Cleveland on James’ mind
LeBron James stood on a stage near one of the streets in Akron, Ohio, he walked as a troubled kid and looked out at thousands of faces. He felt connected to every one of them.
While his 3-year-old daughter, Zhuri, played at his feet, James watched as his mother, Gloria, raised a flag in front of a school that is perhaps his greatest triumph.
His incredible life. Full circle.
Before leaving for Los Angeles, James gave his hometown quite a gift.
James, who ended his second stint with Cleveland earlier this month by signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, yesterday opened his I Promise School, a year-around learning center devoted to some of the city’s most challenged youngsters, ones just like him.
“This means everything,” James said. “I think this is the greatest accomplishment for me because it’s not just me. A championship is for a team, that’s for an organization and a city. But these kids, this is for generation after generation after generation and it’s for these kids, so it means everything.”
It was an emotional day for James, who also made his first comments since signing the $154 million deal with the Lakers, a move still causing tremors across in the NBA. The 33-yearold superstar said the decision to leave Cleveland again was difficult, but didn’t rule out a second homecoming with the Cavaliers.
“Listen, I don’t close the chapter on anything or close the book on anything,” he said om if he would return to Cleveland to end his career. “But hopefully I can sit there one day and watch my jersey go up into the rafters, that’s for sure.”
James led the Cavs to an NBA title in 2016 and to four straight Finals. He didn’t offer many details about what prompted him to sign with the Lakers, but the lure of playing for one of the most successful franchises in sports was intriguing.
“There’s no reason you should become a Laker, became a Yankee, become part of Man U (Manchester United), become part of some franchise or clubs and you don’t think about winning championships or winning at the highest level,” James said. “That’s what the history is all about.”
James knows the Lakers have a ways to go before challenging the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors.
“What my expectations are for the team, we don’t have any right now,” he said. “But we’re definitely going to be better than we were the previous year.”
Hawks waive Anthony
The Atlanta Hawks waived Carmelo Anthony, making official the move that was expected when the 10-time All-Star was traded from Oklahoma City this month.
The 34-year-old Anthony may now sign with another team as a free agent. He averaged 16.2 points with the Thunder this season. ESPN reported that Anthony will sign with the Houston Rockets after he clears waivers tomorrow.
The Hawks acquired Anthony, a protected 2022 first-round draft pick from Oklahoma City and Justin Anderson from the Philadelphia 76ers in the threeteam trade July 19.
In that deal, the Hawks traded forward-center Mike Muscala to Philadelphia and point guard Dennis Schroder to Oklahoma City. Timo the Luwawu-Cabarrot was traded from Philadelphia to Oklahoma City.
Wade stays undecided
Dwyane Wade’s future remains a mystery. The Miami Heat guard wouldn’t say yesterday whether he will play next season, which would be his 16th in the NBA. His future has been the source of much speculation for several weeks, with retirement a possibility.
Heat President Pat Riley said last week the team will be patient while awaiting Wade’s decision, with the hope of an answer by mid-August.
Wade spent his first 13 seasons with Miami, then left for Chicago and eventually Cleveland before he was traded back to the Heat in February. Wade appeared in 26 games with Miami, all off the bench, averaging 12.9 points. Wade was part of three Heat championship teams in 2006, 2012 and 2013.