MIAMI -- Dwyane Wade has probably been in the arena the Miami Heat call home thousands of times, so he certainly still remembered how to get there on Thursday.Knowing where he was supposed to be, that was an issue.Opposite side of the building, Wade said. I really did not know where to go.Once he got inside, everything -- the sense of direction, the emotions, even the competitive juices -- all came back to him. Wade played in Miami as an opponent for the first time, he and the Chicago Bulls making their lone appearance of the season in the arena where he was revered for years and before a crowd that let him know time and time again how much hes still appreciated.Little different, Wade said. I wont use the word `weird. Ill use the word `different.Different feeling, his usual result: Wade left Miami a winner. He scored 13 points, and the Bulls beat the Heat 98-95.Weird game, man. Its one of the weirdest games Ive ever played in, Wade said. Im glad its over. Im glad we got a win.It was a night he simultaneously awaited and dreaded, for plenty of reasons. Wade left the Heat as a free agent last summer, signed with his hometown Bulls and when the schedule came out the first thing to check was when he would be back in Miami. The trip wasnt even going to last 24 hours, barely long enough to go see the house he still owns and spend a tiny bit of time in the city he still adores.I dont get emotional about anything, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, except for these kind of things.Wade was welcomed with applause and hugs when he walked into the arena, more cheers when he ran out for warmups, then got a big ovation when he was introduced -- last, just like when he played in Miami. And then came the signature moment, the sold-out crowd rising to its feet as a video montage of some of his best Miami moments played.Everyone in the building, even the referees, had eyes on the video screens during that tribute. When it ended, Wade stepped back onto the floor and blew appreciative kisses to the crowd.And when he made two late free throws to help secure the win, yes, he got booed.But after the final buzzer, it was all love.Wade hugged plenty of his former teammates, made special trips over to greet the wife of Heat managing general partner Micky Arison and general manager Andy Elisburg, then saluted the fans who stayed to watch him leave the floor -- long after every other player departed.Heat President Pat Riley and Wade still havent spoken since the summer, but that will come. Riley revealed weeks ago that he was working on a long email to Wade, but it wasnt sent until the last couple of days. Wade said he has the email, but hasnt had time to read Rileys words yet.Theres nothing to squash in my eyes, Wade said. Ive spoken through you guys and hes heard me very loud and clear. Im just appreciative of Pat and what we created together here in Miami.Wade soaked in everything he could on this trip.First, he slept in the house he still owns -- the first whiff of the air freshener early Thursday made him happy, and wife Gabrielle Union (who wasnt on the trip because of work) wanted to know how good their bed felt. He had some Bulls teammates over before the game, then got stuck in some traffic getting to the arena.As he ran out of the visiting-team tunnel for the first time for warmups, he tried desperately to keep a stoic expression on his face as he stepped onto the court.It didnt even last a minute. The first ovation of the night took care of that.Well deserved, Spoelstra said.During the national anthem, Wades eyes were going in all directions. He peeked at the crowd, many of whom wore jerseys and shirts bearing his name. He nodded toward some of the familiar faces on the Miami side of the floor. And then he stared at the eight championship banners -- five for Eastern Conference titles, three more for NBA crowns.Pretty cool, Wade said.And yes, they even cheered him when he scored for the first time on Thursday night. One fan even went a little overboard in the fourth quarter, running on the court with a shirt asking Wade to come back to Miami.The Bulls are his present. The Heat are his past. His future, who knows what that will bring?I wouldnt change it for the world, Wade said. I couldnt have asked when I was a kid, I couldnt get on my knees and ask God for a better pro career and the start and finish of it.
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Kevin Durant Shoes Deal . "Were just throwing s--- at the wall hoping something sticks," said Tortorella about the possible line combinations for Fridays game against Columbus. The Canucks have lost five straight games and six of their last seven, leaving them in a logjam in the Pacific Division, currently sitting fifth - good for ninth in the Western Conference.Alex Hammond looks ahead to the opening English Classics and thinks Marcel has an each-way chance in the Qipco 2000 Guineas. Richard Johnson was finally crowned champion jockey for the first time on Saturday; do you think anyone can wrestle his shiny new trophy off him in the next few years?I dont think there is a single racing fan or professional in the game who would begrudge Richard Johnson his first title. He has had to wait over 20 years to get his hands on the trophy; and a new trophy at that as the last one was quite rightly given to Sir Anthony McCoy. Over the years there have been a handful of jockeys, both Flat and jumping, that you have huge sympathy for as they were top class, but never champion. Like Johnson until now, they were born in the wrong era. We all have our own thoughts on that, but Adrian Maguire was a close second to Richard Dunwoody and was a prodigious talent. Dickie said that the championship was his biggest achievement; he has said that if he had gone his whole career without getting his name on the roll of honour it would be his one regret. Thats how much it means to these sporting heroes, they travel thousands of miles each year, day in day out, in the quest to be the best of a very good bunch. You can see that Johnson is buzzing with the accomplishment; you can see he has no intention of giving up the accolade any time soon. Like the colossus before him, you get the impression that while he is riding, he wants to be the best. Aidan Coleman put up the closest fight, but even he was 105 winners behind the new champ. Without the firepower of John Ferguson, who