Several reports emerged earlier today that LeBron James would be making a decision on his future at 3:30CST today. Though The King is still in Las Vegas at his high school camp, that didn’t stop hordes of rabid Cleveland Cavaliers fans from gathering outside his house in Bath Township of Summit County, Ohio.
The hysteria began when reports circulated on twitter that police officers, anticipating the frenzied fans, were told by a superior to expect an afternoon announcement from James.
To be more precise, no less than five police officers at LeBron James home. They were told to expect a 3:30 ET announcement.
— Sam Amico (@SamAmicoFSO) July 10, 2014
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
That news took #LeBronWatch2014 to levels heretofore unseen.
The line of cars forming at #Lebron's house in Bath. #LeBronWatch2014 pic.twitter.com/Ys9KbN9q62
— Jon Bozeka (@JonBozeka) July 10, 2014
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Bath police in front of #Lebron's house. #LeBronWatch2014 pic.twitter.com/vZdKz17trB
— Jon Bozeka (@JonBozeka) July 10, 2014
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Constant flow of traffic coming and going past Lebron's house in Bath. Has not stopped since I got here. #LeBronWatch2014
— Jon Bozeka (@JonBozeka) July 10, 2014
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Local media even got in on the action.
Different area news organizations camped out at #Lebron's house. #LeBronWatch2014 pic.twitter.com/7AOmlrigzG
— Jon Bozeka (@JonBozeka) July 10, 2014
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Fittingly and perhaps even metaphorically, the madness resulted in a car crash just a short distance from James’ residence.
Traffic backing up in Bath Township near LeBron James home because of no-injury car crash. pic.twitter.com/uWc2dE6niR
— Mary Kilpatrick (@_marykilpatrick) July 10, 2014
The reported announcement time came and went without a whisper from James’ camp, of course, and the crowd supposedly dispersed. That fans would gather outside LeBron’s home isn’t surprising; that they’d do so when it’s public knowledge that he’s thousands of miles away is what confounds.
If these fans are as die-hard as their presence suggests, wouldn’t they know that James is still in Las Vegas? Were they expecting his wife, Savannah, to shout her husband’s free agency choice at the stroke of 3:30? Or perhaps a flyover with a banner made by James’ sons that read “Daddy Is Coming Home?”
We don’t know, but what we do for sure is that these people are crazy.
(H/T Jon Bozeka and Mary Kilpatrick for pics)
Would you wait outside LeBron’s house?
Follow Jack on Twitter at @ArmstrongWinter.
Follow Dime on Twitter at @DimeMag.
Become a fan of Dime Magazine on Facebook HERE.