Dan Gilbert released the following statement shortly after LeBron James announced his decision to leave the Cavaliers.
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....
Via Press Release
Bill Simmons said in his column today which was brillant by the way that this was rumored to be happen 2 years ago.This all adds up by the way, and makes me believe this was all set in stone a long time ago.. Mid way through last season, out of no where the Miami Heat retired #23, then later LeBron announced he was changing his number to 6. Then he gets his 'elbow' injury, then he has the worst games of his career against Boston..
He definitely chose a team with realistic winning opportunities, but I'm assuming you don't hear much NBA in the UK?Any <Censored> who needs an hour of air time to choose his franchise obviously has hishead stuck so far up his own ass that it's not funny. What a down right c u n t this prick is. He hasn't even chosen a club with realistic winnning oppurtunities, he's out for a big pay day.
Absolute joke.
They didn't give him a ring, that's all the dude wants.Don't act like Cleveland didn't put everything they had into giving LeBron a great team. Everybody wants rings. Doesn't mean I respect the ways they're pursuing them. Everybody wants to win, but that doesn't mean they have to leave their own successful teams to play with their friends. I'm just saying I lost respect for him because imo that was a poor decision. Thats All..
What did he say?Chuck went in on bron on nbatv.
Basically that 1 ring in cleveland would mean more than 4 in miami. And that his legacy has taken a hit because no matter what happens in miami he won on anothers guys team. And that at 25 he would've liked to see bron try to win it as "the guy" instead of "one of the guys".What did he say?
Probably why LeBron was about to cry when saying Miami. All he could think about Delonte taming that cougar. LolLebron's mom was watching The Decision from Delonte's house
Then why didn't he try to get MLE to play in LA? Wouldn't that be closer to a chip? MLE with Boston? MLE with Orlando? All closer the Miami were to the ChipHe definitely chose a team with realistic winning opportunities, but I'm assuming you don't hear much NBA in the UK?
They didn't give him a ring, that's all the dude wants.
First off, I grew up in Jordan era and never was Mike in a position to even think about playing for another team. Jordan always had the right pieces in place and even if his supporting cast wasn't the greatest, the man was on a level of his own. Who the f_ck else could win an NBA title with Luc Longley as their biggest man?? Jordan was a pop culture icon, the only player to ever be bigger than the game itself...there will never be another like him. Horrible comparison, I have never and will never advocate comparing any player to "his Airness".That sounds pretty selfish man. When Kobe and MJ realized they had to do whatever it took to win chips I don't think they demanded trades. A desire to win a championship doesn't make you want to leave the franchise that made you. Heck, Kevin Durant wouldn't have signed an extension if that was the case. Sometimes life isn't always about what you want. He could have went to any team and tried to win a chip but he decided to go to Miami of all places. And I'm sure Kobe realized that MVPs don't mean ish and he's got 5 rings to show for it. Everybody wants to be a champion. Doesn't mean they all have to leave their teams to become one.
He should switch his name to Gloria WestIf Delonte switches his number to 23 next year. There's gonna be a fight.
LOL I still think that might be true.Probably why LeBron was about to cry when saying Miami. All he could think about Delonte taming that cougar. Lol
Miami > all of them now.Then why didn't he try to get MLE to play in LA? Wouldn't that be closer to a chip? MLE with Boston? MLE with Orlando? All closer the Miami were to the Chip