Coolbaugh: Gilbert’s rant is childish, hypocritical

By Gethin Coolbaugh

By now I’m sure you’ve heard that prized free agent LeBron James will be taking his talents to South Beach to play for the Miami Heat.

The news was met with jubilation in Miami and extreme disappointment in Cleveland.

LeBron’s decision was taken especially hard by Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, who wrote a steaming letter to Cleveland fans almost immediately after James’ decision.

Instead of simply showing you the letter, I will post Gilbert’s letter in its entirety in italics and give you my thoughts on each section, which will be written in bold.

Here’s Gilbert’s letter…

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.

I have no problem with the opening statement, but then Gilbert begins trashing James when he calls his TV spectacle 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.”

True, James could have handled his announcement in a manner less embarrassing to his hometown Cavaliers, but in the end, it’s a business, and LeBron knows that. Gilbert should too.

And as for the Cavaliers brass never betraying the city of Cleveland, give me a break, Dan. You betrayed them by not doing your job and placing talent with James in order to compete for a title. Mo WIlliams was a start, but a washed up Shaquille O’Neal and Antawn Jamison were not good enough to bring the Larry O’Brien trophy to Cleveland. You’re more at fault for this than James is.

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.

Exciting future, eh? Like what…? Last time I checked, all of the big name free agents are off the market. You’re telling me that you’re going to build a title team with the likes of Richard Jefferson?

You simply don’t deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

Yes, Cavs fans don’t deserve this, and they have given their soul and ten times more to LeBron. But again, it’s a business. If you don’t create an environment in which a player can win, don’t expect them to come home under the same conditions. If you really wanted to keep James, maybe you should have made it a priority to bring in a big name free agent before the King made his decision. It worked for the Heat. And again, Mo isn’t cutting it.

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.

When I first read this, it made me think that a fourth grader was writing this letter. I mean, come on. All caps?

And on what grounds do you guarantee that you’ll win a title before LeBron does? You don’t seem committed to bringing in another star player to take the place of James. And if you couldn’t win with James, what on earth makes you think that you can win without him? Common sense tells you that LeBron has about a much better shot of winning a ring first.

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.

That’s nice, Dan. You want to win a title. That’s what most executives and players want. So did LeBron, and that’s why he left.

Previously unknown and previously never expected levels? I didn’t know that you could just pull motivation out of a hat. You should have tried it when LeBron was there. Oops, too late.

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.

So…you want LeBron to die?

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.

No…Quicken Loans Arena is staying in Cleveland.

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.

No thanks, I’d rather watch a good basketball team. Like that team in Miami. Did you know that they just got three superstars? It’s going to be fun to watch. You should give it a shot!

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day….

Yeah, with Delonte West as the new face of the franchise.

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….

I highly doubt it. If you weren’t willing to spend time and money to bring in talent then, why would you do it now? Better start looking through Chad Ford’s top 10 prospects in the 2011-2020 NBA draft, because that’s about where you’ll be picking for a while.

Gethin Coolbaugh is the Associate Editor of Boston Sports U18. He can be reached at 774-279-1995 or at gethin.coolbaugh@bostonsportsu18.com. You can also visit Gethin Coolbaugh’s official website and follow Gethin Coolbaugh on Twitter.