The Conley Impact

When it comes to Cleveland sports a few iconic phrases come to mind:

"The Fumble" and "The Decision" have to be the most recognizable in my opinion.  However, after the NBA free agency period began this year a new phrase might take the city of Cleveland by storm:

"The Return"

Lebron James decided that he had to follow his heart back to his home state and start a new chapter of his legacy and future hall of fame career.  With that being said, one has to wonder if this prolonged return has been in the making for the past couple of years.  Let's take a look back when the Cavs first drafted James with the number 1 overall pick in 2003.

During Lebron's first tenure with the Cavs, it seemed as if owner Dan Gilbert didn't want to surround Lebron with much talent.  The most notable players that Lebron played with were named Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Mo Williams, Carlos Boozer (for one year), and one might be able to say Larry Hughes.  It was remarkable that Lebron's Cavs made it to an NBA final when he didn't have a big name sidekick in the starting five.  What's more puzzling, is that the Cavs had the chance to sign quality free agents when they were in their prime such as Michael Redd and Amare Stoudamire.  In the end, the lack of talent and the hopes of winning a title in South Beach propelled Lebron to the Miami Heat where they went to four straight NBA finals; winning two.

While the world was focused on Lebron and company in Miami, the Cavs were quietly lurking in the shadows building up draft picks.  Since drafting Lebron with the number 1 overall pick in 2003, the Cavs have also had a top 10 draft pick 6 times!  Most notably, the past 4 years in which they've acquired the number 1 overall pick 3 out of 4 years running!

It looks like the Cavs have been planning for the king to return to Cleveland.

With the young talent now surrounding Lebron (Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters, and Andrew Wiggens) and the potential pick up of Kevin Love, the Cavs finally look like they're on the right track to bring the first title to the city of Cleveland since 1964.