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Coach Brown: Lakers still Bryant’s team

EL SEGUNDO, California (AP)—Mike Brown has taken over as the new coach of theLos Angeles Lakers and says he’s ready to help the team build on its pastsuccess.

During his introduction on Tuesday, Brown made it clear that the Lakers arestill Kobe Bryant’s(notes) team. He says his first meeting with the superstar “wentvery well.”

EL SEGUNDO, CA – MAY 31: Mike… Getty Images – May 31, 6:38 pm EDT NBA Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

Bryant and some of the other players had publicly supported longtime Lakersassistant Brian Shaw in his bid to replace Phil Jackson, who retired. But Brownsays he respects everyone’s opinion and that winning will cure the mixed publicreaction that greeted the announcement of his hiring last week.

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Deadline arrives for Timberwolves, Rubio

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—While Ricky Rubio(notes) mulls coming to the NBA next season, adeadline of sorts came and went on Tuesday without any word on whether theSpanish point guard will be joining the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2010-11.

Under the current collective bargaining agreement, it was the last day Rubiocould sign a contract with the Timberwolves and ensure that his deal will fallunder the existing rookie wage scale.

Without a contract, Rubio will have to wait until the beginning of the newleague year to make his move to the NBA official and with labor unrest looming,it is not certain when that year will begin and what the new rules will be.

David Kahn, left, general mana… AP – May 17, 9:33 pm EDT NBA Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

A Timberwolves spokesman said it is unlikely the team will comment on Rubiobefore his European season ends in June. Rubio’s agent, Dan Fegan, did notreturn a message.

It’s been a delicate and complicated series of negotiations for Timberwolvespresident David Kahn, Fegan and Rubio over the last two years. Kahn andassistant GM Tony Ronzone traveled to Spain in May in part to meet with Rubioand try to persuade him to come to the United States.

The Timberwolves drafted Rubio fifth overall in 2009 but he has spent thepast two seasons with Regal Barcelona. Kahn had a deal worked out to bring Rubioto Minnesota in 2009, but the then-18-year-old backed out at the last moment,unwilling to pay a buyout that topped $6 million out of his own pocket.

Under NBA rules, the Timberwolves can only offer Rubio $500,000 toward thebuyout.

By choosing to stay in Europe for two more seasons, Rubio’s buyout hasdropped to about $1.4 million. The Timberwolves have been working to line uplocal endorsements that would cover that amount, according to a person withknowledge of the situation. The person spoke only on anonymity because he wasnot authorized to publicly discuss the matter.

Signing the contract now could give Rubio a guaranteed contract worth morethan $15 million over four years, a number that could be much lower if theowners get their way and win big salary cuts in the next collective bargainingagreement.

He would also realize his dream of playing in the NBA. He is averaging just6.5 points per game and shooting only 39 percent, but team officials point outthat European games are shorter and perimeter defenders are allowed to be muchmore physical to neutralize his quickness.

The biggest reason for Rubio to decline to sign a contract now is the NBA’slabor uncertainty. With the players and the owners still far apart in theirdemands, the risk of losing games, if not the entire season, remains a concern.

Signing a contract, coming to the United States, and then not being able toplay basketball doesn’t appear to be a very attractive option for a gym rat whohas built his identity with a basketball in his hands.

One more season in Spain also would put him three years out from his draftnight. If current CBA rules stay the same, Rubio would be free of theconstraints of the rookie wage scale and able to negotiate perhaps an evenbigger contract next summer. Even if Rubio does not sign now, the Timberwolveswill still hold his rights.

Kahn and the team have expressed confidence, both publicly and privately,that Rubio will be in a Timberwolves uniform next season. A local radio adpromises “more Rubio sightings” and a person with knowledge of Kahn’s meetingswith several groups of season ticket holders told The Associated Press that theteam president has told those fans Rubio will play in Target Center next season.

For now, however, the waiting continues.

