CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The sellout crowd inside Quicken Loans Arena rose to its feet and roared as LeBron James was announced last during Los Angeles Lakers starting lineup introductions.

"A 6-foot-8 forward from St. Vincent-St. Mary High School," shouted Sean Peebles, the in-arena PA announcer. "Welcome home! No. 23 LeBron James."

Cleveland's hero was back. Getting the reception he deserved.

The atmosphere inside The Q was positive for this James return, nothing like Dec. 2, 2010, when James came back as the villain following what fans felt was a betrayal.

There was no reason to beef up security for the angry environment. There were no orchestrated chants of "Akron Hates You" or "Scottie Pippen." There were no boos -- those saved for Lonzo Ball, JaVale McGee and other members of the Lakers. The Star Wars Imperial March didn't play underneath the intros like it did eight years ago -- the Cavs' way to portray James as the bad guy.

This night wasn't about hate or fury. It wasn't the platform for Cavaliers fans to take out their frustrations from a miserable 2-13 start on James, who left Cleveland for the second time in free agency this summer and sent the franchise spiraling into chaos.

It was a night to celebrate James' numerous accomplishments. A chance to thank him for bringing a title -- and so much more -- to the region.

James raced out onto the floor for the first time with 11:11 remaining on the pregame clock. That was the first chance for fans to get off their seats and shower him with adulation. They took full advantage, setting the tone for the rest of the night.

James was again shown on the big screen hovering above midcourt during some of the pregame shooting drills. Once again, cheers echoed through the arena.

Prior to tipoff, he greeted his old teammates and bear-hugged Channing Frye at the scorer's table before moving toward Larry Nance Jr. There was even a special handshake between James and buddy Tristan Thompson. Cedi Osman, who grew close with James last year, shared a warm embrace as well.

When a touching tribute video played during the first extended timeout barely four minutes into the game, fans looked on and saluted James before he returned the favor.

"Yeah, a little bit of the last part," James said. "Luke (Walton) was actually drawing up a play so I had to pay attention slightly. 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 video featured highlights of some of his most memorable plays, James holding the championship trophy, at his I Promise School -- where he spent the morning -- and at an Indians game. It included the message "Thank you for what you did on the court, but we all know it's bigger than basketball."

"To come here tonight and go out and hear the fan's reception, 11 years playing here I just try to do ... 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 and they showed their appreciation," James said. "Not only for myself, but for my friends and family that were at the game tonight it was a great moment."

The backdrop was the Cavaliers and Lakers. Cleveland's next game on the schedule and a chance to snap a two-game losing streak.

But Wednesday night was about so much more than a simple basketball game. The night belonged to James, the city's ultimate champion.

While he may be playing thousands of miles away, wearing the purple and gold, James will always be Northeast Ohio's own.