AKRON, Ohio (AP) — LeBron James attracted a crowd of nearly 25,000 to his official homecoming to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, and saved the biggest moment for last.
Surrounded by family, friends and fans in a city welcoming him home, James delivered a line he's been waiting to say for four years.
"I love you," he told the crowd of nearly 25,000. "I'm back."
James then dropped the microphone and left the stage as fireworks exploded about InfoCision Stadium, illuminating the Akron sky.
The NBA superstar, who re-signed with Cleveland last month, said Friday he intends to play the rest of his career with the Cavaliers, the team he returned to after winning two NBA titles in Miami.
When he signed a two-year, $41 million contract that included an option after one year, there was speculation he would one day test free agency again. The contract made Cleveland fans nervous, but they can now relax.
"I don't plan on going nowhere," James said. "I don't have the energy to do it again."
James, who returned to Northeast Ohio after four seasons with the Heat, was welcomed back with open arms.
Fans waited in line for six hours for a prime seat for the event on the University of Akron campus, not far from where the 29-year-old James bounced his first basketball.
The welcome-home party coincided with James' annual "I Promise" campaign for area children sponsored by his family foundation.
"It's pretty amazing," said James. "To know you can do things for people, give them hope, give them inspiration — it means a lot to me.
"I understand to these kids I'm more than a role model. I'm a superhero to them. I'm a father to them. I'm a brother to them, whatever the case they want me to be on that particular day."
Although he was playing for the Heat, James said his heart was always home and he realized it was time to return.
"It just hit me," he said. "Sometimes you just have a feeling. You realize what's going on and what's happening. It just hit me."
James may be joined at the Cavaliers, by All-Star forward Kevin Love, who is expected to be traded from Minnesota this month.
"I'm going to be very excited to have him," James said. "His basketball IQ is very, very high. I had an opportunity to spend 32 days with him on the 2012 Olympic team. It's funny. I always told Kevin Love, 'You're very good, man.' He always thought I was blowing smoke.
"I always told him he was going to be a reason why we won the gold medal, and he played a huge role for us. So I'm looking forward to it. He's a great piece."
As for David Blatt, the former Maccabi Tel Aviv coach hired by Cleveland in June, James did some research on his offense and likes what he's seen.
"I watched all his clips form him coaching Maccabi and I kind of broke them down to see how I fit and obviously I can fit in every position on the floor," he said.
James is looking forward to playing with Love and All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving, neither of whom have played in an NBA playoff game.
"I'm going to have to teach, lead and inspire those guys," he said. "But my No. 1 goal is to win the championship here. It would be the greatest achievement in my life as far as on the court. Hopefully it will happen. I'm looking forward to the challenge."