LeBron James announced Friday that he will rejoin the Cleveland Cavaliers next season, returning to the hometown club he spurned in 2010 after sparking the Miami Heat to two NBA titles.
The dramatic move from the 29-year-old James, the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, ended days of speculation about his free agency choice, which had Cleveland fans in a frenzy of anticipation.
“In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have,” James, who grew up just south of Cleveland in Akron, told Sports Illustrated in a first-person essay.
“I’m ready to accept the challenge. I’m coming home.”
James posted a photo of himself in a Cavaliers uniform on Instagram and Twitter with the phrase “I’m coming home” and the Cavaliers logo.
“We’re not ready right now. No way. It will be a long process, much longer than it was in 2010. My patience will get tested.”
James leaves behind a veteran Miami club with teammates Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh and joins a young squad with new coach Dave Blatt, star guard Kyrie Irving and this year’s top NBA draft pick, guard Andrew Wiggins, that could be a contender for many years to come.
“I’m going into a situation with a young team and a new coach. I will be the old head,” James said. “But I get a thrill out of bringing a group together and helping them reach a place they didn’t know they could go.”
The wait for James to make his decision shut down most other major free agency decisions in the league and kept fans in Miami and Cleveland spellbound to US sports television networks that provided non-stop coverage of his every move.
James was selected by Cleveland as the top pick of the 2003 NBA draft and won Rookie of the Year honours. He guided the Cavaliers to their only NBA Finals in 2007, where they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs.
In 2010, James became a free agent and staged a television show on ESPN called “The Decision” on which he announced he was leaving for Miami, a much-criticised move that prompted Cleveland fans to burn his jerseys in anger.
2010. 2014.
See how the Cleveland Plain Dealer reacts to LeBron’s return – http://t.co/EpIYoMLGB7 pic.twitter.com/aaQzzLjPwA
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) July 11, 2014
“I always believed that I’d return to Cleveland and finish my career there. I just didn’t know when,” James said.
“When I left Cleveland, I was on a mission. I was seeking championships and we won two.
“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.”
Not since the 1964 Cleveland Browns won the National Football League crown has the city known a major sports champion.
Dan Gilbert, the Cavaliers owner who called James a coward for leaving and joked about his “King James” nickname, praised James on Twitter shortly after the return was confirmed.
“Welcome Home @kingjames. I am excited for the fans and people of Cleveland and Ohio. No fans and people deserve a winner more than them,” Gilbert said.
Miami Heat owner Micky Arison, whose team won the 2012 and 2013 NBA titles but lost finals to the Dallas Mavericks in 2011 and San Antonio last month, tweeted about his unhappiness.
“I am shocked and disappointed in today’s news. However I will never forget what Lebron brought us for 4 years. Thanks for memories @KingJames.”
astro
Guest
Hey squid, Yes, I readily admit, I never thought Lebron would split Miami for Cleveland...I never made sense to me as a move. But turns out I was thinking the wrong thing about Lebron. I was looking at it from purely a basketball perspective, whereas clearly Lebron was looking at it from a more personal perspective and what it would mean for his home town to play and win there. For the record, I don't support any team in the NBA. The only allegiance I have it to the Aussie players in the league, who I'll always cheer for!
Calum
Guest
That plus getting some decent players in. The take home from the finals were that the wade was done, the roster need some serious bolsters and that the heat were probably not in he top 3 teams in the NBA. My guess is that James was open minded but once the heat failed to get in some new blood he was able to see Miami's days a championship level team were done. What's the point in staying in that case?
Calum
Guest
Bosh is apparently committed to re- signing for the heat, but is in Ghana at the moment. Bad move though IMHO. They may aswell start rebuilding entirely. If they sign bosh and wade, it's the worst of all worlds. Nowhere near good enough to win championships, not that much cap space but competitive enough to not get high draft picks.
B-Rock
Roar Guru
Bennett is no superstar but will be much better this year - he's in shape and not injured, will develop over time.
Red Kev
Roar Guru
I have to say what I am most looking forward to is the grilling Brett McKay will give ROC for all his "LeBron isn't going anywhere" talk since he became a free agent. The Cheap Seats podcast should be entertaining this week.
