Dan Gilbert Statement

Back in 2004, Ferry was willing to walk if he didn't get a contract that would kept Dan from meddling. Grant & Griff have not had enough leverage to get that kind of control. I have to think that Gilbert may liked Griffin's ability to tolerate the owner's golf cleats on his head better than the last two guys, but I don't know anything. That's just a guess. The only guy with enough leverage to keep Gilbert from meddling right now was born in Akron, and that might not be the case once he signs a longer contract.

I like all the Q upgrades. Hard to make a building sexy when the concourses have the natural grace of a cinder block military installation, but the arena is still way better than where is was back in 2003 with all the empty blue seats and crap food. Atlanta has a much nicer facility but no spark. Just goes to show that the fans and the team are what you really need to make a home game crackle, not scoreboards. Upgrading the water fountains out of existence was sketchy, but that decision probably wasn't made at Gilbert's level.

I loved the DG letter when it came out, probably because I might have drank as much as it's author, but SanduskyCavFan was right on target that night, suggesting that "the promise" was a step too far, and in hindsight it ended up making the letter a running joke.

Danny G is one of those owners that you hate if he's not yours, love if he is - kinda like Mark Cuban. He's passionate and he has demonstrated that he will do and spend whatever it takes to win, something that has endeared him to the fans in Cleveland over the years.

The Letter, while bad in hindsight, was exactly what this fan base needed when it happened. They needed somebody to stand up for the city when it has been consistently trashed by the national media, fanbases in other cities, and even miserable pieces of shit like Joakim Noah for many years now. Dan may not be from Cleveland, but he is every bit a Clevelander as someone who has lived here their entire lives. Meddling aside, I'm happy that we have a passionate, caring owner for the Cavaliers who cares about building a winner almost as much as he cares about turning a profit (seeing as the two go hand-in-hand, naturally).

Douglar said:

I loved the DG letter when it came out, probably because I might have drank as much as it's author, but SanduskyCavFan was right on target that night, suggesting that "the promise" was a step too far, and in hindsight it ended up making the letter a running joke.

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Yeah. In retrospect the letter was really stupid, and the guarantee even worse. That said, it was pretty much what we all needed to hear at the time, so I'll give him a pass on it.

The guarantee was what ruined the letter, as it opened it and all of us up for ridicule. Everything else was right on the money.

Douglar said:

Back in 2004, Ferry was willing to walk if he didn't get a contract that would kept Dan from meddling. Grant & Griff have not had enough leverage to get that kind of control. I have to think that Gilbert may liked Griffin's ability to tolerate the owner's golf cleats on his head better than the last two guys, but I don't know anything. That's just a guess. The only guy with enough leverage to keep Gilbert from meddling right now was born in Akron, and that might not be the case once he signs a longer contract.

I like all the Q upgrades. Hard to make a building sexy when the concourses have the natural grace of a cinder block military installation, but the arena is still way better than where is was back in 2003 with all the empty blue seats and crap food. Atlanta has a much nicer facility but no spark. