got left off are Kansas City's David DeJesus (.325) and Billy Butler (.320), Mets pitcher Mike Pelfrey (10-2) and San Diego pitcher Mat Latos (9-2).

One surprising pick was St. Louis' Matt Holliday. In the first year of a seven-year, $120 million deal, Holliday is batting .209 with runners in scoring position and has 39 RBIs — fourth-best on the team.

"I think he's has pressed to make that deal look good, but he's settling in," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "When you sign a deal like that you're going to catch some extra attention, that's just the way it is. He's shown a lot of toughness and he's on his way to a solid season."

Cincinnati's Arthur Rhodes made his first All-Star team at 40. In his 19th season, Rhodes has a 1.09 ERA in 37 appearances.

All-Star rosters were increased by one player to 34 this year, but there are always complaints about who's absent. Blame that on all the factors that go into picking the squad — every team must be represented, managers must deal with their own players, the need to have enough players at each position, nagging injuries and more.

The Braves and Cardinals each had five All-Stars to lead the NL. Atlanta's 20-year-old rookie Heyward made the squad, but might not be able to play because of an injury.

The host Los Angeles Angels have one All-Star, center fielder Torii Hunter.

Ken Griffey Jr., who retired in Seattle last month, received more than 1 million votes. The 13-time All-Star drew over 50 million votes during his 22-year career.

The NL Internet candidates: San Diego's Heath Bell, Colorado's Carlos Gonzalez, Cincinnati's Joey Votto, Atlanta's Billy Wagner and Washington's Ryan Zimmerman.

The AL Internet candidates: Chicago's Paul Konerko, New York's Nick Swisher, Minnesota's Delmon Young, Texas' Michael Young and Boston's Kevin Youkilis.

Here are the complete rosters for the 81st All-Star Game:

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Position starters
C – Joe Mauer, MIN
1B – Justin Morneau, MIN
2B – Robinson Cano, NYY
3B – Evan Longoria, TB
SS – Derek Jeter, NYY
OF – Ichiro Suzuki, SEA
OF – Josh Hamilton, TEX
OF – Carl Crawford, TB
DH – Vladimir Guerrero, TEX

Pitchers
CC Sabathia, NYY
Clay Buchholz, BOS
Fausto Carmona, CLE
David Price, TB
Neftali Feliz, TEX
Phil Hughes, NYY
Mariano Rivera, NYY
Jon Lester, BOS
Matt Thornton, CWS
Jose Valverde, DET
Cliff Lee, SEA
Trevor Cahill, OAK
Joakim Soria, KC

Reserves
2B - Ty Wigginton, BAL
3B - Adrian Beltre, BOS
DH – David Ortiz, BOS
1B – Miguel Cabrera, DET
OF - Torii Hunter, LAA
3B – Alex Rodriguez, NYY
SS - Elvis Andrus, TEX
2B – Ian Kinsler, TEX
OF - Jose Bautista, TOR
C - John Buck, TOR
OF - Vernon Wells, TOR

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Position starters
C- Yadier Molina, STL
1B – Albert Pujols, STL
2B - Chase Utley (DL), PHI
3B – David Wright, NYM
SS – Hanley Ramirez, FLA
OF – Ryan Braun, MIL
OF – Jason Heyward, ATL
OF – Andre Ethier, LAD

Pitchers
Roy Halladay, PHI
Josh Johnson, FLA
Tim Lincecum, SF
Tim Hudson, ATL
Jonathan Broxton, LAD
Arthur Rhodes, CIN
Adam Wainwright, STL
Chris Carpenter, STL
Brian Wilson, SF
Evan Meek, PIT
Ubaldo Jimenez, COL
Matt Capps, WSH
Yovani Gallardo, COL

Reserves
OF - Chris Young, ARI
3B – Omar Infante, ATL
C – Brian McCann, ATL
2B – Martin Prado, ATL
OF - Marlon Byrd, CHC
2B – Brandon Phillips, CIN
3B – Scott Rolen, CIN
OF - Michael Bourn, HOU
OF - Corey Hart, MIL
SS - Jose Reyes, NYM
1B – Ryan Howard, PHI
OF - Matt Holliday, STL
1B - Adrian Gonzalez, SD

The New York Daily News reports that after James met with the Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls on Saturday night, his business manager and agent met with the Madison Square Garden president a senior Knicks official. James and the Knicks had met on Thursday.

Jason Miller, Associated PressLeBron James (left) and his friend Randy Mims (driving) leave the IMG building on Thursday, the day James met with the Nets and Knicks.

Observers thought the meetings were done after LeBron James talked with the Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls on Saturday. Frank Isola reports for the New York Daily News, though, that Madison Square Garden president Scott O'Neil and Knicks senior Vice President of Basketball Operations Glen Grunwald met later Saturday with James' representatives -- likely James' business manager, Maverick Carter, and his agent, Leon Rose.

Isola reports it is "unclear if James was in the meeting," and writes:

The timing of the meeting is interesting since it came one day after the Knicks received a verbal commitment from All Star power forward Amar'e Stoudemire. The Knicks wanted to relay to James that the organization is committed to doing everything in its power to surround him with talent.

The sense the Knicks get is that James will likely re-sign with the Cavs. In fact, as recently as Thursday, one Knicks source said it was "very doubtful" that James would sign with New York.

The Plain Dealer's Brian Windhorst tweeted James was not at the meeting, but was having dinner with friends in Akron.

James met with Knicks owner Jim Dolan, coach Mike D'Antoni and other Knicks officials on Thursday.

Choi made a 2 1/2-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole Sunday to beat fellow South Koreans In-Kyung Kim and Song-Hee Kim and American Christina Kim.

Carlos Osorio / Associated PressSouth Korea's Na Yeon Choi got the crystal trophy and some face time with Jamie Farr after surviving a four-way playoff in Sunday's final round of the LPGA's Jamie Far Owens Corning Classic in Sylvania, Ohio.

In each of her two previous LPGA Tour victories, Na Yeon Choi birdied the last hole to win.

It took a little bit longer at the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic at Sylvania, Ohio, but she did it again.

Choi made a 21/2-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole Sunday to beat fellow South Koreans In-Kyung Kim and Song-Hee Kim and American Christina Kim.

"As I was walking toward the green today, I was thinking about how I had won the last two tournaments and I said to myself, 'Maybe I can do it again,'" she said through an interpreter.

Choi had rounds of 64, 67, 68 and 71 to finish at 14-under 270. It took a gutty 15-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to even extend her day after she had blown what had at one time been a five-stroke lead.

"It was tough out there. I was nervous at times," Choi said. "But I tried to focus on my game. Now I'm really happy, and proud that I controlled my emotions today."

Choi, who led after each of the first three rounds, was up by two strokes at the turn but bogeyed 14 and 15 to lose the lead. In-Kyung Kim, who shot a 64, had four birdies on the last seven holes to get to 14 under and slide past Choi.

