NBA Click & Roll: LeBron returns to Cleveland after leaving city heartbroken — again
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This is where we bring you content from across the Paste BN Network, catching you up on the biggest moments, quotes and news from the week.
THE KING RETURNS
- LeBron James is back in Cleveland Wednesday night for the first time since taking his talents to Laker Land. There may be some boos, some cheers and some indifference among the fans, but one thing's for sure: It won't be as bad as Dec. 2, 2010 — LeBron's first game in Cleveland as a member of the Miami Heat. Our Jeff Zillgitt takes you back to that day, sharing never-before-heard stories from a handful of prominent figures in attendance, from reporters Rachel Nichols and Brian Windhorst to LeBron's ex-teammates Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.
- As was the case in 2010, the Cavs — and the city of Cleveland — are picking up the pieces after LeBron's departure.
- If LeBron has his way on Wednesday night, the reception won’t be anything like what he saw eight years ago. “(Expletive), it better not be,” he told The Athletic.
- Prior to Wednesday's homecoming, LeBron revisited what he called "the beginning of the end for everything" with the Cavaliers: The trade of Kyrie Irving to the Celtics.
QUICK DISH: THINGS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
- RELAX: Kevin Durant says his spat with Draymond Green won't affect his future with the Warriors. Do you believe him?
- NO, SERIOUSLY, RELAX: Stephen Curry, who has been sidelined with a groin injury during the Warriors' recent struggles, says he's "extremely proud" of how the team has handled the situation. As far as Green is concerned: "We're still going to win a bunch of games and go win another championship," he said.
- FINES, FINES, FINES: Durant was docked $25,000 for cussing out a fan who was sitting courtside, telling him to “Watch the (expletive) game and shut the (expletive) up.” Miami's Josh Richardson, meanwhile, was also fined $25K for ... throwing his own shoe in the stands? And then there's John Wall, who was fined for hurling “(Expletive) you” at coach Scott Brooks. Yeah, everything's not OK in the nation's capital.
- MR. 31K: LeBron is now fifth on the NBA's all-time scoring list, passing Wilt Chamberlain. But will he ever pass No. 1, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar? We crunched the numbers to find out.
- PAY ATTENTION: The Bucks have the second-best record in the NBA. They may be flying under the radar, but here's why they're the real deal.
- "NO GENDER IN COACHING": Why isn't Spurs assistant Becky Hammon an NBA head coach yet? Her résumé and endorsements speak for themselves.
- HERE WE GO AGAIN: The strange, mysterious situation surrounding Markelle Fultz just turned stranger and more mysterious.
- UHH, WHAT? Hassan Whiteside reportedly had an assault rifle worth $50,000 stolen from his Rolls-Royce, which he left unlocked.
MELO DRAMA
- The short and not-so-sweet Carmelo Anthony era in Houston is over after just 10 appearances, and now he's left searching for a new home.
- We look at four potential landing spots for the 10-time All-Star.
- If a spot in the NBA doesn't work out, there's always ... Puerto Rico?
- Don't ask LeBron about Melo potentially joining the Lakers, because he doesn't have an answer.
Check back next week for everything that went down in the Association, and be sure to follow Paste BN Sports' Jeff Zillgitt, Martin Rogers and AJ Neuharth-Keusch on Twitter for all things NBA.