Los Angeles Lakers All-Star LeBron James reflected on his decision to leave the Cleveland Cavs to pursue a championship with the Miami Heat in a recent interview. While James has had his eyes on the Cavs this season, he reflected on his younger days in Cleveland.
James discussed his days before the NBA and how winning was the catalyst for him leaving to join the Heat in 2010, per ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show.
“My aspiration was a lot bigger than winning MVPs, being an All-Star, and what the all-individual things are,” James said. “Before I even got to the NBA, I’ve always wanted one [championship].”
James knew he’d done all he could to try to bring a championship in his first stint with the Cavs.
“At that moment, my seven years in Cleveland, I had some good years, obviously. Some great years. One, I was able to take the team to the NBA Finals. I was 22 years old. I had a moment in Detroit where I went insane; 25 straight [points], 29 out of 30, and took a team that, you look back at our roster, you’re like what the hell,” James added. “How is that even possible?
“But, it got to the point, [in] that final season, I was like I’ve maximized this potential. I’ve squeezed all the juice out of this damn lemon here, and I know it, and in order for me to get to where I want to get to, I have to make a choice for my career going forward. And Miami was the best choice at that moment,” James concluded.
It made the decision to join the Heat all the easier for LeBron.
“I felt like it was the best choice for me,” James said. “The conversations I had with D-Wade, had with Bosh, had with Udonis Haslem. D-Wade and UD had been there, they had won one, they had [beaten] Dallas.”
This year, All-Star Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs share the same goal a young LeBron once had.
LeBron James drops ‘amazing’ take on Cavs’ hot start
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Lakers All-Star LeBron James believes this year’s Cavs have a chance to make a deep run, per the New Heights podcast.
“The Cavs look amazing right now,” James said. “They got an amazing opportunity. I hope they keep it going. They got an opportunity to do something special. I’m glad I was able to put on first, set the trend, and hopefully, we keep it going.”
Clearly, James still keeps a place for Cleveland in his heart.
