Fansided

With Kevin Love returning, LeBron can now leave Cleveland in good conscience

By Jonathan Bass

Jun 9, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after winning game three of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland won 96-91. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after winning game three of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland won 96-91. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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With Kevin Love returning to Cleveland, LeBron James is now free to leave once and for all.

Next: Moves Cavaliers Must Make So LeBron Re-Signs

Kevin Love’s decision on Wednesday to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers was monumental, especially in regards to LeBron James. It’s safe to say that Love staying in Cleveland is the best thing to ever happen in LeBron’s life, on or away from the court. That’s because with the All-Star forward sticking around, LeBron can once again leave Cleveland, only this time with a clear conscience.

Had Love fled in free agency, things would’ve gotten really awkward between James and the Cavs. After all, it was his idea to bring on the superstar and effectively mortgage Cleveland’s future by trading away future Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins. It would’ve been difficult to leave without causing bigger fallout than the first time around.

The last time LBJ took his talents elsewhere he was just one man. Just one enormous presence leaving a gaping void in his wake (along with the scattered souls of Jamario Moon, JJ Hickson, Booby Gibson et al.), and sending his home franchise into four years of disrepair. This time around, had Love gone too, it would’ve been double trouble. Two hall-of-famers leaving behind a black hole that caused the Cavaliers to collapse on itself. All that remained would’ve been the war-torn knees of Kyrie Irving, the crumpled shell of Anderson Varejeo (crippled from free agency PTSD) and the ghost of Wiggins standing tall at the podium next to Adam Silver. Oh, and a whole bunch of pissed off Ohioans.

Back in 2010 there were no other superstars. Now Cleveland has two even without him. LeBron can leave in good conscience knowing that the Cavaliers are in a better spot than they were before his return. He proved that the organization can not only land high-profile players, but that those athletes will stay on their own volition. God does not, in fact, hate Cleveland (neither do max-contract guys).

He didn’t complete what was believed to be his birthright – bringing a title to Cleveland – but he did absolve his past sins. Besides, LeBron has a higher calling, you see. He is now free to walk the Earth like Caine, a journeyman mega-super-duperstar. LeBron can trek from beleaguered franchise to beleaguered franchise bringing the league’s most talented players with him. New York, Milwaukee, Los Angeles, Portland … like the Pied Piper of free agency he makes yearly sojourns raising each back to prominence. It’s no longer about championships, but about the betterment of the NBA as a whole.

Thanks to Kevin Love, LeBron can finally begin his quest with clear eyes and a full heart. A new dawn is breaking. He is the Chosen One. It’s said that he will bring competitive balance back to the league, not leave it in darkness. And that’s something you can’t say that about MJ.

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