Dan Gilbert's message to Cleveland Cavaliers Fans

A Letter From Cavaliers Majority Owner Dan Gilbert

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

http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_100708.html

My thoughts: Wow. :shock: I give him a lot of credit for calling out Lebron like that. The only other owner I'd see doing this is Mark Cuban.

My thoughts: he's really butthurt (and drunk)

My thoughts: he's really butthurt (and drunk)

Boston_Boyy

Duh. :P

My thoughts: he's really butthurt (and drunk)

Boston_Boyy

I just saw that on ESPN. I don't think I've ever seen anything like that coming from an owner before. Guaranteeing a necessary victory ala Mark Messier is one thing, but to guarantee a championship? I know he's really emotional over all of this, but damn lol.

Cleveland = Lottery team

Sorry Dan its over.

PS - Best player on the Cavs is now Mo Williams.............let that sink in.

I am very curious as to how he plans to go about doing just that with a team full of nothing? Who are you going to add?

I guess you could get Steve Nash or Chris Paul for a guard, Rudy Gay/Durrant/Johnson for 2 of the three other spots, and get Dirk with some other player down low.

Here is my advice work quickly because there isn't much time left.

Wow this is gonna be ugly for a while. Everybody thought that first game between kobe and shaq after shaq left was a big deal wait til this. I'd be willing to bet just about everything i own that one of the Christmas day games will be Miami AT cleveland.

I do agree with Gilbert that this whole ordeal was just ridiculous in the first place. Just make your decision talk to the teams and make a statement. Kevin Durant signed a 5 year extension and just announced on twitter like it was no big deal. Lebron was speaking in 3rd person during the interview. he was really feelin himself through this whole process and i definitely agree with Gilbert that it was a very narsasistic and arrogant act, but it is what it is.

However, the thought that Clv will win a title before lebron is downright laughable considering no team from cleveland, let alone the cavs, ever wins anything.

I am very curious as to how he plans to go about doing just that with a team full of nothing? Who are you going to add?

I guess you could get Steve Nash or Chris Paul for a guard, Rudy Gay/Durrant/Johnson for 2 of the three other spots, and get Dirk with some other player down low.

Here is my advice work quickly because there isn't much time left.

Sonwhy

[QUOTE="Sonwhy"]

I am very curious as to how he plans to go about doing just that with a team full of nothing? Who are you going to add?

I guess you could get Steve Nash or Chris Paul for a guard, Rudy Gay/Durrant/Johnson for 2 of the three other spots, and get Dirk with some other player down low.

Here is my advice work quickly because there isn't much time left.

sixringz1

Well I'm not the one making promises to millions of people either. My advice is don't promise something that you can't guarantee or most likely won't bring to the table.

He really believes he will win one before lebron? HA! You have 1 to 2 years buddy.MoonMarvel

People say some crazy things when they're overcome with emotion.

No wonder he didn't contact the president of the Cavs.

lol dan's great...

I look forward to see The Heat play at Cleveland next season. This is gonna be more entertaining then seeing Farve as a Viking at Lanbaugh.

I look forward to see The Heat play at Cleveland next season. This is gonna be more entertaining then seing Farve as a Viking at Lanbaugh.

Seabas989

The Heat coming to MSG to play the Knicks is going to be interesting too. Lebron will most likely get the Reggie Miller treatment. :lol:

[QUOTE="Seabas989"]

I look forward to see The Heat play at Cleveland next season. This is gonna be more entertaining then seing Farve as a Viking at Lanbaugh.

SaintBlaze

The Heat coming to MSG to play the Knicks is going to be interesting too. Lebron will most likely get the Reggie Miller treatment. :lol:

Oh I can imagine what Spike Lee would do during those games. :lol:

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

What a weak fool, it's no wonder LeBron is leaving a franchise where he's the head man

NOW He's going to try the hardest he can to win a championship?

Maybe if he had that kind of drive BEFORE this he'd still have LeBron

Maybe if he was wasn't so concerned with the bottom line and building a team for the regular season that caved in the playoffs he'd still have LeBron

This man made his money off LeBron and is upset that his gravy train has run out and now he's gone to the great lengths to put on one of the most embarrassing and hilarious tirades I've ever heard.

