SPORTS HISTORY IN BLACK: LeBron makes good on promise to Cavaliers

When superstar basketball player LeBron James announced he was leaving the Cleveland
Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat in the summer of 2010, he was deemed “Public Enemy
No. 1″ by the city of Cleveland. They would boo him mercilessly every time he came to
the city to face the Cavaliers.

In this June 19, 2016, file photo, then Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of Game 7 of basketball's NBA Finals in Oakland, California. Photo credit: Marcio Jose Sanchez, The Associated Press
In this June 19, 2016, file photo, then Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of Game 7 of basketball’s NBA Finals in Oakland, California. Photo credit: Marcio Jose Sanchez, The Associated Press

But in the summer of 2014, James decided to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers to fulfill the promise he made when he was initially drafted to Cleveland to bring a title home.

Then Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, center, celebrates with teammates after Game 7 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, California, on June 19, 2016. Photo credit: Marcio Jose Sanchez, The Associated Press
Then Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, center, celebrates with teammates after Game 7 of basketball’s NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, California, on June 19, 2016. Photo credit: Marcio Jose Sanchez, The Associated Press

The following season, James would lead the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals, ultimately losing
to the Golden State Warriors. But in the 2015-2016 season, the Cavaliers made it back
to face the Warriors, and this time the outcome was different. The Cavs were
down 3-1 in the series, but they stormed back, completing an improbable NBA Finals
win on June 19, 2016, and winning the NBA Title LeBron promised. James was
also named the MVP of the NBA Finals, averaging 29.7 points per game.

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