When LeBron James returns to the arena he called home for 7 years for the first time since he became an overnight villain by announcing “The Decision”, it won’t be just Cleveland fans watching. It will be a nationally televised game and many will be tuned in. We all know he’ll be booed and taunted, but the question is just how bad will it get? 5 months later, the Cavalier faithful are still just as angry and bitter about James’ announcement that he was leaving for Miami without even the slightest bit of notice to Cleveland management or fans. Granted, he was a free agent and had the right to sign with any of the teams that were willing to sign him to the big dollar contract. It’s all in how it was handled. I’m not going to dwell on that, it’s been said a million times. I’m sure if he had it to do over again, he would stop and think that maybe it should be handled in a better fashion to soften the blow to the fans who worshipped the ground he walked on. So I understand and agree with Cavs fans’ feelings toward James. With that said, when LeBron walks into Quicken Loans Arena, he’ll undoubtedly be treated as the biggest traitor in Cleveland sports history. Art Modell could comfortably sit courtside without so much as a whisper in his direction.

Now, I’m a northeast Ohio native so I know how serious Clevelanders take their sports teams. Mix in a few beers and I also know how rowdy they get. I’ve witnessed many a fist fight at Browns games. Not to mention $8 beers thrown at Steelers fans. Brilliant. At Progressive Field, it’s much more laid back, but you still have your handful numbskulls who get escorted from the stadium at each game I’ve ever attended. So with that said, I’m hopeful that everyone on the court can play, coach, etc. without having to fear for their safety. The same goes for those in the crowd who might be rooting for the visiting Heat. Security has been beefed up for this game and fans have been told to not show up wearing anti-LeBron apparel. However, the fans always outnumber security. So I might be hopeful, but I’m also a realist. There’s going to be plenty of arrests. There are people who bought tickets for the sole purpose of showing up to get drunk, belligerent, and make trouble. God forbid of course, but I can envision a worst case scenario of fans stampeding the court, chairs flying, and a scene resembling the Malice in the Palace. Afterall, it’s Cleveland. For example…

You may remember December 17, 2001 when the Browns fans littered the field with plastic beer bottles after a horrible call cost them the game. This went on for quite a while and no P.A. announcement was made. One of the Browns’ own assistant coaches was hit in the head with one of those bottles while trying to leave the field and was knocked out, head split open. As you can see, when the refs ran to the tunnel to take cover, that’s when they really started to fly down from the stands. You can no longer purchase beer in a plastic bottle at Cleveland Browns Stadium. 

Courtesy of blacksportsonline.com, an official chant sheet has been organized among Cavs fans who will be in attendance tomorrow night. I must admit, if they can actually pull this off, it will make the game extremely entertaining no matter the score. 

**Introductions: **

Wade and Bosh - Boo

Ilgauskas - Cheering is encouraged

LeBron - Laugh as loud as you can

**1st Quarter **

(12:00 - 6:00)

When LeBron has the ball or is at the free throw line - “NO-RING-KING” (To the beat of “LET’S-GO-CAVS”)

(6:00 - 0:00)

“AK-RON HATES-YOU” (clap clap, clap clap clap)

2nd Quarter

(12:00 - 6:00)

“WIT-NESSED NOTH-ING” (clap clap, clap clap clap)

(6:00 - 0:00)

“SIIIIIDE KICK…SIIIIIDE KICK”

Start of Third Quarter

To the tune of ‘My Country Tis of Thee’

“Our King he betrayed Thee

Couldn’t play any D

He has no ring

Playoffs, he barely tried

Embarrassed Akron’s pride

No doubt he really lied

HE HAS NO RING”

(12:00 - 6:00)

“SCOTT-IE PIPP-EN” (clap clap, clap clap clap)

(6:00 - 0:00)

“TRAAAAAITOR…TRAAAAAITOR”

4th Quarter

(12:00 - 6:00)

“DE-LON-TE…DE-LON-TE” (to the beat of “LET’S-GO-CAVS”)

(6:00 - 0:00)

“CLEVE-LAND ROCKS…CLEVE-LAND ROCKS”

Some are funny and creative, others are stretching it a bit in a desperate attempt to try and entertain. Also, I can’t imagine every fan in attendance is going to have a copy of this so it’s very doubtful that these chants will be loud enough to be picked up by the microphones. Some other, less acceptable for television chants will likely be loud and clear. So hopefully, the worst is over with the jersey burning you see here from the night of The Decision. I wish I could believe that, but again, it’s Cleveland. A city where class isn’t in the already limited vocabulary. If you happen to be reading this and have a ticket to the game, don’t be an idiot and ruin someone else’s evening. Remember they paid just as much as you to enjoy the game and are walking into the arena hoping to not get stuck next to some moron who doesn’t stop yelling the entire game.