The NBA's Return of the King: LeBron James' 10-Year Commitment to Cleveland Cavaliers

The 37-year-old Lebron and his Lakers were out early. I can’t help but think back to LeBron who was still in the Cavaliers in those years. Whether he was 18 years old (1.0) or 30 years old (2.0), he was the beginning of my watching NBA, and he was also The reason I'm obsessed with the NBA. Today let us review the story of LeBron James, who wore a wine-red jersey and resolutely returned to his hometown to fulfill his youthful promise.

目录:

1. 克里夫兰骑士的救世主

2. 失败、再败:动摇的信念

3. 离开克里夫兰:The Decision

4. 王者归来:重返骑士只为承诺的LeBron

5. 绝境重生:缔造The only Cleveland Cavaliers team in history

In his 12-year Cavaliers career, LeBron has created countless records, from a highly anticipated rookie to the little emperor second only to Kobe, and then to the number one player in the league recognized by everyone. A smooth life has also experienced a lot of inner ups and downs, let us review this story together.

[1. The savior of the Cleveland Cavaliers]

LeBron was the focus of all attention in high school. Everyone was optimistic about this proud man. ESPN even broadcast a high school game in the United States for him. This is quite rare. Yes, that game attracted a total of 1.67 million viewers, making it the third most-watched basketball game in ESPN history at the time. The high popularity of

made NIKE willing to sign him for more than 90 million US dollars in 7 years, and LeBron came to the Cleveland Cavaliers as the No. 1 pick in 2003 without any suspense, becoming the savior in the hearts of the locals.

lived up to expectations, LeBron averaged 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in his rookie season, helping the team to improve their record by 18 victories. Although they haven’t been able to return to for the playoffs, has already shown Clevelanders The dawn has not yet come. In the next two years, under LeBron's continuous evolution, not only did his record improve again, he even made it to the second round of the playoffs. Unfortunately, he lost to the powerful Pistons, who had entered the Eastern Championship for three consecutive years.

LeBron made a comeback in 2007. In the finals of the Eastern Conference, Lu Bu Zhan Sanying successfully avenged and defeated the impregnable wall of Pistons , especially in the crucial fifth game. Entered the championship game for the first time in his career.

It’s a pity that facing the seasoned Spurs , LeBron suffered heavy defense and underperformed, and was swept by the Spurs 4:0, setting an embarrassing record for the lowest ratings in the championship game in history, but let the world see his terrible ability , and made Duncan believe that "the future will be his."

belongs to the LeBron generation is coming.

[2. Failure, re-defeat: shaken faith]

In 2008, the Cavaliers and the Celtics, who were trying to return to the top, fought hard. Points, still lost to Celtic, who owned the GAP Big Three back then.

In 2009, LeBron won the regular season MVP for the first time in his career, and led Cleveland to the playoffs with a record of 66 wins and 16 losses. He vowed his determination to win glory!

At that time, everyone was looking forward to the legendary matchup of 23 vs 24 in the championship game. Unexpectedly, the Cavaliers were caught off guard by Howard in the Eastern Conference Championship. The special lineup of one inside and four outside made the Cavaliers helpless. Even though LeBron averaged 38 points per game, he still lost the battle, ending the expectations of the fans for the Zhan Ke matchup, and that expectation never had a chance to appear again.

Since 2007, LeBron has lost his mind for four consecutive years. After losing to the Celtics in 2010, LeBron, who became a free agent, began to think about his life.

At that time, almost all teams were eager to join him, only the Cleveland people still believed that their emperor would always return to his hometown.

[3. Leaving Cleveland: The Decision]

2010/7/8, a nationally broadcast special program called The Decision, LeBron announced that he would sign with the Miami Heat and bring his talent to the South Bay, He worked together with his good brothers Wade and Bosh to form the Big Three in South Bay.

That night, the whole world was shocked, South Bay was noisy and jubilant, but Cleveland kept screaming, die-hard fans who cried silently, unacceptable crazy fans, abused players, burned jerseys, and bombarded him as cowardly. Now, after all, how much I loved once, how much I hate now.

LeBron left the Cavaliers and won the championship as he wished, but the Cavaliers who once loved him could not forget their hatred for him. When they returned to the Cavaliers home court, they always got all kinds of roars. This kind of emotion is not difficult to understand. After all, after he left, even if he won For the No. 1 pick, Cleveland is still dead silent. It has become a slender team at the mercy of others, and has entered a long night of weakness.

left the Cavaliers for four years, LeBron broke into the championship game for four consecutive years, won two regular season MVPs, two championships, and two championship MVPs. Thinking of his hometown of Cleveland, of the promises he had made to it as a boy, the unfulfilled promise.

