Washington Wizards Vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 4/13/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Cleveland Cavaliers Vs. Detroit Pistons 4/11/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Ryan Hollins & Charlie Villanueva Get Into Confrontation At The Palace

By: Stephen Patterson

Cleveland Cavaliers Vs. Milwaukee Bucks 4/09/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Chicago Bulls Vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 4/8/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Cleveland Cavaliers Vs.Toronto Raptors 4/6/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Charlotte Bobcats Vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 4/5/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Cleveland Cavaliers Vs. New York Knicks 4/3/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Cleveland Cavaliers Vs. Washington Wizards 4/1/11 (Hightlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Cleveland Cavaliers Vs. Charlotte Bobcats 3/30/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Miami Heat Vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 3/29/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Alonzo Gee Slams Home Sick Alley-Oop Against Miami Heat (Video)

By: Stephen Patterson

Congrats to the Cleveland Cavaliers for shocking the Miami Heat 102-90 tonight in Cleveland in LeBron's second game in his old home.

More highlights from the game will be posted later tonight so be sure to check back.

BONUS UPDATES:

LeBron James nails a three-quarter court shot to end the third quarter, however, the referees waved it off because he let it go just a moment too late.

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra talks to media after his team gets stunned by the Cavs 102-90:

Cleveland Cavaliers: Why They Will Be NBA's Worst Team for Years to Come

By: Stephen Patterson

While most people in Cleveland seemed thrilled Dan Gilbert and GM Chris Grant found a way to land a "star" player at the trade deadline, I'm not sure they should be as excited as they seem.

The Clippers sent an unprotected first round pick in this year's draft with Baron Davis for a reason, and it wasn't because Mo Williams is a downgrade for them.

Before getting the chance to feed passes to Blake Griffin this season, Davis had basically been useless to the Clippers over the previous two years, and considering he was playing for Donald Sterling's team, I don't really blame him.

The fact that he is going from playing with Griffin to playing for the league's worst team will probably bring back out the old Davis we saw during his first two seasons with Los Angeles, which isn't good for a young Cavs squad.

After this summer, Dan Gilbert has to be the NBA's second most hated owner behind Sterling amongst the players, so the change in who is signing his paychecks won't be cheering up Davis anytime soon.

Even though head coach Byron Scott is saying he and Davis have healed their past differences from their time together in New Orleans, do you really think he would admit they actually hate each other to the media if they in fact did?

The Cavaliers are destined to have the worst record in the NBA this season even with Davis, and I'm pretty sure he knows that too, meaning his effort for the rest of the season is going to be somewhere being non-existent and barely showing a pulse.

J.J. Hickson is really the only quality player the Cavaliers can build around, but I can promise you he will be out the door the first chance he gets after the way he saw Gilbert treat LeBron James in the media over the summer after his departure.

Hickson knows first hand that management can't land the right players in trades, as seen by the fact the team couldn't appease LeBron James during seven years worth of chances, and after Davis' acquisition, they obviously still aren't getting better at finding the right people.

Antawn Jamison and Ramon Sessions, the second and third best players on the current roster, will likely be traded during the offseason after enduring this train wreck of a season in Cleveland.

Anthony Parker, who is an unrestricted free agent, will almost certainly be out the door unless Gilbert obscenely overpays him to stick around.

Even the fact that they own multiple draft picks in the first round of this year's draft, including more than likely the first overall, probably won't help the Cavaliers anytime in the near future as this year's draft class is considered weak by many.

Chad Ford of ESPN has reported that the Cavaliers might be targeting Duke's Kyrie Irving if they land the first overall pick as they are projected to do.

The pick they received from the Clippers, which will likely be somewhere within the first ten picks, could land them with any number of players considering they could use improvements at every position.

However, I expect they will target a small forward if they go with Irving first overall, meaning there are several choices that are considered top 10 talents in this year's class.

Perry Jones (Baylor), Harrison Barnes (UNC), Terrence Jones (Kentucky) and Kawhi Leonard (SDSU) could all be available depending on where the pick ends up, but none of those players are ready to be major contributors to an NBA team immediately except maybe Perry Jones.

Jones will likely be off the board for their second pick, however, unless they receive some extremely good luck and land two pick in the first three or four through the lottery.

