From "Please, Stay" to "Please, Stay Away"

After going to nearly embarrassing lengths in order to convince LeBron James to never leave Cleveland, only to be spurned when it came time for James to make "The Decision," Cavaliers fans are understandably testy when it comes to their former star. Would they ever welcome him back?

Apparently, some people think so, because there have been multiple stories out this week regarding the possibility of LeBron becoming Cleveland's version of "The Once and Future King."

It started with ESPN's Michael Wilbon pondering whether LeBron might retire as a Cavalier.

It continued with the reporter who followed James from Cleveland to Miami, Brian Windhorst, saying he could envision that same journey happening in reverse. (Actually, Windhorst went so far as to suggest he could see the day when there was a LeBron statue in Cleveland. Critics might respond that thanks to the 2010 playoff series against the Celtics, there's already been a LeBron statute at the Q.)

And finally, Sam Amico of Fox Sports wrote that:

"James can opt out of his contract at the end of the 2013-14 season, and speculation is he will strongly consider it if [Pat] Riley remains in his current role. And the team James would be eyeballing most in free agency, say those close to the situation, would be the Cavs."

Now it wouldn't surprise me if James was unhappy in Miami. It wouldn't even surprise me if James was clueless enough to imagine he'd be welcomed back with open arms. (Indeed, he once said that would make a "great story.")

But the idea that Dan Gilbert would ever sign LeBron again boggles the mind, even if the contract was written in comic sans and guaranteed that James would personally apologize to all of those who were witness to "The Defection."

So until there's evidence to the contrary, it's probably true that while there is smoke, there's simply no fire. Just more Heat.