It’s hard to believe that it has already been seven years since LeBron James sat down with Jim Gray on July 8, 2010 in front of ESPN’s cameras and told the world that he would be leaving Cleveland to take his talents to South Beach and sign with the Miami Heat. The controversial ESPN special was the culmination of months of speculation about where James, then a free agent, would sign. Among the teams in the running for LeBron’s services at the time: The Cavs, Heat, Bulls, Knicks, Nets, and Clippers. Here’s a collection of tweets prior to July 1, 2010 of now humorous tweets speculating about LeBron’s future…
@WAD1980 …Can see it w/LeBron. The thing on Nets: That club goes to Brooklyn, gets blank slate. LBJ can be their Russell/Jordan — THE guy
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) June 30, 2010
My theory: Bulls get LeBron, Joe Johnson. Chris Bosh goes to Miami with Wade. Everyone else? Who cares.
— Brian Moore (@BriTheWebGuy) June 30, 2010
NBA free agent predictions: Lebron=Cavs, DWade=Heat, Bosh=Bulls, Pierce=Clippers, JoeJohnson=Mavs, Amare=Heat. Agree? #nba
— TicketCity (@TicketCity) June 30, 2010
Nets may have "edge" over Knicks in LeBron Derby ………..
— Ed Kiernan (@EdKiernanNYC) June 29, 2010
Less than 2 days away from free agency and the Bulls landing LeBron!
— Duje Dukan (@dujedukan) June 30, 2010
Stand by my 3-yr deal in Cleveland guess RT @PDcavsinsider Despite all summits/rumors/reports, LeBron source told me this AM Cavs have edge
— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) June 29, 2010
My odds on landing LeBron: Bulls 40%, Cavs 25%, Heat 20%, Nets 10%, Knicks 4%, Clippers 1%
— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) June 29, 2010
Because Chi has an all star point guard in D. Rose and also has great tradion.. I predict Lebron ends up with the Bulls..J-S-P-N lol
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) June 29, 2010
Lebron & Chris Bosh are both signing w/ the bulls !! ahh yesss
— Brandon Chubb (@4ocho) June 28, 2010
They're saying on ESPN Lebron James and Chris Bosh are going 2 the Chicago Bulls. LEGOOO!!! Rose, James, Deng, Bosh, and Noah. YESSSIRRR
— Sterling Brim (@SteeloBrim) June 28, 2010
I just don't see LeBron playing for The Heat with D. Wade. I could see LeBron and Wade playing together in another city, just not in Miami
— Anthony Donahue (@AnthonyMSG) June 28, 2010
One report says LeBron's signing with Chicago & another says its Miami. In that case, I still say he stays in Cleveland or comes to NY
— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) June 28, 2010
If anyone can convince #LeBron 2 come to NYC it's #Knicks Allan Houston. He'll b on that plane thurs 2 OH just like Ewing did 4 him yrs ago
— Liz Claman (@LizClaman) June 28, 2010
Reports coming out that Bosh and Lebron to Bulls is a done deal.
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) June 28, 2010
LeBron James to the Bulls…wow well good morning to ChiTown!
— Ato Boldon (@AtoBoldon) June 28, 2010
NY Times reporting Lebron James and Chris Bosh are likely going to sign with the Bulls. "It's a done deal" said an NBA team executive.
— NEWS 1130 Sports (@NEWS1130Sports) June 28, 2010
Let it be known that I called it in advance months ago that lebron will go to Chicago Bulls..
— Aaron Henry (@AaronHenry7) June 27, 2010
All my famous friends got me the inside scoop. LeBron and Bosh going to the Bulls!!! Get Big with it! D Rose+LBJ+Bosh=a Wrap!!!
— A.J. Tarpley (@AJTarpley) June 27, 2010
Newsday: "Several NBA insiders believe the Nets may be emerging late as front-runners in the LeBron Sweepstakes"
— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) June 27, 2010
Yahoo sports says: "The Bulls believe they're going to get [Lebron] James" http://yhoo.it/cgA3ky
— RJ Bell (@RJinVegas) June 26, 2010
To those wondering how "best case" for Bulls doesn't include LeBron … I think he stays in Cleveland for 3 yrs. I can see Wade going home
— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) June 24, 2010
Lebron will be a Clipper. Getting some interesting answers from a person close to the Clippers situation..
