Is This Real Life?

"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. 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. You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal. You have given so much and deserve so much more. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day....

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...."

Dan Gilbert...Majority Owner - Cleveland Cavalier

...

So apparently Dan Gilbert is upset and taking this quite personally as is seemingly the rest of Cleveland/Ohio. I'm born and raised in Cincinnati and could not care less that LeBron is heading to Miami. People keep saying Gilbert did everything he could to bring pieces in to help LeBron, so lets recap.

Mo Williams to be your #2 scorer....um no. Dude couldn't play that role in Milwaukee behind Michael Redd.

Shaquille O'Neal came too...7 years too late.

AND when Amar'e Stoudemire was seemingly available for the right price they went out and got Antwan Jamison because they couldn't part with J.J. freaking Hickson!

You did this to yourself Dan, don't be so emotional. You made foolish decisions, not to mention it was a gift that Cleveland even was in a position to draft LeBron in 2003. You got to see seven years of dominant regular season basketball because that is exactly what your owner designed. He'll learn..maybe.

As for that horrible guarantee of getting the hardware before LeBron, Apparently he didn't get the memo LeBron left because Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were already there. I don't think Cleveland has a chance of winning next year and if they don't then his guarantee is shot to hell because Miami will be having a parade next summer with the big three who are sure to make people forget about that other"big" three in Boston.

One question...Hey Kobe, how do you feel?