10 Most Anticipated Returns in Sports

Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic today were discussing LeBron James' return to Cleveland next year when the Miami Heat play them on December 2. They were talking about the most anticipated returns in sports history.

Here are my 10.

1) 2 of these events haven't happened yet 2) this is a quickly thrown together list, so if I miss one please let me know

1. Wayne Gretzky back to Edmonton as a LA King

2. LeBron James back to Cleveland as a Miami Heat (future)

3. Shaquille O'Neal back to Los Angeles as a Miami Heat

4. Brett Favre back to Green Bay as a Minnesota Viking

5. Roger Clemens back to Boston as a Yankee

6. Donovan McNabb back to Philadelphia as a Redskin (future)

7. Michael Jordan back to Chicago as a Wizard

8. Manny Ramirez back to Boston as a Dodger

9. Terrell Owens back to Philadelphia as a Cowboy

10. Tom Glavine back to Atlanta as a Met

Honorable Mention: Nick Saban back to LSU as coach of Alabama

100 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time

100 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time

Criteria: The main things that went into the making of the list are the statistical categories and accolades that you see below each player's name. I didn't want to "punish" the many players who also played in the ABA, so I included their ABA stats, but did not include MVP awards or championships won in the ABA.

1. Michael Jordan- Bulls, Wizards

Points: 32,292
Rebounds: 6,672
Assists: 5,633
Championships: 6
MVPs: 5
All Star: 14

2. Wilt Chamberlain- Warriors, 76ers, Lakers

Points: 31, 419
Rebounds: 23,924
Assists: 4,643
Championships: 2
MVPs: 4
All Star: 13

3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar- Bucks, Lakers

Points: 38, 387
Rebounds: 17,440
Assists: 5,660
Championships: 6
MVPs: 6
All Star: 19

4. Bill Russell- Celtics

Points: 14,522
Rebounds: 21,620
Assists: 4,100
Championships: 11
MVPs: 5
All Star: 12

5. Magic Johnson- Lakers

Points: 17,707
Rebounds: 6,559
Assists: 10,141
Championships: 5
MVPs: 3
All Star: 12

6. Oscar Robertson- Royals, Bucks

Points: 26,710
Rebounds: 7,804
Assists: 9,887
Championships: 1
MVPs: 1
All Star: 12

7. Larry Bird- Celtics

Points: 21,791
Rebounds: 8,974
Assists: 5,695
Championships: 3
MVPs: 3
All Star: 12

8. Shaquille O’Neal- Magic, Lakers, Heat, Suns, Cavaliers

Points: 28, 255
Rebounds: 12,921
Assists: 3,000
Championships: 4
MVPs: 1
All Star: 15

9. Kobe Bryant- Lakers

Points: 25,790
Rebounds: 5,410
Assists: 4,766
Championships: 5
MVPs: 1
All Star: 12

10. Moses Malone- Braves, Rockets, 76ers, Bullets, Hawks, Bucks, Spurs

Points: 29,580
Rebounds: 17,834
Assists: 1,936
Championships: 1
MVPs: 3
All Star: 12

11. Karl Malone- Jazz, Lakers

Points: 36,928
Rebounds: 14,968
Assists: 5,248
Championships: 0
MVPs: 2
All Star: 14

12. Hakeem Olajuwon- Rockets, Raptors

Points: 26,946
Rebounds: 13,748
Assists: 3,058
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 12


13. Elgin Baylor- Lakers

Points: 23,149
Rebounds: 11,463
Assists: 3,650
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Stars: 11

14. Jerry West- Lakers

Points: 25,192
Rebounds: 5,366
Assists: 6,238
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 13

15. Julius Erving- Nets, 76ers

Points: 30, 026
Rebounds: 10,525
Assists: 5,176
Championships: 1
MVPs: 1
All Star: 16

16. Elvin Hayes- Rockets, Bullets

Points: 27,313
Rebounds: 16,279
Assists: 2,398
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 12

17. Tim Duncan- Spurs

Points: 20,641
Rebounds: 11,335
Assists: 3,093
Championships: 4
MVPs: 2
All Star: 12

18. Bob Pettit- Hawks

Points: 20,880
Rebounds: 12,849
Assists: 2,369
Championships: 1
MVPs: 2
All Star: 11

19. Rick Barry- Warriors, Rockets

Points: 25,279
Rebounds: 6,963
Assists: 4,952
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 11

20. John Stockton- Jazz

Points: 19,711
Rebounds: 4,051
Assists: 15,806
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10

21. Charles Barkley- 76ers, Suns, Rockets

Points: 23,757
Rebounds: 12,546
Assists: 4,215
Championships: 0
MVPs: 1
All Star: 9

22. Patrick Ewing- Knicks, SuperSonics, Magic

Points: 24,815
Rebounds: 11,607
Assists: 2,215
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 11

23. David Robinson- Spurs

Points: 20,790
Rebounds: 10,497
Assists: 2,441
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 10

24. George Gervin- Spurs, Bulls

Points: 26,595
Rebounds: 5,602
Assists: 2,798
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 12

25. Allen Iverson- 76ers, Nuggets, Pistons, Grizzlies

Points: 24,368
Rebounds: 3,394
Assists: 5,624
Championships: 0
MVPs: 1
All Star: 11

26. John Havlicek- Celtics

Points: 26, 295
Rebounds: 8,007
Assists: 6,114
Championships: 8
MVPs: 0
All Star: 13

27. Kevin Garnett- Timberwolves, Celtics

Points: 22,267
Rebounds: 12,188
Assists: 4,719
Championships: 1
MVPs: 1
All Star: 13

28. Nate Thurmond- Warriors, Bulls, Cavaliers

Points: 14, 437
Rebounds: 14,464
Assists: 2,575
Championships: 0
MVP: 0
All Star: 7

29. Jason Kidd- Mavericks, Suns, Nets

Points: 16,142
Rebounds: 6,185
Assists: 10,923
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10

30. Bob Cousy- Celtics, Royals

Points: 16,960
Rebounds: 4,786
Assists: 6,955
Championships: 6
MVPs: 1
All Star: 13

31. Alex English- Bucks, Pacers, Nuggets, Mavericks

Points: 25,613
Rebounds: 6,538
Assists: 4,351
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8

32. Clyde Drexler- Trail Blazers, Rockets

Points: 22,195
Rebounds: 6,677
Assists: 6,125
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10

33. Dominique Wilkins- Hawks, Clippers, Celtics, Spurs, Magic

Points: 26,668
Rebounds: 7,167
Assists: 2,677
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9

34. Isiah Thomas- Pistons

Points: 18,822
Rebounds: 3,478
Assists: 9,061
Championships: 2
MVPs: 0
All Star: 12

35. Dan Issel- Nuggets

Points: 27,482
Rebounds: 11,133
Assists: 2,907
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

36. Gary Payton- SuperSonics, Bucks, Lakers, Celtics, Heat

Points: 21,813
Rebounds: 5,269
Assists: 8,966
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9

37. Hal Greer- 76ers

Points: 21,586
Rebounds: 5,665
Assists: 4,540
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10

38. Reggie Miller- Pacers

Points: 25, 279
Rebounds: 4,182
Assists: 4,141
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

39. George Mikan- Lakers

Points: 10,156
Rebounds: 4,167
Assists: 1,245
Championships: 5
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

40. Artis Gilmore- Bulls, Spurs, Celtics

Points: 24,941
Rebounds: 16,330
Assists: 3,050
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 11

41. Walt Bellamy- Packers, Zephyrs, Bullets, Knicks, Pistons, Hawks, Jazz

Points: 20,941
Rebounds: 14,241
Assists: 2,544
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

42. Dolph Schayes- Nationals, 76ers

Points: 18,438
Rebounds: 11,256
Assists: 3,072
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 12

43. Robert Parish- Warriors, Celtics, Hornets, Bulls

Points: 23,334
Rebounds: 14,715
Assists: 2,180
Championships: 4
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9

44. Scottie Pippen- Bulls, Rockets, Trail Blazers

Points: 18,940
Rebounds: 7,494
Assists: 6,135
Championships: 6
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

45. Paul Arizin- Warriors, Bullets

Points: 16,266
Rebounds: 6,129
Assists: 1,665
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 10

