LeBron James professionalism shows through in his media day comments

LeBron James is entering his 15th year in the NBA. At this point, there aren’t many firsts for him on the basketball court.

Entering the final year of his contract is no different. This will be the fourth time James enters a season where he could opt out of his contract. One thing LeBron James has learned throughout his 15 years in the league is how vain promises always come back to bite you. We’ve seen NBA stars like Kevin Durant promise to never leave their team in free agency, just to go back on their word a few years later.

James has always been calculated on his approach to free agency and the things he says. LeBron enjoys holding the power, and he isn’t going to give that up just to ease the concerns of owners or fans. With that in mind, LeBron’s comments about being still committed to finishing his career in Cleveland are relevant.

James was asked at media day if he was still committed to finishing his career in Cleveland like he alluded to when he returned July 2014. James responded by saying that, “It [his commitment to Cleveland] hasn’t changed. That’s why I sit up here today still in this uniform still ready to lead this franchise to a championship.”

A reporter followed up by asking why he doesn’t sign an extension now if he’s committed to staying in Cleveland. James responded by saying that isn’t the way he conducts business.

What James said on media day may not be the most sincere commitment we’ve ever heard from an athlete approaching free agency. However, compared to how James handled his impending free agencies during the 2009-10 and 2013-14 seasons, it’s the biggest insurance that he’s ever given.

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LeBron faced similar questions during the 2013-14 Miami Heat media day after coming off back to back titles. James’s answer to how he would handle his free agency the following years was far from assuring for Miami. He told reporters (via ESPN):

"You guys have to ask the questions. But I’m not going to address it. Once we get to that point [in June], then I’ll address it. But I don’t think it’s appropriate right now.My concern is putting our team in a position to win another championship. That’s my only goal, that’s my only mind frame right now.For me, being a leader of this team, I owe it to this organization, I owe it to my teammates to really not get involved and not talk about it."

That’s far from a commitment that he’s staying. Especially for a team coming off of back-to-back championships and three straight Finals’ appearances.

James echoed those sentiments after losing the 2014 Finals to the San Antonio Spurs. He told reporters after Game 5 that flexibility in making decisions was what was important to him and discussing any possible decision with teammates Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.

"Being able to have flexibility as a professional, anyone, that’s what we all would like,. That’s in any sport, for a football player, a baseball player, a basketball player, to have flexibility and be able to control your future or your present. I have a position to be able to do that … There’s a lot of times that you’re not in control of your future as a professional.”"

James, however, dropped a couple settle hints throughout his time in Miami that heading back to Cleveland would be an option. He remarked at the Heat’s championship parade that he’d love to see a parade in Cleveland. James also returned to Cleveland during the season to watch his former teammate Zydrunas Ilgauskas’s jersey retirement ceremony.

LeBron hinted on leaving more overtly during his first free agency despite telling reports at the 2009-10 Cavs’ media day that, “Next summer is next summer and I’ll deal with it [free agency] then.”

As we know now, he did anything but wait until next summer to talk about his free agency. James brought it up multiple times throughout the season including just a few weeks into the season when the Cavs traveled to New York to play the Knicks. He told ESPN:

"I think at the end of the day, a max deal or anything like that doesn’t really matter to me. It’s all about winning for me, so I’m going to put myself in a position when that day comes next summer. I want to win, and if I feel like the team is capable of winning, then I make my decision like that."

James has matured over his time in the NBA. He knows what to say to the media and how to say it. He’s not the 25-year-old that dragged out his free agency while dropping hints about how much he’d love to play in New York.

It doesn’t appear that LeBron wants to keep his team in limbo like he did during the 2010 and 2014 seasons. James’ comments are the most commitment he will give any organization before his free agency begins.

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We’ll have to wait and see if things change between now and July.