Tag: The Decision

In 2010, Joakim Noah called LeBron James to join Bulls, LeBron never called back

New details have emerged surrounding the free agent courtship of LeBron James in 2010 that eventually led to “The Decision.”

We are only a few days away from the 10th Anniversary of LeBron James announcing his intentions to join Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and the Miami Heat. The anniversary was the central figure in a new investigative series called “Backstory,” which aired on Sunday, as well as plenty of reporting from other people who covered LeBron’s momentous free agency at the time.

In a series that looks back at three pivotal days before LeBron announced he would join the Heat, an ESPN’s Brian Windhorst offered a new detail from the Chicago Bulls’ failed pursuit of LeBron. Joakim Noah, then still a young player, but one who had clashed with LeBron a few times already, called LeBron to ask him to join the team. But LeBron never called back.

Another reason offered as to why the Bulls didn’t sign any of the three stars was the lack of involvement from a young Derrick Rose.

While this was always known to the principles, this little detail adds a little bit more intrigue to the budding Clippers-Lakers rivalry. The Clippers signed Noah last week for the home stretch, joining a long list of longtime LeBron rivals, including Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and head coach Doc Rivers.

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ESPN reports idea for ‘The Decision’ came from Bill Simmons column

ESPN’s Backstory made its debut on Sunday night, revisiting The Decision almost 10 years later.

On Sunday night, ESPN debuted a new investigative show led by investigative reporter Don Van Natta Jr., with their first story, Backstory revisited one of the biggest moments in the history of sports and media, “The Decision,” which will turn 10 years old next month.

And one of the biggest nuggets reported in the piece is that the idea for “The Decision,” where LeBron said he would take his talents to South Beach to Jim Gray on ESPN, came from a reader of former ESPN columnist, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons. It was apparently there, in a Simmons column, where Drew From Columbus, Ohio, pitched the idea.

According to the reporting turned up by Van Natta, Simmons pushed for the idea with both ESPN and the LeBron camp. However, his current agent at the time, Leon Rose, as well as his advisor William Wesley, who now are running the Knicks together, weren’t all that into it because it could backfire. Also, the show has David Stern on the record on video saying that he tried to call ESPN to shut the show down. Also, according to the Backstory show that aired Sunday, Jim Gray’s involvement in the show became a driving force behind the idea of actually getting to air.

Obviously, that didn’t happen. LeBron’s advisors, Maverick Carter, and Rich Paul wanted to push forward with the plan. But while it was widely ridiculed in its time, even though it led to a massive donation to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, it was the start of a massive movement between LeBron and his business partners that has led to massive success in the entertainment and sports worlds.

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