Jon Krawczynski on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/APkrawczynski.

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Rubio faces deadline to sign with Wolves

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—A deadline of sorts has arrived for Ricky Rubio(notes) as hedecides about playing in the NBA next season.

Under the current collective bargaining agreement, Tuesday was the last dayRubio could sign a contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves and ensure that hisdeal will be under the existing rookie wage scale.

If the Spanish point guard does not sign a contract with the Wolves by theend of business on Tuesday, he will not be able to sign until the beginning ofthe new fiscal league year. With labor unrest plaguing the league, it is notcertain when that new year will begin and what the new rules will be when theNBA resumes.

A Timberwolves spokesman says it is unlikely the team will comment on Rubiobefore his European season ends sometime in June.

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Fredette works out for Pacers

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)—Former BYU star Jimmer Fredette has started his NBAworkouts.

Fredette worked out for the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. He says he also plansworkouts with the Knicks, Sacramento, Utah and Phoenix.

HOUSTON – APRIL 03: Jimmer Fr… Getty Images – Apr 3, 9:49 pm EDT NBA Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

Fredette led the Cougars to a No. 3 seed in the 2011 NCAA tournament andstarted all 37 games of the season, averaging 28.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.3assists per game.

Duke’s Nolan Smith, Marcus Morris of Kansas, Tobias Harris of Tennessee andVernon Macklin of Florida also took part in workouts for Larry Bird and othermembers of the Pacers organization.

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‘Decision’ gives James chance at title

MIAMI (AP)—The last time LeBron James(notes) was in the NBA finals, hardly anyonebothered to watch him.

James was a one-man team swatted away by three great players, his ClevelandCavaliers held to the worst offensive performance in finals history and sweptaside by the San Antonio Spurs in 2007. Those finals drew the worst U.S. TVratings ever and ended with James admitting his team was simply overmatched,that nothing could have been done to change the outcome.

That led him last summer to sign with the Miami Heat for a partnership withDwyane Wade(notes) and Chris Bosh(notes), and the promise of multiple championships. Less thana year after coming together, they have a shot at their first when they faceDirk Nowitzki(notes) and the Dallas Mavericks in a series that started late Tuesday.

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“I know what this league is all about, about having multiple guys on thecourt that can dominate a game,” James said. “With teaming up with these guys,I feel like we can compete for a lot of years to come. We’ve proven a lot ofpeople wrong so far. We have a lot of work to do still.”

And this time, people will be watching James—even if only in hope ofseeing the Heat humbled after their theatrics of last summer.

“It’s probably going to get the highest-rated finals, maybe ever. Justbecause of what they were assembled to do, and then the team that we have, Ithink it makes for great TV,” Dallas guard Jason Terry(notes) said.

James announced his free agency decision in a summer televised special whichwas blasted throughout the league, and his popularity tumbled further when theHeat celebrated with what seemed to be part rally, part rock concert.

It cast him in the villain role, but James only cares about the result.

“You know, we’ve got a lot of flak this year, mostly because of myself. Andwe’ve tried to use that as motivation every day we get on the basketballcourt,” James said. “All we can do is play the game of basketball at a highlevel. Play Miami Heat basketball.”

Five years after Wade largely overwhelmed the Mavericks by himself to winthe Heat’s first championship, the teams arrive at Game 1 of the rematch throughdecidedly different constructions.

The Heat essentially sacrificed seasons for salary-cap space, making theplayoffs through Wade’s greatness but with no realistic chance of winning. Thegamble paid off in July, when James and Bosh agreed to come and Wade committedto stay, giving Miami the Nos. 1, 2 and 3 players on perhaps the greatestfree-agency list in NBA history.

Nowitzki’s name was on it, too, and he even said he would have listened ifJames and Wade had tried to recruit him. His preference was to remain in Dallas,as long as owner Mark Cuban would do what it takes to give the big Germananother shot at a championship.

“Ultimately, that’s where my heart was at. I almost felt like we hadunfinished business after ’06,” Nowitzki said. “Had a great meeting with Markthere, free agency. All I needed was reassurance that he was going to keep goingand keep building around this team, and keep putting all his resources for us tohopefully be up there one day. We’re here again at the big stage. Hopefully wecan turn it around this year and finish strong.”

With reliable role players such as Jason Kidd(notes), Terry and Shawn Marion(notes) but nodefined second scorer, the Mavericks arrived in the playoffs as an afterthought,maybe even a first-round upset loser to Portland.

Instead, a stunning sweep of the Lakers in the second round was followed byNowitzki’s spectacular play against Oklahoma City in the Western Conferencefinals, making the Mavericks the last hope for the Heat haters.

“We are facing a very tough team, a very good team with a bunch of closersand leaders. And so we’ve got to just go from there and bring our best game,”Nowitzki said. “But we as players, we’re not really worried about who are thegood guys or the bad guys, what the fans want. That’s not going to matter tous.”

Nowitzki believed the Heat were the favorites “on paper” last summer, butthings changed by the time they met twice in the first two months of the season.Dallas beat Miami both times—the Mavericks have won the last 14 regular-seasonmeetings—as the Heat stumbled to a 9-8 start amid speculation coach ErikSpoelstra could be fired, and criticism that James’ and Wade’s styles couldn’twork together.

The Heat have sorted out themselves now: James and Wade alternating bigshots, Bosh grasping his role as the third scorer, key reserves Udonis Haslem(notes)and Mike Miller(notes) getting healthy at just the right time after nearly season-longinjuries.

So the Heat could win, like it or not. And they’re aware the more likelyanswer is not.

Brian Mahoney can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/Briancmahoney

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James, Nowitzki seeking first rings

MIAMI (AP)—LeBron James(notes) and Dwyane Wade(notes) joked often, smiled easily,answered thoughtfully.

A few minutes later, Dirk Nowitzki(notes) bounded up to a podium and offered a big“How we doin!” to the assembled media.

You’d never know only one of them is a “good guy.”

Less than a year after solidifying their place as the NBA’s villains withtheir high-profile partnership last summer, James, Wade and the Miami Heat arein the NBA finals against the Dallas Mavericks and Nowitzki, being portrayed asa sort of anti-James for sticking with his home team instead of taking the easyway out and going elsewhere for a better shot at a title.

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And if you hated the theatrics of last summer, the light shows, pep rally,and everything else Miami did to celebrate winning the championship of July,better look away. The Heat are just four wins from the first of several titlesthat many predicted when James bolted Cleveland for South Florida.

The way it happened bothered plenty, but James only cares about the result.

“You know, we’ve got a lot of flack this year, mostly because of myself.And we’ve tried to use that as motivation every day we get on the basketballcourt,” James said Monday. “But just play the game of basketball. That’s allwe can do is play the game of basketball at a high level. Play Miami Heatbasketball.”

Five years after Wade largely overwhelmed the Mavericks by himself to winthe Heat’s first championship, the teams arrive at Game 1 of the rematch Tuesdaythrough decidedly different constructions. The Heat essentially sacrificedseasons for salary-cap space, making the playoffs through Wade’s greatness butwith no realistic chance of winning. But the gamble paid off in July, when Jamesand Chris Bosh(notes) agreed to come and Wade committed to stay, giving Miami the Nos.1, 2 and 3 players on perhaps the greatest free-agency list in NBA history.

Nowitzki’s name was on it, too, and he even said he would have listened ifhad James and Wade tried to recruit him. His preference was to remain in Dallas,as long as owner Mark Cuban would do what it takes to give the big Germananother shot at a ring.

“Ultimately, that’s where my heart was at. I almost felt like we hadunfinished business after ’06,” Nowitzki said. “Had a great meeting with Markthere, free agency. All I needed was reassurance that he was going to keep goingand keep building around this team, and keep putting all his resources for us tohopefully be up there one day. We’re here again at the big stage. Hopefully wecan turn it around this year and finish strong.”