Song-Hee Kim, who had a final-round 66, birdied the 17th to join In-Kyung Kim at that number

Christina Kim, who was five back of Choi after a double bogey at 10, birdied the next three holes and added another one at 17 to join the growing crowd at 14 under. Playing in the same pairing with Choi, she watched Choi nail her long birdie putt at the 72nd and then had a 12-footer for the win.

"I knew that if I wanted to win I had to at least give it a go to make it to the hole," she said. "So I said, 'Screw it.' I hit it and it's either going to go in or not."

But it missed off the right edge.

The playoff holes were 18 and 17, both par 5s. Neither is a backbreaker, but they're also not reachable in two shots.

"We were playing two par 5s, which you can make birdie on," In-Kyung Kim said. "I had my chance, and everyone had their own chance."

With thousands of people now ringing the 18th green, the drama built on the first playoff hole. All reached the green in regulation, but all four missed birdie putts of 10 to 18 feet. After the other three missed their birdie attempts, Song-Hee Kim failed to make a 10-footer.

"The thing is, you have to expect everybody to make their putt," Christina Kim said. "Once you get into match-play format, you have to think that someone's going to make it. I was surprised when none of the putts went in. It was a very difficult hole location -- but, still -- I thought someone was going to make it."

So the four went back to the 17th hole. Song-Hee Kim flew her third shot over the green and into a bad lie in the back bunker. She barely got her fourth shot out, dooming her chances. Christina Kim had a 20-footer for birdie, In-Kyung Kim a 12-footer and Choi's wedge nestled close.

After the first two missed their birdie attempts, Choi, who had previously won the Samsung World and Hana Bank-KOLON championships, tapped hers in.

PGA

Rose tops at AT&T National: Justin Rose lost another big lead. This time, he didn't lose the tournament.

Staked to a five-shot lead at the turn, Rose finished with seven straight pars and closed with an even-par 70 to hold on for a one-shot victory at Newtown Square, Pa., in the AT&T National, his second PGA Tour title in his last three events.

It would have been three straight wins for the 29-year-old Englishman except for his collapse last week at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut when he blew a three-shot lead in the final round with a 75.

He had three-putt bogeys on the 10th and 11th holes -- after having gone 274 consecutive holes without one on the PGA Tour -- and suddenly his lead was down to two. Then came a furious charge from Ryan Moore, who one-putted his last eight greens for a 65 to close within one shot. Rose was steady down the stretch, however, and calmly rolled in a 30-inch par putt on the last hole for the victory.

Tiger Woods wasn't close at all. The defending champion shot a 1-over 71, marking the first time in 11 years that he didn't break par over four rounds in a regular PGA Tour event. He wound up 14 shots behind Rose, the most Woods has finished out of the lead since the 2006 Players Championship.

Champions

Mize nips Cook in Montreal: Larry Mize won the inaugural Montreal Championship for his first Champions Tour victory, closing with an 8-under 64 for a one-stroke victory over John Cook at Fontainebleau Golf Club.

The 51-year-old Mize, the 1987 Masters champion, had an eagle, seven birdies and a bogey in the final round to finish at 17-under 199. Cook shot a 68.

Corey Pavin (67) and Dan Forsman (65) were 14 under, and Fred Couples (68), Loren Roberts (67), Jay Haas (67), Bob Gilder (66) and D.A. Weibring (68) were 14 under.

European

Jimenez wins French playoff: Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez won the French Open for his second victory of the season and 17th career European tour title, beating countryman Alejandro Canizares and Italy's Francesco Molinari in a playoff at Versailles.

Jimenez shot a 4-under 67 to match Canizares (68) and Molinari (68) at 11 under at Le Golf National. Jimenez won with a par on the first extra hole.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy (66) was a stroke out of the playoff.

Final scores from Sunday's championship games in soccer, basketball and baseball.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Below are the Cleveland Clinic Sports Health International Youth Sports Festival final championship results for Sunday. For more details, please visit continental-cup.com.

AC MILAN CONTINENTAL CUP – SOCCER

U18 Girls: Excalibur Holy Name 5, Orchard Park Supreme Team 0

U16 Girls: Internationals 2, Burlington Blue Devils 0

U14 Girls: Woodbridge Strikers 1, Excalibur 0

U13 Girls: Kings Elite 1, Internationals 0

U12 Girls: CSA 2, Internationals 0

U18 Boys: Dorchester Rock 1, PA Classics Elite 0

U16 Boys: Columbus Blast 1, Ajax Vipers 0

U15 Boys: Cleveland United 1, Internationals 0

U14 Boys: Ann Arbor United 1, Internationals 0

U13 Boys: PA Classics Elite 2, Ajax Venom 0

U12 Boys: Internationals 4, NEO 0

U11 Boys: BW Gottschee Celtic 6, New York Hota Bavarians 0

U10 Boys: Ciociaro FC Nova 6, Internationals 1

U9 Boys: Crushers 3, CSA 0

CLEVELAND INDIANS CHARITIES CONTINENTAL CUP – BASEBALL

U12 Boys: Wadsworth Grizzlies 10, Hudson Explorers 3

U14 Boys (at Progressive Field): Arena Starz 4, Coach Tony’s 3

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS CONTINENTAL CUP – BASKETBALL

U18 Girls: Lake Ridge Academy 71, Magnificat 61

U18 Boys: The ROC 79, Durham City Bulldog 70

With Friday's oral commitment of Columbus safety Ron Tanner, Ohio State has 17 players in its Class of 2011, 12 from Ohio.

Andy Morrison / Toledo BladeToledo Whitmer High School star Kenny Hayes is just one of the best known recruits for Ohio State's 2011 incoming class. The Buckeyes are ahead of their pace last year in recruiting, and having more success with in-state talent.

BUCKS OF MAGNITUDE
This is Ohio State’s 17-player 2011 recruiting class, with five or six spots in the class probably remaining. It includes eight defensive players and nine offensive players; 12 players from Ohio, two from Florida, two from Illinois and one from Indiana; and seven players ranked among the top 250 in the country by Rivals.com and 13 ranked in the top 300 by Scout.com.

Players are listed by name, position, hometown school, date of commitment and rankings:

4 stars or better: Steve Miller (4.3), DE, Canton McKinley, Oct. 29, 2009, Scout No. 35, Rivals No. 242; Braxton Miller (4.3), QB, Huber Heights, June 3, Scout No. 4, Rivals No. 56; Brian Bobek (4), OL, Palatine, Ill., March 16, Scout No. 158, Rivals No. 220; Chase Farris (4), DL, Elyria, March 16, Scout No. 90, Rivals No. 184; Michael Bennett (4), DT, Centerville, May 16, Rivals No. 30, Scout No. 62; Nick Vannett (4), TE, Westerville, June 30, Scout No. 203.

3.5 stars or better: Kenny Hayes (3.7), DE, Toledo, Aug. 31, 2009, Rivals No. 46, Scout No. 75; Jeremy Cash (3.7), S, Plantation, Fla., April 18, Scout No. 254; Evan Spencer (3.7), WR, Vernon Hills, Ill., June 5, Scout No. 138.