The Cavs have absolutely no chance in winning the championship without LeBron simple as that

Well Dan was probably just emotional about all this and was spouting off, but Lebron being a mediawhore he is had to do it on national tv, dumping his hometown team. Its just ridiculous, what happened to loyalty, Jordan should have bolted Chicago, but he built a legacy from ground up. A championship in Cleveland would have solidified Lebron, basically a crappy city that has never won anything, perfect scenario, so he gives up basically, and bolts to a city featuring Wade and Bosh.

BTW welcome to the lottery Cavs, time to rebuild from scratch.

Well Dan was probably just emotional about all this and was spouting off, but Lebron being a mediawhore he is had to do it on national tv, dumping his hometown team. Its just ridiculous, what happened to loyalty, Jordan should have bolted Chicago, but he built a legacy from ground up. A championship in Cleveland would have solidified Lebron, basically a crappy city that has never won anything, perfect scenario, so he gives up basically, and bolts to a city featuring Wade and Bosh.

deniiiii21

The man running things can't even hold his emotions together when things go bad and built a crappy team around LeBron

The man says he didn't try as hard as he could have building a team

You think LeBron should be tied to HIM for the rest of his career? lol

Obviously Dan Gilbert doesn't understand the NBA, free agency, or what it takes to build a championship team, which is why Cleveland will never win a title as long as he's the owner.

[QUOTE="Boston_Boyy"]

My thoughts: he's really butthurt (and drunk)

kfjl

"We are dissipointed in Lebron's decision, but we have full confidence in our current roster, and will continue to chase the dreams of an NBA title."

type of guy.

:lol: what an idiot. All that letter does is make him sound like a whiny immature kid that didn't get his way.

So because Lebron grew up there and started his career there he MUST stay or it's considered selfish abandoment?.....oooook :roll:

Just a wee bit of an overreaction there.

Emotional letter. He said some pretty crazy things, but I agree with most of what he said and like the passion. LeBron didn't handle the situation right at all. I was hoping he would cry when they showed his jersey getting burned, but he was able to hold back. What a clown.

:lol: love it, didn't they create the whole "witness" thing? X360PS3AMD05

The Cavs have absolutely no chance in winning the championship without LeBron simple as that

JordanizPro

Yea but they were in no position to win a title with LeBron

LeBron is soft, he quit on the Cavs in the playoffs and no matter how much talent he has, any player who quits on a team, no matter the situation (Bosh quit on TOR too) i'd never, and i said never want them on my team again

People act like Bosh, James, Wade and,...Mike Miller? Are destined to win NBA titles from now on. News flash, what happened when the Lakers put Karl Malone, Payton, around Shaq, Kobe? The Detroit Pistons happened. Ben Wallace, Billups, Rip and a bunch of hard working nobodies happened, and I can't wait to see a team do to this Miami team what the Pistons did to the Lakers that year. The Lakers tried to buy another title, and it didn't work.

LeBron's best chance for a title was in Cleveland, the team that traded everything and was constantly trying to get pieces for a championship. It isn't their fault they didn't win it. Its James's fault.

Why is it his fault? He isn't Kobe, MJ, Duncan, or Shaq. He can't put a team on his shoulders and bring them over the top, heck he isn't even KG. Even J-Kidd carried a mediocre Nets team to two NBA Finals where they fought hard as possible.

The Cavs had some real talent, they shouldn't have lost to the Magic last year, nor the Celts this year. Mike Brown did his best, and the role players did their best even if it wasn't very good, but ultimately (and just like Bosh doesn't do this either) LBJ didn't make his team better. (Lets see Chalmers turn into Rajon Rondo if these three are such franchise players)

When LBJ puts out 20pts, 20rbs, 10blks, 10ats in an NBA Finals Victory game like Tim Duncan did, then i'll take these comments back, but Cleveland gave the keys to their team, their city's economy, and also did everything in their power to win a title, and LBJ walked out to fufill his ego and play with his friends.

You guys realise that Mo Williams, Gibson, Big Z, Antwan Jamison,Varejao, are much more talented than the bums the Heat will be forced to sign now that all they can afford is Bosh, Wade, LBJ, and Miller? Oh yea, Chalmers.

They need to restructure the cap, and prevent big things like this from happening, the cap needs to go down a good 10-15 million dollars, and the home team needs an even bigger advantage. Durant made the right choice, he's building something in OKC. I can understand if you're entering the twilight of your career like KG and getting traded to win a title, but crushing the hearts of your hometown on live TV? Thats low

LBJ's legacy is forever tarnished, and no number of championships will repair that.

