LeBron James Told AD He Was Scared To Leave Cavaliers In 2010

Lakers superstar LeBron James started off at a shorter rookie-scale contract extension to make free agency sooner and conspired Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. His signing with the Miami Heat in 2010 caused a huge chaos in the league, and transformed players’ attitude towards their rights.

LeBron did this in such an awkward day. He announced his decision to sign with the Heat on a nationally televised special. LeBron had an introductory rally and declared the Heat would win multiple championships. “Not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven.”

But, there was much more behind this tough-guy mask. LeBron was insecure about this decision.

Leaving the Cavaliers?

Anthony Davis knows a lot about this. LeBron’s current teammate knows the details of the backlash the king received for leaving the Cavaliers. He’s been through a similar struggle.

Davis asked LeBron how did he feel when he left Cleveland? Free-willingly? Davis asked for a trade. What did LeBron feel? Well, the king was scared. Davis felt the same thing when he left the Pelicans. He was used to playing with the team, and loved New Orleans. He has so many friends there, and they became his family. Davis also has a lot of properties in the city, and it’s part of him. Davis had hard time leaving the city that meant everything to him.

Well, Davis is right about this. His primary goal was to win with the Pelicans. The goals diverged, and he decided to win over the team. It was a tough decision, but he had to make it.

I asked him, I said, “When you went to Miami, first off, how were you when you left Cleveland? Obviously, you left free-willingly. I had to ask for a trade. But what was your emotions?” He was like, “I was scared. I was scared as —.” And that was the same thing with me, because I’d been so accustomed to being in New Orleans, and I loved that city. I loved the city of New Orleans. I’ve got so many friends there that turned family. Multiple properties there. New Orleans is a part of me. And it was tough for me to walk away from that.

Lakers star Anthony Davis (@AntDavis23) sits down for @Stadium video interview: Lessons from LeBron — love toward NOLA and emotional return game Nov. 27 — his biggest regret with Pelicans exit — when he almost quit basketball — Chicago legacy and more. pic.twitter.com/LJM45AgsOA

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 13, 2019

It was hard to leave the Cavaliers

LeBron played for his hometown team. Davis developed ties to New Orleans after entering the league. LeBron had Ohio roots that go much deeper than that. Yes, LeBron had to go through a nightmare to leave the city. It was an emotional bond, and he felt really scared.

Even the king gets scared at some point. LeBron loved his first team and his home town, and it was more than obvious that he felt bad for leaving the Cavs.

But, it’s time for a big change, and LeBron goes after a title.