LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers waved to the fans in Cleveland after the Cavaliers showed a video tribute to his career with the team during a timeout. Jason Miller/Getty Images
CLEVELAND — The rest of the Los Angeles Lakers were already on the floor, as were the Cleveland Cavaliers, when LeBron James finally burst out of a tunnel at 7:56 p.m. Wednesday night to join the pregame layup lines.
The expectant crowd at Quicken Loans Arena greeted the greatest player in Cavaliers history with a surge of warm applause.
Minutes later the noise level rose several notches when James was the last member of the Lakers’ starting five to be introduced.