“I've never seen fans that mad”: Mario Chalmers opens about LeBron James facing hostile atmosphere in first visit to Cleveland Cavaliers after joining Miami Heat in 2010

NBA
Saturday, 16 March 2024 at 20:00
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Two time NBA champion Mario Chalmers has opened up about the hostile atmosphere that was faced by LeBron James when he faced Cleveland Cavaliers after leaving them for Miami Heat.

The 39-year-old decided to leave the Cavaliers after playing with them for seven years to have a better chance of winning a title and joined the Heat in 2010.

Upon his return to face the former team, he was met with a hostile crowd. Chalmers, who was James’ teammate on that night, stated that he never saw anything like that after a while, the legendary forward decided to embrace that hostility towards him.

"I always take it back to that first game in Cleveland. Bron's first game," he said. "Like, I've never seen fans that mad at a person.

"From people trying to throw batteries on the court, we had somebody who tried to grab an officer's gun. You guys are really that mad that he left Cleveland to come to Miami? How can you be that mad?"

“I don’t know. It was hard to say because at one point he kind of embraced being a villain that ‘Ok, Y’all don’t like me for making a decision that’s going to help me be a better basketball player?’ So is it real personal or is it Y’all don’t like what I did.”

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