LeBron James has a soft spot in his heart for Cleveland.
They say there's no place like home and for LeBron James, even if he's been on the Los Angeles Lakers for the better part of a decade, that still rings true.
James' connection to Cleveland is undeniable. He's a native of Akron, Ohio and he was drafted first overall by the Cavaliers over two decades ago in a move that seemed ordained by the basketball gods.
The first steps of his Hall of Fame legacy began with the Cavaliers and even if they never reached the mountain top when he was with the team the first time around, they will always have a special place in his heart.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Bobcats win 94 to 87. Sam Sharpe-Imagn ImagesCleveland to Miami
The next phase of his career took him to Miami in an iconic move that's come to be known as "The Decision." James linked up with Dwayne Wade and Rajon Rondo and that trio combined for two NBA titles, the first two of James' career, in just four seasons that LeBron spent in South Beach.
That's when the next decision came about. James made the shocking move to return to Cleveland, this time as a seasoned veteran, to continue his quest of bringing his hometown team a championship.
Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) drives to the basket while being defended by Charlotte Bobcats forward Josh McRoberts (11) during the fourth quarter in game four of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Heat won 109-98. Joshua S. Kelly-Imagn ImagesComing Home
It wasn't an easy road to get there. As James made his return to his roots, a new superteam emerged on the West Coast.
Led by a fully-realized Steph Curry, the Golden State Warriors began a new dynasty in the mid-2010's.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after a play during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors in game two of the 2018 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Kyle Terada-Imagn ImagesThe Warriors and the Cavaliers met in four straight NBA Finals from 2015-18, with the Warriors getting the better of James and the Cavaliers three times.
The one time they didn't though was magical.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) handles the ball against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the second quarter in game two of the 2018 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Kyle Terada-Imagn ImagesThe Warriors had just had the best regular season of all time when they met the Cavaliers in the Finals in 2016. What followed was an iconic seven game series that ended not with the Warriors on top, but James and the Cavaliers.
Promises Kept
His job was finished. His promise was fulfilled. And in a Youtube video by BobDoesSports, James reflected on how much that victory meant to him and why it's the most special out of all of his championships.
"Winning in Cleveland was a goal that I wanted to do. I needed to close that chapter and that's why I went back," James said (via BobDoesSports). "I always wanted to win one back home and obviously the organization never won one, and 50-plus years for the city alone, not winning a championship, not just basketball, but the city alone."
Of course, James went on to win another championship in the Bubble with the Lakers in 2020, but it seems there's no topping the feeling of winning for Cleveland.