There’s bravado, and there’s confidence. Dan Gilbert has confidence that some might call bravado. Now this is not obnoxioius bravado – the kind where a guy wants to fight all the time, like Butch in the Little Rascals. It's just normal bravado. During a recent conference call with the local media, Gilbert was pretty matter of fact about his feelings when I asked what his thoughts were about LeBron James’ long-term future in Cleveland. The dread fear of all of Cleveland – aside from the Euclid Avenue project never finishing – is that LeBron will turn down a max contract extension the Cavs can offer after next season, then become a free agent the following season. The local thinking goes that James will want to play in New Jersey where his friend Jay-Z is part owner, or that Mike D’Antoni will lure him to New York, or that the Los Angeles Lakers will be able to violate all salary cap rules and partner James with Kobe Bryant because the league, after all, wants James in a major media market and not in Cleveland. Some ridiculous thinking like that. Gilbert’s thoughts? He said it’s something he does not worry about. “We have no reason to doubt LeBron James or any player and their commitment to be with the Cavaliers based on the organization we built and are building," he said. "It is something I don't worry about it, because we do the right things. We're trying to build a top-notch franchise in every way." Can’t really argue with the last statement. If there are any doubts about that, a quick visit to the team’s practice facility would erase them. But to not worry or think about it? Interesting. I’d offer that LeBron is not just any other player. He basically is THE player as far as this team is concerned. Take him away and … well let’s not go there. So it’s worth thinking about. At least a little. I mean, I’d think about that a little more than I’d think about what color I’m going to paint the bedroom, which is in the plans. I don’t own the Cavs and LeBron’s future probably is a little more on my mind than the bedroom. But maybe Gilbert has a point. He probably already has the plan in place to offer James the maximum extension in years and dollars. If he doesn’t, the meeting to discuss what to do shouldn’t take long. “Hey guys, we can offer LeBron a contract. … Hmm … maybe we can save some cap money by lowballing him. … Umm, no.” End of meeting. So the Cavs make the offer and LeBron takes it or leaves it. There’s not much more Gilbert can do. What everyone has to hope is that Gilbert’s confidence is justified by what he’s heard from talking to James and his people.
Cavs owner not worried about LeBron leaving …
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Of course Gilbert is not worried. Because he has a strong Plan B. Or, if the relative unlikelihood of re-upping James is Plan A, perhaps it's more like Plan A(2). Not surprisingly, not one single sportswriter in the Beacon Journal or the Plain Dealer will ever point out the obvious. It will violate the unwritten rule of making sure you maintain full access to the players and the teams you cover. Oh, and civic spirit.
During his tenure, Gilbert and his minions have already raised average ticket prices over 300% more than the average NBA increase over the same period. It's repulsive. Yet they still sell out, so who cares what the ticket prices are, right? Gilbert isn't paying the higher payroll, Gilbert isn't paying the luxury tax, people who buy the tickets are paying the payroll, people who buy the tickets are paying the luxury tax. And they'll be raising prices again next season. It was a giant 12.2% increase for 2007-2008, it will be interesting to see how badly the people are going to fleeced for 2008-2009. If it's at least a little over 9%, it will mean Gilbert and his goons have jacked up average ticket prices in excess of 40% in the few years since his group purchased the franchise. Hell, I thought the rising cost of gasoline was bad, but the oil companies and the Arabs are Santa Claus compared to Gilbert.
Yet not single one peep from even one of you local yokel sportswriters. Instead, you consciously paint the guy as Mr. Dan Benevolent Businessman. I mean, seriously, why do you guys keep kissing this guy's ass? Hell, if there's anybody who should be taking aim at Gilbert, it should be YOU, the local media. After all, he tore out the media seating, replaced your seats with fan/corporate seating at ticket prices sufficient to rake in an additional $1.4-$1.5 million a year from regular season and playoff games, and then made you guys watch the games with binoculars while hanging upside-down like bats from the rafters. And you're actually putting up a shield and protecting this schmuck?
The very worst contracts expire at the exact same time that James' contract expires. Even shrewd slick scoundrels sometimes deserve respect. So if James indeed says "Shalom," Gilbert can simply go into full Gund salary-dumping mode without further delay, devalue the franchise, keep ticket prices high, and ultimately sell the franchise.
And Hello Seattle CavaSonics!!!
But all we read from you local sportswriters is the same thing we read every summer. "Ferry has to make the right moves." And really harsh criticism like that. Marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate. S'mores for a campfire. Great as a treat for the kids, but for folks seeking opinions containing blunt honesty, integrity and candor from their morning sportswriting, it blows to high heaven.
I'm sure LeBron realizes that all-time greats like Jordan, Magic and Bird are known for playing for franchises with state of the art practice facilities. He's not going anywhere.
Yes, I neglected to mention that … a wonderful state-of-the-art practice facility. LeBron ain't goin' nowhere. A practice facilty bought and paid for with the gracious assistance of diverted tax dollars. Somehow Pat neglected to mention this fact when he wrote his original puff piece about the practice facility. There were and are rumblings that Jordan was actually suspended by Stern for gambling during that 1 1/2 years he played minor league baseball, and that's why he *really* wasn't playing in the NBA. Truth be told, Jordan was actually holding out for a better practice facility.
I read similar article also named Cavs owner not worried about LeBron leaving …, and it was completely different. Personally, I agree with you more, because this article makes a little bit more sense for me
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