With reliable role players such as Jason Kidd(notes), Jason Terry(notes) and Shawn Marion(notes)but no defined second scorer, the Mavericks arrived in the postseason as anafterthought, maybe even a first-round upset loser to Portland. Instead, astunning sweep of the Lakers in the second round was followed by Nowitzki’sspectacular play against Oklahoma City in the Western Conference finals, makingthe Mavs the last hope for the Heat haters who wanted Boston or Chicago tohumble Miami.

“We are facing a very tough team, a very good team with a bunch of closersand leaders. And so we’ve got to just go from there and bring our best game,”Nowitzki said. “But we as players, we’re not really worried about who are thegood guys or the bad guys, what the fans want. That’s not going to matter to us,anyhow.”

Nowitzki believed the Heat were the favorites “on paper” last summer, butthings changed by the time they met twice in the first two months of the season.Dallas beat Miami both times—the Mavs have won the last 14 regular-seasonmeetings—as the Heat stumbled to a 9-8 start amid speculation coach ErikSpoelstra could be fired, and criticism that James’ and Wade’s styles couldn’twork together.

The Heat have it all figured out now: James and Wade alternating big shotsin the clutch, Bosh grasping his role as the third scorer, key reserves UdonisHaslem(notes) and Mike Miller(notes) getting healthy at just the right time after nearlyseason-long injuries.

So the Heat could win, like it or not. And they’re aware the more likelyanswer is not.

Wade was briefly the NBA’s brightest star in 2006, when he averaged 34.7points to lead the Heat back from a 2-0 deficit to beat the Mavs in six games. Asecond ring could elevate him to a second level—or it could be diminishedbecause he needed James and Bosh to get it.

“Only thing I care about is winning. That’s all I care about,” Wade said.“Whatever you guys want to decide to put me or talk about me, that’s where I’llbe. The biggest thing is to be a champion.”

Wade said he was “blessed” to win a ring so early in his career, knowingthis series is loaded with players who have been chasing one for more than adecade. Kidd reached the finals in consecutive years with the New Jersey Netsand figured he’d get another chance with the Nets or much sooner with theMavericks. He’s finally back—the oldest of seven players on the Dallas rosterborn in the 1970s.

“You have great teams in this league like the Lakers and the Celtics andSan Antonio, who were all winning championships. It didn’t work out,” he said.“But now we’re here. And hopefully we can find a way to win a championship.”

James had only once chance and his Cavaliers were quickly swept aside by theSpurs. That was back in 2007, a small-market matchup that drew the lowest TVratings ever for the finals.

That won’t be the case now.

The Heat’s free-agency score brought unprecedented attention to the NBA’soffseason, a new wave of fans to a sport that needs them with a labor crisislooming when this series is over.

People may not like the Heat, but they can’t stop watching.

“It’s probably going to get the highest-rated finals, maybe ever. Justbecause of what they were assembled to do, and then the team that we have, Ithink it makes for great TV,” Terry said.

Brian Mahoney can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/Briancmahoney

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Kidd to be oldest G to start in finals

MIAMI (AP)—After all the assists, steals, 3-pointers and triple-doubles,Jason Kidd(notes) has an easier path to his next entry in the NBA record book.

All he has to do is show up.

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When the Dallas Mavericks face the Miami Heat on Tuesday night, Kidd willbecome the oldest guard to start a game in an NBA finals.

While Dirk Nowitzki(notes) calls him a “fossil,” and Shawn Marion(notes) described himas being “almost 50,” Kidd is a few months past 38. That’s two years olderthan Ron Harper was when he started for the Lakers in 2000.

Of course, Kidd would prefer the title of oldest starting guard to win achampionship. That also was set by Harper in 2000.

