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LeBron James Opens Up on Horrific Hate Incidents From Cleveland After His Controversial Exit

Published 08/27/2021, 12:30 PM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

LeBron James is arguably one of the most fascinating players to ever grace the court of basketball. With an incredible physique coupled with an unmatched basketball IQ, LBJ is regularly regarded as the best player in the world.

Be it the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Miami Heat or more recently the Los Angeles Lakers, Bron has flourished in every team he has played for and has also helped the team to win the ultimate prize as well.

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LeBron James opens about the vicious hate he received upon leaving Cavaliers

After being drafted with the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft, it was apparent that the Cavs had landed a generational talent. But the Cavs front office never could put together a competitive team never Bron. With constant disappointments, James took a decision that changed the course of the league.

Forming a formidable trio with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in the Miami Heat, Bron finally had a good supporting cast around him. While the move made sense for LeBron, it was perhaps the most scrutinised move in NBA history. In a recent episode of More than an Athlete, LeBron explained the immense amount of hate he received after the move.

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“So many different narratives of who I am was being portrayed, and I wasn’t that person. I sort of became that person because I was like f**k it. if they gonna make me be this person, I might as well just wear the black hat.”

James added, “I was kinda waiting for that moment when the schedule came out and see when I was making my return. My mindset going into that game was I am gonna tear their a** up. I would never forget that day, December 2nd 2010.”

The Lakers’ forward also shared a story about two distraught Cavaliers’ fans who embarrassed themselves. “I’m about to head down to the bus and then on my floor, the elevator opens. There is two guys who have F**k LBJ T-shirts, two of them. And the elevator opens. When they notice it’s me, one of the guys said, ‘Can I have a picture with you?’ And when it’s closing he says, ‘I am not even from Cleveland.'”

How crazy was LeBron first matchup against the Cavs?

LeBron James might have solidified his status as perhaps the greatest player in Cavs history, but few years ago, the 4-time MVP was public enemy number 1 for Cleveland and the franchise.

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With the narrative surrounding him calling him out as a quitter, media was all-in on creating the hype around Bron’s return. The stage was set up for December 2nd 2010. While ‘the King‘ and the Heat were title favorites, there start to the NBA season wasn’t the best.

Once LeBron James entered, a flurry a boos and chants started. From banners questioning his loyalty to people constantly booing him, this regular season game between the Cavs and the Heat seemed like a game 7 battle indeed.

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While the Heat entered with a record of 11-8, Bron crushed Cavs’ fans hope for a revenge. Scoring a game high 38 points, Bron had an efficient night as he torched the Cavs scoring 15 of his 25 attempted shots. Ultimately, the Heat blew out the Cavaliers 118-90.

The Cavaliers wouldn’t reach their past standards after losing Bron and often ended up in the lottery. Their ‘prodigal son’ returned though and after losing out to the Warriors in the 2015 NBA Finals, the Cavaliers finally won their first NBA championship in 2016. Was LBJ’s decision to move to the Heat a right one?

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Written by:

Aditya Mohapatra

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Aditya Mohapatra is a sports enthusiast who primarily covers the NBA for EssentiallySports. Having graduated in Mass Communication, he has prior experience in writing for ABP News, and has been writing for EssentiallySports since November 2020. This die-hard Los Angeles Lakers fan feels that LeBron James is the best thing to have ever happened to the NBA, and will hold a healthy debate with anyone suggesting otherwise.
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