LeBron James: There's No Place like Home

Four years ago, fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers burned their LeBron James jerseys after the kid who grew up just a stones throw away in Akron, Ohio, ditched the state he was born and raised in for the sandy shores of South Beach. Now, those same fans will be racing to the nearest sporting goods store in hopes of purchasing a new one as all seems to be forgotten now that King James is heading back home. After exercising the option on the final year of his contract with the Miami Heat, LeBron made the decision to return home to play for the Cavs and restore his image and relationship with the city of Cleveland where he played his first seven seasons and won 2 of his 4 MVP Awards. And doing so in a much more appropriate manner than he did in July of 2010 when he announced his decision to take his talents to South Beach on live television. This time, King James did the complete opposite, sparring us from having to sit in front of a TV screen by revealing his decision in an essay released by Sports Illustrated. 

In his essay, one line best describes LeBron's decision to return home: "My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn't realize that four years ago. I do now." With LeBron receiving major criticism for having ESPN make a 30-minute spectacle out of his infamous "The Decision" special, his choice of announcing his return via letter has received praise and in some ways erases his shameful past. And though a return to the Cavs at some time during his career was inevitable, if anything stood in the way of LeBron returning, it was the rocky relationship between he and Cavs owner Dan Gilbert. Gilbert, who took numerous shots at his former star player for his departure to Miami and was arguably the most heartbroken regarding James' decision four years ago by calling him a "coward", went as far as saying the Cavs would win a ring before LeBron ever did and accused him of quitting on the team during the 2010 NBA Finals. Boy was he ever wrong.

Prior to being informed that he was once again the winner of the LeBron James sweepstakes, Gilbert apologized to James face-to-face for his mistakes and said the two, "had seven great years together and one terrible night." And as any smart owner would do if given the opportunity to acquire the best player in the world, Gilbert helped bridge the gap between he and LeBron and expressed his excitement via Twitter by welcoming James back home. This undoubtedly has to be the happiest Gilbert's been in years given the Cavs have missed the playoffs in each of the last four years and haven't had a winning season since LeBron's departure. But the luckiest man of all just might be the Cavaliers' newly hired head coach David Blatt who's job just got a lot easier, having inherited a team with not only the best player on the planet, but also a star point-guard in Kyrie Irving and the most coveted player in the 2014 NBA Draft in number one overall pick -- Andrew Wiggins. Not bad for a guy who will be making his NBA coaching debut.

Shortly after word got out that LeBron was returning to Ohio, Cavs fans poured out onto the streets to celebrate as if they just won an NBA title. Something they've never experienced in the 40+ year history of their franchise and hope this time around that their savior can deliver on. But don't go rocking out to the theme song of the Drew Carey show "Cleveland rocks" just yet. Unlike James' speech which helped fire up the Miami fan base when he was first introduced alongside Heat big three front mates Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh where he went on to say the team would win, "...not five, not six, not seven..." James wrote in his letter that he wasn't promising a championship to the people of Cleveland, adding that it won't be easy. But that didn't stop Cavs season tickets from flying off the shelves and selling out just hours after LeBron's return was announced, nor did it prevent several Las Vegas casinos from making the Cavs the favorites to win it all next season, where as the Miami Heat's odds have now plummeted despite both Bosh and Wade eyeing a return to South Beach.

For LeBron who has matured greatly since 2010, the return to Cleveland gives him a chance to recover the legacy many believe he tarnished by leaving his home behind to chase a ring and join forces with Bosh and Wade. After turning the page on that chapter of his career, James will be embarking on a new chapter which will feature him playing the role of mentor for the first time as he looks to take a bright young talent in Andrew Wiggins under his wing. That's unless Wiggins is dealt as rumors have now begun to swirl involving a possible trade for Minnesota Timberwolves star forward Kevin Love who has been "intrigued" by the thoughts of joining LeBron in Cleveland and has said he'd commit to a long-term deal with the team. But it won't be easy to accomplish as the T-Wolves have already declined an offer that included Dion Waiters, last year's first overall pick Anthony Bennett and Cleveland's first-round pick next year, while making it clear that they have eyes for Wiggins. Adding Love into the mix would certainly put Cleveland over the top as the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference to contend for a title. But until then, 2014-15 might be a lot like 2006-07 when LeBron led the Cavs to an NBA Finals appearance but was unable to claim the title.


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LeBron's Decision & The Turmoil being felt throughout Ohio

Miami Thrice - As we all know, earlier this week, LeBron James announced his plans in front of a live audience. His decision? The 2-time reigning MVP shocked the world and announced his early retirement from the game of basketball to pursue competitive eating...At least that's what I was hoping for. Instead James is added to the Miami mix that refuses to stop concocting. That's right, get the lube ready, LeBron is joining Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh for a Miami threesome. Just days into free agency, the Heat have already formed what looks to be the biggest thing to hit South Beach since Hurricane Wilma in 2005 as all three superstars have made Miami their destination for many years to come. LeBron said himself that the major factor in his decision was the best opportunity for him to win both now and in the future by teaming up with D-Wade and company.

