“I’ve been on buses where the general manager gets on the bus and tells a player he’s traded” – When Paul Silas defended LeBron James’ decision to go to Miami originally appeared on Basketball Network.
In the summer of 2010, LeBron James made a bold move that changed the NBA landscape. Through a highly publicized announcement famously called “The Decision,” LeBron revealed that he was taking his talents to South Beach and would be leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat.
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As expected, James’ decision sparked widespread criticism and heated debate within the NBA community. The Cavs felt practically betrayed as the front office believed James didn’t give them a fair chance to negotiate a deal for his exit. For them, the abrupt nature of his departure left the franchise feeling blindsided and disrespected.
Amidst the growing controversy, former Cavaliers head coach Paul Silas aired his opinion and voiced his support for LeBron. Silas argued that while it was unconventional, James’ decision was understandable as front-office guys have been doing the same thing to players for years.
“I’ve been on buses where the general manager gets on the bus and tells a player he’s traded. They don’t (let) him know ahead of time,” coach Silas said in 2011, expressing his sentiments on the backlash of James’ decision. “Why should (James) let people know? He did what he wanted to do and he had that right. He gave the Cavaliers seven great years,” Silas pointed out.
Bron remained focused on winning
The Heat were excited to welcome James. On the other hand, he was vilified by the Cavaliers faithful. The intense scrutiny went on until the conclusion of LeBron’s debut season in Miami.
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At one point, King James felt compelled to divulge his raw and honest thoughts on the criticisms being thrown at him. Unlike coach Silas, LeBron didn’t take a dig at any NBA team executive. Instead, he just let everybody know that their opinions didn’t faze him one bit.
“I don’t care if I’m more liked or more wanted by people. People are going to have opinions about me no matter what,” LeBron said to HoopsHype in 2012. “For me, as a player, I’ll try to do what it takes to win, and off the court I am who I am. I can’t change what people think about me.”
A reputation for forming super teams
After winning two championships with the Heat, James made a dramatic return to the Cavs in 2014. However, he found himself at the center of controversy once again. This time, critics accused him of consistently forming super teams.
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At that point, James was viewed as a player desperate for NBA championships. They speculated that his return to Cleveland was a calculated attempt to secure his legacy. And by utilizing his influence and power, LeBron recruited some of the best players in the league to carry him. Since then, his career trajectory has been marked by free-agency moves that have both inspired and infuriated fans.
Despite the constant bashing, he proved that he has the ability to transform teams and create winning environments. Some even reckoned that James demonstrated a level of strategic thinking that not all NBA superstars possess.
To this day, LeBron still leaves fans, players and analysts alike divided. Everything James does continues to draw both admiration and criticism.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.