YIKES- Dan Gilbert's letter to Cleveland.

[MUfan12]

http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_100708.html

[hdog1017]

Gilbert is coming out swinging. 

[muhoosier260]

a little over the top, but he hit the nail on the head, especially the part about being narcissistic, etc.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Smart business move, he'll get the Cleveland folks eating out of his hand.  I'd prefer the high road, but this will get folks rallying behind his organization in the short term.  He still has the bigger problem...no one wants to play in Cleveland.

It also allows him to escape any blame, not that there should be.  But I'm sure some Clevelanders would want to know what efforts he made to keep Lebron, this deflects that criticism.

I'm sure this letter was drawn up days ago along with another one that said, "we are so tickled that LeBron has chosen to stay home". 

[Ron Paul]

Honestly, I would love to see this from an owner of one of my teams if they decided to leave.  Where was Father Wild when Crean left????

[chapman]

What a woman!

[hairy worthen]

I'm sure this letter was drawn up days ago along with another one that said, "we are so tickled that LeBron has chosen to stay home". 

Exactly,  although I agree what he said in the letter, (except the part about winning a championship before LeBron).  Seems a little sour grapesish and not very professional.

[StillAWarrior]

As a Clevelander (for the last 20 years anyway), I have mixed emotions about the letter.  On the one hand, I like a lot of it and I like that he came out swinging.  I've been saying for a while that the best thing that came out of the LeBron years is that he attracted a good owner for the Cavs.  I think Gilbert will do well and I think the Cavs will remain a strong franchise.  Hopefully that's not wishful thinking.  I even like the "we'll get a ring before he does" bravado.

The problem I have with the letter is that in order to fulfill that guarantee, Gilbert needs to attract some good free agents -- something Cleveland has had difficulty doing over the years.  I think Gilbert's letter will make that harder.  Kind of like nobody wants to date the chick who slashed her last boyfriend's tires when he broke up with her.

If LeBron is savvy (and his gratuitous prime-time stake through Cleveland's heart last night has me questioning this more than I ever had) he won't personally comment on Gilbert's letter other than to say something along the lines of that he's sorry to hear that Gilbert feels that way and maybe to express some regret for not calling him personally.  But, he should work to circulate the meme of, "how can the Cavs be more motivated to win now?  I thought they were 'all-in' before.  Maybe if they'd been all-in, Cleveland would have already won the championship and kept LeBron."

[TallTitan34]

While everything he said is true you probably shouldn't do that as a professional. I'm guessing David Stern will be sending him a bill in the mail for those comments.

Also isn't it is a bit hypocritical considering he played into the feeding of James' ego not only the last few weeks but during his time in Cleveland?

Despite being unprofessional, hypocritical, and classless I like it haha.

[hairy worthen]

 But, he should work to circulate the meme of, "how can the Cavs be more motivated to win now?  I thought they were 'all-in' before.  Maybe if they'd been all-in, Cleveland would have already won the championship and kept LeBron."

I think they were "all in" to win a championship. I don't think it is something you can go down to wal mart and pick up. They did the best they could, they won 60 games, thought that they had all the pieces in place, but it didn't happen.

[StillAWarrior]

I think they were "all in" to win a championship. I don't think it is something you can go down to wal mart and pick up. They did the best they could, they won 60 games, thought that they had all the pieces in place, but it didn't happen.

I agree entirely that Cleveland was "all in" to win the championship.  Gilbert spared no expense and, if anything, tried too hard at times.  I've been extremely annoyed over the last few weeks when people have said that Cleveland can't (or won't) put a quality team around LeBron.  They had a very good team the last two years that choked in the playoffs.  Not sure whose fault that was.

I was just saying that LeBron might have a little work to do to mend his public image in the coming days.  It would help in that process if the thought gets out there that Cleveland was not all in.  Gilbert's comments could be "spun" to that effect.

Bear in mind, I live in Cleveland and I'm pissed that LeBron left.  I think he proved himself to be a prima donna (even more than was previously known) and I'm not particularly interested in having him mend his image.   I don't recall ever seeing a superstar quit the way he did in the Celtics series, and I hope that the Miami experiment blows up (and I'm not at all convinced that it will work out).

[StillAWarrior]

Aside from having a competitive team, my biggest hope for the Cavaliers is that they sign some undrafted rookie free agent (Jerel?) and give him No. 23 next year.  That would be classic.

[mu03eng]

At the end of the day, while entertaining, its a pretty stupid thing to put out.  I agree with what he said about LeBron, but at the end of the day, what in 7 years at Cleveland would convince LeBron that Cleveland had a chance to win anything.  He carried that team for 7 years, and never had a decent coach, gm, or team.  Why would he stay for more years of that.  The whole thing from Gilbert just sounds like sour grapes.

PS. Imagine this letter had been written about Favre(you know it absolutely could), would you reaction be different?  I hate Favre now, had a letter like that come from Ted Thompson or Mike Murphy, I wouldn't dislike Favre nearly as much as I do now.

[StillAWarrior]

At the end of the day, while entertaining, its a pretty stupid thing to put out.  I agree with what he said about LeBron, but at the end of the day, what in 7 years at Cleveland would convince LeBron that Cleveland had a chance to win anything.  He carried that team for 7 years, and never had a decent coach, gm, or team.  Why would he stay for more years of that. 

That's a load of crap.  They had the best record in the NBA for the last two years and were considered by many to be favorites to represent the East in the finals.  They choked (and LeBron quit) in the playoffs.

I'm not sure what your standard of "decent" is, but you're nuts if you think that Cleveland didn't put a decent team around LeBron.  As for their coach...well, OK, I'll give you that.

[GGGG]

That's a load of crap.  They had the best record in the NBA for the last two years and were considered by many to be favorites to represent the East in the finals.  They choked (and LeBron quit) in the playoffs.

I'm not sure what your standard of "decent" is, but you're nuts if you think that Cleveland didn't put a decent team around LeBron.  As for their coach...well, OK, I'll give you that.

It was a decent team....but not championship caliber.

[StillAWarrior]

It was a decent team....but not championship caliber.

Well, that was the point I was making.  However, I honestly believe that with a good coach, the Cavs would have probably won the East the last two years.  Whether they could have won against the Lakers is another question.

[hairy worthen]

At the end of the day, while entertaining, its a pretty stupid thing to put out.  I agree with what he said about LeBron, but at the end of the day, what in 7 years at Cleveland would convince LeBron that Cleveland had a chance to win anything.  He carried that team for 7 years, and never had a decent coach, gm, or team.  Why would he stay for more years of that.  The whole thing from Gilbert just sounds like sour grapes.

I disagree, they tried to bring players in and they were successful in the regular season. They made what they thought was a key trade at the trading deadline.. LeBron sucked in the Boston series and at times looked like he quit on his team. How is that "carrying your team"  If he is the superstar he and espn say he is, then he should have stepped up in the playoffs like superstars do, ala Kobe, MJ. I watched the bulls championships hoping they would lose but MJ willed that team to win in most of those games.

[StillAWarrior]

If he is the superstar he and espn say he is, then he should have stepped up in the playoffs like superstars do, ala Kobe, MJ.

And like LeBron did in the series against the Pistons in 97.  He quit against the Celtics and the rest of the team followed his lead.  Watching them stop trying with a minute or so left when they were only trailing by seven or so was shocking.**  Jordan would have never done that.  Jordan would still be busting his ass down seven with 10 seconds to play assuming that there was some way to win.

**If anyone can find video of the end of that game I'd love to see it.  I can't remember exactly how much time was left or exactly what the point spread was when LeBron and the Cavs quit.

[mu03eng]

Your right I got caught up in the scourge of the internet, hyperbole.  Decent was not the right word, I simply meant that team as constructed last year was not a championship caliber team.  I'm not being a LeBron apologist, I thought he sucked in that Celtics series and quit, but by the same token he had to carry that team.  Look at the way the Lakers or Celtics were constructed...Kobe has a bad game Gasol can pick up the slack, Allen has a terrible game, Pierce can pick it up.  Larry Hughes as the second banana, really?  That team was not built to take advantage of LeBron's skills.

