After one of the best All-Star Games in recent history, LeBron James has to go back to reality where his true teammates await in Cleveland. Gone now are the superstar running mates he had during the weekend. He returns to the Cleveland Cavaliers where All-Stars Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis are replaced by George Hill, J.R. Smith, Cedi Osman and Tristan Thompson.
And that’s a good thing.
James and the Cavaliers have been winning recently and they are winning big time. They hope to extend their four-game winning streak that started nearly two weeks ago in which the Cavs scored at least 120 points in four straight games.
After trading away six of their players at the trade deadline for Hill, Jordan Clarkson, Rodney Hood and Larry Nance Jr., the Wine and Gold have put together convincing wins against the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder.
For the first time in a long while, the Cavs have the look of a predator rather than a prey. And if the two games with the new kids on the block are of any indication, they are the favorites to win the East again.
By introducing young, new blood into their system, the Cavs not only improved their chances of winning a championship this season, they may have also given themselves a great chance to re-sign James in the offseason.
According to The Undefeated’s Marc J. Spears, an Eastern Conference executive has high hopes that Cleveland will retain the services of its superstar beyond this season because of the recent blockbuster deals.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he stays in Cleveland now,” an East exec said. “The Cavaliers put a really good team around him. The Cavaliers have made it really tough for him to decide to leave Cleveland again. The Lakers might have helped them keep LeBron.” https://t.co/x7Td9dNtdF
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) February 19, 2018
The ball is certainly in James’ court once free agency starts this summer. But if the Cavs win the East and enter the Finals after a drama-filled regular season, the four-time MVP will have to give this team a long, hard look before he decides to take his talents elsewhere.
James hardly had a chance to savor Team LeBron’s 148-145 victory over Team Stephen when a reporter asked him what it would mean for him to have a fourth championship personally and what a second championship would mean for Cleveland.
“We just added four news guys before the [All-Star] break, and we have a lot of work to do,” James said. “So, I really don’t like to think that too far ahead. But, obviously winning championships is what it’s all about. That is what this league is all about and hopefully at the end of the road then I have the Cavs there to actually compete for one, to be in the Finals representing the East. So, that’s my goal. Getting back. I’m looking forward to getting back to our guys. I know they’re excited, and that’s going to be my mindset. But we’ll see what happens.”
Championship or not, you can bet that the prospect of James playing for a team that’s built around his skill set is definitely an intriguing thought, one that he’ll have the chance to evaluate in the offseason.