3 stars to 3.3 stars: DeJuan Gambrell (3.3), CB, Toledo, March 16, Scout No. 238; Ron Tanner (3.3), S, Columbus, July 2, Scout No. 124; Jeff Heuerman (3.3), TE, Naples, Fla., April 26; Chris Carter (3), OL, Cleveland, John F. Kennedy, March 15; Antonio Underwood (3), OL, Shaker Heights, March 15, Scout No. 269; Tommy Brown (3), OL, Akron Firestone, April 3; Joel Hale (3), DT, Greenwood, Ind., June 7; Devin Smith (3), WR, Massillon Washington, June 17, Rivals No. 174, Scout No. 278.

Note: Star ratings are the combined average ratings of Rivals.com, Scout.com and ESPN.com.
— Doug Lesmerises

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The first player in Ohio State's 2011 recruiting class, Toledo defensive end Kenny Hayes, gave his pledge to the Buckeyes 10 months ago and showed up at games in Columbus last fall with "OSU" shaved into the side of his head. He's a Buckeye through-and-through, and his summer has been all about his Ohio State future.

He has been running in his backyard with an open parachute on his back to improve his speed. He has been swinging an axe into a log to work on his upper body strength. And he has been selling potential future teammates on the merits of Ohio State and watching the Buckeyes' recruiting class snap into place, piece by piece.

A year ago, Ohio State had just nine pledges before the Fourth of July in a bumpy recruiting season defined by high-profile misses and 12 of the top 14 players in Ohio -- the in-state players given a 4- or 5-star rating by Rivals.com -- ending up somewhere other than at OSU.

With Friday's oral commitment of Columbus safety Ron Tanner, Ohio State has 17 players in its Class of 2011, 12 from Ohio. Of the 13 Ohio players currently with 4-star ratings from Rivals, six are pledged to Ohio State and four others remain possibilities.

"I'm very surprised that we have 17 commitments so far," said Hayes, who is considering adding another Buckeye hair message to his current mohawk for his senior season at Toledo Whitmer.

"I'm talking to guys because I want to go to Ohio State and win a national championship for Coach Tressel. I probably think that all the Ohio kids want to come to one school so we can all say we're from Ohio and we won a national championship."

While Hayes said he is surprised, he shouldn't be. His rationale is the same one espoused by former Buckeyes, such as Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, part of Jim Tressel's first recruiting class in 2002 -- why leave home?

After not signing highly rated players in the 2010 class -- including Glenville defensive back Latwan Anderson (Miami), Dayton-area linebacker Jordan Hicks (Texas) and the late Matt James, the Cincinnati lineman who chose Notre Dame before he was killed in a spring break fall in April -- the message is hitting home again in this class.

"There's not very many reasons to say no," said Centerville coach Ron Ullery, who saw his highly rated defensive tackle Michael Bennett pledge to the Buckeyes in May. "Whatever angle you look at, it's a tremendous place to be. They don't have to put on airs or figure out what a kid wants or a family wants. They can just be themselves and sell themselves."

It really has looked easy.

• Hayes was a lifelong Ohio State fan and eager leader of the class.

• The Buckeyes' typical stranglehold on Northeast Ohio has yielded six players, including Canton McKinley defensive end Steve Miller, Elyria defensive lineman Chase Farris and three big offensive linemen in John F. Kennedy's Chris Carter, Shaker Heights' Antonio Underwood and Firestone's Tommy Brown.

• Ranked first or second in the nation at his position, Dayton-area quarterback Braxton Miller, the cousin of former OSU receiver Dee Miller, was laser-targeted by the Buckeyes as a sophomore.

• Bennett hails from the same high school that produced past Buckeyes A.J. Hawk, Mike Nugent, Kirk Herbstreit and Ullery's son, Brent, a walk-on receiver.

When the Buckeyes are winning -- and they are looking for a sixth straight Big Ten title and BCS bowl game -- it's hard for Ohio natives not to notice.

"It definitely makes your decision a lot easier," Farris said, "because most people have to go a long way from home to be on a team that good. But we're all Ohio boys, and Ohio State is right in the middle, two hours from everybody."

The Glenville pipeline should yield at least one player from among lineman Aundrey Walker, linebacker Andre Sturdivant and receiver/defensive back Shane Wynn, though Tarblooders often wait until later in the recruiting process to commit.

Rivals' top player in Ohio, St. Vincent-St. Mary safety Doran Grant, remains in the mix. Recent recruiting classes had been trending toward an even split between in-state and out-of-state players -- the final count on enrolling freshmen should be 9-9. But there is a decent chance the 2011 class could include the most Ohio players since Tressel's first full class in 2002 counted 18 Ohioans among its 24 players.

"Last year was a fluky year," said Greg Ladky, the Midwest recruiting analyst for Rivals. "Talking to kids, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with Ohio State's product or the efforts of their coaching staff. It was just one of those years. But this is an awfully good class. It should be one of the nation's better classes, and I have a hard time imagining it not being the best class in the Big Ten."

There's not much left to do, with 17 players on board and probably only five or six spots remaining. This is resembling the class of two years ago when, perhaps pushed by aggressive recruiting of Ohio players by schools such as Illinois, the Buckeyes had 22 oral commitments by July 4.

Especially in a good year for in-state talent, which most recruiting evaluators agree is the case in Ohio, this is probably the new normal for Ohio State. Get the best Ohio kids as early as possible, then troll for some big out-of-state hits before signing day. If that's the strategy, it's working once again.

Is there a sinking feeling beginning to settle in around the Big Apple?

Mary Altaffer / Associated PressRestaurant workers have all the straight skinny on rumors, right? So how can you doubt one guy's deep conversation with the Nets' Mikhail Prokhorov?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- LeBron James may not announce his decision on whether to stay with the Cavaliers, or sign with one of the teams trying to land him, until after his Nike camp at the University of Akron ends on Wednesday. Until then, the speculation will continue.

• James met with the Cavaliers and Bulls on Saturday, after visits from the Nets, Knicks, Heat and Clippers the previous two days. John Jackson refers to the Cavs and Bulls for the Chicago Sun-Times:

"Which team is favored at this point is a topic for debate, but most NBA observers now think his decision will come down to the teams he met with Saturday."

Jackson also writes:

"Of the six teams involved in the process, the Bulls were the only one to offer no comment whatsoever. They've been tight-lipped throughout the first three days of the negotiating period, but a source close to the situation said members of management have been pleased with all the get-togethers they've had."

• Apparently, when representatives of James and the Knicks had a brief, unscheduled meeting on Saturday night, the Knicks' hopes of landing James weren't bolstered. Frank Isola writes for the New York Daily News:

"The timing of the meeting is interesting since it came one day after the Knicks received a verbal commitment from All Star power forward Amar'e Stoudemire. The Knicks wanted to relay to James that the organization is committed to doing everything in its power to surround him with talent.

"The sense the Knicks get is that James will likely re-sign with the Cavs. In fact, as recently as Thursday, one Knicks source said it was 'very doubtful' that James would sign with New York."

