Return Of The King: 23 Predictions For Lebron James's Return To Cleveland
December 2nd has been a day marked on Cavs' fans calenders for a long time.
With this magical date quickly approaching, the reaction from the city will be quite predictable, but what will the actual game be like?
Will the Heat continue to struggle?
Will the Cavs spoil the King's return home?
Will Zydrunas Ilgauskas come into the game crying, blowing kisses to the Cleveland faithful??
Let's take a look.
No. 23 LeBron Will Pretend To Ignore the Boo's
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James will do his best to not pay attention to the signs, t-shirts, cat calls and boo's.
In the warm-up's, it won't effect him.
In the first half, it won't effect him.
In the fourth quarter, if it's a close game and he's bringing the ball up the court every time, are 20,000 people still just as loud as hours before?
No. 22 Your Grandma Will Be Watching
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...and your teacher, boss, the mail man, ex-girlfriend, and anyone else who normally could care less about basketball or sports in general will tune in to see this game.
Even if you have to explain to Grandma that they score baskets and not touchdowns, bless her heart for watching.
No. 21 Focused Teammates
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LeBron won't ask his team to concentrate any extra to help win this game, and he won't have to.
Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh will come out extremely focused and ready to play, but only one will have a game to reflect that.
No. 20 Chris Bosh Will Struggle
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Bosh has had brilliant games this season but for the most part has appeared disinterested and confused in his role in the offense.
Cleveland will use JJ Hickson's length and Anderson Varagao's intensity to frustrate Bosh into a sub 15 point, seven rebound game.
No. 19 Dan Gilbert Will Have a Front Row Seat
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Gilbert is normally a staple at Cavs games, both home and road alike. While he may not be as passionate while watching a game as Mark Cuban, you know he truly enjoys watching his investment in action.
You know the cameras will try to catch LeBron and Dan in the same shot as much as possible, but which one will be smiling as the game goes on?
No. 18 Gloria James Will Not
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If Gloria James is smart, she'll try to avoid contact with Cavs fans at all costs.
Besides being ridiculed for allowing her son to move South, there will be the inevitable amount of Delonte West jokes (deserved or not).
It's fine if Momma James wants to come watch the game, but make sure it's in the privacy of a suite and not amongst 20,000 angry fans.
No. 17 Zydrunas Ilgauskas Gets a Standing Ovation
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Cavs fans are now looked at as being whiny, hypocritical low life's after their extended reaction after the decision.
However, I hope America watches closely the reception Z gets from Cleveland.
As cruel as Cavs fans can be to those who've wronged them, they can be just as appreciative to those who have left the franchise on good terms.
Yes, Z plays for the Heat now, and I don't blame him. With Byron Scott's offense, Z's playing time would have been limited. However, after being cut by the Wizards last year following the Jamison trade, Z could have signed with anyone, and he still chose to come back to the team that drafted him.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas will get a standing ovation, and it will be well deserved.
No. 16 The Dust Will Still Go Up
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Fans may look at is as showing Cleveland up, but it is still part of James' routine, home or away.
LeBron has remained noncommittal about whether he will start the game in his usual way, but if this is just another game like he claims it to be, the dust will still rise...
No. 15...Unless Someone Hides It
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Would someone dare hide the powder before the tip???
No. 14 Mo Williams Will Lead All Scorers
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No Cavalier took the decision more personally than Mo Williams.
Cleveland's scoring leader will be asked to guard Carlos Arroyo, allowing him to focus more on the offensive side where he will lead all scorers with 35 points.
No. 13 Anderson Varegao Will Lead All Rebounders
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Varegao is very seldom the tallest on the court, but his intensity and constant pursuit of the ball have led to about nine rebounds a game this year.
Fighting with Z and Bosh for boards, Varegao will pull down 12-15 to lead all players.
No. 12 Some Cavs Fans Will Turn On Each Other
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You'll really see the difference between Cavs fans, and LeBron fans.
Very few in Northeast Ohio these days are both.
The Cavs fans will want to destroy anything Pro-LeBron, including their own. Some mild heckling is acceptable, but please, nothing to embarrass yourselves, OK Cleveland?
No. 11 Charles Barkley Will Call LeBron a Knucklehead
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The game is being broadcast on TNT so we get to hear the delightful and always insightful remarks of Sir Charles Barkley.
Chuck's looking pretty trim lately by the way.
No. 10 Joey Graham Will Get Into Early Foul Trouble Guarding LeBron
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Graham, who has been inserted into the starting lineup as of late, is a very physical defender who usually picks up at least one foul a game for being TOO aggressive.
LeBron will be his defensive assignment to start the game. Expect Graham to be very physical with James, and while doing so, pick up some early fouls.
Who get's the next crack?
No. 9 Jamario Moon Will Try To Guard LeBron, and Fail Miserably
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When Graham goes to the bench with foul trouble, Moon will get the next crack at covering James. While Moon should be familiar with this from guarding him in practice all of last year, it doesn't mean this will be pretty.
Moon is typically a good defender, using his length and athleticism to bother opponents into taking tough shots.
Look for LeBron exploit his strength advantage by trying to post up against Moon, but Jamario should do a good job challenging long jump shots and three pointers.
No. 8 LeBron Will Lead The Game In Assists...
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Even though he really wants to put up 50, James knows it's better for the team if he tries to get everyone involved.
The best part of his game has always been his passing, and tonight will be no exception with a 12 assist game.
No. 7...and Also Lead All Players In Turnovers
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The turnover bug has bit LeBron hard this year, possibly with him trying to do too much or just being lazy at times.
James has a knack for coughing up the ball in big games (nine in game six against the Celtics) and will continue to struggle tonight when he is often double teamed.
Prediction: Six turnovers.
No. 6 Security Won't Be Needed
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As angry as Cavs fans will be, they know the greatest revenge will be a Cavaliers win, not a foolish attempt to run on the court for their 15 seconds (or less) of fame.
Keep it classy, Cleveland and don't make the Q use their extra security.
No. 5 The Game Will Come Down To the Final Seconds...
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This will be a close game, with each team going on runs, back and forth until...
No. 4...The Cavs Will Be Up By 1...
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Mo Williams will get double teamed, lose the ball, and LeBron will scoop it up and start to streak down court...
No. 3...LeBron Will Be Streaking Down the Court...
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For the game winning basket, when...
No. 2...Zydrunas Ilguaskas Trips LeBron, Cavs Win!
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Z, channeling his inner Darth Vader in Return of the Jedi, feels for the city of Cleveland and trips LeBron, thus ending any hope of a Heat win.
Cavs fans cheer, LeBron leaves in disgust and Z is given his release the following day, only to be named to the Cavalier front office and given a statue in front of the Q.
No. 1 Everyone Will Have a LeBron James Status Update and Tweet After the Game
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You know it's inevitable. The girl you know who's seen him play twice in her life will come up with a witty remark like "i hate you lebron!!! : )" and her annoying friends will all "like" it and agree with her and you'll die a little inside.
Don't fall victim to doing the same, you're better than that.
