Dan Gilbert.

[23]

Re: Dan Gilbert.

I think the fans of the organization felt what he did was admirable. Not all... but I would say a good portion.

im still not sure how that helps the team in any kind of way, now, and especially in the future. It was just as childish as what LeBron did

Outside of Ohio, taking one for the team doesnt mean very much

[wwharton]

Re: Dan Gilbert.

Well he knew what he was doing... then he goes on to do the fathead ordeal..funny or not, calling the kid a traitor and carrying on got out of hand.

Other players saw the same thing we saw and probably have more insider knowledge than we do.. that where he'll be cost the most.

im still not sure how that helps the team in any kind of way, now, and especially in the future. It was just as childish as what LeBron did

Outside of Ohio, taking one for the team doesnt mean very much

Commenting on both of those...

If the idea is to keep the people of Ohio not only interested but enthusiastic about the team, just crying or pouting about James leaving wouldn't be enough. He's adding fuel to the fire of hate and trying to rally everyone to get behind the idea of "winning one before he does". Hell, the Cavs are still in the news and it's not bc they're crying after being publicly embarrassed. It's a brilliant move... in theory. I just think he went overboard in execution (and that's likely bc part of his reason was that he was legitimately acting like a little girl). So in terms of his profits, he doesn't really need many outside of Ohio to be behind it. It's directed specifically at the people of Ohio.

As for the effect on other free agents, I'm kind of at a wait and see point with that. They've never had big named players knocking down their door and between the stupid predictions and breaking the unwritten rule of not airing dirty laundry, he said some things that are likely true. I don't think any players will go public about Lebron but I'd bet a lot aren't happy with his decision, some of his actions over the years, his attitude if some of these things are true, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if LBJ doesn't have as much support around the league as we may think. Sure he's boys with CP3 and Melo but we knew they weren't going to Cleveland anyway.

[23]

Re: Dan Gilbert.

I dont see it as admirable in any kind of way.

If he has to name call and bash someon, say things about someone that he doesnt necessarily have to present proof of to get his own people to come to the arena then what does that say about his organization?


The Cavs are mainly in the news because of LeBron but lets be honest here, ESPN has been carrying this LeBron should leave and go to NY story for years now. Of course it wont just go away, and another thing about it is, its almost like nobody cares that the Lakers repeated right now

I think Gilbert stands to lose alot of money and that was his main reason for the crying.

[wwharton]

Re: Dan Gilbert.

I dont see it as admirable in any kind of way.

If he has to name call and bash someon, say things about someone that he doesnt necessarily have to present proof of to get his own people to come to the arena then what does that say about his organization?


The Cavs are mainly in the news because of LeBron but lets be honest here, ESPN has been carrying this LeBron should leave and go to NY story for years now. Of course it wont just go away, and another thing about it is, its almost like nobody cares that the Lakers repeated right now

I think Gilbert stands to lose alot of money and that was his main reason for the crying.

If I said admirable I may have to go back and edit, lol. The dude is a slimeball and if anyone didn't know that (myself included) they definitely do now. With that said, if it were my team I'd much rather have my fanbase standing together supporting the notion of making James regret his decision and continuing to hang onto the hope of getting a championship. Otherwise they just crawl into a dark hole, depressed, and I'd lose more money than I'm already set to lose. The way he went about it was down right classless, don't get me wrong. And his feelings are hurt bc of the money he'll lose and bc a little punk kid that he thought he could trust just turned on him.

Trust, I don't have any good things to say about Gilbert or what he put out there. I'm just saying part of it was actually a good idea and I'm not completely sold on it keeping players away any more than it being Cleveland and not having Lebron would keep players away anyway.

[23]

Re: Dan Gilbert.

If I said admirable I may have to go back and edit, lol. The dude is a slimeball and if anyone didn't know that (myself included) they definitely do now. With that said, if it were my team I'd much rather have my fanbase standing together supporting the notion of making James regret his decision and continuing to hang onto the hope of getting a championship. Otherwise they just crawl into a dark hole, depressed, and I'd lose more money than I'm already set to lose. The way he went about it was down right classless, don't get me wrong. And his feelings are hurt bc of the money he'll lose and bc a little punk kid that he thought he could trust just turned on him.