Marc Berman of the New York Post wrote of the meeting:

"[James' agent] Leon Rose had called with questions regarding the Knicks' salary cap situation and team execs volunteered to come back to Cleveland, the official said.

"James was not present. He showed up at 11 a.m. to meet with the Bulls and Cavs.

"The Knicks' initial meeting Thursday was criticized in some quarters and Yahoo! reported the Knicks had fallen out of the race."

• For CBSSports.com, Ken Berger relays the opinion of an executive who says it's all been a show:

"One of the executives involved in the recruiting process over the past few days described it this way: Now is when the emotion of the process and the glitz of the presentations fade and reality sets in. Reality, and the known vs. the unknown. And the executive came away with the distinct impression that [Dwyane] Wade is staying in Miami, LeBron is staying in Cleveland, and [Chris] Bosh -- left out to dry in such a scenario -- would then be far more interested in the extra $25-$30 million the Raptors can offer him than he's been for the past 72 hours.

"'All these guys know where they're going to go,'" a person with close ties to one of the players involved in the process said. 'This whole thing has just been a spectacle.'"

• Would you believe a little tension between the Nets and Knicks in the chase for LeBron James? Fred Kerber writes for the New York Post:

"So the Nets wait on LeBron. The Nets were truly pleased and optimistic about their pitch, despite insinuation from Knicks officials that New Jersey brass thought they bombed and were trying to paint a rosy picture. There was incredulous silence about suggestions from unnamed Knicks officials that the Nets planted a report dismissing the Knicks in the LeBron race.

"'Mikhail Prokhorov sees everyone else as competition,' said one Eastern Conference source close to the Nets. 'The Knicks to him are no different than any other team. He has no sense of a rivalry. He couldn't care less about the Knicks.'"

• It's understood James, Wade and Bosh are interested in what each other does. It's been speculated that two, or all three, of them could end up on the same team. Michael Wallace writes for the Miami Herald:

"And much like the Heat, Chicago is in heavy pursuit of James and Bosh. The Bulls met with James for nearly three hours Saturday in Cleveland, a session that matched Miami's time with James on Friday.

"Wade is scheduled to travel to Miami for a set of summer camp and promotional appearances Tuesday. It will be Wade's first time in town as a professional without officially being under contract with the Heat."

• Finally, is it the guy at Nello's Restaurant in New York who's got the scoop? Writes Brett Cyrgalis for the New York Post:

"According to an employee at Nello's, who wanted to remain nameless but spent some time talking with Prokhorov, the 45-year-old Russian billionaire told him that the chances of signing James were, '50 percent.'"

"'He said it looks 50-50,'" the employee said. "I said, '50 is a lot.' And he said, 'It's 50-50.' I said, 'So many things are 50-percent.' And he said, 'Yea, we're about 50 percent.'"

"After heading into the posh eatery around 3:40 p.m., Prokhorov had three deserts and two cups of tea with the tall blonde woman."He then chatted with a couple of employees, talking about other things besides LeBron, like how he likes Germany in the World Cup final."

The Cavs and Bulls are believed to be the favorites with the New Jersey Nets still in the game mostly because of James' relationship with part owner Jay-Z.

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerAlthough Sunday's holiday was a seemingly quiet one for LeBron James, the Knicks are reportedly hoping to get another meeting if they acquire Amar'e Stoudemire.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It may have seemed like the wild moments in the LeBron James sweepstakes were past after six different teams visited him in Cleveland last week. But that was just the organized part.

Now it could get very interesting.

James and fellow top free agents Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade did not have any further meetings with teams scheduled as of Sunday. But none had given an indication of when they were going to make up their minds, which only will lead to suspense and growing intrigue.

It got a little thicker Sunday when the New York Daily News reported that New York Knicks officials had a meeting with James' agent, Leon Rose, on Saturday in Cleveland. It was the second meeting with James' camp in three days, though James did not attend this one.

The Knicks, reportedly nearing a deal with free agent Amar'e Stoudemire, may have looked to make a fresh pitch to James. Part of James' interest in meeting with teams last week, sources said, was to challenge them on what other players they could put around him. However, the absence of James at the meeting could have been telling.

When the Knicks left its meeting with James last Thursday, team officials said they hoped James would meet with the team again, perhaps in New York, before making a decision.

According to multiple league sources, the Knicks were trailing other competitors in the running to sign James. The Cavs and Bulls are believed to be the favorites with the New Jersey Nets still in the game mostly because of James' relationship with part owner Jay-Z.

The Knicks are hoping to improve their position by landing Stoudemire, who would represent the biggest transaction of the much-anticipated summer and the first star to change teams.

There are signs that James will take some time to make up his mind and announce a decision. Starting Monday, James will host Nike's LeBron James Skills Academy. It is one of the signature events of Nike's summer schedule and will feature the top 80 high school players in the country along with some of the top college players acting as counselors.

It runs until Wednesday night at the University of Akron and it is believed James will wait until after the event ends before making a commitment.

Several sources who have spoken to James camp said that James remains non-committal about his decision or what his timetable might be.

The Cavaliers and Bulls are considered the favorites in the chase to sign James. But with so many teams and so many players involved in the free agent process, the possibilities seem endless.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer LeBron James and other free agents have observers wondering who will be playing where next season.

Cleveland, Ohio -- LeBron James may not announce his decision on whether to stay with the Cavaliers, or sign with one of the teams trying to land him, until at least Wednesday night. Those teams would include the Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets, Miami Heat, New York Knicks and the longest of shots, probably, the Los Angeles Clippers. James met with each of those teams between Thursday and Saturday, including the Cavaliers and Bulls on Saturday, as The Plain Dealer Cavaliers beat writer Brian Windhorst reports here.

Windhorst relays on PDcavsinsider on Twitter the following:

Sources say LeBron plans to wait until after 3-day Nike camp in Akron is over to announce decision. Ends Wed. nite

Windhorst also tweeted a reminder: Thursday is the first day that free agents can sign a contract, whether it be with their old team or with another team. 

Cavs vs. Bulls 

James met with the Cavaliers and Bulls on Saturday, after visits from the Nets, Knicks, Heat and Clippers the previous two days. John Jackson refers to the Cavs and Bulls as he writes for the Chicago Sun-Times:

Which team is favored at this point is a topic for debate, but most NBA observers now think his decision will come down to the teams he met with Saturday.

Not many of the teams involved in the free agent process have shown their hands, except to speak in generalities. Jackson also writes:

Of the six teams involved in the process, the Bulls were the only one to offer no comment whatsoever. They've been tight-lipped throughout the first three days of the negotiating period, but a source close to the situation said members of management have been pleased with all the get-togethers they've had. 

Two tries

Observers thought that was it for the meetings after James talked with the Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls on Saturday. Frank Isola reports for the New York Daily News, though, that James' business manager, Maverick Carter, and his agent, Leon Rose, met later Saturday with Madison Square Garden president Scott O'Neil and Knicks senior Vice President of Basketball Operations Glen Grunwald.

Isola reports it is "unclear if James was in the meeting," and writes:

The timing of the meeting is interesting since it came one day after the Knicks received a verbal commitment from All Star power forward Amar'e Stoudemire. The Knicks wanted to relay to James that the organization is committed to doing everything in its power to surround him with talent.

