LeBron James Teaming Up With Friends on Heat Was ‘Cowardly’ Move, Says Former All-Star

The Kevin Garnett-led championship team was the 2nd original superteam in NBA history. But that team was created through trades, in which the Celtics gave up a lot of assets to help them return to competitiveness.

LeBron James’ free agency move started the superteam trend

Before LeBron James’ infamous The Decision, most of the NBA despised superteams. The only times they were created were through trades, which ended up costing the initial beneficiary a lot of draft capital in later seasons.

In the Akron native’s case, he was a free agent and chose to team up with his friends. Chris Bosh was also a free agent, and so was Dwyane Wade. The trio decided secretly to take less money so that all three could sign with the Miami Heat.

Therefore, the Heat basically had to figure out how to manage the salary cap. They did not have to convince either of those stars, and neither did they have to spend draft picks to sign them.

Since James and Bosh left their teams without compensation, they struggled over the next seasons, adding to the furor that they had already created. It was less so on Chris Bosh, as he was loved by many.

In the case of the 2003 No. 1 overall pick, his audacity to create a superteam with friends ticked off many people. That narrative still runs rings around him even though he returned to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to their 1st ever championship.

The problem everyone has with him is that the now all-time leading scorer started the trend that has changed the landscape of the NBA. Loyalty is no longer a factor as players choose where they want to play once their contract runs out.

LeBron James and Chris Paul become only active players to enter Hall of Fame

LeBron James was part of another superteam before he joined the Miami Heat. That would be the 2008 USA Basketball Redeem Team, which featured him and his future Heat teammates along with Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd, and the late Kobe Bryant.

That team was immortalized in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame over the weekend. Since the team made it to the Hall of Fame, it makes LeBron James and Chris Paul the only active players to ever wear the orange jacket.

There is no doubt the 40-year-old superstar will have his own orange jacket moment after he retires. He could also add another orange jacket for being a part of the 2024 Paris Olympics team. Quite the resume for the oldest player in the league.