Channels

Screenshot: Sports Illustrated
LeBron James Sports Illustrated cover
Screenshot: Sports Illustrated

King James to join David Blatt in Cleveland

Four-time MVP forward announces his 'return home' to Cavaliers, four years – and two championship rings – after he left for Miami.

Former Maccabi Tel Aviv coach David Blatt is set to coach NBA star LeBron James, after the Miami Heat forward announced his return home to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a Sports Illustrated cover story.

 

 

A picture of King James graces the cover with the declarative statement: "I'm coming home." The 29-year-old four-time MVP told the magazine that he intended to return to Ohio and the team where he began his professional career.

 

LeBron James cover (Screenshot: Sports Illustrated)
LeBron James cover (Screenshot: Sports Illustrated)

 

For seven years the Akron Hammer dazzled the Cleveland diehards with his show-stopping performances, until he broke the locals' hearts in 2010 with the infamous "Decision" to part with the Cavs and move to Miami – where he won two NBA championships in a row.

 

David Blatt (Photo: AP)
David Blatt (Photo: AP)

 

LeBron told Sports Illustrated the last four years helped shapes him as a player. "These past four years helped raise me into who I am. I became a better player and a better man. I will always think of Miami as my second home."

 

Photo: Reuters
Photo: Reuters

 

He said he first came to the Heat because of his fellow players, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, and that he treasured the fellowship they had developed during the last four years.

 

King James will be joining Blatt, fresh off of his Euroleague victory with Maccabi Tel Aviv. In the Sports Illustrated piece, LeBron addressed the challenges he would face with the lowly Cavaliers. "I’m going into a situation with a young team and a new coach. I will be the old head. But I get a thrill out of bringing a group together and helping them reach a place they didn’t know they could go."

 

David Blatt at Maccabi Tel Aviv (Photo: Reuven Shwartz)
David Blatt at Maccabi Tel Aviv (Photo: Reuven Shwartz)

 

Acknowledging the difficulties ahead, LeBron made a heartfelt plea in SI for retaining hometown pride. "My presence can make a difference in Miami, but I think it can mean more where I’m from. I want kids in Northeast Ohio, like the hundreds of Akron third-graders I sponsor through my foundation, to realize that there’s no better place to grow up."

 

Accepting the difficult road ahead, he told SI: "In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have. I’m ready to accept the challenge. I’m coming home."

 

Blatt also issued a statement: "I am overjoyed by this news. This is an emotional move for the squad, for the state, and for basketball."

 

Roei Eisenberg contributed to this report.

 


פרסום ראשון: 07.11.14, 23:44
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment