An emotional LeBron James admitted it “very well could be” his last appearance in Cleveland after crying throughout last night’s 129-99 loss for the Los Angeles Lakers.
James, who won the NBA title in his second stint with the Cavaliers in 2016, has yet to decide whether he will retire at the end of the season, ending one of the greatest careers in the history of the game.
Cleveland honored him last night, using a first-quarter timeout to show a video on the big screens replaying James’ incredible performance in Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals, when the then-22-year-old scored 48 points – including 25 in a row to end the game – as the Cavs beat the Detroit Pistons in double overtime.
James, born and raised in Ohio, sat in a courtside chair while watching the tribute and had to use his Lakers uniform to wipe away tears.
“I’m just trying to take it all in, not take the moments for granted,” James said after the game. “Because it could be [my last season]. Obviously I haven’t made a decision about the future, but it very well could be.”
It affected me a little – James
It was James’ 13th trip to Cleveland as an opposing player, but he admitted it felt different this time.
“I think it comes from just being present, I was just more present today than I have been.” [in past trips]“he added.”[It] “It definitely affected me a little bit, for sure.”
The occasion certainly affected James’ play, as he scored just 11 points with six turnovers.
“I think there’s always emotions about him coming back here,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “You could see that being back here is very important to him. And you know, there’s a human element to all of this.”
James’ mother watches her son and grandson on the same night
There was one positive in the lopsided score: the fact that James’ son Bronny got some court time in the fourth quarter, scoring eight points in eight minutes in front of his grandmother Gloria.
“My mom can watch her son and her grandson play in the NBA at the same time,” LeBron said. “I actually started thinking how crazy that is. Yeah, that’s awesome.”
As for his future, the 41-year-old knows the end is near and said a decision will be made soon.
“Obviously the question is being asked more and the thought is creeping more into my mind at 41 years old about when is the end and where is the finish line for us to hang this up,” James said. “But the goal is how much juice I can squeeze out of this orange.
“I’m in a battle with Father Time and I’m taking it personally, and I’m going to see how many more times [can] beat him.”
