LeBron James Motivated by Rival Teams’ Offseason Moves


by Marcel Mutoni @ marcel_mutoni

Despite an exhausting postseason run to a second consecutive championship, and a very busy summer schedule, it didn’t take long for LeBron James to get back in the gym.

The Miami Heat superstar says he was motivated by the moves made around the NBA during the offseason, and he’s prepared to defend his team‘s back-to-back titles.

Per the Sun-Sentinel:

“I’ve been back in the gym for a few weeks now, going at it,” James said. “I’ve seen what so many teams have done to get better. I’ve seen the moves that we’ve made, so I’ve got to do my part.” After leading the Heat to a second straight NBA title, James took a brief break to run a high school All-American camp in Las Vegas, made an appearance at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles and then toured China on marketing trip for Nike. The fun ended once rosters began to take shape.

The Heat return most of their core from last year, recently adding center Greg Oden to keep pace with the improving contenders. James said being patient is the key with Oden, the 2007 No. 1 overall pick who has only played 82 games because a series of knee injuries. His last game was Dec. 5, 2009. “We’re not going to put any pressure on him,” James said of Oden. “He hasn’t played in almost four years. We want him to work his way back into shape. It’s going to take him a while to get back into game shape … We don’t expect anything out of him except being a professional and showing up for work everyday. Whatever we get from his is extra.”

Splashes made around the League by teams like the Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers are undoubtedly fuelling James and the Heat, to say nothing of Derrick Rose’s impending return.

It bears noting that LeBron James feels that he will come back next season as a better basketball player. That may very well turn out to be the most significant development in the NBA this summer.