APCLEVELAND - Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert expects Cleveland fans to be boisterous — but behave — when LeBron James returns this week.
Gilbert isn't anticipating any trouble on Thursday night for James' first visit as a member of the Miami Heat. The Cavs will have extra security in Quicken Loans Arena to ensure that James is protected.
"You don't want to see anything stupid happen," Gilbert said at halftime of Cleveland's game Tuesday night against Boston. "I don't want to see anybody do something they shouldn't do, whether it was Thursday night or any night. I'm sure a lot of them will make their feelings known, but as long as everybody plays by the rules and doesn't go over the top, everything will be fine.
"I really believe that Cleveland people will do the right thing."
|
With some of the league's most passionate fans, the Cavaliers have enjoyed a huge home-court advantage in recent years. James is about to experience it for the first time as a visitor, and will undoubtedly be booed and taunted.
Gilbert's expectations are that it will be an emotional night.
"I'm sure it'll be loud and exciting and people have a lot of pent up emotion," he said. "But I don't think it's going to be anything that's outrageous, extraordinary that we haven't seen in sports history."
LeBron's return to Cleveland On his termsWinderman: Cavs fans tried to hate LeBron, but his 38 points only brought back memories of what was and likely never will be again. |
"The run was good, but we didn't finish the job," he said. "As far as I'm concerned, we didn't succeed like we needed to. Hopefully this new era will."
James said he has moved on from James' departure, and is as focused as ever in keeping the Cavs near the top.
"I'm over it. I really am. That's the truth," he said. "I let it all out in about 24 hours. I just think we have such a great core and a great coaching staff. We have a lot of opportunities with the trade exception and the draft. I feel good about this team."
Rajon Rondo had 18 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds and the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 85-75 in Game 7 on Saturday night to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.
CSN: You may not see it from start to finish, but when the game — or in this case, postseason life — is on the line, you see just how good Rajon Rondo can be.
Slideshow |
NBCSports.com |
ProBasketballTalk tweets |
|
Source: Twitter. For more, follow @basketballtalk. |
Video: NBA from NBC Sports |
PBT Extra: Can Thunder stun Spurs? PBT Extra: Kurt Helin and Tiffany Simons discuss the matchup of the West's top two seeds in the conference finals, which begins Sunday. |
Slideshow |
Celebs shine at NBA playoffs A look at the many celebrities who made appearances during this year's NBA playoffs. NBCSports.com |
Slideshow |
NBCSports.com |
Slideshow |
more photos |