By now you’ve all read Cavaliers Owner Dan Gilbert’s comments in the wake of LeBron James’ “decision.”
If you missed it, please read “Open Letter to Fans from Cavaliers Majority Owner Dan Gilbert.” It’s great stuff…in the sense that Shaquille O’Neal’s rap in which he asked Kobe Bryant “how does my d**k taste” was “great.”
In his letter, Gilbert promised Cleveland a championship. He promised the Cavs a title before the combo of D-Wade, LBJ, and Chris Bosh (who needs a good nickname like CB4) gets one. Having lost one of the most skilled players in NBA history without adding anyone, Gilbert to have lost something else (his mind).
Gilbert’s been fined by Commissioner David Stern for his negative comments about LeBron James. Reverend Jesse Jackson has vilified Gilbert. And, if Gilbert reacts this way to a big star leaving, I doubt his rant—including calling LeBron a “selfish, disloyal, and cursed narcissist”—made Cleveland an attractive destination for other marquee players.
As majority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, we should at least expect Gilbert to be knowledgeable about basketball, even if he proves to be less than tactful and just plain ignorant about how his letter could be construed. At least, he should know the game, right?
Apparently, Gilbert is as ignorant of tact as he is of basketball because, after losing LeBron James, he wrote (originally in CAPS):
“I personally guarantee that the Cleveland Cavaliers will win an NBA championship before the self-titled former ‘King’ wins one…you can take that to the bank.”
I’m not so sure that bank exists anymore—it’s probably been bought out by Chase or Micky Arison.
Seriously, though, let’s dissect this for a moment. Gilbert goes on to talk about how this has “motivated” him more than ever.
That’s great. I’m glad he’s motivated (now). Let’s not even get started on the lack of a quality cast James has had to deal with in his 7 seasons—Wallace, West, Gibson—that’s just too easy. If Gilbert was not motivated enough when he had James, it is probably too late now.
And, I like how Gilbert later qualified his statements as a rallying cry to his fans. That’s cool. I have no problem with an owner trying to rally his fan-base. But, that’s not how it came off, initially.
His comments in the letter demonstrated that Gilbert is completely oblivious to the reality of the NBA.
The reality is there is only so much great talent. There are only so many great players to go around. There are even fewer players who become the “face of the league,” like a Kobe Bryant or a LeBron James.
In James, the Cavs have lost one of the most marketable players in the league, although his brand has been recently diminished by his own lack-of-tact in dealing with his “decision.”
Not only have the Cavs lost the biggest free agent since Shaquille O’Neal left the Orlando Magic for the Lakers, but the Cavs did not get any of the top free agents in the league. Stoudemire, Boozer, Wade, Johnson, and Bosh—all went elsewhere.
The Cleveland Cavs have even been out-dueled in “Free Agency 2010” by the New Jersey Nets and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Really though, I could have listed every single team in the league. Obviously, no one did worse this off-season than the Cavs. That’s clear.
Are they thinking that the core of Mo Williams, Antawn Jamison, and Delonte West will be enough to challenge the Heat? I don’t know who’s selling that, but I’m not buying it.
So, why haven’t they done anything—I mean ANYTHING. Are they still in shock? Dan Gilbert and the Cavs have publically stated they want to move beyond the letter and beyond the blame game, so why haven’t they moved on?
When is Gilbert’s “motivation” going to produce something?
While I think it’s wonderful that Gilbert tried to turn a negative into a positive, but tell me Gilbert, how exactly are the Cavs going to win a title before the Heat?
Did the Cavs draft the next LBJ?
No.
Did they acquire a big name player?
No.
Have they done anything to improve their roster?
No, in fact, they are losing pieces left and right, but mainly southeast. James and Zydrunas Ilguaskas both left for Miami.
I wish Cleveland the best, but unless they draft a trio super-human basketball-playing aliens from Michael Jordan’s “Space Jam,” the Cavs won’t win any titles before James and the Heat.
R.S. De France is a College and University instructor of English Composition. He has a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Rhetoric, Composition, and Writing. One of his life-long pursuits has been writing and covering anything related to sports, specifically the NBA. Recently, De France, his wife, and another colleague started an internationally read magazine at Shwibly.com.
