Fare Thee Well, King James! Yeah, Right.

 

If Lebron James somehow thought fans in Cleveland would accept his departure

with handshakes and back slaps and good luck wishes he might want to think again.

His decision to dump the Cavaliers in favor of Miami is being met with anger and

disappointment throughout Northeast Ohio. There were several reports of fans burning

Lebron jerseys outside Cleveland area sports bars and one man was arrested after

attacking a TV camera crew. The angriest reaction thus far has come from

the Cleveland Cavaliers' front office. In an open letter to fans and the media Cavalier's

majority owner Dan Gilbert trashed the two-time MVP:

 

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 obviously in 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 much more to tell you of 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 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

own homegrown "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 this heartless and callous action can only serve as the "antidote" to the so-called "curse"

on Cleveland. The self declared former 'King" will be taking the "curse" with him down

south.  And until he does right "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

 

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson was a bit more gracious upon hearing news of James'

departure. In a prepared statement Jackson  said, "Lebron James has brought so much to

the City of Cleveland on and off the court and we thank him. Akron/Cleveland will always

be his home and I wish him well with the next phase of his career. Though we will miss him

in a CAVS uniform we must remember that Cleveland is a great city today and will continue

to be great in the future.

Mayor Frank Jackson

Cleveland