LeBron James back at Cleveland: What happened in ill-fated game last time?
LEBRON JAMES returns to Cleveland for the first time since his summer trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, but what happened the last time he returned with the Miami Heat?
It will be the second time James has gone back to play against the Cavaliers after leaving them.
James returned to the Quicken Loans Arena in 2010 after leaving for the Heat in controversial fashion.
And on Wednesday night, in a week of returns, he faces the Cavaliers for the first time since he left the franchise for the second time.
On Sunday he went back to Miami for the first time since becoming a Los Angeles Laker.
Since leaving Cleveland, the Cavaliers have gone downhill rapidly, and are currently 2-13 from the first 15 games.
Speaking to The Athletic, James said he expects a positive response from the Cavaliers fans.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s negative, because the only thing that matters is what I gave to the city, what I gave to that community, what I’m still giving to that community,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter.
“At the end of the day, they have one obligation and that’s to cheer for their team.
“And I’m not on the team.
“Personally I’m in a whole different space than I was in 2010, so (expletive) doesn’t bother me.”
What happened when James returned for the first time?
On the court, James scored 38 points as the Heat ran out 118-90 winners over the Cavaliers.
The reception he got was so bad, extra precautions had to be taken to ensure the abuse didn't turn physical.
Fans were served drinks in paper cups to avoid any damage if they threw them, and extra security was hired to avoid anyone getting onto the court.
James was booed from the moment he first appeared on screen, every time he touched the ball, and until he left the court.
What will happen tonight?
James is likely to be given a warm welcome back to Cleveland.
When he left for the first time in 2010, he had failed to deliver on his promise of securing an NBA Championship to the city.
In his second stint at the franchise, he won the 2016 NBA title, and delivered on that promise.
When he first left, club owner Dan Gilbert wrote an open letter to fans, referring to James’ decision as ‘a shameful display of selfishness and betrayal’.
When James left for the second time, however, Gilbert thanked him for ‘delivering the long-elusive championship that many thought they would never see.’