At the end of the 2010 NBA season, LeBron James left his Cleveland Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat in a move that shook the NBA.
Known as The Decision – he now faces another tough call on where he will play the next phase of his illustrious career.
The Decision came about because LeBron was frustrated trying to win a championship on his own. Universally acclaimed as the best player in the world by 2010, LeBron was 25 and had played seven years in the NBA, yet only made it to the Finals once. The lack of playoff success was no fault of LeBron’s, rather the perpetually a poor supporting cast of players around him.
In his last playoff series in Cleveland he was accused of quitting on his team due to his uncharacteristically passive play. The truth seemed more that he was worn down by a savvy Boston Celtics team who would mentally and physically attack LeBron while the other players on his team where simply not good enough to lend any support.
Tired of fighting the top NBA teams alone, LeBron teamed up two of his best friends from the 2008 Olympic Team, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, at the Miami Heat. They formed a team like no other before it, with three superstar players in their prime years.
Their time together has been huge success, making the NBA Finals every year and winning two titles.
However, Miami was smashed in the 2014 Finals by the San Antonio Spurs, losing by the highest average margin in NBA Finals history. LeBron’s next contract will be for five years, which will take him to age 34 and the end of his prime.
Dwayne Wade, a top ten player in the league when LeBron joined the Heat, has a degenerative knee which is weakening each season and cannot be counted on for superstar levels of output on a regular basis.
Chris Bosh is still a great player, but when all the big three have signed, it leaves little in the way of flexibility to sign big name free agents.
So far this offseason they have added Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger and added rookie Shabazz Napier to the roster. These players are hardly game changers that would push Miami over the top against the top echelon of teams which come out of Western Conference.
Meanwhile, Cleveland can offer LeBron an enticing roster to play with due to the club’s youth, talent and salary cap situation. They recently re-signed their star player Kyrie Irving to a six-year contract. Irving is already a two time all-star at the age of 22.
Andrew Wiggins was the first selection from the highly rated 2014 Draft and locked into a low-paying rookie deal for the next four years. They also have Anderson Varejeo in the front court, who is the only remaining player from the previous LeBron era. He still effective at 31.
Added to this roster they have young player Dion Waiters, Tristan Thompson, and Anthony Bennett. Each of these players is highly talented being high draft selections over the last couple of years.
NBA rules restrict the amount of money younger inexperienced players can make, giving the team flexibility with its roster.
The Cavaliers are in a position to see how these young players develop. Alternatively it won’t be hard to package them in a trade along with the many draft picks they have owed to them over the next couple of years for a more experienced player.
LeBron grew up in the Cleveland area and was beloved by the whole state as the homegrown hero, the local kid who came from nothing to make it big. When LeBron left for Miami, he broke Ohio’s heart.
They burned his shirt in the streets. A return to Cleveland will return him to the godlike status he once had in the state he still calls home.
astro
Guest
Squid, this concept of 'buying a championship' vs earning it, is wrong in every way. Every NBA owner and GM is trying to 'acquire' whether through trade or free agent acquisition, or the draft if they're lucky, the best team them can. Did the Lakers 'buy' their three-peat after they 'bought' Shaq and Phil? Jordan's Bulls team 'bought' Ron Harper and Steve Kerr, so do we discount those titles? I agree with you that Lebron going back to Cleveland would be a good story, but let's not pretend that his MVPs and championships are anything other than well earned.
