Return of the King: LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Greatest Comeback in NBA History

by Brian Windhorst, Dave McMenamin

Overview

In this New York Times bestseller, get the inside scoop into LeBron James's return -- and ultimate triumph -- in Cleveland.

What really happened when LeBron James stunned the NBA by leaving a potential dynasty in Miami to come home to play with the Cleveland Cavaliers? How did the Cavs use secret meetings to put together the deal to add star Kevin Love? Who really made the controversial decision to fire coach David Blatt when the team was in first place? Where did the greatest comeback in NBA history truly begin-and end?

Return of the King takes you onto the private planes, inside the locker-room conversations, and into the middle of the intense huddles where one of the greatest stories in basketball history took place, resulting in the Cavs winning the 2016 NBA title after trailing the Golden State Warriors three games to one.

You'll hear from all the characters involved: the players, the executives, the agents, and the owners as they reveal stories never before told. Get the background on all the controversies, the rivalries, and the bad blood from two reporters who were there for every day, plot twist, and social media snafu as they take you through the fascinating ride that culminated in a heart-stopping Game Seven.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781478971672
Publisher:	Grand Central Publishing
Publication date:	04/03/2018
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	296
Sales rank:	523,200
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 8.05(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Brian Windhorst has covered the NBA for ESPN since 2010. He began covering LeBron James in 1999 and was the daily beat writer on the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Akron Beacon Journal and Cleveland Plain Dealer from 2003 to 2010. He is also the co-author of three books, including the New York Times bestseller Return of the King, The Franchise, and The Making of an MVP.

Table of Contents

Introduction ix

Chapter 1 All Not for Z 1

Chapter 2 Target Acquisition Mode 12

Chapter 3 Midnight in Miami 26

Chapter 4 "I'm Coming Home" 34

Chapter 5 All You Need Is Love 52

Chapter 6 In the Dark 65

Chapter 7 "What Other Coach Do We Have?" 81

Chapter 8 Fit Out, Fit In 93

Chapter 9 Timeouts and Fighter Pilots 109

Chapter 10 "It Didn't Feel Right" 123

Chapter 11 Exceeding an Unlimited Budget 133

Chapter 12 Late Nights with the Warriors 143

Chapter 13 "Theater of the Absurd" 155

Chapter 14 "That's What the Coach Wants" 171

Chapter 15 Meeting at Trump's 183

Chapter 16 Lil' Kev 192

Chapter 17 "Follow My Lead" 204

Chapter 18 3-1 Lead 212

Chapter 19 The Block. The Shot. The Stop. 227

Epilogue 243

Acknowledgments 249

Index 251

About the Authors 265

Editorial Reviews

"On the surface, this story may seem like it would only appeal to Cavaliers fans -- don't be dissuaded. The work illustrates the highs and lows necessary to reach the level of a champion, and will be the basketball book to own in 2017."—Library Journal Starred Review

"[A] dishy and fun narrative...With lively writing and rich anecdotes that reveal the struggles that made the triumph anything but inevitable, Windhorst and McMenamin provide the definitive account of the greatest accomplishment of one of the game's greatest players."—The Washington Post

"I've always admired Brian's acumen and his seasoned perspective. This story with Dave McMenamin of LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers' championship run is captivating and filled with spectacular detail."—Tracy McGrady, 7-time NBA All-Star

"Brian Windhorst and Dave McMenamin are courtside and in the locker room for the most improbable comeback in NBA history. Through exhaustive, incisive reporting, the duo have delivered an important, essential book for all NBA fans."—Jonathan Abrams, New York Times bestselling author of Boys Among Men: How the Prep-to-Pro Generation Redefined the NBA and Sparked a Basketball Revolution

"This account of how a championship was built is the best NBA book in many years."—Booklist

"Brian Windhorst and Dave McMenamin don't just cover the NBA. They live it. And in RETURN OF THE KING, their storytelling has never been better. From the decision-making process in the Cavaliers' front office which led to LeBron James' return, to the assembly of a championship roster, to the players-only email from GM David Griffin with the Cavs down 3-1 in the NBA Finals, to the candid exchanges between LeBron and Tyronn Lue, there is nothing left uncovered. Man, what a compelling read!"—Ernie Johnson, studio host of TNT's "Inside the NBA"

"On the court and off, the LeBron James journey back to Cleveland and back to a championship is one of the most intriguing stories in NBA history. Brian and Dave do a masterful job of adding context, details, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes to the signing, the season, and the series. RETURN OF THE KING is a great way to remember all that led up to the Finals and the greatest comeback."—Mike Tirico, NBC Sports

From the Publisher

★ 04/15/2017
In 2016, Lebron James pounded his hands in celebration after the Cleveland Cavaliers orchestrated the greatest comeback in NBA finals history, defeating the Golden State Warriors in seven games and ending a 52-year championship drought. ESPN writers Windhorst (LeBron James) and McMenamin have extensively covered the Cavaliers for years. Here, they track the improbable return of native son James back to Cleveland in 2015 after he tumultuously departed to play for the Miami Heat in 2010. Readers gain insight on what led to the historic return and eventual championship, including the general manager's secretive plan to woo James back, the firing and hiring of coaches, and interviews with teammates both in and out of the locker room. The authors utilize their well-developed access to paint vivid portraits of coaches and players, while also including plenty of in-game action and analysis. VERDICT On the surface, this story may seem like it would only appeal to Cavaliers fans—don't be dissuaded. The work illustrates the highs and lows necessary to reach the level of a champion, and will be the basketball book to own in 2017.—Keith Klang, Port Washington P.L., NY

Library Journal