Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert will most likely never live this day down – the day he tarnished the image of his basketball team by writing a letter attacking Lebron James for his decision to sign with the Miami Heat.
The letter cited a “shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own.” and that his decision making process was “a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with the national TV special of his ‘decision’ unlike anything ever ‘witnessed’ in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.”
Spike Lee once (a long time ago) compared basketball players to slaves and the team to a plantation. It goes without saying that he would have delighted in Gilbert’s outburst back then. If James’ decision was an insult to the city’s spirit and economic health, then Gilbert’s wild remarks are a major injury. As the team’s owner, Gilbert has failed dramatically. The Cavaliers will now be known as the team with a mobster-like owner, rather than the team which nurtured one of the league’s greatest athletes. His lack of professionalism will certainly cost his team and the city, indirectly, as players and sponsors now know to tread lightly and keep at a safe distance.
