LEBRON JAMES DECIDES TO GO BACK HOME AND PLAY FOR THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

LEBRON JAMES

The NBA’s best player will return to the Cavaliers after a four-year run with the Heat, he announced in an article he penned for SI.com.  James won two titles and reached four consecutive NBA Finals alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.


“When I left Cleveland, I was on a mission,” James wrote. “I was seeking championships, and we won two. But Miami already knew that feeling. Our city hasn’t had that feeling in a long, long, long time. 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.

“My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn’t realize that four years ago. I do now.”

James met with Heat president Pat Riley on Wednesday in Las Vegas, but this time Riley wasn’t able to convince the four-time MVP that South Beach was his best spot to win championships. James wrote there was no friction that precipitated his exit from Miami.

“I’m doing this essay because I want an opportunity to explain myself uninterrupted,” he wrote. “I don’t want anyone thinking: He and Erik Spoelstra didn’t get along. … He and Riles didn’t get along. … The Heat couldn’t put the right team together. That’s absolutely not true.”

Instead, James will join budding superstar Kyrie Irving and No. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins in Cleveland under first-year coach Dave Blatt. The Cavaliers become one of the favorites to win the NBA title James was unable to deliver in his first stint (Bovada.lv moved the Cavs to the top of the board at 4-1, ahead of the 5-1 Spurs and 6-1 Thunder).

“I’m not promising a championship,” James wrote. “I know how hard that is to deliver. We’re not ready right now. No way. Of course, I want to win next year, but I’m realistic. It will be a long process.”

James says in the essay he met with Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert — who wrote a scathing letter bashing James upon his departure in 2010 — and patched up their relationship. He mentions several Cavaliers players by name in the article — but not Wiggins. Yahoo! Sports has reported the Cavaliers may continue to pursue a trade for All-Star forward Kevin Love.

James’ decision is expected to set off a flurry of moves in the NBA. Bosh is expected to sign a max deal with the Rockets, joining James Harden and Dwight Howard in a superstar trio. Wade, who has spent all 11 years of his career with the Heat, is expected to stay in Miami.