Gilbert Fined For Comments On James

By Justin Worsley

Dan Gilbert was not happy with LeBron James' decision to leave Cleveland, or at least it appeared that way when the Cleveland Cavaliers owner wrote a letter to Cavalier fans, stating that "former hero" had "cowardly betrayed" Cleveland fans with a "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 then went on to guarantee that the Cavaliers would win an NBA Title before James does.

James remained mum on the comments, and NBA Commissioner David Stern went on to show he was unhappy with the actions of the owner. Stern issued Gilbert a hefty $100,000 fine for his comments towards James on Monday.

"With respect to Lebron's departure from Cleveland, a couple of things. One, he was certainly entitled to do that and I think he's both a terrific player and a pretty good person. Had he asked my advice, in advance, I might have suggested that he had advised Cleveland at an earlier time than he apparently did that he was leaving even without announcing where he was going so we could have eliminated that. And I would have advised him not to embark on what has become known as 'The Decision.' I think that the advice that he had received on this was poor. His performance was fine. His honesty and integrity I think have shined through, but this 'decision' was ill-conceived, badly produced and poorly executed... That said, I think that the remarks by Dan Gilbert, the owner of the Cavaliers, catalyzed as they may have been by the hurt with respect to the manner and the himself, for his team and in particular for the people of Cleveland, though understandable, were ill-advised and imprudent," Stern said to the media after the league's annual Board of Governors meeting.

The letter, however, was not the end of the quarrel between Gilbert and James. As James became the villain of Northern Ohio, Gilbert has helped feed fuel to the fire. Along with the Cavaliers, Gilbert also owns Fathead, a company that makes life-size cut-out posters of athletes. Gilbert has reduced the price of James' Fathead to $17.41, which is based on the year American traitor Benedict Arnold was born.

James signed with the Miami Heat last Thursday on an one-hour long ESPN special titled "The Decision." James is the first professional athlete to announce which team he will play for after becoming a free agent.

The decision to change jerseys has not settled well in Cleveland. James, an Ohio native, was forced to see fans in Cleveland burn his jersey after he announced his decision. Gilbert's letter, which can be read here was simply, the icing on the cake.