On Wednesday night, the King returned to the castle he spent years building.
“Welcome home No. 23, LeBron James” pic.twitter.com/msIqCSPgU0
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) November 22, 2018
It was LeBron James’ first game in Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena since he bolted his home-state team for the second time, as his Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-105. (RELATED: WATCH: Highlights From LeBron James’ Epic 51-Point Performance)
LeBron has returned to Cleveland. #LakeShow
????: @NBA pic.twitter.com/jYNOSuM5Ha— #RingerNBA (@ringernba) November 21, 2018
This time however, there were no jersey-burnings, no profane chants, no anger or resentment, and almost zero boos.
For the most part, LeBron was given a hero’s welcome in his second return to Cleveland, the city whose first championship in 52 years was delivered by James and company in 2016.
The Cavaliers currently sit at 2-14 on the season — the worst record in the NBA — but even in the middle of a terrible year, the 2016 NBA Championship banner still hangs proudly in Quicken Loans Arena, a reminder of what LeBron accomplished during his time in Cleveland.
That on-court accomplishment, and James’ charitable endeavors off the court, are why there is still nothing but love between Cleveland and their favorite son.