mushi
Guest
So if buying =/= dollars then what did he do barter for it with 6 potatoes and a goat? Why is playing in Ohio with a bunch of free agents earning one but playing in Miami with a bunch of free agents (for less money) is buying one? the only difference I see is one you just subject yourself to martyrdom and say you have no control over your own life and the other you actually do something positive. Is there some kind of earning handicap where you just have to subject yourself to martyrdom and play with a horrible roster where Mo freaking Williams was your best ever team mate. If he stays in Cleveland with their management and structure in all likelihood there are no titles. And if the Cleveland scenario is earning one I have never seen a player earn an NBA championship. Never everyone has been gifted by management or "bought" by the player taking his goat and six potatoes to another team. I can not recall a single championship in my basketball watching life where the second and third best players were equivalent to Mo Williams (on his third team - but clearly not "bought") and 37 year old Shaq (on his fifth team and but again apparently not "bought")
Squidward
Roar Rookie
I'm not talking about money. I'm talking about buying a championship rather than really, really earning one in Ohio
Shaun Mancini
Roar Pro
A week ago i was buying none of this talk However the last few days I've started to really believe that he is a real chance of heading back to Cleveland. There is something in this. The whole taking time away and giving Miami absolutely nothing until he met with Riley today suggests he is really thinking this through. If he was just playing games and was never actually thinking about leaving I'm sure Bosh wouldn't have gone and pretty much told Houston he is coming if Lebron leaves. To go with him now having to consult his family about the next move I actually don't think it's a terrible move for Lebron right now anyways. If he does go to Cleveland are they really that far off a Miami team led by what? Wade, Granger and McRoberts? Cleveland have Kyrie and decent pieces (dunno what Wiggins is going to be yet). If they get Lebron the word is they might try and talk to Minnesota again about what it would take to get Kevin Love. A Kyrie/Lebron/Love core is already better then most the East can offer
mushi
Guest
Who hired the coach? If I'm lebron I hark back to the days and remember that their best free agent hire was Mo williams
mushi
Guest
Irony of those statements being that the payroll of his final year in Cleveland was bigger than during his time in Miami. Also goodwill, does no one remember the Gilbert tirade? If I'm him I get up to the news conference and say - I'm going to team X - would have gone home to Cleveland but I refuse to play for Gilbert and earn him another cent on top of the billions he has from destroying middle and low income families for decades
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Lebron has to go back to cleveland. It would be the best for his legacy and goodwil. Rather than have championship and all stars bought around him. To win in that town. His home town. Improving young stars around him would truely finishs his career right next to if not just in the shadow of MJ
Joe
Guest
Irving's lack of development us in large part to having absolutely horrible coaches in his first couple of seasons in Cleveland. Seriously, the coaching there has been beyond bad. Mike Brown is a total moron But yeah there has to be some concern about Cavs management & thats probably Riley's best selling point to lebron right now Riley is a proven commodity when it comes to building a winner, whereas the Cavs hierarchy is anything but
Joe
Guest
The young vs old has a huge bearing on his decision. The Cavs have the young talent who may not win a title next season but going forward over next 2 3 4 years is gonna be in it prime & in addition young fresh legs allow LeBron to carry less of the regular season load which is his #1 issue playing in Miami, having to play extra mins to carry Wades sorry ass Now if Miami goes out & can get a high profile star in next 24 hours he'll probably stay but as of right this second LeBron is sitting at Wynn casino with Pat Riley & hearing what the Heats plan is Unless its a great plan that Riley assures LeBron will be successful I think he's gone back to Cleveland Don't forget, just ONE title in Cleveland would mean more than anything he could do in Miami & thats a big deal to his legacy
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
Ignoring all basketball logic about what team can offer LeBron a better chance of winning a title, chemistry issues etc etc, I love the LeBron to Cleveland narrative for the league as a whole. It kind of refreshes everything and opens up a lot of possibilties. 1) It's a redemption story. Everyone loves a tale about someone heading home after flying the coop and LeBron has the chance to go back and try to win the title he never did in his early years. 2) Bosh heads to Houston and the Rockets suddenly become a bit more dangerous. It could be a repeat of the mid 90s for the Rockets. 3) Melo potentially joins the Bulls (although not likely) to partner Rose and face off in the Central Division against the Cavs and Pacers. 4) Wade and the Heat become a mirror image of the Lakers with a former elite SG heading up a roster full of rookies and guys who aren't difference makers. 5) The Spurs make another great signing and win it all again in 2015 no matter what happens.
astro
Guest
Hey jayme, Agree with you on the Cavs offering more over the next 5 years, but am pretty sure Lebron is keen to win now, not a few years down the track, and to that degree, Miami is in a better position to help him win now (assuming Bosh comes back). I'd also be shocked if any contract Lebron signs with Miami doesn't allow him to opt out after the first 2yrs, which would allow him to jump to Cleveland (or anywhere else) when the team is closer to competing for the title. And just on Kyrie, I wasn't trying to compare him to Wade as much as illustrate that maybe Wade isn't quite as washed up as people say he is. With the exception of the Finals and a couple of poor games against Indy, he was solid when he played in the regular season and playoffs. Agree he's definitely declining, hence the need to find more help!
