LeBron James Prepared for Another NBA Championship Run With Cavs (Photo : All NBA Highlights)
LeBron James has been hounded by rumors throughout his career, and while some have been overblown, the biggest ones did happen.
When it comes to LeBron changing addresses, the adage is more "where there's smoke, there's fire" than "much ado about nothing."
When there were moving trucks spotted in his Florida home and critics thought the media was crazy for speculating that he's leaving, he did move.
SB Nation compiled a series of tweets and Instagram posts that may be innocent when taken solo, but together, it reminds Cavaliers fans of similar signs of how he left six years ago.
A photo posted by David Alexander (@dzandertraining) on Mar 2, 2016 at 11:27am PST
One of the signs back then involved Dwyane Wade, whom LeBron James spent his break. The King visited The Flash all the way to his home in Miami, where he infamously took his talents to in 2010. Then there's James being defensive or dismissive about it.
LeBron was also in no mood to entertain any controversy about his trip to Miami: "I don't care," he said — Joe Vardon (@joevardon) March 3, 2016
While it could mean nothing-just an old friend visiting, working out in the great Florida weather, James tweets these.
It's ok to know you've made a mistake. Cause we all do at times. Just be ready to live with whatever that comes with it and be with.....
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 1, 2016
those who will protect you at all cost! — LeBron James (@KingJames) March 1, 2016
Can't replace being around great friends that reciprocate the same energy back to you in all facets of life
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 3, 2016
Then, there's the talk about the team lacking an "enforcer," someone like Kendrick Perkins. Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com appeared on the Dan Patrick Show (h/t NBC Sports Dan Feldman) and claimed that the players, James included, were upset that the Cavs did not make a move to hire Perk.
"They were highly pissed. I knew this for a fact. They were highly ticked off, this team, when the team didn't re-sign Kendrick Perkins and they ended up picking up over the summer Sasha Kaun - a 29-, 30-year-old rookie who has not really played at all and I don't really think is ready for the NBA," Haynes said. "So, he's collecting about $2 million right now a season and not even playing. Kendrick Perkins would've been brought back for the veteran's minimum.
Haynes added: "Players - I know for a fact, I talked to them - they were highly ticked off about that, not bringing him back. Because it wasn't about his numbers. It was about the intangibles, the emotional leadership and the enforcer, the enforcement role he brought to the team."
All the elements seem to be falling into place. Frustration with teammates, dissatisfaction with team management and the fact that Miami seems to have recovered well even after he left.
Should the Cavs fans freak out? This has happened before. Twice, with the Cavs being the beneficiary the second time around. We probably can't rule off anything when it comes to LeBron as he will do what he wants and play where he wants.
The backlash if he leaves Cleveland again will be tremendous, but it won't be something new for him. Cavs fans know that all too well.
Perhaps we were barking at the wrong tree speculating on where Kevin Durant might go. There might be a bigger question to be answered.
