CLEVELAND - The crowds deafening roar was so loud LeBron James couldnt hear his name announced.Unsure of whether to walk out onto the floor, he looked around and realized he was the last one left on the bench.Seconds later, James knew he was home.Cleveland fans welcomed the NBA superstar back with open arms and ear-splitting screams on Wednesday night as nearly 17,000 fans showed up to watch the Cavaliers hold their annual scrimmage, a glorified practice that provided a preview of what could become a spectacular season.Wearing the familiar No. 23 wine and gold jersey, the one he swapped for a No. 6 in Miami four years ago, James returned to the court where he took his first steps as a pro.As he waited on the bench to be introduced, James couldnt hear the announcer say, From Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, No. 23 ... So James began walking out.I really couldnt hear it, he said. The fans were really loud and the PA was a little down, so I really couldnt hear it. I was the last person sitting on the bench, so I guess it had to be my time. But the roar was very well received and Im grateful to be able to be in this position where the fans welcomed me back like that.This ovation was in stark contrast to the one he got following the last game James in played for Cleveland in 2010. Following a 27-point loss to Boston in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, a game in which he was oddly passive, James was targeted with boos and later questioned about his effort.Two months later, he announced he was signing with the Heat.But all has been forgiven, if not forgotten.For Cleveland fans, the sight of James once again on the Cavs home floor, soaring to the basket for a dunk or catching an outlet pass from new teammate Kevin Love, was something to behold.I cant believe this, said 19-year-old Alex Krocker from Bolivar, Ohio. Ive waited my whole life for a Cavs team like this, for a Cleveland team like this. Its crazy.Moments after the opening tip, James, who in a heartfelt letter declared he was re-signing with the Cavs on July 11, reminded Cleveland fans what theyve been missing. He was short with his first shot, a fade-away baseline jumper. But he grabbed his own rebound and calmly sank a 3-pointer.He followed that with a two-handed dunk and later drove the lane for one his signature slams, the kind of play that has elevated him to the worlds best player.The Cavs gave away 20,000 free tickets for the event and the team announced 16,723 showed up to watch the Wine squad beat the Gold 66-52. James scored 13 points, Kyrie Irving added 10 and Love had nine, but the numbers didnt matter.This was another first in a season of homecoming events for James.Before the Cavs took the court for pregame warmups, James gathered his teammates in a hallway outside the locker room and led them in prayer. He told them to play hard and play smart. Lets get better today.As they were about to exit the tunnel, James pulled a prank on unsuspecting rookies Joe Harris and Alex Kirk. James told the two youngsters to lead the team out, and when they started toward the court, the superstar held the rest of the Cavs back, leading to an embarrassing moment for Harris and Kirk.It was a good laugh, Harris said.While the Cavs were on the floor, first-year Cavs coach David Blatt was encouraged by the teams ball movement but knows the defence has a long way to go before its at a championship level.Overall the impression was positive, said Blatt, who started James, Irving and Love along with Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters but hasnt committed to his first five. For me, you have starters and second starters, thats what makes teams good.Blatt has James, and thats all that matters.A successful international coach, Blatt will face his former team, Maccabi Tel Aviv on Sunday in the Cavs first official exhibition game. Its sure to be an emotional night for Blatt, who has witnessed Cleveland warmly wrap its arms around James again.Its a very special group of people who live here that appreciate things about people and about life that are admirable, he said. Im not surprised at all at how he has been received. Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Cream White Cheap . Harrison Barnes had 15 points and Reggie Bullock scored 11 for the Tar Heels (17-3, 4-1 ACC), who took the court for the first time without starter Dexter Strickland. The junior guard tore his right ACL last Thursday at Virginia Tech and will miss the rest of the season. Yeezy 500 High Slate For Sale . A player confirmed to TSN on the condition of anonymity that he received his ballot yesterday. Another confirms hes been told to expect his shortly. "The unions executive committee insists a strike vote does not mean were pushing away from the table," the player said. "But we want the league to know were serious about our position. http://www.cheapyeezyswholesale.com/ . LOUIS -- When Braves second baseman Tyler Pastornicky backpedaled into shallow right field to catch the popup and Jason Heyward didnt arrive fast enough to take charge, Kolten Wong got the green light. Yeezy Boost 350 Black White Fake . With the suspension, Nigeria is unable to take part in any kind of international fixtures. FIFA had issued a warning to the NFF last week after the federation was served with court proceedings from the government that prevented the NFFs president from running the NFFs day-to-day affairs. Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Zebra 2020 . - While a fast-paced offence has become more of a fixture in recent years, the San Antonio Spurs can still grind out games when needed.With serious allegations of corruption monopolizing the news cycle leading into the World Cup, the last thing FIFA needed following the opening match of Brazil 2014 was for the global headlines to be dominated by the awarding of a mystery penalty which would alter the course of the contest. Too bad the refs vanishing spray, which was first introduced in tournament play at 2011s Copa Am&覡rica, is only effective on the grass. We were all left wondering when the football would finally be the focus. All those questions were answered by the Dutch dominance of the World Cup holders yesterday. In the second half alone, Spain conceded twice as many goals as they did through seven matches en route to a first World Cup triumph in South Africa four-years ago. Then for an encore, Chile and Australia played out a highly spirited encounter. Jorge Sampaolis team were very convincing, and certainly would have won over many new admirers, that one of South Americas less glamorous nations, would be the one which punches well above its weight class at Brazil 2014. With Groups C and D taking to the pitch Day 3 provides us with the only quadruple header of the tournament. Where armchair enthusiasts the world over are treated to the prospect of four matches over the course of 11 hours. Todays headliner without question is the rumble in the jungle, as the aptly named Arena da Amazonia plays host to Italy v England. With four World Cup triumphs already to their name, a record which is only bettered by Brazils five, if Italy is the preening peacock of European football, then England is its Hippopotamus. Rare, if ever, has the land of St. George got their heads above the waterline during World Cups. Quite coincidentally the last time that happened was at Italia 90, which was also the last time the two nations met at a World Cup. Courtesy of Toto Schillacis late penalty, Italy prevailed 2-1 in the third-place playoff match. Through the entire history of World Cup quite remarkably, that meeting represents the only time the two nations have met at the tournament proper. They have though met in qualifying twice. The most recent time was for France 1998. Zolas ssuperb strike at Wembley in February 1997 was the difference maker.dddddddddddd. The return fixture in Rome saw England claim a famous scoreless draw and with it top spot in the group. The iconic image of England captain Paul Inces head swathed in a bloodied bandage typified Englands approach on the day. One which had the current England manager Roy Hodgson assisting Glen Hoddle, officially in the role of interpreter. Hodgson was Inter Milans head coach at the time. When the World Cup Draw took place in Zurich early last December Manaus was chosen as the venue. The Arena da Amazonia, built at a cost of $300M has been in the news for all the wrong reasons as four workers have died during its construction. Brazilian football legend come politician Romario has been outspoken in his criticism. Pictures emerging on Thursday of a sub-standard surface the latest setback for a stadium which will host four group stage games. With Buffon set to miss out due to an ankle injury which occurred in training yesterday, combined with Montolivo fracturing a leg May 31st, the psychological edge certainly goes to England. Not that Prandellis team will need extra motivation this evening - but the only European nation to retain a World Cup [1934, 1938] is still smarting from its inability to emerge from a weak group in South Africa. A tournament they went into as defending champions. With soaring heat and intense humidity factoring, for England to stand any chance they will have to overcome the Achilles heel which has dogged them through the ages. Chasing shadows in the pursuit of a ball they surrender more casually than Andrea Pirlo completes successful passes. Based on statistical evidence and World Cup history, losing your first group stage game almost guarantees elimination. Although Prandelli nor Hodgson would admit it, if the game finishes as it did in Rome back in fall 1997 neither of them will be too upset. Noel.Butler@BellMedia.ca @TheSoccerNoel on Twitter TSN Radio is an official licensed radio broadcaster of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ Brazil. Check www.tsn.ca/radio for the broadcast schedule in your home town. ' ' '