All U Can Heat
Fansided

Miami Heat 1-on-1: How will James’ departure affect the Eastern Conference?

By Lauren Gewirtz

The Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade (3) and the Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James hug after the Heat defeated the Cavs, 98-79, at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. (Charles Trainor Jr./Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
The Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade (3) and the Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James hug after the Heat defeated the Cavs, 98-79, at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. (Charles Trainor Jr./Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
The Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade (3) and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James hug after the Heat defeated the Cavs, 98-79, at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. (Charles Trainor Jr./Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
The Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade (3) and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James hug after the Heat defeated the Cavs, 98-79, at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. (Charles Trainor Jr./Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images) /

Will LeBron James’ departure have any effect on the Miami Heat?

Ok, talk a little about your reaction to LeBron James joining the Los Angeles Lakers…

Lauren Gewirtz (@laurengewirtz): LeBron James’s decision to join the Los Angeles Lakers was generally unsurprising to me.

I knew there was no way he would stay in Cleveland and when I looked at the realistic scenarios, he was either going to Los Angeles. or the Philadelphia 76ers. Once his decision was reported, I began to actually think about what it means for James to switch over to the Western Conference. There was a seismic shift in the conferences once he made that move. On top of the conferences seeming so far apart in strength, we probably will not see James in the Finals for the first time in nine years.

That is just crazy to think about.

The contract itself surprised me a little just because of the length. Signing a four-year contract says to me that James does not have extremely serious intentions to win another championship. Do I think it’s possible? Of course, we are talking about James. Is it extremely likely? Not when the Golden State Warriors are in your conference.

Ivan Mora (@ivanmora): I was stunned to be completely honest.

At first, I just simply couldn’t understand from a pure basketball perspective why he would choose the Lakers over the 76ers. Philly has the perfect team formed for James; to the point where he doesn’t even need to be the number one guy or exhaust himself to 40 minutes a game. Ben Simmons could control the pace and Joel Embiid could dominate the paint. Combined with shooters, James’ job would be easier. That was my first reaction and response.

But after researching and analyzing sources’ comments and news regarding his decision, it starts to reveal itself that this is more than a basketball decision. He is placing himself in the best position for post-NBA life and for that reason I completely understand. His son is also starting school in Chino Hills and he is looking out for his family. You can respect that decision. Better than pulling a Kevin Durant or DeMarcus Cousins and joining the Warriors.

I would’ve hated the NBA if that happened.

Home/Heat News