Owner Dan Gilbert Speaks

[TheOUTLAW]

People don't understand that no matter what LeBron did, the Cavs were better with him than without. To say that they'd have willingly let him go because he was a selfish quitter is just wishful thinking of an apologist. If he truly sucked, nobody would have cared including the reactionary whiners in Miami.

[gflem]

If Lebron is half as bad as he is being made out to be (selfish, quitter, etc.) I would think Cleveland would have renounced their rights to him at the end of the season or traded him and at least be happy he is gone rather than the tirade that we are seeing from Gilbert. Something doesn't add up. I'll let you guess what's looking suspect.

Yeah, it took several months for him to come out and say what he should have said right after the season. He knew he was leaving, and held this team hostage, spit in the fans face with his "special", and has destroyed his image (everywhere except Miami) in the process.
I guess your reality and what actually happened are different. You will be widely accepted on the Miami board, go push you pov there, it really isnt appreciated here, we are moving on. Hopefully posters with an agenda like yours will move on too.

[tidho]

This isn't hard, and you'd expect journalists emloyed by the worldwide leader in sports would be smart enough to grasp this very concept.

Fact 1: Most of what Gilbert said about LeBron in undeniable.
Fact 2: Despite his faults LeBron is a huge money maker.

Aside from his lips being firmly attached to LeBron's arse, why can't a guy like Sheridan reconcile those two things? Gilbert is willing to put up with the b.s. because LeBron packs the house every night. That is such a central theme across the landscape of sports litered with 'me first' athletes that its almost insulting to pretend you don't understand it.

[heathmalc]

Russ Bengtson russbengtson

RT @notmikedunleavy: Dan Gilbert just sent a letter to AT&T calling his iPhone a "traitor" and a "spineless coward" for dropping his calls.

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Had to add this... it really is pretty funny.

[TonyMontana]

I'm sure he would have bought the Pistons had he been able to. I do know that his businesses are still based in Detroit. So, no I really don't see the irony that you are alluding to.

I agree, even though we have had our differences in the past, but you make a very good point. In fact Gilbert needs to be credited for taking a chance at a franchise that was really struggling and decided to invest his money his time on a city/team that really needed a facelift. All the money he invested on the upgrades of the arena, the training facility, but the same could be said about Lebron, he was the main ticket, he was the reason that franchise grew and that why the city of Cleveland was more Lebron love and responsibilty than Gilbert cause he was the hometown kid and he helped and put Cleveland Cavs back on the map.

I wonder if we were as big of apologists as Miami fans are shaping up to be.

[Damu]

Not a LeBron fan or Cleveland fan and I really hate Miami.....

all that said

Gilbert is in a position that he can't always say what he thinks. Not sure if any future free agents got a warm fuzzy about playing for him. And that is not a good thing for his team or city!!!!!

This is a business there hasn't been loyalty in sports for YEARS... so why expect it in this situation.

A leader rallies his troups and gets them ready to overcome any obstacle and and onward to the next battle.

Sham on Dan Gilbert for getting caught with his pants down and not having a plan B.... That's what the fans should be upset about...

[gflem]

The timing of the "decision", or at least the timing of the announcement left no room for a plan B. For the umpteenth time thats why we fans and Gilbert are/were so upset. A leader rallies his troops? Gilbert was rallying the fans with his statement, however over the top it was, it came from the same sense of frustration that we all felt.
He will have to deal with the fallout in regards to potential FA's, though it is debatable who's reputation took a bigger hit, I still think Gilberts money and passion should be able to overcome most players possible apprehensions about playing for him.

[Gordon Bombay]

can we start issuing bans for dumbness? we need an iq test to post on this board