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James returns home to Cavs
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LEBRON James is returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers four years after he left his home state to join the Miami Heat, he said on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Heat responded by agreeing to a massive five-year, US$118 million deal to retain nine-time All-Star Chris Bosh.
Dwayne Wade, the third member of the Heat’s “Big Three” was also widely expected to remain in Miami.
Also, the Memphis Grizzlies yesterday signed eight-time NBA All-Star Vince Carter to a multiyear contract.
Carter averaged 11.9 points in 81 games, all off the bench, last season for the Dallas Mavericks. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
James, the NBA’s biggest star, made the announcement in a first-person essay published in Sports Illustrated. It came in stark contrast to his televised decision four years ago for which he was heavily criticized.
Under a banner headline “I’m Coming Home,” James explained his decision to go back to Cleveland after leading a star-studded Miami Heat team to two NBA championships and four Eastern Conference titles.
“Before anyone ever cared where I would play basketball, I was a kid from Northeast Ohio. It’s where I walked. It’s where I ran. It’s where I cried. It’s where I bled. It holds a special place in my heart. People there have seen me grow up,” James wrote.
“I sometimes feel like I’m their son. Their passion can be overwhelming. But it drives me. I want to give them hope when I can. I want to inspire them when I can. My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn’t realize that four years ago. I do now.”
Along with nestling back among his fellow Ohioans, James will be warmed by a contract worth a reported US$88 million for four years, ESPN said.
The Heat, Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers were among teams that had expressed interest in signing James, widely regarded as the best basketball player on the planet.
Cleveland was euphorious.
Taxis honked their horns and fans cheered across the city as news of the return of the Ohio native spread.
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