LeBron James reveals a doubter in Miami led to “secret motivation”

LeBron James was told by someone in the Heat organization he was making a big mistake when he left Miami for Cleveland. That was just the motivation King James needed. 

Motivation is a powerful thing. Last year, after Game 2 of the NBA Finals, LeBron James revealed that he was being driven by “secret motivation,” and said he would only go into detail if the Cleveland Cavaliers won it all. On Sunday night, the Cavs beat the Golden State Warriors in an epic Game 7, and James cleared things up.

Speaking with Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com after the win on Sunday, James said he was told by people he thought would support him that he was making a mistake by leaving Miami to go back to his hometown Cavaliers. After giving the Heat organization four years of his prime, and two NBA Championships, James felt hurt by the comments, and in turn felt taken for granted.

“People thought it was because Steph Curry was being considered the better player than him,” McMenamin said. “It turns out he told me that when he left Miami—people who he thought he had strong, trusting relationships with—someone told [him] ‘you’re making the biggest mistake of your career.’ Basically, he felt taken for granted. ‘Look, I just gave you four years of my prime, and you’re not going to be comfortable with my decision, to root me on? You’re going try to make me feel bad going out the door?'”

Given how close James still is with Heat guard Dwyane Wade, it is safe to say Wade wasn’t the culprit. Wade has shown unwavering support of his friend, and Heat Owner Mickey Arison tweeted out his congratulations right after the buzzer.

That leaves only one man standing: Pat Riley

It would not be a real surprise if it was Riley who made the comments to James, though James fell short of actually naming who it was. After the 2014 season, Riley made some pointed comments during a press conference after the season ended. Losing James to the Cavaliers must have been a tough pill to swallow.

Whoever it was, it is clear now that James made the right decision. He cemented his legacy in the NBA on Sunday, carrying the Cavaliers to the NBA Championship, while giving the city of Cleveland its first major sports championship since 1964. James put together arguably the most dominating performance in an NBA Finals ever, and in the process, proved coming home was no mistake.

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