Holy poop, Lebron James is going back to Cleveland. I'll be honest, I didn't think he would do it. I imagined him staying in Miami for another 2 years and then signing with Cleveland to finish out his career there, but he actually did it. He's going home.
Shit man.
News like this, well it takes some time to process. I had a million things pop into my head when I first heard it, but a million is too many things to list. Instead, here are the first 6 things I thought when I heard Lebron was going home.
1. ESPN is absolutely fucking with me.
Like I said, I didn't believe it at first. I heard the news through a friend via text before even looking at ESPN. The text read: "IS THIS REAL LIFE OR IS ESPN FUCKING WITH ME." It didn't even have to mention that this was about Lebron - I could tell. And my first thought was the latter - ESPN is definitely fucking with me.
2. What an idiot.
After confirming the news by looking at ESPN all I could think was "Lebron, WHYYY." I felt like he had 2 more years in Miami. He would have rode out the last glory days of Wade and Bosh and pushed for one more title, then skedaddled after the new TV deal would up max contract values. Boom, hello Cleveland and max money.
3. What a genius.
I read the SI.com article and thought to myself, "I've got it all wrong." Lebron explained himself so well it really caught me by surprise. I know he's a fairly eloquent individual but that essay really captured what he was thinking and turned around my point of view. It was now or never - there was no way he could pull the rug out from Cleveland again. He's no master criminal. He did the right thing at the right time. The Heat are also aging pretty rapidly, and I think Lebron knew it. He might have exhausted his chances to win a title there, it was time to get out.
4. Holy shit that team will be...alright.
Now that it's confirmed, the depth chart looks pretty solid in Cleveland. Of course any team Lebron is on is going to be considered a contender, and this team is no exception. But honestly, it's not as good as some people might think. I scooted on over to fivethirtyeight.com because I knew they would have some breaking articles, and lo and behold I come across this. Taking a look at the projected wins per player the Cavs are on pace for a 52-30 season, good by the Eastern conference standards but nowhere near championship caliber. Just like in Miami this team is looking like it would roll through the East and get smacked in the finals - if they even make the finals that is.
5. Maybe God doesn't hate Cleveland after all?
Honestly, a 52 win season is one of the best things that could happen to Cleveland. Any sort of hope interjected into that city would be magnified by at least a buhmillion based on its crippling depression prior to all this. Lebron isn't looking to win now, he wants to build a championship team. If that's anyone, it's Cleveland. Top pick in the draft 3/4 years, an incredibly talented young roster and wiggle rooms for trades down the road. This team won't automatically contend for a title, but they can build upon their soon to be successful season next year and make it happen. They've done more with less in the past. I BELIEVE!
6. I actually respect Lebron.
Yeah, I have a new found respect for this guy. I never hated him as much as Clevelanders did - I had the luxury of being a Celtics fan during that time. But I didn't respect a man who turned his back on his hometown and a fan-base that was absolutely nothing without him. In the end though, I can't blame him. If Lebron stayed in Cleveland he wouldn't have won a title - his development was being held back there. In Miami he made great strides in offensive efficiency, something he wasn't able to do in Cleveland. He needed the time away to hone his game, just to come home in the end and give Cleveland what it wanted. I think he can do it now, I'm rooting for them all the way.
Also this is the funniest "Lebron returns" reaction I've seen so far.
