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One month from the start of the NBA's free agency
frenzy, LeBron James said he's not close to making any
decision.
However, he has handicapped his field of suitors.
The Cleveland Cavaliers lead the pack.
In his first interview since the Cavs' season ended with a
shocking, second-round loss to Boston, James told CNN's
Larry King that Cleveland has "an edge" to re-sign him
when the greatest collection of free agents in league
history hits the open market on July 1.
King, who interviewed James at the two-time MVP's
home near Akron on Tuesday, asked the superstar if
Cleveland has "an edge going in?"
"Absolutely," James said in a portion of the interview
released by the network. "Because, you know, this city,
these fans, I mean, have given me a lot in these seven
years. And, you know, for me, it's comfortable. So I've
got a lot of memories here. And so it does have an edge.
"It's going to be a very interesting summer and I'm
looking forward to it."
Also during the interview, which will air Friday on CNN's
"Larry King Live," James said he can't wait for July 1 to
arrive and that he has not yet decided where he'll sign.
"I'm far from close," he was quoted as saying in a
transcript posted on WEWS-TV's website in Cleveland.
"July is still a month away, less than a month away. I've
thought about it, but I haven't began to strategize
exactly."
James also made his first comments about former Cavs
coach Mike Brown, who was fired in the aftermath of
Cleveland's startling loss to the Celtics. James said he
was sorry to see Brown let go after five seasons.
"He was a great coach, five great years we had together
and we turned a franchise that hadn't seen a lot of
things in a lot of years," James said.
"But ultimately, we both, myself and Mike Brown, didn't
accomplish what we wanted to, and that was (win) the
NBA championship. And I think we wanted it more than
anybody else.
"So it's unfortunate. I wish him the best and I think he's
going to have a great coaching career."
Before sitting down with King, James had not talked any
media members since the Cavs were eliminated by the
Celtics, who then knocked off Orlando and will meet the
Los Angeles Lakers in the finals starting Thursday.
James believes the Celtics can beat the Lakers and win
their 18th NBA title.
He also plans to meet with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh
and others in a star-studded summit of free agents to
talk about their future plans.
"I am the ringleader," James told King.
The New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets and
Los Angeles Clippers are among a group of teams
expected to make a strong push for James, who is
humbled by all the attention as well as recent comments
by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who wants him to
sign with the Knicks, and President Barack Obama, who
would like to see him step into Michael Jordan's shadow
with the Bulls.
James seemed intrigued by the Clippers and the chance
to play near Hollywood.
"They've got some really good players. Some really nice,
solid pieces that, if they add a free agent here or a free
agent there, it could be a really good team. It's a great
city. But at the same time, it's not always about the city.
It's about winning. If you put me and Bosh on the same
team, if you put me and Dwayne Wade on the same
team, a lot of teams would be much better. You know,
the Cavs would be much better."
And while he'll consult with advisers, family and friends,
James said the choice of his next team will up to one
person.
"It's going to be me," he said. "I'm going to have to sit
down and say 'where do you want to play'?
James has spent all seven seasons as a pro with the
Cavs, who offered him a contract extension last year and
can give him $30 million more than any other team in a
maximum-length deal.
frenzy, LeBron James said he's not close to making any
decision.
However, he has handicapped his field of suitors.
The Cleveland Cavaliers lead the pack.
In his first interview since the Cavs' season ended with a
shocking, second-round loss to Boston, James told CNN's
Larry King that Cleveland has "an edge" to re-sign him
when the greatest collection of free agents in league
history hits the open market on July 1.
King, who interviewed James at the two-time MVP's
home near Akron on Tuesday, asked the superstar if
Cleveland has "an edge going in?"
"Absolutely," James said in a portion of the interview
released by the network. "Because, you know, this city,
these fans, I mean, have given me a lot in these seven
years. And, you know, for me, it's comfortable. So I've
got a lot of memories here. And so it does have an edge.
"It's going to be a very interesting summer and I'm
looking forward to it."
Also during the interview, which will air Friday on CNN's
"Larry King Live," James said he can't wait for July 1 to
arrive and that he has not yet decided where he'll sign.
"I'm far from close," he was quoted as saying in a
transcript posted on WEWS-TV's website in Cleveland.
"July is still a month away, less than a month away. I've
thought about it, but I haven't began to strategize
exactly."
James also made his first comments about former Cavs
coach Mike Brown, who was fired in the aftermath of
Cleveland's startling loss to the Celtics. James said he
was sorry to see Brown let go after five seasons.
"He was a great coach, five great years we had together
and we turned a franchise that hadn't seen a lot of
things in a lot of years," James said.
"But ultimately, we both, myself and Mike Brown, didn't
accomplish what we wanted to, and that was (win) the
NBA championship. And I think we wanted it more than
anybody else.
"So it's unfortunate. I wish him the best and I think he's
going to have a great coaching career."
Before sitting down with King, James had not talked any
media members since the Cavs were eliminated by the
Celtics, who then knocked off Orlando and will meet the
Los Angeles Lakers in the finals starting Thursday.
James believes the Celtics can beat the Lakers and win
their 18th NBA title.
He also plans to meet with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh
and others in a star-studded summit of free agents to
talk about their future plans.
"I am the ringleader," James told King.
The New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets and
Los Angeles Clippers are among a group of teams
expected to make a strong push for James, who is
humbled by all the attention as well as recent comments
by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who wants him to
sign with the Knicks, and President Barack Obama, who
would like to see him step into Michael Jordan's shadow
with the Bulls.
James seemed intrigued by the Clippers and the chance
to play near Hollywood.
"They've got some really good players. Some really nice,
solid pieces that, if they add a free agent here or a free
agent there, it could be a really good team. It's a great
city. But at the same time, it's not always about the city.
It's about winning. If you put me and Bosh on the same
team, if you put me and Dwayne Wade on the same
team, a lot of teams would be much better. You know,
the Cavs would be much better."
And while he'll consult with advisers, family and friends,
James said the choice of his next team will up to one
person.
"It's going to be me," he said. "I'm going to have to sit
down and say 'where do you want to play'?
James has spent all seven seasons as a pro with the
Cavs, who offered him a contract extension last year and
can give him $30 million more than any other team in a
maximum-length deal.
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