THE NBA APPEARS to know where its circular American bread is buttered.
The Boston Globe are reporting that the league’s season-opening game will feature San Antonio Spurs, the reigning champs, travelling to Cleveland to face the Cavaliers.
The NBA has tipped off its season with a marquee name taking on the defending champions for the last two years. In 2012, Miami Heat hosted Boston Celtics. Last season it was Chicago Bulls making the trip to South Beach to take on the heat.
San Antonio have been lined up as one half of the draw but making them travel to Cleveland seems an odd request. James, who will wear his old No.23 singlet, returned to the Cavaliers earlier this month after a four-year sojourn in Florida.
James was widely criticised for revealing his original move from Cleveland to Miami on a television special entitled ‘The Decision’. He opted for a slightly lower key route when announcing his return to Ohio. James penned an open letter than was printed in Sports Illustrated under the headline ‘I’m Coming Home’.
The NBA will not announce its final schedule until mid August but prime fixtures invariably leak out. James may yet get his triumphant homecoming in full view of the NBA’s largest ever opening-day television audience.