The sense the Knicks get is that James will likely re-sign with the Cavs. In fact, as recently as Thursday, one Knicks source said it was "very doubtful" that James would sign with New York.

Marc Berman of the New York Post also reports on Saturday night's unscheduled meeting between James' and Knicks' representatives:

Agent Leon Rose had called with questions regarding the Knicks' salary-cap situation and team execs volunteered to come back to Cleveland, the official said.

James was not present. He showed up at 11 a.m. to meet with the Bulls and Cavs.

The Knicks initial meeting Thursday was criticized in some quarters and Yahoo! reported the Knicks had fallen out of the race.

All for show?

For CBSSports.com, Ken Berger relays the opinion of an executive who says it's all been a show:

One of the executives involved in the recruiting process over the past few days described it this way: Now is when the emotion of the process and the glitz of the presentations fade and reality sets in. Reality, and the known vs. the unknown. And the executive came away with the distinct impression that Wade is staying in Miami, LeBron is staying in Cleveland, and Bosh -- left out to dry in such a scenario -- would then be far more interested in the extra $25-$30 million the Raptors can offer him than he's been for the past 72 hours.

"All these guys know where they're going to go," a person with close ties to one of the players involved in the process said. "This whole thing has just been a spectacle."

Berger writes that James and Cavaliers officials watched an emotional video the team prepared. And, Berger writes:

But the important moments in James' sitdown with the team he's played with for seven seasons came when new coach Byron Scott had the floor, explaining to James his defensive-minded style, desire to push the tempo offensively, and emphasis on tireless work and practice time. In fact, people familiar with James' priorities believe the one-on-one time he spent with coaches over the past few days -- Mike D'Antoni of the Knicks, Tom Thibodeau of the Bulls, Avery Johnson of the Nets, Erik Spoelstra (and by extension, Pat Riley) of the Heat, and Scott -- will resonate with him as much as any other basketball factor. 

Wade a camper, too

It's understood that James, Miami's Dwyane Wade and Toronto's Chris Bosh are interested in what each other does. It's been speculated that two, or all three, of them could end up on the same team. Michael Wallace writes for the Miami Herald:

And much like the Heat, Chicago is in heavy pursuit of James and Bosh. The Bulls met with James for nearly three hours Saturday in Cleveland, a session that matched Miami's time with James on Friday.

Wade is scheduled to travel to Miami for a set of summer camp and promotional appearances Tuesday. It will be Wade's first time in town as a professional without officially being under contract with the Heat.

Be nice

Would you believe a little tension between the Nets and Knicks in the chase for LeBron James? Fred Kerber writes for the New York Post:

So the Nets wait on LeBron. The Nets were truly pleased and optimistic about their pitch, despite insinuation from Knicks officials that New Jersey brass thought they bombed and were trying to paint a rosy picture. There was incredulous silence about suggestions from unnamed Knicks officials that the Nets planted a report dismissing the Knicks in the LeBron race.

“Mikhail Prokhorov sees everyone else as competition,” said one Eastern Conference source close to the Nets. “The Knicks to him are no different than any other team. He has no sense of a rivalry. He couldn’t care less about the Knicks.”

That's the tip?

Is it the guy at Nello's Restaurant in New York who's got the scoop? Writes Brett Cyrgalis for the New York Post:

According to an employee at Nello’s, who wanted to remain nameless but spent some time talking with Prokhorov, the 45-year-old Russian billionaire told him that the chances of signing James were, “50 percent.”

“He said it looks 50-50,” the employee said. “I said, ‘50 is a lot.’ And he said, ‘It’s 50-50.’ I said, ‘So many things are 50-percent.’ And he said, ‘Yea, we’re about 50 percent.’”

After heading into the posh eatery around 3:40 p.m., Prokhorov had three deserts and two cups of tea with the tall blonde woman.

He then chatted with a couple of employees, talking about other things besides LeBron, like how he likes Germany in the World Cup final.

Back then

Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times writes about James' childhood, and then his high school years at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary. Potash writes:

Frankie Walker Jr. hadn't heard of LeBron James when he first met him. James was 9 years old; Walker and his friend Brandon Weems were 8 on the first day of practice for the East Dragons of the Akron peewee football league.

''We didn't like him,'' said Walker, whose father coached the team, ''because we had been around the organization as water boys and figured we'd step into [prime] spots. But then this oversized 9-year-old, freaky athletic kid comes out of nowhere. He's 5 or 6 inches taller than us, and he's scoring every time he touches the ball. We weren't too high on him at first.''  

Also 

Bob Finnan writes for the News Herald and Lorain Morning Journal that it's up to James, now.

On SportingNews.com, Sean Deveney ranks teams' chances of signing James.

The meetings are over and the waiting begins, writes Jason Lloyd for the Akron Beacon Journal.

The Knicks' chances of signing James are updated by Marc Berman of the New York Post.

K.C. Johnson writes for the Chicago Tribune and chicagobreakingsports.com that the Bulls, too, are waiting to hear. 

Running a successful money-making charity auction is more than just lubing a crowd with drinks and throwing gift certificates on a table; there is a science to squeezing out bids from party-goers. It's knowing what items to offer, where and how to display them, when to open and close the bidding, and more.

Ted Crow, The Plain Dealer

It was the night before the Super Bowl a few years back at the glitzy "Taste of the NFL" fundraiser, held annually in the city where the big game is played. Party planner Beth Brody was overseeing the silent auction, which featured 400 tempting items up for bid, from cruises to autographed footballs. Among them was a pair of tickets to the next day's big game.

As expected, the bidding got competitive, remembers Brody, vice president of corporate events for Cleveland-based Party411.

Even at high-end events, where decorum is expected -- and understood -- sweet auction items (like Super Bowl tickets) often bring out the animal behind the black tie.

"We place our staff at the hot items," Brody says, "things that you know there's going to be competitive bidding on, because they'll push each other out of the way. They'll fight. I've seen it all."

When the silent auction ended and the staff person went to the sheet to circle the winning bid, two guys were arguing. Both of them claimed -- loudly -- to be the last bidder.

Security called Brody over.

"Here I am, I'm 5 feet tall, and these two huge men are screaming at me," she says, still incredulous. "I said, 'All right, since you both want to go to the game, go together.' "

They, of course, were now at war (even if they were holding champagne glasses), and there was no way they were going to make it a date.

Brody thought fast.

"We're talking about hungry children," she told them (Taste of the NFL benefits food banks around the country). "What I'm going to do is let you guys keep bidding. We'll just keep going until one of you stops. We'll just keep raising more money for hungry children."

When the bidding finally did stop, one guy -- the one Brody suspected was telling the truth about the last bid -- had a $5,000 pair of tickets. The other guy later approached her and offered a sheepish apology. He'd lost his head, gotten caught up in the moment, the competition, the thrill.

Which is exactly what party planners want (without the bloodletting).

