LeBron James Burns Bridges Heading To Miami Heat

For all you Miami fans out there, last night July 8^th, 2010 was a historic night when LeBron James announced his intent to join the Miami Heat. With Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, they become an instant contender in the East, even bigger than the “Big Three” in Boston.  But if falls to Pat Riley to build the right supporting cast around these 3 superstars to see if they will win the Championship next season and for years to come.

For Cleveland Cavaliers fans, it was a night of shock, bitter disappointment, sadness, disbelief and betrayal (I could go on, but I think I’ll stop here). I’m not even a Cavaliers fan, but I was sure he was going to stay. How could LeBron leave this Championship-starved franchise and a team that was built solely around and for him?  Perhaps it was too little, too late. Not adding enough pieces quickly enough. But he was “the guy” and the Cavaliers his team.

The firing of Head Coach Mike Brown and hiring Bryon Scott probably didn’t help Cleveland’s chances. Despite Scott’s success in New Jersey and New Orleans (fired from both jobs), he developed quite a reputation as a controlling taskmaster.

With the utterance of a few words—“Miami Heat”, “South Beach”, the Cleveland Cavaliers went from a perennial playoff contender to a lottery team.

And who could have expressed their disappoint more than the Owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dan Gilbert, in the scathing letter below:

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

LeBron, you were the man.  While we can all understand you wanting to win a championship, you’ve cheapened your victory.  By going to the Miami Heat, you joined Dwyane Wade’s team and in Miami, he is the man. Now you have to share the spotlight when before the spotlight was always on you and you alone.  Let’s just hope that the spotlight is big enough for the both of you. And remember, we are all witnesses.