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Columbus to host 2013 All-Stars: NHL Newswatch

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In a season in which very little has gone right for the Columbus Blue Jackets, General Manager Scott Howson was able to deliver something positive: Columbus has landed the 2013 NHL All-Star Game.

nhl_perry.jpgAnaheim Ducks' Corey Perry, right, uses a miniature stick during the breakaway challenge at the NHL All-Star skills hockey competition in Ottawa, Ontario, on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.

In a season in which very little has gone right for the Columbus Blue Jackets, General Manager Scott Howson was able to deliver something positive: Columbus has landed the 2013 NHL All-Star Game.

“We haven't had a lot of good news here since the season started. This is really a nice piece of news for us to start building some momentum,” Howson said Saturday after attending the NHL Board of Governors meeting during the All-Star festivities in Ottawa.

“It's phenomenal for our market. It's phenomenal for our team,” Howson said, noting that the event will bring tens of millions of dollars to the city. “The attention it brings to your city, the attention it brings to your team, it just raises your profile. It's a tremendous event.”

The Blue Jackets (13-30-6) entered the All-Star break with the NHL's worst record and have already gone through a coaching change after Scott Arniel was fired three weeks ago. Only the Tampa Bay Lightning (165) has allowed more goals this season than Columbus (163).

Commissioner Gary Bettman formally announced the Blue Jackets would host the game.

“We're looking forward to bringing our All-Star celebration to Columbus,” Bettman said. “The Blue Jackets did a great job of hosting the NHL Draft in 2007, and I have no doubt they will raise the bar even higher when they welcome our All-Star celebration next January.”

In their 11th NHL season, the Blue Jackets, who play at Nationwide Arena, had applied for hosting rights in 2013, 2014 or 2015. Next year's All-Star weekend will be Jan. 26-27 and will mark the third straight year a city has hosted the game for the first time.

Skills competition: Patrick Kane's Superman cape and Zdeno Chara's blistering-hot slap shot weren't enough to beat Daniel Alfredsson and his team stocked with hometown favorites in the NHL All-Star skills competition in Ottawa. Team Alfredsson beat Team Chara, 21-12, easily clinching the victory in the final-round shootout challenge.

Crosby suffers neck injury: A California doctor says Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby is recovering from a neck injury in addition to a concussion. Crosby visited with neurological spine specialist Dr. Robert S. Bray in Los Angeles this week to treat lingering concussionlike symptoms. The team issued a statement saying Bray diagnosed Crosby with a concussion and an unspecified neck injury, though Bray told the team the neck injury is “fully healed.”



Tiger Takes Share of Lead at Abu Dhabi (video)

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Tiger Woods put himself in position to win his second straight tournament Saturday, and this one would leave little doubt about which direction his game is going.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Tiger Woods put himself in position to win his second straight tournament Saturday, and this one would leave little doubt about which direction his game is going.

He finally won two months ago against an 18-man field in California.

On Saturday, against the strongest field golf has seen in at least three months, Woods shot a 6-under 66 for a share of the lead with Robert Rock going into the final round of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

Woods has a 55-8 record worldwide when he has at least a share of the lead going into the final round, and a win would be the first time since August 2009 that he has won consecutive starts.

There wasn't a lot of fist-pumping from Woods, who traded drama for consistency, racking up six birdies in a bogey-free round. It was a memorable performance by the American, mostly for his ability to hit fairways, tame the par 5s and sink clutch putts — including a 6-footer for birdie on the final hole.

Woods finished at 11-under 205. Rock, at No. 117 in the world, birdied his final two holes for a 66 to join Woods in the last group along with Peter Hanson, who had a 64 and was two shots behind.

Also two back at 9-under 207 were Rory McIlroy, who played with Woods for the third straight day and had a 68, Francesco Molinari (66) and Paul Lawrie (68).


Minnesota Timberwolves' Ricky Rubio holds on to top spot of NBA rookie rankings

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Plain Dealer reporter Mary Schmitt Boyer ranks the NBA's top rookies this season.

ricky rubio.JPGView full sizeThe Timberwolves' Ricky Rubio.

Note: At the start of this shortened season, while we're still getting to know the rookies, these rankings will reflect which rookies had the best week. That means the rankings could swing wildly from week to week. At the All-Star break on Feb. 26, with two months under their belts, we'll start ranking the leaders for the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. Those rankings might not change much from week to week. (Statistics through Friday's games.)

1. Ricky Rubio, Minnesota, G

Stats: 11.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 8.8 assists*

Comment: Averaged 17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 11 assists in past two victories.

Ranking last week: 1

2. E'Twaun Moore, Boston, G

Stats: 3.0 points, 0.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists

Comment: Career-high 16 points, 10 in the fourth quarter, plus excellent defense during Celtics' rally at Orlando.

Ranking last week: Unranked

3. Kyrie Irving, Cleveland, G

Stats: 17.6 points*, 3.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists

Comment: Career-high 32 points vs. New Jersey, 21 in the last seven minutes. Needs to play entire game that way.

Ranking last week: 3

4. Derrick Williams, Minnesota, F

Stats: 8.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists

Comment: Averaged 10.5 points in two starts, career-high 15 points at Utah (off the bench).

Ranking last week: Unranked

5. Jimmer Fredette, Sacramento, G

Stats: 8.5 points, 1.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists

Comment: Averaged 17.3 points in past three games.

Ranking last week: Unranked

6. Brandon Knight, Detroit, G

Stats: 13.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists

Comment: Averaged 16 points for the week.

Ranking last week: 5

7. Kemba Walker, Charlotte, G

Stats: 11.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists

Comment: Averaged 15 points this week, with 22 against New York.

Ranking last week: 4

8. Norris Cole, Miami, G

Stats: 8.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists

Comment: Great lobs, great defense in victory over New York.

Ranking last week: Unranked

9. Jon Leuer, Milwaukee, F

Stats: 6.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists

Comment: Career-high 19 points at Chicago on Friday.

Ranking last week: Unranked

10. Gustavo Ayon, New Orleans, F/C

Stats: 4.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, 0.8 assists

Comment: Career-high 16 points at Oklahoma City.

Ranking last week: Unranked

*-Rookie leader

Dropped out: New Jersey's MarShon Brooks (injured), New York's Iman Shumpert, Charlotte's Bismack Biyombo, Golden State's Klay Thompson, Philadelphia's Nikola Vucevic (injured), Utah's Enes Kanter.

Just missed: Biyombo, Charlotte's Corey Higgins, Thompson, Houston's Chandler Parsons, Lakers' Andrew Goudelock, Memphis' Josh Selby, Portland's Lavoy Allen, Phoenix's Markieff Morris, Sacramento's Isaiah Thomas, Kanter.

Atlanta Hawks break into the top 5: Tom Reed's NBA power rankings

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Plain Dealer Cavaliers beat writer Tom Reed ranks the NBA's 30 teams.

atlanta hawks.JPGView full sizeAtlanta's Joe Johnson (2) drives past the Pistons' Damien Wilkins during the Hawks' 107-101 overtime win on Friday.

(Through Friday's games)

1. Chicago Bulls Last week: 1

Seasonlong, nine-game road trip begins today in Miami.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder Last week: 2

Seven of the next eight on the road, including a Monday visit to Chris Paul and the Clippers.

3. Denver Nuggets Last week: 3

If Knicks fans want to still cheer for a winner, they can root for their former players like Danilo Gallinari.

4. Miami Heat Last week: 5

Dwyane Wade was so tired after hearing how well his team was playing without him (8-1), he returned to the lineup Friday.

5. Atlanta Hawks Last week: 8

They are tough at home (8-1), as the Cavs can attest.

6. Philadelphia 76ers Last week: 4

Next seven games against many of the league's elite will tell us how legit the Sixers are.

7. Indiana Pacers Last week: 7

They remain one of the league's most consistent teams. They have yet to lose two straight.

8. Orlando Magic Last week: 6

How bad was Stan Van Gundy's week? A game in which Orlando scored a franchise-low 56 points was only the second worse loss of the week.

9. Los Angeles Clippers Last week: 11

Even in defeat, they have got the Lakers' attention. Wish there were more than one game left in the battle of L.A.

10. Dallas Mavericks Last week: 15

Champs have won nine of their past 12.

11. San Antonio Spurs Last week: 10

They play 11 of the next 14 on the road.

12. Portland Trail Blazers Last week: 12

They still cannot prove themselves outside the Rose Garden.

13. Houston Rockets Last week: 16

Rockets 8-2 in their past 10 games.

14. Los Angeles Lakers Last week: 14

Tell Pau Gasol to keep his hands off Chris Paul's dome.

15. Utah Jazz Last week: 9

The Jazz are starting to falter a bit and will spend most of February on the road.

