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LeBron says he is going back to Cleveland

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Before anyone ever cared where I would play basketball, I was a kid from Northeast Ohio. It’s where I walked. It’s where I ran. It’s where I cried. It’s where I bled. It holds a special place in my heart. People there have seen me grow up. I sometimes feel like I’m their son. Their passion can be overwhelming. But it drives me. I want to give them hope when I can. I want to inspire them when I can. My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn’t realize that four years ago. I do now.

Remember when I was sitting up there at the Boys & Girls Club in 2010? I was thinking, This is really tough. I could feel it. I was leaving something I had spent a long time creating. If I had to do it all over again, I’d obviously do things differently, but I’d still have left. Miami, for me, has been almost like college for other kids. These past four years helped raise me into who I am. I became a better player and a better man. I learned from a franchise that had been where I wanted to go. I will always think of Miami as my second home. Without the experiences I had there, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing today.

I went to Miami because of D-Wade and CB. We made sacrifices to keep UD. I loved becoming a big bro to Rio. I believed we could do something magical if we came together. And that’s exactly what we did! The hardest thing to leave is what I built with those guys. I’ve talked to some of them and will talk to others. Nothing will ever change what we accomplished. We are brothers for life.  I also want to thank Micky Arison and Pat Riley for giving me an amazing four years.

I’m doing this essay because I want an opportunity to explain myself uninterrupted. I don’t want anyone thinking: He and Erik Spoelstra didn’t get along. … He and Riles didn’t get along. … The Heat couldn’t put the right team together. That’s absolutely not true.

I’m not having a press conference or a party. After this, it’s time to get to work.

When I left Cleveland, I was on a mission. I was seeking championships, and we won two. But Miami already knew that feeling. Our city hasn’t had that feeling in a long, long, long time. My goal is still to win as many titles as possible, no question. But what’s most important for me is bringing one trophy back to Northeast Ohio.

I always believed that I’d return to Cleveland and finish my career there. I just didn’t know when. After the season, free agency wasn’t even a thought. But I have two boys and my wife, Savannah, is pregnant with a girl. I started thinking about what it would be like to raise my family in my hometown. I looked at other teams, but I wasn’t going to leave Miami for anywhere except Cleveland. The more time passed, the more it felt right. This is what makes me happy.

To make the move I needed the support of my wife and my mom, who can be very tough. The letter from Dan Gilbert, the booing of the Cleveland fans, the jerseys being burned — seeing all that was hard for them. My emotions were more mixed. It was easy to say, “OK, I don’t want to deal with these people ever again.” But then you think about the other side. What if I were a kid who looked up to an athlete, and that athlete made me want to do better in my own life, and then he left? How would I react? I’ve met with Dan, face-to-face, man-to-man. We’ve talked it out. Everybody makes mistakes. I’ve made mistakes as well. Who am I to hold a grudge?

I’m not promising a championship. I know how hard that is to deliver. We’re not ready right now. No way. Of course, I want to win next year, but I’m realistic. It will be a long process, much longer than it was in 2010. My patience will get tested. I know that. 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. I see myself as a mentor now and I’m excited to lead some of these talented young guys. I think I can help Kyrie Irving become one of the best point guards in our league. I think I can help elevate Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters. And I can’t wait to reunite with Anderson Varejao, one of my favorite teammates.

But this is not about the roster or the organization. I feel my calling here goes above basketball. I have a responsibility to lead, in more ways than one, and I take that very seriously. 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. Maybe some of them will come home after college and start a family or open a business. That would make me smile. Our community, which has struggled so much, needs all the talent it can get.

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.

via SI.com

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Los Angeles Lakers Reportedly Make Every Player Available in Trades Except LeBron James

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The Los Angeles Lakers have lost 6 of their last 10 games and have fell to 9th place in the western conference. With LeBron James still battling an alleged sports hernia injury, that’s had him out the last 6 weeks; LA is worried about their season. After the trade, we’ll report a bizarre trade that involved two superstars last weekend – but was shut down after the Lonzo Ball injury.

Magic Johnson, Rob Pelinka, Kobe Bryant and LeBron are now officially in panic-mode. The team has reportedly made every player on the team, except LeBron James (and client Kentavious Caldwell-Pope) available for trades. The deadline is next Thursday, February 7th at 3:00pm ET; as we expect the team to make a slew of deals that won’t include Anthony Davis.

Since their New Orleans deal is dead, the team is now focused on adding superstars through free agency. So, they’re planning to trade Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram.

With the Lake Show blueprinting things out, the likes of Terrence Ross, Trevor Ariza, Wayne Ellington, and Garrett Temple are veteran three-point shooters the team wants to add.

James who turned 34 last month, he’s suffered his first major injury, which we don’t expect to heal this season. From our examination of LeBron, he’s looking slower and has no major lift any more.

Now that his athleticism is gone and he never developed fundamentals (consistent post-scoring, off-ball play, free-throws etc); we’re not sure if this is right move to make.

Let us know in the comments if you’d trade players for the short-term

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The Time Michael Jordan Lost A 1-on-1 Game

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The Footage Michael Jordan Wants Us To Forget About…Still the GOAT!

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Timberwolves Agree to Trade Jimmy Butler to 76ers

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per ESPN

After a standoff that has stretched into the first part of the season, the Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to trade Jimmy Butler to the Philadelphia 76ers, league sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe.

Butler and the Sixers expect to reach a deal on a long-term contract this summer, league sources told ESPN. The Sixers made the trade to add Butler to a Big Three with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.

The Timberwolves will receive a package that includes Robert CovingtonDario SaricJerryd Bayless and a second-round pick, sources said, and Minnesota will also send Justin Patton to Philadelphia.

Butler, who is expected to become a free agent after this season, requested a trade prior to Timberwolves media day in September. He ultimately reported to the team and was averaging 21.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game for the 4-9 Timberwolves.

Once the trade is complete, the Timberwolves may waive Bayless, but the team is still considering its options, sources said.

The Sixers' odds to win the NBA title have improved from 30-1 to 16-1 at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook, and their odds to win the Eastern Conference went from 7-1 to 3-1.

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