2010 was a pivotal point in the NBA. Many players and stars in the NBA became free agents in 2010. This meant that it was the perfect time for teams to make crucial moves and sign players to compete for a championship. It was the year that LeBron James shocked the world by deciding to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers, and join the Miami Heat.
According to Gilbert Arenas, this is because the Cavaliers were not making any moves that would allow LeBron James to win a championship there. He then reveals another team that could have been an easier choice for LeBron James to join.
Gilbert Arenas gives LeBron James a better landing spot
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
In a recent episode of the Gil’s Arena podcast, LeBron leaving Cleveland back in 2010 was a point of conversation. Gilbert Arenas said people often focus on LeBron leaving but not why he left the team, which was because of the lack of talented players to support him on the hardwood. So the only option LeBron had was to leave the team. Arenas said, “If he don’t get anybody, man he don’t win no championship.”
LeBron can only do so much by himself. The team should have been willing to spend money to bring in the right players. But LeBron was not receiving this support from his team, so he left Cleveland.
Although LeBron went to the Miami Heat with Ray Allen and Chris Bosh, Gilbert Arenas named another team that LeBron could have gone to that would have guaranteed him a championship.
Arenas said, “The only place that he could have went that gave him a championship like that was Orlando with Dwight Howard, Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis, and ’em. And that would have been devastating.“
?
Arenas believes that LeBron would have won his first championship with Dwight Howard if he had gone to Orlando. This seems like the right choice in hindsight for Gilbert Arenas. But if that was the case, why didn’t LeBron go to the Orlando Magic? Let’s have a look at the reasoning.
Building a championship team in Orlando
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
This decision can seem easy right now, as so much time has passed, but LeBron James knew what he was doing back then. The Orlando Magic had a great team with the Defensive Player of the Year, Dwight Howard. They just went to the NBA finals the previous year, in 2009. They also had Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis, who was a great shooter.
But the team was already over the cap limit and was paying luxury tax. It was impossible for the team to keep the roster longer than they had and bring in LeBron James too. If LeBron came to the team, then it meant that either Rashard Lewis or Vince Carter would be moved from the team.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Do you think LeBron James should have still gone to the Orlando Magic? Let us know in the comments!
Watch This Story: Legendary Host Delivers Clear Verdict on Caleb Williams, USC Loss Tears Cast Shadow on New York Giants Prospects