with the Maple Leafs, cashing in on his 77-26-12 reco

LeBron James began promoting Kyrie Irving as a future Most Valuable Player candidate last season. To hear James talk now, the future might be arriving sooner than expected. Asked if Irving is a viable MVP candidate this season when the race appears to be wide open, James responded, Why not?I think the skys the limit for the kid, hes only (24) years old, James said. He hasnt even gotten to his prime yet.As the Cavaliers prepare to host the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, its far too early to draw any conclusions. Irving, however, appears poised to lead the Cavs in scoring this season after he led them throughout most of the postseason until James overtook him with his magnificent close to the Finals.Why is that significant? James has led his team in scoring every year since entering the league. James was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday despite Irving leading the Cavs in scoring through the first three games.He doesnt have any weaknesses, especially offensively, James said of Irving. Hes been great so far. If guys take away his driving lanes, hes able to create off the dribble, make pull-up jumpers. He can shoot the 3-ball too, so, he doesnt have any weaknesses offensively so it doesnt matter.Its a good time to be a Cleveland sports fan. While the Cavaliers are the defending champions with two MVP candidates this season in James and Irving, the NBA agreed to move up the start of Tuesdays game to 6 p.m. EDT to minimize the conflict with the Cleveland Indians hosting Game 6 of the World Series.The Indians have the opportunity to close out the Chicago Cubs and give Cleveland its second championship in less than five months -- and the Cavs players want to be there to see it. They have already attended home playoff games in each of the first three rounds as a team and Irving said the players intend to walk across the plaza following their game Tuesday to watch the final innings of baseball at Progressive Field.Itll be an experience of a lifetime, Irving said. Game 6 of the World Series, hoo, thats big time. Im excited for them. I know the city is. Im happy our game got moved up. I dont mind moving it for the World Series at all. Itll be an exciting time. Hopefully we can get a suite and we can walk over there as a team and watch our home team go for a championship as well.The Rockets picked up options for the 2017-18 season on both Clint Capela and Sam Dekker on Monday. The team declined the option on guard Tyler Ennis, rendering him an unrestricted free agent after the season. The option exercised was for Capelas fourth season and Dekkers third.Houston has enjoyed success in recent years against Cleveland, winning each of the last four meetings at Quicken Loans Arena and seven of the last eight overall. James Harden is adjusting well to his role as point guard. Harden is one of three players in the league averaging at least 20 points and 10 assists. The other two, James and Russell Westbrook, were named players of the week.Rockets sharpshooter Ryan Anderson is off to a slow start from the 3-point line in his first season in Houston. Anderson is 3 of 10 from deep, although he is aware teams will be targeting him on the perimeter.Certain teams ... are going to try to eliminate my 3-point shot, he told the Houston Chronicle. I have to be super active. Just try to get myself going and my team going. Christen Press USA Jersey . Pedro scored from a pass by Lionel Messi in the 33rd minute and added two more goals in the 47th and 72nd after Valdes saved his second penalty in four days following his stop in Wednesdays 4-0 over Ajax in the Champions League. Alyssa Naeher USA Jersey .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. http://www.officialsocceruswntshop.com/rose-lavelle-usa-jersey/ . But the quarterback hopes to stay involved in football after officially calling it quits Tuesday. "Id love to look at those opportunities as they arise," Pierce said in an interview from his Winnipeg eatery. Sam Mewis Jersey . Hamelin, who triumphed in the 500 on Saturday, edged out Victor An of Russia by 0.021 seconds to maintain his lead in the World Cup standings. Russias Vladimir Grigorev was third. In the relay, Canada took control six laps from the finish line to beat Russia and the Netherlands. Sam Mewis USA Jersey . Q: Team Canada announces their Olympic roster three weeks from today. Who is general manager Steve Yzerman watching? LeBrun: Over the last 48 hours, hes taken in the home-and-home between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche with Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene being the obvious targets. TORONTO -- The Toronto Maple Leafs are hoping to reap the reward of having the NHLs worst team last season.Auston Matthews is the prize.Toronto took advantage of its awful season by drafting the highly skilled player with the No. 1 pick overall, the franchises first selection at the top of the NHL draft since 1985.Matthews, who just turned 19, will have a chance to make an instant impact.The Maple Leafs won just 29 games last season, their fewest since 1970 when they played six fewer games, and won only one more game the previous season.Mike Babcock, meanwhile, proved coaching can only do so much.Toronto gave him a $50 million, eight-year deal a year ago, hoping the Stanley Cup and Olympic gold-winning coach could make a difference.Last year, he did not as the Maple Leafs finished last in the league.This season, Babcock is expecting much better results.Were way better, Babcock said in an interview with The Associated Press while leading Canada to a World Cup of Hockey title. We got kids, but we got skill. Its a way different program than a year ago. We now have a team.Were like a fast-climbing stock. You want to buy. Last year, you didnt want to buy.Here are some things to watch as Toronto prepares to play at Ottawa on Oct. 12 in the NHLs first regular season game:FRANCHISE PLAYERTorontos hopes of reviving its beloved hockey franchise rest with Matthews, its first No. 1 pick overall since selecting Wendel Clark a little more than three decades ago.Matthews showed the world his talent as a key player for the North Americas 23-and-younger team, scoring once against Sweden and Russia and having an assist against Finland. He also very much belonged on the ice in his preseason debut against Montreal after playing in the World Cup.I felt really good, Matthews said.The 6-foot-3, 216-pound center looked good, too, flashing his rare blend of size, speed and skill. He was born in California and lived in Arizona before going to Switzerland last year to prepare to play in the NHL. Matthews had 24 goaals and 22 assists in 36 games for the Zurich Lions.ddddddddddddLots of skill, Babcock said after coaching Matthews for the first time in a game. Hell figure it out.IMPORTANT INVESTMENTBabcock bristled at the notion Toronto didnt make a splash in the summer to improve their team, pointing to picks the team gave up to acquire Frederik Andersen from Anaheim.We traded a first and a second to get a goalie who could win games, he said.The Maple Leafs also dealt goalie Jonathan Bernier as part of the deal.Andersen signed a five-year, $25 million contract with the Maple Leafs, cashing in on his 77-26-12 record over three seasons while competing for playing time with the Ducks.ON THE MENDJames van Riemsdyk got a chance to get into game shape during the World Cup, playing three games and having one assist for the U.S.The 27-year-old forward played in just 40 games last year before his season ended due to a broken left foot.Its huge to have him healthy, Babcock said. We think hes a high-end player. The more skill we have around him, the better off well be.I think JVR is going to have the best year of his career.So far, the 2013-14 season was his best when he had 30 goals and 31 assists.GETTING AN ASSISTBabcock was busy with Canadas World Cup team, giving assistant coaches Jim Hiller, D.J. Smith and Andrew Brewer a chance to lead the team during training camp and early in the preseason.It was a great to give those guys an opportunity to run the program, Babcock said. They probably enjoyed it.TURNING 100The Maple Leafs are planning a season of celebrations to commemorate their centennial. The highlight may be when Toronto hosts the Detroit Red Wings at BMO Field, home of the Canadian Football Leagues Argonauts, in the leagues annual outdoor game on New Years Day.----Follow Larry Lage at www.twitter.com/larrylage and follow his work at www.bigstory.ap.org/content/larry-lage ' ' '

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