Like many of the fans, this reporter was on his way out of InfoCision Stadium on the campus of the University of Akron on Saturday. Some of the invited guests had already left, along with a few media members.

Then some guy said, "LeBron's coming."

Huh?

Just then, there were screams at the gate. Sure enough, James walked in at about 1 p.m. Even organizers were surprised. They had no idea whether he was coming.

Many of the fans, estimated at 3,500, had already started walking out of the stadium. But they flocked back in to see the man of the hour. After all, it was "LeBron Appreciation Day."

He said he loved the city of Akron and always would. He didn't take questions and didn't address the question of the day: "Are you staying?"

But at least he showed up because many thought he wasn't going to be there.