At least when this Miami deal doesn't work out LBJ will do old Barkley a favor and force Charles to be the 2nd greatest player to never win a title

Czar Stern will punish this man. He will not tolerate such insolence!

First of all, he sounds so unprofessional. Secondly, he sounds more like the jilted ex-girlfriend who's trying to take a stab at the one who got away by rallying his girlfriends (Cleveland). He's a fool, and moreso, Cleveland is a fool if they believe they'll win a championship without any superstars. There's a reason why stars don't go there and Gilbert is just showing his true colors and why stars don't want any part of Cleveland.

[QUOTE="JordanizPro"]

The Cavs have absolutely no chance in winning the championship without LeBron simple as that

Yea but they were in no position to win a title with LeBron

LeBron is soft, he quit on the Cavs in the playoffs and no matter how much talent he has, any player who quits on a team, no matter the situation (Bosh quit on TOR too) i'd never, and i said never want them on my team again

People act like Bosh, James, Wade and,...Mike Miller? Are destined to win NBA titles from now on. News flash, what happened when the Lakers put Karl Malone, Payton, around Shaq, Kobe? The Detroit Pistons happened. Ben Wallace, Billups, Rip and a bunch of hard working nobodies happened, and I can't wait to see a team do to this Miami team what the Pistons did to the Lakers that year. The Lakers tried to buy another title, and it didn't work.

LeBron's best chance for a title was in Cleveland, the team that traded everything and was constantly trying to get pieces for a championship. It isn't their fault they didn't win it. Its James's fault.

Why is it his fault? He isn't Kobe, MJ, Duncan, or Shaq. He can't put a team on his shoulders and bring them over the top, heck he isn't even KG. Even J-Kidd carried a mediocre Nets team to two NBA Finals where they fought hard as possible.

The Cavs had some real talent, they shouldn't have lost to the Magic last year, nor the Celts this year. Mike Brown did his best, and the role players did their best even if it wasn't very good, but ultimately (and just like Bosh doesn't do this either) LBJ didn't make his team better. (Lets see Chalmers turn into Rajon Rondo if these three are such franchise players)

When LBJ puts out 20pts, 20rbs, 10blks, 10ats in an NBA Finals Victory game like Tim Duncan did, then i'll take these comments back, but Cleveland gave the keys to their team, their city's economy, and also did everything in their power to win a title, and LBJ walked out to fufill his ego and play with his friends.

You guys realise that Mo Williams, Gibson, Big Z, Antwan Jamison,Varejao, are much more talented than the bums the Heat will be forced to sign now that all they can afford is Bosh, Wade, LBJ, and Miller? Oh yea, Chalmers.

They need to restructure the cap, and prevent big things like this from happening, the cap needs to go down a good 10-15 million dollars, and the home team needs an even bigger advantage. Durant made the right choice, he's building something in OKC. I can understand if you're entering the twilight of your career like KG and getting traded to win a title, but crushing the hearts of your hometown on live TV? Thats low

LBJ's legacy is forever tarnished, and no number of championships will repair that.

At least when this Miami deal doesn't work out LBJ will do old Barkley a favor and force Charles to be the 2nd greatest player to never win a title

I feel bad for Gilbert and Cleveland. I understand his sentiments, but to GUARANTEE a championship before Miami? Not smart. Hey, it could happen. Anything can happen, but that's just dumb. I can totally see the Heat failing though because of a lack of role players.

I feel bad for Gilbert and Cleveland. I understand his sentiments, but to GUARANTEE a championship before Miami? Not smart. Hey, it could happen. Anything can happen, but that's just dumb. I can totally see the Heat failing though because of a lack of role players.

yokofox33

How you gonna count them down all ready? Funny how when heat get lebron the haters follow, nobody even gave heat a double-take when they acquired bosh. If the final roster ends up looking like a joke with the guys around, them then ok feel free totalk crapbut right now they have about 5 or 6 guys on the team.

[QUOTE="yokofox33"]

I feel bad for Gilbert and Cleveland. I understand his sentiments, but to GUARANTEE a championship before Miami? Not smart. Hey, it could happen. Anything can happen, but that's just dumb. I can totally see the Heat failing though because of a lack of role players.

Jagged3dge

How you gonna count them down all ready? Funny how when heat get lebron the haters follow, nobody even gave heat a double-take when they acquired bosh. If the final roster ends up looking like a joke with the guys around, them then ok feel free totalk crapbut right now they have about 5 or 6 guys on the team.

