Open Letter to Fans from Cavaliers Owner Dan Gilbert

[mysteryguest]

Bryant Gumbel weighs in on LeBron
Transcript of Bryant Gumbel’s close tonight to Real Sports on HBO, as provided by the network.

“Finally tonight, a few words about championship rings. Just when did they become the all-important barometer of who does or doesn’t count in sports? When did they supersede personal excellence or exemplary character as a standard of greatness?

“I got to thinking about that the other night after the self-anointed chosen one, LeBron James, embarrassed himself as he tried to make his decision to seek rings in Miami sound like a search for the Holy Grail. It’s when he essentially admitted to placing a higher priority on winning than anything else.

“LeBron’s decision is typical of our immediate gratification era, but it flies in the face of history. Even though he never won a title, Dan Marino is still the biggest hero in Florida. And in Boston, all those Celtics championships are dimmed by the unforgettable brilliance of Ted Williams, who never won anything. In Chicago, Gale Sayers and Dick Butkus have legendary status despite playing on losing teams. And even in the NBA, where guys seem obsessed with being viewed as ‘the man’, real men like Barkley, Ewing and Baylor are ringless, but revered.

“Despite such evidence to the contrary, LeBron James seems to think he needs a ring to change his life and secure his legacy. Maybe he’ll get one, maybe he won’t, but it’s probable that no amount of rings will ever remove the stench he wallowed in last week. LeBron may yet find that in the court of public opinion, just as putting on a tux can’t make a guy a gentleman, winning a ring can’t make one truly a champion.”

[Chocolatecoveredduck]

Lebron would like a word with you.. He just got done choking and needs some assistance.

[mysteryguest]

Lebron jokes;
LeBron James is set to release his own line of headphones. The sound quality is amazing as it has no ring.
I saw LeBron before the game and I asked for $1. He gave me 75 cents. I said where's the rest? He replied i don't have a 4th quarter.
What's the difference between Saturn and LeBron James? They're both big and full of gas, but at least Saturn has rings.
Why does LeBron only get served boneless buffalo wings? Because he has a tendency to choke.
Tomorrow is Lebron James day, everyone gets to leave work 12 minutes early.




http://www.fox59.com/video/photos/sns-l ... otogallery

[Louie]

James did not lose the series. The Mavs won it by executing very well excellent offensive and defensive schemes and adjustments by the coaching staff.

[Chocolatecoveredduck]

James promised big things. He ditched Cleveland thinking he could deliver an immediate championship if surrounded by other stars.

Turns out, a great team that plays as a team beats a team that relies on great players most of the time...

[Louie]

Yes, team ball beat hero ball. I guess my point is that too much is being put on James and not enough on Eric S for failing to match the Mavs moves and counter moves.

[Chocolatecoveredduck]

If I can find the article, I'll link to it. I don't know how much of it was pressure on Lebron as shaudenfreude for the way he left Cleveland. He made a big deal of it, ran to Miami, and promised 8 rings. He put himself above the team and the sport.

There have been so many other great players through the years. Jordan obviously comes as the first name on that list. In some cases they played less than successful years and eventually won a ring, and in other cases, (Reggie Miller) they remained loyal even though they probably could have gone almost anywhere they wanted. Even a star like Shaq was on a few teams, but he didn't make a media circus of it.

Lebron has shown his immaturity on and off the court. Maybe he'll learn, but for now, Cleveland and so many others are laughing heartily at his "failure", which I quote because as you say, it's not on his shoulders.