Fansided

LeBron James says he ditched headband for team

By Ryan Lehrman

Apr 21, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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LeBron James said he split with his iconic headpiece to bolster team unity.

What’s a King without a crown?

LeBron James parted with his headband almost three months ago, but we finally know why the best player in the game altered his signature look.

James said he split with his iconic headpiece in an effort to match his teammates, according to Cleveland.com.

“I did it because I just wanted to look like my teammates,” James toldNortheast Ohio Media Group. “Just wanted to be one. Nothing more than that.”

The Cavs small forward first ushered in his new image March 10 in Dallas, breaking a tradition that’s been going on since his high school days. The only other time he entered a game without his headband was his rookie year in a preseason matchup versus Detroit.

The shift aptly reflects the Cleveland Cavaliers’ slogan, “All In,” though many are still left wondering whether the wardrobe change was fueled by a sense of team brotherhood or something related to his receding hairline.

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With Kevin Love out for the rest of the season (shoulder injury) and J.R. Smith suspended one more game (for punching Boston’s Jae Crowder in Game 4 of the Cavs’ opening round series), it’ll take plenty of togetherness to beat the Bulls, who toppled the Cavaliers 99-92 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Monday night.

The undermanned Cleveland squad had their moments as they rallied from a 16-point deficit to tie it at 51, but overall their offense looked disjointed and faltering. LeBron finished with only 19 points and six turnovers.  He did, however, surpass Scott Pippen (1,048) on the career postseason assists record with a total of 1,054 and rising.

If the first game of the series was any foreshadow of what’s to come, James might need to don the crown once again.

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