 James said he discussed the move with his mother |
US basketball star LeBron James has been accused of betraying Cleveland Cavaliers fans after he went on TV to announce he was joining Miami Heat. The 25-year-old forward's decision sparked a vitriolic reaction from Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert. In an open letter he "guaranteed" the Cavaliers would win the NBA championship before James won one. James said: "I feel awful. I feel even worse that I wasn't able to bring an NBA championship to that city." But, explaining his decision to join the Heat and team up with US team-mates Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, he said: "I wanted to do what was best for LeBron James. "I never wanted to leave Cleveland. My heart will always be around that area. But I also felt like this is the greatest challenge for me, to move on."  | 606: DEBATE |
James' decision was announced with the maximum razzmatazz, with an hour-long special on US sports network ESPN. The move has been described as the biggest transfer saga in sport since Cristiano Ronaldo joined Real Madrid last year. James, who has twice won the NBA's coveted Most Valuable Player award, could earn up to $16m (£10.6m) a year with Miami. He became a free agent at the end of June when his contract with Cleveland ran out. The race to sign him appeared to be between the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Clippers and Miami, although Cavaliers fans still hoped he would re-sign for the team who picked him from the NBA draft in 2003. The saga became a soap opera and even President Barack Obama, who hails from Chicago, commented on it, saying he hoped he would join the Bulls. When James, who grew up in Ohio, announced on live television he had chosen to join the Heat, fans in Miami went wild.  Miami fans react with delight as James announces his choice |
While basketball fans in several other cities were disappointed those in Cleveland were furious. Their anger was encapsulated by Gilbert, who accused James of a "cowardly betrayal". Gilbert told Cavaliers fans: "As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier. "This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his 'decision' unlike anything ever witnessed in the history of sports." But James said: "Winning is a huge thing for me. I want to be able to win championships and I think I can compete down there [in Florida]." He also revealed that he had only made his final decision on Thursday morning, after discussing everything with his mother Gloria.
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