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SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Kobe Bryant will make his long-awaited return from a torn left Achilles tendon when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night. In a dramatic video posted on his Facebook page before the Lakers played at Sacramento on Friday night, Bryant set his much-anticipated comeback date. The video, which was also uploaded to the teams Facebook page, was titled: "Seasons of Legend. Lakers announce Kobes return." The video shows Bryants No. 24 jersey flapping in the wind. There is rain, sleet, snow and lightning for nearly 2 minutes. At one point, his jersey tears. Sunshine breaks through the clouds, and the video fades to black. Finally, words flash across the screen that read, "The Legend Continues...December 8." "Thats something special right there," Lakers teammate Nick Young quipped when a reporter showed him the video on his smartphone in the locker room. How effective Bryant will be against top-tier competition is the last lingering question in his return. Lakers coach Mike DAntoni said Bryant will likely be eased back into the lineup, though he declined to discuss how many minutes he will play in his first game. Asked what his expectations are for Bryant this season, DAntoni said, "That hell be a dominant player." "He can play any way," DAntoni said. "He can play below the rim, above the rim, the side of the rim. The guy can play any way. Hell figure out how hell be effective and hell come at you with everything hes got." Bryant did not travel with the team to Sacramento. The 15-time All-Star hasnt played since he was injured April 12 in a home win over the Golden State Warriors. He had surgery the following morning and was projected to take six to nine months to recover. Bryants return has seemed imminent since he began practicing last month. The 35-year-old guard has said that he could adjust his game and contribute something to the Lakers even if hes not fully healthy when he finally steps on the court for his 18th NBA season. His teammates expect the same. "Hes the biggest competitor that there is. Happy to have him back," guard Jodie Meeks said. "Hes looked great. Obviously he has to get his timing back and his legs, but I know hes probably been training pretty hard. I dont think it will take him long at all." Los Angeles signed the fourth-leading scoring in NBA history to a two-year contract extension last week. Bryants new deal is reportedly worth $48.5 million and takes him into his 20th season with the Lakers. Bryant hasnt given up hope of adding a sixth championship ring to his trophy case, even while the Lakers struggle to keep up with the NBAs best teams. Los Angeles entered Friday nights game with a 9-9 record. Thats still slightly better than most Lakers fans expected this season after the departures of Dwight Howard and Metta World Peace coupled with the injuries to Bryant and 39-year-old point guard Steve Nash, who could return next week from the nerve root irritation in his back. "Weve developed some guys that are really going to contribute a lot, and it might not have happened if (Bryant) was here," DAntoni said. "You have to look at the bright side of it. Now we just have to get him back to the level that hes capable of playing." Masahiro Tanaka Jersey . -- Jim Furyk was 10 shots worse and right where he wanted to be Saturday in the BMW Championship. Don Larsen Jersey . Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. Duck Calling With several marquee centres available via trade and expected to be available via free agency, the Anaheim Ducks could be primed to be big players in the coming days. http://www.yankeesrookiestore.com/Yankee...-Kids-Jersey/.Y. -- In a span of three days, Shabazz Napier and Connecticut knocked out both Philadelphia schools in the NCAA tournament. Wade Boggs Jersey . Murray beat Sam Querrey 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-1, 6-3 to clinch Britains opening-round victory against the United States on Sunday at Petco Park. "Im proud of the way Im playing just now, because I had to do a lot of work to get back to where I want to be," Murray said after celebrating with his teammates on the red clay court in a temporary stadium in left field of the downtown home of baseballs San Diego Padres. Phil Rizzuto Jersey .com) - The Carolina Hurricanes placed defenseman John-Michael Liles on injured reserve Tuesday.Stoke boss Mark Hughes has once again come out in support of under-fire goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard as he considers his selection options for the Monday Night Football clash with Tottenham. Haugaard has replaced the injured Jack Butland in the last two games - his first appearances in the Premier League - and conceded six goals in the process.After the first of those matches, a 2-2 home draw with Swansea on April 2, Hughes stood by his decision to select the 23-year-old Dane ahead of veteran Shay Given, describing Haugaards performance as excellent. Mark Hughes and his Stoke City side left Anfield empty-handed after they lost 4-1 Since then, the 4-1 defeat at Liverpool on Sunday has led to speculation over whether 39-year-old Given might come into the starting line-up for the visit of title-chasing Spurs to the Britannia Stadium, with the Irishman insisting he is ready to play if called upon.Hughes did not rule out a change in personnel but pointed to the example of former Potters goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, who conceded seven in his first appearance for the club before becoming a star performer, as he gave Haugaard further backing.Jakob has had a run in the side and we talked about the game last week, said Hughes.We discussed all elements of it and for the most part I have been pleased with what he has done. He is a young goalkeeper, and he is learning about the Premier League. You have to experience it before you understand the intensity, so that is why it was right to give him the opportunity.Some of the guys were talking about the time that Asmir Begovic started to get games in the Premier League at Stoke. He had difficult games that didnt go quite to plan, but you see how he has come through.A little bit of focus has been on that position, but Im quite comfortable with where we are with it.As always, I have the benefit of good goalkeepers in the building, so if I decide to make a change, then Im quite comfortable with that.But at the moment, Jakob needs the experience and the opportunity to play. Goals from Alberto Moreno, Daniel Sturridge and two for Divock Origi saw Liverpool thrash Stoke Stoke hope to have forward Marko Arnautovic and midfielder Glenn Whelan available for the Tottenham match after they missed the Liverpool defeat due to knee and back problems, respectively.ddddddddddddCaptain Ryan Shawcross is also expected to be able to feature after he made his return to action at Anfield from a lay-off with a back issue of his own. Shawcross wants Leicester title Ryan Shawcross wants Leicester City to win the Premier League But fellow defender Marc Muniesa is a doubt having suffered a knock in training, and full-back Erik Pieters cannot play as he begins a two-match suspension for picking up 10 yellow cards.Hughes and Pieters exchanged words late in the defeat at Anfield, with the player substituted shortly after and notably not exchanging even a glance with his manager.It was just one of those moments in games, Hughes said of the incident. I have spoken to Erik about it since. It is not an issue. On the day I just felt his performance level wasnt quite where it needed to be, and that is the top and bottom of it really.We have talked it through and he understands my position and I understand what he was trying to say on the pitch. We move on.He knows who the boss is.Watch Stoke v Tottenham on Monday Night Football. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 7pm. 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