Wednesday, December 1st, 2010 at 9:00 am  |  176 responses

LeBron James’ ‘Emotionally Draining’ Return to Cleveland

by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni

One could make the argument that, barely a month in, this is (and will remain) the most highly-anticipated game of the NBA’s regular season.

Everyone — from fans, media, teammates, players on other teams; hell, even baseball players — is looking forward to seeing how Cavs fans will react, and how LBJ will handle matters once the venom starts flying.

LeBron’s first game back in Cleveland this Thursday promises to be an emotionally-charged affair, and James knows it.

The Miami Herald has the quotes:

LeBron James is bracing for Thursday’s hostile return to Cleveland, which Dwyane Wade said “is going to hurt him in a way” emotionally.

James said Tuesday the animosity “is going to be tough” to take. “I’m ready for whatever response I’m going to get. It’s going to be very emotionally draining for myself. Being in a different uniform, it’s going to be kind of weird. I give a lot of thanks to that city and those fans to give me the opportunity to showcase my talent and grow from a young boy to a man.’

Dwyane Wade warns LeBron not to try and do too much during game, and promises to help out with the traditional powder toss if need be.

On the Cleveland end of things, though they’ve taken additional measures to ensure the safety of everyone in the gym on Thursday, things seem to be a lot looser, and there are signs that the Cavs are ready to have fun with the circus-like atmosphere.

Some have suggested for LeBron James to embrace the villain role, but that doesn’t seem likely to happen. He’s not the type to relish hatred from opposing fans, something that will make his return to what used to be home that much tougher.

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  • http://www.need4sheed.com Tarzan Cooper

    Tmoney, for the obvious reason of going against their former team in a very hostile environment. Vinces first game vs tdot was beautiful, I believe he had 38 or 39 along with other goodness. We all know the pressure lebron will have on him ttmrw, lets see how he responds.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Thanks Kreep for the clarification.

  • mike

    As long as someone knocks him on his butt the first time he tries to drive the lane I’ll be happy. I hope they bust on him all night long.

  • http://slamonline.com kobehater

    lbj will have 40 points 10 reb. 10 asst.plus KOBE SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • benno

    @kobehater – stopping crying just kobe kills it and lebron sucks. And let me guess, after the cavs game lebron will average a triple double, and he will go onto win not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, not 6, not7, BUT NO RINGS. HEAT SUCK. but you keep living in your own fantasy world.

  • It Hurts

    I know LeBron was just answering honestly to a simple question, but really … are we supposed to feel sorry for the guy, given the way he handled this and everything he’s done to Cleveland?

    Jordan would turn this into motivation. He wouldn’t be crying about it. Man up, Bron. Welcome to the real world.

  • Jackie Moon

    I used to rule the world  
    Cavs would rise when I gave the world  
    Now in the morning I sleep alone  
    Sweep the streets I used to own.

  • Jackie Moon

    *gave the word

  • http://djflkf.com Jukai

    Message to everyone:
    People need to back off saying they are ashamed of SLAM because of BC’s comments on here. THEY DO NOT REPRESENT HIS WORK! THEY ARE HIS PERSONAL OPINION AND HE HAS A RIGHT TO SAY THEM!
    IMPORTANT: -REGARDLESS IF YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE-
    I’m shocked a dude like T-Money would use the “Ben, I hope you’re not paying BC!” line. I don’t agree with a hearty chunk of what BC says, but he damn well should be able to say it and not have to worry about sullying SLAM’s amazing reputation, which included Ryan Jones making homosexual come-ons to Kevin Love, and Myles Brown loudly announcing he was going to kill Ricky Rubio if there was ever a Spanish-American War (which, btw, were both hysterical, I’m just trying to prove a point).
    So drop the whole “BC should not write for SLAM” crap. Be upset about his articles. Let him speak when he’s off the job.
    Damn.

  • http://brimartin13@gmail.com Brion

    Enigmatic, I was asking cuz I didnt get his post? thus the question marks.

  • Harlem_World

    Months ago, I though Bron made a mistake in jumping ship – but wasn’t really concerned about it. Made for good entertainment. Now? I’ve actually started to dislike Cleveland more and more for not letting this go. MOVE ON, IT’S OVER. Focus on Jamario Moons upside.

  • http://www.need4sheed.com Tarzan Cooper

    ^^^^^^lol@ focus on jamario moons upside. Great one.

  • http://www.kb24.com The Seed

    People hating on BC, do need to give it up. Thats one of the reasons I like slamonline, because the real journalist will state sometimes why they wrote something, past experiences with stars, give their opinions outside their articles and talk junk. Thats the American way. Slamonline is the greatest mag in world. So Haters will hate, but Slam has been balling for a while now. BOOK IT!!

  • http://Slam Jasmine

    Im A True Die Hard LeBron James Fans So LeBron Haters Dont Hate Cause If You Wanna Start Something Let Me Know. Alright Im A Fan Whereever He Goes Im From Cali Live Close To Warriors And Ill Be At Warriors vs Heat!! Well When LeBron Was With The Cavs I Bet You Half Of Those Fans Said Im A True LeBron Fan Well What Happend Wheres The True? You Arent A True Fan If You Cant Exept Were He Went!!

  • Crustified Dibbz

    It’s the media whos pushin the hate along , mostly peeps with small dik$ & big cars. I don’t mind that coz it’l just motivate him to push for another triple double. Ima true Bron fan & i’l be Cheering when his name gets called out 2nite. The Seed: your moms should have swallowed you.

  • Crustified Dibbz

    moderate ? :-) AND 1 !!!!!!!!!

  • Crustified Dibbz

    The Seed : I think Brian C & Bron got so much in common. Look at it from Here. SLAM is like the the League. Crawfish is Bron. Comes out does his thing , can have a good game. BUT on a personal level ? An unreliable gimp of his fortune, a pain to be around and a #1 Sucka for Jalepino Sausages :-) Word to yours.

  • Pharoah

    ^^Why the hell did u capitalize every single word?!?

  • rainman

    PAUSE MOMENT OF THE DAY:

    “Eboy Posted:
    @ Bron Crawford…..only cats from the Chi make that slurping sound, the rest of the sports world swallows!!!!!! “

  • Mateen23

    I wanna see how miami loose against cleveland =)
    hahahaha swwet revenge

  • Pingback: SLAM ONLINE | » Cavs Ready for LeBron James’ Return

  • Jose

    @ Brion: Well all this villian talk going on, black chalk seems appropriate. but LBJ obviously isn’t going to accept that label, it aint him

  • CRUSTIFICATION IS NEAR !

    10bux says There Will be Riots.

  • CRUS-T jalepino included

    6 game slide . (Simpsons) Ha ha ! THATS WHAT STUPID CAVS FANS GET. i HOPE they get relegated to the D league & give a decent team & especially fans a shot. Punk A$$ Bilzniches !! Anybody know that Westside Connection song ‘Bow Down’ … When i come to your town…

  • CRUS-T jalepino included

    7 games and counting. Bow down… !!

  • Crustified-Jalepino

    ha ha

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