"Le-Gone"

Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert posted this letter on the team’s website after LeBron James’ announcement he was leaving for the Miami Heat.

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 Cavaliers

Goran Dragic

The Phoenix Suns made the Western Conference Finals interesting by evening  up the series at 2 games each with a 115-106 win at the U.S. Airways Center.  The Suns kept the Lakers off balance with the zone defense and Kobe’s supporting crew, specifically Odom and Artest, were no where to be found when the Lakers needed a big basket.

After missing 17 shots in a row over a 3-game span, Channing Frye came alive going 4-5 from beyond the arch and finishing with 14 points.  The Suns bench was the difference outscoring the Lakers’ second unit 54-20 while controlling the tempo early in the 2nd and 4th quarters.  The Suns went 8 for 16 from behind the 3-point line in the  first half and scored 41 points in the second quarter, making a mockery of the Lakers’ defense….and they better figure it out soon, or Kobe and the boys will be “fishin” in June.
Honestly, Kobe was an assasin, hitting contested shot after contested shot and finishing with 38 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds, and tied his career playoff high with six 3-pointers.  For the Lakers to win game 5 and turn the series around, Odom and Artest must step-up and impact the game.  Gasol has been solid and will get his, yet the Lakers need solid play from Odom, Artest and must get more from their bench.  The Lakers second unit has always been in question this season, and now it looks as though the question has been answered.

The Suns bench was on FIRE and brought energy and enthusiasm along with the intensity and urgency that escaped Orlando and Cleveland in the East.  With Lopez, Barbosa, Dragic, Dudley and Amundson leading the second unit, the Suns are poised for a huge Western Conference upset.  If I were betting, I still put my money on the Lakers; they are too good, too big and have the best player in the game.  With that being said, the Suns are playing well, they believe they can win the series and it’s going to be a fun series to watch.