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"It was a great feeling, to get a fan to come down there and express the way he feels about you," James said after he scored 50 points. "He (said) he loves the way I play, I was his favorite player.

"I respect him, I respect his pride, and for him to come out there and tell me something like that face-to-face, it's like an unbelievable thing - it never happens."

CLEVELAND: LeBron James likes to follow his own path.

He surprised many when he was not bothered that a fan sprinted into the Cavs' huddle last week at Madison Square Garden. In fact, James embraced the moment by shaking hands with the young man.

It probably didn't thrill the NBA, which has taken steps to fortify security around team benches since the brawl in Detroit in 2004.

Neither probably will this: A source said Anthony Erskine, 17, who ran across the floor and past several guards in a James replica jersey, is about to get even closer to his idol.

Erskine has been in touch with James' representatives, and there are plans for him to be James' guest Wednesday when the Cavaliers visit the New Jersey Nets. There might be a private meeting between the two.

''He had something he wanted to say to me and he got it out before they took him away,'' James said. ''I respect him and his pride.''