First Free Agent to change teams

**R13** · July 8th, 2010, 10:07 PM

Lee is headed to Golden State in other news.

**duckmeat** · July 8th, 2010, 10:49 PM

No idea how they don't just completely dominate everything. They have two of the top three or four players in the league, and three of the top ten on their team.

I know their team isn't even completely assembled, but **** whoever they guys are gonna be on the floor w/ them are going to have it made, no attention directed at them.

Who thought Rondo, Perkins, or Big Baby would be good in Boston when Garnett and Allen arrived?

**1inStripes** · July 8th, 2010, 10:56 PM

Their problem will be if one of the big 3 gets hurt then they will have to have a rookie or 2nd/3rd level player really step up.

**Milk3** · July 9th, 2010, 12:09 AM

Originally Posted by 1inStripes

Their problem will be if one of the big 3 gets hurt then they will have to have a rookie or 2nd/3rd level player really step up.

They could lose any of the big 3 and the other 2 can easily make up for it. Look what James and Wade did alone with the teams they had the past few years

**1inStripes** · July 9th, 2010, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by Milk3

They could lose any of the big 3 and the other 2 can easily make up for it. Look what James and Wade did alone with the teams they had the past few years

What get beat in the first or second round of the playoffs? Thats real impressive.

**R13** · July 9th, 2010, 11:47 AM

I'm hoping they'll sign Raja Bell, it'll be easy picking up some decent free-agents, players will be eager. They traded Beasley to the Wolves for a 2nd round pick, which I know they needed the cap room, but I would have liked to see him stay somehow..that'd be that guy to step up easily. They'll get some decent vets in there now.

But what a ***** the Cavs owner is, he's insane too.

CLEVELAND -- Angered and betrayed by LeBron James' 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."

?

Gilbert It's not about him leaving. 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.
? -- Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert

Gilbert said 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 and Chris Bosh. 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."

Cavs reaction

Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert gave his reaction to LeBron James leaving in an open letter to fans on the Cavs' website. Letter
? TrueHoop

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."

In the letter posted on the Cavaliers' website Gilbert called the process on James' free agency "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."

Gilbert told Cavs fans: "You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER 'KING' WINS ONE"

Gilbert promised that "curse" on Cleveland sports would follow James to Miami.

"The self-declared former 'King' will be taking the 'curse' with him down south," Gilbert wrote. "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."

Gilbert finished the letter by promising to put his focus on bringing a championship to Cleveland with the Cavaliers.

"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...."

Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert says LeBron James quit during playoffs - ESPN@@AMEPARAM@@http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5365647@@AMEPARAM@@5365647