12-10-2019, 08:27 AM
LeBron James has made his decision and its the Cleveland Cavaliers. There wouldnt have been a lot of sentimental value or intrigue if James decided to stay in South Beach as Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade would have likely joined him (again), making the Heat the favourites (again) to dominate the NBAs Eastern Conference. Rejoining the Cavaliers, on the other hand, not only sees James back in his first NBA colours, but allows for a rarity in sports - a star athlete returning to his first team in the prime of his career. James spent the first seven years of his career with the Cavs, appearing in the post-season five times and making the Finals in 2007. He also won back-to-back MVP awards in 2009 and 2010. And now hes even better. With LeBrons return to Cleveland, he brings hope and excitement to a deflated sports city that once loved him before they despised him. Thats a lot of power to have. But how about other stars whove returned to the place where it all started - and how did it fare for them? Over the last 30 years, there have certainly been some notable examples. In basketball, Canadas own Steve Nash played two relatively quiet seasons with the Phoenix Suns after the club drafted him 15th overall in 1996. Nash would then go on to make a name for himself with the Dallas Mavericks from 1998 to 2004. He made his return to Phoenix as a 30-year-old and would go on to lead one of the most exciting, high tempo teams in NBA history. Nash then won the Most Valuable Player award in 2005 and 2006. Another point guard, Jason Kidd, started his career in Dallas before spending time with the Suns and Nets, leading the latter to the NBA Finals. Kidd found himself back in Big D in 2008 and just three seasons later, helped the Mavericks defeat the LeBron-led Heat for their first championship in franchise history. At the other end of the spectrum, Allen Iverson played a decade with the Philadelphia 76ers before being traded to the Denver Nuggets in 2006. Iverson returned to the City of Brotherly Love in 2009, playing only 25 games for a bad 76ers team. He was understandably a shadow of his former self, but the fans loved the short reunion even though it didnt bring any success. Major League Baseball has a few success stories. Base-stealing magician Rickey Henderson played the first six years of his career with the Oakland Athletics - a flashy speed demon who could also hit for average. After joining the New York Yankees for four seasons, Henderson was traded back to Oakland in 1989. He helped lead the As to their first World Series championship since 1974, hitting over .400 in the playoffs with 11 stolen bases. Andy Pettitte was a key part of the New York Yankees dynasty in the 1990s, winning four championships over his first eight years in pinstripes. He joined the Houston Astros for three seasons from 2004 to 2006 and returned to the Big Apple in 2007. A 37-year-old was an integral part of the Yankees pitching staff during their championship season in 2009, winning two games in the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies - including the clincher on three days rest. In hockey, Trevor Linden got his start with the Vancouver Canucks from 1988 to 1998. He quickly became known as a gritty leader on and off the ice - who could also put up his share of goals. Linden was traded to the New York Islanders in 1998 and after a string of seasons on Long Island, in Montreal and with Washington, the Medicine Hat native returned to Vancouver and stayed there for the rest of his career. He is considered as one of the most beloved players in Canucks history. On the pitch, Ian Rush is known as one of the greatest footballers in Liverpools history. He spent seven years with the club from 1980 to 1987 - recording a total of 139 goals. He would go on to play one season with Juventus before returning to Anfield for eight more productive years. He remains the all-time leading goal scorer in club history with 346. Its not common for star athletes to make their return to their original team. And most of the time, the players best years are behind them and it becomes more of a happy reunion for the fans rather than a shot for glory. King James is in the prime of his career and could go down as the greatest basketball player in history. Heading to Cleveland is a risk, theres no doubt about that. But, winning there could certainly be more rewarding than winning anywhere else. Cleveland is now in the centre of the basketball universe. Its time to sit back and see how the next chapter of NBA history unfolds. Yeezy 350 Discount . - Henrik Samuelsson and Curtis Lazar each had two goals and two assists as the Edmonton Oil Kings secured top spot in the Eastern Conference by defeating the host Red Deer Rebels 7-4 on Saturday in Western Hockey League action. Yeezy 350 Online .The long-haired pivot, who joined