LeBron James RETIREMENT claim made by NBA expert
LEBRON JAMES will be honoured by the Miami Heat once he retires, despite some ill feelings between the superstar and his former team.
LeBron playing BEST basketball of career says pundit
That is what ESPN pundit Stephen A. Smith claims.
James joined the Heat under controversial circumstances in 2010.
He announced the move from his hometown franchise via a live TV special titled ‘The Decision’.
In his time in Miami, he won two NBA titles, and took the team to four straight NBA Finals.
However, once he left Miami, his relationship with president Pat Riley reportedly deteriorated.
And NBA expert Jalen Rose argued that because of that, and his last-second shot in an already-won game on Sunday night, his jersey would be retired in Los Angeles before it was in Miami.
Smith, however, disagreed, and argued that the Heat would have no option but to honour him once he retires.
“If this were four years ago, it would be different, because Riley was heated,” he said.
“He was considering retiring at that time, and it was LeBron James who inspired him to stay on board, because he was determined to show up and show out.
“He was offended that LeBron left the Miami Heat.
“It’s not the same level of animosity as once existed years ago.
“It’s a lot better now, but again it’s not perfect.”
Smith said that if the Heat were going to honour Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, James’ old team-mates, they would have to do the same for ‘The King’.
“I wouldn’t go so far as to say his number will be retired in LA before Miami,” Smith added.
“He helped bring two rings and went to four straight finals.
“You don’t honour D Wade and one day honour Chris Bosh, but not honour LeBron James, that’s stupid.”