Add in the fact that there won't be any All-Star free agents touring Cleveland anytime soon during the summer, and it may be a while before any significant help is on the way for the Cavs.

Unless Gilbert finds a way to swing a major trade either this summer or before next season's trade deadline that lands a bonafide star back in Cleveland to fill James' shoes, the Cavaliers could very well finish next season with the NBA's worst record as well as this one.

It was only seven short months ago that Gilbert was ranting and raving about how the Cavaliers would be NBA champions before the Miami Heat could win a title; however, it seems like decades ago now.

With the way teams are getting stacked up in the East, Gilbert will be thankful if his team even achieves a seventh seed and a first round playoff in a season during the next five years or so.

Miami, Chicago, New York, Boston, Orlando and Atlanta are all likely to remain near the top of the standings in the Eastern conference for a while to come, meaning Cleveland can get used to being near the bottom for just as long.

NBA Games To Watch

By: Stephen Patterson

Oct. 26 - Miami @ Boston: This game is one of the most anticipated openers in recent memory and will certainly have a lot of attention surrounding it. It will be will be the first game that the new "Miami Thrice" will play together since signing LeBron James and Chris Bosh to play alongside Dwyane Wade, who re-signed with the team. 

The Heat have done an excellent job of surrounding their version of the "Big Three", adding players such as Mike Miller, Juwan Howard, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and Eddie House to play along with them. Many experts think this team has the potential to be very special, but opinions widely vary on whether or not they will begin that greatness this season. While I'm not sure I'd agree with Jeff Van Gundy that they will bring the NBA records of 72 wins in a season and a 33 game win streak, I can see where he is coming from. This team will be great this season, and they will look to display that in the opener.

While their acquisitions this offseason may not have been as big a splash as signing LeBron or Bosh, the Celtics have had one of the best overall offseasons of any team in the NBA. While they made the expected moves of re-signing Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, the team also went out and signed a pair of former All-Star O'Neals, Jermaine and Shaquille. Both additions will no doubt help bolster their backcourt during the postseason, but it will also help soften the blow of Kendrick Perkin's knee injury, which will keep him out possibly until around the All-Star break, and the somewhat sudden retirement of Rasheed Wallace.

Expect these two teams to look to establish a dominance of the Eastern Conference right out of the gates with an excellent game.

Oct. 29 - Orlando @ Miami: This will be the Heat's first home game since landing their new superstar Big Three, and it will also be the first game of the the newly rekindled instate rivalry. 

Orlando hasn't really made any major moves this offseason, but they also didn't downgrade much with the exception of Matt Barnes leaving to join the Los Angeles Lakers. Dwight Howard and Stan Van Gundy are already tired of all of the hype surrounding the Heat, so expect them to play an extremely hard fought game in Miami. While Orlando has had a strong hold on the division over the past three seasons, they will have a hard time keeping the streak of dominance alive this season. 

Look for this to be a very toughly contested match-up with a lot of fouls. The crowd will be fired up seeing LeBron in a Heat uniform for the first team, therefore I expect the Heat to narrowly pull out the victory here to appease the support of their fans.

Dec. 2 - Miami @ Cleveland: This will be the first time LeBron James returns to his native state of Ohio to play his former team since leaving for the Miami Heat last month. You can definitely expect the crowd to be fired up for this game, and barring some kind of miracle gesture by LeBron towards the city, a lot of angry people to be there. 

Formers fans of James literally went to the streets in anger when he made his infamous "Decision", and burned merchandise of their former hero. Dan Gilbert sent out one of the most incendiary letters in professional sports history to fans, completely trashing his former cash cow. While I can understand while fans and Gilbert were hurt by how LeBron handled his situation, he did what was best for him and his family. No one can fault him for that. And while Gilbert guaranteed a title before the Heat in his letter, he has done very little to add pieces to accomplish that. If you couldn't win with LeBron seven times, do you really think Ramon Sessions is going to change your fortunes? Good luck.

I expect this game to be a blowout for the Heat, and if fans don't start littering the bench with trash, I expect the Big Three to be out of the game well before the final buzzer. If the Cavaliers can keep it close, or somehow steal a win, I will be extremely surprised.

Dec. 25 - Miami @ LA Lakers: This will be the first match-up between the two favorites to reach the NBA Fianls this season, and the NBA put it in the biggest spotlight of the season.