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James ‘honored’ to be back in finals

MIAMI (AP)—LeBron James(notes) walked through the tunnel leading from the MiamiHeat locker room Monday, stepped onto the court and gave a yell. He looked downat the NBA finals logo newly affixed on the floor, smiled and nodded.

With that, it became real.

His championship chance—the biggest reason he came to Miami—has finallyarrived.

Swept out of his only other finals appearance four years ago, James will gethis long-awaited second opportunity starting Tuesday night when the Heat playhost to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the NBA’s title series. After a yearlike no other in his life, starting with the much-criticized “Decision,” hisjerseys being torched in Cleveland and never-ending, intense scrutiny of hisevery move, the last challenge will likely prove to be the toughest of them all.

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“I’m honored to be here once again,” said James, who led the Cavaliers tothe 2007 finals and lost in four games to San Antonio. “Now with thisfranchise, it’s an honor. As players, we worked hard. I worked hard individuallyto get to this point. And I had a lot of visions of being in this moment and nowit’s hit me, being on that floor, seeing the championship logos and everything,the finals logos. I’m very excited.”

It showed Monday.

He chatted with teammates, taking part in a long shooting contest withDwyane Wade(notes), Eddie House(notes) and others, looking perfectly comfortable as dozens ofphotographers clicked away for 30 straight minutes. By now, being in themicroscope is an accepted part of the deal for James, who has been dealing withthis since his high school days.

Away from the court, though, those who are around the two-time NBA MVP sayhis focus is even sharper than usual. Winning a title likely won’t changeperceptions about James. His fans will surely remain fans, his critics willsurely remain critics, no matter what happens. But to him, a championship wouldmean everything that took place since 9:27 p.m. on July 8, 2010—the moment hepublicly said he would join the Heat—was all worthwhile.

“He’s focused,” Wade said. “Obviously, we all want it. But in a differentsense, he wants this, he wants to seize this moment. And you can tell by the wayhe’s been playing, especially in late games. He hasn’t left anything to chance,whether it’s guarding the other team’s best player, whether it’s taking bigshots, doing anything it takes. That’s a player that I see hungry for achampionship.”

He’s been that way since July.

When the Heat threw that much-maligned signing party for Wade, James andChris Bosh(notes)—an idea that was born from the team hoping to simply welcome Wadeback to Miami, those organizing the event never knowing it would be James andBosh sharing the stage with him until less than 24 hours before the bash began—James talked about winning title after title after title.

With that, the bar was set.

“He’s been zoned in and he has that killer instinct that is warranted forthe playoffs,” Heat center Jamaal Magloire(notes) said. “You can see that he’swilling to do whatever it takes to win.”

Even his detractors likely couldn’t argue that this season.

Despite sharing the ball with Wade and Bosh, James finished the seasonaveraging 26.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists, numbers very comparable towhat he was accustomed to posting when he was starring for the Cavaliers. Toprepare for facing Miami in this series, the Mavericks have used Dominique Jones(notes)and Corey Brewer(notes) in practice, asking them to do the impossible: play likeLeBron.

Mavs coach Rick Carlisle lauded their efforts.

“You are trying to simulate a guy,” Carlisle said, “that many would argueis unsimulatable.”

The Heat have brought out their 2006 championship trophy at times thisseason for motivation—James was among the players and coaches that posed withthis year’s trophy at ABC’s request, part of the promotional photos and videosthat will be used on finals broadcasts, joking that he held it and was asked todo everything with it “besides take it home.”

No extra motivation is required now, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

“Both teams know what we’re playing for,” Spoelstra said. “Right now, Ithink it’s more important to stay in the moment, stay in the process.”

From the very beginning, this was Miami’s plan. Everything before the finalswould seem like a warmup act. Wade, James and Bosh made no secret of that, allthe way back to that first night they donned Heat uniforms together and rode aforklift to the top of a stage to greet 13,000 screaming fans.

