Comments on: What Dan Gilbert’s Letter Should Have Said

By: Why Do We Give People So Much Credit For Saying What's Expected? | jakelacaze.com

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:01:58 +0000

[...] some ways, this post is hypocritical of me since I wrote a post about what Dan Gilbert’s letter about LeBron James’s departure should have said. Maybe Gilbert shouldn’t have gotten so much flak. Maybe he should be allowed to say what he [...]

By: Jake LaCaze

Jake LaCaze — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 22:03:49 +0000

I didn't really think about the “owning” aspect of Gilbert's letter. Good eye, Jean.

By: Jake LaCaze

Jake LaCaze — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 22:03:15 +0000

You make a great point, and perhaps you're right. I see your side of the argument. Although it might seem that starts are bigger than the teams, it seems that you still need that duo. Shaq and Kobe. And then Shaq with Dwyane Wade and Kobe with Pau Gasol. The Celtics, had a little more than a duo: Garnett, Pierce, Allen, Rondo.

As you said, he can't win a title alone. There's no doubt that that was a big factor in his decision.

I just wish my fellow Louisiana Tech attendee Karl Malone could have gotten a title. I guess he'll have to settle for the Hall of Fame.

By: fellowstream

fellowstream — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 21:56:03 +0000

I agree that the nature of the letter should have been much less bitter. Gilbert looks like a toddler in his terrible twos after writing that letter. However, I don't think this is the right tone either:

"I personally assure you that we did all that we could to retain LeBron. "

I used to really like watching basketball in the 1990s. There were stars then too, but at its core, basketball was still a team sport. Karl Malone had John Stockton. Michael Jordan had Scottie Pippen. The entire L.A. Lakers was solid with Magic, Kareem, Worthy, and Green.

Now it seems like basketball somehow become a solo game, where the stars are somehow bigger than the team itself. It doesn't matter how good LeBron is, he can't win an NBA title alone. And I think saying something like "we did everything to keep him" misses the point. Instead, Gilbert's tone should have been,

"Really sorry to see him go. He's a great guy, but we're still gonna rock without him!"

By: City Sylvester

City Sylvester — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 21:52:52 +0000

Lebron leaves ohio http://ow.ly/29jL9

By: virginbloggernotes

virginbloggernotes — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 21:32:14 +0000

His letter reminds me of a rant post, and you're right, it belonged in a sock drawer. People decide to move on sometimes in both business and personal relationships. We don't own them, and to verbally abuse them when they decide to leave is the equivalent of saying that we really do think we have the right to own people.

By: Jean Sarauer

Jean Sarauer — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 21:27:57 +0000

RT @jakelacaze: What Dan Gilbert's Letter Should Have Said http://bit.ly/bEHmQz

By: Meg Caze

Meg Caze — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 21:15:35 +0000

"LeBron's press conference is the most classless thing done in sports." Really? Everyone meet Dan Gilbert: http://bit.ly/9Ojrl5

By: Jake LaCaze

Jake LaCaze — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 20:05:57 +0000

More LeDrama! What Dan Gilbert's Letter Should Have Said http://bit.ly/bEHmQz