These two teams could potentially be one of the greatest rivalries in the NBA since the Lakers and Celtics in the 80's. They match-up almost perfectly for each other. Kobe Bryant will be going up against Dwyane Wade in avery high scoring match-up. LeBron James will be contested by Ron Artest, who will look to lockdown the star. Chris Bosh and Pau Gasol are two of the best big men in the NBA right now and will certainly be entertaining to watch in the post.

It's really hard to make a pick here because both teams will be really stacked, and while I want to pull for the Heat here, I think the defending champs will pull out the win on their home floor setting the tone for the future match-ups between these two mega-teams. The Lakers bench is a little stronger than Miami's currently, so it will take monster games from their Big Three to beat the Lakers this season.

LeBron Thanks Akron, Not Cleveland

By: Stephen Patterson

LeBron James, who left the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this summer to join the Miami Heat, took out a full page ad in the Akron Beacon Journal thanking the people of Akron for their love and support, but made no mention of the city he played for his first seven seasons in the NBA. While some people are saying he is being obnoxious, I can't disagree with his choice after how the city has treated him since his decision.

Fans in the Cleveland area have been a little more than upset since LeBron went on ESPN to announce his decision in an hour-long special. Within minutes of the decision, people were out in the streets of Cleveland burning jerseys, posters, shirts, and anything else they could find with the image of their former hero.

Out of everyone in Cleveland, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert may have been the most upset, as he sent a letter to media and fans trashing LeBron James within hours of the decision being announced. Gilbert's decision was one of the poorest I have ever seen from an NBA owner, and the only thing he accomplished by writing it was scaring away future free agents from signing with his team. Afterall, who wants to give everything they have in them only to be called a quitter for their efforts when they move on?

Regardless of whether his decision angered you or not, people should respect the fact that he did what he felt was best for him and his family. Sure, Cleveland tried to bring in pieces around James, but none of those additions even compare with the opportunity to play with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade in Miami with a franchise that has shown it can win titles. The man gave up some of the best years of his career for Cleveland, and they couldn't have cared less once he moved on.

In the ad, James thanked the city of Akron and said it would always be home to him. The ad featured pictures of James attending community events. He is scheduled to appear at his annual bike-a-thon in Akron this Saturday and still plans to attend. LeBron has always made sure to point out that Akron was his home, not the city of Cleveland. I can't say I blame him for not thanking Cleveland. Afterall, they didn't exactly send him "Thank You" cards when he made his choice to leave.

Wednesday's NBA Free Agent Roundup

By: Tyler Ward

The last few days have been rather busy and with the aftermath of the major signings, there haven't been many notable transactions. But, there have still been moves and it is my duty to bring the transactions to your computer. So, with that being said, here's what has happened the last week or so.

- Cleveland trades SG Delonte West and PG Sebastian Telfair to Minnesota for PG Ramon Sessions, C Ryan Hollins, and a future 2nd round pick

In a not-so-stunning move, point guard Ramon Sessions was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, along with seldom-used center Ryan Hollins. The Timberwolves receive Delonte West and Sebastian Telfair, both of whom are expected to be cut. West's $5 million salary for the upcoming season can be waived if he is released before August 5th.

The Timberwolves are expected to cut West because he would have no playing time, thanks to Minnesota's stacked backcourt. Minnesota already has Jonny Flynn and Luke Ridnour under contract, along with the rights to Ricky Rubio. Rubio will play for Spain this season and it is uncertain when he will come to the United States. The disgruntled West had been the subject of trade rumors recently and his release or trade was inevitable. The Boston Celtics, who he was originally drafted by, has expressed interest in bringing West back.

Telfair, who went straight from high school to the NBA, was traded from Boston to Minnesota in 2007 as part of the Kevin Garnett trade. He spent two seasons with the Timberwolves, before going to the Cleveland Cavaliers. According to media outlets, Telfair butted heads with Minnesota's front office numerous times, leading to his departure. He played sparingly for Cleveland last season, competing in only four games. Telfair will more than likely be traded or bought out and will not play a single game for the team.

Ramon Sessions is expected to back-up Mo Williams for the Cavaliers, giving them a great combination at the position. Sessions had been thought to be traded, after Flynn outplayed him last season. Prior to last season, Sessions signed a 4-year/$16 million contract with the Timberwolves. Cleveland signed point guard Kyle Lowry to a 3-year/$23 million offer sheet, but Houston matched it, thus leading to the acquisition of Sessions. Sessions played a career-low 21.1 minutes per game last season, averaging 8.2 points and 3.1 assists per game.

The acquisition of Hollins also benefits the Cavaliers, after becoming weak at the center position. Zydrunas Ilgauskas signed with the Miami Heat earlier this offseason, with Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O'Neal being a free agent. Hollins is expected to play a somewhat major role for the Cavaliers after averaging 6.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game last season.

- Los Angeles Clippers sign SG Rasual Butler to a one-year contract

The Clippers announced earlier this week that they had re-signed sharpshooter Rasual Butler to a one-year contract. Full terms of the contract haven't been disclosed.

Los Angeles acquired Butler from New Orleans last year. Known particularly as a three-point shooter, Butler has made 255 three-pointers the last two seasons, including a Clipper franchise record 145 last season. Butler also averaged a career-high 11.9 points per game.

The signing of Butler fills a huge void for the Clippers, with Eric Gordon being the only shooting guard under contract for next season. He is expected to back-up Gordon, who has been quite the surprise for a mediocre Clippers squad. 

However, Butler can also play small forward, a position that he was forced to play last season. With the addition of Al-Farouq Aminu, Butler is not expected to start at small forward. But, with the possible rookie curves that Aminu faces, it is entirely possible that Butler could see some playing time in front of the rookie.

Butler was initially drafted by the Miami Heat with the 53rd overall pick in 2002. A long shot to make the team, Butler surpassed expectations and became a valuable role player for the Heat. He was part of the major 5-team trade in 2005 that netted Jason Williams and James Posey in Miami, leading them to the NBA championship that season. He was dealt to Los Angeles in 2009 for a second round pick. 

He has averaged 8.8 points and 2.7 rebounds per game for Miami, New Orleans, and Los Angeles.

- Washington re-signs SF Josh Howard to a one-year contract

A source close to Howard reported that the Wizards have re-signed the former Maverick, Josh Howard. Full terms have not been disclosed.

At last season's trade deadline, Howard, along with Drew Gooden, James Singleton, and Quinton Ross were traded to Washington in exchange for Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood, and Deshawn Stevenson. After playing just four games for the Wizards, Howard tore his ACL and was out for the rest of the season.

Howard's conduct was detrimental to the team to the Mavericks, which made his trade or release inevitable. He reportedly showed up to a game with a hangover against those very same Washington Wizards. His off-the-court antics led the Mavericks to force his hand and deal him away. After a tumultuous season with the Mavericks, he was dealt in that seven-player trade in February. He had surgery in March and the expected time of recovery is six to eight months, which means he could miss the start of the 2010-11 season.

The Wizards declined to pick up the option on Howard, which forced him to take a lower salary if he returned to the up-and-coming Wizards team.

Washington only has one other natural small forward on the team, Al Thornton. Howard is expected to back-up Thornton and possibly compete for a starting role. 

For Washington and Dallas last season, Howard averaged 12.7 points per game, his lowest since his sophomore season in 2004-05. He also set a career-low in games played, participating in only 35 games total last season. In his seven seasons, Howard has career averages of 15.3 points and 6 rebounds per game with the Mavericks and Wizards.

- Detroit re-signs PG Will Bynum to a 3-year/$10 million contract

As expected, the Pistons said Wednesday that they had officially re-signed former Georgia Tech standout Will Bynum to a three-year deal worth approximately $9.75 million. 

Bynum was a restricted free agent, which means that if he signed with a team, Detroit would have seven days to match the offer sheet. However, Bynum felt that his heart was in Detroit and thus, re-signed with the team that he had grown up idolizing.

He has proven to be an electric player at some points, even dishing out twenty assists in one game against the Washington Wizards. The last Pistons player to get at least twenty assists was Bynum's boyhood idol, Isiah Thomas.