He wants to go home.

[4. The Return of the King: Returning to the Cavaliers Only for the Promised LeBron]

2014/7/11 After losing the championship with the Spurs, LeBron published an affectionate long article in Sports Illustrated announcing that he was about to return to the Cavaliers.

seems to be a touching hometown feeling, but most of the media looked down upon it as a very unwise decision. After all, the Cavaliers at that time had nothing to compare with Heat , but LeBron has made up his mind. With a more mature self, he will fulfill his boyhood dream, win the championship for his hometown, and end the championship drought of professional teams in Cleveland for more than 50 years.

The Cleveland people finally look forward to returning to their hero. The difference is that this time he has two more reliable star teammates: K. Irving and K. Love. The trio perform their duties, like the new Heat Like the Big Three.

had a great momentum back then, but the Cavaliers stumbled in the early stage. It was not until after the All-Star Game that they really found their winning mode, but fate did not spare them. First, Love was pulled by his opponent while grabbing a rebound in the first round of the playoffs. Irving was reimbursed for the season with a dislocated shoulder, and his internal combat power was greatly damaged. It was hard to advance to the championship game. Irving was reimbursed for the season because of a sprained ankle in the first game of the finals. The picture is really heart-wrenching, but what is even more sad is that LeBron, who should have been the most helpless and desperate, had to say: "No matter who falls, I am still strong."

That year, LeBron fought 6 games with the Warriors. The strength gap between the two sides was obvious, but he did not give up the Jedi counterattack. In the absence of two major players, he averaged 35.8 points, 13.3 basketball and 8.8 assists. Watching the Warriors win the gold cup, Cleveland was silent and desperate at that moment, but seeing his performance, it is hard to blame. After all, the saddest person may be LeBron himself...

[5. Rebirth from a desperate situation: creating the only Cleveland Cavaliers in history]

In 2016, LeBron and his Cavaliers stood up again in an attempt to regain the championship they lost last year. Even though no one in the East can shake their position, they have repeatedly suffered defeats against the Warriors, the imaginary opponents in the championship game. Therefore, the team decided to replace the head coach Blatt, who is well-known in Europe, and help the assistant coach Lue, who has a bad relationship with the head coach at this time. LeBron was the first to bear the brunt and was criticized for his pressure and arrogance on the team.

The Cavaliers who entered the playoffs went smoothly and easily advanced to the championship game. Compared with the Warriors who won 73 games in the season, they stumbled. But after coming to the championship game, the Warriors have already achieved an absolute lead of 3:1 after the first four games This time the Cavaliers have no excuses, no injuries, and the situation is quite unfavorable. After all, no team has ever been able to reverse and win the championship after falling behind 3:1 in the championship game. The responsibility and mission shouldered by LeBron are getting heavier.

Facing a 3-1 deficit, the Cavaliers had no way to retreat. Before Game 5 of the championship game, LeBron did not give up. He sent a text message to his teammates: "If you think we will lose, then don't Get on the plane." He swore his determination to fight back. And the battle situation did have a turning point. In the fifth game, D. Green was suspended for throwing a punch at LeBron's crotch. LeBron and Irving seized the opportunity and both scored 41 points to break through the Warriors' home court. Then in the sixth game, Lebron won back to back. After scoring 41 points to win, they were unexpectedly reborn from a desperate situation. The two sides returned to the starting point and tied 3:3.

Returning to the home court of the Warriors in the seventh game, even though Cleveland won two consecutive victories, no one is optimistic that the Cavaliers can comeback and win the championship. The two sides tied at 89:89. LeBron reversed the fate of the defeat with a shocking decision. Iring made a step-back three-pointer to wake up Cleveland's chance to win. At the critical moment, Love prevented Curry from equalizing three Points, the Cleveland Cavaliers won the game! Ending the 52-year championship drought, LeBron realized the unfulfilled promise of 10 years, hugging, crying, excited, kneeling, and shouting:

Cleveland, this is for you. Unbelievably great story.

From the age of 18, LeBron dedicated his youth to the Cavaliers. Although he left and was spurned by others, the moment he won the championship, all criticisms and accusations disappeared, leaving behind a full of moving stories:

After leaving Come back, I am still the son of Akron.

Son of Akron who did his best to bring you the title.

Thank you, Cleveland.