An die SV » professional and were lucky to have him."

CLEVELAND -- David Blatt went overseas to chase his basketball dreams. Hes coming back to fulfil them. One of Europes top coaches, Blatt was hired Friday by the Cavaliers, who ended a sweeping, 39-day search with an out-of-the-box selection they hope changes their fortunes. American-born, Princeton-schooled and considered one of the games brightest offensive minds, the 55-year-old Blatt has long been interested in coaching in the NBA and the Cavs will give him his first shot. The club signed him to a reported three-year deal that includes a team option for a fourth year. Cleveland contacted high-profile college coaches and interviewed both retreaded head coaches and on-the-rise assistants before zeroing in and landing Blatt, who won several European titles while coaching in Israel and guided Russia to a bronze medal at the London Olympics two years ago. "David Blatt is going to bring some of the most innovative approaches found in professional basketball anywhere on the globe," Cavs owner Dan Gilbert said. "Time and time again, from Russia to Israel and several other prominent head coaching jobs in between, David has done one thing: win. He is not only an innovator, well-trained and focused on both sides of the court, but he is always learning and always teaching. "Whether you are a top draft pick just entering the league, or a seasoned NBA veteran, Coach Blatt is going to take your game and the game of the team you are playing for to a new and higher level. Thats just who the man is and we are proud to call him our new head coach." Blatt will be introduced by the team Wednesday, one day before the club picks first in this years NBA draft. Clevelands third coach in three years, Blatt replaces Mike Brown, who was fired -- for the second time -- on May 12, a few weeks after the Cavs finished 33-49 and missed the playoffs for the fourth straight season. Blatt was not believed to be on Clevelands radar early in its search, but that changed when he resigned at Maccabi Tel Aviv to pursue an NBA gig. Blatt also was coveted as an assistant by Golden State and Minnesota, but the Cavs made him the first European coach to make the jump to the NBA. "David is a great basketball coach and a special person," said Cavs general manager David Griffin. "His abilities to communicate, to build relationships with his players and to foster winning environments at several stops throughout Europe and across the highest levels of International competition speak for itself. He brings unbridled passion, energy and creativity to his craft. "I have watched Davids work for many years. He has an uncanny ability to adapt his system to maximize the talents of his teams year after year. That is why I am very confident he will make a smooth transition to the NBA." William Perry Womens Jersey . Jeter doubled high off the left-field wall and scored on Jacoby Ellsburys first hit in pinstripes in the fifth. Hiroki Kuroda (1-1) pitched 6 1-3 sharp innings in the Yankees 112th opener in New York. In what manager Joe Girardi said would be a season-long lovefest for Jeter, the shortstop was cheered every step of the way by an adoring crowd of 48, 142 -- even when his double-play grounder back to Orioles starter Ubaldo Jimenez (0-2) scored Solarte in the third inning for the first run. Anthony Miller Womens Jersey . It was the quickest three-goal sequence in Olympic history, with the latter two coming just eight seconds apart. Kessel, Lamoureux and Kendall Coyne all scored twice for the Americans, and Molly Schaus made 10 saves in her Sochi debut. http://www.chicagobearfootballauthentic.com/customized/ . With his father watching from the stands, Harrison homered, doubled, single and drove in a career-high five runs to lead the Pirates to a 8-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. William Perry Bears Jersey . Browns owner Jimmy Haslam announced the move with Young on Monday during a speech at a Pro Football Hall of Fame luncheon. Tom Waddle Womens Jersey . QUARTERBACKS Carson Palmer (vs Colts)Last week: 30/42, 419 yards, 2 TDsWinners of their last three and now tied for the final wild card spot in the NFC, the Cardinals are worth keeping an eye on.PHILADELPHIA -- Steve Nash celebrated his 40th birthday with a vintage performance. Nash scored a season-high 19 points and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 112-98 Friday night. Wesley Johnson and Chris Kaman each scored 17 and six Lakers finished with double-digit points. Nash, the oldest player in the NBA, played like the guy who was a two-time NBA MVP a decade ago. He had five assists, four rebounds and shot 8 for 15 in just his eighth game of the season. "I thought I could play well, I could contribute," he said. "At this point, I dont take anything for granted. Its a grind for me to get ready to play every day. Im just thrilled I can move out there without restriction and help my team." In a way, Nash also helped his opponent by putting on a clinic for the younger guys. "Hes a great player, always under control, uses his screens well. I can learn a lot from him," Sixers rookie point guard Michael Carter-Williams said. Tony Wroten scored 16 and Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes each had 15 for Philadelphia, which lost its fifth straight game, seventh in a row at home and 15th of 18 overall. "It appears we play better on the road," Sixers coach Brett Brown said. "Everybody wants to do better in our city, in front of our fans." The Lakers won their second straight game after losing seven in a row. A pair of once-proud franchises that last met in the NBA Finals in 2001, both teams are headed for the draft lottery this season. The Sixers own the leagues third-worst record while the Lakers came in tied for seventh-worst. The Sixers led the entire first half, going up by as many as nine points a few times. Blake hit consecutive 3s for the Lakers to cut it to 64-61 at halftime. The Lakers took theirr first lead, 68-67, in the third on Sacres dunk.dddddddddddd They were up 87-82 when Wroten sank a 62-footer at the buzzer. It was his second shot beyond half court in two games. He made a 58-footer to end the third in a loss to Boston on Wednesday. Los Angeles pulled away early in the fourth. Kaman and Jordan Hill combined for all the points in a 10-0 run that put the Lakers up 101-90 and the Sixers never recovered. "It feels great to get two wins in a row," Kaman said. "This was satisfying because it was a total team effort. Steve Nash was amazing. Hes incredible to do what he does at age 40. Hes a true professional and were lucky to have him." After finishing Wednesdays win at Cleveland with four healthy players and a guy who fouled out, the Lakers had nine active players against the Sixers. Coach Mike DAntoni used a little-known NBA rule to keep Robert Sacre on the court after he fouled out against the Cavaliers. They didnt need any help in Philadelphia. Nash was enough. "Youre around him and you marvel at what he does," DAntoni said of Nash. "The way he works every day, you watch his speed and hes about the same speed he was at 30 years old. Hes not real blinding, but he knows how to play. He plays a little bit, hell get his legs and hell start knocking more shots down." NOTES: The seven straight losses at home are Philadelphias longest since 1996-97 season. ... Nash was MVP in 2004-05 and 2005-06 with Phoenix. ... The last 40-year-old to score 19 points in a game was also a Laker. Karl Malone had 20 for Los Angeles against Houston on April 1, 2004. ... Lakers guard Kendall Marshall had 10 assists in 20 minutes. The last Laker to do have that many assists in 20 or less minutes was Magic Johnson on March 30, 1989. ' ' '