Return of the King: LeBron James goes home to Cleveland
Superstar rejoins the Cavaliers after spurning them in 2010
NBA superstar LeBron James made an emotional return on Friday to the Cleveland Cavaliers, departing the Miami team where he became a world-famous champion to seek similar success with his hometown club.
Four years after leaving the Cavaliers to chase his first NBA title with fellow stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, an unapologetic James said he wanted to bring the long-suffering sports fans of his home region a championship.
My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn’t realise that four years ago. I do now
James took a four-year deal worth US$88 million with Cleveland over a five-year Miami offer worth US$122 million and intends to finish his glittering career at the Cavaliers.
The dramatic move by the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player ended days of speculation about his free agency choice, which had Cleveland fans in a frenzy of anticipation.
“In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have,” James, who grew up just south of Cleveland, in Akron, told Sports Illustrated in a first-person essay.
“I’m ready to accept the challenge. I’m coming home.”