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 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.
[ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5365793"]Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert says LeBron James quit during playoffs - ESPN@@AMEPARAM@@http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5364434@@AMEPARAM@@5364434[/ame]
I wish I could find his entire statement about Lebron. It was harsh!
Aslan Wrote:I wish I could find his entire statement about Lebron. It was harsh!
he's just mad because LeBron is going to South Beach
Strikeout King Wrote:he's just mad because LeBron is going to South Beach
I know, but man, what he said about Lebron was ridiculous.
Aslan Wrote:I know, but man, what he said about Lebron was ridiculous.
i'd say that just ruined the chances of LeBron of ever going back to Cleveland
the question i have is what or where are the Chicago Bulls gonna turn too? they still need a G and they have about $19.1 Million in Cap Space Left
I do remember the owner saying that he guaranteed Cleveland would get a title before Lebron LOL
I don't believe that...
Seriously...take your own advice and wake up the next morning to a fresh new start.
J-Rod Wrote:I don't believe that...
Seriously...take your own advice and wake up the next morning to a fresh new start.
You don't believe he said that or that Cleveland will? It was confirmed on ESPN the owner released that, in a very long statement.
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 âKINGâ 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
Lebron should have talked to him before he announced anything, maybe he wouldn't have been as mad.
I really dont know what to say about Dan's statements
WOW, all I have to say. I love putting Lebron down just as much as the next guy but D*mn! lol I was enjoying it at first but halfway through I was like "man, chill out" haha.
Aslan Wrote:I do remember the owner saying that he guaranteed Cleveland would get a title before Lebron LOL
Dumb statement, I can bet the owner that that's not gonna happen.
Lot of others are beginning to make similar comments about Lebron and his elbow or "non-elbow" problem.
Skip Bayless was smiling somewhere when he saw this.
What I don't understand if he thought he was playing so soft and such why was he willing to offer him a max contract:eyeroll:
Sure danny boy, it's easy to replace a super star just do what the bulls did that'll work.
Who's he gonna get???
He couldn't get a soul to play in 6 yrs. when LaBron was there.
Who's he gonna get????
Danny boy didn't mean it. It's just the heartack talkin.
He Did Quit People. They didnt even foul at the end of the game. He used his elbow as an excuse to get the **** out of cleveland.
Wildcatk23 Wrote:He Did Quit People. They didnt even foul at the end of the game. He used his elbow as an excuse to get the **** out of cleveland.
:Thumbs:
Lebron should have once in his life been mature about something and called dan gilbert before his press conference. The one mans ego is amazing. And the loyalty that the Cavs had to a loser amazes me. He has never won nothing for cleveland. A MVP or 2 for himself but nothing for them.
LeBron isnt even the best player on his own team..but he's still the third best player in the league, lol..
This is Dan's way of saying LeBron did us (him included) dirty and he doesn't agree with it. Hopefully he does get motivated and brings us some players to contend. I don't see the Heat winning a title. They're right now the 3rd best in the East, 4th in the NBA.
TidesHoss32 Wrote:LeBron isnt even the best player on his own team..but he's still the third best player in the league, lol..
:Thumbs:
All of these "Lebron is not the best player in the league" statements... Please... You know he IS the best player in the league.. Let's all be real for a second.. His immaturity and ego, YES it is out the roof.. But once he reaches the maturity and lets off the ego.. You know he is gonna surpass anyone that has ever been in the NBA.. Tough cookin but its true.
Wildcatk23 Wrote:Lebron should have once in his life been mature about something and called dan gilbert before his press conference. The one mans ego is amazing. And the loyalty that the Cavs had to a loser amazes me. He has never won nothing for cleveland. A MVP or 2 for himself but nothing for them.
I completely agree.
Ballers Wrote:All of these "Lebron is not the best player in the league" statements... Please... You know he IS the best player in the league.. Let's all be real for a second.. His immaturity and ego, YES it is out the roof.. But once he reaches the maturity and lets off the ego.. You know he is gonna surpass anyone that has ever been in the NBA.. Tough cookin but its true.
He IS NOT the best in the NBA, nor will he ever be now. I dont even believe he will be in discussion for MVP next year. Furthermore he wont be the leading scorer on his own team next year "Mr. I can win the scoring title every year" Melo or Durant will win it. Now that he will be somewhere where he doesnt have the ball in his hands, being selfish the entire game he wont look as amazing. And dont even mention his assists, those are simply driving into the paint getting in trouble, throwing it away, someone grabbing it and making a shot. Those are accidents not assists.
Ballers Wrote:All of these "Lebron is not the best player in the league" statements... Please... You know he IS the best player in the league.. Let's all be real for a second.. His immaturity and ego, YES it is out the roof.. But once he reaches the maturity and lets off the ego.. You know he is gonna surpass anyone that has ever been in the NBA.. Tough cookin but its true.
Nah, too bad, but your way off on this one. MJ will be the greatest ever, no one will ever surpass him. Lebron is not even the best player on his new team, that would be D Wade. I call it like I see it, when Lebron passes Kobe I will admit it, but he's still yet to do that.
Aslan Wrote:Nah, too bad, but your way off on this one. MJ will be the greatest ever, no one will ever surpass him. Lebron is not even the best player on his new team, that would be D Wade. I call it like I see it, when Lebron passes Kobe I will admit it, but he's still yet to do that.
I dont think he will ever do that. Kobe will forever be known as the closest thing to MJ and the second best to play the game.