Lebron to Come Back?
2013-01-31
Will he come back to Cleveland?
Adrian Wojnaroski wrote an article about the end of the super-team, the new salary cap rules, and Lebron’s possible return to the Cavs. Here’s the link. Make of it what you will; the bit about Lebron possibly flip-flopping on the Decision, but choosing to stick with Miami due to the Comic-Sans letter, is hard to believe. For the record, I absolutely dread the return of the King, and I think that Dan Gilbert’s angry letter was a proud moment for Cleveland sports.
Ok, it’s like this. You had this really hot girlfriend for 7 years. She was the hottest girl out there and you loved her. You made her the center of your world and the two of you would talk about a long term commitment, even marriage. But, in those 7 years you were never able to give her the “big O”. Admittedly that’s partly your fault because in that time you probably should have figured something out. She got frustrated and left you for a better looking man. A couple years later she says “Now that I’ve been able to… Read more »
I agree with Versus. I think the backlash helped Lebron mature. Him failing in the finals after getting what he wanted helped him take that last step. It was no longer Gilbert or Mike Browns fault. It was no longer the city of Cleveland’s fault for not appealing to free agents. It was no longer Mo WIlliams fault. The sole responsibility for the Heat losing to the Mavs was Lebron. If he would have hit his averages they probably would have beaten Dallas. He needed to accept the responsibility of failure. It made him a better player and probably a… Read more »
@Hot Sauce – Born and raised in Cleveland – Loved the Letter. Not sure I’d say it was a “proud” moment. But I’ll defend that letter forever – could give 2 you know whats about what “true fans” of the game think or whatever. You can say what you want about Gilbert and speculate on his intentions or talk about the casinos or dislike him because he’s wealthy or outspoken. Fine. You cannot deny that he is EXACTLY the kind of owner that any city, but particularly Cleveland needs. The guy spends tens of millions on DRAFT PICKS. Kyrie Irving… Read more »
That being said – if LeBron calls up Chris Grant/Dan Gilbert and says “I talked to Alonzo Gee, he’s cool sharing minutes – mind if I come home?” I’d talk myself into it. (It’s a gift)
He can come back only if he signs for the league minimum. That’ll show if your sorry or have unfinished business.
I’ve been a cavs fans since I immigrated to this country in 1987. Barely spoke English, but I knew the CAVS were my team. So almost 30 years. Graduate and law school, too many ex- GFS to name (I essentially lost a relationship, because I chose to watch a playoff game, instead), and a move to California. I’m still a CAVS fan. Why do I share those details? What I’m getting to is this… the last remnants of my 8 year old self died the night of the decision. But, I’d welcome back LeBron, because our chances of finally winning… Read more »
Darnell Valentine! I have his rookie card. Now I can give my wife a Valentine’s card!
D- I’m on board with most of what you’re saying here. I don’t know what that guy meant when he said the Letter was racist.
Pains me* not painstaking
Damn look at all of the trolls on the site? If u aren’t from here, u don’t get it. Dan Gilbert has done more for this city than most even realize and his letter was the right thing to do. And “borderline racist”? I’m black. The idea that that letter was racist was absurd. To the idiot that said that, kick rocks. As far as Lebron is concerned, I don’t want him back either. But if he wants to come back, u do it. No ifs ands or nuts about it. I respect Gbert’s business acumen. He’d be a bad… Read more »
Hot Sauce- I was born in California, but I’ve been in Cleveland since I was 4.
Not to mention that Lebron is even better(!) now than he was when he was winning MVPs here. Seeing him and Kyrie playing together in the All-Star game should be a delicious taste of the future.
Lebron is more mature as a person and as a basketball player since he left. Maybe the whole situation helped his development.
Either way, he is the best basketball player on the planet and I would welcome him back to the team. I can only hold a grudge for so long and Lebron clearly regrets the way things transpired and has probably matured as a result.
Seriously, if you enjoy watching the Cavaliers win basketball games, you should welcome the idea also.