Also, I agree with the Jordan comparisons from a competitive standpoint, NOBODY is as competitive and cut throat as Jordan.  However, I'd argue in most if not all of the championship years the Bulls had a better supporting cast around Jordan than James did.  I'd also argue the league was less competitive back then.  If you switched Kobe and James, does James win with the Lakers, I'd argue yes, does Kobe win with the Cavs, no way.

[StillAWarrior]

Your right I got caught up in the scourge of the internet, hyperbole.  Decent was not the right word, I simply meant that team as constructed last year was not a championship caliber team.  I'm not being a LeBron apologist, I thought he sucked in that Celtics series and quit, but by the same token he had to carry that team.  Look at the way the Lakers or Celtics were constructed...Kobe has a bad game Gasol can pick up the slack, Allen has a terrible game, Pierce can pick it up.  Larry Hughes as the second banana, really?  That team was not built to take advantage of LeBron's skills.

I don't entirely disagree with you, but I'd point out that Larry Hughes has not been on the Cavs since the 07-08 season.  The team the Cavs took into the playoffs last year was a much, much better team than they had when they went to the Finals in 2007.  Antawn Jamison, Mo Williams, Shaq, Delonte West, JJ Hickson, etc., were huge upgrades to Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Sasha Pavolic, Donyell Marshall, Eric Snow, etc.  That 2007 team really was pretty weak and I am still shocked that they made it to the Finals.  But, LeBron was unquestionably motivated that year and it showed on the court during the playoffs when he carried that team.  Make your own judgments about his motivation in the 2010 playoffs.

[hairy worthen]

Also, I agree with the Jordan comparisons from a competitive standpoint, NOBODY is as competitive and cut throat as Jordan.  However, I'd argue in most if not all of the championship years the Bulls had a better supporting cast around Jordan than James did.  I'd also argue the league was less competitive back then.  If you switched Kobe and James, does James win with the Lakers, I'd argue yes, does Kobe win with the Cavs, no way.

Good point. Although, I think the league is more watered down now than in the Jordan era. Especially the east.

The cavs didn't have that (supposed) second top 50 player like the bulls had in pippen, but I would say the cavs were better 3 through 7, correct me if im wrong.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Dan Gilbert just slashed Lebron's tires.

You don't want to date the girl who went psycho on her ex. It's a big red flag.

Move on, Dan.

[StillAWarrior]

Dan Gilbert just slashed Lebron's tires.

You don't want to date the girl who went psycho on her ex. It's a big red flag.

Move on, Dan.

Sounds oddly familiar...ahem..."Kind of like nobody wants to date the chick who slashed her last boyfriend's tires when he broke up with her."

[WellsstreetWanderer]

The Cavs made a try but when was the last time a team won the NBA championship WITHOUT a Hall of Fame coach?
I agree Lebron disappeared in the final minutes of that game. That's something MJ, DWade and Kobe would never do.

[4everwarriors]

At best it's a sour grapes letter. Gilbert would have been tripping over himself to throw the max contract money in James' bank account had he signed. Calculated gamble on the owner's part to take the low road. Not saying he's wrong, just a risk.
Interesting to note that Gilbert was the other potential buyer of the Brewers when they were sold to Attanasio. His net worth was more than double that of Mark's, but his bid was a few mil. lower. Don't ask me how I know this, just accept that I do. Had he been successful, the Cavs would have had a different owner all these years.

[bma725]

The Cavs made a try but when was the last time a team won the NBA championship WITHOUT a Hall of Fame coach?

Doc Rivers says hi.

[mu-rara]

At the end of the day, while entertaining, its a pretty stupid thing to put out.  I agree with what he said about LeBron, but at the end of the day, what in 7 years at Cleveland would convince LeBron that Cleveland had a chance to win anything.  He carried that team for 7 years, and never had a decent coach, gm, or team.  Why would he stay for more years of that.  The whole thing from Gilbert just sounds like sour grapes.