16. Boston Celtics Last week: 18

The Cavs might want to prepare for a "bar fight" if ranting and incoherent Kevin Garnett has his way.

17. Memphis Grizzlies Last week: 13

Those hideous green and gold Tams uniforms look they were lifted from a church league.

18. Minnesota T'wolves Last week: 17

Don't sleep on the Wolves, folks. Consecutive road wins over Dallas and San Antonio can attest.

19. New Jersey Nets Last week: 25

Deron Williams has the Nets playing a bit better.

20. Milwaukee Bucks Last week: 18

Andrew Bogut is hurt again. In other news, the Internet remains popular with people under 60.

21. Cleveland Cavaliers Last week: 19

Cavs are 1-4 since beginning 15-game stretch that should end all playoff chatter.

22. New York Knicks Last week: 23

Always remember one thing Cleveland fans: You got the good sports owner named Dolan.

23. Golden State Warriors Last week: 25

The Warriors have only one win in their conference.

24. Phoenix Suns Last week: 22

Seventy-one points against Portland? Maybe desert neighbor Wile E. Coyote can get ACME to send the Suns some offense.

25. Sacramento Kings Last week: 21

Cavs fans can stop rooting for the Kings to make the playoffs now. At least until they show desire to play defense.

26. Toronto Raptors Last week: 26

Coach Dwane Casey's bright start seems like months ago.

27. New Orleans Hornets Last week: 28

Ohio State fans have overstayed bowl visits in New Orleans longer than Chris Kaman's time there.

28. Detroit Pistons Last week: 27

Can Prince Fielder play in the low post? He'd be better than what the offensively challenged Pistons have now.

29. Washington Wizards Last week: 30

The Wiz are squinting as they adjust to natural light outside the basement.

30. Charlotte Bobcats Last week: 29

Hey, Michael Jordan, remember those bottom feeders you tortured as a player? You're now a proud owner.

How much access does Austin Carr have with the Cleveland Cavaliers? Hey, Tom!

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Plain Dealer Cavaliers beat writer answers readers questions.

austin carr.JPGView full sizeAustin Carr

Q: Hey, Tom: During the past couple of broadcasts, Austin Carr has repeatedly said Tristan Thompson shoots a better ball right-handed than left. Does Carr go to Cavs practices or talk to the players about things he sees to make a player better? Does coach Byron Scott welcome Austin's input? Maybe T.T. should work on shooting his free throws right-handed this summer. It can't get any worse. -- Rick Sykuta, Elyria

A: Hey, Rick: Unlike the writers who cover the team, Carr has a chance to watch practice. He is a regular at practice and gets to know the players. I doubt Scott is taking advice from anyone outside his staff and the Cavs' management team.

Q: Hey, Tom: What's the status of Milan Macvan? Do the Cavs plan on bringing him overseas to us soon? What about Sasha Kaun? -- Vinny Horvath, Euclid

A: Hey, Vinny: Macvan, 22, was with European power Macabbi Tel Aviv, but is on loan to KK Partizan in his native Serbia. At last check, he was averaging 15.3 points and 31 minutes as a starter in Euroleague games. Kaun, 26, is not playing nearly as much for CSKA Moscow. He is averaging 11 minutes, 4.5 points and 2.3 rebounds in Euroleague competition. The Cavs still consider them prospects, but both are signed with their respective club teams through next season, which means bringing them here for camp would be tricky. I doubt we will see them next season.

Q: Hey, Tom: With all the talk about what the Cavs might do at the trading deadline, do you think Cavs management might be compelled to keep the current roster intact? They have had a little bit of success, they play hard and they appear to be getting better. I'm not suggesting this team will make noise deep in the playoffs, but this has to be a perfect environment for Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson at this juncture in their careers. -- Leslie Marchak, Sagamore Hills

A: Hey, Leslie: Unless the Cavs are serious playoff contenders at the deadline -- which is unlikely -- I see them moving players. That's the right call for a rebuilding team. I could see Antawn Jamison either being traded or bought out from his contract. I think Ramon Sessions is another player possibly on the move. Sessions could help a contender and bring a decent return. It would take a significant offer to entice the Cavs to move fan favorite Anderson Varejao.

-- Tom

Byron Scott doesn't suffer fools gladly, especially when the Cleveland Cavaliers play poorly: Bud Shaw's Sports Spin

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The coach does not suffer cop-out artists, posers or anything resembling entitlement. His is a good voice for a team this young to hear on a nightly basis.

byron scott.JPGView full sizeCavaliers coach Byron Scott is bringing the truth.

The truth can't set a pick, but it can set you free.

Byron Scott's honesty is not only refreshing, it's apparently contagious.

This edition of the Cavs is half NBA basketball team, half sodium pentothal experiment.

(By the way, remind me not to ask Scott if these jeans make me look fat.)

The coach does not suffer cop-out artists, posers or anything resembling entitlement. His is a good voice for a team this young to hear on a nightly basis.

Kyrie Irving scores 32 points against the Nets while taking some plays off and says, "I felt like I was taking some plays off."

Clearly, LeBron James has not gotten through to this kid yet.

Instant postgame self-reflection during the previous era happened only when James paused to admire himself in the mirror. James never failed, certainly never choked, always made the right play that just sometimes didn't turn out well.

Those Game 5 lapses against Boston? Who? What?

In his retelling, he was a whirling dervish who lacked only the supporting cast that helped Kobe Bryant slay the Celtics.

During the recent four-game slide featuring three noncompetitive efforts, the Cavs' offense looked like one of the 2,345 GOP debates -- five guys with opposing agendas tolerating their time together.

Said Antawn Jamison: "Offensively, I have no clue what we're doing. It's one-on-one basketball."

Jamison called those Cavaliers performances "worse than last year," which was an overstatement (slightly). But erring on the side of deprecation is healthier for the Cavs than letting the whiff of excuse-making and denial inside the locker room.

Watching the Cavs isn't always easy on the eyes. But at least you can believe your ears.

Scott makes sure they face their bad efforts head-on. Of course, the little matter of leading the league in turnovers would be difficult to explain away.

Still, there hasn't been this kind of no-nonsense approach since the days of Paul Silas, a good guy and taskmaster rolled into one.

Scott is just as genuine, and better at judging talent and developing players.

The Cavs got lucky with Irving in the draft. They were also able to take full advantage of another gift -- the amnesty clause, cutting ties with Baron Davis.

"You know who the best mentor for Kyrie Irving is," Scott said at the time. "I don't want to sound cocky saying I'm the best, but you're looking at him."

So far, so true.

So how do you really feel?

Like water off an angry duck's back.

A reporter asked San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh how he dealt with the aftermath of the difficult loss to the Giants in the NFC title game.

"Is it just California that everybody just wants to know how you feel?" Harbaugh said. "Care about what you thought, what you did, how you felt, how your pinkie feels. Is that just a California thing? Back where I come from, nobody really cares. In my opinion, it is a California thing."

We'll take that as "completely over it."

Spinoffs

• Phil Mickelson missed the cut at Torrey Pines, a course he considers his second home. I don't want to say his game is heading in a bad direction, especially with the flat stick, but one of his putts nearly rumbled completely off the green and struck a fire hydrant.

• Yahoo Sports headline: "Dynasties are built on a QB, coach and owner. It's why the Pats might nab title No. 4." Whew. Good thing the Browns are covered in all three areas.

• From ProFootballTalk.com: Brad Childress' Vikings' offenses from 2006 through 2010 ranked 23rd, 13th, 17th, fifth (Brett Favre year), and 23rd in yards gained. In points, they were 26th, 15th, 12th, second (Favre), and 29th. That didn't impress enough people in Minnesota. Here there's one word for those rankings: juggernaut.

Under Childress, the Vikings had the No. 1 rushing offense one year. If he can do that with Adrian Peterson, I'm sure he can do it with Montario Hardesty and Chris Ogbonnaya.

• Vikings fans who turned on Childress for overseeing a too-predictable offense in Minnesota talk about a game in 2010 when Adrian Peterson went out with a helmet malfunction on second-and-nine. The Vikes kept to the script anyway, running Toby Gerhart for a measly 4-yard gain. Why? My guess is they ran Gerhart because they didn't have Alex Smith.

• NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told "60 Minutes" the biggest challenge facing the league is how to get people in the stadium because the viewing experience is so good at home. Other than needing a bank loan to buy a beer, I can't think of why people aren't flocking to the game-day experience.

• The NFL recently signed nine-year extensions with its broadcast partners. The deal could bring in as much as $3 billion in revenues by 2022. . . . Does that sound like a league that needs to black out games if it can't sell out stadiums, or does it sound like a league that simply chooses to?

