Lebron going back to Cleveland

[78]

First there was The Decision. Now comes The Essay. When should we expect The Movie?

Before anyone ever cared where I would play basketball, I was a kid from Northeast Ohio. It’s where I walked. It’s where I ran. It’s where I cried. It’s where I bled. It holds a special place in my heart. People there have seen me grow up. I sometimes feel like I’m their son. Their passion can be overwhelming. But it drives me. I want to give them hope when I can. I want to inspire them when I can. My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn’t realize that four years ago. I do now.

Remember when I was sitting up there at the Boys & Girls Club in 2010? I was thinking, This is really tough. I could feel it. I was leaving something I had spent a long time creating. If I had to do it all over again, I’d obviously do things differently, but I’d still have left. Miami, for me, has been almost like college for other kids. These past four years helped raise me into who I am. I became a better player and a better man. I learned from a franchise that had been where I wanted to go. I will always think of Miami as my second home. Without the experiences I had there, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing today.

I went to Miami because of D-Wade and CB. We made sacrifices to keep UD. I loved becoming a big bro to Rio. I believed we could do something magical if we came together. And that’s exactly what we did! The hardest thing to leave is what I built with those guys. I’ve talked to some of them and will talk to others. Nothing will ever change what we accomplished. We are brothers for life. I also want to thank Micky Arison and Pat Riley for giving me an amazing four years.

I’m doing this essay because I want an opportunity to explain myself uninterrupted. I don’t want anyone thinking: He and Erik Spoelstra didn’t get along. … He and Riles didn’t get along. … The Heat couldn’t put the right team together. That’s absolutely not true.

I’m not having a press conference or a party. After this, it’s time to get to work.

When I left Cleveland, I was on a mission. I was seeking championships, and we won two. But Miami already knew that feeling. Our city hasn’t had that feeling in a long, long, long time. My goal is still to win as many titles as possible, no question. But what’s most important for me is bringing one trophy back to Northeast Ohio.

I always believed that I’d return to Cleveland and finish my career there. I just didn’t know when. After the season, free agency wasn’t even a thought. But I have two boys and my wife, Savannah, is pregnant with a girl. I started thinking about what it would be like to raise my family in my hometown. I looked at other teams, but I wasn’t going to leave Miami for anywhere except Cleveland. The more time passed, the more it felt right. This is what makes me happy.

To make the move I needed the support of my wife and my mom, who can be very tough. The letter from Dan Gilbert, the booing of the Cleveland fans, the jerseys being burned -- seeing all that was hard for them. My emotions were more mixed. It was easy to say, “OK, I don’t want to deal with these people ever again.” But then you think about the other side. What if I were a kid who looked up to an athlete, and that athlete made me want to do better in my own life, and then he left? How would I react? I’ve met with Dan, face-to-face, man-to-man. We’ve talked it out. Everybody makes mistakes. I’ve made mistakes as well. Who am I to hold a grudge?

I’m not promising a championship. 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 withAnderson Varejao, one of my favorite teammates.

But this is not about the roster or the organization. I feel my calling here goes above basketball. I have a responsibility to lead, in more ways than one, and I take that very seriously. My presence can make a difference in Miami, but I think it can mean more where I’m from. I want kids in Northeast Ohio, like the hundreds of Akron third-graders I sponsor through my foundation, to realize that there’s no better place to grow up. Maybe some of them will come home after college and start a family or open a business. That would make me smile. Our community, which has struggled so much, needs all the talent it can get.
In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have.

I’m ready to accept the challenge. I’m coming home.

http://www.si.com/nba/2014/07/11/leb...land-cavaliers

 

[MJMGator]

I'm really disappointed. I was sure he was gonna do an MTV special with JayZ, Beyoncé, sharks with laser beams, etc..

 

[Jabberdave]

We'll see if Splestra can really coach. Not that he's going to have much to work with for a while.

 

[-THE DUDE-]

oh i love it for all of the true miami "fans"

 

[Captain Sasquatch]

Some of you owe me an apology. :wobble:

 

[t-gator]

I wonder if Love will go there now.

