LeBron James is taking back his original No. 23 as he returns to the Cleveland Cavaliers after wearing No. 6 during his four seasons with the Miami Heat.
Before announcing his decision, LeBron James asked the fans to weigh in with their choice. He didn’t poll the man most famous for wearing that number in the NBA, but he apparently has his blessing.
LeBron James is taking back his original No. 23 as he returns to the Cleveland Cavaliers
In a text message to ESPN, Michael Jordan wrote: “I’m cool with it. I don’t own a number.”
Michael Jordan wore No. 23 during the majority of his career with the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards.
When LeBron James made the switch to No. 6 in Miami, he suggested the NBA retire No. 23 in honor of Michael Jordan.
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LeBron James has announced his return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team where he began his NBA career 11 years ago.
LeBron James, 29, made the announcement in an interview with Sports Illustrated on July 11.
The NBA star has been a free agent since July 1 after opting out of the final two years of his Miami Heat contract.
“I always believed I’d return to Cleveland and finish my career there,” LeBron James said.
LeBron James, named the NBA’s most valuable player on four occasions, quit his contract in Miami last month.
He would have earned $42.7 million in the two years left on his deal.
LeBron James’ decision sparked a scramble for the player, but he revealed a return to his home state of Ohio was always in his thoughts.
LeBron James has announced his return to the Cleveland Cavaliers (photo AP)
“After last season, free agency wasn’t even a thought,” he said James.
“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 home town.
“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.”
After joining the Cavaliers as the first draft pick in 2003, LeBron James rose to superstardom over the next seven years before he was tempted to Miami in 2010, where he formed a devastating partnership with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.
His announcement on leaving for Miami was made during a staged ESPN television show called The Decision.
It led to a backlash from Cleveland fans who burned LeBron James jerseys in anger.
LeBron James, who would have earned $20 million next season, won NBA titles with Heat in 2012 and 2013. He also led Miami to the NBA Finals in 2011, when they lost to Dallas, and 2014, when they were heavily beaten by San Antonio.
News of LeBron James’ departure was announced over the loudspeaker at Cleveland airport and Cavaliers ticket phone lines crashed, reported ESPN.
In 2010, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert wrote an open letter criticizing LeBron James and describing his departure as a “shocking act of disloyalty” and a “shameful display of selfishness and betrayal”.
However, on Friday Dan Gilbert tweeted: “My eight-year-old: <<Daddy, does this mean I can finally wear my LeBron jersey, again?> Yes it does, son. Yes it does!”
In Miami, a mural featuring LeBron James was defaced – according to South Florida news station WPLG Local 10.
Heat owner Micky Arison tweeted: “I am shocked and disappointed in today’s news. However I will never forget what LeBron brought us for four years. Thanks for the memories.”
In addition to the Sports Illustrated interview, LeBron James posted a photo of himself in a Cavaliers uniform on Instagram with the phrase: “I’m coming home”.
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Kris Humphries came pretty close to scoring two points for the other team during the Boston Celtics’ matinee matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday.
In the first quarter with the Celtics trailing 20-18, Kris Humphries got possession of a jump ball in front of his team’s net.
Kris Humphries came pretty close to scoring two points for the other team during the Boston Celtics’ matinee matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers
The Celtics forward then turned toward to hoop, offering a solid pump fake before doing a 180 and passing the ball to Jordan Crawford and heading toward the other end of the floor to play offense.
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Cleveland Cavaliers’ center Andrew Bynum has been suspended indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team, general manager Chris Grant announced Saturday.
Andrew Bynum did not travel with the team for Saturday afternoon’s game against the Celtics. He has been excused from all team activities.
He has played in 24 games this season, averaging 8.4 points and 5.3 rebounds in 20 minutes per game.
Cleveland Cavaliers’ center Andrew Bynum has been suspended indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team
The Cavs signed Andrew Bynum as a free agent in the offseason.
Andrew Bynum spent his first seven seasons in the league with the Lakers but was hampered by multiple knee injuries.
“He doesn’t want to play basketball anymore. He never liked it that much in first place,” league source told Yahoo Sports.
