The opening salvo of the Cleveland Cavaliers is the most anticipated game of the NBA but aside from all the hype, it is one that also brings a different meaning to one of the team's most big star, LeBron James.
For James, his first season opening game is a combination of a homecoming, family reunion, but most importantly, it is a time for closure.
James will be seen inside the court on Thursday wearing his Cavaliers Jersey No 23. For James "For these fans. it means everything."
It is an emotional journey not only for the Cavaliers fans but also for James as well.
He tells "It means everything to be able to open our NBA campaign here in Cleveland with these fans. It's going to be a special moment. We can't take it for granted. You don't get moments like this, they don't come around every day."
In the hours before tipoff, Nike will unveil a new 10-story-banner of James where a previous one of his likeness became a treasured city landmark before being removed in the days after he left.
Aside from that, there will also be a free concert for all the fans featuring hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar and the rock band Imagine Dragons.
According to Jasmine Latorres, a bartender at the Clevelander Bar and Grill "This is going to be one of the biggest nights ever. LeBron's back. It's going to be nuts."
Cavs owner Dan Gilbert believes that James made a big impact for the team as well as the people of Cleveland. He said "For us, the thing that drives us the most is delivering this for the fans of Cleveland. It will be 51 years, and that's what the emotion is really about that. Delivering for them, and hoping that day comes whether it's this year, next year or the following year, whenever it comes, and we believe it will."
But despite the mery making , James won't be able to join in the fun. He said "I wish I could. I haven't had a moment to soak in anything I've done. It continues to go and I continue to live in the moment. I think after I'm done playing I'll be able to look back on a lot of great moments and tomorrow will be another one of those moments."