• Nine of the 11 highest paid players in baseball and four of the five top payrolls reside in the American League. The Tigers will spend more than $130 million, making the Indians' $70 million seem like couch cushion change.

He said it

"Pat's a heck of a play-caller and Brad's a heck of a play-caller, and I think that's a heck of a combination." -- Eagles coach Andy Reid on the addition of offensive coordinator Brad Childress to head coach Pat Shurmur's staff.

Heck of a job, Brownies.

He said what?

"Before it's all over, LeBron will play [for] Cleveland. He will get a statue; they just built a statue for Jim Thome and he stiffed Cleveland just as much as LeBron." -- friend and former PD colleague Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com, to Cleveland's WKNR AM/850 last week.

Jim Thome's quiet departure said to Cleveland: "It's not you, it's me. I want my market value."

James' nationally televised breakup said: "It's not me. It's you." So, you tell me if they were the same.

You said it (The Greatly Expanded Sunday Edition)

Dear, Bud: Since it's their money and they want it now, why don't the Browns call J.G. Wentworth? -- Jim O., Chardon

As one caller said on a local sports talk show, the city should just tell the Browns it's "staying the course" as far as payments go. I'm sure they'd understand the need for patience.

Hey, Bud: It looks as though Fausto Carmona has been lying for years about his name and age. How long will it take until the PD's management finds out you are not 34 years old with the last name of Hemingway? -- Devin, Concord Township

Too late. My 34-hair comb-over gave me away.

Bud: With Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder, do you think the Tigers have a better chance to win the AL pennant or a Nathan's hot dog eating contest? -- Eric Swiatek

On paper they should win the division with an in-dugout hot dog stand and beer vendor at every game.

Bud: Can you give me some cover? Yes, it was 4 a.m. Saturday. Yes, pretty girls were heard shrieking loudly. But, Bud, please convince my wife I was watching the Australian Open Women's final, not something bad on YouTube! -- Jim, deep in a Shaker Heights doghouse

First-time "You said it" winners receive a T-shirt from the mental_floss collection.

Bud: Aren't people with secret identities supposed to have super powers -- or at least a heroic ERA? -- Ignatowski

Repeat winners get the girl.

Bud: Separated at birth? The Browns' receiver who emphatically signals 'first down' trailing by 14 with two minutes left and Austin Carr bellowing 'He throws the hammer down' with the Cavs losing by 25 in the fourth quarter. -- Jim Lefkowitz, Pepper Pike

Repeat winners also sometimes get flagged for excessive celebration.

To reach Bud Shaw: bshaw@plaind.com, 216-999-5639

On Twitter: @budshaw

New Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Brad Childress has knowledge ... and baggage: Terry Pluto's Talkin'

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It's difficult to know how Childress will do in his new position with the Browns.

brad childress.JPGView full sizeBrad Childress was not a popular guy in Minnesota, but should that be held against him here in Cleveland?

ABOUT THE BROWNS AND BRAD CHILDRESS . . .

1. Because Brad Childress was fired as the head coach of the Vikings after a 3-7 start to the 2010 season and because he was despised by much of the Twin Cities media -- and several Vikings players -- it's easy to dismiss him as being able to help the Browns as offensive coordinator.

2. It's hard to know how he'll do in the job -- especially if he has the play-calling duties. He called plays only once -- in 2006, his first season as the Vikings' head coach. After that, he let his offensive coordinator call the plays. In his three years as offensive coordinator in Philadelphia, head coach Andy Reid called the plays.

3. The Vikings hired Childress in 2006 to bring some discipline to an organization that needed it. When Childress was hired from Philadelphia, the Vikings' owners also talked to current Browns GM Tom Heckert. The Vikings wanted them as a package deal, but Heckert turned down the Vikings to stay with Philadelphia.

4. A problem immediately emerged. Childress became a rookie head coach with no strong general manager. He'd never been a head coach at any level, never called plays in the NFL. The Vikings seemed to think he would be the next Reid, the Eagles' coach who strongly backed Childress for the job. Reid runs the Eagles' football operation.

5. Childress was soon making major player-personnel decisions. Think of Bill Belichick's early days with the Browns. Also think of how Belichick did a poor job in news conferences communicating to the fans. Childress was soon nicknamed "Chilly," because that was his personality. He cut wide receiver Marcus Robinson on Christmas Eve, and seemed to believe many public relations aspects of the job were a waste of time.

6. The Vikings improved in terms of discipline and performance under Childress, moving from six wins in '06 to a 12-4 mark in 2009. Veteran players complained his approach to offense was too strict, and that he failed to make it clear what was expected from the players. But the fact is he did win a number of games.

7. The players believed Childress gave Brett Favre special treatment. It worked the first season when Favre led the team to NFC Championship Game after the 2009 season. The next year, Favre missed much of training camp -- one of his tricks near the end of his career as he'd threaten to retire. Childress convinced Favre to return, and then the coach personally picked up the quarterback at the airport. To many players who felt frozen out by Childress' personality, this was offensive.

8. But in 2010 -- Favre's second season -- the quarterback was beat up and ineffective. Soon, he and Childress were clashing. Childress traded a third-rounder to New England for fading Randy Moss, and then cut Moss a month later.

9. So why would Childress be a decent choice as offensive coordinator for the Browns? Start with the job -- offensive coordinator. It's not running the team, making trades, or dealing with off-the-field issues. It's purely coaching football, the offense.

10. Childress' critics will maintain there was nothing great about his offenses in Minnesota except when Favre had his last big season. His supporters will say that Childress is a solid football man who was doing far too many jobs, given way too much responsibility. And yet, he did have some success. Certainly a three-year span of eight, 10 and 12 wins would be welcome in Cleveland.

11. More importantly, Childress will be working for two men he knows and respects -- Heckert and head coach Pat Shurmur. All have football roots reaching back to Philadelphia, where they all worked for Reid. With Mike Holmgren (Reid's early mentor) running the Browns, the team has a strong front office in terms of experienced football men. Childress will not be making personnel decisions. Nor will be spend much time with the media, other than a weekly news conference during the season.

12. The big question will be if Childress can adjust to a much smaller role after having so much control in Minnesota. Of course, he had no job last season -- and needs to rebuild his reputation if he hopes to become a head coach again. Being a part of reviving the Browns' offense would help that cause. If he fails here, he'd have to know his career is in real trouble.

13. In his four-plus seasons as the Vikings' coach, his offense ranked 23rd, 13th, 17th, fifth and 23rd.

14. The Browns must decide if Childress will call the plays or if Shurmur will keep doing it. I've always believed play-calling should be done by the offensive coordinator, unless the head coach has an exceptional track record in that area. It is significant that Childress gave up play-calling after his first year as the Vikings' head coach.

15. Finally, the Vikings are still paying Childress -- $3.3 million in 2012.

ABOUT THE INDIANS' KEVIN SLOWEY . . .

1. The Indians first tried to trade for Slowey at the end of 2011 spring training when Minnesota decided to put him in the bullpen. It was a strange decision by the Twins. Slowey was 13-6 with a 4.45 ERA in 2010. But the Twins always believed his edge was slight . . . a fastball in the 88 mph range and the need for pinpoint control to be effective.

kevin slowey.JPGView full sizeKevin Slowey

2. Slowey was not happy about the decision. He clashed with management. He seemed -- at least in the opinion of the Twins -- to pout a bit. Then, he had some minor injuries -- an abdominal strain and some shoulder soreness. When he did start, he went 0-8 in eight starts. He is the first pitcher to lose his first eight starts of a season since Lou Sleater did it in 1951 for the St. Louis Browns. The season was a nightmare from beginning to the end.

3. So why did the Indians trade Zach Putnam for a guy who was 0-8 with a 6.67 ERA last season? It's because of the visa troubles of Roberto Hernandez Heredia (Fausto Carmona) in the Dominican Republic. But the Indians have long valued Slowey, who had a 39-21 record from 2007 to '10. The problem is Slowey gives up a lot of fly balls and a lot of hits, as he had a 4.45 ERA over that four-year span.

4. Slowey is the kind of pitcher who makes baseball executives say: "He's been winning for us, but that can't go on. He just doesn't throw hard enough." So they look for someone better. Yes, it's similar to what was said about Josh Tomlin in the Tribe's minor-league system.

5. The Indians like that Slowey is a fly-ball pitcher because they normally do well at Progressive Field. Slowey is 3-1 with a 2.63 ERA in four career starts in Cleveland. And they love that since 2007, only Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee have walked fewer hitters per nine innings. And they believe that because he's only 27, he can easily bounce back and win games in the Central Division.

6. The Rockies traded for Slowey perhaps believing they would trade him elsewhere, because fly-ball pitchers usually get migraines dealing with Denver's thin air. The Indians sent Putnam (a solid big-league bullpen prospect) to Colorado for Slowey, the Rockies adding $1.25 million to off-set Slowey's $2.75 million salary. So like the Twins, Colorado believes Slowey's stuff is too slight to win. The Indians have a different opinion, and plan to give Slowey the chance to prove his critics wrong.

