When LeBron James superfan James Blair ran onto the court in the middle of a nationally-televised Heat/Cavaliers game at Quicken Loans Arena back on March 20, 2013 wearing a T-shirt that said, "We Miss You, LeBron," on it, we called him a "jackass." And to a certain degree, we still feel that way about him. Or at the very least, we still feel that way about what he did.
Blair, then 21, was just trying to get LeBron's attention during his trip back to Cleveland. But he could have caused an even bigger commotion than he did if things had gone differently that night. And if one of the players on the Heat or Cavs had attacked him, we wouldn't have blamed them one bit for doing it.
We've actually come to appreciate the drastic step that Blair took to send a message to LeBron, though. We realize that what he did didn't directly impact LeBron's decision to return to Cleveland last summer. But in the days, weeks, and months after he ran on to the court, Blair came to represent the frustrated, down-on-his-luck, and, frankly, desperate Cleveland sports fan. And in doing so, he showed LeBron just how far some Cleveland sports fans were willing to go to try and entice him to come back to Cleveland. It didn't erase the images of Cavs fans burning LeBron's jersey back in the summer of 2010 after he made his original "Decision," but it did show that there were still Cavs fans who wanted LeBron back, despite the heartache he caused them when he left.
LeBron wants to repay those Cavs fans for their loyalty by trying to win the team's first NBA championship. So, with Game 3 of the 2015 NBA Finals tipping off tonight in Ohio, we caught up with the self-proclaimed "Biggest @KingJames fan" to ask him about the (very) tiny role he played in bringing King James back to Cleveland. If the Cavaliers end up knocking off the Warriors and winning their first title, this 23-year-old kid is going to go from jackass to legend.
Most of our readers probably won't know you by name, but they'll remember what you did back in 2013. What was your goal when you did that?
My goal was to send LeBron a message directly. That message was two things: First and foremost, I wanted to remind him about the amazing passion us Cleveland fans have—those same fans who he had seven long years with and spent the last few years away from. The second thing, which was just as important to me, was that, despite what the media wanted the world to believe, there are fans here who still support you and would support a return if he decided to come back. The second part wasn't ever made public in a big way, but I believe a majority of Cleveland fans felt that way inside but didn't want to share or have it be known.
Were you worried about what might happen when you ran on to the court? It wouldn't have been out of the realm of possibility for one of LeBron's teammates to punch you in the face.
Definitely. I ran all kinds of scenarios and thought about a lot—the potential of getting Tasered, players attacking me in self-defense, getting arrested and banned from the arena. But I was hoping it would end up working out in the best way and that people would realize I was not aiming to cause any sort of harm.
LeBron also could have yelled at you. Were you worried about what his reaction was going to be?
I was never really too worried about that. I just know the type of person LeBron is and I never really imagined him hating me for what I did. But like anything, you never know until it happens.
The next day, LeBron actually responded to a tweet you sent him after what you did. Did that surprise you?
I was very, very surprised. Not only by that, but I never expected him to act the way he acted in the spur of the moment that night.
Right. He really diffused the situation by stopping the security guards and shaking your hand.
I figured that, after everything happened, I was going to get taken away. He went out of his way and came over—he kind of like motioned to the security to hold up by putting his hand out—and gave me some dap and then a little pat on the head. That gesture was huge in the sense that he saw my message and acknowledged it and I believe that hit home with a lot of people, to see that type of reaction. It just goes to show the type of person LeBron is…how personable he is an an individual.
After he tweeted you the following night, did you have any further contact with LeBron?
I made a last-minute trip and flew to Miami for Games 6 and 7 [of the 2013 NBA Finals] when the Heat were down 3-2 to the Spurs. I planned to watch him come back to win [Games] 6 and 7 and win the championship. Being there for that Ray Allen shot and witnessing that comeback in Game 6 was one of the greatest playoff games I've been blessed to see live…After witnessing the championship, me and the guy I was with went to a championship party at a club in Miami and LeBron and some players were there and I got the chance to say what's up.
I imagine you were hopeful. But realistically, did you think there was any chance you were going to see LeBron in a Cavaliers jersey again after all the success he had with the Heat?
I told people from the time LeBron left he would be back. I just had a gut feeling. People thought I was crazy and always downplayed it. But as time went on, they became believers. I always knew LeBron would come back. For me, it was more of a when, not if.
Where were you when you heard that LeBron was coming back to Cleveland?
I actually knew someone who got some inside info and passed it on to me a few days before the day the actual "I'm Coming Home" letter was published. But I still needed to hear that confirmation and know it was real. I was working that morning and, as soon as it happened, I left early, went home, and drove to the middle of Cleveland. I wanted to be around all the people celebrating and feel that energy.
Did people thank you for LeBron's return? I assume some people thought that what you did played a part in it, even though, no offense, I don't imagine it had much to do with LeBron's final decision.
People constantly reach out to me and talk to me when LeBron does good or bad. I don't mind it one bit because I love talking sports, especially debating and talking about LeBron.
What would it mean to the city of Cleveland for LeBron to win a title with the Cavaliers?
Cleveland really is different. Unless you're from here or a Cleveland fan, I don't think you can fully understand it, and it sure is difficult to describe. I think with our situation of never having won an NBA championship and, on top of it, the city of Cleveland has the longest championship drought in American sports, over 50 years, it's definitely hard. And to have so many chances and opportunities where we were so close and within a play of literally winning it multiples times is tough. Sports are one of the best and only huge things we have going for us in Cleveland.
Is there any chance of you running on to the court again if the Cavaliers win the NBA Finals this year?
My court running days are over. [Laughs] Definitely going to hang it up and retire in that aspect and enjoy the games the way a fan should. We have a lot going for us here in Cleveland, a lot to be excited for, and in no way would I want to miss out on or jeopardize witnessing this special time live.
Do you think you'll try and reach out to LeBron if he wins the title to talk to him? Weirdly, it seems like you might have a shot of getting your call returned.
I am hopeful that one day I can get an opportunity to sit and chat with LeBron. It would mean the world.
What would you say this time since you'd have more than a few seconds to speak with him?
Just tell him thanks for everything he has done on and off that court, making incredible sports memories and giving back and inspiring the youth like he does.
