LeBron James is HEATing Up!

July 9, 2010

I have this thing about legacies. When Michael Jordan won three back to back NBA titles, left the league to try his hand at baseball only to come back and win another three in a row, that was what one would call a storybook ending. However, after his last retirement from The Chicago Bulls, he came back and went to The Washington Wizards only to be considered mediocre. Sure he was and still is the greatest player to ever play the game of basketball but his career should have started and ended in Chicago.

These are the same feelings I had for LeBron James. I knew in my heart of hearts that he would not stay with Cleveland but quite honestly what more could he have given them. Known to most as the greatest player in today’s game, LeBron James has a choice to make and he made it. Albeit a media frenzy, it just proved the power that one 25 year old, well spoken man has. With that being said, Dan Gilbert (Owner of Cleveland Cavaliers) had no right to blast LeBron the way that he did. He had the nerve to call James the “Self Proclaimed King”. Really Dan? Here is his letter to the fans of Cleveland below:

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

OK, Dan must be recruiting the Chicago Bulls of old to come and play for Cleveland because if he thinks for one minute that The Cleveland Cavaliers, post LeBron James, will win an NBA title without him, he must be crazy! The James, Wade and Bosh collaboration is definitely a force to be reckoned with and they may definitely make it to the Eastern Conference Finals. However, if they don’t, was it all worth it?