On Friday, July 11, 2014, Lebron James uttered the words no Miami Heat fan would ever want to hear – that he was returning to Cleveland as a prodigal son.
“My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball,”James told Sports Illustrated. “I didn’t realize that four years ago. I do now.”
After the 2013-2014 NBA season ended, with the Miami Heat suffering an excruciating loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals, James started to question his future with the Miami Heat. Being a free agent, he heavily contemplated which team he wanted to play with for next season and beyond. Teams that pursued him included the Heat, Cavaliers (Cavs), Bulls, Clippers, etc. James ultimately decided that going back to Cleveland would be his best bet for another title. His choice caused a lot of commotion, so much so that Miami Heat fans were outraged, burning his jersey, disgusted by his choice.
Sid Bajpai’17 shared his opinion on Lebron’s leaving: “I don’t like James leaving because he was doing well on the Heat and it was annoying that he was a free agent. I can never trust him to be loyal to a team ever again. I think he betrayed the Miami Heat. I am not going to wear my Lebron James Miami Heat jersey, as long as he is on the Cavs.”
Cavs fans however, were ecstatic when they heard the news. There were parades, Welcome Home signs, banners, etc. The atmosphere was very warm and welcoming as James returned home. The people of Cleveland were stunned, having endured four straight years of the Cavs not reaching the NBA Finals, when, coincidentally, James was last a member of the team. Now that they have Lebron James on their team and a whole new revamped roster, things are looking good for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Audrey His’18, a freshman at Ridge, states her opinion on Lebron changing teams: “Lebron James coming to the Cavaliers was the best thing that happened. I like Lebron James, and I think the Cavaliers have a great shot at winning the championship this year.”
Lebron James is arguably the best player in the history of the NBA. Last season with the Heat, he averaged 27.1 points per game, 6.9 rebounds per game, and 6.4 assists per game. He was named the Most Valuable Player for the 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2013 seasons. He was also the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player in the 2012 and 2013 seasons. With such impressive stats and achievements, what team wouldn’t want him?
Whether you like the Miami Heat, or the Cleveland Cavaliers, the fact of the matter is that James is on the Cavaliers now. Things should get interesting when the two teams face off in South Beach on Christmas Day…