Hill has ramped up his on-court workouts in recent days and could be back soon. … Starting G George Hill missed his sixth straight game with a sprained right shoulder sustained on Nov. I don’t know why.”Ĭavaliers: Did not commit a turnover in the first half. Their focus level seems to somehow get higher with the louder the noise gets. “When they’re on the basketball court nothing else matters, other than what they’re trying to do. “The great ones have that ability,” he said. Lakers: Coach Luke Walton is impressed with James’ knack for blocking out external distractions. Smith being excused so Cleveland can try to trade him.
The Cavs have endured a season’s worth of issues in just over a month with the firing of coach Tyronn Lue, All-Star forward Kevin Love undergoing foot surgery and the latest drama - disillusioned forward J.R. James came back to Cleveland to face a team in disarray without him. He greeted two guards near the door with fist bumps before quickly walking past a large group of photographers to the visitors’ locker room.Įarlier in the day, James visited his I Promise School, a refurbished elementary for at-risk kids he founded and plans to expand. Wearing a flat cap, long jacket and boots, James arrived at 5:46 p.m., entering the Q through a security entrance he’s passed through many times. He bit his lower lip while walking back onto court and pointed to all corners of the building in appreciation, his chance to reconnect with a fan base he’ll always share a special, if not complicated, relationship. James appeared to be touched by the presentation. Images of James’ playing days with Cleveland - highlighted by the Cavs’ historic comeback to win the 2016 title - were shown along with video clips of his impact on the community, including his opening of the I Promise School in his hometown of Akron.Īs the crowd stood and showed its affection toward James, “Thank You LeBron” was displayed in large letters on the arena’s giant scoreboard. With 8:09 left in the first quarter, James was saluted by the Cavs with a moving video tribute during a timeout. 2, 2010, when James returned with the Miami Heat and was subjected to non-stop booing, profane chants and a toxic, charged atmosphere of hatred unlike anything seen before or since, this was a night for celebration - and maybe more closure. The crowd roared and stood as James walked out and huddled with his new teammates, who must have wondered what was in store for them.īut unlike that ugly night of Dec.
Mary High School,” said arena announcer Sean Peebles. James was the last Lakers player introduced before the game, presented with a line familiar to all Cavs fans: “A 6-foot-8 forward from St. Jordan Clarkson had 20 points and Tristan Thompson 14 and 15 rebounds for Cleveland. They seemed in control up 99-91 before James, as he did some many times for Cleveland. The Cavs, who came in an NBA-worst 2-13, didn’t roll over against James and played one of their best games this season.
“We recognize the fact that certainly this is a big night for the city of Cleveland,” Cavs coach Larry Drew said before tipoff, “because a hero has come back.” On the night before Thanksgiving, Cleveland said thanks to the Northeast Ohio son, the one who ended the city’s 52-year championship drought. From the moment he stepped back onto Quicken Loans Arena floor, his home court for 11 seasons, James was treated like a returning champion.
0 kommentar(er)
