I really think Lebron stays in Miami, but Cleveland would no doubt be the favorite if he were not to return to Miami because of his personal connections, the redemption story, and leading a Cleveland sports franchise to a Championship. But could you (and will Lebron) ever forgive Dan Gilbert for this?

Way to call your shot, Gilbert. In the four years since that letter, Lebron has four trips to the finals and two titles while Cleveland has picked 1st, 4th, 1st, and 1st overall.

Dan is clearly not the most intelligent man the world has ever seen

My favorite part of that letter is the Comic Sans font.

Fn idiot! Reminds me of break up letters read by one, not 100 million. Embarrassing for sure.

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

Ouch. Swing and a miss.

Pretty sure it was a typo and he really meant a WNBA championship...

Cleveland is the favorite if LeBron doesn't return to Miami

He missed it by that much...

The letter was removed today from the Cavs website.

I can't believe they left it up that long. What an embarrassment.

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The letter was removed today from the Cavs website.

I can't believe they left it up that long. What an embarrassment.

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I think he regrets it a lot now with the news of Lebron still being upset coming out today

Chris Broussard trying to stir things up:

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Sources close to James said Thursday that the four-time MVP wanted to speak with his family before making his decision. Many around the NBA have wondered what there was left to talk about, but James' concerns about the Gilbert letter is a plausible explanation.

While league executives wait for James to make his announcement, many refuse to believe that he'll return to Cleveland to play for Gilbert. Some even believe it would be hypocritical after how powerfully James spoke out against Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling after racist comments by Sterling were made public in May.

James was the first player to speak out against Sterling, saying he had no place in the NBA.

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http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/story/_/id/11201955/dan-gilbert-letter-issue-lebron-james

Oh man, he should totally blame Gilbert's letter if he doesn't return. I wonder how Cleveland would react to that bomb.

i must be missing something...why would it be hypocritical to go play for gilbert after lebron called out sterling?

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Houston Summit
user level: LegendAggie12th Man DonorBasic Level Supporter posted 4:11p, 06/24/14this user's public profilesend private message to useredit this replyobject to this reply



Dan is clearly not the most intelligent man the world has ever seen

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um, dan gilbert founded Quicken Loans and is worth about $4Billion. in terms over everyone on this board, i'd say he is winning, and by a LARGE margin.

and chris broussard continues to amaze with his incompetence

Broussard was on SC earlier today saying that if Lebron announces today, it would have to be that he's going back to Miami. They went to commercial and came back with the news that Lebron was going to Cleveland. The look on his face was priceless.

This is a very good article.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/how-lebron-james-forgave-cavs-owner-dan-gilbert-and-returned-to-cleveland-191445831.html

Broussard:

They come back from commercial having now all seen that SI, not the network, has confirmed it in LEBRON's OWN WRITING, and Broussard still looks at his phone, then confirms it when asked if it's true.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1YXc4k2CPY

This is the pinnacle of journalism. Nothing will ever top it.

The way he's checking his phone looks like a guy standing in the lobby of a restaurant pretending to text so he doesn't have to look anyone in the eye as he gets stood up on a date.

"No, no, I don't want a table yet, I'll wait at the front until my friends get here, I'm just texting to see how many will make it so I know how big a table to get. For all of my friends which I definitely have. Hang on, I need to call someone in the parking lot in my car."

Does this really mean that the Cavaliers are the odds on favorite to win the NBA Championship next season as several Las Vegas casinos have stated? They will be much more competitive, but to win it next year?

I'd call them favorites to get to the Finals, but they have a lot of work to do to be the favorites to win the title IMO. As of now SA and OKC are the only teams that I consider contenders. I wouldn't argue much with anyone who put HOU and LAC up there, although I personally want to see the final rosters and see them prove it on the court.

Cleveland 4:1
Spurs 4:1
OKC 4.5:1
HOU 7:1
MIA 100:1

It is one thing to put together a group of outstanding players or a super-star with other excellent players.
It is another thing for them to jell well enough to win a championship.
Look at what the Heat did in the first Year 1 of James & crew.
I don’t see a championship happening in the next Year 1 of James & crew either.

On ESPN, one Las Vegas casino had the odds as:
Cavaliers 3:1
Spurs 4:1
Heat 200:1
May have been a publicity stunt more than truly serious odds.

more greatness:

@Chris_Broussard- Nothing against David Blatt, but if Cavs finalize deal w/him any chance they had of getting LeBron shrinks considerably. 11:13 PM - 19 Jun 2014

This is what I'm seeing.

Cleveland Cavaliers 4/1
San Antonio Spurs 5/1
Oklahoma City Thunder 6/1
Chicago Bulls 7/1
Houston Rockets 8/1
Los Angeles Clippers 10/1
Indiana Pacers 18/1
Golden State Warriors 25/1
Portland Trailblazers 25/1
Miami Heat 50/1

Chicago has a ceiling without a healthy Rose.

Who freaking knows what Indiana will be like after their meltdown, resurgence, then second meltdown.

Who else but Cleveland with LeBron and/or not Kevin Love could come out of the East?

Toronto? Washington? They are OK teams, but LeBron instantly makes Cleveland a 55 win team.

I think chris Broussard confirmed last night that the spurs won the title, so congrats spurs fans!

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I think chris Broussard confirmed last night that the spurs won the title, so congrats spurs fans!

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I assume he included the word "sources" in his proclamation

I need to see Chicago's final roster and a healthy Derek Rose to see who will come out of the East. Even if Rose recovers from his latest knee injury, how many times can you injure your knees like he has and have it not effect your game? Rose is a super quick, athletic point guard that can get into the lane like crazy. He's got a decent jump shot from what I remember, but if you can't get into the lane as easily it will change how teams defend you.

Cleveland probably does come out of the East unless there is some major locker room drama like Indiana had last year. But no way in hell are they the odds on favorite to win a title over whoever comes out of the West.