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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Daniel Blackham

NBA considered scrapping game early after fans 'threw batteries' at LeBron James

LeBron James is an adored figure in Cleveland, viewed as a God-like adonis thanks to the 2016 NBA title - but there was once a time when the 'Kid from Akron' was viewed as the ultimate traitor in Ohio.

James, who was drafted by the Cavaliers out of high school in 2003, was the best player in the world at the peak of his powers in 2010, but was frustrated at the Cavaliers being unable to progress to the NBA finals. That was when he made the decision to up sticks and take his talents to Miami and join the Heat.

He did so, however, on a 90-minute live TV show, in which he kept fans waiting for half an hour before announcing his decision. It's fair to say there's never been a backlash against a player so vicious.

Upon his first return to the Quicken Loans Arena - now the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse - James was showered with abuse from the moment he was first shown on the big screen hours before tip-off.

Things didn't pick up for him that night, with the Cavaliers faithful making their feelings known with a series of banners, signs and choice words.

The atmosphere was so violent, the Cavaliers were only serving drinks in paper cups to avoid them being thrown out onto the court. But one fan took things a step further, however, as former ESPN reporter Rachel Nichols said at the time.

LeBron James was abused even before tip-off when he first played the Cavaliers after leaving for Miami (GETTY)

She explained: "There had also been a lot of rules for the crowd -- fans weren't supposed to be able to bring in derogatory signs or T-shirts. I saw people ball up towels and try to peg LeBron on the bench. Someone threw a battery."

The Heat went on to win comfortably, with James sitting out of the fourth quarter due to the job already being done thanks to his 38 points. But despite him being on the bench, NBA officials reportedly felt the atmosphere was too hostile, and considered calling the game early.

Rob Brown, Heat security guard, told ESPN: "We brought four team security members and then we used Cleveland police officers. There were reports about us going on a scouting mission to set up security beforehand -- that was all made up. We went with the regular team security and then asked Cleveland for assistance.

"What wasn't made up were the 9-volt batteries being thrown on the court. I remember a member of the NBA's security team wanted to call the game because there was so much coming at us during the game and we were basically ducking behind the scorer's table just to not get hit."

James stayed four years with the Heat before making an emotional return to Cleveland. It didn't take long for him to get the fans back on side, and his heroic effort in the 2016 NBA Finals ended Cleveland's baron spell of 52 years without a major sporting championship.

Now, he is revered in Cleveland and viewed as an all-time legend. When he returned back for the first time after leaving again - this time for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 - he was given a hero's welcome and cheered emphatically before the Cavaliers broadcasted a video tribute to him mid-game. The man many feel is second only to Michael Jordan in the 'GOAT' debate will never receive a bad reception from Cleveland fans again.

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