Posted on 07/11/2014 1:43:35 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
LeBron James is removing his talents from Miami.
Four years after stunning the NBA world with “The Decision,” the Miami Heat forward announced an even larger revelation on SI.com Friday, perhaps destined to be called “The Redemption.”
James, 29, will return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, close to his hometown of Akron and far from the sunny beaches where he led the Heat to four NBA Finals appearances, two ending in championships.
"I’m not promising a championship," James says in the first-person essay. "I know how hard that is to deliver. We’re not ready right now. No way. Of course, I want to win next year, but I’m realistic. It will be a long process, much longer than it was in 2010. My patience will get tested. I know that. I’m going into a situation with a young team and a new coach. I will be the old head. But I get a thrill out of bringing a group together and helping them reach a place they didn’t know they could go. I see myself as a mentor now and I’m excited to lead some of these talented young guys. I think I can help Kyrie Irving become one of the best point guards in our league. I think I can help elevate Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters. And I can’t wait to reunite with Anderson Varejao, one of my favorite teammates."
His agent met with several teams last week, including the Lakers, but Cleveland emerged the winner despite James’ sit-down Wednesday with Miami president Pat Riley.
The Cavaliers made a big push this month to bring him back, swallowing some pride and dealing part of their future.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Is he still going to boycott Clippers games?
Now I can hate Cleveland.
Obviously, a lot of people. What kind of question is that? That’s like me posting snide comments on other sports threads when I don’t like the sport. And I guarantee you I probably won’t like the sport you like.
Ah please, Let go off your face from Tim Duncan’s ass. Miami destruction? Have season tickets for both LA Kings, Lakers, Clippers and Heat in many seasons. No matter how many times a franchise supposedly “self destructs”, someone like Pat Riley shows up with championship rings.
With his knee problems and age, Wade is definitely diminished. The Big Three simply is not as big as they were, and none of their young players approach what the Big Three could do. Miami’s future looks bleak.
Well, we added Shaun Livingston....
Property is a whole lot cheaper in Ohio compared to Miami-Dade....and not as Third World.
Most of Miami is a Third World crudhole. Do not understand the fascination folks have w Miami
Yes, and their Big Three (Duncan, Parker, Ginobili) is a year older. Maybe next year, but not beyond that. I will say they will still have a good core of players especially with Leonard. But if the Big Three AND!!! Pop leave (Popovich said he’d go with Duncan), things will be down for SA. But not as bad as Miami. BTW, I cheered SA’s win over the Heat for the title.
Well, Wade and Bosh are not exactly Swiss cheese. But James’s departure means Miami is just a contender in the weak east. They only won 54 games last year with James. Without him...maybe only .500 next year. And that’s with a healthy Wade and Bosh. And Bosh might be going to Houston.
You better hope Bogut is healthy for the playoffs next year. His absence cost you guys a shot at the Spurs for the WCFs.
We are very close to being an elite team.
It will be LeBron’s 12th year in the league. While only 29 years old, running up and down a basketball court for 82 games a year takes its toll.
A basketball great that LeBron compared himself to this past season, Bill Russell, had a 13 year career. If one reads anything about Russell’s career it is that at the end of his career he was in constant pain. The rigors of the game wore his knees out and ultimately led to him retiring when he did.
LeBron has been a great player and will be remembered as one of the greats of all time. From this point on he will be on a plateau that will eventually lead to the winding down of his career. Can he lead Cleveland to a title? Probably not. That is why they play the games.
While fans of the Cavaliers may be ecstatic over this news about his return, it should be met with a degree of restraint as it is likely LeBron will not be able to deliver what the fans really want. Bittersweet will probably be the flavor of the day in Cleveland for some time to come...
It's the way of Cleveland. On the local news, that talk isn't about winning the championship. It's about LeBron coming home. His letter seemed to convey a maturity that was appreciated.
I love living near Cleveland, I really do. But even on beautiful days like we've been having all summer, people refuse to believe that the weather is better here than most places. <^..^>
You are in the top five in the league. A lot of your success in the near future will depend on Bogut staying healthy and the development of your younger players, especially Barnes. And if you pick up Love, without losing too many valuable assets, you’re in the top three.
Kyle Anderson. He said before the draft that he really wanted to play for San Antonio—but he was expected to go higher in the draft. You never know about rookies and how they adapt to the higher level of play, but He may fit right in to the team oriented play of the Spurs as a point forward.
We’ll see. Hard to get a good player with the last pick in the draft, but Spurs have always been pretty good at finding talent in the late picks.
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