CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James is coming home next week, and the Cleveland Cavaliers want to make sure he has a safe visit.
James, whose decision this summer to sign with Miami as a free agent touched off an emotional response in Cleveland, will make his first trip back as a member of the Heat on Dec. 2 — a return local fans have awaited since he left.
After numerous discussions with the NBA on how to best handle a potentially hostile environment, the Cavaliers will have extra security personnel in and outside Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavaliers are asking fans to refrain from wearing any obscene T-shirts or signs directed at James, who grew up in Akron and played seven seasons for Cleveland.
Team owner Dan Gilbert took issue with a headline proclaiming the Cavaliers would ban any anti-LeBron shirts. On Thursday, Gilbert said on his Twitter account: “Obviously no profanity, vulgar stuff U wouldn’t want kids 2 see but we are not going 2 be the Gestapo (at) The Q.”
