Cleveland fan once tried attacking LeBron James with officer’s gun after controversial Miami Heat move

LeBron James spent his first seven seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Cleveland fan once tried attacking LeBron James with officer’s gun after controversial Miami Heat move

Mario Chalmers recalled Cleveland Cavaliers fan tried to attack LeBron James with gun in 1st game back since moving to Miami Heat

One of the most controversial moments of LeBron James‘ career was when he decided to sign with the Miami Heat. Leaving his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers team was hard for James. And it was harder when he returned to play against them for the first time as a member of the Heat. 

As former teammate Mario Chalmers recalls, one fan apparently tried to attack James with an officer’s gun when he entered the arena. Such was the hatred from Cavaliers fans.

YouTube video

While speaking on The Big Podcast with Shaq, Mario Chalmers remembered the day LeBron James made his return to Cleveland for the first time. He then talked about a packed arena full of people booing their former superstars and how mad the crowd was at him. 

FS Video
I always take it back to that first game in Cleveland, Bron's first game. I've never seen fans that mad at a person. From people trying to throw batteries on the court.....we had somebody try to grab an Officer's gun. Like you guys are really that mad that he left Cleveland to come to Miami? Like, how can you be that mad?"
Mario Chalmers on The Big Podcast with Shaq

Chalmers could not understand why the fans were so mad at James, even though they were chanting for him just a few months ago. 

Furthermore, the former point guard felt that the fans did not respect James’ decision to try for a trophy elsewhere. They preferred that James stay to compete for one at home. However, one cannot fault James here; after all, he single-handedly pulled the Cleveland Cavaliers to six straight conference semi-finals. 

The ‘Kid from Akron’ wanted to win championships, and he had to leave his hometown to accomplish that goal. Since the Cavaliers front office could not assemble a team good enough to win, he had to leave after trying multiple times.

LeBron James returned to Cleveland to win 1st title for Cavaliers

After winning two titles with the Miami Heat, LeBron James felt that he had some unfinished business with his hometown team. In the summer of 2014, James returned home, signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers. James did come on the condition that the Cavaliers front office would assemble a team worthy of fighting for an NBA title.

The NBA star got his wish, as the Cavaliers traded in superstar Kevin Love. He teamed up with the King and rising superstar Kyrie Irving to create their own Big 3. The trio reached the NBA Finals that year but lost to the Golden State Warriors. 

With a few changes and James’ greatest comeback in NBA Finals history, he achieved his goal of winning a title for his hometown team. 

Notably, LeBron James changed the perception of Cleveland Cavaliers fans once he achieved that goal. But as Mario Chalmers suggested, who knew that the Cavaliers fans of those days had so much hatred toward their prodigal son?

In case you missed: