we were batting, we knew there were [rough] spots getting formed for our bowlers, Rahane said. [Ravindra] Jadeja and [R] Ashwin are in good rhythm. So we just wanted to wear the

Athletes such as LeBron James and Stephen Curry seem to rise to another plane of existence, even above their superstar peers. Imagine if these stars could get a powerful boost from Dr. Stephen Strange, Sorcerer Supreme and Master of the Mystic Arts.In a content partnership between ESPN and Marvel, our heroes battle for the fate of the world -- and the Larry OBrien Trophy in the 2016-17 season. Marvels protector of Earth against mystical threats has imbued the NBAs greatest players with incredible abilities, even beyond those theyve already demonstrated.Stephen CurryGolden State Warriors | PGPower: All-seeing shooting eyeKey stat: Single-season record of 402 3-pointers in 2015-16Mind-bending moment: Made a 3-pointer from beyond 30 feet with one second left in overtime to beat the Thunder in Oklahoma City.The reigning two-time MVP shoots so well from beyond the arc, youd think hes using the Eye of Agamotto to enhance his vision. Last season he smashed his own single-season record of 286 made 3s in 2014-15, becoming the first NBA player to make 400 3s in a season -- while shooting an unfathomable 45.4 percent from beyond the arc. Curry already has proved his talents are out of this world; now hell put them to use in a quest to recapture the trophy he lost in June. Illustration by Greg Land and Chris SotomayorKevin DurantGolden State Warriors | SFPower: Versatility of VishantiKey stat: Career average of 27.4 PPG, third highest in NBA historyMind-bending moment: He split multiple defenders and threw down a left-handed slam against the Heat.Kevin Durant is such a gifted scorer that youd be forgiven if you thought there were multiple Durants on the court at any given moment. But the newest Warriors star isnt astral-projecting to fool defenders -- instead, hes blowing past them, slicing through them or shooting over them to get to 20 points with more frequency and consistency than any other player in the league. Illustration by Oscar JiminezLeBron JamesCleveland Cavaliers | SFPower: Superhuman strengthKey stat: Averaged 36.3 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 9.7 APG, 3.0 SPG, 3.0 BPG in Games 5-7 of 2016 NBA FinalsMind-bending moment: Chase-down block on Andre Iguodala to preserve a tie late in Game 7 of 2016 Finals.Prior to June, we believed we lived in a world in which Cleveland was incapable of winning a championship. But LeBron James knew that such a reality was just one of many, and he used his supernatural abilities to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds and introduce us to a world in which Cleveland is the city of champions. As The Ancient One says, not everything has to make sense -- like a player seemingly teleporting across the court to pin an opponents shot against the backboard in the most important game of his life. Illustration by Dale Keown and Chris SotomayorKawhi LeonardSan Antonio Spurs | SFPower: Defender of Earth and the cosmosKey stat: Back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awardsMind-bending moment: Steal on Kevin Durant leading to poster dunk over Russell Westbrook.While some stars impose their will on the opposition, Kawhi Leonard merely prevents his opponents from imposing theirs. He demonstrates more skills with his hands (1.8 steals, 1.0 blocks per game in 2015-16) than Stephen Strange did as a neurosurgeon, creating a virtual force field around the Spurs basket. If Doctor Strange is Earths defender against mystical threats, then Leonard is the defender against basketball threats. Illustration by Jay Anacleto and Chris SotomayorRussell WestbrookOklahoma City Thunder | PGPower: Lightning-fueled speed and strengthKey stat: 18 triple-doubles in 2015-16Mind-bending moment: Inbounding the ball off Rodney Hood before draining a buzzer-beater against the Jazz.?At times, Russell Westbrook appears to be a demon on the court, but hes no Dread Dormammu. He is Thunder and Lightning in a single package, zipping around the court and leaving defenders in his dust, then turning them into dust with rim-rattling slams. With his former running mate off to Oakland, Westbrook will take the step up from nominal sidekick to lone hero of OKC in 2016-17 -- with his colorful costumes at the ready. Illustration by J.L. Giles and Wil QuintanaGary Sheffield Dodgers Jersey . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. Cheap Dodgers Jerseys . Carey Price didnt, but he still came out on top against one of his rivals for the No. 1 job at the Sochi Games. The Anahim Lake, B.C., native was stellar in making 39 saves in his home province and Lars Eller got credit for a bizarre short-handed winner as the Canadiens defeated the Canucks 4-1. https://www.cheapdodgersonline.com/105h-kyle-garlick-jersey-dodgers.html . The players spoke Jan. 13 during a Major League Baseball Players Association conference call after Rodriguez sued the union and Major League Baseball to overturn an arbitrators decision suspending him for the 2014 season and post-season. Julio Urias Dodgers Jersey . Schenn scored the game-winning goal and added two assists to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Tuesday. Steve Howe Dodgers Jersey . "Thank you for the warm welcome," Beckham said on an 80-degree February morning. In this case, it was soccer weather. The sport moved a step closer to returning to South Florida on Wednesday, when Beckham confirmed he has exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Miami.Ajinkya Rahane loves to hook. He hooked Mitchell Johnson to oblivion in Melbourne in 2014. He is one of the Indian batsmen who likes pace and bounce more than the lack of it. In India, though, pace and bounce are not always true.He was hit on the arm guard and the helmet. His ramp wouldnt connect and he top-edged his hooks. Rahane never looked at ease facing the short ball. Yet he scored 188 after coming in at 100 for 3, adding Indias highest fourth-wicket partnership with Virat Kohli.This hundred is really special because the way I batted yesterday, Rahane said I took my time, and today I dominated. Im glad to have handled that spell yesterday when they were bowling short balls. Even this morning [against the short ball], I think the attitude was important. I will rate this hundred right at the top.When you struggle it is important how much you enjoy that struggle, Rahane said. You wont always have it your way. What is important is to stay at the wicket, stay not out, even if it means you are hit on the helmet, beaten or if you dont look good. As a batsman, it is important to be there to face the next ball. It takes just one ball to get out.I actually enjoyed this innings a lot. This is real Test cricket, when you can score a century even when made to struggle. You cant score all your hundreds in 120 or 130 or 140 balls; sometimes you will have to play more balls, 200 or 230. I enjoyed spending that time a lot.Rahane is not verbally aggressive, but as a Test batsman he has always looked to dominate attacks once he is set. It can be difficult for such batsmen to go through struggling times, but he spoke of not feeling ashamed of these periods.Sometimes in Test cricket, you are not batting in rhythm, Rahane said. But your attitude - how determined you are, your focus levels - matters more, rather than thinking about techniqque.dddddddddddd Many times, a batsman struggles against the short ball or outside the off stump. Then he thinks too much about technique. But I think that its better how you handle yourself mentally in that situation because the situations change. I was struggling, but I think there is no shame in struggling. If you play Test cricket, if you struggle, you should not be ashamed that youre struggling. If youre struggling, fine. But time and situations change, and how you handle them and dominate is important.Having survived the first day, Rahane said he was glad he was being bounced. Today I was happy they were bowling short balls at me, he said. I knew short balls will give me some runs. Thats my shot. Yes I was struggling yesterday but today was a different day. And I was really happy that they came with the short-ball plan against me. Once I got my hundred I knew I wanted to play a long innings. Once Jeetan Patel and Santner were bowling, I wanted to play my normal shots.Rahane attacked the spinners because he wanted New Zealand to bring their fast bowlers back in the heat and humidity. This innings and his partnership of 365 with Kohli has given India a solid chance to push for the series whitewash.When we were batting, we knew there were [rough] spots getting formed for our bowlers, Rahane said. [Ravindra] Jadeja and [R] Ashwin are in good rhythm. So we just wanted to wear the New Zealand team down. Once you are tired there are chances you lose one or two wickets before the end of the day. I think tomorrow will be crucial. There is help for the spinners, but we will have to bowl patiently. The pitch is slightly better for batting, but it will slow down gradually and will help spinners too. ' ' '