LeBron James’ name has become synonymous with trade demands and elongated marches to free agency.
Through the recent talk with big name players like Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard and Deron Williams, James’ name and his decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat has always been used as a cautionary tale.
James told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that he doesn’t believe his situation is similar to any of the aforementioned players, because he reached free agency and simply decided against staying in Cleveland.
“I think his situation is totally different from mine,” James said of Howard. “Everyone keeps comparing all these guys’ situations to mine. I fulfilled my contract in Cleveland. I was an unrestricted free agent, and I was a free agent. I could have done whatever I wanted to do; I could have signed back with the Cavs or leave.
“Dwight’s situation is they were going down to the deadline. I mean, all these other guys going down trade deadline or getting traded, or saying they want to opt in or opt out, my situation is totally different from everyone else’s. I think the best thing about him is he’s happy. The organization is happy that he’s staying and they can move on with their season. But none of their situations—not Chris Paul, not Carmelo Anthony, not Dwight Howard—none of their situations is like mine.”
Much of the hoopla surrounding James’ exit from Cleveland is connected to the way in which he left, with “The Decision” continuing to follow him.
Howard referenced “The Decision” and the hatred it brought to James, something he said he didn’t want to come from his impending free agency, which will come in 2013 after he chose to opt in with Orlando for another season before hitting the market.
“Nobody wants to be hated,” Howard said. “I don’t think LeBron wants to be hated, but he did what he felt was best for him. The way he did it could have been wrong, but he did what was best for him. And he has to live with it, just like me.”
No comments:
Post a Comment