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INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Luol Deng was surprised. Cheap NBA Jerseys . His mom was shaken. After learning he had been traded from the Chicago Bulls to Cleveland, Deng said the most difficult aspect of knowing he would no longer be playing for the Bulls after nine seasons wasnt packing his bags or saying goodbye to teammates. The hardest part was explaining to his mom, Martha, he had to move. "She couldnt understand why," he said. "She feels like Im a nice guy, I get along with everybody, so I had to explain to her. She was asking me, Are you not playing well? Whats going on? That was the hardest part." Its gotten a little easier. Deng began a new chapter in his NBA career on Wednesday when he practiced with the Cavaliers for the first time. Cleveland acquired the two-time All-Star small forward Tuesday from the Bulls in exchange for centre Andrew Bynums salary cap-friendly contract and future draft picks. Deng said he didnt see the trade coming. The 28-year-old knew a deal was always possible and an end to his run with the Bulls was inevitable, but it caught him off guard. "Ive been very lucky," he said. "Not a lot of guys can say theyve been with one organization for too long. I was definitely surprised. You hear stuff, you hear rumours, but some of its true and some of its not. When it happened, I couldnt believe it. It took a while to hit me. But its not like Im stopping from playing basketball. Ive been traded from one great organization to another one." The Cavs are counting on Deng to make a difference on and off the floor. A dependable scorer, solid defender and leader, Deng brings a winning attitude to a young Cleveland team undergoing growing pains. "Hes a veteran whos still in his prime," said coach Mike Brown. "He adds to the culture of what were trying to do here. Hes definitely a two-way player that can add an amount of professionalism, a maturity, and winning ingredients to any ball club." Brown said Deng, who averaged 19 points and 6.9 rebounds, will likely start Friday night when the Cavs open a five-game road trip in Utah. The trip will help Dengs transition. "Its great for him to get to know us, soon and better, and for us to get to know him," Brown said. "So you couldnt ask for it to happen at a better time." During his first interview with Cleveland media members, Deng flashed his wide smile and charmed reporters while recounting the whirlwind 36 hours since the trade was completed. Deng recently turned down a contract extension from the Bulls, whose season shifted from contention to rebuilding after star point guard Derrick Rose was injured. Several of his former teammates expressed disappointment in seeing him leave, and Deng said it was tough knowing he wont play with them again. "Its basketball at the end of the day, and its my job," he said. "But the hardest thing is those are friends. Its really hard when you wake up the next day and know that your friend is gone and hes going to be competing against you. I think they understand the business part of it. Its a contract thing, and my time has come up. Thats the direction the organization chose to go." Deng is in the final year of his contract worth $14 million this season and is eligible for free agency this summer. Hes willing to discuss a long-term contract with the Cavs, who are just 12-23 and currently out of playoff position. "Im definitely open to talking about it," he said. "I have no problem with that." Deng said he felt like a "college kid" and was amazed as he toured Clevelands lavish training complex for the first time. "Youve got a food place and a chef there the whole time," he said. "You pick whatever you want, then youve got a TV and a hot tub, cold tub. I was caught up with that." When it came time to practice, Deng had to wear No. 8, but afterward he convinced Cavs rookie guard Matthew Dellavedova to give him No. 9, which he has worn his whole career. "We sat in the locker room for a little while looking at each other. It was almost like we were about to break up," Deng said with a laugh. "It was really hard, but hes such a nice guy. He gave up the number. Im definitely going to have to pay him back for that." Deng explained No. 9 has special meaning for him. "Im one of nine kids," he said. "I always wore nine for my mother because she gave birth nine times. It was always my payback to her." Now theres a trade she can appreciate. Cheap Clippers Jerseys Authentic . - The Detroit Lions have placed tight end Brandon Pettigrew on injured reserve, ending his season. Cheap Clippers Jerseys . -- Kevin Stadler might be playing in the Masters for the first time, but hes already showing his old man a thing or two. http://www.cheapclippersjerseys.com/ . Hawkins severely sprained his left ankle while making a diving catch during training camp and went on injured reserve with a designation he could return midway through the season. He was back at practice Wednesday. CHICAGO -- Ryan Kalish wants to make the most of his opportunity with the Chicago Cubs. Kalish got his first hit since Sept. 11, 2012, when he rapped an RBI triple in the first inning Sunday in the Chicago Cubs 8-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. He also had a two-run double and drew two walks as the Cubs avoided a sweep. Kalish missed all of last season after he underwent neck and shoulder surgeries. "Ive enjoyed every single day," he said. "Im trying to live my life like every day could be your last." Kalish made his second start for the Cubs in his first trip to the major since he played for the Boston Red Sox in 2012. "Every day I just come in and Im ready for whatevers thrown my way, especially with everything Ive been through," he said. "I just want to give it my all when I get the chance." Carlos Villanueva (1-2) allowed a run in five innings in his first start and third outing of the season for Chicago. A.J. Burnett (0-1), who signed a one-year, $16 million contract with the Phillies after he spent the last two seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, allowed eight runs, four earned, in 5 2-3 innings. He struck out three but walked six. "I just didnt get it done," Burnett said. "I was pitching behind. I missed first pitches. The key today was throwing strikes. That was embarrassing. I dont care who you are, that is unacceptable." The Cubs scored four runs in the first and sixth innings. Their offence broke out after they scored eight runs and were 4 for 40 with runners in scoring position in their previous five games. "Theyve strung together a lot of good at-baats over the last five or six days. Cheap Swingman Clippers Jerseys. We just dont have a lot to show for it," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said. "Today, we happened to have some balls find holes, and we took advantage of it." The Phillies scored a run on Chase Utleys groundout in the fifth to cut the lead to 4-1. Manager Ryne Sandberg challenged the call that Utley was out at first, but the review confirmed it. Ryan Howard lined into an inning-ending double play. "It was a bang-bang play," Sandberg said about the challenge. "Its the fifth inning. We need baserunners. It was worth a shot." The Phillies went 1 for 15 with runners in scoring position. They scored two runs off reliever Jose Veras in the ninth. Villanueva made his first start after he pitched in relief in two extra-inning games against the Pirates. He allowed game-winning hits in both games. "I wasnt happy when that happened," Villanueva said. "I feel like Ive grown a lot in my years here. You tell me that would have happened to me 5-6 years ago - I dont know how I would have handled it. I take the positive out of it. Now I have a chance to contribute." NOTES: SS Starlin Castro moved to sixth in the Cubs lineup after hitting second or third in previous games and had an RBI double. Castro was 9-for-22 in his career against Burnett entering Sunday. Renteria said he might move Castro around in the lineup. Castro said he agreed with the move. ...After an off day Monday, the Cubs begin a three-game home series against the Pirates on Tuesday. RHP Edwin Jackson (0-0, 1.69) will start against RHP Charlie Morton (0-0, 0.00). Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '