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Baron Davis Spilled the Beans on How Cavs Owner Prevented Him From Playing With LeBron James in Miami Heat

Published 03/09/2021, 11:30 PM EST

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Nobody can forget the time when Miami Heat, or let’s say, LeBron James, was the ultimate villain of the NBA. Well, leaving Cleveland Cavaliers for the South Beach was seen as the biggest betrayal at the time. However, it looks like someone else ended up suffering its consequences and that’s Baron Davis.

Baron Davis saw plenty of success on the court. In fact, the All-Star was a steals leader once upon a time. If it weren’t for unfortunate career-ending injuries, it is possible that Davis could have even found himself in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Kept away from playing with LeBron James

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There was a point in his career when Baron Davis wanted to play in Miami Heat with James. But that was made impossible by the Cleveland Cavaliers’ owner, Dan Gilbert. It was late in the 2010-11 season when Baron was traded off from the LA Clippers to the Cavs with a first-round pick. This was in return for Delonte West and Jamario Moon.

Unfortunately, his stint with the Cavs was rather short and only played 15 games with them. However, Davis and Bron didn’t get along then for the same reason everyone had a hatred for James. Yet, Davis wanted to join him in Miami Heat but Gilbert refused to let him out of his deal.

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Recently, Davis spilled the beans on Twitter and posted, “I remember Dan Gilbert sent a message to me he wouldn’t let me out my deal if I went to play with LEBRON!!! Facts. He knew that where I was going so they played hardball… He said if I went to play with LEBRON he would win a title. I told him LEBRON gonna win one anyway.”

Did Gilbert’s strategy work out?

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Davis couldn’t have been more right. Even though Dan prevented Davis and LeBron from teaming up together, that didn’t stop the GOAT from winning championships with the Heat.

Not only did he win a championship, but he also won the Finals MVP and league MVP. The ‘Big Three’ in Miami Heat were foes turned to friends for the NBA after that.

via Imago

Also, Davis and Bron went on to fix the bitterness in their relationship when Bron returned to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers. And two years after his coming back, he delivered on his promise to win the Cavs their first and till now, only title.

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Read also- Former NBA Champion Explains Why 2012-13 Miami Heat is the Best Team LeBron James Has Been a Part of

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Written by:

Yashima Bhatia

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Yashima Bhatia is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports who specialises in providing nuanced predictions and updates for matches. She has a Bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication. Yashima's love for playing the game came up at a young age, when the excitement of the games coupled with the intensity of the Playoffs had her hooked.
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