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If you have even the slightest interest in the NBA I’m sure you know that LeBron James will be back in Cleveland for season 2014-15.
Cleveland fans who once burnt their LeBron jerseys after The Decision have pieced the remains back together. Most of them have forgiven him for his four-year stint in Miami that ended with four consecutive trips to the NBA Finals and two Championships.
His decision to return home will change everything in Cleveland. They get their superstar back and will return to the Playoffs for the first time since 2010.
But does it really spell trouble and damage the Championship aspirations for the other 29 teams?
Obviously, the 2014-15 Cavs team will be very good but LeBron couldn’t win the 2014 Championship with two other All Stars by his side. 2015 is going to be even more difficult.
James waves goodbye to Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, who didn’t live up to expectations in this year’s Finals Series, especially the ageing and deteriorating Wade. James didn’t get much help and I think that certainly made his decision to return home much easier.
Comparing Cleveland’s current roster to Miami’s demonstrates that James left an ageing powerhouse to be with a group of young players filled with potential. Kyrie Irving and Andrew Wiggins are sure to form one of the most exciting backcourts in the league.
As for Anthony Bennett, well who knows what will happen with him, but the signs are looking up. He has lost nine kilograms since April and is ready to work, which he has been doing in the Vegas Summer League.
Other contenders have largely remained united and will be stronger next season. San Antonio still have Kawhi Leonard and Tim Duncan. Oklahoma City still have Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Indiana still have Paul George and David West. Dallas still have Dirk Nowiztki and Monta Ellis and have added Chandler Parsons. Washington still have John Wall and Bradley Beal and have added Paul Pierce. Chicago still have Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose and have added Pau Gasol.
It will be interesting to see how the Cavs finish off their roster around James. In my opinion they still need another big man. Anderson Varejao will play the bulk of the minutes at centre and Tristan Thompson will be the starting power forward.
Varejao, if healthy is a great player, and Thompson had a very good 2013-14 season. They are lacking a legitimate backup centre/power forward who can play quality minutes behind these two.
James realises that there is a hell of a lot of work to be done in Cleveland before they are pushing San Antonio. A lot of that work will be on the shoulders of Kyrie Irving and Andrew Wiggins. If Wiggins is able to turn his flashes of brilliance into solid consistent play throughout his rookie year, the Cavs future dominance could be fast tracked.
Does LeBron need to deliver a Championship to Cleveland for him to be completely forgiven for his four years at South Beach? Most likely, yes. Will he deliver a Championship in 2015? I think not. He is definitely one of the most influential players a team can have, but I don’t think he has the supporting cast around him to do it in 2015.
There are just too many great teams around at the moment.
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