Hey, I'm a Heat fan. I grew up in South Florida, and my permanent home is in South Florida. The Heat have the Big 3, Miller, Chalmers, and 2 rookies. They still need to sign at least SIX players. All of them to minimum contracts. I have my doubts. Of course I want them to win a championship, but I don't like to talk smack. I just don't see them winning this year is all. I hope I'm wrong, and I hope you can shove it my face in 10 months' time.

[QUOTE="Jagged3dge"]

[QUOTE="yokofox33"]

I feel bad for Gilbert and Cleveland. I understand his sentiments, but to GUARANTEE a championship before Miami? Not smart. Hey, it could happen. Anything can happen, but that's just dumb. I can totally see the Heat failing though because of a lack of role players.

yokofox33

How you gonna count them down all ready? Funny how when heat get lebron the haters follow, nobody even gave heat a double-take when they acquired bosh. If the final roster ends up looking like a joke with the guys around, them then ok feel free totalk crapbut right now they have about 5 or 6 guys on the team.

Hey, I'm a Heat fan. I grew up in South Florida, and my permanent home is in South Florida. The Heat have the Big 3, Miller, Chalmers, and 2 rookies. They still need to sign at least SIX players. All of them to minimum contracts. I have my doubts. Of course I want them to win a championship, but I don't like to talk smack. I just don't see them winning this year is all. I hope I'm wrong, and I hope you can shove it my face in 10 months' time.

Oh, thought you were talking ish. I was born and raised in Miami myself. Gotta defend miami from haters and banwagoners...smh...But like I said if the final roster is 45 year old guys and the team truely has to turn into a 3 man show then okay but give Pat some credit that he can pick up some guys with a dream.

And I definately think players will be coming down here determined to win and taking a salary cut, like players wanted to go to the Celtics so badly to win.

^ I understand. If the reports are true then we have a legitimate 3-point threat in Mike Miller. That puts us one step closer to the prize. We'd still need a solid center (even Joel Anthony would suffice) and at least 2 more solid bench guys though. If that happens then I'd consider us legit contenders.

I'm sad to see Haslem leave though. He's one of the most underrated players in the league. I hope he cashes in somewhere and helps a team become competitive.

^Where did Haslem end up? He gave 100% every night and actually grew up in Miami. Its thoughs kind of players that we need now. We need players that can hitopen shots cause there gonna get a lot of em.

^Where did Haslem end up? He gave 100% every night and actually grew up in Miami. Its thoughs kind of players that we need now. We need players that can hitopen shots cause there gonna get a lot of em.

Jagged3dge

He hasn't signed anywhere yet, but the Heat have no means of keeping him. The only way he stays is if he becomes the most unselfish player in the league and signs for the minimum. He deserves more than that though, and he won't sign for the minimum.

[QUOTE="Jagged3dge"]

^Where did Haslem end up? He gave 100% every night and actually grew up in Miami. Its thoughs kind of players that we need now. We need players that can hitopen shots cause there gonna get a lot of em.

yokofox33

He hasn't signed anywhere yet, but the Heat have no means of keeping him. The only way he stays is if he becomes the most unselfish player in the league and signs for the minimum. He deserves more than that though, and he won't sign for the minimum.

Yeah I never said he was staying...

:lol: what an idiot. All that letter does is make him sound like a whiny immature kid that didn't get his way.

So because Lebron grew up there and started his career there he MUST stay or it's considered selfish abandoment?.....oooook :roll:

wildcat2000

yeah, but he really didn't need to go on national television and spit in our faces. all he had to do was make a statement through his publicist that he wanted to join the heat. there would not be near this much backlash if he would have done that.

obviously this situation was not handled in the best way by Lebron making somewhat of a spectacle of it.

But Lebron had a right to leave, he was a free agent. Maybe if the management team in Cleveland was doing things similar to Miami and have few contracts for this year they could have been in a similar situation, but no they were handcuffed by having players under contracts and having a large portion of cap space devoted to them.

Be grateful for what the guy did for you for 7 years, he made the team relevant again, but never seemed to have much of a supporting cast and they obviously never won that championship. and for him to expect a championship before the Heat is ridiculous, an accomplishment for this team now would to just make the playoffs as I believe them to now be a lottery team for the next couple years.

Just bad on everyones part

Everyone pulled out dance moves I've never seen before when he said south beach..I was expecting him to say Miami Heat lol it took a sec to hit.