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LeBron James

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People were shitting on Dan, but goddamn did he not read this like a book.

LeBron kept demanding trades for various players and all Dan did was to go "Sure, LeBron, whatever you want. Just sign on the dotted line and re-up"

When he refused? Well, Dan did what was best for his franchise.

This really sucks. I'm seeing people on my feed blowing Pelinka and Magic like this is some sort of "master stroke" of thievery.

Like....It really isn't to me.
 
People were shitting on Dan, but goddamn did he not read this like a book.

LeBron kept demanding trades for various players and all Dan did was to go "Sure, LeBron, whatever you want. Just sign on the dotted line and re-up"

When he refused? Well, Dan did what was best for his franchise.

This really sucks. I'm seeing people on my feed blowing Pelinka and Magic like this is some sort of "master stroke" of thievery.

Like....It really isn't to me.

I think he would have taken a verbal commitment. They knew
 
I think he would have taken a verbal commitment. They knew

With that there really is next to nothing one could do in that situation.

I mean they'd probably be in a very horrible situation now had they just blindly done what he wanted.
 
Just to tie all of this together.....

LeBron is 100% a social activist. We've seen that from his tremendous work in Akron with the "I Promise" program. An amazing program that has already helped thousands of kids who may have otherwise not had an opportunity to advance their education.

We've seen it when the most popular athlete in the US calls the President "a bum". I don't care if you agree with him or not, but he's putting himself out there.

We've seen it when he's talked about 50% of his Cleveland fan-base likely being Trump supporters and not being able to really embrace that or be fully comfortable with it.

And then you look at LA and specifically Magic Johnson....

Magic Johnson's net-worth is now worth close to $600M. He built that largely on the entertainment industry (AME movie theaters) but also developed businesses that specifically targeted Urban markets when other companies could've been first movers, but didn't want to enter that demographic. Magic has donated millions to inner city charities and donated millions to HIV research and programs.

And you compare Magic's resume, next to Dan Gilbert's, and they don't really compare very favorably for what LeBron views as important. I 100% believe people are misguided when they view Gilbert as a Trump supporter because I don't think that is true. But Dan's company also had to take down a billboard in Detroit last year that was insanely tone deaf and borderline racist. Quicken Loans is known by many as a "predatory" loan business. His casinos in Cleveland aren't exactly helping the poor.....in fact they largely take the little money poor people have as they foolishly gamble away what they have.

I don't think LeBron disliked or despised Dan. I just don't think LeBron respected Dan the way most normal people come to respect billionaires for earning what they have. Gilbert's wealth never impressed LeBron. LeBron was happy he spent into the luxury tax, but that was always part of the agreement for him to come back to CLE. I think Cavs fans, myself included, wanted Gilbert to get "extra credit" for being a repeat luxury tax offender......LeBron didn't care. That was the cost of him blessing our franchise with his presence.

It's interesting.....when you look at the two owners who have had LeBron, they both committed massive errors with him.

Dan's mistake was "the letter" which he ultimately apologized to LeBron for, but never made a public apology. Savannah and Gloria, according to LeBron, were both anti-LeBron coming back to CLE because they didn't want him playing for an owner that thought he was a piece of property. I give Dan credit for apologizing to LeBron, although he probably should've given a more forceful public apology....but he at least gained enough of LeBron's trust to come back in 2014.

Micky Arison truly cemented LeBron's contempt with ownership though. After Gilbert wrote his scathing letter, LeBron sacrificed several million dollars so he, Wade, and Bosh could all fit together on the Miami Heat. Everything was going well until..........Arison didn't want to be a tax repeater and let Mike Miller go to avoid paying luxury tax dollars. LeBron felt burned, for a second time, by an owner he was making millions of dollars. And this guy can't pick up one of my best friends for a few million dollars, after I just staked my reputation on coming to Miami to play for your organization?

I don't think LeBron has any bond with Jeanie Buss. I think he understands her pockets are actually pretty thin. But he has massive trust and faith in Magic Johnson...not as a GM, but a successful man of the community. Magic isn't worth $600M based on NBA earnings. It's all outside of basketball.....after being diagnosed with HIV as well. LeBron's businesses SpringHill Entertainment and Klutch Sports are off to amazing starts, and a guy who is worth $1B already from NBA contracts and endorsements, will be worth multi-billions of dollars as his off-court companies take off and thrive. And that just means more community impact and involvement.

