Dan Gilbert's latest LeBron farewell letter came without Comic Sans or pettiness

When LeBron James left Cleveland the first time, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert tried his best to roast him with an angry farewell letter written in comic sans. Now that he’s ditched Ohio once again -- this time for the Lakers -- Gilbert has a few more parting words for the four-time NBA MVP -- and this time they’re in a reasonable font.

Gilbert thanked James for his latest stint with the franchise in a reverent letter released by the team Sunday evening in the moments after James’ agents announced he’d be moving to Los Angeles. The longtime NBA figure recognized the role his star player played in delivering the first NBA Championship in franchise history, thanking him for his hard work and offering his best wishes to LeBron and the rest of his family as they gear up for a move to the West Coast.

We will always remember the evening of June 19, 2016 as the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by LeBron James, ended the 52-year drought delivering the long elusive championship that many thought they would never see... A championship that united generations of Clevelanders, both living and passed.

Virtually anyone with roots in Northeast Ohio paused and felt the memories of the past and the utter joy that the burden of the so-called ‘curse’ was finally a thing of the past. Cleveland, Ohio was the home of a championship team for the first time since 1964. Words do not express the meaning and the feeling this accomplishment brought to the people of Northeast Ohio.

None of this would have happened if LeBron James did not agree to come back home and lead the Cavaliers to the promised land. The entire Cavaliers franchise thanks LeBron for that precious moment and for all of the excitement he delivered as he led our team to four straight NBA Finals appearances.

LeBron is a family man, first. We wish his kids, his wife Savannah, his mother Gloria, and LeBron himself nothing but the best in the years and decades ahead. LeBron’s connection to Akron, Cleveland and all of Northeast Ohio will most certainly endure as his commitment to the region and his support of many important causes has been impactful to so many kids and families.

LeBron, you came home and delivered the ultimate goal. Nothing but appreciation and gratitude for everything you put into every moment you spent in a Cavaliers uniform. We look forward to the retirement of the famous #23 Cavs jersey one day down the line...”

Dan Gilbert

Chairman

Cleveland Cavaliers

It’s a significant departure from the last letter Gilbert wrote when James left Cleveland. The then-25-year-old got plenty of heat for announcing he’d “take his talents to South Beach” and move to Miami as part of a one-hour televised special on ESPN, but few were as upset with James as the Cavaliers’ owner. In a pointed letter, made much less intimidating by its comic book font, Gilbert called the decision a “cowardly betrayal” and gave fans his personal guarantee the Cavs would win the NBA title before James could elsewhere.

Over the next four seasons, James went to the NBA Finals four times, winning twice. The Cavaliers, on the other hand, went 97-215 and failed to even reach the playoffs. Cleveland was awarded the top overall pick three times, however, and used those assets to build the kind of landing spot necessary to lure James back home in 2014. True to form, he pushed his club to the NBA Finals in four straight seasons, overcoming a 3-1 deficit in 2016 to lead the Cavs to a world championship.

That was enough to take some of the sourness from Gilbert’s pen. It also helps that the 2018-19 Cavaliers should be in much better shape than the 2014-15 version. The presence of players like Kevin Love, George Hill, and first-round draft pick Collin Sexton should help prevent the team from falling back into a 19-win season spiral.

But even with a slightly more talented roster, Gilbert has learned his lesson. He decided not to tempt fate by guaranteeing anything now that James is no longer on his roster.

Let's block ads! (Why?)