TODAY’S GAME

Cavaliers at 76ers, 7:30 p.m. I was able to catch some of it at the end,” James said.

But James sounded as if he will cherish the reception.

“Eleven years playing here 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,” James said. “They showed their appreciation and I really ... and not only for myself, but for my friends and family that were at the game tonight it was a great moment.”

The most notable absence in the sellout crowd was Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, who did not attend. In 2010, it was Gilbert’s Comic Sans letter, in which he vowed the Cavs would win a title before the Heat, that ignited the fans’ hate.

James, who turns 34 on Dec. 30, said he’s grown since then, which made Wednesday’s experience much different.

“I just felt different from the time we landed yesterday,” James said. “I’m a different person. We’re all different from eight years ago, I think, both good and bad. But more importantly, this experience has been great.

“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.”

James said he feels for his friends on the Cavs, whose 2-14 record is the league’s worst.

“Absolutely,” he said. “Any time you got a group of guys that you spend so much time with both on and off the floor and they’re going through what they’re going through right now, we definitely feel for that. There’s champions over there. Those guys have been to the Finals. A lot of guys have worked their tails off to get to where they are in their career, and you never want to see your friends be in a situation that they’re in. But as professionals they’re still giving it all they got as they showed tonight, so let’s see what happens.”

James led the Lakers with 32 points, 11 in the fourth quarter, as they rallied to win 109-105.