Heat Owner Micky Arison Reflects on LeBron James‘ “Not 1, Not 2” promise, Hints at Past Friction
Miami Heat owner Micky Arison recently poked fun at LeBron James’ famous ”Not 1, Not 2, Not 3…” championship promise made upon joining the team in 2010, wryly noting, “I guess it was just 2.” The comment, delivered to an amused audience, offered a lighthearted look back at the “Big Three” era adn sparked renewed discussion about the complex relationship between the franchise and its former superstar.the arrival of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh in Miami fundamentally altered the NBA landscape. James’ decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers to form a superteam with Wade and Bosh in 2010 shifted the balance of power in the league and empowered players in unprecedented ways, leading many to anticipate an immediate and dominant championship run.
However, the highly-anticipated dynasty ultimately lasted only four years. James returned to Cleveland in 2014, ending the first major “dynasty” attempt of the 21st century, though its impact on the league remained significant.
Arison was publicly confident in the Big Three’s longevity, stating in a 2014 interview with CBS Sports he was “100% certain” they would remain in Miami. This prediction proved inaccurate, coinciding with reports from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst in 2014 alleging friction between James and Arison over contract extension negotiations. The veracity of those reports remains debated,but James departed for Cleveland the following season.
Despite any potential disagreements, both Arison and James appear to recognize the business realities of professional basketball. Arison understood acquiring and potentially losing James was a calculated risk, and James himself is widely considered to have a keen understanding of the league’s financial and strategic dynamics. this shared viewpoint was evident in James’ reaction to Arison’s recent joke, as he reportedly laughed along with the audience.