ABOUT THE INDIANS' UBALDO JIMENEZ . . .

Tribe manager Manny Acta spent some time with Ubaldo Jimenez in the Dominican Republic this winter. The main concern was Jimenez coming to spring training in top physical condition. He has been faithfully working out with Nelson Perez, the Tribe's assistant strength coach who has spent the winter in the Dominican to work with several of the Tribe's players.

Ubaldo Jimenez.JPGView full sizeUbaldo Jimenez

"[Jimenez] is in excellent shape," Acta said. "He got off to a bad start last year when he got hurt [pulled a groin muscle] and then tried to pitch through it. That led to some problems [with his throwing motion] and some things we can fix. He is so talented, he figured he could just throw through it, but that didn't work."

Jimenez was 19-8 with a 2.88 ERA for Colorado in 2010. He was 10-13 with a 4.68 ERA between the Rockies and Tribe last season. At 27, the Indians believe Jimenez may not repeat that 2010 season, but he can be the pitcher who was 15-12 with a 3.47 ERA in 2009. From 2008 to '10, he had a 46-32 record with a 3.48 ERA for the Rockies.

Acta didn't say it, but the Indians also want Jimenez to cut down his pitches -- he has six -- and rely on his fastball and one or two other pitches.

"He's a bright guy, a good teammate and a hard worker," Acta said. "I really think he can be good for us."

ABOUT THE CAVS . . .

1. J.J. Hickson is expected to become a restricted free agent this summer, as Sacramento does not appear interested in signing him to a long-term deal. Hickson has been a major disappointment, averaging 6.5 points and 6.3 rebounds in 23 minutes per game. In nine starts for the Kings, he averaged 7.2 points and 7.7 rebounds while shooting 33 percent from the field.

2. There are a few reasons the Cavs traded Hickson to the Kings for Omri Casspi. The first was that they had no starting small forward, and thought the 23-year-old Casspi had some ability at that position. They also received a lottery protected first-rounder in the deal, which they may not receive for a long time. The other element was Hickson, who averaged nearly 11 rebounds per game from January to the end of last season as coach Byron Scott gave him large doses of tough love.

3. But the Cavs believed Hickson would never come close to his potential (and he is physically gifted), and they wanted to go with another power forward. They also didn't want to sign him to a long-term deal. So they drafted Tristan Thompson. They don't know if Thompson will be able to score as well as Hickson -- although Hickson suddenly can't make a shot -- but they believe the rookie from Texas will consistently be a superior defender and rebounder.

4. In 18 minutes per game, Thompson is averaging 7.9 points and 4.9 rebounds, shooting 48 percent from the field. The free throws (43 percent) are frightening, but you can see the obvious leaping ability. They also like Samardo Samuels. I hope Samuels gets some more time. Not that he's a star, but he is perhaps the only Cav who can score inside with his back to the basket. He also has a knack of drawing fouls . . . yes, he commits them, too. But he's a physical presence.

5. As for Casspi, it's doubtful that he's the long-term answer at small forward, but he is averaging 8.1 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 44 percent in 21 minutes per game. In the end, the Casspi/Hickson deal may not prove to be much for either team.

6. If the Cavs could ever find a legitimate 7-foot center, then they would move rebounding machine Anderson Varejao to power forward/backup center. That is why they have expressed some interest in New Orleans' Chris Kaman. They also have a large, expiring contract (Antawn Jamison) to deal for Kaman. But the Hornets want draft picks and young players . . . it would be a shock if they traded a first-rounder, or someone such as Thompson in a deal.

7. Kaman is 29 and a free agent at the end of the season. He's averaged 11.7 points, 8.3 rebounds for his career, and was at 18.5 points and 9.3 rebounds in 2009-10. But he is injury prone -- missing 133 games over the past 41/2 seasons. And he may not sign at the end of the year if the Cavs did acquire him. So it's hard to imagine the Cavs trading much for him.

8. Part of the reason Kyrie Irving isn't averaging more assists is that some Cavs who are supposed to be able to shoot are shooting poorly. Jamison (41 percent), Anthony Parker (37 percent) and Daniel Gibson (34 percent) have missed tons of open shots. Irving is the only Cav at 50 percent from the field.

Sports TV and radio listings for Northeast Ohio, Sunday, Jan. 29

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Cleveland, Ohio Today on the air (Click on to links for more team or event information) AUTO RACING 9 a.m. 24 Hours at Daytona (finish of race) Speed BOWLING 12:30 p.m. PBA, USBC Masters ESPN EXTREME SPORTS 2 p.m. Winter X Games ESPN 9 p.m. Winter X Games ESPN 2 a.m. (Monday) Winter X Games (tape) ESPN2 FIGURE SKATING...

ben-roethlisberger.jpgPittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger is in the Pro Bowl.

Cleveland, Ohio

Today on the air

(Click on to links for more team or event information)

AUTO RACING

9 a.m. 24 Hours at Daytona (finish of race) Speed

BOWLING

12:30 p.m. PBA, USBC Masters ESPN

EXTREME SPORTS

2 p.m. Winter X Games ESPN
9 p.m. Winter X Games ESPN
2 a.m. (Monday) Winter X Games (tape) ESPN2

FIGURE SKATING
3 p.m. U.S. Championships WKYC

GOLF
1 p.m. Farmers Insurance Open Golf Channel
3 p.m. Farmers Insurance Open WOIO
 

HOCKEY
3:30 p.m. High School, Avon Lake at Midview AM/1380
4 p.m. NHL All-Star Game NBCSN
*NBC Sports Network, formerly Versus
 

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Noon New Hampshire at Vermont CBSSN
1 p.m. Michigan at Ohio State WOIO
6 p.m. Iowa at Indiana BTN
6 p.m. Georgia Tech at North Carolina ESPNU
6:30 p.m. Oregon State at Oregon FSO
8 p.m. Indiana State at Evansville ESPNU
8:30 p.m. Stanford at California FSO
 

NBA
3:30 p.m. Chicago at Miami WEWS
6 p.m. Cavs at Boston STO; AM/1100
6:30 p.m. San Antonio at Dallas ESPN
 

NFL
7 p.m. Pro Bowl WKYC
 

SOCCER
8 p.m. Women’s Olympic Qualifying final NBCSN*
*NBC Sports Network, formerly Versus
 

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Noon Marshall at Tulane FSO
1 p.m. Ohio State at Minnesota BTN
1:30 p.m. Rutgers at Georgetown ESPNU
2 p.m. Charlotte at Temple CBSSN
2 p.m. Iowa State at Texas A&M FSO
3 p.m. Penn State at Michigan State ESPN2
3:30 p.m. Florida State at Virginia ESPNU
5 p.m. Tennessee at GeorgiaESPN2 
  


Cleveland Cavaliers try to rebound against surging Celtics: Days of Wine-n-Gold

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Celtics have won four straight behind the play of Paul Pierce, who's averaging 26.3 points in that run

Byron ScottView full sizeCavaliers head coach Byron Scott will look for a better effort from his club Sunday night against Boston.
BOSTON -- After a dozy effort Friday against the Nets, the Cavaliers had better be ready for a bar fight Sunday against Kevin Garnett and the Celtics in TD Garden.

The Cavaliers are catching the Celtics as they are getting their game together despite injuries to three starters: Ray Allen (ankle), Jermaine O'Neal (knee), Rajon Rondo (wrist). Boston has won four consecutive games, including a pair over Orlando, to finally reach .500. A big reason is Paul Pierce who's averaging 26.3 points, 8.8 assists and 7.3 rebounds during the winning streak.

The Cavaliers had better be ready to start on time tonight -- and not just because of the early 6 p.m. tip. They got jumped by the Nets and spent all of Friday chasing the game. The Cavs, losers of five of the past six, did not hold a shoot-around this morning, opting instead for a walk through at the team hotel.

Beyond a better start the Cavaliers need to make some free throws. They are converting 68.6 percent from the stripe, the league's third-worst average. Free throws have an issue in their last two losses, particularly Friday.

It will be interesting to watch the Garnett-Antawn Jamison go at it out over the next two games. These guys have been dueling since high school. I would expect Tristan Thompson to get his shot at KG as well. Thompson idolized Garnett growing up and I recall him saying he might be "star struck" in their first meeting. I'm guessing one quick elbow from Garnett should snap the youngster out of it.

