10 years later, ‘The Decision’ still source of speculation

July 8, 2020 will mark the 10-year anniversary of LeBron James’ “The Decision” — the television special in which the then-25-year-old two-time MVP announced he would join the Miami Heat. And even with so much time elapsed, people continue to speculate about the events.

Did James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh agree to team up in Miami months or even years in advance? In Wade’s ESPN documentary about his career, he said that the three agreed to sign with the Heat in a July 4 call — but James stopped returning his calls and texts for the next few days.

Brian Windhorst says the same in his recent piece. He also said that the Bulls couldn’t find a deal to trade Luol Deng to clear more cap space and have room for the Big Three. Windhorst also remarked that Wade, James and Bosh noted “missing enthusiasm” from Derrick Rose.

The piece also included an anecdote from Riley’s meeting with Bosh — Riley gave Bosh a 2006 Heat championship ring and said, “Give it back to me when you win one.”

Windhorst also quotes Udonis Haslem saying that he had a heart-to-heart with Wade and told him, “At this point, I’ve got to go.” The ESPN writer said that Wade called James and Bosh and persuaded them to give up a little more salary just as Haslem drove to the American Airlines Arena to say goodbye to Pat Riley, Erik Spoelstra and Micky Arison.

What do I think of this? I don’t know if they agreed to sign with the Heat during the 2008 Olympics, but I don’t buy that it wasn’t until 2010 free agency that they hatched this plan. How would Stephen A. Smith have known that they would all sign with the Heat on June 28 if they didn’t decide until July 4?