Miami Heat Chris Bosh (L), Dwayne Wade (C) and LeBron James attend a news conference during Miami Heat media day in Miami, Florida September 27, 2010.
MIAMI - LeBron James said Monday he had to make his "own destiny" and would not worry about the Hall of Famers who denounced his move to the Miami Heat.
The two-time NBA MVP was part of the Heats' free agency triple coup, with president Pat Riley bringing him in along with Chris Bosh and the re-signed Dwyane Wade.
Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and Magic Johnson have all come out and said that they would never have sought to team up with other top players at one team in order to win a title.
"I've just got to go out and play the game, I've heard everything this summer, everything that I expected and some of it that I didn't expect but I made my own decisions and I live with them," James said Monday at the Heat's media day.
"I still respect Michael, I still respect Magic, Charles and the rest of those guys. They did a lot for this game, they did a lot for me, Dwyane and C.B.
"They paved the way for guys like myself to be able to do what I do on and off the court - endorsements and everything to wearing long, baggy shorts and Jordan brought what we call swagger into the game.
"I have nothing bad to say about them but I can't live through them, I have to make my own destiny and this was the road I felt I needed to go and to continue to improve as a professional," he added.
While James avoided criticizing those big names, it was clear that he was irked by the questioning of his decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers.
"I have a lot of motivation. It is funny when things happen in life and how people react. It seems like a lot of people try to tell you what to do with your life and most of the time they don't even have their own life in order.
"I am really excited for this opportunity, for this franchise, to give me an opportunity to bring my game to this city and I am trying to make the best of it," he said.
"I've moved forward, I don't want to dwell on the past, there has been a lot of things said about me, about my family, about this organization, about me and Dwyane and C.Bosh, but we are moving forward.
"I am looking forward to training camp and you know there is not much can be said once the ball is tossed in the air," he said.
James said he had kept in touch with his friends from the Cavaliers and had wished them well.
"I spoke to all of the guys I was close with, who I still am close with and I wished them all the best in this upcoming season, continue to improve, and there are a lot of people writing them off but they have some really good players and they are excited about their season."
James upset many Cavaliers fans with his decision to announce his move to Miami in a live television special but said there had been no negative reaction in his Ohio home town of Akron.
"I've been home all summer and I am still standing tall, didn't have a problem," he said.
Miami Heat Chris Bosh (L), LeBron James (C) and Dwayne Wade attend a television interview during Miami Heat media day in Miami, Florida September 27, 2010.
Miami Heat Dwayne Wade (C), Chris Bosh (R) and LeBron James attend a media conference during Miami Heat media day in Miami, Florida September 27, 2010.
Miami Heat Chris Bosh (R), Dwayne Wade (C) and LeBron James pose for a picture during Miami Heat media day in Miami, Florida September 27, 2010.
(Agencies)
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