At the end of the 2009-2010 NBA season, if you mentioned the name Lebron James in Cleveland, you were quickly labeled as a traitor.  However, at the end of the 2013-2014 NBA season, if you mentioned the name Lebron James in Cleveland, you were labeled as a family member.  NBA fans of Cleveland have been on an emotional roller coaster for the past several years, but now it is starting to slow down.

After Lebron James left his beloved city of Akron, Ohio to join the dynamic Miami Heat, Cleveland fans were beyond disappointed.  They burned his jersey and posted rash comments about him on social media. Cleveland fans were furious with James.  But who could blame them?  Their star player, the guy who saved their team and brought hope to the city of Cleveland was gone.  Just.  Like.  That.

Anastasia Mahdavian ’18, a Cavaliers fan, expresses her disbelief when she found out James was leaving Cleveland: “I was very upset and mad at Lebron James.  I never wanted to even hear his name again and was so unhappy with his decision.  He is a traitor and even though he came back to Cleveland, I will never accept him to be a true Cavalier.”

However, James is back on the Cavaliers. The fans of Cleveland could not have been more elated when James stepped onto the court for the first time in four years while sporting a Cavaliers jersey.  Lebron James, the man who turned this team around, was back.

Sid Bajpai ’17 describes what he was feeling when he found out Lebron James was coming back to Cleveland: “I was happy.  I was in shock.  I was so excited. ”

This season, James has averaged over 26 points per game, over 5 rebounds per game, and over 7 assists per game.  He is clearly having an impact on this young Cleveland team, and they are benefiting greatly with him on the roster.  Things are looking bright for the Cavaliers now that the King has returned.