CLEVELAND, Ohio -- LeBron James scarfed down a Galley Boy from Swenson's and sipped a large banana milkshake while greeting a few old friends including Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman, who made the lengthy stroll down the hallway for a bro-hug and brief chat.

James was sitting inside the visitor's locker room at Quicken Loans Arena, an unfamiliar place. Yet, he felt right at home.

Making his first trip back to Cleveland since leaving for the second time as a free agent, James had just put the finishing touches on another masterpiece, scoring 32 points on 11-of-20 from the field to go with 14 rebounds and seven assists. He led the Lakers back from a fourth-quarter deficit, tallying 11 of his 32 in the final 8:27.

"My 11 years I played for this franchise I just tried to give everything I could both on the court and off the court," James said following the Lakers' 109-105 win. "I just tried to be the best basketball player, the best role model, the best leader I could be both on and off the floor and lead by example for this franchise. They showed their appreciation and not only for myself, but for my friends and family that were at the game tonight it was a great moment."

James knew this reception was going to be different. He felt a contrasting vibe when the team plane touched down Tuesday afternoon.

The anger that built up ahead of his 2010 return with the Miami Heat and the venom fueled by the Cavs' handling of it, including The Imperial March that played during introductions eight years ago to portray him as the villain, didn't exist this time.

It was the proper welcome. The one that he deserved.

"How it's supposed to be," Tristan Thompson said, repeating that same phrase three times. "They did it the right way. I think everyone understood and was almost like, 'We appreciate this guy, he's given us so much, he's given us everything he's got, so we appreciate it. If he wants to move on and start another chapter in his life, we're all for it.' I wouldn't say, it's almost like, when two people grow apart, it's fine. Still friends at the end of the day. I'm going to love you just like how you love me, but we're going to love each other from afar."

Thompson was at Chili's watching on TV eight years ago when James walked into the hostile environment, with charged-up fans only in attendance to make his night miserable. It was only fitting considering that's the way Clevelanders felt when James announced his decision to join the Heat in a made-for-TV special that created a wound that took years to heal. For some, it hasn't fully.

His heartfelt letter announcing his return in 2014 helped. The recent four-year stretch, which included the championship drought ending and an unforgettable parade to the streets of downtown Cleveland, did as well. His departure to Los Angeles didn't sting as much this time. There wasn't a feeling of betrayal. No scathing signs.

"I'm a different person. We're all different from eight years ago, I think, both good and bad," James said. "But more importantly, this experience has been great. So it's all about growth and we all have grown from that moment eight years ago. So I kind of leave the past in the past and always focus on the present and see what happens in the future."

The Lakers cancelled shootaround so James could spend the morning at his I Promise School, which the LeBron James Family Foundation helped open earlier this summer. He surprised the kids on Grandparent's Day and walked in each of the six classrooms with his third and fourth graders, sharing a few of the touching moments on Instagram. That actually seemed to resonate with him more than the night's main event.

James arrived at the arena shortly before 6 p.m. He did most of his pregame work in private. When he raced onto the floor for the first time with 11:11 left before tipoff, James received plenty of love from his adoring fans.

Then came his pregame introduction, as the deafening cheers nearly drowned out in-arena announcer Sean Peebles when he saved James' name for last.

The most memorable moment wasn't a thunderous dunk. It wasn't a timely 3-pointer that tied the game at 99 late in the fourth quarter. It wasn't a typical on-target bullet pass that landed right in his teammate's shooting pocket. It was the heartfelt video tribute that played during the first timeout.

There were highlights from the 2016 title run and video clips with James clutching the championship trophy. There were moments showing his work in the community, including footage from his school.

Then came the climax. With a black screen as the backdrop and white lettering to make the words pop, there was a simple message for the hometown hero.

"THANK YOU, LeBRON."

James' former teammates stood up to watch. Thompson even leaned against the scorer's table at center court to get the perfect view.

James wanted to look too. Only he couldn't.

"Luke (Walton) was actually drawing up a play so I had to pay attention slightly," James said. "I didn't want to miss that and mess up the play coming out of timeout. But I was able to catch some of it at the end."

The part he saw was most important. It's what Wednesday night was all about.

This was a chance for fans to show their appreciation for the best player in franchise history. It was a chance to celebrate the world's greatest who came back after leaving Cleveland once to deliver on his promise.

A chance to thank him for everything he did during 11 incredible years.

In that moment, nothing else mattered. Not his decision to leave for Los Angeles -- even though he said in 2014 he wouldn't bolt again -- that has led to the Cavs' horrible 2-14 record. Not his role in Kyrie Irving's trade demand that was "the beginning of the end."

As the sellout crowd again rose to its feet, James pointed to different sections of the arena before putting his hands together to return the favor.

"I appreciate these fans, just as much as they appreciate me," James said. "Every single night we stepped on the floor, they always showed their appreciation to not only myself but to my teammates over these 11 years, especially the last four years those championship runs that we were making, so that was just my salute to them for them appreciating what I was able to accomplish with my teammates and coaches along those four years."

Before play resumed, Drake's "Forever" played through the speakers.

"Last name: Ever, first name: Greatest."

It was an emotional night. For James, his former teammates and fans everywhere.

While some might have expected a smattering of boos, those didn't come until late in the fourth quarter when the Cavs were trying to pull off the improbable upset. At that point, James briefly became the enemy, as he was the primary obstacle in Cleveland's desired outcome.

In an ironic but hardly surprising twist, the Cavs' missed James' clutch gene, leaving the primary question about Cleveland's go-to guy in late-game situations unanswered, just as it has been since James went to LA.

A night the Cavaliers fought until the end and played really well against one of league's title contenders was also a grim reminder of what they lost this summer and how far the climb is back to the top.

When it was all over, James exited. He's got a title to chase.

The Cavs, well, they will attempt to pull themselves from the rubble following his exodus. It hasn't been easy and it won't be. It may take years, if it ever happens.

James' relationship with these fans will always be a little bit complicated. But Wednesday night also proved how truly unique it is.