LeBron Says I'm Coming Home

In 2010, LeBron James became a free agent for the first time in his career. Being the most coveted free agent in the NBA, LeBron decided to have a one hour television special to announce where he would be playing for the next four years. LeBron decided to use the most popular source of media possible, ESPN. He was courted by the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, and his current team and hometown Cleveland Cavaliers.

In the end, LeBron chose to take his talents to South Beach and join NBA  All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. His hometown of Cleveland was devastated, fans burned his jersey and all the pictures of LeBron in the state of Ohio were immediately taken down. LeBron was widely criticized for the way he went about announcing his decision and his image took a huge hit. Unfortunately, the way he did it rubbed a lot of people the wrong way, especially the city of Cleveland.

 Four NBA finals and two championships later, LeBron once again became a free agent. This time around LeBron played things a little closer to the vest. He had his agent meet with potential teams that he was interested in. When it was finally time for LeBron to make his final decision on where he would be playing, he didn’t take the same route he did last time. He decided to go old school and release a statement to Sports Illustrated. He eloquently poured out his heart and soul by putting pen to paper and expressing how much his hometown of Akron Ohio meant to him. He explained his thought process for leaving as well as the reasons he wants to return to the Cavs. He forgave the fans and Cleveland owners for all the heart ache and pain he suffered while at the same time sympathizing and empathizing, then apologizing for his own short comings. 

In the end once again, LeBron demonstrated maturity and class when announcing his decision.  This does show that the way you deliver your message is just as important as the message itself. Welcome home LeBron. Good luck next season.

How did LeBron celebrate his return home to Cleveland? By going to Brazil and attending the World Cup Finals.