Open letter to Cleveland from Cavs owner....

[Maui Tom]

fanfuckingtastic...

http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbe ... 00708.html



Open Letter to Fans from Cavaliers Majority Owner Dan Gilbert

Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE"

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that's simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day....

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue....



Dan Gilbert
Majority Owner
Cleveland Cavaliers

[Don]

Are the Lakers relocating to Cleveland?

[Jana]

It's such a blow to them.

[Rockindeano]

It's such a blow to them.

Why? The guy has the heart of an ant. He IS callous and spineless. Good riddens.

Sounds like Cleveland is going to spend some capital on some good players. Good for them.

[annie89509]

That's a pretty brutal assessment. I would expect it from fans, but coming from an executive?... should show restraint and not stoke the flaming which is sure to come like gangbusters. Hey, sports for years now, it's not about loyalty....it's big business and all about money, money.

Besides, all the promises he is making now...how is that going to work out? Not too good, probably....
Let's hear from Journey-Survivor .

[Maui Tom]

It's such a blow to them.

Why? The guy has the heart of an ant. He IS callous and spineless. Good riddens.

Sounds like Cleveland is going to spend some capital on some good players. Good for them.

agreed...he's great in November against the Kings...crunch time he craps the bed....no rings and his own hour special......the world is off it's axis....

[Jana]

It's such a blow to them.

Why? The guy has the heart of an ant. He IS callous and spineless. Good riddens.

Sounds like Cleveland is going to spend some capital on some good players. Good for them.

I also meant emotionally. He was their hometown hero.

[Ehwmatt]

Fantastic, cathartic letter from one of the finest owners in sports. Not only has he done a helluva job running the franchise, but he has brought jobs to this region and he is starting casinos throughout Ohio.

Dan Gilbert, for those who don't know, is not your typical blue-blooded, ride daddy's coattails to money type sports owner. He's a self-made man who started his company in his first year of law school at age 23 and was a billionaire by 40. He is the American dream.

For those saying "oh it shouldn't be coming from an executive:" bullshit to that. You don't live in Cleveland. You don't know the shit this region has gone through. Now we have been backstabbed on national TV by one of our own. While his promises may turn out to be far-fetched, the sentiment is exactly what fans needed to read. Dan Gilbert gave LeBron everything: Money, power, fame, kowtowed to his shitty entourage, kept his crackhead mom out of the press etc. and the tattooed, thuggish buffoon didn't even have the good grace to call the man and let him know like a man. Nope, Gilbert had to find out just like all the other sad saps watching the self-indulgent spectacle on national TV. Despicable.

[Saint John]

:shock: That's a pretty brutal assessment. I would expect it from fans, but coming from an executive?... should show restraint and not stoke the flaming which is sure to come like gangbusters. Hey, sports for years now, it's not about loyalty....it's big business and all about money, money.

Besides, all the promises he is making now...how is that going to work out? Not too good, probably....
Let's hear from Journey-Survivor .

That's an honest assessment from a guy with balls the size of Uranus. There's an entire state in shambles now, a crushed fanbase and a whole plethora of business owners that are going to be severely affected by this decision. James brought tons of revenue into that city. I don't think you have any idea how this affects that city's economy. And to do it the way he did? That fucking letter wasn't harsh enough. But I love that the owner is doing what he can to soften the blow. Something that egotistical quitter James never considered.

[Ehwmatt]

BTW, stay tuned folks.... Dan Gilbert is not done revealing the dirty details of what happened during the Boston series and possibly throughout the year.

That will be bad enough... then look for The Big Shaqtus to start running his mouth once he signs his final NBA deal.

This is gonna be great entertainment. If the NBA is going to fix team rosters like the WWE fixes matches, we might as well have the drama to go along with it!

[Saint John]

BTW, stay tuned folks.... Dan Gilbert is not done revealing the dirty details of what happened during the Boston series and possibly throughout the year.

That will be bad enough... then look for The Big Shaqtus to start running his mouth once he signs his final NBA deal.

This is gonna be great entertainment. If the NBA is going to fix team rosters like the WWE fixes matches, we might as well have the drama to go along with it!