Jayme Markus
Roar Guru
You make good points astro, I see the Cavs roster as an upgrade over the next five years rather than just next year were Miami would likely have the edge. I agree that they don't get a superstar with their young players but with their cap friendly contracts it offers ease in moving them for players they feel could help the team now (if they choose that path) and first round picks can really grease the wheel for a trade. The Cavs have a new GM in David Griffin who still answers to Gilbert but I like hiring of Blatt and drafting of Wiggins for the team so far. Blatt cant do any worse than Brown who is an awful, awful coach and Wiggins while unproven has all the talent to be a superstar. Also while their stats may be similar, Kyrie is only 22 with plenty of room to improve. Wade is 32 declining and can longer playing on back to backs which is an issue for LeBron who knows he must begin reducing his minutes from here on.
astro
Guest
Yeah, I agree, and really can't Lebron leaving...My point is that IF he were considering actually leaving Miami, then more teams would be chasing him, and chasing hard, and Lebron himself would be showing more interest in his own free agency than what he is.
astro
Guest
Since when does it matter how 'young' or 'old' a team is? Are the Spurs young? Also, you can blame Mike Brown all you like, but the Cavs were horrible well before he arrived. And the genius who hired him is still there. Finally, as of right now, the Heat only have Norris Cole on their books, so I'm not sure how you can say their roster is old. Anderson and Lewis are free agents and the Heat haven't confirmed either are coming back. Battier retired. Allen is still valuable. Granger is 31 and admittedly, he won't do much, but they signed him for 700,000 over the minimum, so whatever he gives them will be better than nothing. So that's a total of 3 'old' guys (assuming you're definition of 'old' is anyone over 30)...By that logic, the Spurs are ancient!
mushi
Guest
I think if you go to Cleveland as a free agent you deserve whatever befalls your career. Irving - they've basically failed to develop him. He's still an and-one gunner rather than a great team point guard. Sure he is an "all star" but that's because the fans voted in a good looking kid that does uncle drew commercials, swished threes and breaks ankles, fans don't care that he actually should be docked vacation days for when his team was on defense and that he's been involved as a destabilising force in the locker room. He’s Marbury at this point and in a year or two the NBA community is going to turn on him like milk in the sun if he doesn’t start to at least give a passing care about defence, teammates disposition or his coaches’ structure. So LeBron is going to waste two years motivating him to become the player he should already be? Varejao – I love what he brings a pity that he hasn’t logged 70 games or 2000 minutes in 5 years, players tend not to get miraculously healthier at 32. You can’t say Dwayne wade is broken whilst talking up sideshow Bob. The Thompson, waiters, bennet platter – Nothing probably typifies why you don’t want to be in Cleveland than this collection of high draft picks. All were a reach by most pundits and not one of them. Thompson is about an average player if you forget his mistakes on D, waiters is a slightly above replacement 7th man type player and Bennet is well a train wreck at this point. The only upside to Cleveland is flexibility and homecoming – but given the cavs track record what gives anyone reason to think they can use that flexibility to deliver a better team? Wiggins – a special talent but unless he surprises this year he is still at least a year away from being the type of guy that is the third best player on a team with title aspirations Not saying LeBron won’t go there but in terms of winning it is a really bad decision to put your future in the hands of this inept franchise.
