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

This makes me think that LeBron (or at least one of his little minions) were telling the Cavs he would choose them. The Cavs were one of the Top 4 teams he was probably going to go to, but he seems more shocked by the decision to leave than both the fans and the media. Hell a lot of people were saying he was gone while he was barely trying in the playoffs (me included).

The fact that and open letter like this is so unprecedented, and how it's basically an "FU" to LeBron with out actually saying it tells me that he was more than just hoping that LeBron would be returning.

Either that or he is delusional (which is entirely possible).

LeBron also basically embarrassed him on TV. He said the only reason he was leaving was because he wanted to win. Didn't they have the best record in the NBA for the past 2 seasons? They failed in the playoffs, but I think a lot of that had to do with Mike Brown being a poor coach.

It felt like Gilbert really tried to give LeBron the pieces he needed, it was just hard to do with what little they had to offer. They needed outside shooting so they got Mo Williams (who disappeared in the playoffs) and Wally Szczerbiak (who shot terribly and was useless). They needed a center to contend with Howard so they bring in Shaq (who is past his prime whether he believes it or not). They brought in Jamison as well, who isn't amazing but is an above average player.

If last seasons playoffs were any indication it just looked like LeBron was tired of being the guy. Not in the sense that he gets all the attention, but in the sense that the pressure's on him. Now he doesn't have to be. He can be as much of a baller as he wants during the regular season and when they make the playoffs he can concede to D-Wade and Bosh and still get a ton of credit for being the player of the big-3 who is willing to take less shots for the betterment of the team.

Long story short. I agree with 9Deuce, he's a coward.

It's not his leaving that bothers me. It's all the B.S. that has surrounded it.

In the article I read, Gilbert goes on about how LeBron quit in the playoffs... I do agree with him there.

This is all insane! What a epic crazy day in the history of NBA Free Agency...

I don't like LeBron right now. I wanted him to go anywhere but there. It just seems like a bad decision. It's too easy and weird. Funny how the reactions are so strong on this - Mark Jackson talked about LeBron like he was Ghandi or something...