By AJ Milack
Only four years ago , LeBron James nearly turned the basketball world upside down when he announced on his own ESPN special “The Decision” that he would be leaving his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat. The manner in which he made this choice turned James’ reputation as “Best Player Alive”, into that of a villain, namely in his hometown and to a majority of NBA fans. LeBron’s reputation, however, became sterling yet again as he continued to dominate the league from down South. LeBron James is the player who took Miami Heat to the finals the last four years in a row, winning South Beach back to back titles in 2012 and 2013.
In 2014, the glory faded as Lebron watched his championship team crumble around him and ultimately being outclassed by the San Antonio Spurs. Such a derailment led to what is arguably the biggest offseason move since Michael Jordan retired in 1993 after winning three championships: After remaining silent to the media for months admidst millions of speculations, Lebron shocked the world last week by announcing his future is back with the Cavaliers. .
What was truly the craziest part of LeBron’s move? Was it the fact Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, along with practically all of Ohio, threw dirt on Lebron’s name once he left.. Yet took him back in a heartbeat? Or was it LeBron’s decisiom to team up with superstar Kyrie Irving and number one draft pick Andrew Wiggins, both of whom he chose above his Heat sidekicks? The event that followed was perhaps even crazier. Chris Bosh, Lebron’s former Heat teammate who was all but a lock to join the Houston Rockets after James’ departure, signed the richest contract in basketball (for one day) to stay in Miami. I agreed with ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith when he said, “Bosh should be thanking Lebron”, and “Bosh is a great player, but he is now overpaid by roughly 30 million dollars”. Another interesting aspect of Lebron’s move is that both Bosh and Dwayne Wade were quoted as saying they support the superstar’s decisions and respect his dedication towards his hometown. Very unlike Cleveland fans who voiced fervent hostility in 2010, the general NBA fan base in and outside of Miami understands, even respects LeBron’s move.
When Lebron made his decision this past Friday, the free agency ball began rolling twice as fast. Carmelo Anthony’s decision to stay with the New York Knicks only one day later garnered $4 million over Bosh’s contract. Both Melo and Bosh are signed to 5-year deals, but interestingly enough Lebron is not. James’ 2-year contract leaves the basketball star with an option to opt out of the contract after one year. NBA television deals with networks ABC, TNT, and ESPN end after the 2015-16 season, when revenue is expected to skyrocket — allowing players to sign bigger deals. Lebron’s intelligence obviously extends off the basketball court.
LeBron James i not going out of his way for attention this time around. After the groundbreaking announcement James said, “I’m not having a press conference or a party. After this it’s time to get to work”. His growth not only as a player, but as a person is truly mesmerizing. The city of Cleveland has been without a championship team since the Browns in 1964. If The King can return home and bring this city even a single championship, his legacy will more than likely be set in stone as one of the best basketball players to breathe oxygen on the planet Earth. Sometimes a king must leave his home in search of answers, but LeBron James will return a champion and share that glory with his people.