I guess.....my opinion, based on what I've gathered from media reports, but also stuff I've heard outside about him....LA is truly not about the rings. He wants to be competitive, he doesn't want to make a mockery of himself or the Lakers. But LeBron truly believes he can be a "change agent" in the world. He's already got his "I Promise" program fully functioning and in great hands. Now how does he make the greatest impact on the world? And it likely doesn't happen from Northeast Ohio. It starts with him becoming a multi-billionaire and putting his money to use across the country as he sees fit. Some even think he may get into politics after basketball. And not only would he have the name-brand recognition from basketball, but he will have an amazing business background to back-up his athletic glory.
 
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I agree with the assertion that there isn't bad or good relationship with Gilbert, rather there just...isn't one all together.

I imagine the wounds between the two were healed in 2014, but beyond that it was business for the two in this partnership.
LeBron is an unsual person to really tackle.

On one hand? He clearly sees himself as a global icon now. The move to Miami and the move to Los Angeles were made in that mold. IIRC? In the Windhorst/Pluto book it was even said he was
kinda hoping the Knicks would have won the lotto that year.

On the other hand? He is probably one of the few "GOAT" type figures in that form of the sport to have wnated to spend a decent amount of time in the Cleveland market. So the Cavs got beyond lucky he does in fact have strong Ohio ties.

But I agree with the overall assetment. Guys like Nance, Price, Carr, all viewed themselves as "Cavaliers" first and foremost. It's probably why Nance Jr. has been seen walking around in a retro "CAVS" blue t-shirt, etc.

LeBron views himself as LeBron. Which isn't a bad or good thing. It would have been cool if he did have that Nance/Price/Carr though.
 
I agree with the assertion that there isn't bad or good relationship with Gilbert, rather there just...isn't one all together.

I imagine the wounds between the two were healed in 2014, but beyond that it was business for the two in this partnership.
LeBron is an unsual person to really tackle.

On one hand? He clearly sees himself as a global icon now. The move to Miami and the move to Los Angeles were made in that mold. IIRC? In the Windhorst/Pluto book it was even said he was
kinda hoping the Knicks would have won the lotto that year.

On the other hand? He is probably one of the few "GOAT" type figures in that form of the sport to have wnated to spend a decent amount of time in the Cleveland market. So the Cavs got beyond lucky he does in fact have strong Ohio ties.

But I agree with the overall assetment. Guys like Nance, Price, Carr, all viewed themselves as "Cavaliers" first and foremost. It's probably why Nance Jr. has been seen walking around in a retro "CAVS" blue t-shirt, etc.

LeBron views himself as LeBron. Which isn't a bad or good thing. It would have been cool if he did have that Nance/Price/Carr though.

LeBron had a "coming of age moment" while in Miami that really influenced his perception vs reality.

Everyone remembers when, as a Cavalier, he showed up to a playoff baseball game wearing a Yankees hat, and he got a lot of heat for it. The guy played for the Cavs, repped the city as hard as he could n the court, and got ripped for being a Yankees fan.

Then he came out as a huge Cowboy fan. What's the big deal, right? Well, now he's known as a fan of the Yankees and a fan of the Cowboys....what a front-runner this dude is.

Then he leaves Cleveland for Miami, wins (2) titles, and gets destroyed for how he accomplished his goal of winning titles (he ruined the East, took the easy way out, destroyed the NBA, etc.).

He realized this is all a really fickle game......in the meaning of life, and how we use our time on earth.....NBA championships don't mean shit. Putting under-privileged kids through college makes a true impact. Being a social influencer for his causes makes a true impact.

He's in LA for a reason. There's nothing Dan or Koby could've done to change it. And I love ripping last years moves.....but I truly believe the writing was on the wall. Gilbert and Koby knew. They aren't that stupid.....there were whispers the year we won the title.....before we even got into the Kyrie trade mess. It was just inevitable. In some respects, I'm grateful LeBron did it this way rather than string us out. The JR and TT contracts will always leave me a bit bitter, but the Cavs are in an OK position. I do believe LeBron kept it in the back of his mind not to leave Cleveland completely broken. I'll say this too........and a lot of casual fans have alluded to it. But I've heard the Clarkson, Nance trade was absolutely done with the intention of giving LeBron what he wanted. The Cavs got back two pieces they liked, for IT (who we weren't going to re-sign) and a 1st round pick. For a guy in Clarkson the front office actually liked, and Nance Jr. who they felt was a future piece. Giving away the 1st rd. pick was insane however.

I do believe the Cavs knew LeBron was gone by the trade deadline though. I think if the Cavs won the Finals, LeBron was still gone. He flirted with it after we won in 2016. He's always had LA on his mind. Now he has it.

