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

[King_B_Mack]

Quote: Originally Posted by WTF

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.

:s pit:

You a whole damn fool for this hahahahaha.

But question....you want your team to go to a finals and get swept? Cleveland did that

[BraedenG33]

Quote: Originally Posted by 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.

Ahem, where's the Comic Sans.....

[Sinner]

Quote: Originally Posted by ex carrabba fan

Wade As a friend and a teammate, I am sad to see my brother LeBron leave to begin a new journey. In 2010, we decided to come together all for one goal — to win championships and we succeeded. We were friends when we first joined the league and created an unbreakable bond the past four years. Our collaboration will always be very special to me both personally and professionally. We shared something unique and he will always be part of my family. LeBron made the right decision for him and his family because home is where your heart is. I know this was not an easy decision to make and I support him in returning to his roots. As an organization, a community, and as individuals, we achieved the goals we set when we first signed on together. We are champions.

Nice letter from Wade but still can't stand that dude....can't wait till they play and see how either reacts when one makes contact with the other and gets a flop. Or when Wade takes one of his cheap hits on Lebron that he does from time to time.

[turty11]

so lemme break down this contract for yall who may be confused...because the guys on the SL games are confused as hell.

2 years allows him to get his next contract after the TV deal, which will increase the amount he is aloud to get anually alot.

as far as the 1 year opt out goes, people keep saying its to pressure the cavs..

how about, its so he can opt out, and then clear mad cap space for them to make a run at love or any other good FA's who may be available with that space then him resigning after the cap space is filled to their desire

[VDusen04]

All of this feels right. It feels as though a cloud has been lifted from the league for me. I'm not even a Cavaliers fan (a Pistons fan, in fact) but seeing James back in Cleveland is pretty freaking cool. I hope the joy I had in watching him perform pre-Dream Team Miami will now return this upcoming season. This news was very unexpected but very welcome.

Quote: Originally Posted by Majingir

Will the Cavs go back to the "Lebron era" jersey? Really hope so cause those were best jerseys the Cavs had.

I echo your sentiments, though I do not believe it will happen. The mustard and maroon is one of my least favorite combos in the league, on boring generic jerseys to boot. I found the LeBron era unis to be very sleek in contrast.

[kingkilla56]

If Im Wade, should I be uspet that I opted out? Will he get a contract worth near what he had at 42/2yrs?

[King_B_Mack]

Quote: Originally Posted by turty11

so lemme break down this contract for yall who may be confused...because the guys on the SL games are confused as hell. 2 years allows him to get his next contract after the TV deal, which will increase the amount he is aloud to get anually alot. as far as the 1 year opt out goes, people keep saying its to pressure the cavs.. how about, its so he can opt out, and then clear mad cap space for them to make a run at love or any other good FA's who may be available with that space then him resigning after the cap space is filled to their desire

Cavs can't go over the cap to sign him. They would not have his bird rights after one year. Unless Miami sign and trade him to the Cavs. I think bird rights stay intact during a sign and trade. I think.

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[donkey33]

I've been a Heat fan since the days of Rony and it was sad as a Heat fan but we had a great run and am happy for him.

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