Report: Nike did not buy billboards in Cleveland for LeBron James’ return to Cavaliers
When Miami Heat forward LeBron James, many believed it was a foregone conclusion he would be re-signing with the Miami Heat and was simply hoping the Heat could put more talent around him to make up the difference we saw between the Heat and the league’s best team, the San Antonio Spurs, when the Spurs defeated the Heat in five games in the NBA Finals.
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Instead, James still hasn’t made a decision and several signs are actually pointing to him returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers. James, of course, ripped out the hearts of Cavaliers’ fans when he signed with the Heat in 2010. However, the Cavaliers have since added three number one overall picks (point guard Kyrie Irving, an all-star who they just agreed to a five-year deal with, forward Anthony Bennett and last month’s top-overall selection, swingman Andrew Wiggins) and two fourth-overall picks (guard Dion Waiters and big man Tristan Thompson).
Several reporters believe James is actually leaning towards the Cavaliers and on Tuesday a report surfaced Nike had actually bought billboards in Cleveland to reveal James’ return.
According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com (and confirmed by Sam Amick of The USA Today), the billboards were nothing more than a twitter rumor.
Been strongly advised by source close to situation to dismiss Twitter suggestions that Nike bought billboards in CLE for LeBron announcement
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 9, 2014
Doesn't mean LeBron can't wind up in Cleveland, of course, but source insists today's billboard story is purely a Twitter tale
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 9, 2014
What @ESPNSteinLine said (re: Cleveland billboards rumor). Told Nike has not purchased LeBron announcement signage in Cleveland. Carry on.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 9, 2014
James averaged 27.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 56.7% from the field, 37.9% from three and 75.0% from the charity stripe last season.