Wow, what a jerk this guy is. If this is how this man behaves in public can you imagine what he is like in private. If this man is this delusional and mean spirited as he seems, no wonder James left.
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
Posts
5 comments:
It's ironic that one who would lambast another for not being "manly" or "loyal" would seek to discredit the efforts of a homegrown superstar so easily. In today's day and age of 'show me the money' signings and contracts I actually find it refreshing that players seek to win more than accrue wealth. Is it disappointing that James left? Certainly. But to act in a manner which itself epitomizes the characteristics one is downplaying seems not only cheap and unfair but cowardly.
Cameron:
I completely agree with you. It is an amazing thing to see three top players take a smaller salary than they could have, to give up the limelight of being the "one" to work together to win a championship is an amazing thing. That is getting lost in this whole thing. Charles Barkely said he is damaging his legacy by doing this, he will never be the one who won it on his own. You tried to do it on your own Charles, how did that work out?
What James did was despicable, but this is uncalled for. It's like a two year old tantrum.
Trestin:
Why is it despicable? Had he not performed as expected he would have been dumped by the team in a New York minute. It is a business. He made a business decision. He made the Cavs a small fortune in the past seven years and got them deep into the playoffs. A feat that had not been seen in that city in quite a while.
While I will grant you he should have called Gilbert before he made his announcement, I think what he did was refreshing change of pace in an athlete. He put his dream of winning a championship before his ego and his bank book. He could have asked for a sign and trade and did not.
Despite what many people think of the way that Lebron James went about reporting his departure from the Cleveland Cavaliers, and of course, becoming the villain in the this whole process, what Dan Gilbert did last night with his childish and extremely unprofessional letter was worse than what Majority Owner Art Modell did when he moved the Cleveland Browns to Baltimore. Being a Cleveland Browns fan for many years and having family from the state of Ohio, I am sad that Lebron James has left for the Miami Heat, but in most part, he felt he made the best decision for him and his family, and even though I am disappointed, what is done is done. To be a good sports fan and a good Cleveland fan, I am wishing him all the best and that is it. To have sour grapes, act like a whiny baby, and to post rediculous comments like Gilbert made in his letter to the fans makes me angry to say the least. As an owner of a multi-million dollar sports franchise, you have the obligation to act as a professional, and he should be thanking his lucky stars that Lebron was able to enhance their franchise and give them a good run for the last 7 years. His behavior probably played some part in Lebron leaving the Cavs. Who would want to play for an owner that only appreciates money and nothing else, and they are calling Lebron a narcissist. Dan Gilbert needs to look in the mirror himself because if you are going to treat the best sportsstar that you ever had for the Cleveland Cavs this way, than he didn't deserve to have him there in the first place. Let's go Heat.
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