After a four-year hiatus in South Beach, LeBron James has returned home to Cleveland. In doing so, the Cavaliers have instantly become 4/1 favorites for the 2014-2015 NBA title.
At the other end of the basketball universe, following four straight Finals appearances and two championships, the Miami Heat have returned to hardwood limbo.
Chris Bosh has signed and Dwyane Wade will follow suit soon enough. But James’ departure has relegated the Eastern Conference champs to a tenuous state of postseason insecurity. Bovada went a step further and dropped them from 2/1 to 50/1 odds to capture the Larry O’Brien Trophy this season.
So in the spirit of his respectfully succinct 951-word announcement via Sports Illustrated (as told by Lee Jenkins), let’s assess the state of the Cavaliers, Heat and James himself in a similarly quick-hitting manner.
Remember—so much is still in play in free agency that any specific analysis, preview and/or prediction are subject to change.
From 10th-Place Irrelevance to Guaranteed Top 3 Seed
“Subject to change” as certain details may be, Cleveland ascending into the top three in the standings is most definitely not.
The East is in such a sad state of affairs that any one of the seven sub-.500 teams that didn’t make the playoffs could easily do so in 2014-2015. Yes, that includes the still tank-worthy Philadelphia 76ers.
That means the James-powered Cavaliers—an already talented squad just five games removed from a postseason berth last season—is a total lock for an upper-echelon seed.
Having a potential superstar at point guard (Kyrie Irving), this year’s No. 1 pick at shooting guard (Andrew Wiggins), double-double man at power forward (Tristan Thompson) and an ultimate grinder at center (Anderson Varejao) with LeBron equates to a young, dynamic and dangerous starting-five any way you slice it.
Throw in the real possibility of trading for Kevin Love—who recently said he’d re-sign in Cleveland—and the Cavaliers are the verge of becoming the next super team. Any combination of Wiggins, Dion Waiters, Anthony Bennett and/or multiple future first-round picks would qualify as an appropriate sacrifice for Minnesota’s inside-outside dynamo.
But one way or another, the Cavs will earn a top seed with James and his 15.9 win shares on board. A conference finals matchup with the Indiana Pacers is certainly in the cards.
From Postseason Guarantees to Bottom Three, One-and-Done
Seeing that Wade technically remains unsigned, things are undoubtedly still in flux down in South Beach.
But as of this moment, the future doesn’t look particularly bright for Miami.
The Heat’s starting five, if sent to the floor right now, would consist of Norris Cole running point, Justin Hamilton anchoring the center spot and effectively no one else. Those two are the only players that are officially signed.
Assuming Bosh’s five-year, $118 million contract, Shabazz Napier’s entry-level terms and Wade’s impending deal get finalized, the Heat will remain in need of some major reinforcements. A 31-going-on-41-year-old Danny Granger and decent—but not game-changing—stretch-four in Josh McRoberts simply won't replace James’ 16-win value.
At any rate, according to Ken Berger of CBS Sports, the representatives of prized free-agent small forward Luol Deng have reached out to Miami’s front office. If this high-profile acquisition indeed materializes, James and Deng would have literally switched places at the same position. Coincidence much?
Deng would provide the Heat with a career 16.0 PPG, 6.3 REB and 2.5 AST guy who can score, rebound and defend. The rock-solid 11-year vet was worth nearly five wins last year between the Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls.
If not James, Deng is the next best available thing. But unfortunately for Heat fans, the next best thing isn’t anything close to the man who preceded him.
Representing the East in the NBA finals—let alone conference finals—just isn’t a conceivable outcome to Miami’s upcoming campaign. Expect a bottom-three seed and potential first-round loss to none other than the James-led Cavaliers next year.
From Hero to Villain to Hero Once Again
They cheered him, adored him and called him their own.
They booed him, reviled him and burnt his jersey in spiteful effigy.
And now, the Cavaliers faithful—the Cleveland and Ohio natives—have forgiven, accepted and welcomed their prodigal son with a loving embrace. LeBron James is back.
James did the right thing in the wrong way when he left for Miami back in 2010. “The Decision” was a total disgrace and an utter debacle. No one will discount that assertion.
Yet what the 29-year-old native of Akron, Ohio has accomplished on both a personal and basketball level over the past four years is nothing short of remarkable.
He transformed a potentially career-ruining collapse against the Dallas Mavericks into two straight NBA titles and an appearance in a fourth consecutive Finals. He went from mercenary-esque follower to a champion leader of men both on and off the court.
“My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball,” said James through his SI.com piece Friday. “I didn’t realize that four years ago. I do now.”
James opted for a classy first-person written announcement over an ostentatious televised account. He sent out his heartfelt gratitude to all those who helped him along the way in Miami. And now he understands implicitly his responsibility to the community of Northeast Ohio.
“I’m ready to accept the challenge,” revealed James. “I’m coming home.”
The world’s best player—the best of his generation—has now solidified his place in the hallowed annals of NBA history.
LeBron Raymone James is a hero once again.
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