It’s official. LeBron James has announced that he will return to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In a move that many saw coming but still seemed too surreal, LeBron wrote an exclusive piece for Sports Illustrated on Friday (with the help of Lee Jenkins) announcing that he is “coming home.”
“My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball,” LeBron wrote. “I didn’t realize that four years ago. I do now.”
LeBron also expressed more regret over the way he left the Cavs four years ago, but added that he does not regret actually leaving.
“If I had to do it all over again, I’d obviously do things differently, but I’d still have left,” he said. “Miami, for me, has been almost like college for other kids. These past four years helped raise me into who I am. I became a better player and a better man.”
Despite Dan Gilbert’s nasty letter, LeBron said he always knew he would return to Cleveland and finish his career there.
“I always believed that I’d return to Cleveland and finish my career there,” said James. “I just didn’t know when.”
Considering he is only 29 and will likely sign one more huge contract after this one expires, LeBron should be careful what he says. No one would be shocked if he didn’t finish his career in Cleveland, but I suppose that’s not the point.
James got the monkey off his back by winning two championships with the Miami Heat. He now has a chance to play the hero in his home state and finish what he started. It’s not often athletes get a second chance. LeBron will try to make the best of his.
