Like he did a few years ago James, had some fans thinking that he was their guy, only to turn around and go elsewhere. Today was no different, as James shocked Miami and surprised Cleveland.
In an exclusive article ppsted on Sports Illustrated, James broke to Hearts of Heat fans by telling them that he is going back to Cleveland.
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 with Anderson Varejao, one of my favorite teammates.
Here we go again! Haven’t we blindly skipped down this yellow bricked road with James before?
The NBA star seems content with toying with the heartstrings of his beloved fans. They’re once again waiting on pins and needles for James to break their hearts as he takes his time deciding where he will play next season. And while some fans will jump with joy when he finally decides, others will get their hearts broken… again!
On the first day that NBA free agents were allowed to sign with their new teams, James continued to play stall ball on Thursday and did not reveal what he’s going to do, although there was a growing sentiment among NBA players and executives that he is heading back to Cleveland.
According to a league source, several Miami Heat players have resigned themselves to seeing James bolt for the team he started with and have expressed those concerns to other players across the league.
“There are guys he’d be playing with in Miami who definitely feel like he’s not coming back,” the source said.
But James maintained his silence, while virtually no details had emerged from the hour-long meeting that he held in Las Vegas on Wednesday night with Heat president Pat Riley. Afterward, the four-time MVP left to discuss his plans with family, with one Cleveland TV station saying that a source close to James’ agent, Rich Paul, disclosed that an announcement would be made by 11 p.m. Thursday.
That obviously did not happen, and James reportedly flew back to Miami with Dwyane Wade Thursday night and is expected to head to Brazil Saturday for the World Cup final.
Meanwhile, the scene in and around James’ hometown of Akron bordered on surreal. Scores of fans lined the streets outside his home in Bath as a steady stream of cars drove by, with the vehicles’ occupants stopping to ask if he had made an announcement. A half-dozen police officers had to maintain security outside the empty house, while awaiting what was billed as a major announcement that never came at 3:30 — the Akron area code.
All the while, James was at his basketball camp in Las Vegas, where Wade dropped by to chat and watch pickup games.
Meanwhile, the Cavs announced that Kyrie Irving signed the five-year, $90 million extension he agreed to last week when free agency opened.
Irving’s long-term presence with the team is seen as one of the major reasons that James will pull up stakes in South Beach and return to the Cavs.
Additionally, the Cavs were said to be trying to work on a deal with Minnesota for All-Star forward Kevin Love, which would turn them into instant contenders to win the East if James returns. The price for Love would likely start with the No. 1 pick from this year’s draft, Andrew Wiggins, along with other young players, including swingman Dion Waiters.
Bynum was pursued by the Mavericks and Cavaliers this free agency
The Cleveland Cavaliers have officially signed Center Andrew Bynum to a two-year deal worth a total of $24.5 million. While this sounds like a risky deal for Cleveland, it’s actually a brilliant pick up.
A new team requires a new hair style
The details of the contract only guarantee Bynum $6 million dollars and one single year; Cleveland has given him an incentive heavy contract and holds the option for a second year. This ensures that Cleveland will have plenty of cap space come the 2014 free agency period to lure a big name free agent, Lebron James, and bring him back home. On top of ensuring plenty of cap space Cleveland now has, when healthy and engaged, easily one of the top five big men in the league.
Cleveland is clearly hoping for the Bynum who played in L.A to show up
Bynum, who didn’t play all of last season with the 76ers, was an up and coming All Star back in Los Angeles. In his final year in L.A he averaged 18.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and made his first NBA All Star appearance. On top of all that he was also part of two NBA Championship teams during his tenure as a Laker. Andrew Bynum is a very good, if not nearly complete basketball package; he has a good post game on offense and is a big body to deal with on defense.
The Eastern Conference is becoming much more interesting…
There is no secret behind the end of the 2014 NBA season and that years top free agent, Lebron James. There is also no secret behind top marquee teams, I’m looking at you L.A Lakers, freeing up cap space that year to land the current best player in the NBA. There is also no surprise behind the rumors of “The King” returning to his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers for one last stint. To that I say: Keep dreaming Cleveland.
Lebron James left Cleveland in 2010
It’s sad to see how quickly the Cleveland Cavaliers fell after the departure of Lebron James back in 2010. They fired coach Mike Brown, who they just recently rehired, months before James left. Since then there’s very very little they’ve gotten right outside of their lottery pick up of up and coming All Star Kyrie Irving. Since 2010 they’ve gone 19-63, 21-45, and 24-58 under coach Byron Scott, who is now unemployed.
Cleveland fans would love a Mike Brown and Lebron James reunion
Entering the 2014 season the Cleveland Cavaliers will have an estimated $29 million in free cap space to sign a number of players or just give Lebron a max contract and a blank check. I can’t say I have much faith in the Cavaliers front office to work out a smart business decision, but players such as Luol Deng, Rudy Gay, Andre Iguodala, and Paul George are all free agents that year as well. Match any of them with Kyrie Irving and you will easily have an amazing duo to play and dominate in the immediate future.
Current Cavaliers Point Guard Kyrie Irving
Speaking of Kyrie, he is the only person the Cav’s front office should be concerned of keeping very happy. He is the only player on the roster who a team should be built around. Hey Cleveland! Kyrie Irving is going to be an All Star very soon, he’s going to be a top Point Guard in this league even sooner; Cleveland, this is your next star!
Here I can do it for you Cavaliers front office and best of all is that I won’t charge you a penny. Throw out your pipe dreams of landing Lebron in 2014 and start shopping the free agent market, use your incredibly valuable top draft picks wisely, and also keep Mike Brown around for his contract length, he is a good coach.
Lastly…if I was a Cavaliers fan I’d never want a star player who went out like this, back in my hometown’s uniform.
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