LeBron James takes to court for the first time in an official NBA game since his return to the Cleveland Cavaliers when his newly-moulded team host the New York Knicks on Thursday.
James decided to return to the team he started his career with, in the offseason, with the Cavaliers doing everything in their power to convince the star man that his future was in Cleveland.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have brought in Kevin Love to help LeBron James' quest for an NBA title, and with Kyrie Irving already in the roster, another "Big Three" has been developed with James yet again at the core.
James did not make the greatest of exits from Cleveland last time out, when he decided to team up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, but the superstar forward insisted there are no hard feelings with the Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, who at the time did not take too kindly to the manner in which LeBron left the team.
"I think it's really good," James said when asked about his relationship with Gilbert. "We had one bad moment, and it just overshadowed all the great times we had together, and now we're back together.
"We both have something in common -- that's to bring a championship back to this city, and that's what it comes down to. That's what we thrive for, that's what our drive is, and we have an opportunity and we have an obligation to represent this team and this franchise the right way."
The Cavaliers have immediately gone into the title favourites zone following the arrival of James and Love, and it will be interesting to see just how Cleveland begin their NBA regular season campaign.
"It means everything to be able to open our NBA campaign here in Cleveland with these fans," James was quoted as saying by ESPN. "It's going to be a special moment.
"We can't take it for granted. You don't get moments like this, they don't come around every day."
The New York Knicks did not make the greatest of starts to their own NBA season, losing rather handsomely to the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.
The Knicks managed just 37 percent shooting in their opening game, eventually going down 104-80 to the Bulls.
"We're going somewhere," new New York Knicks coach Derek Fisher said. "But at the beginning of where we're going, it's going to be difficult to get wins. We have to fight really, really hard to win games."
With the Cleveland Cavaliers pumped up to open their new era with a win, it will only get tougher for the Knicks, especially if LeBron James decides to put on a show for his home fans.
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The must-watch NBA game is scheduled for an 8 pm ET (5.30 am IST, 12 am GMT) start with live coverage on Sony Six and Sony Six HD in India, BT Sport in the UK and TNT in the USA.
International viewers, including India, can catch the New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers game on NBA.com.
US viewers can also catch the game via live streaming online on TNT Overtime or Watch TNT. UK viewers can live stream the action on Watch BT Sport.