Follow us on Twitter @pdcavsinsider for the latest injury updates on the Celtics once I get to the gym. All three injured starters are listed as day-to-day

PROJECTED STARTERS:
Cavs -- Kyrie Irving, Anthony Parker, Omri Casspi, Antawn Jamison, Anderson Varejao. Celtics -- Avery Bradley, Mickael Pietrus, Paul Pierce, Brandon Bass, Kevin Garnett. 

  

 









Novak Djokovic outlasts Rafael Nadal in the longest Grand Slam singles final ever to win the Australian Open

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Djokovic won 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-5 in 5 hours, 53 minutes to claim his third Australian Open title.

djokovic-nadal.jpgNovak Djokovic (left) holds the Australian Open championship trophy while Rafael Nadal (right) holds the runnerup award after their marathon match.

MELBOURNE, Australia -- Novak Djokovic wore down Rafael Nadal in the longest Grand Slam singles final ever, winning 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-5 after 5 hours, 53 minutes to claim his third Australian Open title.

Djokovic wrapped it up at 1:37 a.m. local time on Monday, becoming the fifth man since the Open Era began in 1968 to win three straight Grand Slam finals.

Minutes earlier, at 4-4 in an electrifying fifth set, an exhausted Djokovic collapsed with his arms and legs spread wide after losing a 31-shot rally -- the longest of the match.

He seemed barely able to pick himself and his racket up, but he somehow lifted himself for one last effort, beating Nadal for the seventh time in a final since March.

The 24-year-old Djokovic tore off his shirt in celebration. He went to his support camp and repeatedly thumped the side of the arena in front of them in delight and relief.

As the players waited for the trophy presentation, Nadal leaned on the net, while Djokovic sat on his haunches. Eventually, a nearby official brought them chairs and water.

"We made history tonight and unfortunately there couldn't be two winners," said Djokovic, the winner of five Grand Slam titles and four of the last five majors.

Djokovic, Nadal, Roger Federer, Pete Sampras and Rod Laver are the only players to win three consecutive Grand Slam finals since 1968.

Nadal became the first man in the Open Era to lose three straight major finals. He was beaten in four sets by Djokovic at last year's Wimbledon and U.S. Open.

"I think we played a great tennis match. I enjoyed being part of this event and this match," Nadal said. "I am not happy to lose the final, yes, but that's one of the losses that I am more happy (about) in my career."

Having reduced Federer to tears when he won the title over five sets in 2009, Nadal managed to maintain his composure during the on-court speeches -- and even managed a joke.

"Good morning, everybody," Nadal said, earning laughs and loud applause from the crowd. "Congratulations to Novak and his team. They deserve it. They are doing something fantastic, so congratulations."

The previous longest major singles final was Mats Wilander's win over Ivan Lendl at the U.S. Open in 1988, which lasted 4 hours, 54 minutes.

The longest Australian Open final also involved Wilander in 1988, when the Swede beat Pat Cash. Sunday's match was also the longest in the tournament's history.

A tense, error-strewn opening set offered no indication of the high drama to follow. In hot, humid conditions, Nadal, trying to step up to the baseline to take the initiative, took it after 80 minutes -- two minutes short of the entire women's final the previous day.

Nadal had only lost one match of his previous 134 in Grand Slams after winning the first set, but he found his serve coming under increasing pressure as the match wore on.

As if to demonstrate the pervading tension of the occasion, Djokovic double-faulted at break point down while serving for the second set at 5-3 before Nadal returned the favor by double-faulting in the next game to give the Serb the second set.

By the time Djokovic took a 3-1 lead in the third set, Nadal's shoulders were visibly slumping and he was talking to himself more often, unable to stop his opponent peppering the baseline with his returns to take control of the points.

At 5-2, his uncle and coach Toni Nadal moved to the front row of the players' box to try to get some positive messages to his nephew. It didn't work. Nadal lost his serve again -- at love.

But in the fourth set, Nadal dug in, drawing on his renowned fighting spirit, and the match really came alive when he recovered from 0-40 down in the eighth game with two spectacular winners, two unreturnable serves and an ace.

The crowd erupted into a chant of "Rafa, Rafa, Rafa, Rafa." Then came a rain shower and a brief delay for the roof to close, providing a much-needed breather for the finalists.

Nadal regained his momentum in the tiebreaker, reeling off four straight points from 5-3 down and taking the match into a decider when Djokovic's forehand dropped wide.

The tennis, almost unbelievably, improved in the fifth set as the match ticked past five hours.

Nadal went up a break at 4-2 and Djokovic seemed to finally be feeling the effects of his nearly five-hour semifinal against Andy Murray on Friday.

But the No. 1-ranked Djokovic responded immediately, finding another brutal return on break point in the next game to force the error from Nadal.

Past midnight and with a working day looming, Rod Laver Arena remained almost full as the final neared its conclusion.

Nadal saved a break point at 4-4 and another at 5-5. Djokovic then came through again. On a second break point, he forced Nadal to net a backhand, giving him a chance to serve out the match.

Still, Nadal wasn't quite done. Djokovic had to save a break point with a cros-court backhand, looking to the sky and crossing himself as he limped back to the baseline, before finally claiming victory with his 57th winner of the match.

 

Cavaliers vs. Celtics: Game preview and Twitter updates

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The Cavs face off against Boston's 'Big 3' this evening at 6. Get Twitter updates from Tom Reed and Mary Schmitt Boyer @PDCavsInsider.

The Cavaliers look to bounce back from their loss to the Nets. Get Twitter updates from Tom Reed and Mary Schmitt Boyer @PDCavsInsider in the box below. Check out the in-game box score here. Read on for a game preview. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Paul Pierce Boston has won four in a row by an average of 13.0 points. Pierce is averaging 26.3 points, 8.8 assists and 7.3 rebounds during the winning streak.

(AP) -- A recent spate of injuries isn't proving much of an obstacle to the Boston Celtics, thanks in large part to Paul Pierce.

The Cleveland Cavaliers haven't been much of an obstacle for opponents recently.

Pierce looks to continue both his surge and that of his team Sunday night as the Celtics go for a season-high five-game winning streak in the opener of a home-and-home set with the visiting Cavaliers.

Boston (9-9) is currently playing without starters Ray Allen (ankle), Rajon Rondo (right wrist) and Jermaine O'Neal (knee). Rondo has been out five games, while Allen has missed three and O'Neal two.

It's unclear when any of them will return, but the Pierce-led Celtics are managing just fine.

Boston has won four in a row by an average of 13.0 points. Pierce is averaging 26.3 points, 8.8 assists and 7.3 rebounds during the winning streak.

Pierce was stellar again Friday, coming two assists shy of a triple-double in a 94-87 home victory over Indiana. He scored 17 of his 28 points in the third quarter and finished with 10 boards, eight assists, three steals and two blocks.

"I like to come out in the third quarter and just be aggressive," said Pierce, who is averaging 6.5 points in the third this season - 2.1 more than in any other period. "You can make your run. You can't really settle on the lead. I try to focus on extending the lead, being more aggressive and getting better as the game goes on."

Pierce is averaging 24.0 points in his last four home meetings with Cleveland (7-11), all Celtics victories.

Brandon Bass is helping to pick up the scoring slack for Boston, averaging 13.0 points and 7.2 boards over his last six games and entering the starting lineup in place of O'Neal for the last two.

Bass scored 22 points and shot 9 of 10 from the floor in his last meeting with Cleveland, last March 21 with Orlando.

The Celtics took two of three from the Cavs last season, winning 112-95 at home behind 24 points from Pierce on Jan. 25, 2011.

While the Celtics are streaking, the Cavaliers have averaged 89.3 points while dropping five of their last six.

Coach Byron Scott wasn't happy with Cleveland's latest effort, a 99-96 loss at home to New Jersey on Friday after beating New York 91-81 two days prior.

"I don't know if guys thought we've arrived or we can't stand prosperity," Scott said. "We lost the game, period. They played harder than we did for a longer period of time than we did. We got what we deserved. We waited until there was seven minutes left in the game to play harder."

Kyrie Irving, the top overall pick in last summer's NBA Draft, is looking to build on his best performance of the season. The Duke product had 32 points, shot 12 of 20 from the floor and added six rebounds against the Nets.

Irving leads the Cavs with 17.6 points and 4.8 assists per game.

These teams will meet again Tuesday in Cleveland.


Cleveland Cavaliers P.M. links: Winning games is the goal, not draft positioning

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Cavs, who play at Boston today at 6 p.m., could contend -- despite current losing ways -- for a low playoff spot in an Eastern Conference lacking in depth. Links to more Cavs stories.

byron-scott-tristan-thompson.jpgCavaliers coach Byron Scott (left, next to forward Tristan Thompson) says, "We'll try to win every game we play. That's the only way we know how."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers, losers of five of their last six games, visit the suddenly energized Boston Celtics at 6 p.m. today.

