OAKLAND, Calif. — Revisionist history? LeBron James said his “main reason” for returning to Cleveland in summer 2014 wasn’t only to break the city’s sports-title jinx that dates 52 years to the Browns winning the NFL championship game in 1964.
In a fresh spin if he fails for the second straight time in The Finals with the Cavaliers (third overall in two stints), James said getting a chance to work closer with his foundation for kids and “lift the youth in my community” served as a key motivator in leaving the Miami Dream Team where he won two championships. James likely will opt out in July to sign a new contract with the Cavaliers to maximize his earning power.
“For me, I think from a basketball standpoint, that’s one of the reasons why I came back, but it’s not the main reason I came back,” James said before the Cavaliers practiced at the Warriors’ facility. “It wasn’t the only reason I came back, and there wasn’t just one reason why I came back.
“Personally, what I’m able to do off the floor, as well with my foundation and me being back home — last summer I was able to guarantee all my kids in my program college scholarships,” James added in a new discourse on his 2014 decision. “I’m able to do so many things because I’m actually there, hands on, with my foundation and things that go on. I’m able to uplift the youth in my community and also in other communities. Even though you’re able to do it from afar, if you’re actually there, I think it’s even more meaningful to kids that look up to you for inspiration.”
James is playing in his seventh Finals — sixth straight. “From a basketball standpoint, yeah, that’s always been my goal since I was drafted in 2003,” James said. “My goal was to bring a championship to Cleveland, and it hasn’t changed. When I left, my goal was to bring a championship to Miami. That didn’t change. And when I came back, it hasn’t changed.”
James said as long as he’s “true to the game,” he won’t agonize over losing to the Warriors — which would put him at 2-5 in Finals series.
“Win, lose or draw, I’m not happy, but I’m OK with it because I know I’ve given all I’ve got,” James said. “One thing I can say that I’ve been blessed enough to be a part of seven Finals, and hopefully I’ll be blessed enough to play in many more even after this year, win, lose or draw.”
Cavs coach Tyronn Lue declined to comment on his $25,000 fine for saying James isn’t getting a fair shake from the officials. The NBA called it “public criticism of officiating.”
“He never gets any calls,” Lue said after Game 4. James shot just four free throws in 46 minutes.
Golden State thinks the Cavaliers led a campaign to get Draymond Green suspended with their postgame remarks. And the Warriors’ Shaun Livingston believes Lue was at his gamesmanship best.
“It’s advocating,” Livingston said. “Part of his job as a coach — stick up for his best player, have his best player’s back as well as undertone with Draymond.”
Kevin Love, considered a bad matchup on suspended Green, hopes the Cavs get a boost.
“He’s really a lifeblood for their team and a player that keeps them moving,” Love said. “So he definitely adds a spark. With him out, it takes away some of that.”