provided him with 59 of those winners, its going to be even harder for him in the future. Our new champ has the hunger and drive, and barring injury, he should keep a tight grip on the title for a few seasons to come. Paul Nicholls just edged out Willie Mullins in the UK trainers championship in the end, how do you see this battle developing next year?As much as that must have been bad for the blood pressure of the protagonists, the trainers title going right down to the wire like that was a PR exercise that will be hard to beat in future campaigns. The only thing it may have done is whetted the Mullins appetite to try and win the British championship in future. Until the season was well into its autumn, Mullins didnt seem to take the title bid seriously, when he did it was almost too late. Still, a sliding door here and a change in luck there and it could easily have been reversed. It will be interesting to see how Irelands champion tackles the British season in future. I cant see him changing too much early on, but if things go well, then things may change from the New Year onwards. One thing is for sure, I wouldnt be lumping on Nicholls to win the 2016/17 season at the current prices as there is more than just Mullins snapping at his heels.The Flat season really cranks up a gear this weekend, give us three equine stars on the level to follow in the coming months.Im getting my head round the Flat season now and am really looking forward to seeing several horses over the coming months, its hard to narrow it down to three
artmouth (Sir Michael Stoute) - There are few trainers better at campaigning high class older horses than Sir Michael Stoute. Dartmouth is a Darley-bred colt, owned by The Queen, and he could give Her Majesty plenty to smile about in the year of her 90th birthday. This four-year-old progressed up the handicap ranks last season and started the 2016 season with a win at Chelmsford on a surface he doesnt really relish. That was in Newburys re-routed John Porter Stakes, which wasnt the strongest runnings of the contest in its history, but this looks like a horse that should continue to improve over middle distance trips.Gifted Master (Hugo Palmer) - I flagged this horse up after his win at Newmarkets Craven meeting and he looks capable of winning his share of races over the specialist trip of seven furlongs and he should be effective over six furlongs too which brings in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.ddddddddddddOrder Of St George (Aidan OBrien) - Im a sucker for a Flat stayer/Cup horse and this horse looks a top-class performer to follow in that sphere. He won three of his four outings as a three year-old culminating in an unchallenged victory in the Irish Leger. It will be interesting to see what route his trainer takes to Royal Ascot for what will no doubt be his first big summer target, the Gold Cup, for which he is already 5/2 favourite with Sky Bet. He seems versatile on most ground conditions, so there shouldnt be too much concern whatever conditions are like in June.As I said, there are so many horses to look forward to, but Ill be disappointed if we dont see these three winning some nice prizes.Air Force Blue is the short-priced favourite for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas, will you be taking him on at prices around the 4/6 mark?I wont be backing Air Force Blue, but it doesnt mean he wont win the colts classic. It was interesting to hear Aidan OBrien expressing a slight doubt about this son of War Front staying the mile. His sire was top class over 6/7 furlongs and his dam was speedy too and this colt has plenty of toe, so there has to be an element of doubt. Having said that he won the Dewhurst well, staying on over the seven furlongs and is twice a winner over that trip. When you hear OBrien waxing lyrical about his latest superstar, it feels a bit like the boy who cried wolf. Yeah, yeah you think, as you hear about the best horse he has ever trained. Having said that, those superlatives tend to be backed up by performances on the track, so who am I to take those comments with a pinch of salt? So, he looks hard to beat on all known form, but for me the bet at the prices could be Marcel each-way. Peter Chapple-Hyam has produced horses to win on the big occasion many times in the past and this horse is proven over the mile having won the Racing Post Trophy last autumn. As it was snowing in various parts of the country this week and theres been rain around, the ground is unlikely to be fast and that would play into the hands of Marcel. Hes now 12/1, having been shortened in the last week and that still looks reasonable each-way value - you can also back him with Sky Bet in the market without Air Force Blue at 9/2.And finally, what do you fancy in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas on Sunday?Aidan OBrien looks to hold the key to this race too with Minding the ante-post favourite and Ballydoyle a pretty handy second string. Minding is bred in the purple being a daughter of Galileo out of a mare called Lillie Langtry, who won the Coronation Stakes and Matron Stakes at the highest level at three. Minding is already proven in Group One company having won the Moyglare Stud Stakes and Fillies Mile, the latter over this course and distance. Minding beat Ballydoyle in the Moyglare, but the latter is also a Group One winner having added her name to the list of Prix Marcel Boussac winners at Longchamp in October. Last year their head-to-head record read Minding 1 Ballydoyle 1. I think Ballydoyle looks like a real galloper and at current prices at the time of writing (11/2 with Sky Bet) I have backed Ballydoyle to cause a bit of an upset and beat her stablemate. The fly in the OBrien ointment could be Mark Johnstons Lumiere, who splits them in the market. She had three starts over six furlongs last season, winning the Cheveley Park Stakes, and has loads of speed. However she doesnt look like a one-trick pony and is bred to stay this trip. She could be vulnerable from the front though. Nathras win in the Nell Gwyn gave a form boost to Minding, who beat her in the Fillies Mile. That win at Newmarket gives her the fitness edge on her rivals and trainer John Gosden has hit the ground running this season. Also See: Live results service Full racecards Get Sky Sports ' ' '
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