LeBron James 這次重回自由球員市場並沒有留給大家太多懸念，雖然還是延宕一些時日，不過跟上次大張旗鼓比起來，這次算是快刀斬亂麻，由於他決定了動向，自由球員市場迅速運轉起來，截至剛剛為止已經完成不少交易，NBA 本身是職業運動，牽涉到非常多的操作與關係的經營，加上 LeBron James 的聲明相信有不少勘履者已經看過，編輯部覺得無須多作評論，就放上看職業運動學英文提供的翻譯，同時搭配 LeBron 生涯前期在騎士隊的官方 10 大好球精選，作為迎接今年夏天的序幕吧！
Before anyone ever cared where I would play basketball, I was a kid from Northeast Ohio. It’s where I walked. It’s where I ran. It’s where I cried. It’s where I bled. It holds a special place in my heart. People there have seen me grow up. I sometimes feel like I’m their son. Their passion can be overwhelming. But it drives me. I want to give them hope when I can. I want to inspire them when I can. My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn’t realize that four years ago. I do now.
在大家還未關注我將落腳何處之前，我只不過是個來自俄亥俄州的小孩。這是我走過、跑過、哭過和流血過的地方，對於我來說這是個特別的地方。這裡的人看著我長大，有時候我覺得自己就像他們的兒子。他們的熱情很超過，卻能激勵我向上。我希望在我能有所作為的時候給他們希望、激勵他們。我和北俄亥俄州（克里夫蘭）的情感聯結勝過籃球，四年前我不了解，但現在，我深深體會。
Remember when I was sitting up there at the Boys & Girls Club in 2010? I was thinking, This is really tough. I could feel it. I was leaving something I had spent a long time creating. If I had to do it all over again, I’d obviously do things differently, but I’d still have left. Miami, for me, has been almost like college for other kids. These past four years helped raise me into who I am. I became a better player and a better man. I learned from a franchise that had been where I wanted to go. I will always think of Miami as my second home. Without the experiences I had there, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing today.
當我坐在這裡參加 Boys & Girls 活動時（好像是 2010年吧？），當時我在想，這真是太困難了，我感覺得到。當時我要離開這個我朝夕相處的地方，如果（身為職業運動員）我必須要這樣做，我一定要做得與眾不同，但我還是離開了。邁阿密對我來說，就像念大學一樣，這四年幫助了我成長，我成為更好的球員和更好的人。我從球團那了解到這是我想要的，我總是視邁阿密為第二個家。如果沒有這些過往，我不會是現在的我。
I went to Miami because of D-Wade and CB. We made sacrifices to keep UD. I loved becoming a big bro to Rio. I believed we could do something magical if we came together. And that’s exactly what we did! The hardest thing to leave is what I built with those guys. I’ve talked to some of them and will talk to others. Nothing will ever change what we accomplished. We are brothers for life. I also want to thank Micky Arison and Pat Riley for giving me an amazing four years.
我會去邁阿密是因為 Wade 和 Bosh。我們犧牲自己為了留住 Udonis Haslem。我愛上當 Mario Chalmers 的大哥，我相信我們團結一致能製造奇蹟，而我們做到了。我們總是互相溝通，沒有什麼能夠改變我們的成就，我們是一生的兄弟。我也此感謝 Micky Arison 和 Pat Riley 給了我神奇的四年。
I’m doing this essay because I want an opportunity to explain myself uninterrupted. I don’t want anyone thinking: He and Erik Spoelstra didn’t get along. … He and Riles didn’t get along. … The Heat couldn’t put the right team together. That’s absolutely not true.
因為不想被記者打斷，我做出這聲明稿直接了當說明我的想法，我不想要讓其他人認為「他跟 Erik Spoelstra 鬧翻了」、「熱火隊無法組成一支球隊」，這些都不是真的。
I’m not having a press conference or a party. After this, it’s time to get to work.
When I left Cleveland, I was on a mission. I was seeking championships, and we won two. But Miami already knew that feeling. Our city hasn’t had that feeling in a long, long, long time. My goal is still to win as many titles as possible, no question. But what’s most important for me is bringing one trophy back to Northeast Ohio.
我並沒有要召開記者會或舉辦派對，在說完這些之後，我還要練球。
當時我離開克里夫蘭，我是有所求的。我尋求冠軍獎杯，而我得到兩座，整個邁阿密享受到冠軍滋味。但克里夫蘭很久很久很久沒有享受到同樣滋味了。我希望盡我所能將冠軍帶回克里夫蘭，越多越好。
I always believed that I’d return to Cleveland and finish my career there. I just didn’t know when. After the season, free agency wasn’t even a thought. But I have two boys and my wife, Savannah, is pregnant with a girl. I started thinking about what it would be like to raise my family in my hometown. I looked at other teams, but I wasn’t going to leave Miami for anywhere except Cleveland. The more time passed, the more it felt right. This is what makes me happy.
