Scott hopes for James

NBA: Byron Scott (above) fondly remembers winning championships with his hometown Los Angeles Lakers.

The new coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers says he’s confident LeBron James will choose to contend for titles near his roots, too.

“There’s nothing like winning at home,” Scott said Friday afternoon at the team’s practice facility.

Scott said he didn’t try to contact James, respecting his privacy, but spoke to people close to him to gauge what he’s like as a person.

“I think at the end of the day, he’s going to make the right decision and he’ll be here in Cleveland for the rest of his career,” Scott said. “His legacy of winning championships in his hometown will be like nothing he’s seen in his life.”

While Scott was introduced at a news conference, James was hearing a pitch from a fourth team – the Los Angeles Clippers – trying to lure him away from the only franchise he’s played for near the place he was born and raised.

Related story, C2

U.S. wins 7th straight title

Softball: The United States defeated Japan 7-0 on Friday in Caracas, Venezuela, to win its seventh consecutive world softball championships.

U.S. team went undefeated in the tournament. Japan took the silver medal and Canada won bronze.

Earlier, Japan defeated Canada 12-3 to set up the final.

Associated Press

Gay, Lagat headline Pre

Sprinter Tyson Gay returns from a hamstring injury in the 200 meters at the Prefontaine Classic today in Eugene, Ore. (NBC, 1:30 p.m.)

Gay has not competed since May.

Gay swept the 100 and 200 at the 2007 world championships and owns the American record in the 100, but in recent years he’s been dogged by injuries and surpassed by Usain Bolt – who holds world records in both events. Bolt won’t be at this meet.

Former Washington State star Bernard Lagat, coming off a victory in the 5,000 meters in the national championships, seeks his third straight victory in the Bowerman Mile.

Associated Press