LeBron James: I'm coming back to Cleveland (OFFICIAL)

[The 24th Letter]

Quote: Originally Posted by jeebs9

Only 2 years... I'm really confused now. Should I start crying again?

"LeBron is expecting the salary cap to jump massively in 2016, James aims to re-sign at that time. Fully committed to Cavs long term."

[BringTheHeat]

Quote: Originally Posted by videlsports

Happy For Cleveland , I like Lebron Glad he went Home to Akron. Miami feels the Heartbreak now, but lets see IF the Miami fans stick around.

Those Miami "fans" are now Cleveland "fans".

And no we're not actually heartbroken, sad to see him go? Sure. But we'll still make the Playoffs and I highly doubt Riles doesn't already have a plan.

[BraedenG33]

Quote: Originally Posted by BringTheHeat

Those Miami "fans" are now Cleveland "fans". And no we're not actually heartbroken, sad to see him go? Sure. But we'll still make the Playoffs and I highly doubt Riles doesn't already have a plan.

I wouldn't call the playoffs a guarantee. The Heat play in a tough division with Atlanta (an 8 seed last year with Horford returning) Washington (most of that team is coming back and Wall and Beal are dangerous) and Charlotte (Big Al and co. had some success last year and will be looking to build on it). Then You have Cleveland, Chicago, and Indiana all fully stocked for the upcoming season, and the winner of the Atlantic Division (probably Toronto or Brooklyn, or maybe New York if they play better in the triangle under Phil Jackson puppet-- I mean, under Derek Fisher), and that takes seven spots already. Those 9 teams (including both NY teams), plus Miami, are the ones fighting for a playoff spots. I personally would take Cleveland, Indiana, Chicago, Washington, Toronto, Atlanta, and Brooklyn over Miami, and it would be close between Charlotte and Miami, both of whom are probably better than New York. So while I do expect them to get in, only barely and its no guarantee.

[J_Posse]

Quote: Originally Posted by BlueNGold

So LeBron only signed a 2 year deal worth $42.1 million. Now before anyone freaks out, the league is about to be negotiating a new TV deal and with the way team's values have skyrocketed (as evidenced by the Bucks and Clippers sales), you have to assume the salary cap and player salaries are going to shoot up as well.

Happy to see LeBron back in Cleveland, but for what it's worth LeBron could be setting himself up for one last big pay day before he retires. I've also heard from a co worker - that told me way back in October/November that LeBron was likely returning to Cleveland - that LeBron doesn't see himself playing beyond 35 years old. He doesn't want to be old and broken down just hanging on for a paycheck. So, he could be positioning himself to earn another max level deal (for 3 or 4 years) with a much higher ceiling in place depending on how the next labor negotiations go.

I never had issue with him choosing to leave Cleveland, though to be honest I wanted him to remain with his hometown for sentimental pro basketball fan reasons, but I felt the execution was poorly done. I'm happy and elated that the fences could be mended and LeBron is returning where his basketball journey began. I hope his return is another economic boon not just for Dan Gilbert and the Cavaliers organization - get ready for 1,000 jersey variations a season, again - but for those life long residents of Ohio that have struggled economically and their region ridiculed. Being from Maryland, I understand how perception and economic struggle can alter a city (Baltimore) and taint people's view of it (Washington, DC prior to being regentrified). I also hope he brings them that long awaited NBA championship, but after the Spurs finally repeat this season.

[WTF]

Quote: Originally Posted by z Revis

Hold up LeBron goes to the Cavs and now you're done with the Pacers? That aint right. wtf WTF lol.

Quote: Originally Posted by The 24th Letter

"These mods ain't loyal" J/k

Quote: Originally Posted by HealyMonster

Lol, reading his post I'm like is this happenings right now? Like that? All we been through last 4 years? His wife like man cave if you root for the cavs, he like whelp I tried guys, later Paul George, good luck with that baby mama drama.

Before anyone ever cared who I would choose to support in basketball, I was a kid from Central Kentucky. 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. 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 this region is bigger than basketball. I didn’t realize that four years ago. I do now.

