LeBron James carried the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals, but losing to the Golden State Warriors ended the season on a disappointing note and raised expectations for next year. Here are four reasons why LeBron is under more pressure than every to win the championship next season:
4) Healthy supporting cast
Cleveland's expectations for the Finals were tempered after they lost Kyrie Irving for the series, meaning they'd be without two of their three best players. Now that they're healthy, the bar is set at "title or bust."
3) Father time
LeBron showed the first signs of aging this season, and with next year being his 13th in the league, those signs will only start to grow more prominent. His quickness and leaping ability set up seemingly every other aspect of his game, and as those start to slow, LeBron will become less and less effective. His window as being the best player in the game is closing, making every season that much more important for him and the city of Cleveland.
2) Kevin Love's impending free agency
Love has a player option for next season, and he's expected to opt-in in hopes of chasing bigger money when the salary cap skyrockets in 2016. However, there are many questions as to whether he'll return to Cleveland after that considering his clashes with LeBron and head coach David Blatt.
He's a key piece to the Cavs' championship puzzle, and if they don't win next year, he may jump ship to another contender, further diminishing Cleveland's chances at hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy.
1) Honeymoon phase of "The Return" is over
Cleveland was abuzz all season because of LeBron's return to the city, but that buzz will start to turn into expectation next season as he tries to fulfill his promise of finally bringing a championship to Cleveland. The pressure will grow every year they don't win, but given the limited time he has at the peak of his powers, Cavs fans know the time is now - and they don't want to have live with knowing he won in Miami but not in Cleveland.
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