Hostile Cleveland Homecoming? LeBron James Returns to Face the Music

Dec. 2, 2010— -- Call it the return of "King James."

Ohio's one-time favorite NBA player LeBron James is coming back tonight to play on his former team's turf.

But there could be a sour taste to his homecoming, given his previous pronouncement that "I'm taking my talents to South Beach."

After James left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat in July, some fans burned his jerseys and billboards with his image were taken down.

Former Cavaliers season ticket holder Gregory Stevens said James' return is unlikely to be a warm one.

"My first thought is, he is going to be booed heavily," he said.

A group of fans started a Twitter campaign with a cheat sheet for special chants such as "traitor traitor" and "no ring king" during the game.

"I'd like to see him feel that pain that we're feeling and, hopefully, the Cavs come out on top," said fan Bob O'Brien and creator of the chant cheat sheet.

The Miami Heat has kept the details of its short stay in Cleveland secret by not releasing hotel information and practice schedules.

Tickets for tonight's game are going for as much as $5,000 each. Extra security is in place and no profane T-shirts or signs will be allowed.

James says he plans to continue his powder-tossing, pregame ritual and is ready for his return.

"I think it is going to be tough," he said. "I think it is going to tough. But I am there to win a basketball game. But I understand how passionate fans are about sports.

"So I'm ready for whatever responses I am going to get, but it is going to be very emotional."

But James' move to South Beach hasn't gone that well. The Heat's winning percentage is barely above .500 and there have been reports of tension with his coach.