Heat to honor James during return, Wade says 'he should be received very well'

LeBron James is sure to face his share of heat from Miami fans in his return on Christmas Day, but Dwyane Wade believes James should be appreciated by his former home crowd.

At some point during Thursday's game between the Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers - James's first visit to American Airlines Arena since leaving Miami for Cleveland in free agency - the Heat are planning a video tribute for James, according to Michael Wallace and Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com.

Wade believes there will be a mixed reaction.

"How I think he should be received is a little bit different," Wade said. "The man helped take us to places we've only been once before he got here. So I think he should be received very well for that at the start of the game. And then, when the game (starts), then do what you've got to do."

With James at the helm, the Heat won two championships and became the first team in 30 years to advance to four straight NBA Finals, while LeBron himself won two more MVP awards and two Finals MVP honors. Without him, the injury-riddled Heat are off to a disappointing 13-15 start.

James averaged 26.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.7 steals in his four-year run with the Heat, posting two 30-plus PER seasons after the feat had been recorded only 16 times in NBA history (including twice previously by James himself).

James's arrival - alongside Chris Bosh - turned the Heat into the NBA's marquee team and hottest ticket.

Whether fans choose to remember all of that come Thursday is the big question.

Either way, the scene will likely pale in comparison to James's first return to Quicken Loans Arena as a new member of the Heat back in 2010.