LeBron James has obviously been a generationally great player on numerous teams over his historic career. But one “what-if” emerged about his career on Tuesday, which he addressed on social media.
It’s certainly arguable which team that James played best on. He has won championships with every team he has ever played for. That being said, most fans would likely argue that the best years of his career came while he was a member of the Miami Heat.
James played for the Heat for four seasons from 2010-2014, where he won two NBA championships in 2012 and 2013 before returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2015.
The 21-year NBA veteran got his first taste of success with the Heat alongside Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. But how would his career have gone if he never ended up leaving the Cavaliers and joining the Heat in 2010?
James was asked about this scenario by Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, where he stated that he would have been “just as dominant” without playing for the Heat.
LeBron says he’d still be just as dominant if he never went to the Miami Heat, per @Anthony_Chiang.
Agree? pic.twitter.com/ybUS7zjRtH
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) November 7, 2023
That may very well be the case. Truth be told, James was dominant from the moment he stepped on an NBA court.
The real question here is whether or not James would have won as many NBA championships without joining the Heat. And James admitted that he may not have had as much team success if he never joined Miami.
“You **** right I would still be,” James tweeted in response to the question. “I’m CHOSEN! Ain’t nothing changing that! Maybe less rings but DOMINANT from start to finish.”
You damn right I would still be! I’m CHOSEN! Ain’t nothing changing that! Maybe less 💍’s but DOMINANT from start to finish 👑 https://t.co/vZUH3b1pCn
— LeBron James (@KingJames) November 8, 2023
Fans weighed in with their opinions of how his career would have been without his start in Miami.
Bron said “maybe less rings” if he didn’t come to Miami.
There’s no maybe 🤝 https://t.co/aC9RsHqbBX
— 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙏 𝙉𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 (@HeatvsHaters) November 8, 2023
this is all true. Miami didn’t build the greatness that is LeBron James — it took that greatness (that they also very much needed) and helped to make him a champion https://t.co/3EMMTECXbh
— Ashley Nicole Moss (@AshNicoleMoss) November 8, 2023
https://twitter.com/washedG0AT/status/1722081427796394347
“maybe less 💍’s” mhmmm you better say that lol. https://t.co/eLmtJ9osew
— + (@_wegotthejaz) November 8, 2023
Oh my god talk to them my glorious king…. Let them know who’s boss. https://t.co/o0STsejKZs
— muggsy (@muggsyOh) November 8, 2023
People forget about those final years in Cleveland because the ugly breakup. Assuming he eventually gets a jumpshot, this is right https://t.co/IKQBVNHTNl
— HowThAtHappEn (@4loc0s) November 8, 2023
It can obviously be argued whether his move to the Heat hurt or helped his legacy as a player. But it is clear that James believes that he would have been as great regardless of where he played.
