Cleveland Cavaliers owner's statement......daaannnggg

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.

Jus****ch.

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

"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...."


Sounds like this guy has been watching too much of that movie "The Color Purple" lately.

...I have to agree with you Double!!!  ...(but he may be crazy like a fox...)

 Doug, I was watching the news this morning and have come to the conclusion that these people are crazy.  Seriously.  They have lost their minds. 

It's a SPORT.   It's a GAME for goodness sake!

When did it become a crime to accept a job offer? 

Sheesh...

...Sue...

I even heard news of some fans "burning" pictures of LBJ...

(i personally thought he should have stayed...but sometimes folks make business decisions...)

Yeah, and they were burning his jerseys too.    If I were him though, I definitely wouldn't be worried about it. 

When all is said and done, it's just a job.  Lebron wasn't married to that team.  He gave Cleveland some good years and now he's moving on to a situation that he feels like is better for him.  You can't live your life trying to please other people. 

I ain't mad at him... 

 @ When did it become a crime to accept a job offer? 

My take on this...so many times the media talk about athletes who are greedy by taking the bigger deals and when an athlete takes less, this is the treatment he/she gets...come on people...he wants a ring because it signifies you are "legit."  There are so many athletes who are oustanding and never got a ring and but remained loyal for a long time and/or then switched teams to try to get a ring...to name a few...Gary Payton, Karl Malone, Charles Barkley.  For me, yes I wish he would have stayed because the city of Cleveland and the state of Ohio will really feel the economic impact of LeBron's decision.  I have always been a LeBron fan so I will follow him wherever he may go, so in my Will Smith voice...I'm going to MIAMI!!!

Wow I heard that this morning too on the radio....Dan Gilbert sounds a bit bitter to say the least

bitter to say the least nana.  (i'm sure he feels his cash cow has left the building...)

You know, this so reminds me of when Dave Chapelle left Comedy Central because he didn't want to relinquish control of his show.  They tried to say he was crazy...