Olive branch from Miami
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 2:28 pm
Dear Cleveland Fans:
It is with mixed feelings that I write this letter to you, because as happy as I am about our new team, I, along with every single Heat fan that I know, feels terrible that it came at your expense. Our city has gone through its share of losses in sports and has a long history of admiration and respect for Cleveland and the state of Ohio. You gave us Bernie Kosar and Don Shula to name a couple of our favorites, and the values that were instilled in them say a great deal about the work ethic and determination of the people of your area. In 1974, after winning two straight super bowls, the new World Football League signed off three of our top Dolphin starts in Zonk, Jim K and someone you are familiar with, Paul Warfield which ended our Super Bowl wins till this day. After winning our first World Series, our owner upset because a new stadium vote was not approved, totally dismanted our team and we never had an opportunity to defend our title. At UM, after every national championship, our Head Coaches always leave for the green pastures of the NFL. Each and every time, we were upset and hurt; yet in time, we were able to come back with new coaches and players, and the pain of the past was replaced by cheers and success. Same will happen with the Cavs. I can honestly tell you that all of us are going to be rooting for two NBA teams this year, the Heat and the Cavs.
As for Lebron, I agree that he did not handle this the best way, and that he should have made a decision on staying or leaving earlier in the process, and let your owner and the fan base know that he had decided to move on. Once that decision was made and announced, the focus would have turned to which new team would be the one he would pick and the lag time between both announcements would have been wise for all involved. His decision to air the special of his announcement obviously is one of the worst marketing decisions of all time. Clearly, Lebron needs to revisit the people that he has around him because they are not doing him justice.
Lastly, about the letter your owner wrote. While I can understand that he acted in the Heat of the moment, a person of that standing should have enough common sense and self control to not write something of that type. First off, to put a curse of Miami for simply signing a free agent as per the NBA guidelines….I guess if NY, Chicago, LA, or NJ would have signed Lebron, the curse would be on them. To take such a personal shot at a player is not only self serving as he is obviously trying to divert attention from his own failure to someone else which playing on the fan’s emotions as much as Lebron himself is accused of doing. He is also a hypocrite by calling Lebron disloyal because on a few weeks earlier he had fired your HC, who had simply won coach of the year a season ago, and let go of your well respected GM……nice way to show loyalty and values. Obviously, while he may have scored some short term local PR through his letter (same as when someone urges on a lynch mob so that the mob does not come after you), I would venture to say that players are going to think twice about playing for him and might have to overpay. As much money as Lebron made from the NBA, your owner has made many times more, and it’s a shame that better decisions were not made as far as player acquisition and roster management. Just like the Heat put all of their eggs into signing 3 top FA this offseason, he put all of his eggs into winning the title this past season with a roster that was not title quality except for one player. Everyone out side of Cleveland knew that if your team did not win a title this season, that Lebron would leave. The way Lebron was booed in his last game sealed it as far as what the outside world through, as was evidenced by all of the other’s teams dropping salaries to try to get into position to sign him. Frankly, most of the outside world could not believe how your fan base at that game acted given how much Lebron meant to your team and area, but obviously, the fans inside your arena may not be a true representation of the entire fan base. Just like Lebron has to be accountable for his decision and the consequences they bring, an owner and a fan base have to act the same way and understand the role that different issues play in the mind of a 25 year old.
In conclusion, I have no doubt that Cleveland will come out stronger out of this because of the values that exist within your community, and we will be rooting for the Cavs to have a great season and to show that a team is greater than an individual. Hopefully, the shirt burning and insults of some, will be drowned out by the great people who show class and understanding. Hopefully, one day you can have an owner worthy of your great city. Go Cavs!!!!
It is with mixed feelings that I write this letter to you, because as happy as I am about our new team, I, along with every single Heat fan that I know, feels terrible that it came at your expense. Our city has gone through its share of losses in sports and has a long history of admiration and respect for Cleveland and the state of Ohio. You gave us Bernie Kosar and Don Shula to name a couple of our favorites, and the values that were instilled in them say a great deal about the work ethic and determination of the people of your area. In 1974, after winning two straight super bowls, the new World Football League signed off three of our top Dolphin starts in Zonk, Jim K and someone you are familiar with, Paul Warfield which ended our Super Bowl wins till this day. After winning our first World Series, our owner upset because a new stadium vote was not approved, totally dismanted our team and we never had an opportunity to defend our title. At UM, after every national championship, our Head Coaches always leave for the green pastures of the NFL. Each and every time, we were upset and hurt; yet in time, we were able to come back with new coaches and players, and the pain of the past was replaced by cheers and success. Same will happen with the Cavs. I can honestly tell you that all of us are going to be rooting for two NBA teams this year, the Heat and the Cavs.
As for Lebron, I agree that he did not handle this the best way, and that he should have made a decision on staying or leaving earlier in the process, and let your owner and the fan base know that he had decided to move on. Once that decision was made and announced, the focus would have turned to which new team would be the one he would pick and the lag time between both announcements would have been wise for all involved. His decision to air the special of his announcement obviously is one of the worst marketing decisions of all time. Clearly, Lebron needs to revisit the people that he has around him because they are not doing him justice.
Lastly, about the letter your owner wrote. While I can understand that he acted in the Heat of the moment, a person of that standing should have enough common sense and self control to not write something of that type. First off, to put a curse of Miami for simply signing a free agent as per the NBA guidelines….I guess if NY, Chicago, LA, or NJ would have signed Lebron, the curse would be on them. To take such a personal shot at a player is not only self serving as he is obviously trying to divert attention from his own failure to someone else which playing on the fan’s emotions as much as Lebron himself is accused of doing. He is also a hypocrite by calling Lebron disloyal because on a few weeks earlier he had fired your HC, who had simply won coach of the year a season ago, and let go of your well respected GM……nice way to show loyalty and values. Obviously, while he may have scored some short term local PR through his letter (same as when someone urges on a lynch mob so that the mob does not come after you), I would venture to say that players are going to think twice about playing for him and might have to overpay. As much money as Lebron made from the NBA, your owner has made many times more, and it’s a shame that better decisions were not made as far as player acquisition and roster management. Just like the Heat put all of their eggs into signing 3 top FA this offseason, he put all of his eggs into winning the title this past season with a roster that was not title quality except for one player. Everyone out side of Cleveland knew that if your team did not win a title this season, that Lebron would leave. The way Lebron was booed in his last game sealed it as far as what the outside world through, as was evidenced by all of the other’s teams dropping salaries to try to get into position to sign him. Frankly, most of the outside world could not believe how your fan base at that game acted given how much Lebron meant to your team and area, but obviously, the fans inside your arena may not be a true representation of the entire fan base. Just like Lebron has to be accountable for his decision and the consequences they bring, an owner and a fan base have to act the same way and understand the role that different issues play in the mind of a 25 year old.
In conclusion, I have no doubt that Cleveland will come out stronger out of this because of the values that exist within your community, and we will be rooting for the Cavs to have a great season and to show that a team is greater than an individual. Hopefully, the shirt burning and insults of some, will be drowned out by the great people who show class and understanding. Hopefully, one day you can have an owner worthy of your great city. Go Cavs!!!!