To say the Miami Heat-Cleveland Cavaliers preseason matchup in Rio De Janeiro on Saturday was not awkward for both teams would be catastrophic lie. And that’s not surprising, considering LeBron James left the Miami Heat to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The whole situation got awkward enough for James that he actually forgot for a second that he even left Miami:
Old habits die hard: LeBron sets pick Matt Dellavedova - Heat v Cavs https://t.co/YwF2nhgKHa
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) October 11, 2014
LeBron’s initial return to Miami on Christmas should create even more awkwardness for him. He’ll be back in the city he called home for four years and arriving to the arena he won two championships in. LeBron is going to have to remember that he needs to head to the visitor locker room, not the home team, reserved for #HeatLifers and friends. He’s going to recognize all the American Airlines Arena staff and have an awkward conversation with them.
However, the most awkward interaction is going to be with the Heat fans. You know, the fans he has yet to send any thank you’s in regards to his tenure with the club. Yes, the fans owe him admiration for the two championships he brought to the city. But how about some love for the only fanbase that defended you every day when the rest of the country, including your home Cleveland, was bashing you on a nightly basis.
Knowing how LeBron operates, he’ll probably take plenty of time before the matchup to thank the fans. Even though this is something he should have done a long time ago, LeBron will not pass up this opportunity, mainly because he is hell bent on making everyone love him. He’ll probably be met with a mix of applause and some boos from the ungrateful fans that still don’t appreciate the moments he gave Miami.
Instead of the booing or applauding, I have a brand-spanking new idea for Heat fans to try out and give their home team a huge competitive advantage.
Give LeBron James the silent treatment!
When LeBron takes the court for the first time and is announced by the Miami Heat PA announcer, the fans should sit in absolute silence, neither cheering nor booing. This would show an indifference to the idea of LeBron. Yes, he won Miami two championships, but he also left them high and dry.
We as a fanbase are better than the Cavs and should not boo LeBron, for he did give our city a lot. Without LeBron, those two championships, four straight finals appearances, and the constant national media is probably not possible for the former small market franchise.
But the fact is still that he left the franchise and returned home. He is now one of the Heat’s main competition for their chance at making the finals for an astonishing 5th straight time. For that reason, I’m not totally for the idea of cheering for LeBron, either.
Yes, this is going to be difficult to pull off, but can you imagine LeBron’s face if this were to happen? Probably something like this:
Jun 10, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) reacts during the first quarter of game three of the 2014 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
I cannot imagine anything else that would throw LeBron and the Cavs off their game more than this. If you remember, LeBron and the Heat rallied together upon James’ return to Cleveland in year one, when the Cavs fans assaulted LeBron with boos and extremest signs (seriously, why did he return to Cleveland?).
The Heat fans should know booing LeBron is only going to inspire the Cavs more to stand up for their leader. Cheering him on would make him feel right at home, as he did for four seasons in Miami.
We know LeBron can react well to a regular reaction from the fanbase, but we don’t know how he’d respond to this kind of reaction (or non-reaction) from the fanbase. Even if doesn’t throw LeBron off base, the reaction from the rest of the basketball world would be all too hilarious.
Arrive Early, break noise records when Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are announced
This needs to be the other thing the fans need to establish on Christmas. Make LeBron James regret leaving this loving fanbase. Let the world know that the Miami fanbase is fully behind the Heat franchise, with or without the “King.”
When the Heat PA announcer gets the ball rolling on announcing the Heat, the fans should be the loudest they have ever been. Think Arrowhead Field when the Chiefs fans set the world record for loudest crowd.
The place should literally erupt with cheers and encouragement when Miami’s two heroes, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, are introduced. Both decided to stick with Miami, despite LeBron bolting for the easy exit Pat Riley eluded to after the season ended.
Miami Heat fans don’t have a great reputation with the rest of the basketball world when it comes to being “fans.” While this is a large misconception with the fanbase, Christmas will be a major way for the Heat fans that didn’t bolt with LeBron to prove that they are as loyal and as loud as any other fanbase in the country!
#LetsGoHeat!