The Cavaliers celebration in Cleveland Wednesday attracted more than 1 million people into the city. Thursday, thousands more turned out to welcome the King, Lebron James, back to his hometown of Akron. 

Hours before James was set to arrive fans lined up outside Lock 3 hoping to get a good spot to witness "The King" speaking about the Cavalier's king-size comeback.

Lebron lovers gathered everywhere, including building tops and parking decks hoping to get a birds eye view of their hometown hero.

But, first a few tributes doled out for "King James." Including a portion of South Main street which will now be renamed "King James Way." 

Akron also raised their own banner which will now permanently hang outside the Akron Civic Theater and feature Lebron. The banner says, "I'm home. In Akron nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have."

Then shortly before 9 p.m. Lebron James emerged on the Lock 3 stage overwhelmed by the love of his hometown.

James spoke briefly, encouraging kids to shoot for the stars and never stop reaching for their dreams.

"Every kid here I want to thank you guys for allowing me to continue to inspire you guys every single day. Every single night when I step out on that basketball floor I always have you guys on my mind," said James.

A firework show put an exclamation mark on a special night for Akron, Cleveland and fans everywhere.

"He gives us encouragement. He gives us all our children somebody to look up to," said one fan as she left Lock 3.

"He means everything to us he has inspired everyone around me personally," said another fan.