LeBron James Admits Taking Easy Way Out With Miami Heat
It has been quite the busy off-season for the NBA’s top player, LeBron James. Not only did the superstar return to his hometown and rejoin the Cleveland Cavaliers, but it looked like he added a little extra to his head in terms of hair, not ego, and he also trimmed a few pounds from his gut. Unfortunately, the exact numbers were not released to the public; however, he did discuss the recent changes in his life with CNN’s Rachel Nichols.
The most intriguing part of the interview was not the diet James used or the weird dreams he experienced after giving up sweets (read more here on ESPN), but what he said about his decision to leave the Miami Heat. The four-time league MVP said that his decision may have been different had the Heat defeated the San Antonio Spurs. “I mean, it would be hard to leave back-to-back-to-back championships and try to go for four. But, obviously, you really can’t live and think of what may have happened,” said James.
No one knows what may have happened had Miami completed the three-peat, but James’s comments are basically a testament to him “abandoning” ship when things didn’t go the right way. Sure, he has a history of doing this in the past with Cleveland. However, the major difference here is that the Cavs did not provide James with two championships or four Finals appearances. Players like Dwyane Wade and veterans such as Shane Battier and Ray Allen all set aside their personal financial goals to make it all possible for “The King”.
It all comes back to loyalty and were your allegiances lie. Pat Riley stressed the importance of family in 2010 and it worked. Four years later, that same speech bottomed out, the going got tough and James got going. Once his career is said and done, James will be remembered for his tremendous athletic ability and all of his accolades. He will not be remembered as the player who took the easy way out or ran away from a challenge.
Just a heads up to the city of Cleveland and the Cavaliers: You better deliver a championship to James or he will end up leaving you again. He did it in 2010 and Cleveland nearly self-imploded. Miami stayed loyal and faithful; delivering two rings and plenty of money, but that still wasn’t enough as he left them in the middle of the night like a one-night-stand.
You may have him now, Cleveland, but if the ground begins to shake and the foundation begins to crumble, don’t cry when James runs away for someone better. After all, he did that to you once and it can be hard to break old habits. I’m not saying I can’t blame the guy for his decisions, but as a role model to millions, it would be nice to teach the right lessons.
The complete interview with James will premiere Friday, September 26th on “Unguarded With Rachel Nichols” on CNN.
Shane Phillips is a Sports Writer for BigDogSportsBlog.com. Follow Shane on Twitter @ShaneRantSports, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
//
//
//
