To the outside world, it looked like a slam dunk signing for the Cleveland Cavaliers when they first brought aboard Dwyane Wade - a multiple-time NBA champion with Hall of Fame credentials and a ton to offer late in his career.
To those on the roster, though, it meant incorporating another new piece on the eve of training camp at the expense of a beloved teammate in Richard Jefferson, who was moved to clear up a spot.
"There was a couple of guys with it," James told The Athletic's Jason Lloyd of Wade heading to Cleveland. "But it wasn't a lot."
James and Wade have a long and storied friendship dating back to when they entered the Association as the first and fifth overall picks, respectively, in the 2003 draft. They eventually competed side by side as two-thirds of "The Heatles" from 2010 through 2014, leading the Miami Heat to the Finals four-straight times and capturing the championship on two occasions.
The fact that a majority of the Cavaliers weren't receptive to Wade's presence bothered James.
"I still know what he’s capable of doing. Why wouldn’t you want another guy in the locker room that brings a championship mentality and a guy who can still play?" said James. "So, of course, it bothered me, but f*** it. It is what it is.”
Wade began the 2017-18 campaign as the Cavs' new starting shooting guard, an experiment that lasted all of three games once the 35-year-old volunteered to join the second unit in favor of J.R. Smith.
It's safe to assume those on the team who had their doubts have come around over the past few months. Cleveland is in the midst of a nine-game winning streak after starting 4-6, with Wade second in plus-minus (+4) while averaging 10.8 points, four boards, and four dimes in 23.5 minutes coming off the bench.
Even if there's still some lingering animosity towards Wade, James couldn't care less. At the end of the day, what matters is getting in the win column.
"I don’t know," James added. "But that ain’t my worry. We don’t care. We’re ego-less guys. That’s why we get along so well - myself, D-Wade, CP (Chris Paul) and Melo (Carmelo Anthony). We don’t really give a damn what people say and what people think. We just want to play ball and win."
- with h/t to Ball Don't Lie
