I think it was a lame choice by Lebron and the TV special was misguided, but Gilbert is playing the villain right now. Lebron wants to win championships with guys he likes in a fun city. I have a hard time blaming him. But his decision shows he doesn't have that Jordan-like fire in his belly. He's more like Shaq attitude wise, not that there's anything wrong with that. He doesn't owe the Cavs anything.
But admittedly, I know next to nothing about basketball.
Watching LeBron's number of followers on Twitter tick down one when I clicked unfollow felt good. Makes me feel silly for being a sports fan but I'm ok with that.
Michael wrote:I think it was a lame choice by Lebron and the TV special was misguided, but Gilbert is playing the villain right now. Lebron wants to win championships with guys he likes in a fun city. I have a hard time blaming him. His decision just shows he doesn't have that Jordan-like fire in his belly. He's more like Shaq, not that there's anything wrong with that. He doesn't owe the Cavs anything.
But admittedly, I know next to nothing about basketball.
I'd agree with this.
Then again, and this is coming from someone who is only interested in basketball for one reason (Michael Jordan and his legacy in general), I truly don't believe there's many people in the game of basketball who have that kind of passion that MJ had. As much as I used to hate on Kobe Bryant, he's probably the only one that comes close today. Just in my own opinion.
MrSaigon wrote:Either Gilbert is overreacting, or something else happened over the last week or so. Simply leaving a team isn't betrayal.
Either way it's unprofessional.
Why? It's just an owner's version of what LeBron did in a sense. He's just playing to the Cleveland fans. Why wouldn't he?
He could have expressed his disappointment in the way LeBron handled it in a more professional manner and without the name calling. He should be embarrased by the letter and he's going to look like even more of an ass when the Heat win a championship and his team's collecting lottery picks.
LeBron did his job in Cleveland. He carried the team for years. They never got him enough help, so he left while he still has a chance to be a part of something great. Cleveland is just sour because they instantly became the worst team in the NBA.
One thing I know is that I'm sure as hell recording the first game that the Heat play this season.
MrSaigon wrote:Either Gilbert is overreacting, or something else happened over the last week or so. Simply leaving a team isn't betrayal.
Either way it's unprofessional.
Why? It's just an owner's version of what LeBron did in a sense. He's just playing to the Cleveland fans. Why wouldn't he?
There are very few similarities. LeBron never disparaged the Cavaliers or the city of Cleveland. Said he loved his time there and they are a great organization. Miami was just too good to pass up. Gilbert did nothing but take personals jabs.
CLEVELAND -- Angered and betrayed by LeBron James' decision to leave for Miami, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert accused the NBA's MVP of quitting during the playoffs.
Gilbert, who posted a letter to Cavs fans on the team's website shortly after James announced his plans to sign with the Heat, told The Associated Press late Thursday night that it's "accountability time" for James.
"He has gotten a free pass," Gilbert said in a phone interview with The AP. "People have covered up for [James] for way too long. Tonight we saw who he really is."
“
Gilbert It's not about him leaving. 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.
” -- Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert
Gilbert said James quit on the Cavs during their second-round series against the Boston Celtics, who rallied from a 2-1 deficit to eliminate Cleveland.
"He quit," Gilbert said. "Not just in Game 5, but in Games 2, 4 and 6. Watch the tape. The Boston series was unlike anything in the history of sports for a superstar."
The Cavaliers were beaten by 32 points in Game 5. During the game, James appeared distracted and uninterested, often glaring at Cleveland's coaches as the Cavs tried to foul to get back into the game in the second half. James also made some puzzling postgame comments, saying he had "spoiled" people with his play over seven seasons.
Gilbert also said he believes James quit on the Cavs in Game 6 of their series in 2009 against Orlando.
"Go back and look at the tape," he said. "How many shots did he take?"
Gilbert, who has owned the Cavs for five years, said he was most disappointed by James' behavior in the months leading up to the superstar's announcement that he is going to Miami to play with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Gilbert said James never returned a single phone message or text since the end of the season and that the Cavs were not informed of James' decision until he went on the air.
Gilbert said Rich Paul, one of James' business partners, called the Cavs moments before the announcement.
"LeBron James needs to go to another team with two superstars already so he can win a championship," Gilbert said. "We will win a championship before [the Heat] do."
Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert gave his reaction to LeBron James leaving in an open letter to fans on the Cavs' website.
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."
In Miami, Wade said he was stunned by Gilbert's comments.
"I think I'm happy that I have the owner that I have here in Miami," Wade told The Associated Press late Thursday night. "I'm happy Micky Arison is my owner. I couldn't believe it. I'm speechless. It's very unfortunate and I think it makes LeBron that much better about his decision.
"We knew 'Bron would take some backlash," Wade added in his interview with AP. "I told him he's a strong man for it."
