The Cavaliers made history by overcomin.
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Days after leading the Cavaliers to their first ever National Basketball Association title and giving Cleveland its first professional sports championship in 52 years, LeBron James says he plans on returning to Cleveland next year.
In a moment filled with symbolism at Wednesday’s post-parade rally, James accepted the MVP trophy from Jim Brown, a legendary running back who helped the Browns win in 1964.
“The people here are awesome, but they’ve always been the butt of the joke”, she said of the city’s “mistake by the lake” stereotype.
The small trees surrounding Mall B turned into seats for numerous fans who wanted the best view of the stage.
No team had ever rallied from a 3-1 deficit to win the best-of-seven NBA Finals until he lifted the Cavaliers to deliver the NBA’s greatest shocker, ending his city’s 52-year wait for a major sports champion. Watch live as the Cavs celebrate with their new hardware – and plenty of Cavaliers fans.
“I heard a lot of ‘Thank You, LeBron, ‘” James said. He said he’ll be back with the Cavs next season.
“For some insane reason, I feel like I’m gonna wake up and it’s going to be game four again” with the Cavs down 2-1 to the Warriors, he said. Police were doing all they could to clear East 9th street so the celebration could begin.
“The crowd was packed so tightly that fans could reach out and high-five their heroes”.
Which is why the Sheridan family, of Erie, was among the estimated 1.3 million people who crammed Cleveland’s downtown streets to get a glimpse of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and other Cavs who ended the city’s half-century of athletic anguish.
When he took the microphone on stage, James addressed each of his teammates during a notes-free speech that lasted 16 minutes. Cleveland fans simply went home, probably shoveled their driveways and went on with their lives.
James has a player option in excess of $24 million for the upcoming season, according to Spotrac.com, and his comments suggest he will exercise it.
The city announced the event Tuesday, saying that James and students from the Wheels for Education and I Promise Network programs will be featured.
And on Monday, ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith said on ESPN Radio, “From what I’ve been told, the Lakers and Heat are possibilities as a destination for LeBron James this summer”.
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“Let’s get ready for next year”, James told the assembled crowd before departing.