I hope Shaq goes back to LA (if that's even possible) and they sweep the Heat in the Finals (if the Heat even make the Finals).

[Rick]

LeBronadict Arnold. He's in the same class as Modell. That sucks for Cleveland. I feel bad for their fans. They keep getting shit on.

[Rick]

:shock: That's a pretty brutal assessment. I would expect it from fans, but coming from an executive?... should show restraint and not stoke the flaming which is sure to come like gangbusters. Hey, sports for years now, it's not about loyalty....it's big business and all about money, money.

Besides, all the promises he is making now...how is that going to work out? Not too good, probably....
Let's hear from Journey-Survivor .

That's an honest assessment from a guy with balls the size of Uranus. There's an entire state in shambles now, a crushed fanbase and a whole plethora of business owners that are going to be severely affected by this decision. James brought tons of revenue into that city. I don't think you have any idea how this affects that city's economy. And to do it the way he did? That fucking letter wasn't harsh enough. But I love that the owner is doing what he can to soften the blow. Something that egotistical quitter James never considered.

How do you know how big her.... nevermind.

[annie89509]

Oh, forgot, EMatt is from Cleveland, as well as J-S. Don't mean to step on anybody's toes...I just follow a different style of communication and think people can be too harsh, that's all. Of course, the people in Cleveland, all of Ohio, should feel crushed...and, maybe, the owner is reflecting their sentiments. But, this is quite unprecedented, isn't it? for the [i]owner[/i] of a sports team to rant like that? Ever since free agency came into being in professional sports (decades ago), superstars of all sports jump ship at will. It's not unusual. Big markets with big-buck owners always have a huge advantage...salary cap...bawderdash.

Pity my poor Golden State Warriors....losers for eternity...and no hope of ever hanging on to anyone, even when they do luck out picking a nugget in the draft every now and then. Play out first contract...leave for greener pasture....

[Ehwmatt]

Oh, forgot, EMatt is from Cleveland, as well as J-S. Don't mean to step on anybody's toes...I just follow a different style of communication and think people can be too harsh, that's all. Of course, the people in Cleveland, all of Ohio, should feel crushed...and, maybe, the owner is reflecting their sentiments. But, this is quite unprecedented, isn't it? for the [i]owner[/i] of a sports team to rant like that? Ever since free agency came into being in professional sports (decades ago), superstars of all sports jump ship at will. It's not unusual. Big markets with big-buck owners always have a huge advantage...salary cap...bawderdash.

Pity my poor Golden State Warriors....losers for eternity...and no hope of ever hanging on to anyone, even when they do luck out picking a nugget in the draft every now and then. Play out first contract...leave for greener pasture....

No steppin on toes, just tryin to help you see what's goin on.

It's not the mere fact he left. It's how he did it and the attendant circumstances (hometown kid, multiple promises to win rings in Cleveland, to light up Cleveland like Vegas, not calling the owner who invested so much into the team to appease LeBron etc.). Those, taken together, make the letter more than warranted and I know they helped those that are hurting in this town feel a bit better.

Keeping with the corny relationship metaphor, it's like when your mom and/or dad would come in and comfort you that the high school ****/asshole you just broke up with was not the right one for you anyway and showed you all their negative traits.

BTW, you guys just got David Lee. Great, workman-like All Star player. You guys might surprise some people thsi year if Don Nelson gets them to play at least a little bit of defense.

[annie89509]

BTW, stay tuned folks.... Dan Gilbert is not done revealing the dirty details of what happened during the Boston series and possibly throughout the year.

That will be bad enough... then look for The Big Shaqtus to start running his mouth once he signs his final NBA deal.

This is gonna be great entertainment. If the NBA is going to fix team rosters like the WWE fixes matches, we might as well have the drama to go along with it!

I hope Shaq goes back to LA (if that's even possible) and they sweep the Heat in the Finals (if the Heat even make the Finals).

Shaquille was playing in Phoenix, right? He's a free agent now?

[Ehwmatt]

BTW, stay tuned folks.... Dan Gilbert is not done revealing the dirty details of what happened during the Boston series and possibly throughout the year.

