I can honestly say that I have never seen a NBA game quite like last night’s boo fest between the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers, which the Heat won 118-90.
It was the first time LeBron James had set foot on the court at the Quicken Loans Arena since his over-the-top announcement that he was going to the Miami Heat. The Cleveland fans who had waited months for this day to arrive, hurled abuse and objects onto the floor whenever LeBron touched the ball. The police presence was heavy-handed and we saw numerous tv shots of furious fans being escorted from the arena.
In typical narcissistic style, LeBron reveled in all the hostility — after all, it is still attention whether it’s good or bad.
Instead of reacting to the hatred like a normal person would — by ignoring it — LeBron responded by never missing a chance to taunt, tease and laugh at his former teammates on the bench. Even TNT analysts Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith were disturbed by his antics. They were also bothered by the fact that a few of the players showed love to LeBron.
“The home fans have tried to make him feel uncomfortable. By (the Cavaliers bench) talking, joking and laughing with him, they’ve made him feel comfortable,” said Smith.
“If ever fans needed a reminder that pro players care far more about each other than they do about them, this was it.”
VladTV.com caught this exchange between LeBron and his former assistant coach, who appears to say “shut the f*ck up” to LeBron.
Click link to watch the video
Photos: NBA, Getty Images and AP
