CLEVELAND -- If LeBron James was going to win another NBA title, heal broken hearts and continue building his legacy, he knew there was only one place to go.
Troy Daniels Jersey . To Ohio. Home. Four years after he left for Miami, a widely criticized departure that damaged his image and crushed a long-suffering citys championship hopes, James is coming back to play for the Cavaliers to try and end Clevelands half-century title drought. Hes returning to his basketball roots, to the people who know him best, to make good on a promise. James made the announcement Friday with a powerful essay written for Sports Illustrated. His decision ended two weeks of speculation with the entire league waiting on his move. When he finally made it, Cleveland was his choice over re-signing with the Heat. ESPNs Brian Windhorst later reported the deal is worth $42.1 million over two years. "I looked at other teams, but I wasnt going to leave Miami for anywhere except Cleveland," he said to SI. "The more time passed, the more it felt right. This is what makes me happy." James had not yet signed a contract, but he made it clear he will wear a Cavaliers jersey next season. "When I left Cleveland, I was on a mission," James said in the SI first-person story. "I was seeking championships, and we won two. But Miami already knew that feeling. Our city hasnt had that feeling in a long, long, long time. My goal is still to win as many titles as possible, no question. But whats most important for me is bringing one trophy back to Northeast Ohio." The talented kid from Akron, now a homecoming king. Cleveland is thrilled to have him back. James is the leagues best all-around player, a four-time MVP who was dubbed "The Chosen One" as a cant-miss high school star who learned the game on the playgrounds of Akron, about 40 miles from Cleveland. At 6-foot-8, 260 pounds, he can score from all over and is one of the games best passers and defenders. Staying in Miami would have been easy. He could have made another run at a third title and fifth straight NBA Finals appearance with close friends Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the other members of a "Big 3" who have been the leagues team-to-hate since 2010. Instead, James picked the young, unproven Cavs, with a rookie coach, David Blatt, who spent last year in Israel. Almost unbelievably, hell again work for owner Dan Gilbert, who torched James on his way out the door in 2010. For Cleveland, a city accustomed to so much sports heartache -- as the Cavaliers, Browns and Indians have come close but failed to win it all -- news of James return triggered a spontaneous downtown celebration during Fridays lunch hours. Car horns blared and strangers high-fived on the sidewalks outside Quicken Loans Arena, where James had so many big moments during his first seven seasons as a pro. Four years ago, some fans burned his jersey. On July 11, 2014, all was forgiven. The Cavs were considered a long shot when free agency opened. But as the days went by, Cleveland emerged as the leader, especially after clearing salary-cap spaces to offer him a maximum contract. While he was in Las Vegas earlier this week, James met with Heat president Pat Riley, the architect of Miamis back-to-back championship teams. Riley made a final pitch, but he had nothing to match the overwhelming lure of home. "Before anyone ever cared where I would play basketball, I was a kid from Northeast Ohio," James told SI. "People there have seen me grow up. I sometimes feel like Im their son. Their passion can be overwhelming. But it drives me." James exit ends an era in Miami, but its not the end for the Heat. Bosh agreed Friday to a five-year contract worth about $118 million, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because neither the team nor Bosh had publicly announced the deal. The Heat are negotiating with Wade, who learned of James departure on a flight to Miami late Thursday. He may be gone, but part of James will forever be in Miami. "I went to Miami because of D-Wade and CB," James told SI. "I believed we could do something magical if we came together. And thats exactly what we did! The hardest thing to leave is what I built with those guys." James was scorned for turning his back on Cleveland in 2010, announcing his decision on a poorly conceived TV special. His critics said he wasnt good enough to win a championship by himself, and that he needed to surround himself with All-Stars. James may never surpass Michael Jordans six titles, but his legacy could be bringing one to Cleveland, devoid of a championship in any sport since 1964. "Im not promising a championship," he said. "I know how hard that is to deliver. Were not ready right now. No way. Of course, I want to win next year, but Im realistic." Hes starting fresh with Gilbert, who famously wrote a blistering letter condemning James and calling him disloyal, narcissistic and cowardly. At some point, the two worked out their differences. "Ive met with Dan, face-to-face, man-to-man," James said. "Weve talked it out." Gilbert, too, has moved on. "I am excited for the fans and people of Cleveland and Ohio. No fans and people deserve a winner more than them," Gilbert said on Twitter. Like a kid who spent four years away at college, James is coming back home. James comes back a different man, more mature for his encore. He grew up in Miami. Hes a proven champion, married with two sons and his wife, Savannah, has a daughter on the way. He wanted to raise them in his hometown. James has "loyalty" tattooed on his body. Akron is everything to him, "theres no better place to grow up." Scarred by economic woes, the area needs his help, and James intends to make it a better place. "I feel my calling here goes above basketball," he said. "I have a responsibility to lead, in more ways than one, and I take that very seriously. My presence can make a difference in Miami, but I think it can mean more where Im from. In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have. Im ready to accept the challenge. "Im coming home."
