LeBron James’ decision to join the Miami Heat in 2010 changed the game of basketball forever, but he doesn’t think it changed the trajectory of his career.
“I think whether I come here or not, I’m still going to be at this level,” James told reporters on Monday. “Let’s not get it twisted: My four years here, it’s been fantastic. I’ve loved everything about it. Love this franchise, this franchise is top-notch, it’s one of the best franchises in the world .
“But as far as my career, personally, my career is going to be my career because I know how much I put into the game, I know how much I worked to be as great as I can. ( But) in terms of what I’ve learned here, it’s second to none, that’s for sure.”
In July 2010, James shocked the world by going on national television and taking his talents to South Beach. From 2011 to 2014, he led the Heat to four consecutive Finals, winning the first two championships of his career, and then shocked the world again by returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
During his time in Miami, James honed his game to lethal levels of efficiency and became arguably the best two-way player ever. He’s added muscle to his elite post-up game while also improving his shot selection and playing some of the best defense of his career.
While James believes he will continue his personal ascent no matter where he plays, he acknowledges that leaving Cleveland is necessary to win a championship.
“I’m here for one reason and one reason only, and that’s to win a championship,” James said. “That’s my only goal. That’s the only reason I’m working with (Dwyane) Wade and (Chris) Bosh. Because I feel like I can’t do it in Cleveland. We can’t do it. … .I tried to recruit players to come to Cleveland. I tried to help the guys upstairs, but it didn’t happen. So I had the opportunity to be a free agent, so I did what I thought was the best thing, not only for my career, but It was that point in time for me.”
“It was a culture change for me,” James added. “People talk about the ‘Heat culture,’ and it was a time of cultural change. For the first time in my life, it changed everything in my life. Being able to come here and be able to learn and play alongside UD Wade (Udonis Hasler) Tom) and Spoelstra (Erik Spoelstra) — guys who have won championships — it’s definitely great to be a part of that, for sure.”
James returned to form another superteam in Cleveland, but it didn’t happen through free agency. Thanks to some lottery luck in 2011, Kyrie Irving was already in place, and the Cavaliers received lottery money again in 2014, paving the way for a trade for Kevin Love.
During James’ second tenure, the Cavaliers made four consecutive Finals appearances, coming back from falling 3-1 to the Golden State Warriors in 2016 to win the title.
In 2018, James left Cleveland for the second time to join the Los Angeles Lakers and defeated the Miami Heat in the 2020 bubble season to win another championship.
The Lakers will face the Heat on Monday night in Miami.