LeBron James VM03 returned to Cleveland with the Los Angeles Lakers in a matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on 1/28/26. In the Cavaliers’ 129-99 victory over the Lakers, LeBron finished with 11 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal in 27 minutes of playing time. During a timeout in the first quarter, the Cavaliers played a tribute video for LeBron James, and he appeared to be deeply moved by it. Cleveland fans cheered for King James, recognizing all he has done for the city and the sport.
Many fans and reporters are beginning to wonder if this was LeBron’s last time playing in Cleveland and potentially his last ever season. Looking back at all he has done with Cleveland, LeBron averaged 27.2 PPG, 7.3 APG, and 7.3 RPG across 849 games with the Cavaliers. He brought the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy to Cleveland in 2016 in the historic 3-1 series comeback against the Warriors, who finished their 2015-16 season with a 73-9 record, the greatest regular-season record in NBA history. Yet, the Cavaliers still came back and beat them.
In LeBron James’ 23 seasons in the National Basketball Association, his accolades are far beyond what one could imagine. 6x All-Defensive Team, 21x All-NBA, 1x All-Rookie Team, 21x NBA All-Star, 3x NBA All-Star Most Valuable Player, 4x NBA Champion, 1x NBA Cup All-Tournament Team, 1x NBA Cup Most Valuable Player, 4x NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, 4x NBA Most Valuable Player, 40x NBA Player of the Month, 68x NBA Player of the Week, 6x NBA Rookie of the Month, 1x NBA Rookie of the Year, 1x NBA Sporting News Most Valuable Player of the Year, 1x NBA Sporting News Rookie of the Year, 1x Olympic Bronze Medal, and 3x Olympic Gold Medals.
If this were truly Lebron James’ final season, he would undoubtedly be named the greatest player in NBA history. A kid from Akron, Ohio, an 18-year-old basketball player from St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, who won 3 of 4 State Championships, 1 National Title (2003), with a record of 101-6 in 4 years of high school basketball. A 3x Ohio Mr. Basketball, 2x Gatorade Player of the Year, and multiple All-American honors. The 1st overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, chosen by the Cleveland Cavaliers. A 2x NBA Champion with the Miami Heat, a 1x NBA Champion with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and a 1x NBA Champion with the Los Angeles Lakers. Just a kid from Akron… who promised never to forget where he came from. King James.
