LeBron James Returns To Cleveland: Cavalier Fans Should Cheer

This week LeBron James will be making his long anticipated return to Cleveland when the Cavalier play host to the Miami Heat.

In the off-season James took his talents to South Beach and left Cleveland to become part of a talented trio in Miami.

The two-time league MVP famously announced his decision to join the Heat over the summer while breaking the hearts of the Cleveland faithful. James joined Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh and immediately were established as the odds-on favorite to win the NBA Championship. James instantly became a villain in the NBA and in the city of Cleveland. Now the fans will get a chance to show their displeasure with the NBA superstar.

Cleveland Cavaliers Owner, Dan Gilbert was perhaps the most vocal about James leaving and displayed it in a scathing letter which of course, he published for all to read. While he was angered by the move and claimed the Cavs would win a title before the Heat, he will be smiling this week when the Heat come to town.

Local Cleveland ticket brokers have revealed that court-side tickets are going for as much as $5,000 apiece. There is no doubt that the stadium will be sold out, but the reaction of the fans is still debatable.

This is a chance for Cleveland to get revenge, but they need to be careful. The team is asking fans to avoid wearing any disrespectful or crude clothing directed at James, and any signs with obscene comments will be confiscated. The team is beefing up security in and around Quicken Loans Arena to ensure the safety of fans and players. This is the perfect opportunity for the Cavaliers and their fans to show their disapproval of the move that James made while remaining in good taste.

It is understandable if the Cleveland fans boo James whenever he touches the ball, and cheer on the Cavs in hopes of sending James out of town with a loss, but here is an interesting thought:  What if the fans thank LeBron with a standing ovation the first time he is announced and then after that they boo him? It sounds strange but it would show a tremendous amount of class and technically the fans do owe him at least a slice of gratitude.

James alone infused raw energy, daily excitement and millions of dollars into the city. He brought enthusiasm and a shot at a championship to a city that is starving for a title in any sport. Granted he did sneak out of town like a thief and made a public spectacle of snubbing Cleveland, but this is a chance to put the focus back on the city.

Fans of Cleveland stand up and applaud LeBron James and get the recognition as a knowledgeable sports town that you deserve.

Matt Regaw is a B/R Featured Columnist and the founder of BookieBlitz.com, your one-stop shop for sports articles, previews and predictions. Feel free to contact Matt at [e-mail].