the Alouettes midway through the CFL season and put up a 9-3 record as a starter, will be listed as the top quarterback in training camp next spring.With a full training camp under his belt, the Alouettes will see if he has what it takes to get them back to the Grey Cup game after a four-year absence. https://www.cheapyeezy350outlet.com/ . Off-Season Game Plan looks at what the Blue Jackets may do to build upon last seasons success to return to the playoffs again next year. Yeezy 350 Fake . Sterling was banned for life and fined US$2.5 million by the NBA on Tuesday for racist comments the league says he made in a recorded conversation. Nash, who plays for the rival L.A. Lakers, spoke as a representative of current NBA players at a press conference assembled by Sacramento mayor and National Basketball Players Association adviser Kevin Johnson. Yeezy 350 For Sale . Already owning gold from competition in Vancouver in 2010, Loch posted a combined four-run time of 3:27.526. That included a track-record third run of 51.PARIS -- Centre Wesley Fofana scored one try and helped create another as France beat Italy 30-10 on Sunday to further boost its chances of winning the Six Nations title following last weekends dramatic victory against England. Last years wooden spoon is now just a bad memory for France, with Sundays convincing win following the 26-24 success against England -- further raising hopes ahead of a crunch match against title-holder Wales. A turgid first half riddled with poor kicking ended 9-3. But France scored three tries inside the first 15 minutes of the second half through burly No. 8 Louis Picamoles, Fofana and a debut try from left-winger Hugo Bonneval, whose father Eric Bonneval helped France win three Five Nations titles. "We havent won two matches in a row since 2012, so thats important," France coach Philippe Saint-Andre said. "We wore the Italians out a lot in the first half, even though we didnt vary our play enough. In the second half we played very, very good rugby. We went from 9-3 to 30-3 in no time at all." Right-winger Tommaso Iannone got a late converted try for Italy, which has lost twice and next hosts winless Scotland at home. The loser of that match is set for the wooden spoon, while a victory in Cardiff will have the French dreaming of an unexpected Grand Slam. After losing on its last two visits to Rome, they were determined to make amends at Stade de France. But in chilly, somewhat windy conditions, only the sharp bite of the weather prevented the fans from falling asleep in a scrappy opening half bereft of attacking rugby, and where four out of 10 kicking opportunities were taken. Scrumhalf Jean-Marc Doussain missed two penalties and flyhalf Jules Plisson was wide with a dropped goal attempt. Italy got its first chance when lock Pascal Pape was penalized for an offside and centre Gonzalo Garcias penalty from just over the halfway line fell short. With the forwards battle pretty even, Italy had anotheer chance to take the lead midway through the first half, but this time Garcias kick from nearly the same distance sailed wide.dddddddddddd. After fullback Brice Dulin was held up near the line, Doussain slotted over from just in front of the posts, but Italy levelled through flyhalf Tommaso Allans three-pointer from 20 metres out, but he then missed a similar chance. After Italy collapsed the scrum, Doussains kick cannoned over off the right post and he landed a better effort to put France 9-3 up. Then, the tries came thick and fast. "Its a strange feeling, because for 60 or 70 minutes we were close to Frances level and at times even got on top," Italy coach Jacques Brunel said. "But those 10 minutes or so (in the second half) totally changed the game." Picamoles burst out of a rolling maul and was brilliantly tackled by left-winger Leonardo Sarto close to the line. He then hauled himself up before planting the ball on the line, and the try was awarded following a video replay, with Doussain getting the extras. Fofana showed once again why he is one of the most promising centres in world rugby. Picking up a loose ball following a ruck, he broke two tackles with brute strength before sprinting down the blindside for a converted score. "Hes an exceptional player. He scored an incredible try and he has the ability to break tackles," Saint-Andre said. "We ask Wesley to talk a lot on the field, and we have a young generation who are starting to assert themselves." The third try was well worked. Fofanas scorching pace took him clear from midfield, and he fed right-winger Yoann Huget, who in turn popped a simple pass to give Bonneval a try in the left corner. Doussain landed a tricky conversion to make it 30-3. As tempers frayed, props Rabah Slimani and Michele Rizzo were sent off after butting heads in a maul. Italys persistence finally paid off when Iannone scurried into the left corner. ' ' '