Stay Classy Dan Gilbert

[CatsCatsCats]

I disagree. While he didn't have to be so scathing, Cavs fans will rally around that response more than they would have a "we wish him the best, win some, lose some" statement. People in Cleveland are ticked and have a right to be bitter. LeBron has been tortuing them for two years by hinting he's leaving, two years they have had the best record in the league and two years they've flamed out in the playoffs (the last year watching LeBron completely lay down) and then, to top it off, he has an hour-long primetime special to annouce his decision? Not right.

 

His methods in all of this were terrible. How anyone could watch the Lebron-atahon and still think he's doing this for selfless reasons is beyond me.

[Voice of Reason]

Poorly handled by both sides. LeBron should only have done the show if he was going to stay in Cleveland. The way his people handled everything just has a tainted, dirty feel to it because he broke the hearts of his hometown. It also comes across as the epitome of selfish look at me attitude. I think LeBorn's brand was hurt more than helped by last night's show.

 

Gilbert was even worse. He comes across as throwing a temper tantrum and gives LeBron's supporters a perfect "see why he left" opportunity.

 

If I am LeBron and am going to Miami, I don't do the show. I hold a press conference to make the announcement and I don't hype it or drag it out. I call Gilbert personally just before the press conference and let him know my decision. My statement says ...

"I gave 7 years to Cleveland and we had plenty of time and opportunity to make a championship happen ... but it didn't. I can not be more saddened and disappointed that we could not get that championship to Cleveland. Time is short in a professional sports career. I have done everything I could over the past 7 years in trying to win in Cleveland. I want to win a championship more than anything else. I believe at this time the best opportunity to win that championship is in Miami and now is the time to pursue that championship...etc."

[stickymitts]

So Dan Gilbert couldn't figure out a way to win a championship with arguably the best player in the NBA and now he is going to without LeBron, Kobe, Shaq, Wade, Pierce, Nash, Duncan, Garnett...etc? Good luck Danny.

[stickymitts]

On another note, it's comical how all of the sudden Cincinnati radio is including Cleveland as a part of Ohio now. That tune will change come football season.

[ladiesbballcoach]

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2010/07/dan_gilbert_says_lebron_james.html#incart_hbx

 

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."

[Zoot Soup]

Interesting quote on First Take from Brian Windhorst, the Cleveland Plain-Dealer beat writer. He was asked about Gilbert saying "there's more to come..." and replied that there is a rabbit hole there about all the things Cleveland tried to do to keep LeBron. Windhorst went on to say that David Stern will probably tell him to keep quiet about it. :idunno:

[stickymitts]

I'm sure Chicago and New York did things to try to get him to come there too. None of it matters, they had 7 years to court LBJ and apparently didn't do a good enough job. If anything, Chicago and New York should be upset at not getting a chance. Cleveland had their chance and couldn't get it done.

[SSC]

Gilbert is a clown. I'm glad for Lebron that he got away from this maniac. He's making Donald Sterling look like a good owner. So Gilbert bought this franchise on the cheap two years after Lebron was drafted. Lebron makes the guy an estimated $100M and makes the franchise worth more than it ever could have been. He re signed there after his rookie contract when he should have left. Gilbert rewards that decision by hiring a rookie GM and rookie coach and making Mo Williams his best teammate ever. Gilbert claims LBJ not only quit this year on the team in games 2, 4, 5, and 6 but he also claims he quit on them last year against Orlando. After the season he won't answer Gilbert's texts or calls. He tries to hire Izzo and LBJ won't answer any of the reported 7 calls Izzo makes or call him back. Yet we're to believe he thought he was coming back? Hey Dan, when he refuses to talk to a guy you're hiring to be the coach he isn't coming back. He then proclaims LBJ is a curse. Why did he want him back so bad? Oh, oh, oh that's right. The almighty dollar. Gilbert was looking out for himself and his best interests. If Kentucky is ever smart enough to legalize casinos is he going to put a curse on his whales that gamble in Covingon?

[Log Mountain Boy]

Hey if Gilbert and the front office could have brung in 1 perennial all star in the past 7 years to go with Lebron James he would still be there. Instead Cleveland kept making dumb moves like bringing in Shaq. All they had to do was get him someone else that could really play like a Joe Johnson or a Deron Williams or a power forward that could score. Cleveland hasn't got another player that would be considered in the top 10 at their position except for possibly Mo Williams who maybe the 10th best PG in the league, but that might be pushing it.

[kyblue]

Do you think 19-30 year old mostly black athletes agree w/ LBJ going where he wnated to go or the older white owner of the Cavs?

 

Gilbert just destroyed his chances. He wants LBJ to be loyal but he killed LBJ. Do you think these players and agents didn't take notice? He and the Cleveland fans just proved themselves to have no loyalty. They bag for loyalty, but they have none.

 

I follow two NBA players on twitter and they both hammered Gilbert and congratulated LBJ.

 

This has nothing to do with black or white athletes first off. And secondly, what do you think Mark Cuban would have said had this happened to him? He would have said the exact same thing. Gilbert has to stick up for the Cavs and with Scott behind the helm they will make the necessary moves to become a championship caliber team. Just a thought but maybe Melo coming to Cleveland next year?

[SSC]

This has nothing to do with black or white athletes first off. And secondly, what do you think Mark Cuban would have said had this happened to him? He would have said the exact same thing. Gilbert has to stick up for the Cavs and with Scott behind the helm they will make the necessary moves to become a championship caliber team. Just a thought but maybe Melo coming to Cleveland next year?

 

Do you think most other NBA players now are happy for LBJ doing what he wanted or that they agree w/ the owner? I'd say it's about 99/1 LBJ