Clippers fans, LeBron James was never coming to L.A.
By Tom West
As intriguing as the dream may be to Los Angeles Clippers fans, LeBron James was never going to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for L.A. this summer, and his bond to his team and city continues to confirm that.
The King. The Chosen One. The Hometown Hero. Now, the champion and saviour of Cleveland at long last. During his second stint with the Cavaliers, LeBron James led the only team to come back from a 3-1 series deficit in the NBA Finals to bring Cleveland its first major sports title since 1964. In a defining moment of what should be an undisputed legacy for him now and a spell of uncontainable joy for the city, it became clear that Cleveland needs LeBron and he needs them. He lives off his town and he’s gifted them a championship that he stole from the hands of the 73-9 Golden State Warriors. And that’s a bond that won’t be broken this summer. Not for any other team, including the Los Angeles Clippers.
If you ask LeBron what his favorite city is, an unimpressed snort of “Cleveland” would be the response. There’s no other city that would even enter his mind at such a question. New York, Paris, Rome, London, Los Angeles, wherever. It doesn’t matter.
Now that he’s returned after his necessary time in Miami to earn his first two championships, the fact that LeBron lives and breathes for Cleveland is obvious.
Regardless of L.A. and the Clippers owning one of his closest friends in Chris Paul, that draw isn’t enough. Regardless of Stephen A. Smith reporting that all big players consider the lifestyle and market of L.A., that draw isn’t enough. To win a championship against what could have been the greatest team of all time, coming back from a 3-1 deficit, having a resilient team with Kyrie Irving average 27.1 points per game in the Finals by your side, all in your home town, leaves LeBron with the kind of complete situation that few players dream of having.
He’s home, he’s supported by everyone, and he’s won on the toughest stage against the toughest opponent possible.
“I love it here. I love being here. I love my teammates,” James told Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, just before the Cavs’ championship parade through Cleveland began on Wednesday. “Obviously my agent will take care of all the logistical things but, I’m happy. I’ve got no plans to go nowhere at this point.”
Everything LeBron said reassures everyone currently rejoicing in Cleveland that he won’t be going anywhere. Despite his suggestion that he’d take a pay cut to play with his brotherhood of Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul some day, it’s clear that day is certainly no time soon (if ever), and certainly won’t be happening with only Paul realistically in play for the Clippers this summer. Casually adding Wade and LeBron with their already minimal amount of cap space isn’t happening.
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And that’s really besides the point. As dear as Paul may be to LeBron, the Clippers wouldn’t offer a stronger supporting cast for a championship, not to mention a road to the Finals in the tougher Western Conference, once they give up Blake Griffin and his $20.1 million 2016-17 salary in order to acquire him. As formidable as a lineup of Paul, J.J. Redick, LeBron, some power forward, and DeAndre Jordan would be, the lack of a talented four and an elite bench wouldn’t be enough to bring The King away from his current throne.
Even entertaining such a thought is getting away from what’s closest to LeBron’s heart here anyway.
Leaving a team fresh off a historically difficult title win isn’t something you discard lightly. When they’re from the city that holds your heart and are behind you more than ever after such a victory, discarding them seems almost impossible.
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The Clippers don’t have enough value in terms of personnel or personal connections to outweigh that.
“This is the happiest time in my life right now,” LeBron added to Vardon, further emphasizing the unanimous joy ringing through Cleveland this week.
James won’t, and shouldn’t, leave that for anything else.