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CLEVELAND -- Tristan Thompson has never been viewed as an elite shot blocker, but that could be changing.As the Cavs prepare to host the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, Thompson is averaging 1.8 blocks per game -- more than double his career mark of 0.8.He ranks in the top 10 in blocked shots after finishing tied for 72nd last season. He enters Wednesday with at least three blocks in four of the last eight games; he blocked at least three shots in four of the Cavs 103 games last season.The last couple of years we just talked to him about being a better rim protector and being in the right spots, coach Tyronn Lue said. This year, he has come out and done it. Tristan has really found his way defensively. We know hes a great inbound defender, great pick-and-roll defender, great post defender. But now helping on the weakside, getting blocked shots and protecting the basket has been great for us.Thompson earned his five-year, $82 million contract prior to last season primarily for his defensive work. He may be improved this season as a shot blocker, but he still takes the most pride in his ability to switch onto smaller guards in pick-and-rolls. After chasing around Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith and LeBron James every day, Thompson is able to handle most other guards and wings.I hope they start giving some credit to guys that can guard guards, Thompson said. I know thats not a stat, but that should definitely count. Hopefully I get some credit and make sure you guys dont forget about me when its time to put that name on the (All-Defensive) ballot.The Blazers, meanwhile, are still waiting for their center to get healthy. Ezeli rejoined the team Tuesday in New York after seeking a second opinion on his ailing left knee, but the team provided no real update. Ezeli has yet to appear in a game for the Blazers after receiving an injection in his knee in August that was supposed to keep him sidelined for six weeks.Portland lost at New York, 107-103, Tuesday to fall to a middling 8-8. It has been a disappointing start to the season for a Blazers team that spent $250 million last summer to retain guards C.J. McCollum and Allen Crabbe and add free agent Evan Turner. As a result, Wednesdays game features the two top payrolls in the NBA.The Cavs are embarking on a title defense with their $131 million, but the Blazers are off to a sluggish start despite the summer spending spree and $120 million payroll.I think we are a very average team right now and it shows in our record, McCollum said. The talent is there, but we are not executing well.James missed practice for the Cavs on Tuesday to give his deposition in former players union executive director Billy Hunters wrongful termination lawsuit. James is the vice president of the players union. The deposition is not expected to impact his availability for Wednesdays game. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix Jersey . Westbrook has missed 27 games since having a procedure on Dec. 27 to deal with swelling in his injured right knee — the third operation on the knee in nine months. Bradley Sowell Jersey . JOHNS, N. http://www.cheapbearsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-cordarrelle-patterson-jersey . John Lucas, signed as a mentor for rookie Trey Burke, showed he can score if required, scoring 12 points of his 16 points in the second quarter as Utah built an 18-point lead. William Perry Jersey . With Parker having a quiet game for once, Nicolas Batum and Boris Diaw provided the scoring as France won its first major basketball title by beating Lithuania 80-66 on Sunday. It was a victory that ended a decade of frustration for Parker and a talented French generation, which lost the final against Spain two years ago and took bronze in 2005. Sherrick McManis Jersey . The Dutchmans tenure got off to a poor start when referee Guido Winkmann awarded a penalty within two minutes for Niklas Starks clumsy challenge on Alexandru Maxim. JACKSON, Tenn. -- Jim Hickman, who played for four teams in 13 major league seasons and had a hand in one of the most famous plays in All-Star Game history, has died. He was 79.Hickman died on Saturday at a Tennessee hospital after a lengthy illness, according to the Garner Funeral Home in Ripley.Hickman, a Tennessee native, made his major league debut with the New York Mets in 1962 and hit .252 with 159 homers and 560 RBI in 1,421 games. He also playyed for the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers and St.ddddddddddddLouis Cardinals.Hickman had his best year in 1970 with the Cubs, when he finished with 32 homers and 115 RBI. He hit a game-ending single in the 12th inning of the All-Star Game that year, sending Pete Rose barreling into catcher Ray Fosse for the winning run. [url=http://www.auth