By pulling the unthinkable and ditching Cleveland, LeBron's decision was so devastating it would make Drew Carey want to commit suicide. If you ask me, I think he took the safe way out considering the fact that he hasn't been able to get off the hump and add an NBA tittle to his trophy case. It's like the saying goes, 'If you can't beat 'em, join 'em' and that's exactly what James did. But as his chances of finally winning a tittle increase, his popularity and image take a blow. How did the Cavs organization and fans take LeBron's decision in leaving his home town in hopes of having a better chance at winning a ring? Let's just say it didn't sit well with the Ohio fan base as footage of fans yelling, crying and even torching a James jersey was all caught on tape moments after he made his commitment to play in Miami public.

Controversy now comes into play as Cavs owner Dan Gilbert took a different approach by describing LeBron's decision as "selfish, callous, and cowardly betrayal." Gilbert also guaranteed Cavs fans that the team will win a championship before the self-titled 'King' wins one. Talk about a low-blow, right? Gilbert also accused LeBron of quitting in the Playoffs and added, "Watch the film, the evidence is there."

Upon receiving word of Gilbert's hand-typed letter, LeBron continued to say Ohio still has his heart. But after having their hearts ripped out, the Ohio faithful say they don't want his heart. With that being said, I think it's safe to say LeBron is now the most hated and unwelcome man in all of Ohio. However, the fans of Cleveland are no stranger to heartbreak as they've been down this road before when Art Modell, owner of the Cleveland Browns moved the team to Baltimore in 1996. What I'd like to know is why Gilbert is so upset about LeBron turning down his offer when he accused the man of quitting? Why would you want to bring back a quitter to your team? Also, what makes Gilbert so confident that his team will win a championship any time soon if they've been yet to win one in the teams first 40 years of existence, not to mention when they had a superstar like 'King James' on the roster?

However, the shots at his former All-Star player didn't stop there. For what it's worth, Gilbert who owns the sport memorabilia company 'Fathead', slashed the price of LeBron's wall graphic decal from $99.00 to $17.41. 1741 Just so happens to be the birth year of Benedict Arnold who is known famously as a traitor for turning his back on the Continental Army to join the British Army.

Prior to LeBron's hour-long ESPN special, the Cavs were close to selling out their season tickets for next year, when fans thought there was no chance their hometown hero would abandon them. Meanwhile in Florida, within hours of receiving news that LeBron was Miami bound, the Heat sold out what was left of their season tickets. Other than the Cleveland fans who bought season tickets, the person I feel for the most is newly hired head coach Byron Scott who will now be in charge of a LeBron-less Cavs team that was irrelevant prior to James' arrival in 2003. It was obvious LeBron wasn't fully dedicated and loyal to his native Ohio when he showed up to an ALDS game in Cleveland wearing a Yankees lid when the Indians were facing the much hated New York ball club. But with the one they once cheered for and loved now on opposite sidelines, it'll be one hell of an atmosphere when the two teams meet in Cleveland for the first time next season.

After Heat president Pat Riley worked his magic, no man had it made better than D-Wade who not only gets to remain in Miami where he's played his entire NBA career, but doing so with the acquisition of two All-Star caliber players. By re-signing Wade and adding Bosh and James, the Heat have landed not one, not two, but all three of this offseasons biggest attractions. Taking that into account, the Heat are now the team everyone loves to hate, as their additions have painted a target on their back. Las Vegas casinos immediately announced the Heat as the favorites to win it all next season surpassing the reigning back-to-back NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers. But if that didn't add enough hype to the Heat winning a tittle next year, LeBron's rally-cry should do the trick. Upon being introduced in a Heat jersey similar to how Shaq was in 2004, James put the weight of the world on his teams shoulders as he said the Miami-three don't plan on winning one NBA tittle, but instead plan on winning 8 NBA tittles. Those are some mighty words coming from someone who's yet to win one...

If and when LeBron does win a tittle with his new cast of players, he will no longer be "the man." And as long as he's in Miami alongside Wade and Bosh, what James fails to prove is that he can be among the game's greats and win a championship as a leader instead of just another piece to the puzzle.

In the aftermath of his rant, Dan Gilbert was fined of coarse by commissioner David Stern for his comments, a whopping $100K. Cleveland fans seemed to have his back in the whole James debacle and offered to help pay the fine. As for his teams offseason, let's just say things haven't gone their way as they've been yet to sign a key player to add to their puzzle. As for the Heat, since the signing of their big three, the team has gone on a shopping spree by adding LeBron's buddy in Cleveland center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, guard/forward Mike Miller, veteran Power forward Juwan Howard, and re-signing PF Udonis Haslem. The Heat made a little bit more cap space by practically getting rid of their second overall pick just two seasons ago -- Michael Beasley for peanuts (2011 and 2014 second-round draft picks). It's not yet known if the Heat are done making moves this offseason, but even the retired Penny Hardaway wants in on the action and would like to play a part in the Heat's newly constructed All-Star team.

The question I'm pondering is, who's team is it now that there's an even bigger star in town, LeBron's or D-Wade's? Sorry Bosh.