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LeBron: Kyrie boos were 'nothing' compared to what I've experienced

Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images

Try harder, Cavaliers fans.

Kyrie Irving made his highly anticipated return to Cleveland on Tuesday night as a member of the Boston Celtics and was booed during player introductions and at times when he touched the ball.

LeBron James has seen worse.

"I've experienced big boos before," the Cavs superstar said postgame, according to ESPN's Chris Forsberg. "That was like a pat on the back. I love our fans to death. That was nothing."

When James returned to Cleveland for the first time in 2010 as a member of the Miami Heat, he was met with fierce resentment over his decision to team up with his superstar friends in South Beach.

"People were throwing batteries at us," the four-time MVP recently recalled.

Irving demanded a trade this offseason to get out of James' shadow and become the main option on another team. He recently referred to his new NBA home as a "real, live sports city."

The point guard racked up 22 points, 10 assists, and four rebounds Tuesday, but missed a potential game-tying three over James. The former co-stars embraced afterward.

"Any time you win a championship with someone, you automatically think about the moments, the memories, especially with someone who was instrumental to what we were able to accomplish," James said following Cleveland's 102-99 victory. "Once the ball went up, it was kind of back to the regularly scheduled programming."

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