PS. Imagine this letter had been written about Favre(you know it absolutely could), would you reaction be different?  I hate Favre now, had a letter like that come from Ted Thompson or Mike Murphy, I wouldn't dislike Favre nearly as much as I do now.

Favre never quit
Favre won a championship
Favre was at the end of his career

[mu03eng]

I don't entirely disagree with you, but I'd point out that Larry Hughes has not been on the Cavs since the 07-08 season.  The team the Cavs took into the playoffs last year was a much, much better team than they had when they went to the Finals in 2007.  Antawn Jamison, Mo Williams, Shaq, Delonte West, JJ Hickson, etc., were huge upgrades to Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Sasha Pavolic, Donyell Marshall, Eric Snow, etc.  That 2007 team really was pretty weak and I am still shocked that they made it to the Finals.  But, LeBron was unquestionably motivated that year and it showed on the court during the playoffs when he carried that team.  Make your own judgments about his motivation in the 2010 playoffs.

I typed faster than I was thinking....I meant Jamison and typed Hughes.  This years team was better than 2007, but it was still ill-formed IMO and had terrible coaching.  I just don't see what the incentive was for LeBron to stay in Cleveland other than sentimentality.  What makes this letter worse is the statement that Cleveland will win a championship before Miami.  I won't argue that Miami will win a championship, but I certainly think they are a heckuva lot more likely to win one than Cleveland.

[mu-rara]

At best it's a sour grapes letter. Gilbert would have been tripping over himself to throw the max contract money in James' bank account had he signed. Calculated gamble on the owner's part to take the low road. Not saying he's wrong, just a risk.
Interesting to note that Gilbert was the other potential buyer of the Brewers when they were sold to Attanasio. His net worth was more than double that of Mark's, but his bid was a few mil. lower. Don't ask me how I know this, just accept that I do. Had he been successful, the Cavs would have had a different owner all these years.

As Chicos noted above, Gilbert is playing to his audience ( Cav Fans ).  In that light, I think it is the right move.

[mu03eng]

Favre never quit
Favre won a championship
Favre was at the end of his career

Its an imperfect analogy, but my point is that LeBron and Favre both pissed off their fan bases, if Thompson had sent out an open letter blasting Favre, the fan base would have been less angry at Favre than they are.  There is no upside to this letter.

[mu03eng]

As Chicos noted above, Gilbert is playing to his audience ( Cav Fans ).  In that light, I think it is the right move.

Its the right move until the 24/7 cycle turns on Gilbert and starts analyizing things.  LeBron looks bad but Gilbert has Cleveland blood on his hands too....the fan base could turn on both of them.  If he had simply said thanks for the time, we'll move on and be even better it would have had way less downside

[ChicosBailBonds]

Its the right move until the 24/7 cycle turns on Gilbert and starts analyizing things.  LeBron looks bad but Gilbert has Cleveland blood on his hands too....the fan base could turn on both of them.  If he had simply said thanks for the time, we'll move on and be even better it would have had way less downside

That's why I think it's just a short term play.  It does well for Gilbert in the near term, but if the Heat go out and win it, or if the Cavs just totally suck, it will come back on Gilbert.  But I'm sure today, Gilbert is a hero to Clevelanders.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Good for Gilbert. Lebron is a total woman...going to play with his girlfriends so they can giggle in practice and play grab ass in game huddles. The entire thing is pathetic.

[GoldenWarrior]

As a Cleveland fan... I think its hilarious.  Yes, he went over the top with the "gaurantee" of a championship before Art Modell *cough* *cough* excuse me, I mean LeBron, wins one.  But overall, I love having an owner who is willing to have the brass to come out and say how he feels AND have the bank account to back it up!!  Cleveland owners have historically sucked in terms of willingness to spend, so it's nice that he can and will... sad thing is that you still have to try and convince people to want to head to Cleveland and play there... and if our own hometown "hero" won't, then who will?

[ChicosBailBonds]

sad thing is that you still have to try and convince people to want to head to Cleveland and play there... and if our own hometown "hero" won't, then who will?

