LeBron James Expresses Disappointment in Postponement of Latest Return to Cleveland to Face Cavs
By Will Coleman
Lakers star LeBron James will always just be a kid from Akron. He'll never forget about his roots and where he came from.
The NBA has been without games played for two weeks now, and Thursday night would have marked LBJ's return to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers. The Lakers won't be playing that game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse anytime soon due to the outbreak of coronavirus, but that didn't stop King James from paying homage to his hometown on this otherwise quiet day.
Was so looking forward to being back in Cleveland tonight playing in front of my family, friends and fans I spent 11 years of my career with. Always a special place in my heart! Until next time! #ThekidfromAKRON?? #StaySafe??
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 26, 2020
Thursday would have been the 35-year-old's 18th game suiting up against Cleveland in his pro career, and his fourth time since leaving the Cavs a second time in 2018.
James was drafted by Cleveland out of high school, Akron's St. Vincent-St. Mary, in 2003, and quickly developed into one of the best all-around, generational talents in NBA history. LBJ ditched the Cavs for the Heat from 2010 to 2014, but returned to Cleveland for four more seasons with one goal on his mind: to bring his city a championship.
LeBron’s 2nd run in Cleveland was one for the books ?@KingJames | #PlayerDays pic.twitter.com/qcGEQzRMY1
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 24, 2020
The Cavaliers defied all odds and came back from down 3-1 to beat the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals, and James poured in one his most complete efforts to make it happen. LBJ averaged 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 2.6 steals and 2.3 blocks per game throughout the series, as Cleveland won its first pro championship in 52 years. James will always be remembered by Cavs fans as an unquestioned hometown hero.