Running a successful money-making charity auction is more than just lubing a crowd with drinks and throwing gift certificates on a table; there is a science to squeezing out bids from party-goers. It's knowing what items to offer, where and how to display them, when to open and close the bidding, and more. The goal is more money for local charities. And succeeding is getting more difficult.

"In today's economy, it's very challenging . . . we're not seeing quite the same kinds of dollars that we did," says Lee Rosenberg, who owns Beachwood-based LR Event Management. "You have to be very thoughtful about how to do this now. Everyone is trying to get that fundraising dollar. There are so many nonprofits in this town."

For instance, instead of packaging five or 10 restaurant certificates together in a single, high-priced gift basket, event planners are more apt to put them up for auction individually, says Rosenberg, to make them more affordable.

"We need to be creative," she says. "We want to make our auction better than others."

Here's how party planners do it:

The items

It's simple: A charity auction that offers exceptional items earns exceptional profits. The question is, what's an exceptional item?

"The No. 1 winner is experiences," says Brody. "If you have money, you can go on the Internet and get a LeBron James signed jersey all day long. What you can't get is a chance to play basketball with a Cavaliers player on the court at Quicken Loans Arena. It got a $4,000 bid because it was an experience you could get nowhere else."

Dinner with celebrities, field passes to games, a chance to throw a ceremonial first pitch at an Indians game, -- they are all winners.

And the clunkers?

"Autographed books are not a hot item," says Brody. "Health stuff isn't big. Three-month fitness memberships? They don't work."

Priming the pump

"Auction buying is impulse buying," says Rosenberg.

And what adds to impulsiveness? The warm feeling of charity, a belly full of good food -- and a couple cocktails.

"We count on that," says Rosenberg, laughing. "We absolutely count on that."

Brody dismisses it.

"Does it make them spend money they wouldn't have spent? Perhaps," she says. "But I think that in this day and age of drinking and driving, people are more cautious. . . . I'm sure it does affect them a little bit but I wouldn't say it was a huge factor."

Still, anecdotal evidence abounds of people being guilty of BWI (bidding while intoxicated) and waking up the morning after a charity event with a headache and a gift basket of 12 beach towels, a garish necklace or artwork best suited for a closet door (the inside of a closet door).

Kami White, who grew up in Hudson and now lives in Maryland, remembers going to a school charity event for a neighbor's son -- and drinking a lot of red wine.

"We ended up buying," she said, via e-mail, "a framed picture of the Golden Gate Bridge, a big Mexican fiesta basket, a diamond necklace, a wine tasting for 12, and a dinner for 10.

"Luckily, my husband lost out on the trip to Aruba."

Fausto Carmona is the Tribe's lone representative to the All-Star game this year. But what about next year? Are there any other current Indians who could wear stars in 2011?

View full sizeAP FileWill catcher Carlos Santana's bat be enough to earn him a spot on the 2011 All-Star team? Which, if any, of his teammates could join him. Optimistic minds want to know.

Given all that, we've decided to get a head start on the typical optimism that surfaces during spring training. We're going to pretend that the youngsters who are doing so well today are going to be here next season (a dangerous assumption, but whaddya gonna do?) and ask which of them you think could join Fausto Carmona on the 2011 All-Star team.

Could it be hot-hitting -- if forgetful -- catcher Carlos Santana. Asdrubal Cabrera, assuming his breaks from now on are good ones, not involving bones? Michael Brantley? Matt LaPorta?

Hey, it's never too early for a Cleveland fan to start spouting, "Wait'll next year!"

Although the ticket promotion is not well known in area circles, Indians vice president Bob DiBiasio said the "Lunch and Three Innings" program is proving to be popular with downtown business workers wanting to eat lunch and watch part of a noontime major league baseball game.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerDale Stewart fans out 250 tickets for the Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue Jays baseball game at Progressive Field on July 1. Stewart bought the tickets through a program called "Lunch and Three Innings." Stewart was waiting in advance for five busloads of kids from the West End YMCA program in Willoughby.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As a senior vice president at KeyBank in downtown Cleveland, Lisa Leemans will sometimes take an extended lunch hour.

One of her favorite spots is not in a restaurant. It's Progressive Field.

Lunch at a major league baseball game?

"It's a great idea," said Leemans, a 47-year-old Sheffield resident. "I work downtown. I can walk to a nice venue and take a longer lunch hour while watching part of a game. It beats eating lunch at your desk."

It's a deal the Indians promote as "Lunch and Three Innings," an idea Vice President Bob DiBiasio said the team has had for three years but is not widely known. A $15 ticket purchased for a noon home game gets you an upper deck seat and $10 credit -- it's a bar code located on the ticket -- towards the purchase of lunch at any Progressive Field eatery.

"Maybe we don't promote this enough," DiBiasio said, "but it has been popular with business people and some people who just want lunch included with their ticket. And we won't kick you out of the park after three innings."

DiBiasio said the promotion is unusual in that only one other team in baseball has the same program -- the Cincinnati Reds. Other small market teams with losing records like Pittsburgh and Kansas City have not tried the program.

Thursday, when the Indians hosted the Toronto Blue Jays, was the fifth "Lunch and Three Innings" game this season. There is another scheduled Sept. 1 when the Tribe plays the Chicago White Sox.

Of the 3,065 tickets the Indians sold on game day Thursday against the Blue Jays, 1,250 were for the "Lunch and Three Innings" promotion, DiBiasio said.

Leemans, who said she saw the promotion last year in an ad, said she goes to the games with co-workers. She uses her $10 credit towards a hot dog and a soda, saying "You can't go to a baseball game and not have a hot dog with Stadium mustard."

Like most business attendees, she will stay about 1½ hours before returning to work -- although she said last year, when she worked at a different bank, she took her whole department for the entire game.

Dale Stewart, 25, youth director of the West End YMCA, used the same promotion to bring day-camp kids to the game Thursday. He purchased 250 tickets, only to discover he needed 19 more.

"The kids love it here, and it's a good way for us to reasonably afford to take that many of them to a baseball game," said the Willoughby resident. "You're basically paying $5 a ticket."

Don Haselow, 58, came up from Salem to watch the game. The truck driver and Cleveland native had no idea the Indians had the promotion, but took advantage of it when a ticket seller suggested the purchase.

"I guarantee you I'll stay for more than three innings," Haselow said. "I'm an Indians fan, it's a beautiful day, and I didn't even expect the lunch that comes with it. What a deal!"

How to fill another day of waiting for LeBron James to make up his mind? Have a hot dog and wait.

View full sizeAP FileAs NBA owners tap their pipelines to the gold at Fort Knox, the rest of us sit, wait and wonder. Where will, from left, Chris Bosh, LeBron James and Dwayne Wade land?

No news is good news, at least as far as the New Jersey Nets are concerned when it comes to acquiring Cavs free agent LeBron James. At least that's the assessment from the New York Daily News.

In its Sunday account of the Knicks' pitch to James, the paper said he told the team he most likely would not make a decision today.

The delay could give the Nets more time to make whatever moves they need to in order to make room for James and one of his superstar free-agent friends.

