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15 years on from ‘The Decision’: How LeBron James changed the NBA by joining the Miami Heat

Originally posted on HITC | By Aaditya Krishnamurthy | Last updated Jul 8, 2025 9:07 AM ET

It’s 15 years since LeBron James famously announced he was joining Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to form what would become one of the most memorable teams in NBA history.

It’s hard to add anything new to the story of LeBron James. From the earliest days, when he was already labelled the ‘Chosen One’, he’s still managed to exceed the weight of expectation on his shoulders.

Going first overall in the 2003 Draft to his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers added another layer to his story. Growing up just outside the city in Akron, he wasn’t just joining an organisation — he was becoming the face of the entire region.

It didn’t take long for him to start justifying the hype. By his second season, he was already an All-Star and an MVP candidate, and by 2007, he’d led Cleveland to the NBA Finals.

The Cavaliers were swept by the Spurs, but NBA legend Tim Duncan spoke to LeBron after the loss, predicting that the league would soon be his.

Duncan’s words proved true, though not in the way Cleveland fans hoped. In 2010, LeBron made a move that changed the league.

July 8th, 2010: LeBron James announces Miami Heat move with The Decision

On this day, 15 years ago, LeBron James took part in a televised ESPN special called The Decision, which aired live from the Boys and Girls Club in Greenwich, Connecticut.

After reflecting on his career, James revealed at the end of the broadcast that he would be leaving the Cavaliers to sign with the Miami Heat.

Photo by Cancan Chu/Getty Images

“In this fall, I’m going to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat.”

Those words echoed across the NBA. The pairing of superstars was just starting to break into the mainstream. But the way James went about it didn’t sit right with a majority of fans.

Many fans reacted negatively to the special, calling it overly dramatic. James joined Wade and Bosh, but Dwyane later claimed other stars had also reached out to him and LeBron with similar ideas.

Adding Bosh to the mix turned public opinion against them, but LeBron found plenty of success with the Heat regardless, both personally and in finally capturing an NBA championship.

LeBron James stats and accolades during his Miami Heat run

He reached the NBA Finals all four years, won two titles – along with regular season and Finals MVP awards each of those seasons – and posted these numbers along the way:

LeBron achieved everything possible in Miami. But it wasn’t until he returned home and delivered Cleveland’s first championship in 2016 that his legacy was truly complete — first as a Cavalier, then as one of the most influential players of his era.

Would a LeBron James-Miami Heat reunion make him a villain again?

LeBron James delivered on his promise to Cleveland before heading to the LA Lakers in 2018, where he still plays today. But there are now questions about whether something is being left unsaid about his time in LA.

Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images

The Lakers’ coaching change and a focus on building around Luka Doncic don’t align with James’ championship goals. Meanwhile, the Heat have come up multiple times as a surprise option for the new season — raising the possibility of a reunion.

Until the offseason, one thing remains clear: even 15 years later, the ripple effects of ‘The Decision’ are still felt around the NBA.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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