Joe
Guest
Im not sure how you can look at Miami roster as any better than Cleveland? Without LeBron last season Miami MAY have got the 8th seed in the East The roster is old Put LeBron on this current Cavs team its a 60 win team in the East next season. Its also a young roster with athletes who are on the upswing over next few years as opposed to Miami with guys like Allen Wade Granger & Birdman who barely have anything left The Cavs sucked last season but they had the WORST coach, that moron Mike Brown. He's an idiot the players hated him Unless Miami acquires a big name star in his prime over the next few days to tilt the scale, in their current makeup is not any better than Cleveland. In fact id prefer the Cavs roster with young talent on the rise not Heat with old players who's prime playing days are behind them
Ryan
Guest
I dont think Lebron is really open to signing with other teams. Only a select few. I dont think other teams realistically feel they have a shot, and in having a crack at a very small percentage opporunity they may hinder there ultimate long term strategy (miss out on other players while waiting). Also, I think all western conference teams know that due to the stength of the conference its a big ask, pretty much ruling themselves out. Which leaves the East; teams with even a remote chance include Knicks, Bulls (like 1%), Heat and Cavs. Everyone knows Knicks salary issues for 2014-15. Basically - Heat vs Cavs. The only reason Cleveland is in the mix is the obvious one; the romantic nature of Lebron returning to the Cavs and winning the title. Its a big pull, because when you think about it, all this chasing 6-7 rings, x amount of MVPs etc would be great for the legacy. BUT returning to Cleveland and winning maybe just 1 ring, well that would be huge and give him a very unique place in history. No other teams really offer that sort of opportunity. In saying that Lebron knows what his got at Miami; Pat Riley, Spolestra, ability to attract FA, lifestyle, succesful culture and ultimately ability to influence the roster by his own wants needs i.e Napier. Big risk, massive reward if he leaves. I sort of want him too, just so Melo goes to the lakers, Bosh to Houston, Love goes to a contender and the whole NBA landscape is thrown into chaos.
astro
Guest
Agree that much depends on what Bosh does. He's the guy who would be 'sacrificing' the most, as he'd be walking away from the max at Houston to stay in Miami. What I can't understand though, is that if Lebron was really open to offers and open to signing with other teams, wouldn't the entire league be chasing him??? Why only Cleveland?
Ryan
Guest
I didnt really think there was a chance he would leave Miami this off season, but as time ticks by I think its becoming increasingly likely chance he goes to Cleveland. I do believe it is either Miami or Cavs; others are really just dreaming. Big issue is wether Lebron will genuinely get enough help in Cleveland. Really its Irving (who is streaky), Varejao and than the unknowns of Bennett, Wiggins etc. Cavs will probaly try to trade Waiters and picks for something solid, but is it enough? It comes down to if Bosh leaves for Houston, opening up cap space for the possibility for Carmelo. If Carmelo signs with Lakers/Bulls/Knicks and Bosh signs with Houston; Lebron is going home. If Bosh signs with Houston, and Miami get Carmelo; Lebron stays in Miami. If Bosh sings with Miami on big money, I dont know what happens. Chase Gasol? Interesting times ahead! It has been building this free agency, and It feels like once one peice falls it will all unfold very quickly.
astro
Guest
Sorry, but I can't see how the Cavs roster is an 'upgrade' over Miami. That's not to say that Miami's roster is significantly better, but can we just remember that the Cavs COULDN'T MAKE THE PLAYOFFS IN THE EAST LAST YEAR!!!!! The Cavs, even with Kyrie and Deng for half the year, couldn't make it to 500 in one of the weakest conferences in recent history. That is pathetic. Sure they have Wiggins...But he's yet to play a single game in the NBA. And sure they have David Blatt...But he's yet to coach a single game in the NBA. Saying a rookie and an unproven coach will change everything in Cleveland is a big call. As you mention, the only possibility for the Cavs is to trade assets for more proven talent, but exactly which team is trading a 'superstar' for Tristan Thompson, or Anthony Bennett or Dion Waiters and future Cavs picks? And how will a trade like that change the Cavs salary position? Dan Gilbert and the Cavs hardly have a long and proven track record of trading for great players, even with Lebron on board (Mo Williams anyone?) Miami are in a bind for sure. Even if they bring back Bosh and Wade at reduced salaries, they'll have very little, if any room to do much more in terms of their roster. But they made the Finals last year with Beasley and Oden as useless role players, and they've essentially upgraded them to Granger and McRoberts. The East is still weak. Wade can still compete, just not as regularly as he could previously (Note: Kyrie averaged 20ppg and 6apg last year...Wade averaged 19ppg and 4apg). They have Pat Riley...the Heat win out over the Cavs at this stage.