Dan Gilbert letter to fans...

**InCytful** · 07-08-2010, 11:03 PM

Maybe some of his letter will rub off on the Cleveland Browns ownership...

**Mr Janny** · 07-08-2010, 11:11 PM

Originally Posted by Tornado man

Seems to me that Gilbert has found out that Lebron's "decision" to leave Cleveland (and play with Bosch and Wade) was actually made weeks, months, or even right after the Beijing Olympics, as some folks are saying. It was a charade to even include the Cavaliers in this concocted "process," and the Cavs owner is realizing he's been had.
Makes one wonder how much James really wanted to win these last two years, especially this year's playoff series against Boston (like game 5).
Cavs are now my favorite team, and Dan Gilbert my favorite owner in pro sports.

This letter had the opposite effect on me. Acting like a 12 year old drama queen isn't admirable. It's sad. One would assume that you don't become the majority owner of an NBA franchise without encountering the harsh reality of professional sports. Mr. Gilbert sounds like he needs a refresher. Maybe Mike Brown can explain it to him. This letter is a knee-jerk reaction to a business decision that didn't go his way. It's certainly understandable that he would be disappointed, but this letter is a whiny joke.

**cyclone13** · 07-08-2010, 11:15 PM

That's really bitter. I don't think James didn't want to win at Cleveland: he really did but he realized that he wouldn't win with the players they had.
The letter was really unprofessional. I don't agree with James' decision to announce in front of ESPN, but to say that he "deserted" is ridiculous. He honored his contract and if he finds a better place to play, so be it.

**Tre4ISU** · 07-08-2010, 11:18 PM

He can blame all of this on that front office. Other than signing washed up veterans, he has done absolutely nothing to try and help LeBron win. Sorry, but Anderson Varejeou and a 56 year old Shaq with Delonte West and Mo Williams aren't cutting it. The guy took them to the finals by himself. All he needed was one more guy somewhere on the court who could do something and the Cavs refused to go get it for him. If he wants to win I absolutely can't blame him for leaving.

Dan-Get it through your head. The guy took LESS money because they gave him a chance to win. Quit being a god damn baby and do something that makes this team competitive.

**Tre4ISU** · 07-08-2010, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by Tornado man

Seems to me that Gilbert has found out that Lebron's "decision" to leave Cleveland (and play with Bosch and Wade) was actually made weeks, months, or even right after the Beijing Olympics, as some folks are saying. It was a charade to even include the Cavaliers in this concocted "process," and the Cavs owner is realizing he's been had.
Makes one wonder how much James really wanted to win these last two years, especially this year's playoff series against Boston (like game 5).
Cavs are now my favorite team, and Dan Gilbert my favorite owner in pro sports.

Even if it was he had two years to find a way to make it believable to LeBron that he could win. I really think LeBron wanted to stay in CLeveland but the short of it is he also wants to win and be the best to ever play. He could have all the stats in Cleveland along with the money but he is giving up both to win.

**cyguytillidie** · 07-08-2010, 11:26 PM

LeBron James from Cleveland's "Chosen One" to Cleveland's "Fallen One"

**gocubs2118** · 07-08-2010, 11:32 PM

Maybe Gilbert should look in the mirror and realize he drove LBJ out of Cleveland. Didn't get him any help at all. No one could have won a championship with that roster the way it was. No one.

**Tornado man** · 07-08-2010, 11:37 PM

Originally Posted by yaman3

Even if it was he had two years to find a way to make it believable to LeBron that he could win. I really think Lebron wanted to stay in Cleveland but the short of it is he also wants to win and be the best to ever play. He could have all the stats in Cleveland along with the money but he is giving up both to win.

I really doubt that. He didn't even have the guts (or class) to call Gilbert ahead of time to inform him of his decision.
Cleveland had the best team in the NBA in this year's regular season. Lebron has to share the blame for the poor playoff showing.
No one is blaming James for deciding his own fate after giving the Cavs seven years.
It's the way he went about it.

**cyclo120** · 07-09-2010, 12:39 AM

I think this is ridiculous and I would be very embarrassed as a cavs fan and think twice before going there as a free agent. Look up the stats on the organization as far as value and attendance before LBJ compared to now. I personally feel he owed Gilbert nothing and he should be thankful they ever got him. Gilbert saying this isn't what we teach our kids, So what unselfishness, taking less money, playing a team sport for what its supposed to be winning.

**bostrem00** · 07-09-2010, 12:46 AM

+100000000000000000 Dan Gilbert!.......I've never much cared for Lebron at all....

**Haverhill** · 07-09-2010, 12:49 AM

Originally Posted by bostrem00

+100000000000000000 Dan Gilbert!.......I've never much cared for Lebron at all....

**azn4cy** · 07-09-2010, 01:01 AM

Originally Posted by Tornado man

I really doubt that. He didn't even have the guts (or class) to call Gilbert ahead of time to inform him of his decision.
Cleveland had the best team in the NBA in this year's regular season. Lebron has to share the blame for the poor playoff showing.
No one is blaming James for deciding his own fate after giving the Cavs seven years.
It's the way he went about it.

and this is classy? Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert says LeBron James quit during playoffs - ESPN

seriously. LeBron put in hard work for Cleveland. He left after his contract was up. It would be no different than any of us taking a new job.

Screw Dan Gilbert. After all this, the little doubt I had for LeBron leaving is completely alleviated. The Cavs fans don't deserve this, but the organization certainly does.

**ManBearClone** · 07-09-2010, 01:05 AM

Originally Posted by yaman3

I really think LeBron wanted to stay in CLeveland but the short of it is he also wants to win and be the best to ever play.

By not winning in Cleveland he gave up the chance to be the best to ever play. There will always be question marks now.

Originally Posted by yaman3

He could have all the stats in Cleveland along with the money but he is giving up both to win.

He could of given up some money in Cleveland so they could afford to buy some better players to put around him. Cleveland has made him rich enough that he can now afford to give up some money. Big deal.

**azn4cy** · 07-09-2010, 01:08 AM

Originally Posted by ManBearClone

By not winning in Cleveland he gave up the chance to be the best to ever play. There will always be question marks now.

He could of given up some money in Cleveland so they could afford to buy some better players to put around him. Cleveland has made him rich enough that he can now afford to give up some money. Big deal.

Agree with the first part. I hope he does well, but there will always be questions now.

As far as your second point, disagree. every team has money tied up. The problem is that Cleveland had big money tied up in Mo Williams and Antawn Jamison, who aren't worth that much. Bosh and Wade are. So even if Lebron gave up a couple million/year for Cleveland, it wouldn't amount to as much as it did in Miami.