LeBron James may not despise the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Whoa. That’s heavy-hitting stuff. It might even be true.
Sam Amick of Fox Sports Ohio says everybody’s favorite free agent might have eyes for Cleveland, after all:
I'm told, by multiple sources now, LeBron agent Rich Paul told Cavs he's impressed w what they've done and what they can still do to roster.
— Sam Amico (@SamAmicoFSO) July 7, 2014
Welp. This settles it. LeBron isn’t practicing voodoo anymore at Dan Gilbert’s expense. He’s not taking dumps and using Cavaliers toilet paper to wipe his bottom. He’s not getting that tramp-stamp tattoo of Anderson Varejao removed via laser.
He’s also easily impressed.
The Cavs haven’t done much this offseason. They signed Kyrie Irving to a max contract extension, hired David Blatt as head coach and they drafted Andrew Wiggins with the first overall pick. The end.
This is still the same team that has failed to make the playoffs since LeBron left for the Miami Heat until proven otherwise. The moves made this offseason may look good, but they mean little until they’re put into practice.
The Cavs don’t have that kind of time, of course. LeBron is a free agent now. They need to sell him on possibilities and potential instead of their track record. They must show him the benefits of coming “home” to compete for an NBA title. And ESPN.com’s Chris Broussard thinks they are:
Cleveland has replaced Miami as my frontrunner to land LeBron James…
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 7, 2014
Just so we’re clear: Put an emphasis on “thinks.” Broussard isn’t reporting anything. He just thinks there’s a chance LeBron returns.
Why? Some combination of talks he’s had, along with gusts of wind…apparently:
I'm not saying LJ to Cavs is done deal or I know 4 a fact; just my gut feeling based on many conversations I've had around this story…
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 7, 2014
These convos aren't sourced enough 4 me to report as fact. But I've heard enough to believe "the wind is blowing" LJ back home. We'll see…
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 7, 2014
This whole thing is becoming increasingly bizarre. For months, I’ve been fending off crazies who think LeBron’s return to Cleveland now is a legitimate possibility. If I wind up being one of the (many) crazy ones who rejected the notion altogether, only to see it become fact, well, I may just start wearing speedos to the beach, but not before I submerge myself in baby oil just for kicks.
Signing with Cleveland still appears to be a long shot, even if James is interested. The Heat still have the inside track. LeBron has waited this long because he’s giving Pat Riley time to improve the roster. If he was plotting his escape beforehand, he would have been gone already. He would have held face-to-face meetings with other teams already. There would be signs—indicators that have him leaning one way or the other. There have been none of those to this point.
Imagining LeBron leaving Miami after four straight Finals appearances is simply too difficult to process right now. But it could happen. And if it does, the Cavs seem to be a legitimate option, if only because they can appeal to the nostalgic side of LeBron.
What a crazy-ass free agency we live in.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com.
