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LeBron James clarifies departure concerns, says Miami Heat fans can relax

 
 

Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) pauses between plays against the Washington Wizards during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game in Washington, on Friday, Feb. 10, 2012. The Heat won 106-89.
Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) pauses between plays against the Washington Wizards during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game in Washington, on Friday, Feb. 10, 2012. The Heat won 106-89.
Jacquelyn Martin / AP
WEB VOTE What's your reaction to LeBron James not ruling out a possible return to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the future?

mnavarro@MiamiHerald.com

Don’t worry, Heat fans.

That’s the message LeBron James delivered at Friday afternoon’s shootaround inside Quicken Loans Arena, a day after creating a bit of a stir and telling the Cleveland media he wouldn’t close the door on one day returning to his former team.

Hoping to clarify his comments and ease concern in South Florida, James said there should be no worries about his commitment to the Heat, or about him opting out of his contract in 2014.

“Nah, they shouldn’t be worried at all,” James said when asked specifically if his comments Thursday should raise eyebrows in South Florida.

“I love the fans in Miami and I’m here. The question was basically ‘Could I see myself playing back here?’ I said, ‘Yeah,’ in the sense of I don’t know what my future holds and I don’t want to take that out. But I love the fans of Miami and I got everything invested with this team. And I’m looking forward to the years to come.”

James, who expressed regret about the way he handled his departure from Cleveland in July 2010, signed a six-year contract with the Heat that has escape clauses for each of his final two seasons. During his final years under contract with the Cavaliers, it was speculated James might leave for the New York Knicks or Chicago Bulls, two higher-profile cities. Cleveland fans referred to it as “LeBron Watch.”

Asked specifically if Heat fans should be on a similar “LeBron Watch,” James smiled and said: “I mean, I’m already on ‘LeBron Watch.’

“For the most part, everything I do is a ‘LeBron Watch.’ Like I said, my mind-set is on this season. My mind-set is on helping this team win a championship and continuing to get better every day. And I’m looking forward to getting back to Miami and seeing the fans.”

James grew up in nearby Akron and still has family there as well as a home where he has stayed since the Heat arrived late Tuesday night. But he recently moved his two young sons and fiancèe to Miami to be closer to him.

“Like I said, it was a very difficult year for me last year, a transition year for myself, on the court and off the court,” he said. “So I’m very comfortable when I’m with my whole family and my family is down there and I feel great.”

Asked Friday by the Cleveland media about whether the city should believe his sincerity about possibly returning to one day play for the Cavaliers, James tried to put the issue to rest. “You know what?” he replied. “I’m concentrating on this season. Like I said, the question was asked, I answered it truthfully.”

Pressed by the Cleveland media, James declined to expand.

“Like I said, yesterday I answered it truthfully, I answered the question truthfully,” he said. “But it’s all about this season for me and it’s all about playing with this Miami Heat team and trying to win an NBA championship and the fans in Miami shouldn’t be worried about anything at this point.”

•  Dexter Pittman (bruised left shoulder) will miss his third consecutive game according to coach Erik Spoelstra. “He’s been able to do some conditioning,” Spoelstra said. “But he’s a little bit sore. It was a pretty good stinger.”

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