"The Wind Is Blowing": What To Make Of The Rumors

Lord Of The Rings: Return of the King

LeBron Back to Cleveland?

It seems to be more and more of a possibility...

These convos aren't sourced enough 4 me to report as fact. But I've heard enough to believe "the wind is blowing" LJ back home. We'll see...
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 7, 2014

Do we trust Chris Broussard? He's been wrong in the past... he's been right in the past. But Brian Windhorst looked like a nervous wreck last night on SportsCenter when they asked him about the "news." Windhorst couldn't confirm or deny, but he did say that LeBron is meeting with Pat Riley in the coming days to discuss his future.

Breaking up in person? Sounds like LeBron's learned his lesson.

So it begs the question: "What's the deal here?" To me, it sounds like a bunch of hearsay. But, it also sounds like there is some truth to it. LeBron's agent is Rich Paul, a childhood friend. Now, Paul is a puppeteer with LeBron on the strings. Paul's the one busy meeting with all these teams while LeBron celebrates the 4th of July with his family and does other important stuff that a good dad and husband should do.

HOT TAKE

It's Not Too Late. It's Never Too Late.

I'd love to see LeBron go back to Cleveland. Images on the local news of Cavalier fans stitching up their old #23 James jersey's. Pulling the ashes out of the fire. The prodigal son returns home. It's a story that sports journalists dream about. It wasn't a "wrong" in the first place, but if the greatest player in the world "Rights His Wrong," then what do the doubters and LeBron-haters have to say now?

Chances are if James returns to the Cavaliers, it is going to be a project. He would have to work harder than ever before with a young roster. Kyrie Irving: All-Star. Andrew Wiggins: Needs A Mentor. LeBron has a great opportunity here, but if he wants to go back to the Finals again and have all his friends back (see Bosh, Chirs ... Wade, Dwayne), then Miami is his best shot.

For the last four years, LeBron has taken the Heat to NBA Finals. That is a magnificent feat. This season, he played on one of the oldest rosters in the league. And for a guy in the prime of his career to single-handedly guide Miami to the pinnacle series the league has to offer ... well as a fan of the game you can't help but smile.

LeBron to Cleveland, Bosh to Houston, Carmelo to L.A. Crazy right? That's the dream for all these sports junkies on twitter out there. It opens up an entire new landscape in the NBA. It also opens up another avenue for these players to be criticized.

LeBron to Miami, Bosh to Miami, Carmelo to N.Y. Nothing would change, everyone gets what they want. The only problem in this scenario is that Bosh doesn't get the max money he think he deserves. Everyone else does. 'Melo gets a chance with P-Jax in the Big Apple, LBJ probably takes the Heat to six straight Finals. But Bosh is the guy probably holding everything up here. That's why these "winds" that are supposedly "blowing" can't be taken too seriously at the moment.

I think LeBron can win wherever he goes. Cleveland makes him happiest. He goes back to his hometown, all the fans are happy, people smile. He's got a project, but he can handle it. But choosing Dan Gilbert over Pat Riley? Doesn't taste right on the tongue. Ultimately, it's the King's decision to make. So while he sits on his throne, all we can do is talk about it. Gosh, NBA free agency is fun.

Article written by Ben Fontana. These views are my own. It is meant for me to vent and inject humor into everyday sports topics. Feel free to contact me at benjamin.j.fontana@gmail.com with further inquiries.