76
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers are using home-court advantage to convince LeBron James to give them a few more years.
The Cavs’ entourage, which included new coach Byron Scott, made the three-block drive to James’ downtown business offices Saturday to make their pitch to the mega free agent. Hundreds of fans lined the sidewalk with many holding signs saying “Home” and some throwing powder in the air.
James will meet with the Chicago Bulls later in the day.
Wearing a black T-shirt and shorts, James showed up less than a minute later, arriving in a silver sedan and headed upstairs to the eighth floor to listen to the Cavs.
Scott was accompanied by owner Dan Gilbert, general manager Chris Grant and assistant GM Lance Blanks.
The Cavs were the fifth team to visit with James, following New Jersey, New York, Miami and the Los Angeles Clippers. While those teams could offer James millions and, in some cases, a better roster, none of them had seven years invested in the 25-year-old and none could guarantee him that leaving home would bring him a championship.
Cleveland fans, who have endured decades of sports heartache and haven’t cheered a champion since 1964, can’t bear the thought of life without LeBron.
“Without him, we won’t be anything,” said 20-year-old Jordan Martin, who came downtown to support James with his father and three brothers. “If he leaves, the team and the city won’t be the same.”
