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.
Daniel Bond
Roar Rookie
You forgot Toronto, they have pretty much the same team as last season and will be even stronger this season adding depth off the bench. And if there draft picks come right ( which presumably they will be in the d-league for most of the season ) but they will get some game time here and there. The Raptors are the sleeping giants, people need to stop sleeping on them!
mushi
Roar Guru
Dirk, the pistons, the celtics?
josh
Roar Rookie
LeBron has never played with a good centre. Bosh isn't really a C. Cavs got an ageing Shaq. But you'd wonder with a half decent centre how'd that would go. That there draws an MJ comparison? Win a title without a overly offensive minded centre.
josh
Roar Rookie
yeah Bosh at the Raptors was very good. Word is they are making him the focal pint on offence.
mushi
Roar Guru
I think everyone forgets that Bosh, before taking the hit and electing to play third fiddle, was fourth in the league in PER.
mushi
Roar Guru
I agree he’s getting a little overstated and his injury history is worse than Wade’s, but he was 7th in real plus minus amongst centres. I don’t think he’s elite in the sense that he isn’t a top 5 option on either side of the ball but he’ll rebound, control the paint and work as a defensive anchor which is just as important as. He is almost good enough on defence to offset kyrie Irving waving penetrating point guards through like a traffic cop. His biggest thing is that whilst playing great but not elite defence he also executes on offence well taking only shots he can make at a high rate, and works his butt off away from the ball setting screens and walling off help etc that won’t show up in the box score. Again he better not be your second best player if you want to win a title but my concerns are less with replacing him and more pairing him up appropriately and getting a decent back up
mushi
Roar Guru
Who would have thunk it! And yet the New Orleans pelicans, like a clingy lover that's just been dumped, gave the "I can change your mind honest you'll love it here..."
Jayden
Guest
As a Heat and Raptors fan I hope they don't succeed that much, I will be rooting for Thunder this year if my main two don't make it. No idea how Wade will go, the max Bosh contract was stupid though imo.
Hayley Wildes
Roar Pro
I definitely agree with you that Kyrie Irving is overrated. He is a flashy player that has a great highlight reel, but he doesn't consistently do what's best for his team. And, I also hope you're correct with the 'Miami will stink' comment. #BEATTHEHEAT
Hayley Wildes
Roar Pro
Don't forget Washington. They've made some quality moves this off season and John Wall & Bradley Beal are only going to get better with another year under their belts. Losing Trevor Ariza will definitely hurt, but adding The Truth is a very nice way to bounce back. The addition of Kris Humphries will be an underrated move, but he will service them nicely. Can't wait to see how they go.
Greg t
Guest
The east is terrible but in saying that the cavs have an ordinary team. Irving seems inconsistent and overrated and who knows how wiggins will turn out. Waiters is good but the others are average. They definitely lack front court players. How do they stand a chance against the thunder, spurs, mavs, blazers gsw etc. On another note I think Miami will stink.
Greg t
Guest
The east is terrible but in saying that the cavs have an ordinary team. Irving seems inconsistent and overrated and who knows how wiggins will turn out. Waiters is good but the others are average. They definitely lack front court players. How do they stand a chance against the thunder, spurs, mavs, blazers gsw etc. On another note I think Miami will stink.
Hayley Wildes
Roar Pro
wait, are you saying it's a huge mistake to match a big offer on a 'star' that doesn't want to be on your team? SHOCKED
Hayley Wildes
Roar Pro
If he can have an injury free season, I definitely think he can be a driving force on this cavs team. He can influence games in a big way, his health is one of the biggest keys to the cavs success. Yes, he's getting old (will be 32 when the season starts) but LeBron loves him. James and the Cavs must have enough faith in him to be a big contributor as they traded promising centre, Tyler Zeller to the Celtics. Admittedly they needed to that so they could sign LeBron, but if he wanted Zeller on his team, they would've kept him and traded another.
Shaun Mancini
Roar Pro
Is Varejao actually that good? Never plays much and just been hearing around way too many people assuming now that Lebron is back this dude is now an elite big man of the NBA. Not seeing it, an upgrade at some point will be required
Mushi
Guest
You're going to struggle to talk me into Any team featuring Gordon. He's the poster child for "don't match a restricted free agent who begs you to let him leave"
astro
Guest
Haha! Excellent... Can I talk you into jumping on the Pelicans bus? There's something about the Asik/Davis/Anderson front court that looks the goods...If only Eric Gordon wasn't Eric Gordon.
Mushi
Guest
No I'm driving the Washington bandwagon! You can call shotgun but I'm not giving up the wheel!
Mushi
Guest
And that was just figuring out how to fit not figuring out that you need to actually play defence.
astro
Guest
Yeo...it took Wade and Lebron a year to work it out, it'll take Irving (and Waiters) at least that, and maybe more!