Hurricanes get a surprise visit from LeBron

Basketball Betting Lines

08/27/2010 -

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) - LeBron James went back to school Thursday, working out against the Miami Hurricanes.

The NBA's two-time reigning MVP and some of his new Miami Heat teammates made a surprise stop at the university's basketball facility for some informal scrimmaging against the Hurricanes. James, Udonis Haslem, Mike Miller, Patrick Beverley and New Orleans guard Chris Paul - a close friend of James - played pickup for more than an hour.

``Just left 'The U' hooping with the team ... Great runs! Needed that,'' James posted on Twitter after the workout session.

Some of Miami's players hadn't been told beforehand that James and his crew would be popping in for a workout. James and the NBA players, including injured Heat guard Mario Chalmers, stayed afterward to pose for pictures.

It's not uncommon to see NBA players working out on Miami's campus, especially those who maintain offseason homes in South Florida. As far as the Hurricanes know, Thursday marked the first time James came for a visit since joining the Heat nearly two months ago.

``No question, it's great having those guys here,'' Miami coach Frank Haith said. ``It's a great influence for our players. They're some of the greatest players in the NBA, so it's obviously great for our guys and our program.''

James had a variety of eye-popping dunks during the pickup games, which were played without an audience - and with no video.

The Hurricanes hope to see plenty more of James, who has also been invited to see a Miami football game from its sideline anytime he wants - even if that happens to be Sept. 11, when the nation's No. 13 team travels back to James' homeland to face No. 2 Ohio State.

And if he wants to see a Miami football practice, that's fine with the Hurricanes as well.

James created a buzz in Cleveland last season after saying he could be ``really good'' if he committed to playing football, and Browns coach Eric Mangini make a half-serious offer for the 6-foot-8, 260-pound forward to ``come on down'' to work out with the NFL club.

``You need to come out to the football field and show ur skills for us,'' Hurricanes defensive back DeMarcus Van Dyke wrote to James on Twitter as news spread of the MVP's visit to campus.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

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Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

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