— Kris Johnson (@PointForwardPro) June 23, 2010
Von Wafer, who has known LeBron since the two were McDonald's All-Americans, tells me with confidence that James will return to Cleveland.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 23, 2010
Mad Dog Russo tells Howard Stern that he believes LeBron James stays in Cleveland. #Cavs
— Scott @ WFNY (@WFNYScott) June 23, 2010
Report: LeBron leaning toward Knicks http://bit.ly/d4cWns
— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) June 18, 2010
@ESPN_Colin source: #LeBron legit interest in #Clippers. Liked Eric Gordon's play vs Cavs. Intrigued w potent. new ownership #Knicks #Bulls
— Bonnie Bernstein (@BonnieBernstein) June 15, 2010
David Geffen to buy the Clippers; sign LeBron? http://bit.ly/ak5lU8
— Aditya Sood (@adityasood) June 8, 2010
Thibodeau to the Bulls? Give LeBron his jersey already.
— Jansport J (@JansportJ) June 5, 2010
Lebron-Cavs…D Wade-Heat…Dirk-Mavs…Bosh-Heat…Amare-Bulls…Boozer-Nets…Joe Johnson…NYK…D Lee-NYK
— Brandon Tierney (@BrandonTierney) June 4, 2010
Sources: Jeff Van Gundy could coach LeBron in Cleveland. http://bit.ly/5P6NpJ #NBA #Cavs #Rumors
— Ben Maller (@benmaller) June 3, 2010
Damm… rumor is the Knicks is offering Lebron part of the fanchise if he signs there!!!!!!
— Glasses Malone (@gmalone) May 23, 2010
Is LeBron going to the Mavs?????? please let this be true!!!!!!
— Kate Lee (@13KateLee) May 21, 2010
Lebron James…Chris Bosh…John Calipari…Chicago Bulls 2010-2011. Mark it down, people.
— Nick Grant (@NicholasGrant) May 18, 2010
LeBron James, John Calipari Heading to Bulls in Package Deal? http://bit.ly/dv7kxu
— NESN (@NESN) May 17, 2010
Lebron to the Clippers.
— Kris Johnson (@PointForwardPro) May 16, 2010
hey clipper nation r u ready!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!……..and now at small forward #23 for the los angeles clippers…. LEBRON JAMES!!!!!!!…YEAH
— Clipper Darrell (@clipperdarrell) May 15, 2010
Sorry to tell you Knick, Bulls, or Net fans but LeBron isn't leaving Cleveland.
— Nubyjas Wilborn (@nwilborn19) May 15, 2010
The NY Knicks will once again have a franchise player. Lebron James, thank you very much for allowing me to love basketball again.
— Alex Cordova (@AlexCordova) May 14, 2010
Jay-Z will soon be introducing the newest member of the New York Knicks….say hello to LeBron James. The King of New York.
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) May 14, 2010
Not being funny (obviously), but I'm wondering: Can you buy a LeBron #Knicks jersey off the rack yet? Or #Nets?
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 14, 2010
Everyone knows LeBron James is going to the New York Knicks. EVEN Boston Celtics fans.
— drfunkenberry (@drfunkenberry) May 14, 2010
I just ordered my Lebron James New York Knicks jersey online.
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) May 14, 2010
Lebron to chicago or clippers… Wade and bosch to NY … Calling it now
— Amir Zonozi ? (@Zonozi) May 14, 2010
"He doesn't want to tamper," said David Axelrod. "But the president thinks LeBron would look great in a Bulls uniform."
— Touré (@Toure) May 14, 2010
Jamal Mashburn thinks LeBron will sign with the Nets because of Devin Harris and also because Harris could be traded if they get John Wall?
— Taco Trey Kerby (@treykerby) May 14, 2010
Chad Ford is reporting that three GMs say LeBron is going to the Bulls. So scratch them off the list.
— Tony Gervino (@microtony) May 14, 2010
No Olympics in the summer of 2016 in Chicago but Lebron and the Bulls will be winning their 6th title that summer. Fair trade.
— Silvy (@WaddleandSilvy) May 14, 2010
Could we see Coach K and LeBron with the Nets organization next year?
— Nick Begley (@nickbegley) April 6, 2010
This is why LeBron may go to the Nets. UNBELIEVABLE 60 Minutes story: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/03/25/60minutes/main6333015.shtml
— Pat Doney (@PatDoneyNBC5) March 29, 2010
JJ Hickson is really gonna miss LeBron when he signs with the Nets.
— Russ Bengtson (@russbengtson) February 12, 2010
Patrick Ewing coaching the Nets? If I'm New Jersey I make that move next year – have to create interest if no LeBron http://bit.ly/9D8h81
— Scott Isaacs (@ScottIsaacs) February 5, 2010