LeBron James recently claimed that he would have been just as dominant a player had he not joined the Miami Heat in 2010. He has now doubled down on those claims while also acknowledging he might not have as many rings had he not gone there.
“You damn right I would still be! I’m CHOSEN! Ain’t nothing changing that! Maybe less (rings) but DOMINANT from start to finish.”
You damn right I would still be! I’m CHOSEN! Ain’t nothing changing that! Maybe less 💍’s but DOMINANT from start to finish 👑 https://t.co/vZUH3b1pCn
— LeBron James (@KingJames) November 8, 2023
I would say that is actually a pretty fair statement on James’ part. He was a dominant force on the court during his first stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 27.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game.
LeBron won two MVPs as well during that time and he’d have continued to put up big numbers had he never gone to Miami. I don’t think the Heat particularly played any part in him being able to keep playing this well in his 21st season, either. James has always taken great care of his body and can take full credit for his longevity.
As for the rings, he certainly would have fewer had he not gone to the Heat. I believe LeBron eventually would have found a way to win no matter where he was, but going there accelerated the process for him.
He went to an organization that knew what it took to win and they won two titles with him in four seasons. James would depart in 2014, with excellent averages of 26.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game.
LeBron then took what he learned from the Heat to win championships in his second stint with the Cavaliers and then with the Los Angeles Lakers. So, while he would have remained a dominant force regardless, he certainly wouldn’t have won as much if not for his time with the Heat.
LeBron James Spoke About His Decision To Join The Heat
James’ decision to go to the Heat back then was obviously a very controversial one. He got criticized a lot for leaving his hometown team to team up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to form a super team. In the lead-up to the Lakers’ game against the Heat earlier this week, LeBron kept it real on why he decided to go to Miami in 2010.
“I came here for one reason and for one reason only: to win championships. That was my only goal. That’s the only reason that I teamed up with D-Wade and Bosh. Because I felt like I couldn’t do it in Cleveland. So I had an opportunity to be a free agent, I did what I thought was best not only for my career but for me at that point in time. I was 25, so I come down here and I get an opportunity to learn, instill what I have learned.”
He wanted to win championships and the pressure on him to win them was growing with each passing year. With the Cavaliers failing to put a good team around him, the only way LeBron could win was to leave and the Heat presented the best chance to finally get his hands on that elusive title.
Rich Paul Has An Issue With The Narrative Surrounding LeBron And The Heat
While James and his entourage look back fondly on his time with the Heat, they aren’t fans of some of the narratives that exist with regard to it. LeBron’s agent Rich Paul blasted the narrative that the Heat made him the player he is today.
Paul praised the Heat for being a great organization but made it clear that it was a shared need, which it indeed was. For all their culture and whatnot, the Heat weren’t going to win if LeBron wasn’t there and Paul wanted to get that point across. Both parties benefited greatly from the partnership and that is how it should be viewed.
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