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LaBron is coming home!


Tea

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I'm shocked - i mean wow!

 

Excellent read:

http://www.si.com/nba/2014/07/11/lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers

 

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 with Anderson 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...

 

It's a feel-good story but in a way a little creepy - he's a Sports Icon - not a diety.  Good for him and Cleveland nonetheless!

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Wow. Completely shocking. NBA is my least fav sport behind college football, ncaa hoops, nfl football, mlb in that order. I don't like the playing style or lack of hustle. But that is still pretty shocking.

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  • 10 months later...
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11-34 is not impressive.

How about 16 rebounds and 11 assists to go along with that? Curry isn't shooting it any better. Lebron is the best player in the world, and with Kyrie going down has to carry that team on his back. The Cavs have 3 Knick throw aways on their team and we all know how horrendous they were this year. He willed that team to victory last night. The guy is one of the 5 best  players to ever play the game. Settle down Little Boy Blue.  

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I never said he wasn't the best player on the planet right now. he clearly is. his rebounding and passing ability is also top notch. I merely said his shooting performance last night was not impressive. and yes, curry flat out sucked last night, mostly due to dellavedova's defense.

I would say he is second greatest of all time. 2-3 in finals is not impressive either though.

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Top 5 is too tough, but here's my dream team...

 

Magic

Jordan

Lebron

Duncan

Wilt (almost went with Russell)

 

Still taking Warriors in 6. No way the Warriors have another shooting performance like they did last night. Cavs don't have enough manpower besides Lebron for the entirety of the series. If Cavs win, they will on the defensive end. 

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I was surprised they were able to pull that out.  Delly may actually be better for the Cavs then Irving.  I have to wait and see if that was an off night for Curry or if Delly actually frustrated him with his defense.  Kyrie is a defensive liability.  A shoot first slightly inefficient PG.  Lebron runs the point better and scores more efficiently (although he is shooting poorly).  I expect Curry to bounce back.  Warriors win game 3 and take series in 5 or 6.  Cavs will get tired with such a small rotation.  The playoff format has been generous to them so far.  8 days off, 2 days off.  Now we go every other night.

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1. Jordan

2. Bill Russell

3. Wilt Chamberlain

4. Larry Bird

5. Magic Johnson

6. Tim Duncan

7. Shaquille O'Neal

8. Oscar Robertson

9. Kareem

10. Hakeem 

11. Kobe Bryant

 

Lebron not even in the top 10 for me.  I also don't like him and put a huge emphasis on winning and being a champion.  He comes up small in the big moments.  He didn't even come up big in last nights win.  Delly did.  Lebron went 2 - 12 in the 4th.  The greatest of all time don't do that.  He's a stat stuffer.  Great all around player, but for me the greats win.  Numbers don't really matter.  They win.  I'm not giving him a pass this finals.  If he loses, it hurts his resume again.

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Haha. I've learned that word is not okay around here. I won't admit that I don't like a song ever again. Just not okay. Also I never get sad at the show either. It's all blissful no thought dancing or it wasn't worth doing.

Warriors win tonight.

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Last game was a poorly played game for both teams...The Warriors could easily be down 2-0 with the way they have played in the finals so far...They need to get back to ball movement which got them this far. And if the threes are not falling attack the damn paint. Green has been struggling as well. Hoping Clay stays on track and Curry gets his mojo back...Dubs in 6..

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I know that Green is a restricted free agent and the Warriors will probably match any offer, but damn would I like to see that guy in a Knick uniform next year. He's such a hard nosed player, reminds me of Oakley and Mason. He'd be a perfect fit for New York.

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Top 5 is too tough, but here's my dream team...

 

Magic

Jordan

Lebron

Duncan

Wilt (almost went with Russell)

 

Still taking Warriors in 6. No way the Warriors have another shooting performance like they did last night. Cavs don't have enough manpower besides Lebron for the entirety of the series. If Cavs win, they will on the defensive end. 

 

You may want to reconsider your "Warriors in 6" dream.......

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