Good luck.
 
Just to tie all of this together.....

LeBron is 100% a social activist. We've seen that from his tremendous work in Akron with the "I Promise" program. An amazing program that has already helped thousands of kids who may have otherwise not had an opportunity to advance their education.

We've seen it when the most popular athlete in the US calls the President "a bum". I don't care if you agree with him or not, but he's putting himself out there.

We've seen it when he's talked about 50% of his Cleveland fan-base likely being Trump supporters and not being able to really embrace that or be fully comfortable with it.

And then you look at LA and specifically Magic Johnson....

Magic Johnson's net-worth is now worth close to $600M. He built that largely on the entertainment industry (AME movie theaters) but also developed businesses that specifically targeted Urban markets when other companies could've been first movers, but didn't want to enter that demographic. Magic has donated millions to inner city charities and donated millions to HIV research and programs.

And you compare Magic's resume, next to Dan Gilbert's, and they don't really compare very favorably for what LeBron views as important. I 100% believe people are misguided when they view Gilbert as a Trump supporter because I don't think that is true. But Dan's company also had to take down a billboard in Detroit last year that was insanely tone deaf and borderline racist. Quicken Loans is known by many as a "predatory" loan business. His casinos in Cleveland aren't exactly helping the poor.....in fact they largely take the little money poor people have as they foolishly gamble away what they have.

I don't think LeBron disliked or despised Dan. I just don't think LeBron respected Dan the way most normal people come to respect billionaires for earning what they have. Gilbert's wealth never impressed LeBron. LeBron was happy he spent into the luxury tax, but that was always part of the agreement for him to come back to CLE. I think Cavs fans, myself included, wanted Gilbert to get "extra credit" for being a repeat luxury tax offender......LeBron didn't care. That was the cost of him blessing our franchise with his presence.

It's interesting.....when you look at the two owners who have had LeBron, they both committed massive errors with him.

Dan's mistake was "the letter" which he ultimately apologized to LeBron for, but never made a public apology. Savannah and Gloria, according to LeBron, were both anti-LeBron coming back to CLE because they didn't want him playing for an owner that thought he was a piece of property. I give Dan credit for apologizing to LeBron, although he probably should've given a more forceful public apology....but he at least gained enough of LeBron's trust to come back in 2014.

Micky Arison truly cemented LeBron's contempt with ownership though. After Gilbert wrote his scathing letter, LeBron sacrificed several million dollars so he, Wade, and Bosh could all fit together on the Miami Heat. Everything was going well until..........Arison didn't want to be a tax repeater and let Mike Miller go to avoid paying luxury tax dollars. LeBron felt burned, for a second time, by an owner he was making millions of dollars. And this guy can't pick up one of my best friends for a few million dollars, after I just staked my reputation on coming to Miami to play for your organization?

I don't think LeBron has any bond with Jeanie Buss. I think he understands her pockets are actually pretty thin. But he has massive trust and faith in Magic Johnson...not as a GM, but a successful man of the community. Magic isn't worth $600M based on NBA earnings. It's all outside of basketball.....after being diagnosed with HIV as well. LeBron's businesses SpringHill Entertainment and Klutch Sports are off to amazing starts, and a guy who is worth $1B already from NBA contracts and endorsements, will be worth multi-billions of dollars as his off-court companies take off and thrive. And that just means more community impact and involvement.

I guess.....my opinion, based on what I've gathered from media reports, but also stuff I've heard outside about him....LA is truly not about the rings. He wants to be competitive, he doesn't want to make a mockery of himself or the Lakers. But LeBron truly believes he can be a "change agent" in the world. He's already got his "I Promise" program fully functioning and in great hands. Now how does he make the greatest impact on the world? And it likely doesn't happen from Northeast Ohio. It starts with him becoming a multi-billionaire and putting his money to use across the country as he sees fit. Some even think he may get into politics after basketball. And not only would he have the name-brand recognition from basketball, but he will have an amazing business background to back-up his athletic glory.

So you're saying that one day, I may actually get to vote against LBJ?

That would be sweet.
 
I'd hate to be the bearer of bad news but LeBron never wanted to come back here. I think he came back here for legacy reasons alone.... To try and win a championship where it all started so he could get the monkey off his back. I think he may have enjoyed his time back in Cleveland here and there but overall I think he just didn't like being back. Whether that reason is Dan...... or the players around him.... or whatever the case may be.