Awhile back, I was surprised to learn that many of the commenters and posters here were not raised in Cleveland. I never thought people outside of Cleveland could be diehard Cavs fans. But I think the LeBron Era changed that. Cleveland gained more of a national fanbase. I am curious if the people who were offended by Gilbert’s letter were raised in Cleveland. I think it makes a difference. I loved the letter. Still do. He was honest about how he felt, and it was precisely the way I felt. But I am from Cleveland, so the emotions I have… Read more »
It is absolutely mind-boggling to me that anyone could consider Dan Gilbert’s letter a “proud moment”. How about a championship? I’m pretty sure the first championship in Cavaliers history would trump that. The effort by Cavaliers fans to minimize LeBron’s accomplishments and rationalize not wanting him back is totally absurd. Having him back, along with the dynamic young core in place (as well as future pieces – another lottery pick, another FA acquisition aside from LeBron) would instantly catapult the Cavs to championship contention. And I hope it happens. Put me in the camp that values “actually winning” over “doing… Read more »
here’s the way I look at the whole Lebron coming back thing. I don’t blame Lebron, I don’t hate him and if he came back, like an ex girlfriend who left you for someone else and then came back, I’d still welcome him back, I just wouldn’t trust him, and alot of the crap him pulled before, (The Cowboys and Yankees fan BS) wouldn’t fly anymore for me. But we’d also win like 70 gajillion NBA championship with Lebron added to the young core we have, so I think I’d get over it fast. I’m only against it for two… Read more »
I can’t give you an entirely rational explanation for my dislike of the idea of Lebron coming back to Cleveland. Basketball-wise it’s a no-brainer, obviously. But don’t you remember what it was like? The entirely city of Cleveland bent on their knees, literally begging Lebron to stay in Cleveland. People sang, wrote letters, dedicated art to him. This city loved Lebron James, and for a few months after that loss to th Celtics, this city gave all it had in an attempt to hold on to the best player in the world. I grew up with the Lebron-era Cavs. He… Read more »
Kj is right about Adrian Wojnaroski. He’s pretty well connected, and we shouldn’t disregard anything he reports. Also, Brian Windhorst has been saying this since last season. I think the Cavs are in a good position where they can upgrade the roster by making a FA signing this off-season and still have room for LeBron. For those of you saying you won’t welcome him back, I believe you will change your minds. You’re not going to boo him if he’s playing well and helping the team win. You may take longer to warm up to him, but you will…and there’s… Read more »
Dani – Are you really saying that in a few years time when Lebron hypothetically could return to a Cavs team that may be ok or even good (think Atlanta hawks’esqu hovering between the 4th and 8th seed in the Eastern conf) and the addition of the best basketball player in the world puts them immediately in title contention, you wouldn’t add the best basketball player in the world? I’m born and bred clevelander through and through but the thought of passing on one of the best basketball players in the world to potentially bring a title to CLE because… Read more »
Don’t see it. There are too many options for him. Even LAL can be rebuilt in a year with some smart moves. Let’s have this discussion in 2017.
Dan Gilbert’s letter was anything but a proud moment for Cleveland! He is not even a Clevelander, he is from Michigan and has no idea what we have gone though as a sports city. The truth is he is a spoiled petulant brat that isn’t used to people saying no to him. He is the classic rich guy that surounds himself with yes men. Which is ironic because that was Lebron’s entire experience in Cleveland. If there are any Cavs fans that would not want to see Lebron play with Kyrie in 2 years, they don’t deserve a winner. Enjoy… Read more »
I agree that a players league is a ridiculous idea…
Oh and the idea of the players opting out and forming their own league is laughable. Good luck finding an appropriate arena to play in or a TV network to negotiate with after you break off from the NBA. Notwithstanding startup costs and the challenges of staffing/infrastructure,
Josh-
I wouldn’t say that my statements about Gilbert’s letter actually have much to do with Lebron. But Cavs fans were left hanging in the worst way when Lebron left, and that letter was just about the only thing we had to hold onto. Vitriolic? Certainly. Over the top? Probably. I still believe that it was needed.