With his contract running he may be able to strong arm his way there via trade. He's already said he'd love to play with LeBron

 

[-THE DUDE-]

[QUOTE='78;n12487]This is seismic in terms of impact. Bosh is as good as gone to Houston and I really see Melo accepting Chicago's offer now. What is unknown is whether Wade goes for a max contract in Miami or opts for a contender. He's a Chicago native and a lifelong Bulls fans and the team desperately needs a 2. Problem is, they don't have the capspace. Would he be willing to take a reduced payout for a chance at one more title?[/QUOTE]
Wade screwed himself opting out of the contract...he is going to get nowhere near that money anywhere else. He's still alright but you have to really baby him like miami did to make sure his knees don't fall off during the regular season. Thibs only knows one speed and that's all out all of the time and that isn't Wade.

 

[t-gator]

[QUOTE='78;n12487]Would he be willing to take a reduced payout for a chance at one more title?

Doubt it. He already has rings. I'm sure making it rain is of a higher priority. [/quote]He already opted out so he could take less money so LeBron would stay

 

[Jabberdave]

oh i love it for all of the true miami "fans"

Uh, thanks?

 

[Jabberdave]

Some of you owe me an apology. :wobble:

I'll give you a swift kick in the vajayjay.

 

[TheDouglas78]

[quote name=''78' timestamp='1405098140']

Late years of a career are all about the $

Whats does Miami have to play for if James and Bosh are gone? They could go all opposite on a salary dump binge. [/quote]They do, because they were preparing to resign all three

 

[78]

Wade screwed himself opting out of the contract...he is going to get nowhere near that money anywhere else. He's still alright but you have to really baby him like miami did to make sure his knees don't fall off during the regular season. Thibs only knows one speed and that's all out all of the time and that isn't Wade.

It was a huge gamble, but I have to think LeBron was leaning toward returning at the time. I sense there's been a shift in thinking that caught nearly everyone by surprise. Bosh will parlay it into a huge payday in Houston, but for the time being Wade looks like the odd guy out. I really, really think Melo is a done deal for Chicago now and that could play big in the possibility of Wade coming home for a last run at a title. Imagine D-Rose, Melo, Noah and Wade all on the same team. It all comes down to a love for money.

 

[-THE DUDE-]

Some of you owe me an apology. :wobble:

I called this in the middle of the season...with the younger talent they are gathering i thought for sure he would go back to "save" them but really it's the other 2 and the aging roster of miami along with the youth movement in cleveland.

 

[-THE DUDE-]

[QUOTE='78;n12535]
It was a huge gamble, but I have to think LeBron was leaning toward returning at the time. I sense there's been a shift in thinking that caught nearly everyone by surprise. Bosh will parlay it into a huge payday in Houston, but for the time being Wade looks like the odd guy out. I really, really think Melo is a done deal for Chicago now and that could play huge in the possibility of Wade coming home. It all comes down to a love for money. [/QUOTE]
Im still 50/50 on Melo and Chicago...we've been spurned too many times by free agents since the Jordan years for me to believe it quite yet.

 

[t-gator]

I personally think D. Wade is washed up. What I saw in the playoffs was a tired broken down player.

He looked awful. He clearly hasn't taken care of his body

 

[Swamp Donkey]

Bwahahahahahahahahahaha! Screw Miami and everything Miami-ish.

 

[t-gator]

I think wade will be glad to be the primary scorer now

 

[t-gator]

Lol kyrie Irving signs extension with the cavs. I bet he would

 

[78]

Im still 50/50 on Melo and Chicago...we've been spurned too many times by free agents since the Jordan years for me to believe it quite yet.

I hear ya. We've been used more than a two buck hoar. This time it feels different. I also read over the past 24 hours that Melo's been thinking a lot about playing in Chicago, reportedly from an insider. Take it with a grain. The pieces are in place in Chicago if Thibs learns how to let off the gas a little during the regular season.

 

[ppinesgator]

A blow to us Heat fans and I hope they do not react that way the Cav fans did when he left. Surprised he's going back after the open letter the Cav owner wrote at his departure four years ago. It was venal.

Four Eastern and two NBA titles, all because of his time in Miami. Bosh will leave, Wade will stay and Riley will patch something together for the coming season, and try to build winner again the following year. That is, if he does not retire.

I don't believe this was for the money as Miami had plenty of room to negotiate. This is about Lebron wanting to go home because his wife and kids want to. And about Lebron having full and complete control of the franchise he's playing for. Riley pushed back a couple times on that.

Oh well. Fun while it lasted.