Here’s a reminder of what Wade said that night:

— “We’re not here to sell jerseys,” he said.

Except they did that, with James having the No. 1-selling jersey this year,Wade at No. 6 on that list, and the Heat ranking third in overall sales.

— “We’re not here to pump up ratings,” he said.

Except they did that, too, with the Eastern Conference finals being themost-watched series ever shown on cable.

— “Our goal is to win championships,” he said.

Here comes that chance, and for as desperate as they all are, no one likelyfits that bill more than James.

He’s spoken often in recent days of how getting swept by the Spurs washumbling, a driving force for him to get better over the past four years.

“I go back and look at some of those games, I look at myself and say, ‘Youare a much better player than you were then,”’ James said. “That comes fromplaying games, playing postseason games, losing, winning.

“There’s a lot of guys that have been in the finals, and lost and never gotback. … I’m humbled. I’m blessed that I’m able to get back to this point andbe able to redeem myself for that time when I was in the finals against theSpurs.”

So it’s not just redemption he seeks for what’s happened over the past year.

It’s for what happened in 2007, too, and much more than that as well. He’slong been considered one of the game’s greats, but without a title, he knowsthat label would ring hollow.

“To be here is very humbling. It’s very satisfying at this point,” Jamessaid. “We want more.”

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Wade practices fully, says he’s not hurt

MIAMI (AP)—Before Dwyane Wade(notes) even sat down for a post-practice newsconference Monday, he offered a pre-emptive strike.

“I’m not hurt,” he said.

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And that was news Miami Heat fans wanted to hear on the eve of the NBAfinals against the Dallas Mavericks.

Wade, Udonis Haslem(notes), Mike Miller(notes) and James Jones(notes) were all back in practiceMonday, one day after being held out of contact drills for precautionaryreasons. Everyone fully participated in the workout, which coach Erik Spoelstrasaid he had to cut a bit short because of how physical things were getting inthe practice, during which the Heat had players in knee pads and mouthguards.

“Guys were hitting a little too hard,” Spoelstra said. “A little bit tooamped up.”

The Heat host Game 1 of the finals Tuesday night.

Wade has heard many questions about his health in recent days, dismissingthem all, though his numbers in the Eastern Conference finals—he never shotover 50 percent in any of those five games and was getting treatment on hissurgically repaired left shoulder as the series wore on—sparked speculationthat something was wrong.

Wade has insisted there’s no major issue, saying instead that no one isfully healthy at this point in the season. Like Spoelstra, Wade said Monday’spractice was of the high-energy variety.

“Needless to say, this is one of the most anticipated practices for us allsince training camp … because this is the opportunity—this is the time wherenot a lot of people on our team have been,” Wade said. “Not a lot of guys havebeen to the finals.”

Wade said he wasn’t shying away from contact in the session, either.

“I was mixing it up,” Wade said.

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Heat, Mavericks wary of labor strife

MIAMI (AP)—Reaching the NBA finals typically means a shorter offseason forthe teams involved. This year, the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks realize theymight be looking at a lengthy layoff because labor strife looms.

The collective bargaining agreement expires June 30, and while the leagueand players are trying to reach a new deal, they remain far apart on majorfinancial issues, raising the possibility of a work stoppage.

“Until something is done, nothing is done,” Heat player representativeJames Jones(notes) said Monday on the eve of the finals. “We’re looking at a scenariowhere we’re riding a high of excitement and the game is thriving, to coming backto reality and understanding we’re in a labor battle where there may not begames and players may be locked out.”

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In an attempt to block a potential lockout, the players’ association filedan unfair labor charge against the league last week with the National LaborRelations Board.

“From what I hear and read and see, we’re going to get locked out,”Mavericks co-player rep Brian Cardinal(notes) said. “But hopefully that doesn’thappen.”

Thanks largely to interest in the Heat, the league has seen a big increasein TV ratings during this year’s playoffs. Any work stoppage would come with thesport’s popularity at a peak.

