OAKLAND — Kevin Durant said during the Finals he felt LeBron James’ decision to go to Miami — leaving a team he wasn’t sure could win a title to team up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh — helped lay a foundation for Durant to come to Golden State. In the eyes of players, LeBron took charge of his destiny and made it happen, for Durant he felt he was taking the next step down that path.
Does that mean LeBron regrets starting the super team trend?
“I don’t believe I’ve played for a super team,” LeBron said after his Game 5 loss. “I don’t believe in that. I don’t believe we’re a super team here. So, no, I don’t really, I don’t.”
Um.... okay.
When those words came out of LeBron’s mouth, heads in the media room popped up from our phones and laptops like startled antelope at the watering hole, and then we all looked quizzically at each other as if “did I just hear that right?” Then we put our heads down and Tweeted out the quote.
One would need an incredibly high standard to think LeBron has not played for a super team — the two titles in Miami were with a stacked team. These Cavaliers have LeBron, two other current All-Stars, and a veteran bench filled with former All-Stars and guys who now fit their role well. He’s never played on a team as good as Jordan’s Bulls or the Showtime Lakers were in their eras, yet by almost any definition these Cavaliers are a super team, they just ran into what may go down as an all-time great team.
Which is why LeBron seemed a little perplexed through the rest of his press conference, as he seemed to be trying to think through how to make these Cavaliers take the next step forward. With this team basically capped out and without much flexibility, it’s not going to be easy.