I mean, I know this is a stupid reason to bring up but remember when he unfollowed the Cavaliers on Twitter? I think he unfollowed a few other Twitter accounts and Instagram accounts that directly involved Cleveland / Cavaliers. His reasoning was never really given, I think at one point he said "He was tired of seeing all the chatter"

But take a look at who he recently followed on Twitter within the last day..... The LA Lakers. He followed them not only on Twitter but on Instagram too. Maybe that's just part of the excitement he has being with a new team and doing the right thing etc... But it definitely seems like he is HAPPY to leave the Cavaliers for a pretty similar shitty team in LA.

Just sucks to see. It NEVER seemed like he was happy being here, his body language was always negative while he was back in Cleveland. Just never really seemed like he felt like the Cavaliers were his HOME. He just happened to play for them.. Northeast Ohio this, Northeast Ohio that... Never CAVALIERS. Cleveland this is for you! <--- One of the only times he actually mentioned Cleveland in such a positive light.
 
LBJ said it himself - it's "Cleveland Against the World". And he's part of that "world" now.
 
I'd hate to be the bearer of bad news but LeBron never wanted to come back here. I think he came back here for legacy reasons alone.... To try and win a championship where it all started so he could get the monkey off his back. I think he may have enjoyed his time back in Cleveland here and there but overall I think he just didn't like being back. Whether that reason is Dan...... or the players around him.... or whatever the case may be.

I mean, I know this is a stupid reason to bring up but remember when he unfollowed the Cavaliers on Twitter? I think he unfollowed a few other Twitter accounts and Instagram accounts that directly involved Cleveland / Cavaliers. His reasoning was never really given, I think at one point he said "He was tired of seeing all the chatter"

But take a look at who he recently followed on Twitter within the last day..... The LA Lakers. He followed them not only on Twitter but on Instagram too. Maybe that's just part of the excitement he has being with a new team and doing the right thing etc... But it definitely seems like he is HAPPY to leave the Cavaliers for a pretty similar shitty team in LA.

Just sucks to see. It NEVER seemed like he was happy being here, his body language was always negative while he was back in Cleveland. Just never really seemed like he felt like the Cavaliers were his HOME. He just happened to play for them.. Northeast Ohio this, Northeast Ohio that... Never CAVALIERS. Cleveland this is for you! <--- One of the only times he actually mentioned Cleveland in such a positive light.

His agent just said (saw it on ProBasketballTalk) that Miami was about winning, Cleveland was about fulfilling a promise and LA was LeBron finally doing "what he wants to do."

So it certainly seems to strengthen your point; LeBron is putting it out there that his only real reason for coming back here was to deliver a promised championship to Cleveland. Admirable yea, but also kind of makes so much of what he said a bit hollow. He even said in his letter, "this is what makes me happy" when he came back.

He would have been much better off from an optics perspective just saying that he was coming back for one reason - to try and win the city a championship. With no promises or anything beyond that. Because now, hes making it sound like he just came back to pay off a debt and that was it.

Dont really see the reason why he feels the need to take veiled shots at the city, even if he doesn't love the Cavs as an organization.
 
I really think it's as simple as his family wanted to live in LA. He wasn't winning a championship regardless of where he went next year, so might as well go where his family wants (which also happens to be an attractive free agency destination). I think he'll win at least one more ring before his career is up, but even if he doesn't he has nothing left to prove. All sane and reasonable basketball fans recognize his greatness.
 
@MediumBaller What's your new username on Lakersground or realgm lakers forum?

You kind bailed on us bro.
Laker fans are dbags so I'm avoiding their forums lol. I'll begrudgingly root for them because I love LeBron, but I won't like it. Might end up deciding to just be a Cavs fan because I like some of the young guys. I've been lurking in Cavs Talk, mostly staying up to date on Cedi and Zizic.
 
I don’t agree that Lebron wasn’t “happy” in Cleveland. The raw emotion he displayed while in the Cavs uniform was too authentic. He NEVER displayed this level of emotion in Miami. At least not during the regular season/post season. Just look at the emotion after the Celtics series this year (notably after the ‘and 1 layup’ in game 7). Look at the emotion in the Raptors series.

I think this is what hurts me the most. I think he truly wanted to continue winning in Cleveland but knew it was hopeless. At that point he might as well lose where his family is happy and wants to be and where his businesses can start to flourish.

Just like I did in 2010, I do believe he’ll find his way back here. This time it won’t be in his prime and more to the end of his career.

Man as I type this, this really sucks. It really does...
 

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