Dan Gilbert Blasts LeBron James
Friday 09 July, 2010 at 12:00 am Featured, NBA 6
Dan Gilbert won't be treating LeBron James to dinner anytime soon.
As I mentioned in my analysis of LeBron’s big decision, Cleveland will be hating. And apparently, the hatred knows no professional bounds – in this case, Cavs owner Daniel Gilbert unloads a lashing onto the King that you’ll have to read to believe.
Mere minutes after LeBron James announced his intention to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise, the following “open letter to Cavaliers fans” was placed on the Cavs team website:
__________________________________________________________________________
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
T Lamont is the owner, administrator and author of all content for Ball or Nuthin\'. Feel free to contact T Lamont with a question or comment at ballornuthin@gmail.com. All created Ball or Nuthin' content is the sole property of T Lamont. Read more from this authorTags: Cavs, Dan Gilbert, LeBron James
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If my comments are considered biased based on being a native from Cleveland, noted. I applaud Dan Gilbert for saying something that LeBron James should have said. Where but on national television and in a international forum could someone with so much influence impact the moral fiber of youth for all time to come. This may sound silly and politically incorrect but loyalty goes further in life than trophies. It’s a cheap shot to run, relinquish your dynasty, give up on a city, and take the easy road by joining something that seems greener and readymade. It’s like bisquick pancakes; nasty. If LeBron is a history buff he should know the history of people and teams that left Cleveland devastated by not understanding that it’s not all about personal pursuit; it’s about the journey. The hard working people of Cleveland have always been loyal folks in an economically stressed area who has always paid their last to support and fill up sports arenas. For those that follow sports, this was planned years ago and it’s a shame that even when this is all said and done, LeBron may never see a championship with the Miami Heat. When the gleam and luster is all but a story at the barbershop it will always come down to living with yourself. LeBron James could have been the one that eclipsed Jim Brown’s stature in Cleveland by taking a stand; instead, he fell off his throne and bumped his head.
Miami Heat? What the f***? Le Bron James should be a Laker, that’s on the real.
Never heard of Dan Gilbert, but man he doesn't hold back. I don't know something about what he says gives me that I don't back down to anyone attitude. I think I'm becoming a Cavs fan. I don't know what it is, but I like to cheer for the underdog. So I guess I'll be cheering for the Cavs to win one before the Heat as well. But of course I want the Lakers to keep winning first, but a distant second it's the Cavs.
At the end of the day, pro sports is a BUSINESS. Let us not forget this. Dude did BUSINESS. The Cavs owner, as a businessman, doesn't know this? It was quite silly and immature for him to put James on blast before the fans for doing BUSINESS. It would have been much more classy to thank the guy for the 7 years they got, wish him well and then keep it movin'.
In all fairness to those who are bothered by James' decision, true indeed, if he doesn't win after all this hype created through doing BUSINESS, then by ALL means…give him THE BUSINESS!
Peace.
Byron, I agree with you. I understand why Cleveland is disappointed. I would be as well if I were a naitive of the area. However, the owner talks about what the children should learn and how LBJ has shown them the opposite, well so has he. Basically in his letter he is showing the youth and everyone else that it is ok to be a sore loser. To get mad and call people names when the outcome doesn't go your way. Like Tony, I was all ready to pull for Cleveland, but after the release of the owners letter I'm not on that underdog train anymore….. : )
Lebron aka call me King James, is a fake! A King leads and have followers, Lebron just followed Wade and Bosh to South Beach! For all the talk about how great Lebron is, he could not lead his team to a championship and as long as he plays with D-Wade in Miami, he will never lead a team to a championship. D-Wade owns Miami and is the leader of the Heat. LeQueen James is going to be what A-rod is to Jeter on the Yankees. Yes, the Miami Heat are a championship contender regardless of who else is on the team now that D-Wade, LeQueen, and Bosh (who's done absolutely nothing while he was in Toronto, but people are calling a 'Superstar', but that's a different story) are there but even if they win a championship, can you put Lebron up there with Jordon, Magic, or Kobe? Didn't think so, those guys lead their team to championship, Lebron has loss all his leadership quality as he has confirmed that he has always been the Queen and is the follower.
6 comments
If my comments are considered biased based on being a native from Cleveland, noted. I applaud Dan Gilbert for saying something that LeBron James should have said. Where but on national television and in a international forum could someone with so much influence impact the moral fiber of youth for all time to come. This may sound silly and politically incorrect but loyalty goes further in life than trophies. It’s a cheap shot to run, relinquish your dynasty, give up on a city, and take the easy road by joining something that seems greener and readymade. It’s like bisquick pancakes; nasty. If LeBron is a history buff he should know the history of people and teams that left Cleveland devastated by not understanding that it’s not all about personal pursuit; it’s about the journey. The hard working people of Cleveland have always been loyal folks in an economically stressed area who has always paid their last to support and fill up sports arenas. For those that follow sports, this was planned years ago and it’s a shame that even when this is all said and done, LeBron may never see a championship with the Miami Heat. When the gleam and luster is all but a story at the barbershop it will always come down to living with yourself. LeBron James could have been the one that eclipsed Jim Brown’s stature in Cleveland by taking a stand; instead, he fell off his throne and bumped his head.
Miami Heat? What the f***? Le Bron James should be a Laker, that’s on the real.
Never heard of Dan Gilbert, but man he doesn't hold back. I don't know something about what he says gives me that I don't back down to anyone attitude. I think I'm becoming a Cavs fan. I don't know what it is, but I like to cheer for the underdog. So I guess I'll be cheering for the Cavs to win one before the Heat as well. But of course I want the Lakers to keep winning first, but a distant second it's the Cavs.
At the end of the day, pro sports is a BUSINESS. Let us not forget this. Dude did BUSINESS. The Cavs owner, as a businessman, doesn't know this? It was quite silly and immature for him to put James on blast before the fans for doing BUSINESS. It would have been much more classy to thank the guy for the 7 years they got, wish him well and then keep it movin'.
In all fairness to those who are bothered by James' decision, true indeed, if he doesn't win after all this hype created through doing BUSINESS, then by ALL means…give him THE BUSINESS!
Peace.
Byron, I agree with you. I understand why Cleveland is disappointed. I would be as well if I were a naitive of the area. However, the owner talks about what the children should learn and how LBJ has shown them the opposite, well so has he. Basically in his letter he is showing the youth and everyone else that it is ok to be a sore loser. To get mad and call people names when the outcome doesn't go your way. Like Tony, I was all ready to pull for Cleveland, but after the release of the owners letter I'm not on that underdog train anymore….. : )
Lebron aka call me King James, is a fake! A King leads and have followers, Lebron just followed Wade and Bosh to South Beach! For all the talk about how great Lebron is, he could not lead his team to a championship and as long as he plays with D-Wade in Miami, he will never lead a team to a championship. D-Wade owns Miami and is the leader of the Heat. LeQueen James is going to be what A-rod is to Jeter on the Yankees. Yes, the Miami Heat are a championship contender regardless of who else is on the team now that D-Wade, LeQueen, and Bosh (who's done absolutely nothing while he was in Toronto, but people are calling a 'Superstar', but that's a different story) are there but even if they win a championship, can you put Lebron up there with Jordon, Magic, or Kobe? Didn't think so, those guys lead their team to championship, Lebron has loss all his leadership quality as he has confirmed that he has always been the Queen and is the follower.
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