Miami Heat mistakenly post video teasing possible LeBron James return
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A live stream entitled “LeBron James Introductory Press Conference”, scheduled for July 27, was uploaded to Miami Heat’s YouTube channel on the night of July 21 but later deleted.
PHOTO, SCREENSHOT: IMAGN IMAGES, @WADEXFLASH/X
- The Miami Heat mistakenly posted a video teasing LeBron James' possible return, sparking widespread speculation about his next team.
- LeBron James left the Lakers in June, with the Heat, Cavaliers, and 76ers as top candidates for his next season.
- James' agent, Rich Paul, said the decision will not be rushed and that LeBron will announce when he is ready.
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MIAMI – The basketball world was ablaze on the morning of July 22 after the Miami Heat’s YouTube account mistakenly posted a video the night before teasing the possible return of LeBron James, who has yet to announce where he will play his 24th NBA season.
A live stream entitled LeBron James Introductory Press Conference scheduled for July 27 was uploaded to the Heat’s channel on the night of July 21 but was later deleted, leaving fans wondering if the 41-year-old is heading back to the team with whom he won two championships.
A team spokesperson confirmed to Reuters that the video was mistakenly posted in preparation for James possibly signing with Miami, who have already secured the signature of another big star in Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Heat did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
James announced he was leaving the Los Angeles Lakers in June, and where he plays next has become the most compelling off-season storyline, with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers and Heat all reportedly top candidates.
The anticipation has even seeped into the betting world as BetOnline Sports & Casino is taking wagers on when James will announce his decision, with July 24 leading the way and Miami coming as the favoured destination.
Rich Paul, James’ long-time friend and agent, said on a podcast episode released earlier this week that his client will not be hurried into a decision.
“We’re not going to be rushed,” Paul said on an episode of Game Over With Max Kellerman And Rich Paul released on July 20. “It’s his choice to make and when he makes the choice, he’ll make it.”
In other NBA news, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame will break with tradition on July 24 when it opens an exhibition highlighting the career of Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry. No active player in league history has received such an honour.
The exhibition is titled Stephen Curry: Beyond The Arc and takes a look at the four-time NBA champion and two-time Most Valuable Player on and off the court. Curry’s business team partnered the Hall of Fame on the project.
“The exhibit is designed to explore his multifaceted legacy as a basketball icon, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and family man,” the Hall of Fame said in a statement.
This will be the first look at Curry’s legacy at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, but not the last. He is certain of being selected for enshrinement into the hall as soon as he is eligible, post-retirement.
“When I think about my journey, I think about the people who believed in me, the work that happened when nobody was watching and the moments that shaped me on and off the court,” said the 38-year-old.
“To have that story told while I’m still playing is something I don’t take lightly. My hope is that fans walk through this experience and feel the joy, the purpose and the gratitude that basketball has given me, and maybe see a little bit of their own journey in it too.”
A closing date has not been set for the exhibition.
Meanwhile, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and its players’ union said on July 22 they would continue to enhance security measures after meeting to discuss a recent rise in racist, hateful and abusive messages directed at players.
The joint statement from the league and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) followed a meeting between WNBA leadership and members of the union’s executive committee and justice, equity, diversity and inclusion committee.
The meeting was requested by the WNBPA after an incident in a June 24 game, where Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas made contact with Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark’s throat, as Thomas later said she had been subject to online harassment.
“The conversation underscored the importance of addressing issues early through proactive communication and strengthening the league-union relationship,” the statement said.
“The league committed to continuing to enhance security resources and will work with the players’ union to explore collaborations with organisations that share the values of our league and advance our shared priorities.” REUTERS, AFP