Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade (Left) LeBron James (Right) (Credits – NBC Sports and Bleacher Report)
In 2010, LeBron James joined Dwyane Wade in Miami while recruiting Chris Bosh as well. The Heat won two titles in four straight NBA Finals appearances while James was named MVP twice.
LeBron James made a monumental entrance into the NBA that nobody can forget about. He was arguably the best rookie of all time based on the numbers he averaged. And considering how far he has made it into the league, there’s no denying that he deserves to be called one the greatest players to ever do. But no matter how talented he was, the game always revolved around the workings of a team. The better your team is, the higher the chances you have of succeeding.
After becoming the No.1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, James inked a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers and planned on staying there for the long run. James was a native of Ohio and it meant the world for him to achieve greatness in Cleveland. He made five straight playoff appearances which resulted in three second-round exits, one conference finals, and one NBA Finals visit. But he knew he wasn’t getting enough help.
Dwyane Wade was a factor of attraction for LeBron James’ move to Miami
LeBron James finally got an opportunity to test free agency in 2010. According to Sports Illustrated, James wanted to leave Cleveland in pursuit of a championship that he knew he couldn’t win there. At the time, the Miami Heat were one of the best teams in the league. Dwyane Wade had already won a championship and was the first of the top picks in the 2003 NBA Draft to do so.
James approached Pat Riley and the Heat’s front office to discuss an acquisition. They ultimately tried to acquire Chris Bosh as well. Wade, Bosh, and James were all on the same page which led to the formation of the Big 3. Many claim that this move sparked the superteam era. Eventually, the Golden State Warriors followed by acquiring Kevin Durant in 2016.
But for the Heat, Wade was the biggest attraction. He was a young guard who had already established himself as a fierce competitor. The 2006 Finals MVP was also friends with James and Bosh. The pairing meant inevitable success, which they most certainly achieved by making four straight NBA Finals appearances. Wade averaged 22 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.4 assists before James and Bosh joined. He was also a solid defender as well.
LeBron James would have taken longer to win a title without the Heat
After LeBron James joined the clan along with Chris Bosh, the impact was almost immediate. They managed to win two titles, while James secured two MVP awards and became a runner for the Defensive Player of the Year too. Now what happens if the 20x NBA All-Star never left Cleveland? The franchise simply wouldn’t have realized they needed to make impactful changes in time.
Unfortunately, James would not have won his first titles any sooner or won anything at all. And the Cavaliers wouldn’t have been able to draft Kyrie Irving in 2011. The Cavaliers were not a bad team, but they were stagnant just like how the Portland Trail Blazers were over the years. Ultimately, it forced Damian Lillard to leave the troop after 11 seasons. Who knows, James wouldn’t have won his third or fourth MVPs either. Hence, a superteam was in James’ best interests.