That will be bad enough... then look for The Big Shaqtus to start running his mouth once he signs his final NBA deal.

This is gonna be great entertainment. If the NBA is going to fix team rosters like the WWE fixes matches, we might as well have the drama to go along with it!

I hope Shaq goes back to LA (if that's even possible) and they sweep the Heat in the Finals (if the Heat even make the Finals).

Shaquille was playing in Phoenix, right? He's a free agent now?

Shaq was with us last season.

[annie89509]

Matt, the last time Warrior fans had anything to cheer about was back in, like 1974 (before you were born), when Rick Barry took them to the championship.

It takes that 1 (or 2) super star to carry a team to the top...not a bunch of good-okay players. Look at the Celtics... they were down at the bottom for awhile (a shell of their formidable years). Signed Kevin Garnett away from Minnesota, added a couple of good players, and boom, immediately won the champiionship and back to the upper echelon of the food chain again.

I think Miami is going to be the team to beat this year with the Lebron & Bosch additions.

[annie89509]

BTW, stay tuned folks.... Dan Gilbert is not done revealing the dirty details of what happened during the Boston series and possibly throughout the year.

That will be bad enough... then look for The Big Shaqtus to start running his mouth once he signs his final NBA deal.

This is gonna be great entertainment. If the NBA is going to fix team rosters like the WWE fixes matches, we might as well have the drama to go along with it!

I hope Shaq goes back to LA (if that's even possible) and they sweep the Heat in the Finals (if the Heat even make the Finals).

Shaquille was playing in Phoenix, right? He's a free agent now?

Shaq was with us last season.

I guess he didn't help the Suns much only that 1 season with them, so they let him go. How did he get to Cleveland?

[Ehwmatt]

Matt, the last time Warrior fans had anything to cheer about was back in, like 1974 (before you were born), when Rick Barry took them to the championship.

It takes that 1 (or 2) super star to carry a team to the top...not a bunch of good-okay players. Look at the Celtics... they were down at the bottom for awhile (a shell of their formidable years). Signed Kevin Garnett away from Minnesota, added a couple of good players, and boom, immediately won the champiionship and back to the upper echelon of the food chain again.

I think Miami is going to be the team to beat this year with the Lebron & Bosch additions.

You forgetting when your ragtag running crew upset the #1 seeded Mavericks a few years ago? Maybe no rings, but you guys have had good moments as recently as a few years ago. You have a promising rookie in Curry, just got an all star in Lee, and have some streaky shooting in guys like Monta Ellis.

As for the Heat, definitely not the team to beat. Not even close. These guys haven't even stepped on a court together yet. The styles and egos will clash, mark my words. Even if they don't in the mean time, you can't win with 2 super stars, 1 all star, and Dorito crumbs. They literally have no one else on that roster and can't add that much more.

[Maui Tom]

Matt, the last time Warrior fans had anything to cheer about was back in, like 1974 (before you were born), when Rick Barry took them to the championship.

It takes that 1 (or 2) super star to carry a team to the top...not a bunch of good-okay players. Look at the Celtics... they were down at the bottom for awhile (a shell of their formidable years). Signed Kevin Garnett away from Minnesota, added a couple of good players, and boom, immediately won the champiionship and back to the upper echelon of the food chain again.

I think Miami is going to be the team to beat this year with the Lebron & Bosch additions.

I'm a long suffering Warrior fan too...went to the airport after they beat the Bullets a million years ago....Rick Barry was a GOD to me....when he went to the ABA I almost slit my wrists...and I was like what? 14?

A couple years back when W's knocked Mavs out...it brought back memories of how fun it could be if your team is GOOD....

This LeBron thing just stinks to high heaven...it's not cool...was handled poorly at best...and this ESPN debacle tonight was embarrassingly BAD.

[Maui Tom]

I was Tweeting tonight...my fav tweet...from The Sklar Bros...



As soon as I saw that LeBron's beard didn't connect to his stache, I knew he was going to Miami. That's an old Cuban Jew facial hair move.

