Ultimately, James decides to move on to Miami for a better chance at capturing titles alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The choice, for lack of a better word, is unselfish. The notion of a legacy for James is not to be compared to Jordan, Kobe, Magic or Bird. Winning as a team is truly all that matters, yet the Akron native is hammered.
Among Cleveland fans, I understand their feelings to an extent. Arguably the world's greatest basketball player is leaving, likely forever. Suddenly, a camera flashed to fans burning James' jersey, and I was stunned. A man of such integrity and class, who wanted to return to Cleveland, and he constantly begged Chris Bosh to join him as a Cavalier, but the former Toronto Raptor star did not comply. Eventually, LeBron James was tipped over the edge, forcefully at first.
I would have gone to sleep on a Friday morning bitter. The fans of Cleveland again responded with such immaturity, revoking memories of beer bottles on the field of Paul Brown Stadium. The clock inches towards midnight when SportsCenter cuts to a letter sent by Cavaliers' owner Dan Gilbert (above) to the fanbase.
Just to give the readers some background on Gilbert, here is a man who bowed down almost literally to LeBron. Following the 2nd round loss to Cleveland, he fires coach Mike Brown, hoping to lure Phil Jackson for James. To then show James that he was serious about surrounding him with All-Star talent, Gilbert fires General Manager Danny Ferry. Clearly, this is an owner committed to his superstar capturing a title in Cleveland.
Here is a copy of the letter: 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 homegrown "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
Could someone please comment on this post, if you are not incredibly angered after reading this letter. Gilbert first proclaims that James is narcissistic and arrogant. By turning down $30 million more to play in Miami, this statement seems to be devoid of any possible logic. Moreover, James exhibits in the move to the Heat that being the alpha-male on a championship team is not essential. In other words, the six time All-Star has an ego problem, but will accept a lesser role just to win. Does that make any sense?
Gilbert goes on to deny completely that James is truly the 'King?' Fine, except what weight does such a statement carry, knowing a banner that spans an entire city building reads, "Witness," with James' picture. Don't forget, who is in charge of approving this type of marketing campaign frenzy? Yes, that again would be Gilbert.
His next, most ambitious claim asserts Cleveland will win an NBA Championship before LeBron triumphs in Miami. Well, Gilbert wants to sell tickets, so this statement can be viewed as a marketing ploy. Nevertheless, Mr. Gilbert, I wanted to know who on your roster now allows you to win a championship? James is gone, and your starting lineup is Mo Williams at point guard, Delonte West at shooting guard, Antawn Jamison at small forward, J.J. Hickson at power forward and Anderson Varejao at center. How will you win with this nucleus if your team didn't get the job done with the same unit coupled with the two-time reigning MVP? Boston and Orlando will not suddenly self-destruct at the heels of that Cavaliers' team.
To this point, the letter illustrates Gilbert as a hypocritical sore loser, but of course the team's majority owner is not finished. He proceeds to blame the failures of the entire franchise and, on a grander scale, of the entire city's championship drought on James. As if the Cleveland Indians's debacle in 1997 was caused by the presence of LeBron, and the entire city was stricken with a disease of failing because of James.
What I really do not understand is how LeBron James is a loser if he lead the Cavaliers to two consecutive 60 win seasons, and in the prior year, he single handedly dragged Cleveland to the NBA Finals in 2007. Remember, James his team's final 25 points to defeat the Detroit Pistons to advance from the Conference Finals. To this day, not a soul could characterize his performance as belonging to a loser.
Perhaps the best evidence against Gilbert's most radical statement is trading for Mo Williams and later Shaquille O'Neal. Both players were brought in to fix problems in previous playoff appearances. Williams was brought in to defend elite point guards, after Tony Parker torched Cleveland in the NBA Finals, and Shaq was obtained to defend Dwight Howard. Of course, Gilbert correctly assessed n 2008 that the Magic center was why the Cavaliers lost in six games. James, on the other hand, played terrificly throughout the entire playoffs. He was consistent, while his teammates faltered.
Watch out, new coach Byron Scott and current General Manager Chris Grant. Dan Gilbert is on the prowl.
-Daniel Radov
