We knew this.
After the way LeBron James framed his return to the Cleveland Cavaliers — all about wanting to go home, about unfinished business, about bringing a title to Northeast Ohio — he couldn’t leave again. Can you imagine the public relations backlash if he left them a second time?
But LeBron confirmed that, meeting briefly with the media in Akron before a welcome home rally Friday night. LeBron said this, reports Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal.
LBJ on ending his career here: "I'm not going anywhere."
— Jason Lloyd (@ByJasonLloyd) August 8, 2014
If your next question was “why have an opt out next season and have a two-year deal?” the answer is money. Raking it in. Benjamins. Getting paid.
LeBron (along with Carmelo Anthony) took the position this summer that players in their prime should not sacrifice money on their deals. (Technically ‘Melo took a $6 million haircut on a $123 million deal, but that’s not much.) After the owners won big at the last collective bargaining agreement and the players share of league revenue fell from 57 percent down to 50 percent, LeBron didn’t feel like taking a discount. Small and middle market owners — led by Cavs’ owner Dan Gilbert still sore from LeBron bolting to Miami — led the charge to put in the restrictions that would limit future super teams and force their owners to pay. Now Gilbert is going to have to write some checks and LeBron isn’t giving him a discount on it.
You can be sure that Friday night’s rally will lack the bombast of what happened in Miami four years ago. LeBron continues to do things right, there will be no “not two, not three, not four…” instead more of downplaying the expectations:
LeBron says if he can bring championship to Cleveland, it would be his greatest career accomplishment.
— Jason Lloyd (@ByJasonLloyd) August 8, 2014
Here are a few other highlights from his comments.
LeBron said first thing he did after deciding to return was go online and learn about David Blatt's offense.
— Jason Lloyd (@ByJasonLloyd) August 8, 2014
LeBron going on at length speaking about Kevin Love, even though he concedes nothing can be completed until Aug. 23.
— Jason Lloyd (@ByJasonLloyd) August 8, 2014
LeBron on potential addition of Love: "I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully it happens & everything is done right" by league trade rules
— Jason Lloyd (@ByJasonLloyd) August 8, 2014