Red Kev
Roar Guru
He would have, if he thought Wade could carry any part of the load.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
This is surprising, thought he would stay in Miami for a few more years and then head back to Cleveland. Cavs nation must be over the moon. All of a sudden they're a contender in the East. LBJ is a real Ohio guy and desperately wants to bring them a title.
Shaun Mancini
Roar Pro
Incredible You felt it coming though, giving Miami nothing in the last few days was enough for me. Good on him i say, he went to Miami to win championships. He had something very special with Wade and Bosh but was there much left to do in Miami? He's done everything that he needed to do now it's time to come home. Cleveland means so much to him, he never lost that feeling. Now that this is out of the way Free Agency is back on! How about Chris Bosh? Turns his back on Houston last minute to take a max deal and stay in Miami. Houston had just spent the morning clearing Jeremy Lin and Omar Asik off the books in the process of making room for Bosh to have him say no thanks! They obviously have to go match the Dallas offer sheet for Parsons and now have to pay him over and can't trade him. So they now have absolutely nothing to offer Minnesota if plan C was to chase Kevin Love. Houston massive losers out of today. All the talk is Cleveland are now clear favourites for Kevin Love. I'm not seeing this as clear? They've already said they won't add Wiggins and most likely Waiters to any trade discussion. Absolutely no way a Cavs offer of what? T.Thompson/Bennett is better then anything Golden State for example can offer. Minnesota don't need to play into anyones fairytale if they don't want to. So i don't know what happens here. It's another fun day in the NBA
Mushi
Guest
That surely had to be it - I'm staggered that he was willing to go back and earn millions for a guy that ripped into him - because prior to that they didn't really have the assets right. Irving's game is perfect for the allstar game - and one basketball - but he better hit the gym and focus on defence and moving off the ball if he wants to not be on the end of a "what the f%^k was that" stare from bron every third possession
Mushi
Guest
Wasn't dispelling the possibility of a move some of us were dispelling the move as this massive upgrade concept (it only really is an upgrade if love comes which he's reportedly said he will now) and your horrendously constructed "bought argument" that was the efforts of jilted child not an actual thought process. Old fan btw but probably more basketball fan than particular club
Mushi
Guest
Bosh has reportedly taken the heat's max offer
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Playing with Kyrie when KI got all star MVP ?
Red Kev
Roar Guru
Wiggins isn't signed yet (according to Sportscenter). They'll consider trading him for Love but I doubt that will go through unless LBJ really wants Love on the roster.
Ryman White
Editor
Incredible news! At what point did this plan start really ticking over in his head I wonder... When the Cavs landed the number 1 pick?
Joe
Guest
Anthony Bennett is a #1 overall pick in name only. His actual talent level is at that of an NBA D-League player.He is garbage & was the #1 pick in arguably the worst NBA draft of all time The other 3 are all legit talents should be fun to watch the Cavs get up 'n down the court next season.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Greatest thing I've ever heard after 4 long years as a Cavs supporter. Get that up ya the fellas dispelling it the other day. Prob (now former) Heat fans
Kevin
Guest
Have followed this intently and the authors comments about free agency in standstill Until this decision are 100% true.. It's amazing how two players ( melo) have held up the acquisition and movement of players for so long... Wow is bosh leaving for Houston? The heat will be decimated , The genius move for Cavs was acquiring Ray " hit a three from the 1st row with no time on the clock to save the 2013 finals" Allen The east is so crap they the Cavs should waltz in to the finals,
ohtani's jacket
Guest
I think it will be four -- Lebron James, Kyrie Irving, Anthony Bennett and Andrew Wiggins. That's if they don't trade Wiggins. The Lakers had Kareem, Magic and James Worthy, all number one draft picks.
Brendo
Guest
The Cavs actually have 4 number one picks right now. Assuming they don't send Wiggins to the Timberwolves for Kevin Love. Kyrie, Bennett, Wiggins, Lebron.
WoobliesFan
Guest
Massive news. Question - has there ever been a team with 3 number 1 picks at the same time? Wow, this is going to be a massive time for Cleveland.