Cavs need LeBron James 'to return home to save the day,' ESPN star Stephen A Smith says

The Cleveland Cavaliers went down 3-0 to nan New York Knicks aft Game 3 connected Saturday.

Since nan Knicks’ Game 1 comeback victory, New York seemed to suck nan life retired of Cleveland. The Knicks pulled distant from nan Cavaliers precocious successful Game 3 and closed retired a 121-108 win. One much triumph and nan Knicks will beryllium successful nan NBA Finals.

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Cleveland Cavaliers guardant LeBron James talks to his squad during a timeout successful nan 2nd half astatine Quicken Loans Arena successful Cleveland, Ohio, connected March 19, 2018. (Ken Blaze/USA TODAY Sports)

Stephen A. Smith, an ESPN characteristic and unabashed Knicks fan, criticized nan Cavaliers’ play and said nan squad needed to lure LeBron James backmost to nan franchise.

"This is simply a disgraceful late-game show of effort by nan @cavs. Hate to opportunity it, because I’m a @nyknicks fan, but it’s conscionable nan truth: erstwhile you spot this franchise discontinue for illustration they conscionable did, it needs personification who cares a spot more. Someone proudly accountable to Cleveland.

"Yes…..I’m saying it…….they request @KingJames to return location to prevention nan day…..if THIS group is ever going to bring a title backmost to Cleveland. Seriously!!!!

Cleveland Cavaliers defender Donovan Mitchell controls nan shot against New York Knicks defender Landry Shamet during nan 2nd half of Game 3 successful nan Eastern Conference finals successful Cleveland connected May 24, 2027. (Sue Ogrocki/AP)

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Speculation complete whether James will return to Cleveland for astatine slightest 1 much play has ramped up since nan Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from nan playoffs.

James reportedly "liked" an Instagram station featuring him successful a Cavaliers jersey, further fueling nan anticipation of one past creation successful Cleveland.

For now, James remains undecided astir his hoops future, but he did uncover plans to return clip pinch his family earlier making immoderate decision.

Cleveland Cavaliers caput coach Kenny Atkinson yells from nan sideline during nan 2nd half of Game 3 successful nan Eastern Conference finals against nan New York Knicks successful Cleveland connected May 24, 2027. (Sue Ogrocki/AP)

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"I don’t cognize what nan early holds for me, obviously, arsenic it stands correct now tonight," James said connected May 11. "I’ve sewage a batch of clip now. I deliberation I said it past twelvemonth aft we mislaid to Minnesota. I’ll spell backmost and recalibrate pinch my family and talk pinch them and walk immoderate clip pinch them, and past evidently erstwhile nan clip comes, you guys will cognize what I determine to do."

Fox News’ Chantz Martin contributed to this report.