“Not thinking about that now,” the Heat’s Dwyane Wade(notes) said. “When it’stime to think about it, we will. Obviously, it’s something that we’ve known is apossibility for a while. All of us have done our jobs and if there is, we’ll beprepared for it.

“But at this point, the game is at its highest. The game is doing great.We’ve been part of the most-watched games in NBA history. NBA basketball is as(good) as it’s been in a long time.”

DAMPIER’S TURNABOUT: When Erick Dampier(notes) first saw the players’ parking areaat AmericanAirlines Arena, he was less than thrilled. Like many of the hallwaysaround the Heat locker room, the sides of the garage are covered in pictures.

Pictures, that is, of Miami’s win over Dallas in the 2006 NBA finals—whenDampier was a member of the Mavericks.

He’s with the Heat now, and even though he’s endured the ignominious fate ofgoing from a starter for much of the second half of the regular season to beingout of the postseason rotation entirely, Dampier is pleased just to have anotherchance to win the ring that slipped away from him in 2006 when the Mavs won thefirst two games of the series before dropping four straight.

Dampier played in 51 games this season, starting 22, and hasn’t appeared forthe Heat since April 6.

“Being on a team like this, you have to sacrifice something,” saidDampier, who signed with the Heat in November after Udonis Haslem(notes) was injured.“I just looked at it as, I have to do whatever’s necessary for the team to win.… Being older, having played this game for a while, it’s only about getting anopportunity to win a championship.”

Seeing old friends on the Dallas side during these finals will not make theseries emotionally trying, Dampier said. He’s with Miami now, and he made peacea long time ago with what happened in 2006.

“It’s all about us winning at this point,” Dampier said. “We canreference back to 2006 all we want to. That doesn’t mean a damn thing if wedon’t win it this year. Those guys won it in 2006 and they deserved to win it.That’s how I look at it. Here’s our opportunity for us to win. We’ve just got togo out there and take advantage of it.”

FORMER TEAMMATES: Mavericks guard Jason Terry(notes) knows Heat guard Mike Bibby(notes)well, and not just from scouting reports. They were teammates for two seasons atArizona in 1996-98.

“Grilled cheese and French fries—that’s all he would eat back then,”Terry said Monday.

Terry said he keeps in touch with Bibby, which hasn’t always been easy thisyear. Bibby played for three teams during the regular season, and he gave up hisentire salary for next season to join Miami.

Now the 13th-year pro has a chance to win his first ring.

“At this point in his career he has nothing left to do but win achampionship,” Terry said. “This was a great situation for him, and I’m happyfor him. We’re brothers. But when the lights come on Tuesday night, we’ll befighting for every inch of this court.”

Terry also seeks his first title. He has spent the past seven years with theMavericks and averaged 15.8 points per game during the regular season, mostlyoff the bench.

“He’s still playing at a high level,” Bibby said. “He’s being aggressive.The way he’s playing now is the way I always saw him play when we were at schooltogether.”

SHOOTING STAR: Dallas star Dirk Nowitzki(notes) is shooting 52 percent from thefloor, 52 percent from 3-point range and 93 percent from the foul line so far inthe playoffs.

What makes those numbers look even better is the fact that he had similarones in the 2010 postseason.

Nowitzki shot 55 percent from the field, 57 percent from beyond the arc and95 percent from the foul line in Dallas’ six playoff games last year. He’s onpace to become the first player in the last 20 years to shoot at least 50percent from the floor, 50 percent from 3-point range and 90 percent from thefoul line in multiple postseasons.

Over that span, 15 other players have done so once, including Heat reserveJames Jones in 2009.

And for comparison’s sake, Nowitzki shot just 34 percent from 3-point rangeduring the 2006 playoffs, when Dallas lost to Miami in the title series.

AP Sports Writer Tim Reynolds contributed to this report.

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