Trust, I don't have any good things to say about Gilbert or what he put out there. I'm just saying part of it was actually a good idea and I'm not completely sold on it keeping players away any more than it being Cleveland and not having Lebron would keep players away anyway.

Nah Pared said the most of the fans thought it was. Thats why I said taking one for the team doesnt matter outside of Ohio

Now I dont know about the relationship that Gilbert and LeBron had. Throwing the words traitor and trust out there without knowing that is what im trying to figure out. As it stands Lebron not talking to him, and he immediately lashing out doesnt necessarily smell like there was all of this love there in the first place.

Guranteeing the team a ring to the fans knowing you probably just jeporadized another chance at that in the future is also something he shouldn't have bothered with. I know people might say, ah what was he supposed to say... Im saying why even go there, especially when crying like a baby, knowing you didnt even do it with LeBron which was your best shot.It didnt even have to be said.

The only way this was a good idea is if either, it keeps money coming in to the investors, or ir brings more players to the team to keep them in contention. Other than that he comes off as salty and a guy who will tell you he loves you until you leave then he'll throw darts

[SoxFan01605]

Re: Dan Gilbert.

I think the fans of the organization felt what he did was admirable. Not all... but I would say a good portion.

I'm sure many do...which is what is backwards in all of this to me, but oh well. I think he could have attempted to rally the fan base without trying to bitterly call out his former star. what's done is done though.

Aside from the obvious hypocrisy (most of the stuff he called Lebron out for is stuff Gilbert himself enabled for 7 years), it wasn't particularly savvy for the long term. I doubt the short term rally will be worth the long term hit it could potentially (can't possibly say for sure) lead to with other prospective incoming players.

Time will tell, of course. Really nobody (from Lebron, to Gilbert, to some fans, to the media) comes out looking too hot in all of this. The bright side is that for anyone not personally invested in the situation, there has been a fair share of comedy to be found.

As for the fine, I thought it was necessary and fair. Enough to make the point, but nothing that sets a precedent. As 23 said though, the real punishment will very likely come from player backlash to the comments more than any league action.

[pietasterp]

Re: Dan Gilbert.

The deal with the Gilbert thing (which is why I like it so much) is that he didn't care that it was a bad business move or bad PR or that there would be repercussions...as a fan, he was PO'd and just fired off what I can only assume the vast majority of Clevelanders would have (if they had the forum) in the immediate aftermath of "The Decision". It was a rare moment of complete and unadulterated honesty in pro sports, and so of course it will be heavily criticized. But to see that kind of genuine anger and emotion, from the owner no less, is something I wish all my team's owners had. He's a man of the people at heart, otherwise he would have had his PR department release a BS statement instead of his own blistering diatribe.

As far as players not wanting to come there to play for him because this? Forget it. If he's offering a deal someone likes, they'll take it. There are no principles in pro sports anymore...

[da ThRONe]

Re: Dan Gilbert.

The deal with the Gilbert thing (which is why I like it so much) is that he didn't care that it was a bad business move or bad PR or that there would be repercussions...as a fan, he was PO'd and just fired off what I can only assume the vast majority of Clevelanders would have (if they had the forum) in the immediate aftermath of "The Decision". It was a rare moment of complete and unadulterated honesty in pro sports, and so of course it will be heavily criticized. But to see that kind of genuine anger and emotion, from the owner no less, is something I wish all my team's owners had. He's a man of the people at heart, otherwise he would have had his PR department release a BS statement instead of his own blistering diatribe.

As far as players not wanting to come there to play for him because this? Forget it. If he's offering a deal someone likes, they'll take it. There are no principles in pro sports anymore...

The problem is when a player is trying to decide between Cleveland Cavs or another team if they are offering the samething. Which may mean the Cavs will be forced to over pay for players.

[pietasterp]

Re: Dan Gilbert.

The problem is when a player is trying to decide between Cleveland Cavs or another team if they are offering the samething. Which may mean the Cavs will be forced to over pay for players.