46. Dave Cowens- Celtics, Bucks

Points: 13,516
Rebounds: 10,444
Assists: 2,910
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 7

47. Lenny Wilkens- Hawks, SuperSonics, Cavaliers, Trail Blazers

Points: 17,722
Rebounds: 5,030
Assists: 7,211
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9

48. Walt Frazier- Knicks, Cavaliers

Points: 15,581
Rebounds: 4,803
Assists: 5,040
Championships: 2
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

49. Jerry Lucas- Royals, Warriors, Knicks

Points: 14,053
Rebounds: 12,942
Assists: 2,732
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

50. LeBron James- Cavaliers

Points: 15,251
Rebounds: 3,861
Assists: 3,810
Championships: 0
MVPs: 2
All Star: 6

51. Dave Bing- Pistons, Bullets, Celtics

Points: 18,327
Rebounds: 3,420
Assists: 5,397
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

52. Willis Reed- Knicks

Points: 12,183
Rebounds: 8,414
Assists: 1,186
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 7

53. Earl Monroe- Bullets, Knicks

Points: 17,454
Rebounds: 2,796
Assists: 3,594
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

54. Pete Maravich- Hawks, Jazz, Celtics

Points: 15,948
Rebounds: 2,747
Assists: 3,563
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

55. Nate Archibald- Royals, Kings, Nets, Celtics, Bucks

Points: 16,481
Rebounds: 2,046
Assists: 6,476
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

56. Bob Lanier- Pistons, Bucks

Points: 19,248
Rebounds: 9,698
Assists: 3,007
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8

57. Bob McAdoo- Braves, Knicks, Celtics, Pistons, Nets, Lakers, 76ers

Points: 18,787
Rebounds: 8,048
Assists: 1,951
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 5

58. Paul Pierce- Celtics

Points: 19,899
Rebounds: 5,417
Assists: 3,401
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8

59. Steve Nash- Suns, Mavericks

Points: 14,771
Rebounds: 3,025
Assists: 8,397
Championships: 0
MVPs: 2
All Star: 7

60. Gail Goodrich- Lakers, Suns, Jazz

Points: 19,181
Rebounds: 3,279
Assists: 4,805
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

61. Dirk Nowitzki- Mavericks

Points: 21,111
Rebounds: 7,802
Assists: 2,465
Championships: 0
MVPs: 1
All Star: 9

62. Adrian Dantley- Braves, Pacers, Lakers, Jazz, Pistons, Mavericks, Bucks

Points: 23,177
Rebounds: 5,451
Assists: 2,830
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

63. Billy Cunningham- 76ers

Points: 16,310
Rebounds: 7,981
Assists: 3,305
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

64. Tom Chambers- Clippers, SuperSonics, Suns, Jazz, Hornets, 76ers

Points: 20, 049
Rebounds: 6,703
Assists: 2,283
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

65. Bernard King- Nets, Jazz, Warriors, Knicks, Bullets

Points: 19,655
Rebounds: 5,060
Assists: 2,863
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

66. Sam Jones- Celtics

Points: 15,411
Rebounds: 4,301
Assists: 2,209
Championships: 10
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

67. Wes Unseld- Bullets

Points: 10,624
Rebounds: 13,769
Assists: 3,822
Championships: 1
MVPs: 1
All Star: 5

68. Dave DeBusschere- Pistons, Knicks

Points: 14,053
Rebounds: 9,618
Assists: 2,497
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

69. Kevin McHale- Celtics

Points: 17,335
Rebounds: 7,122
Assists: 1,670
Championships: 3
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

70. James Worthy- Lakers

Points: 16,320
Rebounds: 4,708
Assists: 2,791
Championships: 3
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

71. Bill Sharman- Capitols, Celtics

Points: 12,665
Rebounds: 2,779
Assists: 2,101
Championships: 4
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8

72. Bill Walton- Trail Blazers, Clippers, Celtics

Points: 6,215
Rebounds: 4,923
Assists: 1,590
Championships: 2
MVPs: 1
All Star: 2

73. George McGinnis- Pacers, 76ers, Nuggets

Points: 17,009
Rebounds: 9,233
Assists: 3,089
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

