NBA superstar LeBron James made an emotional return on Friday to the Cleveland Cavaliers, departing the Miami team where he became a champion to seek similar success with his hometown club.
Four years after leaving the Cavaliers to chase his first NBA title with fellow stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, an unapologetic James said he wanted to bring the long-suffering sports fans of his home region a championship.
James took a four-year deal worth $US88 million ($A95 million) with Cleveland over a five-year Miami offer worth $US122 million ($A132 million) and intends to finish his glittering career at the Cavaliers.
The dramatic move by the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player ended days of speculation about his free agency choice, which had Cleveland fans in a frenzy of anticipation.
"In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have," James, who grew up just south of Cleveland, in Akron, told Sports Illustrated.
"I'm ready to accept the challenge. I'm coming home."
Celebrating in the streets of Cleveland, fans hailed: "The Return of the King."
They are the same streets where James jerseys were burned in 2010 after he announced he was ditching Cleveland for Miami.
By contrast, a wall painting in Miami depicting the entire Heat championship lineup had the face of James, the centre figure of the mural, blackened out by vandals.
The 29-year-old won NBA crowns with Miami in 2012 and 2013, but lost in the 2011 finals, as well as to San Antonio in last month's finals, after which James opted out of his Heat contract to consider other offers.
Thanks to NBA salary cap rules giving teams a financial edge in trying to retain talent, Miami offered better terms, but could not offer the prospect of going home, James posting a photo of himself in a Cavaliers uniform on Instagram and Twitter with the phrase "I'm coming home."
James said he had followed his heart.
"I looked at other teams, but I wasn't going to leave Miami for anywhere except Cleveland. The more time passed, the more it felt right. This is what makes me happy," he said.
"My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn't realise that four years ago. I do now."
Las Vegas Hotel and Casino Superbook oddsmakers quickly made the Cavaliers a 3-1 favorite to win the 2015 NBA title, with Miami suddenly a 100-1 longshot.
But James warned: "I'm not promising a championship. I know how hard that is to deliver.
"We're not ready right now. No way. Of course, I want to win next year, but I'm realistic. It will be a long process."
James joins a young squad with new coach Dave Blatt, star guard Kyrie Irving and this year's top draft pick, guard Andrew Wiggins, that could be a contender for years to come.
"I get a thrill out of bringing a group together and helping them reach a place they didn't know they could go," James said.
"I see myself as a mentor now and I'm excited to lead some of these talented young guys."
The wait for James to make his decision shut down most major free agency decisions in the league, and kept fans in Miami and Cleveland riveted to US sports television networks.
"I always believed that I'd return to Cleveland and finish my career there. I just didn't know when," James said.
"My goal is still to win as many titles as possible, no question. But what's most important for me is bringing one trophy back to Northeast Ohio."
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