Cavs owner says LeBron James quit in playoffs

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By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer
11 hours, 45 minutes ago

CLEVELAND (AP)—Angered and betrayed by LeBron James’(notes) decision to leave for Miami, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert accused the NBA’s MVP of quitting during the playoffs.

Gilbert, who posted a letter to Cavs fans on the team’s website shortly after James announced his plans to sign with the Heat, told The Associated Press late Thursday night that it’s “accountability time” for James.

“He has gotten a free pass,” Gilbert said in a phone interview with The AP. “People have covered up for (James) for way too long. Tonight we saw who he really is.”

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More NBA Videos Gilbert feels James quit on the Cavs during their second-round series against the Boston Celtics, who rallied from a 2-1 deficit to eliminate Cleveland.

“He quit,” Gilbert said. “Not just in Game 5, but in Games 2, 4 and 6. Watch the tape. The Boston series was unlike anything in the history of sports for a superstar.”

The Cavaliers were beaten by 32 points in Game 5. During the game, James appeared distracted and uninterested, often glaring at Cleveland’s coaches as the Cavs tried to foul to get back into the game in the second half. James also made some puzzling postgame comments, saying he had “spoiled” people with his play over seven seasons.

Gilbert also said he believes James quit on the Cavs in Game 6 of their series in 2009 against Orlando.

“Go back and look at the tape,” he said. “How many shots did he take?”

Gilbert, who has owned the Cavs for five years, said he was most disappointed by James’ behavior in the months leading up to the superstar’s announcement that he is going to Miami to play with Dwyane Wade(notes) and Chris Bosh(notes). Gilbert said James never returned a single phone message or text since the end of the season and that the Cavs were not informed of James’ decision until he went on the air.

Gilbert said Rich Paul, one of James’ business partners, called the Cavs moments before the announcement.

“LeBron James needs to go to another team with two superstars already so he can win a championship,” Gilbert said. “We will win a championship before (the Heat) do.”

Gilbert said he now wishes he had done some things differently with James, who spent seven seasons with the Cavs.

“It’s not about him leaving,” Gilbert said. “It’s the disrespect. It’s time for people to hold these athletes accountable for their actions. Is this the way you raise your children? I’ve been holding this all in for a long time.”

In Miami, Wade said he was stunned by Gilbert’s comments.

“I think I’m happy that I have the owner that I have here in Miami,” Wade told The Associated Press late Thursday night. “I’m happy Micky Arison is my owner. I couldn’t believe it. I’m speechless. It’s very unfortunate and I think it makes LeBron that much better about his decision.

“We knew ‘Bron would take some backlash,” Wade added in his interview with AP. “I told him he’s a strong man for it.”

AP Sports Writer Tim Reynolds in Miami contributed to this report.

OK, so why was Dan Gilbert going to give James 126 Million to stay in Clev. This is just a guy that is whinning, with a city that is whinning. James gave them 7 years of the best basketball that city has ever seen and there first ever NBA Finals apperance. James could have left 3 years ago, but he didn't. He signed a short term deal and gave them 3 years to get a team around that could win. The team they got him was good in the reg. season, but failed in the playoffs. The only reason they went as fas as they did is James willed them to win, thats it.

What Dan Gilbert even more of a fool is this. They had to know he was leaving, but they waited for James to tell them and they lost their chance at getting on big time free agent. Now they have a lot of money and no one on the market that is worth a max contract. They can use that money and get some more "good players" but there are no superstars left.

This afternoon, the Clev GM said "they had a good team." No, last year they had a "good team" and now they are missing the superstar that made them "good." Now that team is average at best and they are not going to get better this year. Maybe they should be the team that starts dumping salary to get Melo.

The way I see it, LBJ had 2 choices. He could stay loyal to a team that was not going to win and make max contract money, or he could piss off an entire state, take less then max money, and go to a team that can win. James did something that maybe to other superstar athelete has ever done, at least not the modern day athelte. James put money and ego aside to go to a team that can win now and in the future. Maybe the TV show was not the best way to do it, but I think he made a great choice for him and the NBA, especially the Heat. How many Heat games do you think ESPN and TNT will carry? How many season tickets have they sold in the last 12 hours? How many road games will sell out because people want to see James, Wade, and Bosh kick some teams ass? Ummmm, a lot.

He gave them 7 good years...stop bitching...>_>

No shit Affy. He gave them 7 of the best years that the Cavs have ever had. He took them place that they had never been and the team around kept falling short. One man can take over a game, but one man can not win a game on their own.

Concrete Jesus wrote:

This afternoon, the Clev GM said "they had a good team." No, last year they had a "good team" and now they are missing the superstar that made them "good." Now that team is average at best and they are not going to get better this year. Maybe they should be the team that starts dumping salary to get Melo.

I would still say they have an above average team (under the expectation that they will go out and use the LBJ and sign a couple good players). They still have an all-star in Mo Williams and a steady 20-10 guy in Antawn Jamison (well not quite 20-10, he always falls a tad short, but he's like a 19-9 guy ). Add in some young guys like Gibson and Varajeo and they still have some good pieces to build on. Are they going to be a top seed in the east anymore? Probably not. Are they still going to fight for a playoff spot? I expect they will.

Concrete Jesus wrote:

The way I see it, LBJ had 2 choices. He could stay loyal to a team that was not going to win and make max contract money, or he could piss off an entire state, take less then max money, and go to a team that can win.

I lol'd when I saw videos of people burning LBJ jerseys shortly after he made the announcement.

And while he didn't sign for "max money", he still signed for more than allowed by the NBA without a sign-and-trade agreement. And he got an extra year too. If he was willing to accept a little less money, I'm surprised he didn't just sign as a regular FA instead of doing a sign-and-trade. If he took something like 2 million less, he would've saved the Heat 2 first round picks and 2 second round picks. Same with Bosh, they could've saved 2 first round picks and a $16 million trade exception. With the 4th year opt out clause in their contracts, the 6th year could end up being negligible. So had LBJ and Bosh just done 5 year/90 instead of 6 year/110 (about a 2 million per year difference), the Heat could've saved 4 first round picks, 2 second round picks, and a $16 trade exception.

Having said all that, I still stand by their choices to take less and try and build a winner together. No doubt all of their stats are going down next year, but if they can win the championship, I'm sure they won't mind. The Cavs owner is really just pissed off that he lost a tremendous talent, that's really all it is. None of what he said really has much merit behind it (especially that whole "we'll win a championship before Miami does" bullshit).

The funniest part about Gilbert's rant is the "we will win a Championship before they do" part. If he believes that, he is clincally retarded. The current Cav's team with James could not win one. What the hell makes anyone think they can win one without him. I think they will put up a decent record next year. I would say they win about 45 or 50 games, go the playoffs as and a 7 or 8 seed, and lose in a first RD sweep.

I'm actually really interested in seeing what next year's standings look like. Obviously the West has been the stronger conference for so many years, I wonder if there will be a shift of powers with all these UFA signings. A bunch of guys like Amare and Boozer have made their way to the East and I can't think of anyone off the top of my head that went to the West. I wonder if a below .500 record still gets you into the playoffs.

^^I hope that a sub .500 record doesn't make the playoffs. I think it makes the league look pathetic when a team wins 39 games and makes the playoffs. I do agree that there should be a slight shift to the east, but the West has pretty much kept their top teams togther. Other then Amire and Boozer, who else left there team? The West still has the dominate Lakers that will look almost the same next year, the Mavs will look mostly the same next year.

Well there's a bunch of smaller deals going on, so it's hard to say who else is going where. I think I just read Korver is headed to the Bulls with Boozer. Not a big deal, but small things add up for teams.

No amount of small deals is going add up to this one, HUGE deal. I think this be great for the NBA, everyone except Clev that is.

Well all 3 were from the East, so it doesn't change anything in terms of East/West power.

I expect the Thunder to get better next year. That young team will have a good season and a good playoff aperance to build on.