James Hailed At Quicken Loans Arena In Return
There was no increased security presence, objects thrown, or an angry mob ready to tear LeBron James’ head off.
Eight years after one of the most memorable and emotional homecomings for a former player vs his old team, time, lessons from the past and James’ brilliant second run in Cleveland appeared to heal all ones.
Playing in Cleveland for the first time as a Los Angeles Laker, LeBron James was given a standing ovation by his former team at Quicken Loans Arena.
During the first stop in action, James received a special video package from the Cleveland Cavaliers, shown on the video board in the arena during a timeout that highlighted James’ second run that culminated with the superstar leading the Cavaliers to their first NBA championship ever back in 2016.
The video package also highlighted James New ‘I Promise’ school in Akron, Ohio, which opened on July 31st.
On a night that was mostly quiet and devoid of electricity like that night back on December 2nd, 2010, the fans came to life in the fourth quarter as James’ old team, led by former Los Angeles Laker Jordan Clarkson, were in control in the fourth quarter after a strong push.
The Cavaliers owned a 96-87 lead after a 10-0 run in the period, but that lead would disappear after James drilled a 3-pointer from near the top of the key to tie the game at 99-99 with 2:56 remaining in the game.
He would give Los Angeles the lead on a pair of free throws on the ensuing possession for Los Angeles before he and the Lakers closed out a 109-105 victory in Cleveland.
James finished with 32 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists, a game after he scored 51 points in Miami in Sunday evening, another one of his former clubs.
The Cleveland Cavaliers entered the game a league-worst 2-13, not a surprise given what the presence of LeBron James had on the franchise and has had on each franchise he’s been apart of in his long and illustrious career.
Without Kevin Love, the team showed the type of fight that you’d expect to see in a nightly basis, but they’re still working on that and may be for a long time if the team doesn’t find fortunes in future drafts, can you say Zion Williamson Cavalier fans?
As for LeBron James, he treated this game like any other game, as the animosity he had for the Cleveland Cavaliers, in particular Dan Gilbert, has waned and the iconic basketball star didn’t feel the need to stick it to the Cavaliers like he did back in 2010 when his Miami Heat blew out the post-LeBron Cavaliers 118-90.
The Los Angeles Lakers (10-7) have room to improve, and they’re doing it as they’re defending at a higher level and running their offensive sets how they want to.
James and the Cavaliers have gone their separate ways, and while the Cleveland Cavaliers are in a total rebuild because of it, they are at the very least a team not living in the past.
That in itself is progress.
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