Dan Gilbert’s open letter is the talk of the NBA right now. Dan Gilbert’s open letter was a letter to Cavaliers fans, letting them know exactly how he felt about LeBron James choosing to go to another team this offseason. In Dan Gilbert’s open letter to Cavs fans, he didn’t pull any punches, and even went as far as stating that James quit on the team in both the 2009 and 2010 NBA Playoffs. Instead of coming off as one of the “Cleveland faithful” this letter portrays him as a spoiled child that wasn’t allowed to play with his favorite toy.
In Dan Gilbert’s open letter (linked here), he even went as far as stating, “I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE”
Yes, he posted that message in all capital letters, trying to hammer home his point. It turns out that Dan Gilbert only feels that LeBron James is his hero if he is playing for the Cavaliers, and that if he decides to go work for a new employer, he is out of the Gilbert family. This is the same “family” that traded away Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Drew Gooden, Donyell Marshall, Joe Smith, and Damon Jones. All players that wanted to stay in Cleveland as part of the “family”, but were uprooted by the business end of the current ownership. Now that a player has decided to leave Cleveland on his own accord, apparently Dan Gilbert feels it’s time to rail on him.
Maybe someone should ask coach Mike Brown how he feels about the Cleveland “family” that just fired him for leading the Cavs to two straight 60+ win seasons. If Gilbert really feels that the only reason the Cavs lost in the NBA Playoffs is because LeBron quit (his words), then why not keep Mike Brown in town? 314-177 over five seasons isn’t good enough for this family?
Dan Gilbert, Cleveland fans, and the Cleveland Cavaliers have every right to be frustrated that LeBron James didn’t want to play in Cleveland anymore, but come on now. Are Ohio State University graduates that grew up in the state now required to get jobs in Ohio? That makes about as much sense as accusing a professional athlete of being selfish when he leaves town for less money.
Full Dan Gilbert Open Letter (on page two)
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
