David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
The city of Cleveland is the most unfortunate of all sports towns. Even if you root for a rival team of Cleveland, it’s impossible not to feel sorry for the likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Browns or Cleveland Indians. However, the first of those three teams might be catching a break as early as 2014. Even if you’re ahead of me, don’t scoff and just assume it’s not a real possibility because it is: LeBron James could very likely return home as early as 2014.
Even soon after he announced he was going to sign with the Miami Heat in that ridiculous televised “Decision” show, James said he would never rule out returning home, 40 minutes from where he grew up. James did what most players dream of: get drafted No. 1 overall by their hometown team. He grew up in Akron, Ohio, a decent commute from Cleveland, and began his illustrious NBA career literally at home. Then he betrayed his loyal following, but he might soon make it up to them.
Rumors are swirling all over the place this week as “reports” and “sources” are saying James might opt out of the fifth year of his contract with the Heat, and once again become a free agent in the summer of 2014. If that happens, all of these same reports and sources say his first choice would be to return home.
A lot of folks are saying there’s no way he would do that and/or there’s no way the team would take him back, but I beg to differ. There’s already an online poll of where folks think James will end up if he becomes a free agent in 2014 and although a majority say he’ll just stay in Miami, a good third of the 200,000 voters say James will head back to Cleveland. Here’s the most convincing part: 80 percent of voters from the state of Ohio believe James will be back in Cleveland. Doesn’t sound so crazy now, huh?
Jeric Griffin is the Director of Content for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JericGriffin, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
