An Open Letter to Dan Gilbert

Mr. Gilbert,

First, we the fans of the Cavaliers want to thank you for your letter condemning the actions of LeBron James.  No matter the opinions of the pundits- we appreciate your passion and agree with your statements regarding James.  With that being said there are a few points we would like you to discuss with David Stern:

1. Salary Cap Issues: While David Stern certainly does deserve some credit for the success of the league- the fact is he truly hasn’t helped the game other than broadening the popularity overseas.  Virtually anyone could have rode the coattails of the Bird/Magic rivalry then the phenomenon that was Michael Jordan.  Stern should have forced the players union to give on some of the salary cap issues including following the very successful plan of the NFL.  NBA teams should have the ability to franchise players to assure they have the ability too, at the very least, get market value for players that leave.

2. Free Agency Time Frame: Having free agency after the draft is absolutely ludicrous.  Teams cannot possibly prepare efficiently through the draft without knowing their needs.  Stern needs to clean up the entire process.  It is as ridiculous as the MLB All Star Game deciding home field in the World Series.  In many respects David Stern is as clueless as Bud Selig.

3. Players: The NFL yet again leads all of the major organizations regarding player conduct and accountability.  We ask that you push Stern to create some of the formulas used by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.  Yes, they are very strict but the reputation of the League isn’t good and was only made worse by the free agent scandal labeled the decision.  The NBA must take control of it’s product and image.  The image of the league is that of thugs and heathens.

4. PED Testing: There is little doubt the landscape of the league would dramatically change if performance enhancing drug testing was enforced to the Olympic level.  There are obvious reasons why Stern doesn’t want this too happen.  The league should give it’s players six months notice to clean it up and then drop the hammer.  There is little doubt that a good portion of the league would currently test positive.

5. Officiating: While it is doubtful there are global conspiracies to fix games in the NBA (although it has been proven officials have been on the take), the officiating is absolutely atrocious.  Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals drew incredible ratings and what did the fans get to see?  A game where the officials swallowed their whistles (I.e. “let the players decide the game”) resulting in a wrestling match that ended in a low scoring, 83-79 affair.  This type of officiating limits the skills the game is built upon.

Mr. Gilbert, we hope you take these things to throne of David Stern.  We know you can be a great asset in the massive project to fix the game and protect it’s most valuable resource- the fans.

Regarding the self proclaimed “Chosen One”- we are all now fully aware of what type of person he truly is.  He is without a doubt one of the most self-absorbed individuals in all of sports-a lofty title indeed.  Now James is in his natural surroundings in Miami.  James will fit in well there and prove to be more like Tiger Woods than we could ever imagined.  As previously stated, we appreciate your honesty on James and can only ask for more.  We are intrigued to learn more about a player who not only tanked games but also lacked the common decency to share his “decision” with an organization who treated him very well.  Even more importantly, LeFraud failed to share his decision with teammates whom he  went to battle and shared a locker room with.  This sums up James more than anyone can.  He is a fraud just like Woods and we ask that you bring that all too light-including the stories on the not so lady like Gloria James.

The way this entire fiasco went down doesn’t solely fall on the large ego of James but also on the league, Pat Riley and David Stern.  A fight in the stands in Detroit, drug convictions, hell even murders by players cannot bring down the league; however, the suspicions of games not being played to win or meant to lose changes everything.  Chris Bosh sat out games that had playoff implications, James obviously quit during the playoffs.  Need we say more?  This falls directly on the league and Stern.  Regarding Pat Riley- it doesn’t take a long diatribe to describe one of the dirtiest players in the game.  Pat Riley resigned from his position with the New York Knicks via fax, yeah a fax.  Riley also fired Stan Van Gundy so he could get credit for a title with the Miami Heat.  Riley may be the only human on earth that is more self absorbed than “King” James.

Finally, while we love your passion and appreciate your promise to win a title before the Heat; Cavs’ fans realize this is highly unlikely.  Just promise us you will put your large bank account and your full energy into building a team that will make us proud and will be sustainable.  Although we all hated the Detroit Pistons- we respected their teamwork and work ethic (minus Rasheed Wallace).  Our hope is you build a team like the Pistons, where substance reigns over style.  A team that will worry about winning more than dancing, championships more than Jay-Z and a team that will not be hob-nobbing with the opponent.  Mr. Gilbert- bring us a team that epitomizes the blue collar work ethic of the great state of Ohio.  Also, please make sure LeFraud is barred from all sidelines at The Ohio State University.  I’m sure Coach Tressel will not have a problem doing that.

Kind Regards,
Stemavo Rheulus

PS- If Stern is fining you and the bigoted “Rev” Jessie Jackson is throwing barbs, you are doing something right.

LeFraud James - Why Are We Surprised?

Everyone was surprised by the prima donna, selfish actions of the self proclaimed “King”- looking back there was no reason .  The media whore James drove a Hummer as a student in Akron which placed his team in the limelight for the wrong reasons and jeopardized their wins and titles.  James and his “loving” mother have acted in this manner throughout his career.  However, up until this point, the diva James, has done his best to cover up his true self.

From high school James moved to Cleveland where he held the franchise hostage for seven years.  He didn’t sign the long term deal and often turn his head and even stated “the fans are spoiled by his play.”  Not exactly the words you would expect to hear from real champions like Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan.  Players at their level lived up to the responsibility and pushed their teammates to get better.  Yes, James turned the franchise around and made it legitimate but he did no more with the team than did Brad Daugherty and Mark Price.

James did lead the team to the 2007 NBA Finals, where they were swept by the Spurs, and consecutive seasons with the best record.  Despite that “The Chosen One” couldn’t finish the deal.  Critics often point to the supporting cast, which may be true, but megastars finish the deal.  Stars play their best on the biggest stage or will their way to a win, see Kobe Bryant.  Instead, James preferred to flirt with Jay-Z and various other “stars” and made sure he hugged his opponent and of course threw his dust in the air.  Not exactly the focus and desire of a champion.  When the rubber met the road and his teammates needed a kick, the King was often too soft or maybe he was just overly concerned about who and what his mom was doing.

In the end- James is a front runner who doesn’t understand the meaning of loyalty or greatness.  He showed no respect by wearing Yankee and Cowboy hats to sporting events in Cleveland, laughing after losses and “recruiting“ other players to his marketing firm.  He seemed more excited about hosting SNL than playing basketball.  James is what he was in high school- an arrogant prick, surrounded by no-name thugs, who will sell himself like an inner city prostitute at a moment’s notice.  The self absorbed James hasn’t changed one bit- he is still a follower with no support structure in place-his father is nowhere to be found and his mom has been trouble throughout - for more information google Gloria James & Delonte West.  Can he control his mom while with the Heat?  It’s probably a safe bet LeFraud will resemble Tiger Woods more than ever in Miami.

James’ method of announcing and making the decision proves who he is.  His legacy is lost and he will be the most hated player in the league.  Quite the transformation your Highness, quite the transformation.  In the end, James did nothing for the city of Cleveland.  Had they not won the lottery and gotten Anthony or Wade, the story would have been the same.  Not only has he broken the hearts of his faithful throng, he did in a way that makes Judas Iscariot look like Mother Teresa.  LeFraud- you are no student of the game-far from it.  The great ones win on their own merit.  Winners don’t chase championships-they earn it…

Stemavo Rheulus, Senior Writer