LeBron James (left) sits on the stage at the Boys and Girls Club in Greenwich, CT. James announced his decision on Thursday night, stating that he will sign with the Miami Heat. (AP Photo)

By Gethin Coolbaugh

GREENWICH, CT - The most anticipated free agent in NBA history has made his decision.

LeBron James will sign with the Miami Heat and will leave the Cleveland Cavaliers, the only team that he has ever known.

“I’m sorry, and I’m going to miss all of them,” James said of his coaches and teammates in Cleveland. “The seven years that we had was like no other.”

James announced his decision at 9:27 p.m. EST on his one-hour special “The Decision,” which aired on ESPN.

“Being along side Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and all the other guys they’re going to bring in, it’s going to be a new challenge for myself,” said James.

Wade and Bosh announced their decision to sign with the Heat on July 7th, building speculation that James would join them and create the new Big Three.

James went as far as to compare his situation with that of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen and the 2008 Boston Celtics.

“When those three guys joined that team, they rose their level of play,” James said.

However, James realizes that he, Wade and Bosh can’t do it alone.

“A team is not built on three superstars,” James noted. ”You don’t become a champion as an individual, you become champions as a team.”

After his announcement, fans in Miami bars rejoiced, fans in Cleveland weeped, and fans in Chicago, New York and New Jersey were disappointed.

Even though James knows that he has disappointed some of his fans, he hopes that they will continue to stand by him.

“To my real fans out there, I hope that you continue to support me in Miami,” he said.

Now that James’ decision has been made, the build up to the beginning of the 2010-2011regular season begins.

Gethin Coolbaugh is the Associate Editor of Boston Sports U18. He can be reached at 774-279-1995 or at gethin.coolbaugh@bostonsportsu18.com. You can also visit Gethin Coolbaugh’s official website and follow Gethin Coolbaugh on Twitter.