New SI Cover Story on James and Cleveland

[Moranis]

http://www.si.com/nba/2016/08/02/lebron-james-michael-jordan-ghost-cleveland-cavaliers-championship

Pretty fascinating read and some very poignant thoughts from James. 

[LilRip]

Pretty good read. Lebron actually became more likable for me since he left the Heat. Of course, it helps that the Warriors are now the newest villains too.

[manl_lui]

I think LeBron more than redeemed himself when he won a championship in Cleveland. But to be fair if Irving wasn't there AND if Cleveland didn't make that trade for Love, do you think he would've returned? Also, I think he is playing his FA very well. He knows Wade's health and Bosh's age comes into play so he was probably calculating how much time that Heat team has left vs Irving + Love.

Irving isn't even hitting his prime yet so he'll have a longer window with that team

[saltlover]

I think LeBron more than redeemed himself when he won a championship in Cleveland. But to be fair if Irving wasn't there AND if Cleveland didn't make that trade for Love, do you think he would've returned? Also, I think he is playing his FA very well. He knows Wade's health and Bosh's age comes into play so he was probably calculating how much time that Heat team has left vs Irving + Love.

Irving isn't even hitting his prime yet so he'll have a longer window with that team

He might not have returned without Irving, but he signed before the Love trade was even talked about.  He put that trade on the radar, not the other way around.

[jpotter33]

I think LeBron more than redeemed himself when he won a championship in Cleveland. But to be fair if Irving wasn't there AND if Cleveland didn't make that trade for Love, do you think he would've returned? Also, I think he is playing his FA very well. He knows Wade's health and Bosh's age comes into play so he was probably calculating how much time that Heat team has left vs Irving + Love.

Irving isn't even hitting his prime yet so he'll have a longer window with that team

He might not have returned without Irving, but he signed before the Love trade was even talked about.  He put that trade on the radar, not the other way around.

Eh, they still had the number one pick, which he knew they would trade for another star. So though the Love deal wasn't necessarily talked about yet, he knew they would have the best chance to trade for any star with that asset. James doesn't go there without the Cavs getting the number one pick, which is why so many see it as so suspicious that they got it from the freaking nine spot that year.

[manl_lui]

I think LeBron more than redeemed himself when he won a championship in Cleveland. But to be fair if Irving wasn't there AND if Cleveland didn't make that trade for Love, do you think he would've returned? Also, I think he is playing his FA very well. He knows Wade's health and Bosh's age comes into play so he was probably calculating how much time that Heat team has left vs Irving + Love.

Irving isn't even hitting his prime yet so he'll have a longer window with that team

He might not have returned without Irving, but he signed before the Love trade was even talked about.  He put that trade on the radar, not the other way around.

Eh, they still had the number one pick, which he knew they would trade for another star. So though the Love deal wasn't necessarily talked about yet, he knew they would have the best chance to trade for any star with that asset. James doesn't go there without the Cavs getting the number one pick, which is why so many see it as so suspicious that they got it from the freaking nine spot that year.

understood, but do you think LeBron knows prior when Dan Gilbert was trying to sell him on returning to the Cavs

"Hey look, we have the #1 pick, we can pick Wiggins or trade it for player XYZ, what do you think?"

I'm sure we used the same points for Durant or some form of it

[Moranis]

I think LeBron more than redeemed himself when he won a championship in Cleveland. But to be fair if Irving wasn't there AND if Cleveland didn't make that trade for Love, do you think he would've returned? Also, I think he is playing his FA very well. He knows Wade's health and Bosh's age comes into play so he was probably calculating how much time that Heat team has left vs Irving + Love.

Irving isn't even hitting his prime yet so he'll have a longer window with that team

James was always going to return to Cleveland, but Miami being cheap and Cleveland having Irving and Wiggins led him back to Cleveland a bit faster than even he thought would happen.