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May 17, 2011Sports Illustrated’s Michael Rosenberg’s latest piece chronicles the last 10 months of Cavaliers’ owner Dan Gilbert’s life. Naturally, the piece starts with the comic sans-laced tirade that Gilbert-haters still bring up to this day. However, as stated many times around these parts, the New Expression Cavaliers are focusing on the future and what has to be done to regain the title of perennial contender.
From watching his team crumble to trading Mo Williams for Baron Davis and the attempted trade with the Detroit Pistons that would have added at least another $15 million in salary, Rosenberg calls Gilbert “manic about winning,” even if it has led to some mistakes and insinuates that the win-at-all-costs desire is a good thing if you’re a fan of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Says Rosenberg:
All owners say they want to win. Nobody ever buys a team and says “Hello, everybody! I am totally going to shed salary as soon as people renew their season-tickets. Also, I’m putting my two sons and all three of my mistresses on the team payroll. Now, what city do we play in?” No, they say they want to win. But once they take control, a lot of owners go back to being businessmen and worry mostly about making a profit. They’re entitled to do that, but it’s not much fun for fans.
Well, Dan Gilbert really, really wants to win. He has made plenty of mistakes in Cleveland, but he made almost all of them because he was trying to win.
I don’t know if Gilbert will turn the Cavs into a contender. A lot goes into that, and the Cavs have an unproven management team. But it is not wise to bet against a man who is this hungry. Last summer, Gilbert sounded like he was whining because somebody took his ball away. He wants his ball back now. Don’t be surprised if he gets it.
As Andrew laid out earlier today, tonight’s NBA Draft Lottery will set the stage for what’s to come for the Cavaliers as they take the next step in their rebuilding phase.
Of course, if Gilbert’s son Nick can bring the good fortune that is desired, he can keep the checkbook in the drawer for at least another month. Just know that if the outcome is perceived to be unfortunate, the Cavs have an owner that is willing to do whatever it takes – all of which will be discussed here over the coming weeks – to make things better by the time names are called on Draft Day.
8 Comments
That Rosenberg piece was so refreshing. It was nice to see someone in the national media see past the letter and acknowledge Gilbert’s passion for winning.
I would not bet against Gilbert. His promise to win one before the Heat may be broken this year, but I believe he will have this franchise competitive again sooner than later. Dan is the type of owner that every fan should dream of having. He wants to win and willing to spend in order to do so.
Like Gilbert, his passion and his wallet. But the successful owners are usually also the ones that pick the right people to run the sports side and know when to get out of their way. Was a Ferry fan and a little worried that Gilbert’s sticking point with him apparently was Ferry’s desire to have the final say on basketball matters. Again, lots to like about Gilbert. But if willingness to spend and passion alone were the sine qua non, Dan Snyder, Peter Angelos and lots of others would have their teams competing for rings every year. We shall see.
@2
Not to crap on your comment or anything, but we’ll see how much Gilbert is willing to spend if the team is drawing 9,000 a game in a few years. Apathy will set in quickly if the Cavs post a couple more 60 loss seasons.
@ 3, I completely agree with you. I like Gilbert’s passion but I fear he’s a guy who likes to meddle in the basketball side of things and when an owner does that it’s usually bad news.
@ 4, Agree with you too regarding attendance. The cash was coming in this year since season ticket holders had to renew prior to the “Decision.” I’ll be curious as to what their season ticket renewal will be as well as how many corporate partners give up their suites, club seats, etc.
Not to mention there is the expiration of the CBA. The NBA needs a hard salary cap so what Miami did in the last off-season can’t be repeated. The players are now forcing their way to the team of their choice and the league can’t allow that to happen. Cleveland with LBJ wasn’t a destination site for free agents so the draft and smart trades are key. The lottery tonight is the first step.
I agree with Andrew. Hate on Gilbert all you want, but it’s about time national media acknowledge that he’s in it for all the right reasons. Glad to have him in Cleveland!
Still the best Cleveland sports owner in town. I’ve always loved the Cavs (and always will), but having Gilbert as an owner just makes me that much more attuned to this franchise. The guy wants a winning team and so do the fans.
I’m a little late to the party (I’m just seeing this post and the SI article), but that piece in SI is great. I know Gilbert sounded like a jilted lover last summer, but I supported him then. That letter, as visceral and raw as it was, was exactly what I (and many others, I’d wager) needed to hear at that moment. I know Comic Sans will be forever be a national punch line, but Dan is totally driven, and that letter showed it. I’m glad he’s in Cleveland.