KING'S NEW CASTLE?
LeBron’s future appears to not include Cleveland
Maybe that stuff about playing with guys who are talented and smart was overblown by LeBron James.
After all, that came from someone who injured his hand — James said it was “pretty much … a broken hand” that was “self-inflicted” — punching a blackboard following the Game 1 NBA Finals loss. Don’t think Einstein ever busted his hand that way.
But even James’ hand injury, which became public only after the Cavaliers were swept by the Warriors through a 108-85 Game 4 thumping Friday in Cleveland, became a subplot of sorts to the hottest NBA topic of debate, discussion, scrutiny and plain old guesswork. Where will LeBron play next year? Everybody, from opposing execs to corner barkeeps, has a thought. James insisted, “I have no idea at this point” after he came up a loser for the sixth time in nine personal Finals tries. Outside opinions suggest he leaves Cleveland. But to where? Guesswork.
James insisted family matters matter and are “a huge part of whatever I’ll decide.” James spoke of his teenage and pre-teen sons, plus his daughter who “wasn’t around” when he returned to Cleveland in 2014. If he truly does not want to uproot his family, then he would remain in Cleveland.
But clearly, the Cavs are not good enough. They got swept. Yes, they could have won two games. But they didn’t. And yes, James played three games with the injured hand. He scored 51 before the injury. And the Cavs lost, in part, through a communication screw up for which J.R. Smith took virtually all blame.
Many foresee James playing for the Lakers next year as part of a super team that could include Paul George. The Rockets became a popular guess. But with Golden State terrorizing the West, many see James fleeing East. Philadelphia is a popular location with an array of young talent.
So he was asked every conceivable way about playing his last game in Cleveland. And he answered basically in one way: “I have no idea.” But he spoke with pride about what he accomplished during his second tour of Cleveland duty.
“I came back because I felt like I had some unfinished business. To be able to be a part of a championship team two years ago with the team that we had and in the fashion that we had is something I will always remember,” James said. “Honestly, I think we’ll all remember that. It ended a drought for Cleveland of 50-plus years.”
He was asked if that drought-ending title was enough to qualify as completing “unfinished business” and avoided it like a defender at the rim, noting “that’s a trick question.” Then James spoke about his drive. “I still have so much to give to the game. When you have a goal and you’re able to accomplish that goal,” James said, “for me personally, it made me even more hungry to continue to try to win championships, and I still want to be in championship mode. I think I’ve shown this year why I will still continue to be in championship mode.”
If championships are the deciding factor, that does not bode well for Cleveland. The pick they got from Boston in the Kyrie Irving trade, originally forked over by the Nets, is No. 8. Maybe if it were top three it would impact James’ thinking. Maybe. But the Cavs, despite some nice young talent secured at the trade deadline, were woefully overmatched in the Finals.
As Warriors coach Steve Kerr said, “We had more talent than they did, and talent wins in this league.”
So James can reflect on his year, before looking ahead.
“It’s definitely been a whirlwind. There’s been ups and downs,” said James who played all 82 games for the first time in his career. “I just try to be consistent throughout the course of the season. Be the leader I know I can be for this ball club, for this franchise every night, no matter what was going on from the outside or the inside, and be reliable every single day. Showing up to work every single day. Putting in the work and grinding every single day.”