Charlie Scott Jersey . In mens doubles, Vancouvers Vasek Pospisil and American Jack Sock reached the quarter-finals with a 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3), 6-4 win over Croatian Mate Pavic and Andre Sa of Brazil.
Stitched Lakers Jerseys . He looked very comfortable Wednesday night. Konerko had a big three-run double and Gordon Beckham homered for the second straight game, leading the Chicago White Sox to an 8-3 victory over the sliding Chicago Cubs.NEW YORK -- Jose Bautista decided it was time to take charge, not with his bat but with his feet. The Toronto slugger stole second base without a throw with two outs in the ninth inning and scored when Dioner Navarro hit a go-ahead single, lifting the Blue Jays over the New York Yankees 5-4 Sunday for their first series win in the Bronx in nearly two years. "I just took a chance and said Im going to try and take a hop step when he comes set, and if he doesnt fake, Im going to run," said Bautista, who chose to run on his own against David Robertson. "He went to the plate, and I had the easiest stolen base. I got in scoring position early in the at-bat for Dioner." Robertson (1-3) blamed himself for letting Bautista run just ahead of Navarros liner to centre field. "I just let him slip. I didnt think hed be going, Robertson said. "I just didnt have my sharp stuff." After snapping a 17-game skid at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Toronto did not relent in the humidity even when it wasted three leads. The Blue Jays won for the seventh time in 10 games following the All-Star break -- the same record as the Yankees. But their first series win in New York against the AL East rival since Aug. 27-29, 2012, sent Toronto to Boston with a one-game lead over the Yankees for the second AL wild card. "Within our team, its more of a statement that we wont accept losing to anybody, because we are known as a team that doesnt give up and always battles and tries to come back from any game that were in," Bautista said. Aaron Sanchez (1-0) gave up Carlos Beltrans tying RBI hit in the eighth. Munenori Kawasaki had put Toronto ahead with a sacrifice fly that followed Dellin Betances two-base error on a pickoff attempt. "My cleat got stuck," Betances said. "As soon as that happened I had a feeling I was going to throw it away." Juan Francisco homered off Shane Greene leading off the fifth to put Toronto up 2-0. But Chase Headley hit his first homer with the Yankees, a drive off J.A. Happ, and two pitches laater Francisco Cervelli hit his first homer in 15 months to tie it in the sixth.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Lakers Jersey. Casey Janssen pitched the ninth for his 16th save. Derek Jeter made two nice stops at shortstop and Brendan Ryan, a shortstop playing second base, also flashed some impressive leather while playing in Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. The injured star was on the East Coast for a second opinion on his hip flexor from a doctor in Philadelphia. Bautista had a run-scoring grounder to first base after Jose Reyes led off the game with a single and Melky Cabrera doubled. Francisco led off the fifth with a drive into the second deck in right field for a 2-0 lead. But Happ gave it all back in a three-pitch span in the bottom half. First, Headley hit a drive deep to left. With a 1-0 count, Cervelli sent a shot to right-centre that glanced off a leaping Cabreras glove and hit the top of the right-field wall. Cervelli hadnt homered since April 25, 2013, a span of 65 at-bats. Rausmus put Toronto back up with a double to left-centre in the sixth, chasing Greene after 5 1-3 innings. "I got to have a short memory, but that one hurt," Greene said of the pitch to Rasmus. Greene allowed eight hits and three runs in his second straight difficult outing after beginning his career as a starter with two outstanding outings. Brian McCann evened it when he beat out a hit to Kawasaki, the second baseman who was playing in right field as part of a shift. NOTES: The Yankees have given up 43 unearned runs this year. They allowed 38 all last season. ... The Blue Jays designated RHP Esmil Rogers for assignment for second time this year. He did not make an appearance since his recall Tuesday from Triple-A Buffalo. ... Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira (back strain) hit off a tee and soft toss, and fielder grounders. Manager Joe Girardi said Teixeira is still day to day. ... Up next: The Blue Jays are at the Boston Red Sox. R.A. Dickey (8-10) will start Monday. The Yankees head to Texas for three games. David Phelps (5-4) pitches for New York. ' ' '