LeBron James not worried about his return to Cleveland
Miami Heat forward LeBron James will return to Cleveland to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on 2 December, and the two-time Most Valuable Player admitted that he is thinking about it, but he
is not worried about his safety.
“How can I not think about it?” James said, referring to his return to Cleveland. “It is going to be a real hostile environment, I know. It is going to be pretty intense.”
James, who bolted out of Cleveland to join the Heat during the off-season, said that although he is expecting jeers and boos from the Cavaliers’ supporters, he believes that the NBA would
take enough measure to ensure not only his safety, but also that of the players that would be with him that day.
“I'm not concerned about safety,” said James, whose team is struggling to maximize their roster strength this season. “It is a good league and they do their best to try to make sure the players
and the fans have a good time.”
However, James said that he is planning to prevent his family and close friends from watching the game. “It would probably be a good idea to keep my friends and family away,” he said. “But
it might be hard. They want to see it too. We'll see.”
Earlier this week, the NBA and the Cavaliers talked about their plan on the expected emotional return of James to Cleveland, where he spent the first seven years of his career. Additional
police will be deployed and anti-James apparel would be banned inside the arena.
Dan Gilbert, on the other hand, also talked about it and said that the Cavaliers fans will not be too restricted, but they will ensure the safety of everybody including James, whom he called
a a “self-proclaimed” King after announcing in an ESPN show called “The Decision” that he would sign with the Heat.
“Obviously no profanity, vulgar stuff you wouldn't want kids to see but we are not going to be the Gestapo at the Q,” said Gilbert in his Twitter account.
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