Miami -- As he relaxed on a baseline seat after shootaround Monday, his former team's "Heat Culture" tagline painted at half court in front of him reminded him of what his 20-year career meant to him.
"I think I would still be at this level no matter if I would've came here or not," said the 21st-year Lakers player. Let's be clear: my four years here were great. I loved everything. Great franchise, one of the greatest in the world.
"My career was going to be my career individually because I knew how much I put into the game and strove to be the best. The knowledge I gained here was unmatched."
James, 25, came in South Beach in 2010. He had zero championships, two MVPs, and one NBA Finals trip in his first seven Cleveland Cavaliers seasons. When he left Miami in 2014, he had two titles, four MVPs, five Finals appearances, and two Finals MVPs. He helped the Heat win 27 straight in 2012-13, the second-longest stretch in league history.
"I came here for one reason and one reason only, and that was to win championships," he stated. "That was my only goal. That was my only rationale for teaming up with Wade and Bosh.
I felt helpless in Cleveland. We couldn't... My Cleveland recruiting efforts included men. I tried to help upstairs but failed. So I became a free agent and did what I thought was best for my career and me at the time."
After leaving his sole home in Northeast Ohio for South Florida, James stated it was a formative time in his life and career.
“It was a culture change for me,” James remarked. "'Heat Culture' was a culture revolution, period. Changed everything about my life for the first time. To be here and learn from D-Wade, UD, and Spo—those guys who had won it—was wonderful."
Miami will wear its City Edition uniforms with "Heat Culture" sewn on them to match the Lakers' unique court with a block letter inscription in the lane: "Hardest working. Best condition. Greatest professionalism. Unselfish. Hardest, meanest, nastiest NBA team."
James, who named the Heat one of the model organizations in all sports, along with the Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New England Patriots, said players must buy into a great team culture.