Bynum spent 2006-08 with the Euroleague team, Maccabi Tel Aviv. Originally a rookie in 2005-06, Bynum played 15 games for the Golden State Warriors, being limited to an average of ten minutes per game. He was brought in prior to the 2008-09 season, playing in 57 games. He played more last season with Detroit, even exploding for 25 points in one quarter against the Charlotte Bobcats, a Pistons record. For the Pistons last season, Bynum averaged 10 points and 4.5 assists per game.  

Bynum will have more than enough ample opportunity to get playing time this year as the Pistons are far from stacked at the point guard position. Starting point guard, Rodney Stuckey, has been playing out of position and is more of a shooting guard, which could lead to Bynum starting at some point during the regular season. He is expected to play a much more larger role, as the Pistons look to regain their championship form.

- Houston trades C David Andersen to Toronto for a future 2nd round pick and cash considerations

After one season in Houston, David Andersen has been acquired by the Toronto Raptors in exchange for a future second round pick and cash considerations. Andersen's rights were traded from the Atlanta Hawks to the Rockets before the 2009-10 started. After Yao Ming announced that he would undergo surgery, Andersen was forced into a role that he shouldn't have after never playing in an NBA game.

Andersen was chosen in the second round of the 2002 NBA draft by the Hawks. He spent the majority of his career playing overseas. He spent last season playing for the Spanish League team, FC Barcelona.

In his lone season in the NBA, Andersen averaged 5.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in 63 appearances.

Other transactions:

- Atlanta signs PF Josh Powell to a one-year contract

- Boston re-signs SG Marquis Daniels to a contract (terms not disclosed)

- Miami signs PF Shavlik Randolph and PG Kenny Hasbrouck to contracts

- Phoenix waives PF Taylor Griffin

Cavs Fans Offer To Pay Dan Gilbert's Fine

By: Tyler Ward

Apparently, Dan Gilbert isn't done sharing his opinions about LeBron James with the world. And the city LeBron left behind isn't done either.

Gilbert's most recent statement was sent to Cavaliers fans, thanking them for offering to pay the $100,000 fine Donald Stern imposed a few days ago. This comes in light of Gilbert's statements criticizing James and in my opinion, hitting below the belt.

This is the letter that Dan Gilbert wrote:

"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"

These statements are utterly ridiculous. LeBron did so much for the Cleveland franchise and they are already forgetting that. It isn't LeBron's fault that Gilbert and the rest of the Cavaliers organization didn't put good enough players around him to win the championship that had long been waiting for. So, LeBron did the smart thing and went somewhere that he could win a championship. How can you blame him? Gilbert's comments were absolutely absurd and uncalled for. But, that's a vent for another day.

Gilbert announced today that he will decline the fans' offer and pay it out of his own pocket.

He sent a letter to fans today, saying:

"I would like to say thanks for the incredible outpouring of support by the numerous loyal and passionate Cavaliers fans who have offered to contribute to paying the recent fine I was assessed by the NBA.

The humbling offer by so many is another reflection of the strength of Cavs fans and the people who live and work in this region and are always the first to step up and have each other's back.

I will pay this fine myself, but would be grateful and highly appreciative for any fan who redirects the dollars they kindly offered to contribute towards this fine to the Cavaliers Youth Fund, which will positively impact our region's kids through the numerous local charitable groups the Cavaliers Youth Fund supports."

The Cavaliers even set up a website for donations - www.cavs.com/donate

Somehow, Gilbert's comments makes him even more popular in Cleveland. I do not know how someone so bitter can receive so much praise when he has done nothing for the organization. Cavaliers fans should not even be mad at LeBron; they should be mad at Gilbert. But, as the old saying goes, "whatever floats your boat."

Al Jefferson Trade Talks Progress

By: Stephen Patterson

The Minnesota Timberwolves are getting closer to finally making a deal to move Al Jefferson. Dallas has eased their stance on moving Erick Dampier's expiring contract if the Wolves also agree to take DeShawn Stevenson and Matt Carroll. The Wolves have been trying to move Jefferson for weeks now and it seems that a deal is now imminent, although their are now other teams interested in picking up Jefferson as well. 

