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Daily News - July 21, 2016

**NOTE: The news clips and articles listed don't necessarily reflect the views or beliefs of the Cleveland Cavaliers or their Basketball Operations staff, partners, or sponsors.**

Phil Jackson and the connections that make champions: Bill Livingston
Author: Bill Livingston
Publication: Cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Phil Jackson won "Eleven Rings," the title of his 2014 book, as an NBA coach, an all-time record.

It's nowhere near as hard as repeating, said Jackson, whose teams in Chicago and Los Angeles had three total threepeats.

"Winning takes talent, repeating takes character," he quotes the great UCLA coach John Wooden as saying.

This is worth noting, in the wake of the Cavaliers' championship and the ridiculous re-stacking of their victims in the NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors, with the year's top free agent prize Kevin Durant. - CLICK HERE to read full story.

Bob Dyer: Akron’s LeBron banner returns home
Author: Bob Dyer
Publication: Akron Beacon Journal

As you may recall, Sherwin Williams was planning to replace its 10-story LeBron James banner in downtown Cleveland for this week’s Republican National Convention, temporarily substituting an enormous advertisement.

But those plans were scrapped after the company took a thrashing on social media and was the target of a Change.org petition that collected almost 25,000 endorsements.

I feared Akron might be having its own LeBron banner controversy when, just 15 days after the big downtown bash celebrating our hometown hero, the south side of the Akron Civic Theatre was bare. - CLICK HERE to read full story.

Realistic Expectations for Cleveland Cavs Rookie Kay Felder in 2016-17
Author: Greg Swartz
Publication: Bleacher Report

The smallest member of the 2016 NBA Draft, Kay Felder could wind up carving a big role with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The 5'9" point guard out of Oakland University joins the NBA champions as a backup to both All-Star Kyrie Irving and veteran Mo Williams, with minutes now available via the departure of Matthew Dellavedova to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Cleveland paid the Atlanta Hawks $2.4 million for the rights to select Felder 54th overall. - CLICK HERE to read full story.

Team USA Offering Window into the Psyches of NBA's Next-Gen Leaders
Author: Kevin Ding
Publication: Bleacher Report

LAS VEGAS — Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant sat at dinner Sunday. It was the eve of Olympic training, and most of the USA Basketball team had gotten together at Anthony's behest. Draymond Green, one of Durant's new Golden State Warriors teammates, was there along with DeMarcus Cousins, DeMar DeRozan, Paul George, DeAndre Jordan and Kyle Lowry.

Besides the prime food and choice tequila, a magician showed up to do some fancy tricks.

Yet the most meaningful moments of the night arose organically in conversation. Anthony and Durant told colorful tales from the 2012 team's past Olympic conquests, and as they did, it sank in for Durant that he and Anthony are the only two players back for the run in 2016. - CLICK HERE to read full story.

Ted Cruz the latest to invoke LeBron James at Republican convention
Author: Des Bieler
Publication: Washington Post

You know you’re reading a Washington Post sports blog when there’s a focus on what happened at the start of Ted Cruz’s Republican convention speech. That’s because, before he refused to endorse Donald Trump and got booed off the stage Wednesday, the Texas senator invoked the name of LeBron James.

“Heidi and I are so honored to join you here in Cleveland, where LeBron James just led an incredible comeback victory,” Cruz said. “And I am convinced America is going to come back, too.”

LeBron James led a powerful comeback, and I am convinced America is going to come back too - @tedcruz #RNCinCLE. - CLICK HERE to read full story.