LeBron addresses free-agency future
CLEVELAND - If Game 4 of the NBA Finals was LeBron James’ final game as a Cleveland Cavalier, he left Quicken Loans Arena without one of those iconic games that have defined his career.
There were reasons for that, starting with the Golden State Warriors, who won their third title in four seasons, all against James’ Cavs, and James’ badly bruised right hand, a self-inflicted injury he sustained after punching a whiteboard following Cleveland’s Game 1 overtime loss to Golden State.
James had just 23 points, eight assists and seven rebounds on Friday, concluding his 15th NBA season with another outstanding playoff run. He averaged 34 points, 9.1 rebounds, nine assists, 1.4 steals and shot 53.9 percent from the field with four triple-doubles and 15 double-doubles.
He took a team that no one thought would make it out of the East to the Finals once again. It was Cleveland’s fourth consecutive appearance and James’ eighth, a remarkable achievement that includes three championships, two with Miami and one with Cleveland.
The question now: Where will James play next season? And while speculation has begun, James said after losing to the Warriors 108-85 that he does not know if that was his last game in a Cavs uniform.
“I have no idea at this point,” James said.
And he means it. James has not decided where he will play next season, a person with direct knowledge of James’ plans told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.
Teams, including Cleveland, have emerged as potential suitors for James: the Cavs, Philadelphia, Houston and the Los Angeles Lakers. New York and San Antonio have longshot chances, but don’t discount James’ fondness for Madison Square Garden and the Knicks mystique and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
If James leaves — and that’s no guarantee —Cleveland fans will be disappointed, but they won’t have the same vitriol as they had when he left for Miami in 2010.
James returned to Cleveland to win a championship for the Cavs, the city and northeast Ohio, and he did that.
“I came back because I felt like I had some unfinished business,” James said. “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. Honestly, I think we’ll all remember that. It ended a drought for Cleveland of 50-plus years, so I think we’ll all remember that in sports history.”
A title and his philanthropic endeavors that help kids in the region make James beloved. He is northeast Ohio’s favorite son for eternity.
James, 33, has made clear his decision will be based on basketball and family. Competing for titles is still high on James’ priority list.
“I still have so much to give to the game,” James said. “For me personally, it made me even more hungry to continue to try to win championships. I think I’ve shown this year why I will continue to be in championship mode.”