LeBron James had a different look in the series against the Boston Celtics in 2010. After holding the Celtics by the throat in Game 1 — scoring 35 points on 50% shooting — the league MVP shot 18 or fewer shots in three of the next five games. These subpar performances were adding yeast to the backstory of this series. In a do-or-die Game 7, James scored 27 points and added 10 rebounds but shot just 8-21 in 46 minutes of action.
Did James have a bad series, or did he just quit? His supporters argued it was just a temporary slump. But his doubters — including his newest doubter at the time (team owner Dan Gilbert) — argued that he decided to quit the team. When James took off his jersey and his headband while ruffling his mouthpiece, it felt like the end. He looked defeated walking back to the locker room — it didn’t look like he had faith in a hopeful future for the franchise. Low-and-behold, he walked out the backdoor less than three weeks later, and Gilbert poured it on.
“This shocking act of disloyalty from our homegrown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow up to become. But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio. The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma. Just watch,” Gilbert said on Cleveland.com.
LeBron’s reaction
Asked about it years later, James could never quite forget the harsh undertones of the letter Gilbert wrote. For one, ‘King James’ gave the Cavs pretty much all he could for seven years. One could argue that he took arguably the most limited roster ever to the NBA Finals. At 22 years old, James and the Cavs were defeated by a far superior San Antonio Spurs team. Having carried Cleveland past a sturdy Detroit Pistons in the Semifinals, James fuel tank was on hair trigger. He thought he gave it all he had, and that’s why he reacted emphatically when he was asked about the letter.
"It was another conversation I had to have with my kids. It was unfortunate, because I believed in my heart that I had gave that city and that owner, at that point in time, everything that I had,” James told GQ Sports in 2017. "Unfortunately, I felt like, at that point in time, as an organization, we could not bring in enough talent to help us get to what my vision was. A lot of people say they want to win, but they really don't know how hard it takes, or a lot of people don't have the vision. So, you know, I don't really like to go back on that letter, but it pops in my head a few times here, a few times there.”
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Mending the fence
Fortunately for everyone involved, the distant aftermath of Gilbert’s letter wasn’t horrible after all. On June 19, 2016, whatever harsh feelings Bron and Dan had for one another were at least temporarily thrown out the window. The Cavaliers were champions after overcoming a 3-1 deficit against the 73-win Golden State Warriors . The 52-year championship drought: over.
When James departed for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, while there might’ve been some disappointment, but Gilbert’s response was nothing like 2010.
“LeBron is a family man, first. We wish his kids, his wife Savannah, his mother Gloria, and LeBron himself nothing but the best in the years and decades ahead,” he said in a statement posted on Cavs.com. "LeBron’s connection to Akron, Cleveland, and all of Northeast Ohio will most certainly endure as his commitment to the region and his support of many important causes has been impactful to so many kids and families. LeBron, you came home and delivered the ultimate goal. Nothing but appreciation and gratitude for everything you put into every moment you spent in a Cavaliers uniform. We look forward to the retirement of the famous #23 Cavs jersey one day down the line...”
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