LeBron James finally apologizes to Cleveland

MIAMI - It took almost a year, but LeBron James has finally apologized to Clevelanders for the way that he left the Cavs last summer.

Following the Miami Heat’s series-clinching victory over Boston Wednesday night—which came on the one-year anniversary of last year’s now infamous Game 5 against Boston--LeBron explained that making the move to Miami was necessary for him to get past the Celtics in the Eastern Conference.

He also, for the first time, said sorry.

"I apologize for the way it happened," James said. "But I knew that this opportunity was once in a lifetime."

For the past several seasons, the Celtics have been LeBron’s nemesis in the East, and last year’s playoff series against Boston was a black mark of his seven-year career in Cleveland. To Cavaliers fans, that series was when LeBron first turned his back on the team and the city.

This year, LeBron had the reinforcements of perennial all stars and one of the game’s other best players in Dwyane Wade. That added support was what LeBron said he needed to get past the Celtics.

“I’ve been through playoff series and regular season games and not having much success against these guys, and I knew deep down in my heart, honestly I couldn’t—as much as I love my teammates back in Cleveland, as much as I love home–I knew I couldn’t do it by myself against that team,” James said.

That admission, and apology, mean little to Cleveland fans who wanted that reaction last July. Yet others are more understanding of LeBron and his motives. NewsChannel5 got various reactions from sports fans attending today's Cleveland Indians game. Click on the video tab to see what fans had to say.