Cleveland return in LeBron's future?

[elcheato]

I joked about this a few days ago but apparently a writer actually wrote an article about this before the Cavs-Heat game the other day:

Playing against the Cavaliers will always be special for Miami’s LeBron James, even if he ever tried to deny it. So far, he hasn’t done that — and that alone should really tell you something.

James just has too much history with his hometown franchise to treat Miami vs. Cleveland as just another game. That includes everything from his upbringing in nearby Akron to the Cavaliers selecting him with the No. 1 overall pick in 2003. You know the rest.

It was all sunshine and roses for both James and Cavs fans and now James is said to feel largely unwelcome in Cleveland — and disappointed because of it. Those close to him say its affected him greatly on occasion. Even boos in other cities bugged him last year, and still do.

Now, there is talk that James is less-than-thrilled with certain aspects of the Heat organization. Sources in Miami say that while James still thoroughly enjoys playing alongside fellow stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, he doesn’t particularly care for the heavy-handed and disciplined style of team president Pat Riley.

James can opt out of his contract at the end of the 2013-14 season, and speculation is he will strongly consider it if Riley remains in his current role. And the team James would be eyeballing most in free agency, say those close to the situation, would be the Cavs.

Of course, James has never indicated as much, and if he does feel that way, he is wise enough to not say a word. Anyone who saw the secretive manner in which he kept the Cavs guessing already knows that.

But if these sneaking suspicions are true, if James really does hope to make another free agent splash and return to Cleveland someday, he would have a lot of things to consider. First and foremost, of course, would be whether or not fans would be willing to welcome him back after so much time away.

For one, we’re only a few weeks into Kyrie Irving’s pro career, and it’s pretty clear the Cavs are likely to someday be his team, if they aren't already.

The Cavs also learned from some of the mistakes they made with James, and really admire their current batch of high-character guys. They plan to fill the roster with more within the next year or two, and in the words of one front-office official, “build things the right way.” That way, the official noted, you have “a culture in place like in San Antonio or Oklahoma City,” where the team doesn’t need a superstar considered worthy of hosting "Saturday Night Live" to be successful.

So even if James may not truly be done with the Cavs, it is clear Cavs fans are done with him — at least for now, anyway. And it would be hard to let go of the grudge they hold, because it is massive.

As for today, James will have to hang his hat on playing against the franchise he spurned, chasing the title with the Heat he promised would be a result of it, and accepting that he left his days as everyone’s favorite superstar behind him in Cleveland.

Then, it seems, the guessing about LeBron James will likely start all over again.

http://www.foxsportsohio.com/01/24/12/Cleveland-return-in-LeBrons-future-/landing_cavaliers.html?blockID=652216&feedID=3561

 

[.infamous]

It was all a part of Lebron's plan. He left so you guys would get some lotto picks to improve the team and he would come back and he would have some help. IT ALL ADDS UP!

 

[jonathanlambert33]

This is something that has taken over the league. Chris Paul will do the same.

:spiderdance:

 

[Elite]

He's not going to opt out of his deal and I highly doubt he has problems with the way Pat does things. Pat was the second most important person in recruiting LeBron behind Wade and he knew going into it exactly how Pat ran things.

 

[SaintFan25]

It was all a part of Lebron's plan. He left so you guys would get some lotto picks to improve the team and he would come back and he would have some help. IT ALL ADDS UP!

The man's a genius! lmao

 

[elcheato]

These guys put these opt outs in for a reason. I don't think it's a slam dunk at all that he'd leave the Heat after '13-'14, but he is more then likely opting out just to look around at least.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

This is something that has taken over the league. Chris Paul will do the same.

:spiderdance:

what? teams giving players the option to go to Free Agency?

 

[bosoxlover12]

He's not going to opt out of his deal and I highly doubt he has problems with the way Pat does things. Pat was the second most important person in recruiting LeBron behind Wade and he knew going into it exactly how Pat ran things.

Shaq said the same thing

Shaq asked for a trade to Miami once the Lakers said they wanted Kobe over Shaq

But he soon started to hate Riley's personality, most notably hated the weight program. Miami slimmed down Shaq a lot, and LBJ might be weaker than he was be because of this

(Source: Shaq's book, which is phenomenal)

 

[RipCity32]

I think he ends up back in Cleveland before his career is over. Whether it is after the 2014 season or not, is a good question.

 

[Elite]

LeBron =/= Shaq

Shaq is a totally different animal. His personality was borderline psychotic.

Shaq's book is far from phenomenal, it all sounds like a bunch of over exaggerated, embellished stories from a guy seeking pity.

 

[Pugz]

shaq needed to lose weight regardless lol

 

[cruzg24]

lmao, he's not going back to the Cavs. Man I remember when I told cheato he wasnt going to stay with the Cavs, hes not going back either. Why would he? A lot of people dislike him in Cleveland and Dan Gilbert isnt going to be Lebrons bitch again and resign him after how awful that relationship ended.

 

[RipCity32]

lmao, he's not going back to the Cavs. Man I remember when I told cheato he wasnt going to stay with the Cavs, hes not going back either. Why would he? A lot of people dislike him in Cleveland and Dan Gilbert isnt going to be Lebrons bitch again and resign him after how awful that relationship ended.

Because coming back to the city and filling his promise of winning them a championship will certainly make a lot of people in Cleveland like him again.
If Dan Gilbert has any brain, he would let LeBron come back, especially if he wants to win.

 

[Elite]

I highly doubt Dan Gilbert would turn down LeBron if he wanted to come back.

What I don't get is why LeBron would have any interest in playing for a team owned by Dan Gilbert though. That ship has sailed IMO. If the whole letter fiasco after he signed elsewhere never happened I could see it, but I don't think LeBron has any interest in being employed by Gilbert.

 

[RipCity32]

I highly doubt Dan Gilbert would turn down LeBron if he wanted to come back.

What I don't get is why LeBron would have any interest in playing for a team owned by Dan Gilbert though. That ship has sailed IMO. If the whole letter fiasco after he signed elsewhere never happened I could see it, but I don't think LeBron has any interest in being employed by Gilbert.

His hometown though, and I'm sure he wants to make all the fans who hate him, like him again.
I think he would stomach working for Gilbert, for that reason.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

Same fans that burned his jersey in the street.

Doubt he goes back.

 

[Pugz]

i burned ben wallace's jersey when he left.. he left to chicago, our rival. and when he came back i was happy.

 

[RipCity32]

Yee, I hated Wallace with a burning passion for a year. Then I missed the fuck out of him and wanted him back lol.
Dude was still an idiot for leaving though.

 

[Elite]

I'd imagine the Cleveland hate for LeBron goes a lot deeper than the hate for Ben did.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

what? teams giving players the option to go to Free Agency?

No stars leaving their original teams and letting them stockpile talent (Irving, Thompson, Gordon, two lottery picks, etc) and then coming back.

Again:

:spiderdance: