CLEVELAND — LeBron James is human, despite spending the last 23 years convincing us otherwise.
For one of the few times in his entire career, James seemed overwhelmed by the emotion of a game. He cried when the Cleveland Cavaliers played a tribute video for him after the first timeout, which is something he’s rarely done on a basketball court.
The video was highlights of James from his incredible Game 5 performance against the Detroit Pistons in 2007. He watched a version of himself that physically couldn’t be stopped by one of the best defensive teams of that decade, even though each defender was doing everything in their power to do so.
That clip was 19 years old and from multiple basketball lifetimes ago, even though James still remembers “that moment like it was yesterday.”
Basketball mortality isn’t something James has seemingly had to contemplate often. The guys he came into the league with have transitioned to different phases of their lives. Even someone like Derrick Rose, who was once thought of as the up-and-coming young player that represented a new generation to challenge James for his throne, just had his jersey retirement ceremony with the Chicago Bulls last weekend.
The regular laws of physics and aging have generally not applied to James, but that’s changing.
“I don’t take these moments for granted, because it could be,” James said when asked if this was his last game in Cleveland. “Obviously, I haven’t made a decision on the future, but it very well could be.”
The hometown fans didn’t take the moment for granted either. As has been the case for the last 23 years, they reacted to every move that he made once he entered the stage.
The crowd erupted when he first emerged from the tunnel for pregame warmups. Provided him with the loudest ovation during player intros. Groaned when he missed a putback layup. And gave him the loudest ovation of the night after the tribute video ran.
One of those people cheering was his mother. James took a moment to look up to her suite at the start of the game and gave her his signed jersey from the game as a present.
As has become a tradition the last two seasons, Bronny James has been one of the highlights of the night. He scored eight points once the game was decided, including a breakaway dunk that garnered one of the loudest crowd pops of the evening.
“My mom is here watching her son and her grandson,” LeBron said. “I don’t even know how to even wrap that all around in my brain, you know. It’s so weird and so cool, and so surreal. My mom gets to watch her son and her grandson play in the NBA at the same time. … Shit.”
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This warm and familial reception from his hometown stands in stark contrast to what James has been facing with the Los Angeles Lakers.
James is no longer the star the organization revolves around. He wasn’t offered a contract extension last off-season, and could enter free agency next season with his current team presumably not too concerned about whether or not he leaves.
His play on the court reflects this new reality. The night-to-night excellence isn’t to the level it’s been for the last two decades. Wednesday’s 11-point performance, in which James had more turnovers than assists, was the exception to what has been an All-Star caliber season. Still, it’s been rare to see James draw a blank on a game that meant something to him.
Aging is a difficult process. You’re trapped with the memories of who you used to be, even though that person can never be summoned again.
But the player that is currently there is still better than an overwhelming majority of the league and can still reach a gear that few can. That’s the reason why the Cavs are reportedly interested in opening the door for a possible third stint this summer.
While a reunion would be a great story, James would also fill a lot of holes around this core. His playmaking, size, and ability to beat mismatches are all things the Cavaliers have shown they need based on previous postseason runs. And Wednesday made clear that the hometown fans would welcome him back with open arms.
Whether or not James would be up for a second return — or another season in general — remains to be seen. He’s accomplished everything there is to in the game and has nothing further to prove to the outside world. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean there isn’t motivation there to continue on.
“My why has been that I’m still playing at a high level,” James said. “I still love the process of putting in the work, inspiring, given what I got to the game because I’ll have more years in my life without it than I will with it. … The thought (of retiring) creeps in my mind more at 41 years old, of when the end is and where the finish line is to hang this thing up. … [I want to see] how much juice I can squeeze out of this orange.”
James is no longer the superhero in the baggy, navy blue jersey, carving through that great Pistons defense in overtime. No one can keep playing at that level forever.
At the same time, there’s something more inspiring and relatable about an all-time great waging a war they’ll eventually lose. Even though he’s closer to the end of that fight now, it’s not one he’s given up on, at least not yet.
“I’m in a battle with Father Time,” James said, “and I kind of take it personally. I want to see how many more times I can be victorious over him.”
