After The Announcement: Fans React To LeBron's Decision
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – When people learned of LeBron James' decision to go home to Cleveland, the fan reaction was mixed.
"There is no hate here, it's all love he did great things for the city the sport and for the Heat things we haven't seen in 25-years we applaud him," said Jaime Mir.
"It's good, I would have liked to have seen him stick around and finish what he started, but understand him going home to his family and friends," another fan said to CBS4's Marybel Rodriguez.
"I think he did great in Miami, he did well we applaud him, but don't let the door hit him on the way out," said Carlos Duarte.
Click here to watch Marybel Rodriguez's report.
Click here to watch Gaby Fleischman's report.
At James' home in Coconut Grove all was quiet after the announcement was made official, but doors down, his neighbors were talking.
LeBron's Going Home To Cleveland
"I was happy to have him as a neighbor and thank him for everything he did for Miami and wish him the best," said Alan Cooper, LeBron's neighbor.
Those neighbors do admit their neighborhood will not be the same without him.
"We had an awesome time, he is very nice, a very nice neighbor to hang out with," added Kiana Sain.
"I am going to be sad, he was a really good neighbor always said 'hi', he would honk the horn and say 'hi how are you?'" said Daniela Vicentini.
At James' wife Savannah's Juice Spot in Brickell, it was business as usual, but customers were talking about the announcement.
"It's disappointing as a Heat fan, the squad of LeBron, Wade, Bosh, now gone, it's sad," said a customer.
In Wynwood, a mural of the Heat player's faces had one painted over. James' face was covered in black paint.
"I was driving by and I was shocked. I had to stop and take a picture, I can't believe they would do my boy like that, but yes, done a lot of great things for the city so they're trying him, but we have to keep supporting and keep the faith that's it," said Gary Garcia.
Other fans didn't take the news so well. In Wynwood, a mural of the Miami Heat player's was de-faced, with black spray paint over James' face.
"I think this is pretty classless and pathetic on the fans of Miami," said Heat fan Scott Johnson. "This is no different than burning a jersey."
"It is horrible this is not what were about," said Susana Baker with The Art Experience.
"I was driving by and I was shocked. I had to stop and take a picture, I can't believe they would do my boy like that, but yes, done a lot of great things for the city so they're trying him, but we have to keep supporting and keep the faith that's it," said Gary Garcia.
Someone later painted over the damaged mural with the words "thanks Lebron."
Despite the crushing news, some die-hard Heat fans say there is a silver lining when it comes to game tickets.
"This is Miami for you, we are the best fair-weather fans in the game so if we just lost a ton of bandwagon followers so be it," Scott Johnson added. "Because true fans like us that can't afford season tickets maybe we can now."
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