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MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 29:  LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat  waits to shoot a foul shot during a game against the Washington Wizards at American Airlines Arena on November 29, 2010 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees th
MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 29: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat waits to shoot a foul shot during a game against the Washington Wizards at American Airlines Arena on November 29, 2010 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees thMike Ehrmann/Getty Images

A Gathering Of Hate: 5 Things LeBron James Should Expect In His Return to Ohio

Bhemis ParksDec 2, 2010

Finally, reality catches up with hoopla tonight. LeBron James makes his return to Cleveland, in arguably the most highly anticipated homecoming in NBA history.

LeBron James won’t be returning to greener pastures when he squares off against his former organization.

No, this won’t be like the returning of the biblical king “Jesus.” There will be no bowing and praising on this night.

LeBron James will receive a welcome similar to an Ohio’s winter night, cold and numbing. And the ignorance and hatred that will ensue on this night will be like none before in pro sports.

The fact that people are being threatened because they want to support or don James-apparel is evidence of how ignorant and classless these Cleveland, Ohio natives really are.

Yet oddly and somewhat mind bogglingly, most of the entire NBA fan base is against LeBron James and his choices.

As if none of us has ever done what we felt was right for us as an individual. Talk about being overly hypocritical.

Most don’t even know why they have a negative take on the situations following James. They are followers in the truest form and represent one of the many things that is wrong with American sports as well as American culture.

After all, it’s better to be stupid and heard. As opposed to being sane and quiet.

Well, finally this distasteful journey is about to come to an end. Finally this cult-like gathering in Cleveland will have its stage to cast aside their former king. Like Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, they will get to spew their ignorance on a national level.

Hopefully, LeBron James will be able to close the book on this chapter of his life.

Hopefully, this will serve as further validation as to why James made the right decisions.

But before that happens, LeBron James must endure this night. And most importantly, his Heat teammates need to make sure this is their best performance to date.

5. Expect to Be Disrespected Like Never Before in His Life

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LeBron James will be booed, spit at, threatened and heckled like never before in his life.

No one will care that he’s a 6’9”, 260 lbs. behemoth who could probably handle himself against most in a physical altercation. Ohio natives have proven over the past four months that they care about nothing other than tearing James to shreds.

It’s highly conceivable that the Cleveland police department will be slow to react in any attempts to harm James. After all, we’ve all witnessed how much the city is lacking in class.

4. Expect Erik Spoelstra to Be Out-Coached by Byron Scott

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MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 20:  Coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat reacts during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on November 20, 2010 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Grizzlies won 97-95. NOTE TO USER:  User expressly acknowledges and agrees
MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 20: Coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat reacts during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on November 20, 2010 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Grizzlies won 97-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

In no way shape or form is Miami Heat coach, Erik Spoelstra, as talented a coach as that of Cleveland Cavaliers coach Byron Scott.

The Cavaliers will be better prepared from a mental stand-point to defeat the Heat based on Scott’s lengthy experience in matters of the NBA.

If James wants to leave a winner, he and his will need to take matters into their own hands.

3. Expect the Media to Promote Him As the Ultimate Villain

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MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 01:  LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat looks on during a game against the Detroit Pistons at American Airlines Arena on December 1, 2010 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 01: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat looks on during a game against the Detroit Pistons at American Airlines Arena on December 1, 2010 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/

It’s been hard to find a supporter of LeBron James outside of the Miami Heat organization.

None has been more venomous than Cleveland beat writer Bill Livingston, as well as Yahoo blogger Adrian Wojnarowski. They have taken personal stances on James’ character and his quality as a person.

There are many others also following the pack, most notably Charles Barkley and Reggie Miller.

Look at tons of quotes of how James is the ultimate bad guy and how he let down Clevelanders. 

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2. Expect Dwyane Wade to Have James' Back

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MIAMI - NOVEMBER 19:  Dwyane Wade #3 and LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat look on during a game against the Charlotte Bobcats at American Airlines Arena on November 19, 2010 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by
MIAMI - NOVEMBER 19: Dwyane Wade #3 and LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat look on during a game against the Charlotte Bobcats at American Airlines Arena on November 19, 2010 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by

No Miami Heat player is better built for this setting than Dwyane Wade. After all, he too turned his back on his native sports team.

Wade has been the biggest supporter of James and has gone out his way to accommodate what many refer to as the “pampered king.”

Wade considers James a friend and has been lately referring to him as a brother. He will do everything possible to make James’ return to Cleveland a successful one.

Expect Wade to destroy Cleveland.

1. The Hate Will Still Remain After the Game

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Now that James is gone, the only thing in Ohio worth paying attention to is the Ohio State Buckeyes.

So once this night concludes, there isn’t anything else to do but forgive or hate, LeBron James. I think it’s safe to say that most will side with the latter of that statement.

The Cavs fans will vent and the world will experience their ignorance and immaturity.

But none of that will change the fact that the hate will burn far longer than James’ regrets…if he has any.

Click here to read my most recent article.

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