As they stand, the Nets are about $30 million below the projected salary cap, which gives them enough room for one maximum-salary contract only. According to sources familiar with the Nets' meeting with James on Thursday, he told them to be prepared to take on two max deals -- one for him and one for one of his pals, such as Dwayne Wade or Chris Bosh.

Come to think of it, the delay is good for the Cavs, too. Not that any salary cap room needs to be made. It's just one more day of referring to James as "the Cavs star" instead of "the former Cavs star."

Right now, the biggest pontification is that Dwayne Wade easily could wind up with his hometown Chicago Bulls. Of course, that it's coming from the Chicago Tribune doesn't mean anything at all. (Snicker, snicker).

You don't listen to a team's sales pitch twice in 30 hours -- as Wade did Thursday and Friday -- if you're not serious about the option.

Given his public recruiting for the Heat leading up to this free-agent season, plenty reacted with skepticism when the Tribune reported on June 29 that Wade wanted to visit the Bulls. But sources close to Wade then and now insist his interest is genuine.

What's intriguing is that some of the points from the Bulls' elaborate, three-hour pitch to (LeBron) James on Saturday might resonate more with Wade.

As a Robbins native, he knows the worldwide power of the Bulls' brand because he cheered for those six Michael Jordan-led championships. While at Marquette, he also noticed the United Center was full even for the non-competitive Tim Floyd era. (The Heat's attendance is notoriously poor.)And the Bulls' roster is far superior to the Heat's, with a gaping hole at shooting guard after the salary dump of Kirk Heinrich.

All that's probably true, but the reality is that a James decision to sign with Chicago "might resonate more with Wade," to borrow a phrase.

So saith us pontificators at Starting Blocks, anyway.

What's at stake?

The decisions are those to be made by free agents LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Amar'e Stoudmire and the like. But those decisions aren't going to affect just those men and their families. A nice little story on NBA.com talks about who has the most to lose -- and to gain -- from decisions.

No. 1 on that most-to-lose hit parade should be no surprise to Cleveland sports fans:

Dan Gilbert, majority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers

Of the teams looking to sign James, the Cavs have the most to lose by not getting him. Gilbert has spent a lot of money (player salaries, luxury tax, new practice facility, upgrading Quicken Loans Arena) trying to keep James happy over the last seven years. And if James leaves this summer, the value of the franchise would drop considerably.

On the plus side, though, maybe the guy who made his fortune with mortgages can underwrite the new ones for James, Wade, Bosh, Stoudmire, etc. The interest on a $30 million mortgage for a mansion has to be worth something.

Tuesday's guest will be Plain Dealer reporter Elton Alexander, who will discuss this week's LeBron James Skills Academy in Akron and the buzz at the event as everyone awaits James' decision.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Starting Blocks TV is extending its holiday weekend. Accordingly, there will not be a five-minute Web video show today.

Look for Starting Blocks TV to return on Tuesday. Tuesday's guest is Plain Dealer reporter Elton Alexander, who will discuss this week's LeBron James Skills Academy in Akron and the buzz at the event as everyone awaits James' decision.

Click here to watch previous shows. 

Browns safety Abe Elam, in his first public remarks since signing his tender, says there will be no hard feelings despite not receiving a long-term deal from the Browns.

Thomas Ondrey, The Plain DealerBrowns safety Abram Elam, in his first public remarks since signing his tender, says there will be no hard feelings despite not receiving a long-term deal from the Browns.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns starting safety Abe Elam, who signed his one-year tender recently, wrote on his blog at www.abeelam.com this week that there will be no hard feelings despite the contract dispute.

Elam, who started 16 games last season and made a team high 88 tackles, was hoping for a large, multiyear deal. Instead, he received the second-round tender of $1.759 million. The Browns have also said they might still negotiate long-term deals with some of the former restricted free agents.

"I signed my tender last Monday so I'll still be a Brown this season,'' Elam wrote. "There won’t be any hard feelings. I hope the fans understand that the NFL is a business and as a professional you have to understand the business part of the game. I’m happy to have a job and be able to play for one of the great football towns in Cleveland. I’m just excited to get back to work and hopefully I can help us turn things around and win some games for the greatest fans in the league.

Elam, who skipped the voluntary organized team activities and mandatory minicamp, will receive competition in training camp from veteran Mike Adams and rookies T.J. Ward and Larry Asante. Based on the blog, Elam apparently has no plans to hold out of training camp for the long-term deal.

Could the 'Meter read 'Looking Good' for the second straight day? While the world waits, we can only come up with new reasons for hope. Today, we've got three.

Associated PressAs CEO of LRMR Marketing, Maverick Carter, center, has brokered many deals for LeBron James, but what will his influence be in the "big" decision?

No, we're not talking about John McCain or Dirk Nowitzki, but Maverick Carter, LeBron's business manager and buddy from St. Vincent St. Mary High School.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports it was Carter who pushed out NBA power broker "Worldwide" William Wesley - agent for Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau and alleged source of 'LeBron to Bulls is a done deal' - from last week's meetings in Cleveland.

Wojnarowski writes,

The wresting back of power into James’ Akron-based camp goes a long way to securing the Cavs’ chances for re-signing James. This could preserve James’ future with the Cavaliers, because those surrounding him will eagerly validate his decision to take more money, stay home and keep them all relevant in his career and life.

While the Bulls were the favorites heading into this process, especially among national writers, there is growing sentiment the Cavaliers now have the edge.

Wojnarowski goes on to write,

Officials from teams who made these presentations went along with the charade, but some questioned the legitimacy of the process based on the kinds of questions that were thrown back to them. "It didn’t take long to realize you’re dealing with 25-year-old kids," one source said.

Which brings us to that 'Family Guy' cartoon the Cavaliers showed LeBron during their visit on Saturday. The New York Daily News writes this about it,

A source told The News that the animated movie lampooned everyone from Pat Riley to [Knicks owner James] Dolan and included plenty of locker room humor. It was written by screenwriters Bill Collage and Adam Cooper and directed by Brian Gilbert.

There is a scene where an owner named James Colan continues to reprimand a basketball general manager named Denny Welsh for speaking out of turn.

"Be quiet," Colan says repeatedly, "you're not authorized to speak."

Funny stuff to be sure - and more bad news for Knicks fans - both LeBron James and Maverick Carter were not at the second meeting between the Knicks and James' agent. That's like asking for a meeting with the President and getting Chris Matthews instead.

So, if we cross off the Knicks (and maybe the Bulls) and you're still not convinced LeBron is staying?

Consider then Brian Shaw, the Cavaliers-coach-to-be until he suddenly wasn't. Lost in the frenzied hiring of Byron Scott the day before the Cavs' presentation to LeBron, was an interview Shaw did with a Los Angeles radio station and transcribed by ESPN.com. Shaw told the Mason & Ireland Show on ESPN 710 in L.A.,

When I got a chance to ask questions, of course my first question was let’s talk about the possibility of [LeBron] not returning to the team and what things are going to look like then and what plans you have to fortify the team and make it better. It was an issue that they didn’t really want to think about or to talk about.

