That's it, I'm done with LeBron

Cavs owner says LeBron James quit in playoffs


Posted Jul 9 2010 1:28AM

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Angered and betrayed by LeBron James' decision to leave for Miami, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert accused the NBA's MVP of quitting during the playoffs.

Gilbert, who posted a letter to Cavs fans on the team's website shortly after James announced his plans to sign with the Heat, told The Associated Press late Thursday night that it's ``accountability time'' for James.

``He has gotten a free pass,'' Gilbert said in a phone interview with The AP. ``People have covered up for (James) for way too long. Tonight we saw who he really is.''

Gilbert feels James quit on the Cavs during their second-round series against the Boston Celtics, who rallied from a 2-1 deficit to eliminate Cleveland.

``He quit,'' Gilbert said. ``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.''

The Cavaliers were beaten by 32 points in Game 5. During the game, James appeared distracted and uninterested, often glaring at Cleveland's coaches as the Cavs tried to foul to get back into the game in the second half. James also made some puzzling postgame comments, saying he had ``spoiled'' people with his play over seven seasons.

Gilbert also said he believes James quit on the Cavs in Game 6 of their series in 2009 against Orlando.

``Go back and look at the tape,'' he said. ``How many shots did he take?''

Gilbert, who has owned the Cavs for five years, said he was most disappointed by James' behavior in the months leading up to the superstar's announcement that he is going to Miami to play with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Gilbert said James never returned a single phone message or text since the end of the season and that the Cavs were not informed of James' decision until he went on the air.

Gilbert said Rich Paul, one of James' business partners, called the Cavs moments before the announcement.

``LeBron James needs to go to another team with two superstars already so he can win a championship,'' Gilbert said. ``We will win a championship before (the Heat) do.''

Gilbert said he now wishes he had done some things differently with James, who spent seven seasons with the Cavs.

``It's not about him leaving,'' Gilbert said. ``It's the disrespect. It's time for people to hold these athletes accountable for their actions. Is this the way you raise your children? I've been holding this all in for a long time.''

In Miami, Wade said he was stunned by Gilbert's comments.

``I think I'm happy that I have the owner that I have here in Miami,'' Wade told The Associated Press late Thursday night. ``I'm happy Micky Arison is my owner. I couldn't believe it. I'm speechless. It's very unfortunate and I think it makes LeBron that much better about his decision.

``We knew 'Bron would take some backlash,'' Wade added in his interview with AP. ``I told him he's a strong man for it.'

SpursFanIsrael wrote:Even if Lebron wins a championship in Miami he will never be one of the best in my eyes. He couldn't win it by himself. Loyalty is everything in this game. Lebron is just a loser to me.

gameFACE wrote:I totally agree with Dan Gilbert - LeBron is a quitter. He was a total flake in the last few minutes of this past years playoffs. I was embarrased for Cleveland fan.

Winning will not be automatic, LeBron.

Years from now if Miami wins a few championships I think people will look at this off-season and casually remember "oh yeah that was the year he switched teams" and not think much of it beyond that. Unless you're Cleveland fan. This hurts way more than Boston not getting Tim (heh heh). And Wade will always have one up on "the greatest player in the NBA"

I kind of feel dirty having watched last night. I need a shower. I sucked it up like everyone else. Once an NBA addict, always an NBA addict.

Nobody actually pays anybody millions of dollars to play basketball — or baseball, or football. If you want to talk about what business sports teams and endorsement-deal companies are in, they're in the business of paying players millions of dollars to inspire fan loyalty that will translate into money. And without the loyalty, there's no sale. Without the heartfelt feeling among the people in the stands (and wearing your jersey, and your shoes) that it somehow transcends business, there is no business.

Blondie wrote:Great article here but it boils down to this:

Nobody actually pays anybody millions of dollars to play basketball — or baseball, or football. If you want to talk about what business sports teams and endorsement-deal companies are in, they're in the business of paying players millions of dollars to inspire fan loyalty that will translate into money. And without the loyalty, there's no sale. Without the heartfelt feeling among the people in the stands (and wearing your jersey, and your shoes) that it somehow transcends business, there is no business.

He owed the fans of Cleveland a lot more than spitting in their face the way he did on his way out. Bad Karma on you James. You are acting more like a court jester than a King......

SpursFanInAK wrote:Well, it is still a business, and last time i checked, James is in the business of playing basketball. And last time I checked, no one really has the right to tell someone where they need to work or where they need to be to be happy. In the end he made his own choice where he feels he will be be happy and gives him the best chance to win. I can't see anything wrong with that. Tho understand clevelend mourning their loss. I do feel bad for them. If tim left in say, 2000, I'd be disappointed but i wouldn't hate him unless he
Badmouthed the team or something, which he'd never do. I still don't see how James spit In the
Cavs face. Never once did he complain about the city or his teammates, aka Kobe. Heck, i think if he coulda convinced bosh to come to clevelend he's still be there, but what do I know