Hello and welcome to the Evening News.
As the Finals continue, we’ll keep you updated every evening. What’s happening today?
Here’s the latest from around the league:
LeBron to start Game 7 with headband
After losing his headband with nine minutes to go in Game 6, LeBron James proceeded to catch fire. Mike Breen noted after James blocked a Tim Duncan layup and followed with a layup of his own on the other end, “Maybe the headband was slowing him down.”
James went on to finish the night as only the fourth player in NBA history to record 30+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 10+ assists in a Finals game. (West, Worthy, Barkley)
Barry Petchesky of Deadspin.com noted, “With the headband, LeBron played 36 minutes and scored 20 points, with seven rebounds and no blocks. Without it, 14 minutes, 12 points, three rebounds, and one massive block.”
#NoHeadband became a national trend on Twitter in the fourth quarter of last night’s thriller and the inspiring performance from James led many to believe he would ditch the headband for good.
When asked about why he went headband-less to close out the game, James nonchalantly told SI’s Ben Golliver, “I guess the headband was the least of my worries at that point.”
James, however, put speculation of a headband retirement to bed on Wednesday after speaking with the media.
LeBron says he will start with headband: “I’m a little superstitious. If it gets knocked off, me and him will have a little discussion.”
— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) June 19, 2013
Full disclosure: I think James looks exponentially more intimidating without the headband; he should definitely go without it in Game 7. Moreover, I had never realized just how reliant I was on identifying James through his headband. I embarrassingly thought to myself with about six minutes left, “Why is Joel Anthony in the game?!?!?”
It was eerily similar to the constant struggle of distinguishing Carmelo Anthony from Kenyon Martin from earlier in the season.
Dwane Casey will return as coach for Toronto
In a team press release, Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri announced that Dwane Casey will return to coach Toronto for the 2013-2014 season. 
While there was some speculation of the recently hired Ujiri wanting to find a replacement for Casey, Ujiri stated that he wants to give Casey an opportunity to succeed.
“I’m excited about moving forward and growing this team with Coach Casey,” said Ujiri.
Casey will be entering the final year of a contract extension that he signed in 2012.
Casey served as Rick Carlisle’s lead assistant with the 2011 Championship Mavericks but owns a woeful 57-91 record in two seasons with the Raptors.
Ujiri will keep Casey on a short leash. If the Raptors stumble out of the gate next season, Casey will likely be the first to go.
Jerry Sloan Returns to Jazz as advisor
Utah Jazz President Randy Rigby announced today the return of Hall of Fame coach Jerry Sloan to the franchise as a senior basketball adviser.
In this role, Sloan will support the Jazz basketball operations and coaching staff through player evaluations at workouts, camps, and summer league; limited pro and regional college scouting; occasional practice observation; and as host of an annual prep and college coaches clinic.
“The basketball knowledge and experience that Jerry brings is invaluable, and his insights will help in our pursuit of becoming a championship-caliber team,” said Rigby. “We are pleased to formally welcome Jerry back into the organization as an adviser.”
“I am glad Jerry is going to continue to be involved with our organization,” said Jazz head coach Tyrone Corbin. “We will benefit from his wealth of basketball experience. I am looking forward to his continued contributions.”
