LeBron James was asked about his feelings on a broader level about returning to Cleveland in 2014 to win a championship and facing elimination for the second straight season.

"Well, for me, I think from a basketball standpoint, that's one of the reasons why I came back, but it's not the main reason I came back," said James. "It wasn't the only reason I came back, and there wasn't just one reason why I came back.

"Me personally, what I'm able to do off the floor as well with my foundation and me being back home and me being -- last summer I was able to guarantee all my kids in my program college scholarships. I'm able to do so many things because I'm actually there, hands on, with my foundation and things that go on. I'm able to up lift the youth in my community and also in other communities. Even though you're able to do it from afar, if you're actually there, I think it's even more meaningful to kids that look up to you for inspiration.

"Then from a basketball standpoint, yeah, I mean, that's always been my goal since I was drafted in 2003. I was drafted in 2003. My goal was to bring a championship to Cleveland, and it hasn't changed. When I left, my goal was to bring a championship to Miami. That didn't change. And when I came back, it hasn't changed.

"So, ever since, for me -- since I went to high school in '99, that's been my goal, since '99, was to win a state championship, to win an NBA Championship. So that goal has never changed."

James will again be a free agent this offseason.