Jukes Extended said:
Again, how is that Gilbert's fault? That's the basketball operations people. And the core group went 61-21 & 66-16 the year before. In 2010 they were 2-1 ahead of Boston before the Delonte West/Lebron mum affair become public. Again it is a rumour but people within the Cavs were aware of the relationship and no one told Lebron. LBJ finds out and boom. The Cavs lose the next three and Lebron is gone. The roster was solid, sure they made some wrong moves but it was much better then what Lebron dragged them to the finals in 2006-07. Look at the Lebron doco from high school, he treats his team as family and once that bond is broken it cannot be repaired.
Jukes Extended said:2. Gilbert assumed James would re-sign with the Cav's,
That James would prefer to play with Mo Williams over Dwayne Wade.
Gilbert's ego led him to believe that the team that James (and Danny Ferry and Mike Brown) left behind would be worth anything on its own.
No way. Lebron grew up in Akron, Ohio. The Cavs thought the power of home would be enough hoping that along with 2010 championship that would be enough to make him stay. That didn't happen and the strategy was in trouble. The rumours were swirling after the 2008 Beijing olympics that Wade, Lebron, Bosh and CP3 had made a pact to get to the same team. So not much Gilbert can do about that. And Miami were into Lebron way before June 1. This deal was in the pipeline long before. Pat Riely and Micky Arison had this covered. No doubt the Heat outplayed the Cavs off the court. But again, not all Gilberts fault.
Jukes Extended said:
This was silly. But once Lebron left he had nothing to lose.
No way you can lay all the blame at Gilberts feet, some but not all.
