Forget what LeBron says, the real reasons for returning to Cleveland.

[STATUTORY]

this is all correct, it was the expedient and opportunistic move

bron is shrewd and calculating. sentimentality had little to do with it

[SpecialQue]

Jesus, Lebron goes back to the Cavs and OP makes a thread that I agree with. I'm about to check outside to see if it's raining frogs.

[LBJ 23]

You're stupid if you think that him coming home, his family coming home, him trying to at least a little repair that damage he did in 10' with decision, had nothing to do with his return.

[rezznor]

The East sucks. The Pacers are not a long term contender.

If the pieces align for the Chicago Bulls (get Melo, no injuries, Rose isn't done) they could have a shot. But other than that it's a guaranteed trip.



Sure. In my post that is the same as "returning to Cleveland generating hype/revenue" though.



I believe there is protection on those picks.

one pick is top 10 protected until 2016 i think

[LBJ 23]

Also all what you said is somehow true but what did you expect, him joining Bucks, Magic, Bobcats? Are those the only teams which are allowed for him to choose? Is it forbidden to choose a team with potential and talent? He didn't go to the teams like OKC, SA, Indiana, LAC teams which are true contenders right now and without him being there. That would be ring chasing or bailing like many of you are saying.

[ThePhantomCreep]

LeBron is definitely banking on the young Cavs blossoming into contenders. It's a bold move, I'll give him that.

[hitmanyr2k]

You're stupid if you think that him coming home, his family coming home, him trying to at least a little repair that damage he did in 10' with decision, had nothing to do with his return.

If the Heat didn't get man-handled by the Spurs the Cavs would have been an afterthought. Cleveland should thank their lucky stars the Spurs whooped that ass and humbled Lebron into going home

[TonyMontana]

BUMP! for the late nighters

contrary to the propaganda, LeBron returning to Cleveland has very little to do with "redemption and "his love for Northeast Ohio".

The move is all about having a greater chance at winning and the personal glory/hype that the media/sponsors will give him because of it. Anyone that thinks LeBron is taking "the people of Northeast Ohio" interests over his own is a ****ing fool.

LeBron was pissed at the Dan Gilberts letter. He would not have come back had Cleveland not been a perfect opportunity both with the team(3 #1 overall picks in last four years plus Varejao), it being in the East(no competition, automatic Finals berth) and the opportunity to build his brand with this newfound hype.

[20Four]

His little essay is all PR bullshit. Here are the real reasons.

-Miami no longer has a supporting cast that can compete with the Western conference team. A lot of this is due to Wade now becoming useless. Bosh is nice, but it appears the rest of the team would be vet minimum role players. We don't even know if the second best player(Birdman lmao) would have come back. There was no way this team was going to improve anymore. They peaked and the window closed.

-LeBron returning to Cleveland is a huge story that generates revenue. On top of this being a better move for on his legacy this shit is also going to make him more popular(for better or worse) than ever. He is also a business man.

-Cleveland was able to stockpile assets without him. If Cleveland doesn't get 3 number one overall picks in 4 years does he come back? Nope.

-Cleveland is still in the Eastern Conference. Eastern Conference = guaranteed trip to the Finals. Shitty conference and whichever team has LeBron wins it by default. He knows this. LeBron is a ***** and was never going to leave the East.

[LBJFTW]

BUMP! for the late nighters

contrary to the propaganda, LeBron returning to Cleveland has very little to do with "redemption and "his love for Northeast Ohio".

The move is all about having a greater chance at winning and the personal glory/hype that the media/sponsors will give him because of it. Anyone that thinks LeBron is taking "the people of Northeast Ohio" interests over his own is a ****ing fool.

LeBron was pissed at the Dan Gilberts letter. He would not have come back had Cleveland not been a perfect opportunity both with the team(3 #1 overall picks in last four years plus Varejao), it being in the East(no competition, automatic Finals berth) and the opportunity to build his brand with this newfound hype.

There's lots of fools in Cleveland who believe exactly this and your assessment is spot on. Most accurate post you've had in years tho.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

There's a human element to it, ie. his "homecoming" - but this is mostly spot on. Repped.

[oh the horror]

There's a human element to it, ie. his "homecoming" - but this is mostly spot on. Repped.

This and what the OP said are spot on. I have no disagreements here.

[IMObjective]

Nice, turns out Tony Montana was a real heat fan.

I also agree.

[Jasper]

I thought about the Cav's and bron , but quite frankly never for the reasons he has stated , or for that matter Grantland has stated.

Clip's , Spurs , he basically could of crowned himself with 6 rings and had a legit argument if MJ was truly the best.

But he conceded.
That is right.
He may go down as going to the finals 9 times (russell)
BUT even if he wins one with the Cav's 3-4 rings doesn't award him Mount Rushmore.

Really puts a quirk in the NBA.
Driving home tonight , I thought what if Nate Walters of the Bucks said he was going home

What if all the ballers said they were going home ...

We would have about 4 cities on the NBA map. (And it would not include CLEVerLAND)

Next 6 + years bank on a west conference team winning it , except one year

[davehos]

I really think there are two reasons why LeBron is returning to Ohio.


1) Miami in going downhill. Wade got blistered in the Finals.

2) Cleveland is improving. How would history look at it if Kyrie won a ring in Cleveland while LeBron was in Miami?

LeBron isn't stupid. The same thing that drove him to Miami is driving him back to Cleveland.