Didn't get a lot of hype this time around, did it?
No sir. This is LeBron's second time back in Cleveland, and it's not getting nearly the level of attention that the first one did. Back on Dec. 2, the Heat were floundering in the early stages of integrating LeBron and Chris Bosh, while the Cavs were off to a surprisingly half-decent start at 7-10. They're 7-48 since.
A year ago, the Cavs won 61 games and earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NBA playoffs. Now, they've got the worst record in the NBA at 14-58. And you can blather on all you want about injuries and bad bounces, but LeBron is obviously the reason why.
The city of Cleveland still loathes him for that. And LeBron, shockingly, still doesn't get it.
Brian Windhorst of ESPN's "Heat Index" reported Tuesday afternoon that LeBron drove into the Cavaliers' parking garage for the game Tuesday night — and not just LeBron himself, but LeBron, a driver, and a second car behind them. He brought the whole entourage.
The entourage was turned away. And why wouldn't they be? LeBron packed up and left Ohio nine months ago. He took his private parking lot privileges with him.
LeBron James is the game's most brilliant player today, but he's also the most tone-deaf. He still doesn't seem to understand that he's not a hero in his old hometown anymore.
Throughout his free-agent saga that ended on July 8 with his "Decision," LeBron repeated his ultimate goal — to become a global icon. He wants to be loved everywhere — in Miami, around the country, all over the world. But if he expects even to be respected, much less loved, in the city of Cleveland, he's out of his mind.
LeBron was asked on that fateful Thursday night in his post-"Decision" TV interview how he thought the people of Cleveland would react to him leaving. His responded by describing his "real fans who love me for who I am."
Maybe 30 years from now, those fans will emerge. But right now, they're nowhere to be seen. Right now, LeBron is an antihero. He's the scapegoat for everything that's gone wrong in a decimated sports town.
After a few minutes and a few phone calls, LeBron was let into Quicken Loans Arena by security officials. But for Cleveland fans to let him into their hearts, it's going to take a lot longer than that. Until then, LeBron should probably just park somewhere else.
How do you expect LeBron James to be treated in Cleveland? Share your thoughts below.