That's the deal

[LON]

Lengthy, but a decent read on all this "gnashing of teeth"

http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2010/07/09/james-addiction/

From the post:

If you’re one of the people bitching and moaning about “loyalty”… Just shut up. If Wade had come to Cleveland, no one is crying about his loyalty to Miami. Nobody in Cleveland gave a crap about loyalty when they were trying to steal Tom Izzo from Michigan State where he’s been coaching for nearly 30 years. Its hypocritical and sad. LeBron didn’t embarrass you or your city. You’re doing that yourself. Move on with your lives. You’ve still got the best punt returner in the NFL!


I especially like the Josh Cribbs reference.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Lengthy, but a decent read on all this "gnashing of teeth"

http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2010/07/09/james-addiction/

From the post:

If you’re one of the people bitching and moaning about “loyalty”… Just shut up. If Wade had come to Cleveland, no one is crying about his loyalty to Miami. Nobody in Cleveland gave a crap about loyalty when they were trying to steal Tom Izzo from Michigan State where he’s been coaching for nearly 30 years. Its hypocritical and sad. LeBron didn’t embarrass you or your city. You’re doing that yourself. Move on with your lives. You’ve still got the best punt returner in the NFL!


I especially like the Josh Cribbs reference.

Cribbs can't carry Devin Hester's jockstrap, regardless of the Bears ruining him.

[GoldenWarrior]

Cribbs can't carry Devin Hester's jockstrap, regardless of the Bears ruining him.

Disagree, Cribbs is the best in the NFL.

[GoldenWarrior]

From the post:

If you’re one of the people bitching and moaning about “loyalty”… Just shut up. If Wade had come to Cleveland, no one is crying about his loyalty to Miami. Nobody in Cleveland gave a crap about loyalty when they were trying to steal Tom Izzo from Michigan State where he’s been coaching for nearly 30 years. Its hypocritical and sad. LeBron didn’t embarrass you or your city. You’re doing that yourself. Move on with your lives. You’ve still got the best punt returner in the NFL!

I tend to agree, but it's not about loyalty... it's about the dragging it out and promoting this hour long Stuart Scott suck job on LBJ just for him to stab Cleveland through the heart... that's what is not right about this whole thing.  He's free to go wherever, but to do it in that fashion, just skeezy, but that's just me

[ChicosBailBonds]

After Gilbert's trashing of Lebron, will other players want to play in Cleveland for that owner?  That's the other thing to look at.  They may feel that if the owner takes parting shots at Lebron, what is going to stop him from doing this to other players.

[brewcity77]

After Gilbert's trashing of Lebron, will other players want to play in Cleveland for that owner?  That's the other thing to look at.  They may feel that if the owner takes parting shots at Lebron, what is going to stop him from doing this to other players.

And safe to say LBJ will never be back. Not that he would have anyway, but is it unthinkable that ten years down the road LeBron would come back for a retirement swan song with the Cavs? Sure, his prime would be past, but maybe by then a sense of forgotten loyalty would bring him back. He wouldn't be the first sports star to come home at the end of a career.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

And safe to say LBJ will never be back. Not that he would have anyway, but is it unthinkable that ten years down the road LeBron would come back for a retirement swan song with the Cavs? Sure, his prime would be past, but maybe by then a sense of forgotten loyalty would bring him back. He wouldn't be the first sports star to come home at the end of a career.

Why would the Cavs want LeBron back for a retirement swan song? He just adminstered a giant and rancid face cake on the entire franchise. If the Cavs ever welcome him back, they'll look even sorrier than they do right now.

Any player who hesitates to play for the Cavs because of what the owner (rightfully) said, is part of the follow-me culture that just drew all these little boys to Miami. The Cavs should look for grown men who want to play for them and get paid handsomely in the process.

I BECAME A CAVS FAN TODAY!!

[mstang917]

Dan's taking even farther haha
http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/07/dan-gilbert-marks-down-lebron-to-discount-prices.php

[Brewtown Andy]

In related news, officially, the Cavaliers traded LeBron James to the Heat today.