LeBron James, two-time NBA most valuable player, announced his decision Thursday night that he will join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami Heat.
After keeping silence for weeks, the 25-year-old James said on his ESPN television special that he has decided to join the Heat. The decision left Cleveland Cavaliers fans in deep sadness.
James played for the Cavaliers for seven years but failed to win the championship he covets.
"Winning is a huge thing for me," James said of his decision, which made Thursday morning after talking with his mother.
"I can't say it was always in my plans, because I never thought it was possible," James added. "But the thins that the Miami Heat franchise have done, to free up cap space and be able to put themselves in a position this summer to have all three of us, it was hard to turn down.
"Those are two great players, two of the greatest players that we have in this game today."
"We want to build a dynasty," Miami Heat president Pat Riley committed to the Heat fans earlier.
The Heat got commitments from free agents Wade and Bosh on Wednesday. Now with the joint of James, the Heat can match any rivals in NBA.
James averaged 29.7 points for Cleveland last season; Wade averaged 26.6 points for Miami; and Bosh averaged career best of 24.0 points and 10.8 rebounds for Toronto Raptors.
James said he knows his decision won't go over well in Ohio.
"They can have mixed emotions, of course," he said, adding that his home town Akron in Ohio will "always be home for me."
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