[annie89509]

Maui, the story with Rick Barry (God, how do I recall these things!) is he signed with the ABA (don't remember which team, but I think it was in the Bay Area) because the Coach was his father-in-law. He never played in the NBA until the Warriors signed him to a contract away from the ABA. A year or 2 in, they won everything with him. It was a highlight for Bay Area sports fans, because the Warriors were always second-fiddle to the Lakers, with their Elgin Baylor and Jerry West. I think he only played a few more years, and he retired, still a good player... a sports legend in the BayArea.

Oh, yeah, 1 good season a couple of years ago...made the playoffs in eon years...seeded 8th and beat the mighty Mavs...euphoria for Warrior fans...saw all the games on TV....Fans on their feet in all the Oakland games from tip-off to the buzzer cheering like heck. The announcers didn't know what to make of it....the noise was deafening .

[annie89509]

Matt, the last time Warrior fans had anything to cheer about was back in, like 1974 (before you were born), when Rick Barry took them to the championship.

It takes that 1 (or 2) super star to carry a team to the top...not a bunch of good-okay players. Look at the Celtics... they were down at the bottom for awhile (a shell of their formidable years). Signed Kevin Garnett away from Minnesota, added a couple of good players, and boom, immediately won the champiionship and back to the upper echelon of the food chain again.

I think Miami is going to be the team to beat this year with the Lebron & Bosch additions.

You forgetting when your ragtag running crew upset the #1 seeded Mavericks a few years ago? Maybe no rings, but you guys have had good moments as recently as a few years ago. You have a promising rookie in Curry, just got an all star in Lee, and have some streaky shooting in guys like Monta Ellis.

As for the Heat, definitely not the team to beat. Not even close. These guys haven't even stepped on a court together yet. The styles and egos will clash, mark my words. Even if they don't in the mean time, you can't win with 2 super stars, 1 all star, and Dorito crumbs. They literally have no one else on that roster and can't add that much more.

Yeah, I did forget about that "miracle streak" a couple of years ago ...8th seed against #1 seed Dallas...until MT mentioned it. But, then, didn't go anywhere because Utah beat them the very next series.

I'm not up on all the current players. I'm old. ..just a general sports fan from way back (in my youth).

[Maui Tom]

Maui, the story with Rick Barry (God, how do I recall these things!) is he signed with the ABA (don't remember which team, but I think it was in the Bay Area) because the Coach was his father-in-law. He never played in the NBA until the Warriors signed him to a contract away from the ABA. A year or 2 in, they won everything with him. It was a highlight for Bay Area sports fans, because the Warriors were always second-fiddle to the Lakers, with their Elgin Baylor and Jerry West. I think he only played a few more years, and he retired, still a good player... a sports legend in the BayArea.

Oh, yeah, 1 good season a couple of years ago...made the playoffs in eon years...seeded 8th and beat the mighty Mavs...euphoria for Warrior fans...saw all the games on TV....Fans on their feet in all the Oakland games from tip-off to the buzzer cheering like heck. The announcers didn't know what to make of it....the noise was deafening .

Oh I know my Rick Barry....Oakland Oaks...turned into Virgina Squires...then he played for New Jersey Nets for a spell...then back to Golden State....I used to go ALL the time.

[AlteredDNA]

Cavs owner: LeBron quit during playoffs
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5365793

Angered and betrayed by LeBron James' decision to leave for Miami, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert accused the NBA's MVP of quitting during the playoffs.

Gilbert, who posted a letter to Cavs fans on the team's website shortly after James announced his plans to sign with the Heat, told The Associated Press late Thursday night that it's "accountability time" for James.

"He has gotten a free pass," Gilbert said in a phone interview with The AP. "People have covered up for [James] for way too long. Tonight we saw who he really is."

Gilbert said James quit on the Cavs during their second-round series against the Boston Celtics, who rallied from a 2-1 deficit to eliminate Cleveland.

"He quit," Gilbert said. "Not just in Game 5, but in Games 2, 4 and 6. Watch the tape. The Boston series was unlike anything in the history of sports for a superstar."

The Cavaliers were beaten by 32 points in Game 5. During the game, James appeared distracted and uninterested, often glaring at Cleveland's coaches as the Cavs tried to foul to get back into the game in the second half. James also made some puzzling postgame comments, saying he had "spoiled" people with his play over seven seasons.