A proud moment? An angry, myopic and self-serving “open letter” is a proud moment? For who? I don’t understand that in the least. Dan Gilbert was the owner of the team. Lebron was a player. The player made a player-first decision much like the organization makes self-serving decisions all the time. If Dan Gilbert had put so much passion into ensuring that his team was run with a complete attention to detail then we would have been in a much better place even with the biggest FA loss in sports. That letter was petulance and frustration. Frustration that could have… Read more »
He quit. Thats pretty much all that needs to be said.
Proudest moment in sports history? Really? I genuinely hope you don’t get paid to publish this nonsense. Being a part of True Hoop, I assume you would approach this subject with at least a smidgen of objectivity. And as an adult, I would hope you’re above this lowbrow demagoguery. Yes, this kind of blind vitriol may be appealing to other scorned Cavs fans, but it just doesn’t play with true fans of the game. There are very few absolutes in sports, but one of those truths is Lebron plays his ass off two ways with unprecedented versatility and, more often… Read more »
Lebron is a grass is greener guy. It’s what led him to SVSM and to Miami. I don’t see this Heat team aging gracefully. In 2014-15 the big three alone with account for $61 million. They’ll probably amnesty Miller by then but they will still have a $4.6 player option on Haslem and a $3.8 million player option on Anthony. I can’t imagine either of them not picking those up. Miami can reload…After two of the collusion three are off their books. I don’t see Wade opting out because this is his last big contract. Maybe he’ll start drinking deer… Read more »
Why wouldn’t he stay in Miami past 2014? This makes no sense to me. Miami can make its team from scratch. Kevin Love has an opt out that year, among a million other people. The Heat can build another super team in Miami. Another possibility exists too: LeBron to the Lakers. Or the Celtics. It’s going to be another media mess: the decision 2.0. Another possibility looms as well for LeBron. 2017, either the players or the owners may opt out of the CBA. If I was LeBron and wanted to make some real money? I’d convince the players to… Read more »
I feel like LeBron will come back to Cleveland in 2014. I hope he does. I’ve been a Cavs fan since well before LeBron was even a word in Cavs fans vocabulary. I’ve seen them battle for a playoff spot n I’ve seen them when they we’re on the brink of glory. Maybe he did do all of us Cavs fans horribly wrong, but don’t we deserve a title by now? Honestly, if he does decide to come back to his hometown n try to make things right, wouldn’t people forgive him? I understand why he did what he did,… Read more »
Jorts you don’t get to talk he won you a championship. He’s not your hometown hero, he was ours.
Well Cory, there is such a thing as being clutch. In fact it’s measurable in today’s NBA. It took a while for LBJ to learn how to be clutch. KI has taken it on immediately and is already one of the best in the league.
Is the guy who takes the last shot a real thing or has it been manufactured by sports journalism? I don’t think where Lebron will play will be dictated by if some other guy on that team might take the last shot. I don’t know if James will come back to Cleveland but I’m confident won’t stay in Miami past 2014.
If Dan Gilbert’s borderline racist, false bravado letter is a “proud moment” in Cleveland sports than it explains a lot about its bitter history and overall outlook.
Agree with 100% with Ctown. The thing that annoys me the most is how much he loves this.
Heat fan here. I’d be ok with Lebron going back to Cleveland in 2014 if that’s what he wants to do. Its fun having on the team now but, I won’t have any lingering resentment if he wants to leave in the future. I think he wants settle some unfinished business there now that he knows how to win the big games. Now if he went somewhere besides Cleveland or Miami then, I might not be as pleased.
CTown…I agreed with your first 1.5 sentences. But man you are one bitter little girl. Stop pretending you don’t want Lebron back on your team. Get over it and pray until your hands bleed that he comes back.
I don’t think he’ll come back, but if he did, how would he handle having to give KI the last shot? He’d clearly be the better option.
I would love it if LeBron comes back. However, I’m betting that Grant and company build the team like he isn’t going to come back. I”m sure they’ll easily have the cap space and money to sign him if need be though.
Gotta say whatever. The biggest thing that stood out to me on that article was the two paragraph snark-fest that Woj unleashed on John Hollinger. Odd. “Cable Sports Company” – reeks of disdain.
I learned the hard way not to discount anything Wou writes about LBJ…