Open Letter to Fans from Cavaliers Majority Owner Dan Gilbert

AR182

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I don't remember seeing such a letter from an owner of a team after losing a big player. Usually the owner or gm take the high road & wish the player well....Good for 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
 

kosar

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LATEST HEADLINES - NBA NEWS RSS Feeds Cavs owner says LeBron James quit in playoffs

Posted Jul 9 2010 1:28AM

CLEVELAND (AP) -- 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 feels 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.''
 

gardenweasel

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simply put,he would have been a fool to go anywhere other than miami due to tax ramifications....

imo,he did the right thing for himself and his family...smart move...

miami looks like they have an excellent chance to dump the lakers as the big boys on the block...
 

MadJack

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simply put,he would have been a fool to go anywhere other than miami due to tax ramifications....

imo,he did the right thing for himself and his family...smart move...

miami looks like they have an excellent chance to dump the lakers as the big boys on the block...

:0002
 

gardenweasel

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it was very unseemly having cleveland housing a competitive sports franchise...

this kinda restores the natural order of things....

"lebron going to miami"...hey tony grossi....chew on that ..
 

WhatsHisNuts

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I liked the way the letter started, then it started getting out of hand. Cleveland will win a title before Miami? Sounds like some bitter ex-girlfriend trying to save face after getting dumped.
 

Hooks

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If Gilbert felt that way about James for that long, why the hell would he want to pay him 123 million for 6 more years :shrug:

I think he should have stayed. But what do I know.
 

Full court press

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Gilbert's childish rant should do him a lot of good in his quest to bring in other talented free agents. :mj07:

Cleveland is a tough enough sell to begin with, let alone an owner that will publicly stick a dagger in the back of his departed superstar and likely any others down the line that reject him.


Smart move Danny !
 

gardenweasel

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Gilbert's childish rant should do him a lot of good in his quest to bring in other talented free agents. :mj07:

Cleveland is a tough enough sell to begin with, let alone an owner that will publicly stick a dagger in the back of his departed superstar and likely any others down the line that reject him.


Smart move Danny !

exactly.....why would anybody in their right mind stay in cleveland when they had a chance to go to florida(look at kosar:SIB )?..... not to mention dodging tax ramifications on salary AND endorsement deals .....

it`s b.s....deflection....he`s covering his ass....he didn`t get it done,so he`s tapping into the anti-lebron sentiment.....which will only last so long once the realization that the team aint getting close to winning anything without james bludgeons the cleveland faithful like a cluebat......

sounds like a totally immature douchebag...dwayne wade hit the nail on the head...
 
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kosar

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exactly.....why would anybody in their right mind stay in cleveland when they had a chance to go to florida(look at kosar:SIB )?..... not to mention dodging tax ramifications on salary AND endorsement deals .....

it`s b.s....deflection....he`s covering his ass....he didn`t get it done,so he`s tapping into the anti-lebron sentiment.....which will only last so long once the realization that the team aint getting close to winning anything without james bludgeons the cleveland faithful like a cluebat......

sounds like a totally immature douchebag...dwayne wade hit the nail on the head...

It had nothing to do with taxes, weather or anything like that. If Bosh would have agreed to go to Cleveland under the sign and trade that was already worked out with Toronto, James would have stayed.

Bosh didn't want to live in Cleveland. Fine. It's kind of humorous watching the 'King' being led around by what the immortal Chris Bosh does. I hope the Chosen One enjoys going from owning his entire native state to being second fiddle on his own team. The Heat and the city of Miami will always belong to Wade.

Sadly for the Heat, the game is only played with one basketball and their two megastars play virtually the same exact style of game.

I wouldn't make plans for attending that championship parade down Biscayne Blvd just yet.
 

The Joker

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If anyone in Cleveland feels betrayed - they should first look at themselves and the fact that they live in Cleveland. They live in shit. Move to a cleaner city and back a better team. Geeeez......
 

gardenweasel

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It had nothing to do with taxes, weather or anything like that. If Bosh would have agreed to go to Cleveland under the sign and trade that was already worked out with Toronto, James would have stayed.

Bosh didn't want to live in Cleveland. Fine. It's kind of humorous watching the 'King' being led around by what the immortal Chris Bosh does. I hope the Chosen One enjoys going from owning his entire native state to being second fiddle on his own team. The Heat and the city of Miami will always belong to Wade.

Sadly for the Heat, the game is only played with one basketball and their two megastars play virtually the same exact style of game.

I wouldn't make plans for attending that championship parade down Biscayne Blvd just yet.

how dare you !!...you abandoned your beloved cleveland for a big contract....you were too rad for the big C.....:nono:
 

Glenn Quagmire

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This is one of the pettiest things I've ever read. I still can't believe Gilbert did this. What the hell did Lebron do wrong? He was a FA, and he went to another team. That's his right as a FA.

The mindset that athletes somehow "owe" it to their team to stay when they become a FA is laughable. When ownership has to make cuts, do they decide to keep a guy around just because he's a swell dude or he's a local guy? Of course not. They do what's best for the team and get rid of them. But somehow it's not ok for an athlete to do what's best for them when they become a FA? :142smilie

I also love that Lebron is now "cursed" and will suffer bad karma. Does Gilbert have a Lebron voodoo doll, too? This guy is clearly letting his emotions get the best of him.

I can understand people not liking the media circus around all this. I agree it's over the top and ridiculous. However, I did hear today that the 1-hour special was actually Jim Gray's idea. I guess he brought it to Lebron's people and they got him to do it because it was for charity. I really have no problem with Lebron, but after seeing what a jackass Gilbert is I will actively root against the Cavs from now on.
 

AR182

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Just to clarify, when I said "good for Dan Gilbert" in my 1st post, I meant good for him for speaking his mind instead of doing the politically correct thing.

However, I think it is disingenuine ( sp?) for him to question James effort for the playoffs after James stated that he is playing for the Heat. If Gilbert sincerely thought that james didn't put forth his best effort for the playoffs, he should have said so right after the playoffs. Otherwise it sounds like "sour grapes".
 
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