Even before LeBron James joined the Miami Heat with Chris Bosh in 2010, there was a bond shared between the three players.
Despite the fact that their magical four-year run ended in 2014, both Wade and Bosh took time on social media to salute James after Nike announced that it would be naming a new building after the four-time MVP.
What will be known simply as the LeBron James Building will be the sixth new structure on the mammoth Nike campus in Beaverton, Ore. James and the company have been connected throughout his entire NBA career, which began in 2003 as the top overall pick in that year’s draft.
James was clearly in awe of the honor and offered this comment:
“It’s so surreal. It’s been an honor to be a part of such a great company for the last 18 years. And to know that a building with my name will reside on campus — it’s truly an honor, and I feel truly special.”
Special would also describe the four seasons that James teamed with Wade and Bosh, since it resulted in four consecutive trips to the NBA Finals and consecutive league championships in 2012 and 2013. During both of those title years, James won Finals MVP honors.
The magical period ended when James returned to play for the the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014. He promptly led them to four consecutive Eastern Conference titles and the 2016 NBA championship before leaving after the 2017-18 season to play for the Los Angeles Lakers.
James remains as the only one of the three players to still be playing in the NBA. Bosh was forced to retire due to health concerns, while Wade concluded his final season back in April.