LeBron James Says His Homecoming Is One Of The Biggest Sporting Events Ever — Here's Why He May Be Right

The NBA has made its fans wait patiently for its biggest, most intriguing storyline of the year. 

Finally, Thursday night, LeBron James will take the court with his hometown team and rebuilt roster to take on the New York Knicks. The game will be televised on TNT, and it is sure to draw a big audience. Just how big will the event be? Ask LeBron:

One of the biggest ever? That seems like a stretch, although Cleveland has apparently been preparing for it as such:

Perhaps the event itself isn't one of the biggest ever, but the ramifications of James' return home might be.

The Cavaliers have built the NBA's newest Big 3 around James, Kevin Love, and Kyrie Irving, and they are expected to be championship contenders for the foreseeable future. James is just 29 years old, Love is 26, and Irving is 22. Talented free agents will likely be willing to take paycuts to join them for a shot at a championship. Furthermore, with the rising NBA salary cap, the Cavaliers may be able to get clever and find ways to continue to build around their Big 3. Simply: James' homecoming has changed the landscape of the NBA.

The city of Cleveland will also profit: The Economist predicted that James' return could be worth up to $500 million in revenue for the city. The Cavaliers are the most expensive NBA team to see live, and the team has introduced a lottery ticketing system to get fans into games. The area around the arena will surely benefit as fans pack bars, restaurants, and shops before games.

So, while the event may not be all that big — it's just one game in 82 — the entire act of James' homecoming is certainly one of the biggest stories in recent NBA history.

SEE ALSO: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? The Guys LeBron James Played With In Cleveland The First Time

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