LeBron James looks back on MAJOR goal to ‘light up’ Cleveland like Las Vegas after return to former home in Lakers uniform

LeBron James talks about emotional return during his return to the city of Cleveland.

LeBron James looks back on MAJOR goal to ‘light up’ Cleveland like Las Vegas after return to former home in Lakers uniform

LeBron James talks about return to Cleveland (Image Twitter)

LeBron James returned to his hometown of Cleveland for the first time since becoming the all-time leading scorer in the NBA. Donning the purple and gold Los Angeles Lakers jersey, he was quizzed during the post-match press conference about his time in Cleveland. Drafted back in 2003 by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the first overall pick, James looks back at his time with the team.

Speaking to the reporters James said it was special to return to Cleveland. Having spent 11 years with the Cavaliers, James said it was unreal to look up and see all the banners in the stadium having his name on top. He was especially proud of the 2016 NBA championship he delivered, as it was 52 years since the last sports championship the city of Cleveland had. James said:

When I was drafted I said I wanted to light this place up like Vegas. I feel like I did a decent job of that.
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Lebron James has his name atop all the stat lines except for blocks for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was born and brought up in Akron, just 30 miles from the stadium. James led the Cavaliers to winning seasons in every year he played except for his rookie season. When he left for Miami in 2010, the entire sports world turned against him, treating him as a traitor. But he wanted to return and finish his mission.

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Returning to Cleveland in 2014, as a now 2-time NBA champion his vision of bringing a championship to Cleveland was still to be achieved. He obviously had to get assurances from the Cavaliers ownership that they would build a team around him which could meet his goals. And so, he did. In 2016, along with fellow star players, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, the Cavaliers won their first NBA championship. Many say, that if not for the dynasty building Golden State Warriors, James would have brought more championships to Cleveland.

LeBron James returning to hometown with a win

LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers played the Cleveland Cavaliers in his hometown today. Winning 121 – 115, James had 22 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. The main contribution was from his teammate Anthony Davis who put up 32 points and 13 rebounds. James went 1-9 from the 3, but he kept the game out of the Cavalier’s reach with timely drives to the basket in the 4th quarter.

LeBron James
LeBron James talks about return to Cleveland (Image via Twitter)

This season LeBron James is averaging 25.5 PPG, 8 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game. That is the highest average by any player in their 21st season in league history. His durability has been a testament to him giving importance in keeping his body in excellent shape. There is talk that no one will be able to replicate or topple what LeBron James has done in the sport of Basketball.

The “Kid from Akron” has become an NBA legend. The majority of those legendary years were with his hometown team. How many sports stars can achieve that? And to bring success to the team and city the way James did, he definitely has ‘lit up’ Cleveland.

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