The Celtics (9-9), during a remarkable week for them, have suggested that it's maybe premature to dismiss them as too old and thus not championship contenders. Boston has won four straight games, all of them without star point guard Rajon Rondo (wrist injury) and the last 3 1/2 games without the veteran standout guard, Ray Allen (ankle).

Highlighting Boston's streak are consecutive wins against the Orlando Magic: 87-56 in Boston, and then 91-83 in Orlando, overcoming a 27-point deficit.

Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are 7-11 following a 6-6 start.

Some observers feel it's better that the Cavs not contend for a low playoff spot, eliminating the team from the NBA draft lottery. Beneath the upper-tier teams, the Eastern Conference is relatively weak, maybe opening the door for a mediocre team or two to advance to the postseason.

Bob Finnan of the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal writes that the Cavaliers intend to win as many games as they can

Obviously, the Cavs want (need?) another high lottery pick. But no one wants to experience a losing culture. That wouldn't be a good thing for rookies Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson.

There are also no guarantees that a team is going to get a great player just because they have a high pick.

The draft has been littered with busts. A team might do better at No. 12 in the draft rather than 3. If teams are smart and do their homework, they can find players throughout the draft. Especially in a draft as strong and deep as 2012 is expected be.

"We'll try to win as many games as possible," Scott said. "We'll try to win every game we play. That's the only way we know how. I don't want us or my players to think we're going to lose games on purpose. That's a terrible, terrible message."

Cavs forward Antawn Jamison has been around the league for 14 years. He said he'd tune out any such talk.

"It would go in one ear and go out the other," he said. "This is a very competitive team. If we compete for 48 minutes for the next 40-some games, this is a playoff-caliber team. It might be a shocker to the outside world who saw what happened last year."

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Cavaliers coverage includes Tom Reed's story that the Cavaliers will try to bounce back against the Celtics; commentary on Cavs coach Byron Scott in "Bud Shaw's Sports Spin;" observations about the Cavs in "Terry Pluto's Talkin;' " Tom Reed's "Hey, Tom!," answering readers' questions about the Cavs; Mary Schmitt Boyer's story that the Cavaliers are reportedly interested in New Orleans Hornets center Chris Kaman; and much more.

Cavs links

Despite his superb play, there's not much chance for Cavs center Anderson Varejao to make the Eastern Conference all-star team. By Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal.

It was the Phoenix Suns, and not the Cavs, who wouldn't make a would-be blockbuster trade as the 2010 trade deadline approached, writes Bob Finnan for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Cavaliers-Celtics preview on CBSSports.com.

Cavaliers notes by Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal.

NBA observations and rumor mill, by Bob Finnan for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Do the Cavs have any "keepers" besides rookies Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson? On the blog "WaitingForNextYear."

Paul Pierce has the Celtics looking like the Celtics again, Frank Dell'Apa writes for the Boston Globe.

St. Ignatius senior Mike Svetina Tweets he'll attend Illinois

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 CLEVELAND, Ohio - St. Ignatius senior safety Mike Svetina has tweeted "Will be attending University of Illinois next fall'' and a number of teammates and friends have followed with congratulatory tweets.      Svetina had given his oral commitment to Miami (O.) in late June but visited Illinois this weekend and apparantly had a change of heart.  

 CLEVELAND, Ohio - St. Ignatius senior safety Mike Svetina has tweeted "Will be attending University of Illinois next fall'' and a number of teammates and friends have followed with congratulatory tweets.
  

  Svetina had given his oral commitment to Miami (O.) in late June but visited Illinois this weekend and apparantly had a change of heart.
 

  The 6-2, 220-pounder accounted for 111 tackles, including 59 solos, four sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, two recovered fumbles and a defensive touchdown in helping lead the Wildcats to an 11th Division I state title.
 

 For his efforts, Svetina was accorded Defensive Player Of The Year honors in The Plain Dealer as well as All-Ohio Co-Defensive Player Of The Year laurels.
 

  Svetina could not be reached for comment.

L.A. Lakers, with ex-Cavaliers boss Mike Brown as coach, set team record: scoring fewer than 100 points in 13 straight games

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It's the longest such streak for a Lakers team since the NBA introduced its 24-second shot clock in 1954. Brown, who coached LeBron James with the Cavs, now has Kobe Bryant, who's leading the league in scoring while the team struggles.

mike-brown-kobe-bryant.jpgCoach Mike Brown (left) and the Los Angeles Lakers have yet to find an offensive consistency, despite the 30-point scoring average of Kobe Bryant (right).

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Mike Brown coached the Cleveland Cavaliers during the most successful era in franchise history.

Brown coached Cleveland from the 2005-06 through 2009-10 seasons, leading the team to the postseason and winning at least one playoff series each season, and helping the Cavs to their lone NBA Finals appearance -- albeit, being swept in four games by the San Antonio Spurs in June, 2007.

Brown's Cleveland teams featured, of course, forward LeBron James. It was after James' disappointing, baffling effort during the Cavs' 2010 Eastern Conference semifinals loss to the Boston Celtics that Brown was fired and James left for the Miami Heat as a free agent.

After taking last season off from coaching, Brown is back, this time as the coach of the tradition-laden Los Angeles Lakers. He replaced Phil Jackson, who coached LA to five championships, including the 2009 and 2010 titles.

Brown's team is again led by one of the league's marquee players, Kobe Bryant. Though, at age 33, Bryant is arguably a bit beyond his peak, he remains a dominant player.

Bryant, in fact, leads the NBA in scoring at 30.0 points per game, going into tonight's Lakers' game at Minnesota against the Timberwolves. James' 29.2 points per game -- going into Miami's home game today against the Chicago Bulls -- was second to Bryant.

Brown, with the Cavs, was occasionally criticized for placing what some observers considered too-heavy-a-load on James, and the same talk is beginning to surface regaurding Brown's use of Bryant.

Bryant is playing 38.4 minutes per game in the compacted NBA season, reduced to 66 games in just under four months due to the lockout. James, 27, is averaging 37.6 points per game. Bryant's offensive role -- as James' was with Cleveland -- exceeds being merely the focal point of the offense. He essentially is the offense.

Amazingly, despite Bryant's prolific scoring, Los Angeles has set a team record for futility. The Lakers, 11-9 going into tonight's game, have scored fewer than 100 points in 13 straight games. Going back to the 1954-55 season, the first year of the NBA's 24-second shot clock, that's the most consecutive games of fewer than 100 points for a Lakers team.

Marc Stein, in his "Weekend Dime" feature for ESPN.com, quotes a Western Conference scout as saying about the Lakers' offensive struggles:

...."They're running conventional NBA stuff now instead of the triangle and they run the danger of being predictable and scoutable for the first time in a long time.

"But they went through the same thing after Phil left [in 2004] and Rudy [Tomjanovich] took over. That resulted in a lot of isolations and Kobe got a lot more touches like he's getting now. That's totally a function of what plays they're calling. Brown is calling all the plays and he's calling Kobe's number four, five, six times in a row. So Kobe is getting lots of touches, but then they do get stuck with a lot of isolation basketball where there's too much heat on [Bryant].

"The problem for Mike Brown is that there's a sense of urgency to perform right now ... but there's no time for practices. Phil could lay back and be patient through the process because he had so much success. I've been impressed with their pick-and-roll defense and how aggressive they've been defensively, but they're evolving offensively."....

Minnesota beats Ohio State women's basketball team for first win over Top 10 foe in six years

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Minnesota upsets ninth-ranked Ohio State women's basketball team.

sammy.jpgIt was a rough day for senior point guard Sammy Prahalis and No. 9 Ohio State on Sunday as the Buckeyes lost in Minnesota.

Minneapolis -- Kiara Buford hadn't enjoyed a win by Minnesota over a nationally ranked opponent since her freshman year. The up-and-down senior shooting guard got her reward after giving the Gophers one of her best all-around games of the season.

Rachel Banham scored 20 points and made three 3-point attempts, helping Minnesota beat No. 9 Ohio State, 76-65, on Sunday.

"Anything I can do to make our team get on a roll and play well, that's what I'm going to do," said Buford, who added 15 points and a season-high seven assists for the Gophers (12-11, 4-5 Big Ten) and frustrated former high school rival Tayler Hill on defense all afternoon.

They beat a team in the Top 25 for the first time since a victory over Notre Dame in the NCAA Tournament in 2009. They dominated in the post, outscoring the Buckeyes, 36-20, in the paint with Katie Loberg and Micaella Riche taking it to the hoop without hesitation to combine for 21 points and 11 rebounds.

But the work Banham and Buford did in the backcourt against Ohio State's star guards was big, too.

Samantha Prahalis, the reigning Big Ten Women's Player of the Week, snapped to life in the second half with 19 of her 25 points. But Ohio State (20-2, 7-2) never fully recovered from some early shooting struggles. Minneapolis native Tayler Hill led the team with 26 points, but she shot just 3 for 11 from 3-point range.

"It just wasn't falling," Hill said.

Prahalis scored the first five points of the second half to pull Ohio State within 34-33, but Banham -- the flourishing freshman point guard -- answered with a 3-pointer. She got fouled shooting behind the arc two minutes later and swished all three free throws.

"I think we had her in a good place, and we bailed her out," Buckeyes coach Jim Foster said.

Said Banham: "I get to the line. You've got to play smart defense, I guess. I was getting hit, and the refs were seeing it."

Banham picked up her fourth foul shortly after halftime and spent much of the stretch on the bench, but the rest of her teammates picked up the slack.

Prahalis, the niece of Minnesota Twins bench coach Scott Ullger, tried to fire her team up with a flurry of fast moves to the basket for tricky layups and well-timed 3-pointers to keep the game competitive.

She picked up her fourth foul near the 71/2-minute mark on an ill-advised backcourt reach-in. She hit back-to-back 3-pointers, the last bringing the Buckeyes within 63-59. The spunky, dark-haired native of upstate New York with a scowl to match her on-court intensity nodded her head and flashed her hot hand to the Williams Arena crowd after the second one with less than six minutes left.

That was as close as they came, though.

Prahalis missed a pair of free throws with 2:26 left and the Buckeyes trailing by 10, causing the Gophers fans to roar with delight. The attendance of 5,626 was their most at home this season.

"Who doesn't want to beat a ranked team? I think that's really cool. And I think doing it front of all those people shows that we're a great team, too," Banham said. "I think they'll want to come out and support us more."

After seven NCAA Tournament appearances in eight seasons, including a trip to the Final Four in 2004, the Gophers haven't been able to regain that success. Since that first-round win against Notre Dame nearly three years ago, they're 13-27 in Big Ten games. Their previous victory over a Top 10 team was in 2006, here against Michigan State. They'd beaten Ohio State only three times in the past 15 meetings.

But they stymied the best shooting team in the Big Ten, with three of the top six individuals by percentage. Hill, the conference's leading scorer, finished 8-for-23 from the floor. The Gophers were also 16-for-17 from the foul line, and the Buckeyes went just 14-for-24.

Buford, who guarded Hill several times in the past at St. Paul Central High School when Hill starred for Minneapolis South, was all smiles after her performance.

"I just tried to stick to the game plan and keep pressure on her. Make her take some outside shots and keep her out of the lane," Buford said. "When they were down and needed to score, I could see it on them."


Benedictine football player Mike Roberts selects Ohio University

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CANTON, Ohio -- Benedictine senior Mike Roberts had a good excuse for meeting the Bengals' basketball team in Canton on Sunday morning before its game. He orally committed to play football for Ohio University on Saturday night during a weekend visit to the campus. Roberts, who will play tight end, planned to meet his teammates at Walsh University before...

CANTON, Ohio -- Benedictine senior Mike Roberts had a good excuse for meeting the Bengals' basketball team in Canton on Sunday morning before its game. He orally committed to play football for Ohio University on Saturday night during a weekend visit to the campus. Roberts, who will play tight end, planned to meet his teammates at Walsh University before Benedictine's 1 p.m. game and he was in the starting lineup as the Bengals took on Bishop O'Connell at the Dunk 4 Diabetes Shootout. Roberts scored 7 points in the Bengals' 63-61 overtime win. His football finalists were OU and Toledo. "When I went to Toledo it was nice and I really loved the coaching staff but to me it was too much like Cleveland with a lot of trouble you could get into," said Roberts, a Division III All-Ohio special mention selection. "OU isn't secluded but it's warming and inviting. It felt like a place I can succeed not only on the field but outside" Roberts (6-4, 245) caught 45 passes last season for 792 yards and six touchdowns. He plans to study sports management.

Ohio State Buckeyes alone in first place after beating Michigan, but road ahead is difficult

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Ohio State took sole possession of first place in the Big Ten while looking at a much tougher second half Big Ten schedule

craft.jpgA strong defensive effort by Aaron Craft and the Buckeyes helped limit Trey Burke, right, to 13 points and limited the Wolverines to a season-low 49 points.

Columbus -- When Ohio State left the court at Illinois 20 days ago, disjointed in defeat, the Buckeyes were in sixth place in the Big Ten behind Michigan State, Illinois, Michigan, Purdue and Indiana.

When Ohio State's mens basketball team left the court Sunday at Value City Arena after beating Michigan, 64-49, OSU big man Jared Sullinger grabbing childhood best friend and Wolverines' point guard Trey Burke for a quick hug in the postgame handshake line, the Buckeyes were back where everyone projected them to be this season -- alone atop the Big Ten.

"It beats second, I do know that," OSU coach Thad Matta said. "There are some things we've got to continue to get better at, but turning the halfway point at 7-2, I like that."

Since Jan. 10, the Buckeyes are 4-0. By holding No. 20 Michigan (16-6, 6-3 Big Ten) to a season-low point total, the No. 4 Buckeyes (19-3, 7-2 Big Ten) broke their first-place tie with the Wolverines and moved a half-game up on 6-2 Michigan State.

"The game on Saturday against Wisconsin, that's the biggest focus right now," Sullinger said.

Returning to the place where Sullinger was involved in a mini controversy, over whether a Wisconsin fan did or did not spit on him a year ago, is just the start of a much tougher second half of the season. At the moment, the Buckeyes are 2-2 against the current top eight teams in the conference, and 5-0 against the bottom four. The Buckeyes have two games left against second-place Michigan State, two against third-place Wisconsin and a road game at third-place Michigan among their final nine.

That's why handling the Wolverines before their six-day break was so important, as the Buckeyes showed their now four-game winning streak is a function of more than just their schedule.

"I don't know if it's just my imagination, but they just really are playing very good defense," Michigan coach John Beilein said. "The defense is really suffocating at times."

That defense didn't let Michigan get to the foul line until 2:33 remained in the in the game. Michigan finished 3-for-4 at the line, Ohio State 15-of-18. Beilein interrupted a question about Michigan's lack of free throws to say sarcastically, "Is that right?"

Michigan entered the game averaging 16 free throws per game in Big Ten play, while the Buckeyes averaged 21. The discrepancy Sunday was probably a mix of home-court officiating and Michigan settling for jump shots.

"They got fouled better than we did," Beilein said.

The Buckeyes did also rebound better than Michigan (38 to 29) and shoot better (43 percent to 36 percent). Sophomore Lenzelle Smith Jr. made Michigan pay for its attention on Sullinger with a career-high 12 rebounds that included eight on the offensive end. He scored a game-high 17 while Sullinger added 13 and William Buford and Deshaun Thomas each had 12.

Sullinger, with his lowest point total of the Big Ten season, said he wasn't patient enough against Michigan's double teams. But Matta said the other Buckeyes didn't give him the proper outlets.

"We didn't help Jared," Matta said. "On a couple turnovers, we weren't where we were supposed to be. I thought Jared player really well and he played through some foul trouble and was very effective."

Sullinger tied the personal point battle with Burke, who scored 13 points and had five assists and five turnovers. But his Buckeyes won the game and claimed a position that over the next five weeks will be a challenge to maintain.

OSU guard Lenzelle Smith does it all in a big way: Bill Livingston

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When it was all over, Smith, playing bigger than his 6-foot-3 size, had helped the Buckeyes reclaim the lead in the Big Ten race in a 64-49 victory against Michigan.

lenzelle.jpgOhio State sophomore Lenzelle Smith Jr., right, had a career-high 12 rebounds and scored 17 points in Sunday's win over Blake McLimans and the Michigan Wolverines.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Talk about "stepping up."

Lenzelle Smith Jr. rebounded and he bounded around. He soared and he scored. He put four Ohio State misses back in Sunday, once with a midair catch and flipped bank off a missed 3-pointer by William Buford that was a little kinetic sonnet.

Smith hit all his five free throws after claiming offensive rebounds and wrestling up shots. Eight of his dozen rebounds were on the offensive glass. He converted the whole, sweaty shebang into 13 of his 17 points.

Few things are more discouraging after a good defensive stand than to lose the "50-50 balls," as coaches call equal-opportunity rebounds.

"And you can add insult to injury when you score off them," said Smith injuriously.

When it was all over, Smith, playing bigger than his 6-foot-3 size, had helped the Buckeyes reclaim the lead in the Big Ten race in a 64-49 victory against Michigan.

" 'Big Game L' " said Jared Sullinger, coining a nickname that was appropriate two Sundays ago, when Smith, a sophomore, like Sullinger, erupted for 28 points against Indiana. It was even more fitting against Michigan, because Smith slipped smoothly into the role of "jack-of-all-trades" and energy guy in which coach Thad Matta has cast him.

Smith is the "other" guard in OSU's three-guard lineup, alongside the point guard and defensive stopper Aaron Craft and senior shooting guard Buford, a growing presence on the all-time OSU scoring list. Jon Diebler played in Smith's spot last year, making 50 percent of his 3-pointers in a prolific season. Buford and Smith were only 1-of-7 behind the arc against Michigan, but Smith only hoisted two.

Overall, he is a productive 45.9 percent from long range, and Buford is at a respectable 37.6 percent.

Still, it wasn't scoring but deterrence and doggedness that won this game. The Buckeyes had a 16-7 advantage in second-chance points, with almost all that coming from Smith.

During one whirlwind 40-second span in the first half, Smith laid in Deshaun Thomas' missed 3-pointer as quickly as he could reach up and haul it in; then scrambled back on defense to claim the rebound of a missed 3 by Michigan's Blake McLimans; next quickly whipping the ball downcourt to Thomas, who was fouled on his own missed layup; and finally came flying in to dunk Thomas' miss just as it glanced off the rim. It didn't count because of a whistle, but as a serious example of hops and hustle, it showed attention must be paid to "Big Game L."

Smith calls himself the best dunker on the team, which is news to those who saw the New Year's Eve loss at Indiana, when 6-7 freshman forward Sam Thompson took Craft's lobbed inbounds pass in the lane and jumped entirely over the established borders of reality with a bullwhipped dunk.

"Sam can jump higher," allowed Smith, "but I'm more creative."

Said Michigan coach John Beilein: "They are a team of long, athletic guys. What might work as a box-out against other teams doesn't against them."

Then, he added, "It wasn't the big fella [Sullinger], it was Smith.''

Matta said, "He just has a knack for the ball."

The Buckeyes are outrebounding opponents by an average of eight per game, both in the Big Ten and seasonlong statistics. Smith, playing the fewest minutes of the starters by a substantial margin, trails only Sullinger and Thomas in offensive rebounds.

"I know the angles where the ball will bounce when different guys shoot," Smith said.

When the Buckeyes won their only NCAA basketball championship in 1960, they were led by the cerebral Jerry Lucas. The methodical Lucas envisioned a clock face above the backboard and deliberately missed shots -- too long at 3 o'clock, too short at 9 o'clock and so on -- to develop a feel for where to position himself.

Smith hasn't broken rebounding down into its component parts as systematically. Maybe no one but Lucas ever did. But when it's Smith's time, he can seize the moment.

The ball, too, of course.

To reach Bill Livingston: blivingston@plaind.com, 216-999-4672

Twitter: @LivyPD

Cleveland Browns P.M. links: Linebacker -- like almost every other position -- an area of need

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It's not the Browns' most glaring weakness, but they are lacking in the talent and depth to man the position as they should in their 4-3 defense. Links to more Browns stories.

dqwell-jackson.jpgLinebacker D'Qwell Jackson had missed the Browns' last 26 games over two seasons with two different torn pectoral muscle injuries, but he bounced back in 2011 to have a superb season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's all but certain that the Cleveland Browns won't spend their first first-round pick -- No. 4 overall in the April 26-28 NFL draft -- on a linebacker.

It's unlikely that the Browns would use their second first-rounder, at No. 22 overall, for an LB.

But most teams coming off a 4-12 record need help at numerous positions, and the Browns certainly are no exception.

Fred Greetham writes for Scout.com's Orange and Brown Report that the Browns need more talent and depth at linebacker in their 4-3 defense.

Concluding his report, Greetham isn't all that critical of Cleveland's linebacking, but neither does he give it a glowing endorsement, writing:

Bottom Line: In many ways, the Browns were very fortunate at the linebacker spot. Jackson and Fujita were on injured reserve in 2010 and were slated to be two-thirds of the starting linebacker unit. Jackson responded with an outstanding season and should be re-signed to a long-term contract.

Gocong played very well and his play showed what the Browns saw in signing him to a contract extension. Fujita has been a strong leader, but his age and durability is in question after finishing the last two seasons on injured reserve.

Maiava and Brown displayed they could provide depth and could step in and start if called upon.

With Jackson and Gocong established as starters, the Browns need to bring in a free agent or draft choice that can compete with Fujita or provide immediate depth.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes "Terry Pluto's Talkin,' " including observations about the Browns' hiring of Brad Childress to be their offensive coordinator; also, Bill Livingston's column that it's the younger quarterbacks who have excelled in the Super Bowl over the last decade.

Goal to goal

The tough question for the Browns: What to do at quarterback? By Jeff Schudel for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

The Browns' dilemma. By Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Repository.

If Brad Childress isn't going to call the plays, what's the point of hiring him as the offensive coordinator? By Jim Ingraham for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

A report card on the 2011 Browns special teams. By Kevin Nye for the blog "Dawg Pound Daily."

With the Senior Bowl over, a new NFL mock draft on FoxSports.com by Peter Schrager.

A mock draft by Don Banks for Sports Illustrated's SI.com has the Browns trading up in the first round.

A year away from football gives Brad Childress a fresh perspective. By Vic Carucci for clevelandbrowns.com.

Antawn Jamison has heard it all from Boston's Kevin Garnett: Cleveland Cavaliers Insider

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Boston's Kevin Garnett is one of the last of the NBA's big trash-talkers: Cavaliers Insider.

kg.jpgCavaliers' forward Antawn Jamison, guarding Boston's Kevin Garnett on Sunday, says Garnett is a great trash-talker but he doesn't let him get under his skin.

Boston -- Cavaliers forward Antawn Jamison began, as he termed it, "a two-day conversation" with Kevin Garnett on Sunday in TD Garden. The chatter, however, one-sided resumes Tuesday at The Q.

In his 14 NBA seasons, Jamison has heard trash talk reduced to a whisper, he said. Big talkers such as John Starks and Charles Barkley are gone. Rabbit-eared referees are quicker with the whistles and technical fouls.

But no one squelches Garnett. The emotional Celtics center remains one of the best and most prolific yappers in the NBA. He can unnerve opponents and take them out of their games, Jamison said.

"KG plays a lot of mental games and he's good at it," Jamison said. "He will hold and grab and talk. There's times I've tried to talk with him, but I don't do it much anymore."

Garnett, 35, has been in Jamison's ear for nearly 20 years. Both players grew up in the Carolinas and faced each other on the AAU circuit. Jamison said Garnett is the same player he was as a kid. Cavaliers rookie Tristan Thompson, who idolizes Garnett, was given a full scouting report on the "shenanigans."

And what are these shenanigans?

"Nothing appropriate for the newspaper or the radio," said Jamison, who relishes the challenge of playing the future Hall-of-Famer. "Let's just say the 'bar fight' [rant] was a G-rating for him."

The Cavs power forward was referencing Garnett's comical post-game interview with TNT's Craig Sager after the Celtics rallied from a 27-point deficit to stun Orlando on Thursday. Garnett called the game a "bar fight" eight times in a 1-minute, 21-second interview.

"I have rewound it so many times on YouTube," Jamison said laughing.

Gibson out: Daniel Gibson sat out the Celtics' game with swelling and stiffness in his neck. The shooting guard said he began experiencing pain after the New Jersey game on Friday and the pain has gotten worse.

He doesn't recall hurting it, but Gibson assumed it occurred during the game. He could barely turn his head, which of course is a basic requirement to play.

Gibson also missed the Jan. 21 game in Atlanta as he was dealing with a death in his extended family.

Pine time: In the preseason, coach Byron Scott hinted that Semih Erden could become a starter once his thumb healed and if he played well.

The Turk is healthy, but hardly playing well. Scott has not played him in the past four games, including Sunday's win in Boston. Samardo Samuels and Ryan Hollins are being used ahead of him.

Scott had planned to evaluate Erden for 10 games in the rotation, starting with Jan. 10 contest in Utah. The trial lasted just seven games.

"I lied," Scott said. "I did kind of lie on that one. . . . I think I gave him a fair chance. I was a little disappointed. I'm hoping these three games he hasn't played gets in his head and when he gets another opportunity he takes advantage of it."

Erden is averaging 3.4 points and 2.1 rebounds in eight games. He scored 14 of his 27 points in one game against Golden State.

"If he plays hard every single night he has a chance to be a good player," Scott said. "It's an energy and effort thing. He has to play a lot harder."

Quotable: Nineteen-year-old Kyrie Irving dropped into Scott's pre-game media scrum Sunday and pretended to be listening. It produced a few chuckles from reporters before the coach took it to another level. "His breath smells like Similac [baby formula] right now. I have been telling him that all season. Finally got to say it in front of you guys. Now it's really out. Tristan Thompson, too."

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