Cleveland Browns Film Room: A look at Terrance West
July 11, 2014
The Twitter reactions to LeBron James’ return home
July 11, 2014
The waiting game is over: LeBron James made his announcement to Sports Illustrated’s Lee Jenkins that he’ll be rejoining the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2014-2015 NBA season.
The letter is simply wonderful:
Before anyone ever cared where I would play basketball, I was a kid from Northeast Ohio. It’s where I walked. It’s where I ran. It’s where I cried. It’s where I bled. It holds a special place in my heart. People there have seen me grow up. I sometimes feel like I’m their son. Their passion can be overwhelming. But it drives me. I want to give them hope when I can. I want to inspire them when I can. My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn’t realize that four years ago. I do now.
Remember when I was sitting up there at the Boys & Girls Club in 2010? I was thinking, This is really tough. I could feel it. I was leaving something I had spent a long time creating. If I had to do it all over again, I’d obviously do things differently, but I’d still have left. 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. I learned from a franchise that had been where I wanted to go. I will always think of Miami as my second home. Without the experiences I had there, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing today.
I went to Miami because of D-Wade and CB. We made sacrifices to keep UD. I loved becoming a big bro to Rio. I believed we could do something magical if we came together. And that’s exactly what we did! The hardest thing to leave is what I built with those guys. I’ve talked to some of them and will talk to others. Nothing will ever change what we accomplished. We are brothers for life. I also want to thank Micky Arison and Pat Riley for giving me an amazing four years.
I’m doing this essay because I want an opportunity to explain myself uninterrupted. I don’t want anyone thinking: He and Erik Spoelstra didn’t get along. … He and Riles didn’t get along. … The Heat couldn’t put the right team together. That’s absolutely not true.
I’m not having a press conference or a party. After this, it’s time to get to work.
When I left Cleveland, I was on a mission. I was seeking championships, and we won two. But Miami already knew that feeling. Our city hasn’t had that feeling in a long, long, long time. My goal is still to win as many titles as possible, no question. But what’s most important for me is bringing one trophy back to Northeast Ohio.
I always believed that I’d return to Cleveland and finish my career there. I just didn’t know when. After the season, free agency wasn’t even a thought. But I have two boys and my wife, Savannah, is pregnant with a girl. I started thinking about what it would be like to raise my family in my hometown. I looked at other teams, but I wasn’t going to leave Miami for anywhere except Cleveland. The more time passed, the more it felt right. This is what makes me happy.
To make the move I needed the support of my wife and my mom, who can be very tough. The letter from Dan Gilbert, the booing of the Cleveland fans, the jerseys being burned — seeing all that was hard for them. My emotions were more mixed. It was easy to say, “OK, I don’t want to deal with these people ever again.” But then you think about the other side. What if I were a kid who looked up to an athlete, and that athlete made me want to do better in my own life, and then he left? How would I react? I’ve met with Dan, face-to-face, man-to-man. We’ve talked it out. Everybody makes mistakes. I’ve made mistakes as well. Who am I to hold a grudge?
I’m not promising a championship. I know how hard that is to deliver. We’re not ready right now. No way. Of course, I want to win next year, but I’m realistic. It will be a long process, much longer than it was in 2010. My patience will get tested. I know that. I’m going into a situation with a young team and a new coach. I will be the old head. But I get a thrill out of bringing a group together and helping them reach a place they didn’t know they could go. I see myself as a mentor now and I’m excited to lead some of these talented young guys. I think I can help Kyrie Irving become one of the best point guards in our league. I think I can help elevate Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters. And I can’t wait to reunite with Anderson Varejao, one of my favorite teammates.
But this is not about the roster or the organization. I feel my calling here goes above basketball. I have a responsibility to lead, in more ways than one, and I take that very seriously. My presence can make a difference in Miami, but I think it can mean more where I’m from. I want kids in Northeast Ohio, like the hundreds of Akron third-graders I sponsor through my foundation, to realize that there’s no better place to grow up. Maybe some of them will come home after college and start a family or open a business. That would make me smile. Our community, which has struggled so much, needs all the talent it can get.
In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have.
I’m ready to accept the challenge. I’m coming home.
It never seemed remotely possible throughout the past year. Mike Brown was hired. The Cavs underperformed. Anthony Bennett tanked. Chris Grant was fired. Mike Brown was fired. The Cavaliers were nothing short of a complete mess.
It must have all changed when the Cavaliers won the lottery for Andrew Wiggins. It must have changed when Kyrie Irving signed on to be in Cleveland for five additional years. It must have changed when the Miami Heat failed in spectacular fashion on the NBA’s biggest stage. More than likely though, it must have all changed inside LeBron James and his inner circle of advisers and family.
If LeBron James hadn’t been born in this region and been drafted to the local team, there’s no way the Cavaliers ever would have been in the running to get the greatest player in the game today given their current position in the league. None of that matters today though.
He’s back. LeBron James is back. And the Cavaliers are officially relevant.
Regardless of anything else, that feels great.
175 Comments
Umm, hey, cavs.com. There’s some more recent news going on….
you have to know that he understands how to pay the media, but he must be heartfelt in writing the meaning of the letter.
see what you did there? Harv of 2014 is a different Harv than 2010. A more grown up (old?) Harv. A Harv who understands his place – his value and influence, if you will – at WFNY.com. A Harv who wants his work here to matter in the same way a pulley or a buttonhole matter: not because they did anything spectacular, but because they never forgot what they could do (apologies to NS Nye).
Had to share this too…http://chirho.me/memes/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/jpeg1.jpg
“shut up”
Exactly.
sorry.. not sure what happened but this posted 3 times, twice as a guest? If I could delete those I would.
for me, the whole D Wade flight to Miami thing was dumb. How else was he going to get to Brazil, through Cleveland? Isn’t it about 4 hours shorter to go back to Miami (collect your belongings, lock your house, etc…) and then fly from MIA?
And the Wade opt-out? He had 2 years and $40 mil left. no doubt he signs for 5 years and $60 mil now. THAT’s why he opted out.
Yep. That one is way better – because the father never turned on the son.
Your second paragraph is where I take issue. You can’t even let us, the ones who want to, enjoy it for 24 hours before raining on our parade. I’m not saying you’re wrong, I’m just saying you don’t have to say it.
I’m sure you’ll respond to this and say, well, say whatever you want. I’m going back to enjoying it. I’ll worry about the backlash tomorrow. At the earliest.
The other bonus of this is that we still have Miami 2015 first round pick, top ten protected. The pick becomes unprotected in 2017. So if Miami experiences the same type of drop off that Cleveland did post Lebron, that pick might end up being a top 5.
and don’t the Cavs have Miami’s first round pick next season? wow.
i feel you. i smell what you’re stepping in.
bahahahaha! i REALLY like that
Miami fans…QUICK! someone post the gif of Data from Star Trek laughing!
That letter, wow. Not gonna lie, I teared up. Welcome back LeBron.
downtick for the double-post. extra downtick for the ugly graphic.
Lee Jenkins is one of the best basketball writers out there today. Woj gets a lot of credit for breaking trade news or draft picks, but ask anyone who absorbs writing, and they’ll universally list Jenkins in any sort of Top 3.
And while he hasn’t been a make-a-career-on-LeBron guy, he’s easily as plugged in to his circle as anyone at ESPN.
Not in the mood?
http://www.furrytalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/4.gif
great comment
can’t wait to see the videos of LeBron and Varejao together this weekend. I mean, cmon, you know Andy will be there.
Great day for the Cavs, and a great day for Cleveland. What else can be said?
I would, but I lke this better.
Hey Miami,,,,
http://i.imgur.com/GoA5dts.gif
Lol!!
WAIT ONE MINUTE!!! I just heard the Cavs are gonna have to trade Alonzo Gee to make room for LeBron. Not sure I’m on board with this anymore.
Where’s Bode?
I agree with the sentiment but surely there was some less graphic way to portray it.
not ready yet to think about expectations for the upcoming season, what with this roster about to vomit so many young talented ones in pursuit of Love. Right now I’m thinking about a few guys whose worlds were just flipped:
– Pat Riley: the Old Lion, the alpha of the pride for decades, just limped away for the first time.Four years later LeBron met and held his gaze. Ignored the threats and bluster and walked. The legend who browbeat the Knicks into playing thug ball, imposed his will on tough guy Alonzo Mourning until he bled on the court for him, who successfully manipulated other alphas like Kareem and Magic and Shaq, that guy just lost. Any minute he’ll roar from the bush in defiance but the veneer of invincibility just vanished.
– David Blatt: great NBA coaches would voluntarily amputate a couple of their own digits this afternoon to be the Cavs coach, right now. They’re all staring at their flat screens, head in hands with their wives patting their shoulders as they murmur “David Blatt? David Blatt? A middle-aged newbie gets this?” In a couple of days dude rocketed from Euroball to the cockpit of the next rising powerhouse of the NBA. You said your style would depend on personnel? Better grab a couple of grease boards, Blatt Man, your genius skills are on the clock.
– Brian Windhorst: let me guess, just so happens you’ve been aching for NE Ohio too. Know what? I want you here. We haven’t had a good beat writer since you chased your dream. Check Craig’s List for the cleveland.com want ad.
I fixed it!
Evidence in support of this: Breaking the news this way means he was decided at least a few days ago.
Evidence against this: Everyone else had active indecision by Lebron. Sheridan didn’t necessarily have more or better info, he just had more to gain by doubling down than he had to lose by being wrong. Assume it’s a 50/50 bet. If he wins, he gains $1000 – his struggling website is on the map and he himself is in Woj-land. If he loses, he apologizes and semi-blames it on his source – loss of $50. Woj, Windy, etc all have a different calculus – they are answerable to their networks.
Finally, if he had access to the one guy who had the good intel, why didn’t he get the announcement details right?
Well if I were to defer gif judgment to anyone, ‘twould be you.
So much roster flexibility. Getting Love w/out Wiggins would be a coup. And the ability to acquire a big time player next year in sign & trade is huge, a lot of Centers should be available. Could you imagine a rotation of Kyrie/Wiggins/Lebron/Love & MGasol with solid role players in 2015? WOW.
http://capnaux.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/leslienielsen.jpg
I think there is a way the Cav’s can keep both Alonzo and James. I hope James understands though, he is going to have compete to get his starting spot back.
Such is life. How do we ever know what someone is really thinking? The fact that this is playing out like a fairytale shouldn’t invalidate it’s significance. With something as trivial as a sports free agent signing, could you ever imagine something like this ever stirring more emotion in such a large group of people? It’s unreal. Movies will be made about this storyline someday. Unfreakingreal.
LOL. I was wondering why! No analysis really needed today though.
Dan Gilbert was on that plane … http://sports.yahoo.com/news/how-lebron-james-forgave-cavs-owner-dan-gilbert-and-returned-to-cleveland-191445831.html
if I don’t have to read anything Fedor writes again, that’ll be almost as good as LBJ coming back.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwCJjgvCMNw
I hear ya Steve. Thing is though, those mass reactions are going to come from outside of Cleveland, from the national media.
The way he did this with an “essay” was absolutely genius. Lets face it the guy knows what he’s doing. I always supported him even when he left I didn’t like how he did it and I was never a Heat fan but I’ve always been a LeBron James fan. He’s back, home, where it all started, where he belongs and now it’s time to get to work and get that title!
Absolutely it must have been and it was genius. He never said a word publicly and while he was talking with family and deciding he must have been working on his “essay.” A+ essay!
They showed one interview with a guy who ended the interview by saying he hoped James choked on his two rings.
Houston I think
gee was traded to charlotte for dwight powell
I don’t really think he “wrote” it, but I’m willing to bet that some of it is verbatim from discussions he had with Jenkins. That has to be how it was done, right? He had an interview/talk with Jenkins on what he wanted to say, Jenkins banged it out, and LBJ stamped it?
I’m not the one raining. Lebron is. I found a specific part of his statement interesting and its turned into personal attacks against me.
So the Cavs traded away 3 first round picks this week?
Well now they can field a team with FOUR FIRST OVERALL SELECTIONS on the court at the same time! I’ll take that, thank you very much. Maybe a Greg Oden signing on the horizon, just for fun??
I think they are still trading Gee, for the second time.
Christ on a pogo stick, Steve. I’m not even sure what your point is. You could be win $10M and you’d still complain about the tax bite! I want you to be happy, Steve! Be happy!
Just needed to come here and personally thank you guys. You truly helped keep me interested in Cleveland sports during a very hopeless time. I read a lot of blogs, but I’m really happy for the WFNY guys. I feel like I know you and I’m very happy you guys get to write about such an amazing time to be a Clevelander. I hope you guys have a blast and enjoy this!
Love to Cleveland, props to LeBron James, and congrats to each of you at WFNY