If you were a basketball fan in 2010, then you were watching The Decision. A 25-year-old LeBron James was a free agent and coming off consecutive MVP awards. Every news network spent the entire summer guessing where he would go. Teams like the Knicks and Bulls cleared out their books in the desperate hope of bringing him onto their rosters. His hometown Cavs prayed he would stay.
James leaned into the drama, creating a 75-minute special on ESPN entitled “The Decision” where he would announce his future plans. On July 8, he told the world that he was taking his talents to South Beach to join Dwyane Wade on the Heat. Chris Bosh would be joining them as well, creating a superteam that instantly became the title favorites.
The decision was met with massive backlash. The Heat were villains that year. Most rooted against them with glee as they lost to the Mavericks in the Finals. They won the next two, lost in their fourth year to the Spurs, then saw James depart once again for the Lakers.
James was criticized heavily for his decision at the time. Cavs fans burned his jerseys before welcoming him back years later. His controversial move ushered in a wave of player empowerment, where superstars become more willing to switch teams, link up, and control their own destinies.
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