<P> Former NBA players criticized his decision to not stay with Cleveland and continuing to try to win a championship as "the guy". Michael Jordan stated that he would not have contacted his rivals from other teams like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird to play on one team together, as "I wanted to defeat those guys". Jordan added that "...things are different (now). I can't say that's a bad thing . It's an opportunity these kids have today". Johnson echoed Jordan's sentiments on teaming with rivals . </P> <P> On September 29, 2010, when asked by Soledad O'Brien of CNN if race was a factor in the fallout from The Decision, James said, "I think so, at times . There's always--you know, a race factor". James had previously stayed clear of racial issues . When an earlier racial controversy over his cover on Vogue became a national debate, James had no comment . Two African American sports columnists criticized James for injecting race into the issue--Mike Freeman of CBSSports.com said James suddenly bringing up race in this instance was "laughable", and Jason Whitlock of Foxsports.com said James' usage of the race card was "an excuse to avoid dealing with his own bad (The) Decision". Adande, also African American, had a different view, saying James "didn't claim to be a victim of racial persecution" and "caused us to examine the bias that's always lurking". </P> <P> Before a game against the Nets on October 31, 2010, his first game against one of his suitors, James reflected on his free agency: "If I had to go back on it, I probably would do it a little bit different", James said . "But I'm happy with my decision". He declined to be more specific . James relented about the TV special before the 2011--12 season: "...if the shoe was on the other foot and I was a fan, and I was very passionate about one player, and he decided to leave, I would be upset too about the way he handled it". James won two NBA championships with Miami: the first in 2011--12 in his second season with the Heat, and again the following season in 2012--13 . </P> <P> The Cavaliers finished their 2010--11 season with a 19--63 record, including a then - NBA record 26 - game losing streak . In the four NBA drafts after James' departure, the Cavaliers won the draft lottery three times to receive the first overall pick . Their 2011 first overall pick, Kyrie Irving, was named the 2012 NBA Rookie of the Year, and was also the MVP of both the All - Star Game and the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2014 . </P>

Lebron james decision to go back to cleveland