For three years, sports fans across America waited for July 1 2010, which was the start of the biggest NBA free agency period in its entire 64 years of existence. Two-time MVP LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers was the biggest name of all the players.
All Stars Chris Bosh of the Toronto Raptors, Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat, Amare Stoudemire of the Phoenix Suns and Carlos Boozer of the Utah Jazz were just some of the other players available.
Midway through the playoffs after the Heat, Cavalier and Raptor seasons were over, James, Wade and Bosh announced they would all meet to discuss the possibility of playing together. The Suns were ousted from the playoffs four days after the announcement and Stoudemire was going to join the three in discussions on teaming up.
Stoudemire was the first to sign with a new team, joining the New York Knicks, a team where James could potentially end up. Shortly after, there were predictions of Wade and Bosh playing together in Chicago, Wade’s hometown. However, the two announced they would both sign with the Miami Heat, a team Wade led to an NBA Championship in 2006.
Quickly after this, the Bulls, who did not want to come up empty handed, signed Boozer. James was the only big name left unsigned at that time.
After much speculation of where James would sign, he announced he would have a one-hour special on ESPN called “The Decision” to finally reveal where he would play.
Twenty-four minutes into the special, James announced he would join Wade and Bosh in Miami, leaving Cleveland fans very upset. James’ jerseys were burned in the streets in Cleveland, and anything with his image on it was thrown out or put on sale. Cavalier owner Dan Gilbert sent out a letter to the team’s fans, never mentioning James’ name but calling him a traitor and a self-involved narcissist, claiming the Cavs will win an NBA championship before the self-titled former “King” claims the title. Civil Rights activist Jesse Jackson was quoted on ESPN Sportscenter responding to the letter claiming Gilbert treated James like a runaway slave.
NBA Commissioner David Stern stepped in to control the situation. He held a press conference, and, according to ESPN, Stern fined Gilbert $100,000 for the letter. But James’ behavior was also mentioned. Stern was publically unhappy with James and his choice to hold the primetime show, saying he was using his fame to control the media. Stern said it was both unfair to the city of Cleveland and self-promoting.
Heat President Pat Riley, who landed all three big stars, met with Laker point guard Derrick Fisher. Fisher decided to stay with the Lakers, where he has won five NBA championships.
