Oh LeBron James, what have you done?
People are really mad at you!


If I had not seen this for myself, I would not have believed that an owner of a major sports franchise would openly write this kind of letter (see below). However, this letter, in this exact font and format, was posted on Cleveland Cavaliers’ website by Dan Gilbert, majority owner of the Cavs. As I asked in a previous post, can someone please tell me what did LeBron James do so wrong to deserve such hatred?


Update: BREAKING NEWS: Apparently NBA Commissioner David Stern agrees with me! He has fined the Cleveland Cavaliers $100,000 on 7/12 for the letter published by Cavs owner.  “I think that the remarks by Dan Gilbert, the owner of the Cavaliers, catalyzed as they may have been by hurt with respect to the manner and the fact, for himself or his team, and particularly for the people of Cleveland, though understandable were ill advised and imprudent,” Stern said, “And I have notified Cleveland that they will be fined $100,000 for those remarks under my power as commissioner.”

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 

I don’t watch the NBA, so I don’t get all the recent hatred for LeBron James. So what that this young man at 24 years old left Cleveland. I would too. Hell, I wouldn’t have lived there to begin with. Clevelanders should thank him for having stuck it out as long as he did not hate on him and burn his jerseys in the street for finally making a move. The right move.

I don’t know, Miami vs. Cleveland. For me, Miami wins, hands down. Maybe I am missing something, so, please fill me in someone.

All I know is that everyone now hates LeBron for either leaving Cleveland, not going to their city instead of Miami, or for putting on a narcissistic show of apocalyptic proportions on ESPN announcing his intention to go to Miami.

I did not watch the hour-long “Decision” on ESPN. But 10-12 million people did. So, why are we blaming LeBron for his “narcissism” when we feed into such behavior? Why watch and then hate? Give me a break. We get what we crave and we crave bad behavior just so we can bitch about it.

Also, didn’t LeBron take a pay cut to go to Miami? All in sacrifice to win a championship? Isn’t the NBA or any other professional sport about winning championships? Do not tell me that it’s about anything more lofty when we have free agency and players no longer have to be loyal to one team for their entire lives.

My east coast correspondent, Hayward Taylor found LeBron (above), now the newest member of the Miami Heat, as he exits the W Hotel in South Beach, Miami on his way to the Heat’s signing celebration party  last night.