我始終相信我會回到克里夫蘭結束我的生涯，只是當時我不知道。今年球季結束之後，我並不是真的想成為自由球員。我有兩個小男孩和懷有女孩的妻子 Savannah，我思考如果把全家人帶回家鄉會怎樣，我看看了看其他隊伍，但離開熱火的話，我除了克里夫蘭，哪兒都不去。當時間一分一秒過去，我越覺得這是正確的，而這讓我很開心。
To make the move I needed the support of my wife and my mom, who can be very tough. The letter from Dan Gilbert, the booing of the Cleveland fans, the jerseys being burned — seeing all that was hard for them. My emotions were more mixed. It was easy to say, “OK, I don’t want to deal with these people ever again.” But then you think about the other side. What if I were a kid who looked up to an athlete, and that athlete made me want to do better in my own life, and then he left? How would I react? I’ve met with Dan, face-to-face, man-to-man. We’ve talked it out. Everybody makes mistakes. I’ve made mistakes as well. Who am I to hold a grudge?
為了做出這個決定，我需要來自妻子和堅毅母親的支持。Dan Gilbert 的信和克里夫蘭球迷的噓聲，那些被燒掉的球衣，對那些人來說真的很難熬。我心中五味雜陳，但說出「我不想再理會這些人了」，其實很簡單。但當你思考另外一面的時候，如果我是小朋友，以運動明星為偶像，想要改善生活，但是這位偶像離開了？我會怎麼反應？當我和 Dan Gilbert 面對面的男人對話，我們談到這個話題。每個人都會犯錯，我也犯了錯，但我沒必要一直懷恨在心。
I’m not promising a championship. I know how hard that is to deliver. We’re not ready right now. No way. Of course, I want to win next year, but I’m realistic. It will be a long process, much longer than it was in 2010. My patience will get tested. I know that. I’m going into a situation with a young team and a new coach. I will be the old head. But I get a thrill out of bringing a group together and helping them reach a place they didn’t know they could go. I see myself as a mentor now and I’m excited to lead some of these talented young guys. I think I can help Kyrie Irving become one of the best point guards in our league. I think I can help elevate Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters. And I can’t wait to reunite with Anderson Varejao, one of my favorite teammates.
我並不保證（帶領騎士隊）奪冠，我知道拿冠軍很難。我們還沒有準備好，當然沒有。我當然期望明年奪冠，可是我知道要回歸現實面。這將會是長期抗戰，比 2010 年還要久。我的耐心將會被測試，我知道的。我將會帶領這支年輕球隊以及與新教頭相處。我會變成老將。但當我知道將團結球隊，為他們找回方向的時候，我感到很興奮。我視自己為年輕球員的心靈導師。我認為我可以幫助 Kyrie Irving 成為聯盟最強的控衛；我相信我可以提升Tristan Thompson 和 Dion Waiters 的實力，還有，我超期待和我最喜歡的 Anderson Varejao 團圓！
But this is not about the roster or the organization. I feel my calling here goes above basketball. I have a responsibility to lead, in more ways than one, and I take that very seriously. My presence can make a difference in Miami, but I think it can mean more where I’m from. I want kids in Northeast Ohio, like the hundreds of Akron third-graders I sponsor through my foundation, to realize that there’s no better place to grow up. Maybe some of them will come home after college and start a family or open a business. That would make me smile. Our community, which has struggled so much, needs all the talent it can get.
但這跟球隊陣容或球團無關。我感覺到超越籃球之外的使命感，我有責任去帶領（球員），在各方面作為領袖。我幫助邁阿密有所改變，但我相信改變家鄉更有意義。我希望北俄亥俄州的小朋友，例如基金會所贊助的 Akron 三年級生一樣，了解到沒有什麼比家鄉更棒的地方。也許他們有些人在念完大學、成家之後或做生意之後會回到家鄉，那會讓我開心。我們的社區已經掙扎太久了，需要更多人來幫助克里夫蘭。
In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have.
在北俄亥俄州，沒有什麼天然優勢，所有的一切都是爭取來的。你為了生存而奮鬥。
I’m ready to accept the challenge. I’m coming home.
我準備好接受挑戰。我要回家了。
資料來源：Sports Illustrated
