It was a very frustrating and disappointing NBA finals for LeBron James.
Following a dominant NBA Finals performance by the San Antonio Spurs as they ended the Miami Heat’s hope of a three peat defeating them 4-1, you could just tell that things weren’t right. And you could tell that game 5 at the AT&T Center was the last time that you were going to see that exact Miami Heat roster.
After watching the NBA Finals it was clear that Miami had to make some changes and unfortunately for them one of those changes may not be their decision.
Following the 104-87 game 5 loss which ended their NBA Finals dreams, LeBron James texted his former high school basketball coach, Dru Joyce II. The text read as follows, “Plain and simple: I want to be in Cleveland.”
Money/Business aspect:
Now while that may not do it for you, James’ long time childhood friend and marketing manager, Maverick Carter has always wanted what was best for James and what could make him the most money. After signing with Miami in 2010, at the time they thought it was the right decision for them and looking back on it, James won two titles in four years and had great success.
However, Carter and his marketing team had and have zero power in Miami and they don’t like that. The show is run by Pat Riley and Pat Riley only. And according to several sources Riley’s aggressive control for power and his way or the highway approach of everything has seriously destroyed any chance of James re-signing with the Heat.
Though Riley’s controlling power isn’t the only reason James isn’t headed back to Miami. Since James’ departure in 2010, Carter has been planning a LeBron James reunion.
“LeBron’s marketing team (Maverick Carter and LRMR) have been pushing for years to get LeBron back to Cleveland. No coincidence that the office is Cleveland base as they’re known for conjuring long-term masterful plans that make money,” one source said. “This has been in the works for years.”
They would go onto add that LeBron will have full run of the city as he did when he was first drafted by Cleveland back in 2003.
“Dan Gilbert has already agreed to take a step back from his role as owner and allow the players and management to make their own choices (something he was unwilling to do in the past),” another source said.”
Roster:
LeBron James and Kyrie Irving have a strong friendship behind the scenes.
Now despite all the extra revenue Carter and James could make in Cleveland with full control, it’s not all about the money for James as everyone knows his first goal is still to win more championships so the roster does play a huge factor. Which is why Cleveland re-signed star point guard, Kyrie Irving.
As for the reports of Irving not re-signing or not wanting to re-sign in Cleveland, they were put out there by Miami media and personnel to create an illusion of turmoil in Cleveland in efforts to deter LeBron’s marketing team and get him back to Miami. Irving and James have a strong friendship behind the scenes so him not wanting to re-sign knowing the strong possibility of James returning to Cleveland was completely bogus.
Another piece that factored into James decision is that Cleveland said that after they sign him they’re not stopping their this off-season as there’s more improvements to come. One of those possible improvements that’s been gaining traction is a trade with Minnesota that would send Kevin Love to Cleveland.
The deal in the works would be something along the lines of Love packaged with two players such as Kevin Martin and JJ Barea for Jarrett Jack, Anthony Bennett or Dion Waiters (Any two of three) plus Andrew Wiggins. According to people close with Love he would only go to Cleveland if James was there and would love to team up with him. This deal would also help Minnesota as they would get out of contracts as well.
Another source said that if LeBron goes to Cleveland that free agent Ray Allen will most likely follow and Cleveland would welcome him with open arms.
Cleveland’s Off-season Plan:
PG: Kyrie Irving
SG: Kevin Martin
SF: LeBron James
PF: Kevin Love
C: Anderson Varejao
Bench:
Ray Allen
Tristan Thompson
Matthew Dellavedova
Maverick Carter has been planning a LeBron James reunion since his departure.
Now don’t think that James is running away from his problems by heading back to Cleveland as that’s not the case; he wanted to make it work in Miami. However, James wanted more power and control and Riley wasn’t willing to give him that. Also James wanted Dwyane Wade to take the biggest pay cut of Wade’s career and that didn’t go over well.
It was not by chance nor coincidence that Chris Grant blatantly reached for Tristan Thompson at number four in the 2011 NBA draft, as Thompson is affiliated with LRMR. And that pick gave Cleveland’s organization an inside track on the LeBron sweepstakes before it even started.
Cleveland was always one step ahead, showcasing their vision to Maverick Carter, which of course was immediately relayed back to James. Although the Cavs underperformed, James realizes the timetable for developing rookies as he used to be one himself. Rookies usually develop to their full potential anywhere between 4-5 years, the exact window in which James has his opt-out clause as he enters his prime and what LRMR likes to call the “legacy window.”
Just think on it. If James returned to Cleveland think of the TV ratings, ticket sales, jersey sales and all the other revenue that would generate from his return? James returning to Cleveland would be one of the greatest sports stories to come for the next 50 years.
Like it or not, James is headed to Cleveland.
Editor’s note: Special thanks to Joshua Teplitz for helping report on this story. For more on him follow @Josh_Tep
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