Nothing will match James free-agency

Now it’s, “Here we go again.” This time, though, it seems different.

The summer of 2010, LeBron James and Cavaliers fans ... where to begin?

As a small part of the Cleveland media covering “The Decision” — a TV special dedicated to James’ free-agency decision that blew up in the global star’s face — and the lead-up to the event, it was a circus from Day 1.

We all know how it played out. James took to ESPN and declared he was taking his talents to South Beach.

Hatred throughout Northeast Ohio ensued. Then more hatred. Then more. Then some more. Then even more.

Somewhere, the late Browns owner Art Modell probably exhaled and said to himself, “I’m finally off Cleveland’s No. 1 mostwanted list.”

Four years as a Miami Heat and two NBA championships only fueled the fire. James eventually returned, and delivered a title to Cleveland to soothe the hate.

Now it’s, “Here we go again.” This time, though, it seems different. There will be interest in James’ next decision. Watch ESPN from here until that decision for the proof. But there’s a sense Cavs fans are more at ease the second time around.

That wasn’t the case in 2010. A fan base was worried, in some case petrified. The masses seemed to be walking on egg shells 24-7. Meanwhile, the media

was trying to reveal any bit of information relevant to James’ decision. There wasn’t much out there.

I lived some of that nonsense one Saturday afternoon in July 2010.

The location was the IMG building in downtown Cleveland, where it was revealed James would be hosting potential NBA suitors that day. Crews from several teams drove in and out of the building’s parking garage that day — including the Cavaliers. The biggie was the Miami Heat and Pat Riley.

Hoards of media members staked out the entrance of that parking garage, and when a white SUV believed to be carrying Heat officials approached driving about 20 mph, the buzz to capture that moment was intense.

If it all seems ridiculous, it was. Extremely ridiculous. But as the saying goes, “Give the people what they want.” In

the summer of 2010, there was plenty of speculation, but not much information to get.

One media member — who will remain nameless — there that day did his best impression of John McClane in “Die Hard” to get close to the action. This person — who somehow knew which floor the Heat were meeting with James and his team — snuck past security and made his way to that floor. How he got up there, I never asked. He hid in a rest room while waiting to listen in on any conversation from the hallway.

Eventually, Riley and his crew from Miami left their meeting, and Riley, according to my media cohort, was overheard saying, “It went well. We’ll see.”

There you have it folks. Powerful, riveting stuff, right?

A few weeks later, Riley was right on with his assessment. James announced

he was off to play for the Heat. The Cavs spent the next four seasons as the NBA’s worst team.

In 2010-11, they were 1963. Then 21-45 (in a lockout-shortened season), 2458, and finally 33-49 until James returned in 2014-15.

What happens from now until July 1 — the first day of NBA free agency — is anyone’s guess. The interest in James is as hot as ever. But Cavs fans have been there, done that with the James watch.

If he’s gone in early July or a short while after, many will still be upset. Others will be thankful for the way he helped deliver the city’s first championship in more than 50 years.

From a media perspective, nothing will match the wacky summer of 2010.

Reach Podolski at MPodolski@News-Herald.com. On Twitter: @mpodo