Thread: LeBron James

And there you go, Miami Heat are going to be world beaters... unless there's a locker-room meltdown.

This was never off the radio, tv etc when i was over so i can't help mild curiosity, is he going to Miami then?

I don't like this move at all for LeBron, he basically becomes a souped up Scottie Pippen. Wade is the established star in the city and has already won a title being the best player on the team. Also, for all his talents, I don't see LeBron as the "closer" that Kobe and Wade are (although I think he's a better basketball player). They might win titles, although their supporting cast is basically non-existent, but I don't see there being enough shots to go around to satisfy all three players long-term.

Having said that, I think LeBron should have gone to Chicago. Deeper, younger, team that has a fantastic array of complementary pieces. A starting five of Rose, Deng, LeBron, Noah, and Boozer (on par with Bosh, who is overrated) and a decent bench is better than Chalmers, Wade, LeBron, Bosh, and Beasley with a bunch of rookie second rounders and journeymen playing for the league minimum.

Strong words!


Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert posted this letter on Cavs.com after LeBron James decided he was leaving for the Miami Heat.

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

Strong words!


Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert posted this letter on Cavs.com after LeBron James decided he was leaving for the Miami Heat.

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

Good on Dan Gilbert. Lebron probably just become Public Enemy No 1 in Cleveland. And it's not like the Cavs were that far off winning a championship. They had one of the best teams in the friggin league.

It's going to be interesting with the Heat. Really how much ball is there to go around. I look forward to their failure.

The Cavs will not win a championship before LeBron. Calling him a coward and insulting him for being disloyal/selfish takes it too far, players leave all the time in free agency and on the flip side, teams trade players all the time as well.

I have to say, I do like the gusto with which he responded. Unfortunately, the Cavs are going to be pretty terrible next year. They don't have enough cap room to make a run at Carmelo next year and they don't have a true scorer on their roster (Mo Williams doesn't count).

I'm all for Gilbert's statement just because this whole free agency period was a fucking embarassment to the league, what with potential "summits" between James, Wade and Bosh (Fuck Bosh!) and the like. Great we get you want to sign with other team, hey it's your right as a free agent but fucking have an hour long special on ESPN (I'm sure they enjoyed the ratings) to announce your decision, you've got to be kidding me.

And you right jquinn the Cavs are fucked for the foreseeable future. But then that's what you get when you try to win now amd bring in the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Antawn Jamison, Jamario Moon and Anthony Parker and not get past round 2 of the playoffs.

How much do basketball players get paid or signed for for other teams is it like the same money as footballers over here or more?

They make more on average Batch. Very mediocre players can make $10 million/year.

LeBron was a bit of a shithead during this fiasco, but I don't think his mind was made up until the last week or so. I don't begrudge him the move to Miami but you're right, he should have handled it with more tact.