LeBron James has learned from “The Decision,” and so should fans.
James has done an artful job of avoiding inquiries about his plans for after the season, when he is expected to opt out of his contract. But he did speak in specifics on the subject during All-Star weekend for the first time in an interview with Steve Smith that aired on NBA TV. He was asked about potentially leaving the Heat.
“At this point, I can’t,” James said. “We don’t know what can happen from now to July, so what I’ve been able to do this whole season to this point is just worry about what’s at hand and that’s winning another championship.
“And hopefully at the end of this year I can put myself in a position where I can hold that Larry O’Brien trophy up once again and then I will assess what I have to do with my future after that.”
Don’t start dancing in the streets of South Beach yet. It was three years ago that James broke the hearts of the Cleveland faithful by choosing to sign with the Heat over the Cavaliers, which he announced in an hourlong ESPN special. Before “The Decision” came the indecision, which included an interview with “60 Minutes.”
James was asked whether the Cavaliers, his team for the first seven seasons of his career, had an edge in signing him.
“Oh, absolutely,” James said in the interview that happened a month before free agency started.
Two words that likely buoyed the hopes of Cavaliers fans and made the pain of him choosing Miami that much worse. Who knows when James changed his mind, and with three Finals appearances, two championships and a legitimate shot at a three-peat, it’s tough to argue he made the wrong decision.
But this is just a reminder: Don’t read too much into James’ words until he’s officially made up his mind.