Remember when I was watching Lebron sit up there at the Boys & Girls Club in 2010? I was thinking, This is really tough. I could feel it. I was leaving something I had spent a long time supporting. If I had to do it all over again, I’d obviously do things differently, but I’d still have left. Indiana, for me, has been almost like college for other kids. These past four years helped raise me into who I am. I became a better supporter and a better fan. I learned from a franchise that had been where I wanted my team to go. I will always think of Indiana as my second home. Without the experiences I had there, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing today.

I went to Indiana because of z Revis and HealyMonster. We made sacrifices to keep dunnyduns. I loved becoming a big bro to AuburnAlumni . I believed we could do something magical if we came together. And that’s exactly what we did! The hardest thing to leave is what I built with you guys. I’ve talked to some of them and will talk to others. Nothing will ever change what we accomplished. We are brothers for life. I also want to thank Larry Bird and Frank Vogel for giving me an amazing four years.

I’m doing this essay because I want an opportunity to explain myself uninterrupted. I don’t want anyone thinking: He didn't like Lance Stephenson. … He didn't appreciate the stripper baby mama drama. … Hibbert couldn’t put his girl and PG together. That’s absolutely not true.

I’m not having a press conference or a party. After this, it’s time to get to work.

When I left Cleveland, I was on a mission. I was seeking championships, But Indiana couldn't give me that. Our team hasn’t had that feeling in a long, long, long time. My goal is still to watch the Cavs win as many titles as possible, no question. But what’s most important for me is bringing more support back so the Cavs can bring one trophy back to Northeast Ohio.

I always believed that I’d return to Cleveland and finish my career there. I just didn’t know when. After the season, free agency wasn’t even a thought. But I have a little boy, a little girl and my wife. I started thinking about what it would be like to raise my family in my hometown, Pacer fans. I looked at other teams, but I wasn’t going to leave Indiana for anywhere except Cleveland. The more time passed, the more it felt right. This is what makes me happy.

To make the move I needed the support of my wife and a new projector. My emotions were more mixed. It was easy to say, “OK, I don’t want to deal with these people ever again.” But then you think about the other side. What if I were a kid who looked up to an athlete, and that athlete made me want to do better in my own life, and then he left? How would I react? Do I want my son to grow up watching the Pacers? We’ve talked it out. Everybody makes mistakes. I’ve made mistakes as well. Who am I to hold a grudge?

I’m not promising that the Cavs will win a championship. 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, much longer than it was in 2010. My patience will get tested. I know that. I’m going into a situation with a young team and a new coach. I will be just like an old fan. But I get a thrill out of watching a group come together and cheering them on to reach a place they didn’t know they could go. I see myself as a stable fan now and I’m excited to cheer for some of these talented young guys. I think I can help ridicule Kyrie Irving until he becomes one of the best point guards in our league. I think I can help chastise Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters. And I can’t wait to reunite my love of side show bob, Anderson Varejao, one of my favorite players.

But this is not about the roster or the organization. I feel my calling here goes above basketball. I have a responsibility to support, in more ways than one, and I take that very seriously. My presence can make a difference in Indiana, but I think it can mean more where I’m from. I want kids in Central Kentucky, like the ones down the street in the cul de sac, to realize that there’s no better team to cheer on. Maybe some of them will come home after college and start a family or open a business, and help build a local Cavalier fanbase. That would make me smile. Our community, which has struggled so much cheering for the Bengals, Reds... well it needs all the talent it can get.

In Central Kentucky, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have.

I’m ready to accept the challenge. I’m coming home.

[The 24th Letter]

[RedSceptile]

I'm still gonna burn your jersey WTF.

[z Revis]

GTFO. We brought you in 4 years ago to build something great and something towards the future and you leave when we're right at our peak? And for what? The team you grew up watching? What about the team you supported the last 4 years? And now you think you can write some essay and we're supposed to forgive you? Nah there aint gonna be no happy sob he's going home stories on this one. You betrayed us and for that we are not "brothers for life." I hope your return to Cleveland fandom is twice as bad as it was before. And let me tell you something, I personally guarantee that the Indiana Pacers will win an NBA championship before your disloyal *** wins one. Let's go Healy, time to recruit someone who knows how to be a true Pacers fan.