LeBron James has made his decision and its the Cleveland Cavaliers. Teppo Numminen Jersey . 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. Mark Stuart Winnipeg Jets Jersey .com) - The Toronto Maple Leafs try to push their season-opening win streak to three straight games on Saturday night as they play their home opener against the Ottawa Senators. Teemu Selanne Jersey . Milan Lucic and Chris Kelly scored less than 1 1/2 minutes apart early in the third period to break open a tie game, Patrice Bergeron scored a short-handed goal and Thomas made 40 saves, leading the Bruins to a 4-2 victory over the Kings on Saturday night.SAN DIEGO - The way Gilbert (El Nino) Melendez sees it, if the UFC wont let him in, then the best lightweights in the world should come to him.Melendez picked apart Jorge Masvidal in a unanimous-decision defence of his Strikeforce 155-pound title Saturday in front of a few thousand fans at Valley View Casino Center.After the fight, Melendez put the challenge out to lightweights in other promotions.Im proud to be in Strikeforce and on Showtime. But they need to bring in some people in to challenge me, he said. I want the UFC champ. Come to my hexagon.The win (50-45 on two scorecards and 49-46 on the other) marked the 20th career victory and sixth straight for Melendez, who is considered my most MMA experts the second-best lightweight in the world. Melendez hasnt lost since the summer of 2008.True challenges for Melendez would seem to come from UFC fighters, but on Thursday UFC president Dana White seemed to refute that idea. White said that part of Strikeforces renewed its contract with Showtime through 2012 stipulates that top-named fighters like Melendez would stay in the promotion.In the past former Strikeforce champs Nick Diaz, Dan Henderson and Alistair Overeem all eventually moved to the larger UFC.Gilbert Melendez and all the guys that are in the Strikeforce show and with Showtime, I will make fights for them, White said recently. They will be happy to be there. Believe me, I got this thing worked out.Melendez said in the post-fight press conference his adrenalin might have got the best of him in the cage.Maybe I was a little pumped up and spoke a little too soon, Melendez said. Im happy to be a part of Strikeforce and Showtime. I got to have faith theyre going to do whats great for me.What can I do? I got no time to be crying or be negative. I have to stay focused and see what they bring to the table and well go from there.Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said there are still interesting fights for Melendez in his organization.There are plenty of fighters out there. Hes one of the cornerstones of Strikeforce and Im happy hes going to stay with us, Coker said. Im proud to say hes our champion and were going to make the most interesting fights we can for him.Masvidal disagreed with the lopsided score.I thought I won two rounds, no way I lost all five, he said.The Miami-based fighter did manage to go the distance, bloody the champ, and keep things entertaining in the later rounds with his quick punches and toughness.I had to do what I had to do. Jorge is not the easiest man stylistically for me, Melendez saidd. Dale Hawerchuk Jersey. Hes one of the toughest matchups for me. I was prepared for wherever the fight went and we stayed on our feet because he wouldnt give me the takedown.Cristiane (Cyborg) Santos needed mere seconds to remind the world shes still one of the baddest women in MMA—finishing Japans Hiroko Yamanaka in just 16 seconds behind a flurry of 15-landed punches.Very happy to be back and very happy to win. For a year and a half no fights, but I train hard in the gym, said Santos, who won her 11th straight bout, but first since the summer of 2010 due in part to contract negotiations with Strikeforce.I had a lot of motivation coming into tonight. I trained for five rounds. I did not think the fight would end so quickly. I wasnt planning on a knockout, I was just planning for a win.San Diego fighter KJ Noons and fellow Californian Billy Evangelista provided an entertaining opening for the main card.Evangelista won the first round with some strong strikes and a big knee. But Noons had the hometown crowd on his side, and rebounded in the second and third rounds with big uppercuts, hooks and even a spinning back-fist.Evangelista kept charging forward, while smiling at Noons and shaking his head.Evangelista caught Noons in an awkward choke, but Noons slipped out and landed a few more solid blows to convince the judges of his victory.What up San Diego. What a war. We really put on a show, said Noons, who improved to 12-2 and broke his two-fight losing streak.I got that fire back and I look to get even better.Former Strikeforce light heavyweight champ Gegard Mousasi grinded out a unanimous decision over former University of Tennessee football player Ovince St. Preux.Im disappointed in my effort. I should have dominated him, Mousasi said. I had no stamina. I fought on heart. I think my experience is what got me through and got me the win.Herman Terrado started the night with a bang, winning his Strikeforce debut by submitting fellow San Diegan Chris Brown with a third-round arm bar.I want to thank Strikeforce for giving me the opportunity to show my skills in front of my home town. I love this crowd and this city, Terrado said.In other undercard action, Caros Fodor finished Justin Wilcox in just 13 seconds to earn his first career TKO.Roger Bowling made Jerron Peoples pay with a first-round TKO. Peoples came in overweight Friday despite agreeing to fight at a 179-pound catch weight instead of the normal 170-pound welterweight limit.Veteran Devin Cole defeated Gabriel Salinas-Jones by unanimous decision. wholesale jerseys cheap jerseys cheap nfl jerseys wholesale jerseys cheap soccer jerseys wholesale jerseys wholesale jerseys cheap nfl jerseys china ' ' '