Gilbert also said he believes James quit on the Cavs in Game 6 of their series in 2009 against Orlando.

"Go back and look at the tape," he said. "How many shots did he take?"

Gilbert, who has owned the Cavs for five years, said he was most disappointed by James' behavior in the months leading up to the superstar's announcement that he is going to Miami to play with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Gilbert said James never returned a single phone message or text since the end of the season and that the Cavs were not informed of James' decision until he went on the air.

Gilbert said Rich Paul, one of James' business partners, called the Cavs moments before the announcement.

"LeBron James needs to go to another team with two superstars already so he can win a championship," Gilbert said. "We will win a championship before [the Heat] do."

Gilbert said he now wishes he had done some things differently with James, who spent seven seasons with the Cavs.

"It's not about him leaving," Gilbert said. "It's the disrespect. It's time for people to hold these athletes accountable for their actions. Is this the way you raise your children? I've been holding this all in for a long time."

In Miami, Wade said he was stunned by Gilbert's comments.

"I think I'm happy that I have the owner that I have here in Miami," Wade told The Associated Press late Thursday night. "I'm happy Micky Arison is my owner. I couldn't believe it. I'm speechless. It's very unfortunate and I think it makes LeBron that much better about his decision.

"We knew 'Bron would take some backlash," Wade added in his interview with AP. "I told him he's a strong man for it."

In the letter posted on the Cavaliers' website Gilbert called the process on James' free agency "narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his 'decision' unlike anything ever 'witnessed' in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment."

Gilbert told Cavs fans: "You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER 'KING' WINS ONE"

Gilbert promised that "curse" on Cleveland sports would follow James to Miami.

"The self-declared former 'King' will be taking the 'curse' with him down south," Gilbert wrote. "And until he does 'right' by Cleveland and Ohio, James [and the town where he plays] will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma."

Gilbert finished the letter by promising to put his focus on bringing a championship to Cleveland with the Cavaliers.

"I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

"DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue...."

[ScarabGator]

you people are acting like this is the first time a sports figure walked away from a team...anyone remember when Shaq left the Magic back in 1996? I lived there and that was devastating to that town but noone came with tissues for Orlando! Hell, in 3 years Dwight Howard will do the same thing.
The guy wanted to play in Miami, he wants the best chance to win a championship, thats all this is. All of you should have seen his face during the playoffs a couple months ago in the series with Boston. He was disgusted.

[AlteredDNA]

you people are acting like this is the first time a sports figure walked away from a team...anyone remember when Shaq left the Magic back in 1996? I lived there and that was devastating to that town but noone came with tissues for Orlando! Hell, in 3 years Dwight Howard will do the same thing.
The guy wanted to play in Miami, he wants the best chance to win a championship, thats all this is. All of you should have seen his face during the playoffs a couple months ago in the series with Boston. He was disgusted.

It's not that he left, it's how he left...

I'm starting to think there might be some truth to the theory that Bosh and James had decided they'd be in Miami back when they played on the Olympic team...

[Eyeof]

I LOVED the letter and he did quit on his team pure and simple...the man simply does not have the heart of a champion and was probably smart to go find someone to play with that does...I still don't think it will work and I sure as hell hope they get their asses handed to them....it might be the first time in the history of me that I root for the Lakers...but you can respect Kobe...he has the heart of a champion and would never quit on his team...

[ScarabGator]

you people are acting like this is the first time a sports figure walked away from a team...anyone remember when Shaq left the Magic back in 1996? I lived there and that was devastating to that town but noone came with tissues for Orlando! Hell, in 3 years Dwight Howard will do the same thing.
The guy wanted to play in Miami, he wants the best chance to win a championship, thats all this is. All of you should have seen his face during the playoffs a couple months ago in the series with Boston. He was disgusted.

It's not that he left, it's how he left...

I'm starting to think there might be some truth to the theory that Bosh and James had decided they'd be in Miami back when they played on the Olympic team...

rumors swirled around Miami that it was a done deal weeks ago...