Cavaliers: Why Cleveland Fans Should Behave When LeBron Returns Tonight

Tonight, one of the most polarizing figures in sports history returns to the city that started it all.

LeBron James and the statistical giants of the Miami Heat will face a young, Varejao-less Cavaliers squad in the heart of downtown Cleveland. "The Return of the King" is a phrase no longer exclusive to Tolkien. 

So, to quote our subject, what should we do? 

Many Cavaliers fans, myself included, are still feeling a bit jilted from the events of 2010. We still shoot upright in bed, tortured by nightmares of the now-legendary Game 5. The word "decision" will never again be an emotionally neutral term. 

Are we allowed to be angry? Sure. Should we give LeBron, the Heat, and the world the satisfaction of seeing us angry? Absolutely not. 

At the risk of sounding like Mr. Rogers, I'd like to propose a very Zen solution to this issue. Let's welcome him back. The guy gave Cleveland seven unforgettable years of basketball and one horribly disappointing series. Tonight, let's remember the good times.

I'm not suggesting that we roll over. Cleveland fans are a proud, hard-working, scrappy bunch. But instead of lashing out at the person who left, let's take the opportunity to celebrate the ones who stayed.

We have a lot to celebrate, after all. Kyrie Irving bounced back from a concussion with a 22-point, five assist vs. one turnover effort on 66.7% shooting. We're down a big man, but our spirits are up.

Tonight's game is an opportunity for Cleveland. So, we got dumped. It happens. Rather than causing a scene, let's drop 10 pounds and subtly mention our new promotion. Trust me: it's far more satisfying.

Maya Angelou once wrote, "Bitterness is like cancer. It feeds upon the host." This might be the first and last time Maya is ever mentioned in a sports article, but she's got a valid point. It's time to move on.

The current Cavaliers will need their fans more than ever; let's not waste our energy on the past ones.