NBA/Cavaliers

About these samples ... When LeBron James left Cleveland for Miami in 2010, it was a devastating blow not only to the hopes of Cavaliers fans, but to Northeast Ohio's image. As awkward and circus-like as his exit was, however, his return was all the more graceful, more mature. Here's some of our work beginning with the bitter moment of LeBron's 2010's announcement, then fast-forwarding to the great things of the magical 2015 season of his return home.

The defection, the return and the first game back 

Gone. July 10, 2010. Emmet Smith, design; Smith and Michael Tribble, art direction. Joshua Gunter, photograph.

Home. July 12, 2014. Josh Crutchmer and David Kordalski, design and art direction. Robert Carter, illustration.

Home, take two. An homage to the iconic Gone cover. July 12, 2014. David Kordalski, design and art direction.

First game back as a Cavalier. A1. David Kordalski, design.

First game back as a Cavalier. Special section front. Josh Crutchmer, design.

First game back as a Cavalier. Doubletruck. Andrea Zagata, design, David Kordalski and Josh Crutchmer, design direction.

Early playoffs, Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals

NBA playoff preview, round one. First of four coordinated preview covers. Details progressed as the team progressed. Ted Crow, illustrator. Andrea Zagata, design.

NBA playoff preview, round two. Second of four coordinated preview covers. Details progressed as the team progressed. Ted Crow, illustrator. Andrea Zagata, design.

NBA Eastern Conference Finals preview. Third of four coordinated covers. Injured Kevin Love was replaced by Timofey Mozgov. Ted Crow, illustrator. Andrea Zagata, design.

NBA Finals preview. Last of four coordinated preview covers. Details were nearly filled in. Had the Cavs won it all, LeBron would have been hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Ted Crow, illustrator. Andrea Zagata, design.

First round, game 1. Special section cover.

First round, game 4. Special section cover.

Second round, game 4. Special section cover.

Second round, game 6. Special section cover. Cavs move on to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Eastern Conference Finals, game 4. A1. Balancing the clinch of an NBA Finals berth with a huge non-sports story. David Kordalski, design.

Eastern Conference Finals, game 4. Special section cover after sweep of Atlanta Hawks.

Special commemorative section