MIAMI – "It is horrible!" said Wes Tannelus, about LeBron James' decision to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. "It ruined my day. Ruined my day."
At Upper Kutz barber shop in the design district, watching the news on ESPN was like a punch in the gut. LeBron leaving? It just couldn't be true.
"Shocked!" said Ray Agnew, owner of Upper Kutz. "Never thought he would do that. If he did leave, I thought he would go anywhere else besides Cleveland."
Although many fans were disappointed, many were also thankful.
"He did what he had to do here," said Heat fan Juan Mesa. "He represented. He put Miami on the map and he is just moving on."
Down at the AmericanAirlines Arena, fans who felt a sense of loss showed up.
"We were interested to see if any Heat fans would show up," said Heat fan Michael Greenbium. "You know, express their feelings, sorrow, how they felt about it. You see a lot of gratitude, you see a lot of sorrow. It is mixed emotions."
"I figured that he would want to go home," said Heat fan Kyle Bullington. "I am glad that he spent four years here and he gave us championships, but I wish he would have stayed."
Meanwhile, at least one fan wasn't feeling thankful towards LeBron in Wynwood.
LeBron's image on the famous mural celebrating back-to-back championships was defaced shortly after his announcement.
"He doesn't deserve that," said Heat fan Carl Drumgoole. "These last four years have been great."