The Utah Jazz are interested in making a move for Jefferson to fill the void left by Carlos Boozer's departure and have a trade exception that could take in Jefferson's contract. This move would give the Timberwolves the chance to move that trade exception later on for a quality player and possibly an unhappy star looking to move. The move would also give the Jazz a quality big man that is capable of replacing Boozer if he can stay healthy. The only thing that may have the Jazz thinking twice about the deal is Paul Millsap, would is getting paid a lot of money to be back up for Utah. If the Jazz acquire Big Al, there is a chance they could end trading Millsap during the next year.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are also apparently interested in acquiring Jefferson as well. While the talks haven't gotten serious as now, the Cavs have a trade exception from their sign-and-trade with the Heat for LeBron James. That would also allow the Wolves to trade for a veteran presence or group of players. They could also explore the option of acquiring Mo Williams or Antawn Jamison. Cleveland is in desperate need of some moves to even have a chance of making the playoffs, and Jefferson would definitely help the cause. In my opinion, the team needs to revamp a majority of their roster to have a chance to compete without LeBron James.

Dedicated To Dan Gilbert

By: Stephen Patterson


In honor of Dan Gilbert's decision to publicly make a fool of himself by blasting LeBron James, I decided to search YouTube for a little present for him. This is to help remind Dan and all of Cleveland who it is they are condemning. Whether you agree with his decision or not, LeBron James did what was best for him. He doesn't owe Cleveland anything, he gave them seven years of his prime. But Gilbert still thinks LeBron is a traitor, narssacist, self-promoter, and a laundry list of other negative adjectives. So here's a reminder of some of his other qualities for Gilbert and Cleveland to think about while LeBron is moving on:

Breaking Down Dan Gilbert's Letter

By: Stephen Patterson

I've already stated that Dan Gilbert's "letter" was one of the dumbest moves an NBA owner has ever made, but if you haven't seen just how idiotic he sounds, here's your chance. Here are some of the highlights from the "letter" Cavalier's owner Dan Gilbert sent to the media last night:

-- "You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.": After the display put on last night by the city of Cleveland, I don't feel even remotely bad for the city. I feel bad for the individuals who didn't make fools of themselves and were genuinely hurt by the decision. I don't feel bad for the people out burning LeBron merchandise and whining about being "betrayed" while stumbling drunk through downtown, and especially not for Dan Gilbert. He had plenty of opportunities to bring in players that showed up and contributed when it mattered, but he failed. While every other team in serious contention to land LeBron made moves to accommodate him, Gilbert did nothing.

-- "I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER 'KING' WINS ONE": Yes, he typed this in all caps. And yes, he really did say that. If Gilbert thinks he's even guarenteed a playoff berth without LeBron, he's mistaken. With Mo Williams and Antawn Jamison leading your team, don't expect to make it too far, Dan. After this horrible excuse for a "letter", no free agent is coming to this franchise to only be blasted for moving on after they give the team everything they have. Not only does this make Gilbert look arrogant, it's going to progressively look worse with every title James picks up before the Cavaliers.

-- "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.": So let me get this straight: You have more motivation to win without the best player in the history of your franchise than you had with him? What exactly is Gilbert going to do with his new "motivation"? Is he going to go out and sign Richard Jefferson to replace the greatest player your franchise has ever seen? Could he put together a deal to acquire Al Jefferson, since Minnesota now appears willing to move him for anything? That's pretty much the best case scenario for Dan Gilbert and Cav's fans, so good luck getting that championship before LeBron.

-- "Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.": And what do you call the past seven years he spent for your franchise trying to win a title with almost zero help? Now he has the chance to form the best trio in NBA history, one that makes his pairing with Mo Williams and Antawn Jamison look like a death sentence comparatively. While Williams and Jamison are solid players, they aren't going to bring you a championship when they are your second and third best players. However, Dan Gilbert likes his odds with them as his first and second best players on the team. I'm pretty sure LeBron paid his dues to put himself in the best situation to win. It's not his fault Miami offered a much more intriguing situation than Gilbert could provide.

-- "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.": Was Dan Gilbert sober when he wrote this "letter"? I honestly doubt the "basketball gods" could care less about the city of Cleveland. Sports curses don't switch cities with players, just ask Chicago Cubs fans. In Cleveland's case, it's not even a curse. It's just a combination of poor ownership and being stuck in a small market (compared to other major cities). If Cleveland couldn't land any superstars to pair with one of the greatest players in NBA history, why would things be any better without LeBron? I don't see Cleveland enticing Carmelo Anthony to sign next summer with the promise of playing alongside Mo Williams.