NBA

[ORDoubleBlues]

James must have taken pay cut as Heat couldn't have matched what Knicks, Clippers, etc were offering.

[White Line Fever]

http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbe ... 00708.html

Open Letter to Fans from Cavaliers Majority Owner Dan Gilbert
Print RSS Cavs Insider Discuss

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

[RoosterMarty]

Will there be enough shots to go around for The Big Three?

They will need three basketballs on court!

[Magpiespower]

Dan Gilbert didn't stop there...

"He quit. Not just in Game 5, but in Games 2, 4 and 6. Watch the tape. The Boston series was unlike anything in the history of sports for a superstar. Go back and look at the tape. How many shots did he take?"

Kobe's waiting for you LBJ.

If you can ever make it out of the East again...

[the big bang]

wouldnt be surprised to see shaqdaddy head back to miami

[Strawb]

Dan Gilbert didn't stop there...

"He quit. Not just in Game 5, but in Games 2, 4 and 6. Watch the tape. The Boston series was unlike anything in the history of sports for a superstar. Go back and look at the tape. How many shots did he take?"

Kobe's waiting for you LBJ.

If you can ever make it out of the East again...

That pic made me SICK

[Drop Bear]

http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gilbert_letter_100708.html

Open Letter to Fans from Cavaliers Majority Owner Dan Gilbert
Print RSS Cavs Insider Discuss

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

How pathetic and unprofessional is that bloke!! Basketball is a business, and LBJ decided to play elsewhere. He's not under contract so he's done nothing wrong. Personally, I think LBJ is an arrogant basketballer, but he can back it up on court. Good luck to him.

[Gozu]

Good article on the LeBron move:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=A ... sion070910

[saintal]

That was an entertaining rant by Gilbert. Unprofessional yes, but refreshing in an age of the PC rubbish that most athletes/clubs come up with.

[brod]

That was an entertaining rant by Gilbert. Unprofessional yes, but refreshing in an age of the PC rubbish that most athletes/clubs come up with.

Would you prefer this from the head of your club or would you like the we tried but it didnt work, but we wish him good luck crap...HELL NO....but the Championship promise, what bank am I taking this too???

Heat into $3.50 title favourites..

[brod]

Free agent signings/decisions so far in the NBA off season

ALLEN, Ray - Signed 2 year contract extension wih Boston
ALLEN, Tony - Signed 3 year contract with Memphis
BLAKE, Steve - Signed 4 year contract with LA Lakers
BOOZER, Carlos - Signed 5 year contrcat with Chicago
BOSH, Chris - Signed contract with Miami Heat
CHANDLER, Tyson - Will play out final season of contract with Chicago
COOK, Brian - Signed with LA Clippers
DUHON, Chris - Signed 4 year contract with Orlando
FARMAR, Jordan - Agreed to terms with New Jersey Nets
FOYLE, Randy - Signed with LA Clippers
GAY, Rudy - Extended for 5 years with Memphis
GOMES, Ryan - Signed with LA Clippers
GOODEN, Drew - Signed 5 year deal with Milwaukee
HAYES, Chuck - Houston pick up team option
HAYWOOD, Brendan - Stays in Dallas, signs 6 year contract
HEAD, Luther - Signs with New Orleans
HILL, Grant - Will play another season for Phoenix
JAMES, LeBron - Signs with Miami
JOHNSON, Amir - Stays in Toronto, signs 5 year contract
JOHNSON, Joe - Stays in Atlanta, signs 6 years $119 million
LEE, David - Signs with Golden State
MILICIC, Darko - Resigns with Minnesota for 4 years
MING, Yao - Yao picks up player option
NOWITZKI, Dirk - Signs 4 year extension in Dallas
O'NEAL, Jermaine- Signs 2 yeal contract with Boston
OUTLAW, Travis - Signs with LA Clippers for 5 years
PETRO, Johan - Signs 3 year contract with New Jersey
SALMONS, John - Agrees to 5 years extensions
STOUDEMIRE, Amar'e - Signs 5 year contract with New York
THOMAS, Tyrus - Signs 5 year extension with Charlotte
WADE, Dwayne - Signs extension in Miami
WALLACE, Ben - Signs 2 year extenson in Detroit
WARRICK, Hakim - Heads to Pheonix in sign and trade

[brod]

- Is there anyone Miami arent chasing. Derek Fisher will reject and offer from the Heat and stay with the Lakers.