I kinda felt like maybe they know something that I don’t know.

All told, three things that make you go 'hmmmmm' equal another 'Looking Good' on the 'Meter today.

Like everyone else in Cleveland, we wonder what LeBron James will do when his contract is up this summer. Will he stay home, or team up with one of his buddies elsewhere? Until he decides to talk, we have to rely on hunches, instincts and educated guesswork. We'll report our findings, more or less daily, using the LeBron-O-Meter.

ROCKY RIVER, Ohio - Mike Sislowski has been hired as the new girls basketball coach at Rocky River. Sislowski, 33 and an Olmsted Falls resident, has coached girls basketball the past two seasons at Rocky River Middle School. He also has been a varsity assistant football coach for the Pirates and at North Ridgeville and a varsity boys basketball...

ROCKY RIVER, Ohio - Mike Sislowski has been hired as the new girls basketball coach at Rocky River.

Sislowski, 33 and an Olmsted Falls resident, has coached girls basketball the past two seasons at Rocky River Middle School. He also has been a varsity assistant football coach for the Pirates and at North Ridgeville and a varsity boys basketball assistant coach at North Ridgeville.

He was selected among 30 applicants.

"The girls have already had an active summer," said Sislowski, an English teacher at Rocky River High. "They have been to a couple of camps and are playing in the Midpark Summer League."

Sislowski succeeds Michael Murray. Murray, who is now the Pirates' head boys basketball coach, compiled a 173-119 record in 13 seasons, including an 82-16 mark the past four seasons, four West Shore Conference titles, two Division II district championships and one Elite Eight appearance.

It's possible that Shin-Soo Choo's injured thumb will be raised in salute to a Korean officer.

View full sizeAP FileHis right thumb sprain may force Shin-Soo Choo into a Korean Army uniform.

The injury to Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo that has landed him on the disabled list could also land him in a different uniform -- a South Korean Army uniform.

The Korea Times reported in today's editions that Choo, who sprained his right thumb diving for a ball Friday night, could end up losing his military exemption because of the injury.

While the absence of the sole Korean Major Leaguer, who may undergo surgery, is a critical blow to the Indians, the injury might also affect Choo's future career in a different way as it could deprive the outfielder of a chance to be exempted from army service back in Korea.

. . . It is not only the Indians who are worried about Choo. Across the ocean, the Korean national baseball team, which is hoping for gold in the Asian Games in November, is keeping an eye on the situation.

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) previously included the slugger on the preliminary 60-man roster in May. Choo is expected to recover before mid-September, when the final 22-man roster will be confirmed.

. . . For Choo, playing at the Asian Games is critically important as it is the only chance for him to get an exemption from the 2-year military service.

According to related regulations, members of a national baseball team can complete their military service with only a 4-week basic training if the team wins a gold medal at the Asian Games, or any medal at the Olympics.

Choo missed his chance previously, when the MLB refused to allow him to play at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. He was not included in the roster for the 2006 Asian Games, but South Korea ended with a bronze medal with consecutive losses to Taiwan and Japan.

Choo is by far the Indians best offensive player, with a .286 average and tops on the club in both homers (13) and RBI (43). Right now, he's expected to be out for six to eight weeks. Try to imagine the Tribe without him for two years.

Not a happy thought, is it?

CBSsports.com offered a look ahead at tonight's game:

With the offense struggling, more pressure will fall Monday on Indians starter Aaron Laffey (1-2, 5.55 ERA).Laffey was solid against Toronto on Wednesday in his second start since being recalled from the minors, allowing one run in six innings of a 3-1 victory - his first since Aug. 16.

"Aaron made good pitches when he had to," manager Manny Acta told the Indians' official website. "He's not an overpowering guy, but he threw a lot of strikes."

Laffey gave up two runs and five hits in 1 2/3 innings of relief against the Rangers on April 14. He is 1-1 with an 8.40 ERA in three starts versus Texas.

. . . Texas won two of three games against Cleveland in April, and swept the Indians in three games the last time they visited Arlington, from April 6-9, 2009.

Oh, boy. This does not bode well.

Writer Dennis Manoloff, was there to chronicle Fausto Carmona's "first career start with 'All-Star' next to his name," and even though the Indians' righty lost 3-1 to the A's at Progressive Field Sunday night, it was a quality start.

And quality starts have been frequent for the young pitcher.

Carmona slipped to 7-7, but don't be fooled: He hardly has been average, as a 3.69 ERA attests. In 13 of 17 outings, he has worked at least six innings and given up fewer than three earned runs -- a quality start in baseball circles.

"A 7-7 record doesn't seem all that impressive," Tribe pitching coach Tim Belcher said, "but he's had four losses and three no-decisions with quality starts -- some of them very quality. He could very easily have as many as 13 wins and quite conservatively 10 or 11, but that's kind of the animal you're dealing with when you have a struggling club."

D-man's Indians Insider column also picked up on an embarrassing moment for catcher Carlos Santana and first baseman Matt LaPorta:

Indians catcher Carlos Santana and first baseman Matt LaPorta had brain cramps in the sixth inning of Sunday's 3-1 loss to the Athletics.

With two outs and a 2-1 count, Carmona got Cust to swing and miss. Santana and LaPorta, thinking it was the third strike, broke for the dugout. Santana reached the steps before he realized the inning was not over.

Cust took ball three and ball four. Mark Ellis singled, Cust advancing to third. Ellis stole second before Gabe Gross grounded out to end the threat.

Oops.

LeBron James has made an appearance at his own Nike Skills Camp in Akron.

Cleveland Cavalier free agent LeBron James, left, watches as Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets takes part in the LeBron James Skills Academy at the James A. Rhodes Arena on the University of Akron campus Monday, July 5, 2010 in Akron, Ohio. James is not expected to say which team he'll choose until the camp ends Wednesday. Last week, James heard presentations from the Cavs, Nets, Knicks, Heat, Clippers and Bulls. (AP Photo/Akron Beacon Journal, Karen Schiely)

Plain Dealer Cavs beat writer Brian Windhorst, tweeting as PDCavsinsider on twitter.com, said that free agent LeBron James has showed up at his Nike Skills Camp in Akron.

"LeBron is here at University of Akron to have workout during his Nike Skills Camp. That is all."

Windhorst followed that tweet with a few others:

"Cavs '09 first-round pick Christian Eyenga here to workout with LeBron as well."

"He brought Damon Jones with him to workout. Should be fun to watch. Bunch of college stars in building working out & trying not to watch LJ."

"For what it's worth, LeBron looks to be in fantastic shape. Looks to be leaner than end of season, no hint of elbow issue."

"Chris Paul and LeBron are on same team...for this pickup game. Paul taking it easy but moving well on ankle & knee for all you Hornet fans."

Then around 6 p.m., Windhorst tweeted, "LeBron just left his camp. Shook his head no when asked if he had a decision or a timetable."

Read more of Brian's Tweets @PDcavsinsider

Read his full story on LeBron James' appearance at the camp here.

Watch the YouTube video from the camp while it's still available: