2010 NBA Off-Season Thread

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/gi...er_100708.html

Open letter from Cavs fans from majority Owner Dan Gilbert to Cavs fans, espn has confirmed this is real. Some of the highlights

"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. "

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.

"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. "

Wow, that's pretty childish. I hated that Lebron James went to Miami who is trying to buy the championship but now I don't feel that there is a reason why Lebron Cleveland.

[CaptainCrunch]

I don't blame the owner for being pissed. James dragged this thing out which screwed the Cavs on trying to fill the hole. He couldn't be bothered to maybe call the guy who put so much money into his pocket. I'm glad that the owner errupted here, James came across as an ego maniac with this whole hollywood production.

My bet is that Miami will probably be a very good regular season team, but come playoff time James, Bosh and Wade will be too busy tripping over their own egos now that they think that they run the NBA.

Oh yeah and screw Bosh and his twitter calls for love from Toronto fans only to screw them over.

If this was hockey and Crosby had screwed over the Pens during a one hour televised decision special, you can bet the next time Crosby played in Pittsburgh, not only would the fans bury him in garbage, but he would get a solid punch in the face from one of his former team mates.

James will never be able to step into his hometown again without feeling resentment from the Cav's and the fanbase there.

I'm not saying that he was obligated to sign with his hometeam. But the way he handled this was extremely unking like.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Speaking from the heart but he's delusional.


So, where was that championship-winning level of motivation of Dan Gilbert the last 7 years? and his new greater level of motivation and guarantee are greater than the loss of his best player. Fans can be pissed cause they just observer. The owner had control and failed.

Somehow empty words substitute for actual achievement? LeBron is a but Gilbert sunk lower.

He bought in O'neill and built the team around this kid, don't blame the owner, he not only spent the money, but showed that he was willing to spend a ton more.

At some point James needed to take the team on his shoulders, unless you think the owner should be tossing three pointers.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I don't blame the owner for being pissed. James dragged this thing out which screwed the Cavs on trying to fill the hole. He couldn't be bothered to maybe call the guy who put so much money into his pocket. I'm glad that the owner errupted here, James came across as an ego maniac with this whole hollywood production.

I'm sure it's more than that. They may have hated each other for awhile now.
First LeBron quits in the playoffs and now this right?

[MRCboicgy]

I love that letter. He's a fan as much as an owner and wanted to show he has his fans' back.

Is it over the top, yep, but good on him.

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by Dagger

I've never been this pissed off about a guy going somewhere. What a bitch. He just screwed the city of Cleveland on so many levels. Their economy was Lebron. That's gone. There basketball team was Lebron. That's gone. The tourism there was based on Lebron.

EDIT: Another announcement? He's coming out of the closet.

LeBron resigned after his rookie contract, and did not deceive the Cavs that he was certain to re-sign.

It's not his problem Cleveland is a poophole with no economy.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I'm sure it's more than that. They may have hated each other for awhile now.
First LeBron quits in the playoffs and now this right?

Right from the interview going by memory

Q - Does the team that you decided on know your decision?

A Yes

Q - Did you contact the teams that you aren't going to?

A - No they're finding out now.

Its not word for word, but to me, thats incredibly classless, just to build up for a T.V. special to pump up his size 12 ego. They may think that he and Bosh playing together is going to be great, but Bosh isn't exactly a heart and soul player either.

And James wasn't great at the end of the playoffs.

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

Boy am I glad i'm not a basketball fan. It's gonna be a yawn for the next 5 years.

It's already a joke; half the league tanking for multiple seasons to prepare for free agency made it so.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Gozer

LeBron resigned after his rookie contract, and did not deceive the Cavs that he was certain to re-sign.

It's not his problem Cleveland is a poophole with no economy.

Sure but letting his team know that he was outta there on a national T.V. special . . . totally "a$$ cracker". Basically to me it was a slap in the face to the Cavs and his fan base. but he had to have the top rated show.

I really hope that Miami falls flat this year, they're going to be the Rangers of the NBA. Zero bench strength, weak on the backend.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Right from the interview going by memory

Q - Does the team that you decided on know your decision?

A Yes

Q - Did you contact the teams that you aren't going to?

A - No they're finding out now.

Its not word for word, but to me, thats incredibly classless, just to build up for a T.V. special to pump up his size 12 ego. They may think that he and Bosh playing together is going to be great, but Bosh isn't exactly a heart and soul player either.

And James wasn't great at the end of the playoffs.

That's all true he's a jerk, but the owner's letter is just as bad.

[flames_1987]

Larry King brings on the all roundtable in studio

Tom Arnold...(wtf?)...John Salley and Rick Fox. Yuck

[MRCboicgy]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Right from the interview going by memory

Q - Does the team that you decided on know your decision?

A Yes

Q - Did you contact the teams that you aren't going to?

A - No they're finding out now.

