2014 NBA playoffs: Miami Heat during the Big Three era
July 11, 2014
LeBron Goes Home
The world waited well into July as LeBron James contemplated the unthinkable -- returning to the Cavaliers as Cleveland's prodigal son. The NBA's free agency market ground to a halt while James weighed his future. Vigils gathered outside his mansion in Akron. Conspiracy theorists groped for clues.
Almost fours ago to the day, NBA fans in northeastern Ohio were burning James' jerseys in effigy. Banners were torn down from buildings. Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert authored his notorious poison pen letter in Comic Sans font that remained on the team's website for years.
But despite the acrimony in his home region and the abuse hurled in James' direction every time he took the floor at Quicken Loans Arena as a member of the Miami Heat, James announced to the world that he was returning to Cleveland.
In his introspective and gracious announcement on SI.com, James invoked his attachment to the region and his desire to make it whole again. "I feel my calling here goes above basketball," he said. "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." Home, indeed.
Advertisement
ESPN Video
- 00:43
High schooler with Down syndrome sinks 3-pointer
Leslie County (Ky.) High School's Ethan Wolfe, who has Down syndrome, checks into the game and knocks down a 3-pointer.
- 02:04
Hurts surprises family with donation toward a new home
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts surprises a family, whose child is battling cancer, with a $30,000 donation to go toward a new home.
- 01:25
Ron Rivera rings the bell after final day of cancer treatment
Washington coach Ron Rivera receives an ovation as he walks down the hospital hallway to ring the bell after his final day of cancer treatment.