In the mythical situation of "all things being equal", I might be willing to concede that there's an infinitesimally small chance that something like this would actually enter into a free agent's mind, but there is never a situation where all things are equal. No two offers are ever the same, no two situations are ever the same, and I can think of almost no situation in which the difference between two teams is so razor-thin that a recalled negative comment about 'Bron would be the deciding factor (not to mention that most people probably understand that this wasn't a common situation, just a unique circumstance that led to the outburst). I seriously doubt this situation will ever occur, based on the fact that it's basically never occurred before.

The money offered, the city, and the players on the team (in that order, with #3 a distant third) are really the only things that ever matter to a pro athlete. And in the age of endorsements dwarfing salaries by a wide margin for the top-level stars, it really does become a lifestyle decision for these guys. Everything else they say or claim is gibberish for the ESPN clowns.

[Pared]

Re: Dan Gilbert.

You can't fault the fans of Cleveland for being ok with what the owner did. The way they shaped LeBron as "Cleveland's own" and for him to treat them the way he did.... that's just all types of wrong.

Gilbert has shaped that franchise similar to the Cubs - a city supported sports team. You see that sort of passion from soccer fans overseas... and you know what? I wish my team's fans were more like that, quite honestly.

Seeing the owner act like "one of their own" is a big appeal. If I lived in Cleveland I would still support the Cavs because of how entrenched they've become there.

And you know what? There's nothing wrong with that. They can still look past his heated words and admire the passion an owner brings to their team. It's what makes a franchise great to be a fan of. You think Dallas fans don't love the fact that Cuban is everywhere, fist pumping with each win?

That's the essence of sports in general - passion.

[ehh]

Re: Dan Gilbert.

Indeed. Gilbert endeared himself to the Cavs fanbase more than ever with that letter.

[wheelman990]

Re: Dan Gilbert.

Really, the only thing Gilbert has to worry about is Cleveland and the fans here, and I'd say hes done well. Im 35 min from Cleveland, and and the people love this move. The fans here all tried to pay the 100,000 fine for Gilbert, just to show Mr Stern & the NBA how we feel about it, but Gilbert said it was his fine to pay, but he was thankful to have such amazing fans.

Any player who doesnt come to Cleveland, has just missed out-period.If loyal loving fans, a team desperately wanting a championship, and a great community doesnt sound like a great place to call home, I dont know what is. Theres no way Gilbert should have bent over and took it, Lebron bamboozled Cleveland on national T.V

[wwharton]

Re: Dan Gilbert.

The deal with the Gilbert thing (which is why I like it so much) is that he didn't care that it was a bad business move or bad PR or that there would be repercussions...as a fan, he was PO'd and just fired off what I can only assume the vast majority of Clevelanders would have (if they had the forum) in the immediate aftermath of "The Decision". It was a rare moment of complete and unadulterated honesty in pro sports, and so of course it will be heavily criticized. But to see that kind of genuine anger and emotion, from the owner no less, is something I wish all my team's owners had. He's a man of the people at heart, otherwise he would have had his PR department release a BS statement instead of his own blistering diatribe.

As far as players not wanting to come there to play for him because this? Forget it. If he's offering a deal someone likes, they'll take it. There are no principles in pro sports anymore...

In defense of those arguing against Gilbert, he crossed the line when he started talking about things he's allowed Lebron to get away with and how he felt he quit in the playoff games. I think they have a point there, but otherwise I agree with you and think everything else will be more important in the long run... especially if the other things he said are true and other players were secretly ticked off about them anyway.

The problem is when a player is trying to decide between Cleveland Cavs or another team if they are offering the samething. Which may mean the Cavs will be forced to over pay for players.

This was already happening.

[23]

Re: Dan Gilbert.

This was already happening.

True enough but now its the post LeBron Cavs

Thats what makes it worse

[wwharton]

Re: Dan Gilbert.

True enough but now its the post LeBron Cavs

Thats what makes it worse

That's where I think it's a "we'll see". Basically the Cavs had little chance of being all that good without getting lucky in a draft. They drafted Lebron... still had some trouble with free agents. Now without Lebron, they're back to square one. Their success really relies on getting lucky. Whether this happened or not, there was no big time free agent that was going to take Gilbert's max contract over pretty much anybody else's.