My opinion on LeBron James had been well-documented on this awful website over the years. Some would argue with me and others against, which was fine.
All of those years, I will argue he was an immature and selfish player. I felt as if he believed the world revolved around him. In high school, he was becoming this rising celebrity. The whole ordeal with his mom buying a Hummer, to him taking gifts from a store at that time and everything else before getting to the NBA, disliking him became very easy.
Then, of course, all of the years with Cleveland during the first run just made me really despise the basketball player. I felt the whole “Decision” ordeal was the final straw for most. It was easy to root against LeBron James.
Two years ago, something changed. It was almost as if he had grown up. I think he even admitted the “Decision” was a bit over the top. And it was. He decided to come back to Cleveland and help the city win a title.
What started to sell me was watching the ESPN 30 for 30 about Cleveland just being a miserable city both for sports and in general. I swear, that whole documentary can just make you cry your eyes out. All of the failures in sports and shitty economy made me think of my teams and how bad they have been in history. I felt I could relate so much to these people. I pretty much told myself, “I hated the Cavaliers growing up, but damn. Just give them the title once in their lives.”
Down 3-1 to what was supposed to be the greatest NBA team in history, raise your hand if you thought the Cavaliers were going to come back. Don’t worry, I didn’t either. Game 5 arrives and I text one of my friends during the game basically saying “LeBron is just throwing up shots like there is no tomorrow”. And that was true. I could not believe what I was watching. The dude puts up 41 points and they force a Game 6. Then, he repeats the performance by netting 40. He even blocks a shot from Curry during that game and says a few things to him after. I couldn’t help but cheer and laugh at that. I was turning into a believer.
And now, it’s Game 7. WWE has a pay-per-view on at the same time, so I have the TV on for Game 7 and pay-per-view on the laptop. Most of my focus was on the game. I just couldn’t believe what I saw in the last two games. Myself and I am certain everyone else started asking: “Can LeBron do it one more time”?
Game 7 was a classic. I thought the last two games were heavyweight fights with punch and counterpunch continuously. The scores may not be reflective of that, but watching the actual game tells you differently. Game 7 went the distance. The last five minutes made me so intrigued and had me really pulling for the Cavaliers to seal this deal and give the fans not what they want, but what they need. Kyrie Irving hits a huge three, the Warriors go scoreless, due in large part to LeBron. That amazing block towards the end just showed how bad he wanted to win. I thought the shoe was going to fall off when LeBron went for that dunk and landed on the floor hard. I was thinking “broken wrist”. He gets up, misses the first free throw but drains the second one to make it a two-possession game. LeBron finishes with a triple-double.
The Cavaliers bring the first title in sports for Cleveland in 52 years. They deserved it. We as Chicago fans know what it’s like to have teams stab us in the hearts while twisting the knife. Let them have this.
Fire Ryan Poles | Fire Matt Eberflus 
June 20, 2016 at 3:56 pm
Fro l think his leaving was set up between him and gilbert ahead of time they leave bash each other fpr fpur years he comes back they win the title cause if he does not leave they dont get irving or klove the two pieces that helped put them ovet
June 20, 2016 at 3:58 pm
I am convinced that, at the end of the day, LeBron James is all about winning, “international icon” status. More than the two rings he won in Miami, he EARNED this one.
The team was built around him (how much of a hand King James had in it is an argument for another day), and he elevated his game to make everybody better.
He accomplished his mission: bringing a championship to his “home” city.
Today, I give him much props.
All that being said, let’s see if he can hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy a few more times before we include him in the G.O.A.T. discussion.
June 20, 2016 at 7:49 pm
Robert,
I don’t think that was the case at all. It was him pretty much saying he was tired and didn’t believe they had a chance to win the title with the team as constructed at that time. More money, no state tax and more importantly, a better team, awaited him in Miami. Wade and Bosh weren’t going to go to Cleveland.
Him leaving and having the Cavaliers tank didn’t guarantee the top two picks in the draft the following years. But since it did happen and LeBron felt he made a bad choice with the way he chose Miami, he came back. They were able to get the team that he liked.
June 20, 2016 at 11:51 pm
Jordan is still THE MAN…but my hat is off to Lebron and I’m happy for him and the city of Cleveland. He was great – what a block – and “refused” to lose this time…like MJ.