LeBron to Cleveland after Brelo verdict: Let's use our passion for our sport

LeBron James hopes the Cleveland Cavaliers can be a rallying force for the people of Cleveland.

After a judge found police officer Michael Brelo not guilty on two charges of voluntary manslaughter in a 2012 shooting case which resulted in two deaths of African-Americans, the Cavs star is imploring the city to focus its energy on the playoffs.

"For the city of Cleveland, let's use our excitement or whatever passion that we have for our sport tomorrow, for the game tomorrow night, bring it tomorrow night ... our team we'll try to do our best to give it back to them," James told the media after Saturday's workout.

Cleveland, leading the series 2-0, faces the Atlanta Hawks in Game 3 on Sunday at home.

Both the team and the league have said through spokesmen that, in the event any protests turn violent around the Quicken Loans Arena, they are in touch with local law enforcement.

James, along with his teammate Kyrie Irving, both wore "I Can't Breathe" shirts during pregame shootaround in early December in support of Eric Garner, a man who was choked to death by a police officer on Staten Island in July.

"It doesn't matter what city it is, something that's going through a city that's very traumatic, traumatizing or anything of that case, I think sports is the biggest healers in helping the city out," explained James.

"Sports just does something to people, either if you're a player, you're a fan, if you just have something that has anything to do with that city, you just feel a certain way about rooting for a team that you love, get your mind off some of the hardships that may be going on throughout your life or maybe that particular time or period. It just does that."