74. Alonzo Mourning- Hornets, Heat, Nets

Points: 14,311
Rebounds: 7,137
Assists: 946
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

75. Joe Dumars- Pistons

Points: 16, 401
Rebounds: 2,203
Assists: 4,612
Championships: 2
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

76. Ray Allen- Bucks, SuperSonics, Celtics

Points: 20,965
Rebounds: 4,434
Assists: 3,755
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 9

77. Spencer Haywood- SuperSonics, Knicks, Jazz, Lakers, Bullets

Points: 17,111
Rebounds: 8,675
Assists: 1,541
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

78. Mitch Richmond- Warriors, Kings, Wizards, Lakers

Points: 20,497
Rebounds: 3,801
Assists: 3,398
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

79. Chris Webber- Warriors, Bullets, Kings, 76ers, Pistons

Points: 17,182
Rebounds: 8,124
Assists: 3,526
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

80. Tim Hardaway- Warriors, Heat, Mavericks, Nuggets, Pacers

Points: 15,373
Rebounds: 2,855
Assists: 7,095
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

81. Maurice Cheeks- 76ers, Spurs, Knicks, Hawks, Nets

Points: 12,195
Rebounds: 3,088
Assists: 7,392
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4

82. Tommy Heinsohn- Celtics

Points: 12,194
Rebounds: 5,749
Assists: 1,318
Championships: 8
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

83. Vince Carter- Raptors, Nets, Magic

Points: 19,498
Rebounds: 4,536
Assists: 3,551
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8

84. Dennis Johnson- SuperSonics, Suns, Celtics

Points: 15, 535
Rebounds: 4,749
Assists: 5,499
Championships: 3
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

85. Kevin Johnson- Cavaliers, Suns

Points: 13,127
Rebounds: 2,404
Assists: 6,711
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 3

86. Grant Hill- Pistons, Magic, Suns

Points: 15,498
Rebounds: 5,611
Assists: 3,019
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

87. Dikembe Mutombo- Nuggets, Hawks, 76ers, Nets, Knicks, Rockets

Points: 11,729
Rebounds: 12,389
Assists: 1,240
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 8

88. Dennis Rodman- Pistons, Spurs, Bulls, Lakers, Mavericks

Points: 6,683
Rebounds: 11,954
Assists: 1,600
Championships: 5
MVPs: 0
All Star: 2

89. Chris Mullin- Warriors, Pacers

Points: 17,911
Rebounds: 4,034
Assists: 3,450
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

90. David Thompson- Nuggets, SuperSonics

Points: 13,422
Rebounds: 2,448
Assists: 1,939
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

91. Tracy McGrady- Raptors, Magic, Rockets, Knicks

Points: 17,534
Rebounds: 4,871
Assists: 3,799
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

92. Shawn Kemp- SuperSonics, Cavaliers, Trail Blazers, Magic

Points: 15,347
Rebounds: 8,834
Assists: 1,704
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

93. Neil Johnston- Warriors

Points: 10,023
Rebounds: 5,856
Assists: 1,269
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

94. Mark Aguirre- Mavericks, Pistons, Clippers

Points: 18,458
Rebounds: 4,528
Assists: 2,871
Championships: 2
MVPs: 0
All Star: 3

95. Dwayne Wade- Heat

Points: 11,967
Rebounds: 2,298
Assists: 3,176
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

96. Connie Hawkins- Suns, Lakers, Hawks

Points: 11,528
Rebounds: 5,459
Assists: 2,556
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

97. Jack Twyman- Royals

Points: 15,840
Rebounds: 5,424
Assists: 1,861
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 6

98. Sidney Moncrief- Bucks, Hawks

Points: 11,931
Rebounds: 3,575
Assists: 2,793
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 5

99. Ed Macauley- Bombers, Celtics, Hawks

Points: 11, 234
Rebounds: 4,325
Assists: 2,079
Championships: 1
MVPs: 0
All Star: 7

100. Mark Price- Cavaliers, Bullets, Warriors, Magic

Points: 10,989
Rebounds: 1,898
Assists: 4,863
Championships: 0
MVPs: 0
All Star: 4