Its not word for word, but to me, thats incredibly classless, just to build up for a T.V. special to pump up his size 12 ego. They may think that he and Bosh playing together is going to be great, but Bosh isn't exactly a heart and soul player either.

And James wasn't great at the end of the playoffs.

Yep, I think if I was the owner and he didn't have the decency to even fire me a text msg before the broadcast, I'd throw his punk ass under the bus too.

[Dagger]

Lebron, April 2010: "I won't stop until I bring a championship to Cleveland"

Dan Gilbert has every right to be pissed. He's paid him $100 million, given him and his friends everything they wanted, let Lebron basically be the GM, only to learn this man was leaving on ESPN. That's horse.

Brian Windhorst, the Cavs beat guy was just ripping on Lebron on his twitter.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

That's all true he's a jerk, but the owner's letter is just as bad.

I don't see it that way, he got slapped in the face by James, basically on national T.V.

He's probably pretty accurately reflecting the mood in Cleveland right now.

I would be interested to see how the other teams in the free agent sweepstakes feel about James' letting them know his answer in a T.V. interview.

What is going to make it worse for James is that he's an Ohio native, people in that state aren't going to forgive him.

The fact that he talked about his mother helping him make his decision means that his mother probably has armed security at her house tonight.

Thank god I'm a hockey fan, for the most part hockey players while they have big egos, aren't attention desiring whores like James and Chris "Tell me you love me and I'll spit in your mouth" Bosh.

[CaptainCrunch]

From the Cav's forum

agreed 100%...LEBRONADICT ARNOLD is more hated than Art Modell now...

[Dagger]

Originally Posted by Gozer

LeBron resigned after his rookie contract, and did not deceive the Cavs that he was certain to re-sign.

It's not his problem Cleveland is a poophole with no economy.

Read the quote from Lebron I gave above.

He resigned specifically so he could have the opportunity to be an FA with these guys. He's always played both sides of the ball on this.

He then embarrassed them on national TV. Modell had the decency to move the Browns at night at least.

The Cavs felt very certain he was going to stay there judging from everything, and I'd say Lebron gave them those signals.

No it's not his fault Cleveland's economy is an ass pit, but you'd think any any hometown kid with a heart would not do this.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Dagger

Lebron, April 2010: "I won't stop until I bring a championship to Cleveland"

Dan Gilbert has every right to be pissed. He's paid him $100 million, given him and his friends everything they wanted, let Lebron basically be the GM, only to learn this man was leaving on ESPN. That's horse.

Brian Windhorst, the Cavs beat guy was just ripping on Lebron on his twitter.

And you wonder why Lebron has an ego? Gilbert created it by giving him obscene power. You can say Lebron was given $100 million but how much did Gilbert make on the back of Lebron?

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Right from the interview going by memory

Q - Does the team that you decided on know your decision?

A Yes

Q - Did you contact the teams that you aren't going to?

A - No they're finding out now.

Its not word for word, but to me, thats incredibly classless, just to build up for a T.V. special to pump up his size 12 ego. They may think that he and Bosh playing together is going to be great, but Bosh isn't exactly a heart and soul player either.

And James wasn't great at the end of the playoffs.

I understand that sentiment, but don't wholly agree.

Why are there never calls for class regarding draft picks being shown crying on draft day, or Aaron Rodgers twisting in the wind for twenty-five picks. USC is offering scholarships to twelve year olds. Let's not romanticize the amount of class shown to athletes by society.

As for the lack of warning to the teams, I also agree and disagree. I certainly would have shown some deference, but I've never heard of an unwritten rule requiring a team to warn a player of a trade.

Demanding a trade while under contract is classless, signing on the first day of free agency is not.

I think fans are overreacting for two main reasons:
Calgary fans may be holding these guys to the Flames level of respect and class, which certainly is not universal.
And globally, there's something to resenting his opportunity without doing the standard "aw shucks" and "golly gee."

[habernac]

is it true that Bosh actually hired a crew to follow him around and film a documentary? At least James has the talent to carry his huge ego. I'm no basketball expert, but Bosh isn't even in the same universe as Lebron.

[Dagger]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I don't see it that way, he got slapped in the face by James, basically on national T.V.

He's probably pretty accurately reflecting the mood in Cleveland right now.

I would be interested to see how the other teams in the free agent sweepstakes feel about James' letting them know his answer in a T.V. interview.

What is going to make it worse for James is that he's an Ohio native, people in that state aren't going to forgive him.

The fact that he talked about his mother helping him make his decision means that his mother probably has armed security at her house tonight.

Thank god I'm a hockey fan, for the most part hockey players while they have big egos, aren't attention desiring whores like James and Chris "Tell me you love me and I'll spit in your mouth" Bosh.

On RealGM all the fans hate Lebron. Every team except the Heat feels terrible for that franchise, think Lebron is a dick and will root for him to fail. Even Knick fans and Bulls fans feel worse about him leaving the Cavs than them not getting him.