Lakers News: Returning To Miami Brings About Fond ‘Memories’ For LeBron James

Matthew Moreno
2 Min Read
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

As the Los Angeles Lakers embarked on a three-game road trip that began Saturday night against the Orlando Magic, the primary talking points were how the team would adjust to not having Rajon Rondo and LeBron James’ return to Cleveland on Wednesday.

Sandwiched between the start and finish of the road trip, however, is another stop to one of James’ old stomping grounds. Fresh off their four-game winning streak being snapped, the Lakers are now set to face the Miami Heat on Sunday night.

It of course is where James and Dwyane Wade won back-to-back championships after the former shocked many by bolting from the Cavaliers in 2010 NBA free agency. James has already returned to American Airlines Arena since leaving the Heat, as he spent the past four seasons with the Cavs.

Nonetheless, James reminisced ahead of facing Wade and the Heat, via Spectrum SportsNet:

“It always brings back memories when you go to a place where you had some success. It seems so long ago, honestly, since I played there. The banners still hang and the memories are still there.”

While James and the Lakers were guaranteed one trip to Miami this season, that he would face a Heat team that includes Wade was not nearly as given. Wade reunited with James on the Cavaliers last season, but was traded to the Heat as a favor of sorts to the veteran.

Wade contemplated retirement before announcing he would return for a 17th and final season in the NBA. Though, Wade will miss Sunday’s game as he’s still with Gabrielle Union after the two recently welcomed their first child.

Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers games, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
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