- The Phoenix Suns didn't want their summer to be defined by losing Amar'e Stoudemire to the New York Knicks, and they made sure of it Sunday night with two major deals, acquiring veteran forward Hedo Turkoglu from the Toronto Raptors for guard Leandro Barbosa and agreeing to a trade with the Atlanta Hawks that will bring restricted free agent Josh Childress, whose rights the Hawks still hold, to Phoenix in exchange for a second-round pick. Childress will receive a five-year, $34 million deal from Phoenix.

- Miami Heat free agent forward/center Udonis Haslem has opted to remain with the Heat, according to a source, turning down bigger offers for the full mid-level exception from the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets.

- The San Antonio Spurs didn't shop the blockbuster free-agent market for their big summer addition. Instead, they finally cashed in on their 2007 draft. The Spurs signed Spain center Tiago Splitter on Monday, three years after San Antonio picked the heralded 6-foot-11 Brazilian star whose expectations will likely be as high as any Spurs newcomer in recent years. "We're very fortunate to be adding one of the best players not playing in the NBA," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said before introducing Splitter. The 25-year-old was MVP of both the Spanish League regular season and finals while leading Caja Laboral Vitoria to a second championship, averaging 15.4 points and 7.1 rebounds.

- Miami Hat sent wild child Michael Beasley to Minnesota for two second round draft picks and cash

- Golden State has signed free agent forward Dorell Wright to a three year deal. He played 72 games for Miami last year, averaged 7.1ppg and 3.3rpg

[brod]

NATHAN Jawai's stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves could be over, with the NBA restricted free agent set to line up with the Charlotte Bobcats in the summer league.

Nathan Jawai is far from setting the world on fire in the Summer League
5 games
4.4ppg
0.643 FG%
2.4 rpg
0.4 apg
1.2 topg

[brod]

Nathan Jawai will now play for the Cleveland Summer League side in Las Vegas.

Other Aussies in Summer League action

Joe Ingles (Golden State)
3 games
20 mpg
2.3 ppg
.200FG%
.250 3ptFG%
3.7 rpg
0.7 apg
0.7 spg
1.0 topg

AJ Ogilvy (Chiago Bulls)
1st game July 13

Patrick Mills (Portland Trailblazers)
1 game
27 min
12 points
.500FG%
.400 3ptFG%
7 reb
9 ast
2 to

Luke Schenscher (Portland Trailblazers)
1 DNP

[Magpiespower]

- Is there anyone Miami arent chasing. Derek Fisher will reject and offer from the Heat and stay with the Lakers.

Never thought he'd go but still.

I mean, why leave the world's greatest franchise and the world's greatest player?

Reakon Fish will eventually move into the front office when he retires.

Or become part of the coaching staff when he retires.

Either way, he's the kinda guy you wanna keep around the clubroom...

[gossipgirl]

- Is there anyone Miami arent chasing. Derek Fisher will reject and offer from the Heat and stay with the Lakers.

Never thought he'd go but still.

I mean, why leave the world's greatest franchise and the world's greatest player?

Reakon Fish will eventually move into the front office when he retires.

Or become part of the coaching staff when he retires.

Either way, he's the kinda guy you wanna keep around the clubroom...

[the big bang]

- Is there anyone Miami arent chasing. Derek Fisher will reject and offer from the Heat and stay with the Lakers.

Never thought he'd go but still.

I mean, why leave the world's greatest franchise and the world's greatest player?

Reakon Fish will eventually move into the front office when he retires.

Or become part of the coaching staff when he retires.

Either way, he's the kinda guy you wanna keep around the clubroom...

yep. and hopefully those couple years that he left us for dosnt tarnish what he has achieved with us.

[the big bang]

and i was a little disapointed to see Farmar up and leave the Lakeshow. i know he'd get more oppurtunity at just about every other team in the league, but i being born and bred in LA, thought he'd be happy to stay! and they reakon LBJ is a traitor!!!!

[beef]

ilgauskas joined the heat with mike miller, all must be chasing a championship

[brod]

- Minnesota have sent Al Jefferson to Utah for two future First-Round draft picks and centre Kosta Koufos.