Dan Gilbert: No Regrets About Post-‘Decision’ Rant

Gilbert tells the Free Press that unless you’re from Cleveland, you won’t understand his behavior after LeBron bolted for Miami: “We think it’s a blessing in disguise; we think we’re going to focus now on the team approach and not have everything that we do be focused on one man’s decision … In five years we didn’t win a championship (with James), so it didn’t work. So now we’re going to do it the right way … The only people who brag about ‘best record in the league’ are the ones that don’t win the championship.’ Did Gilbert have any regrets about his criticism of James’ decision to go to Miami? Among other things, Gilbert characterized James’ departure as ‘narcissistic’ and a ‘cowardly betrayal,’ and the owner was fined $100,000 by commissioner David Stern. ‘No, not really,’ Gilbert said. ‘I just expressed what the Cleveland people were feeling. Unless you’re from Cleveland and experienced what they have experienced since 1964, it’s hard for the rest of the country to grasp.'”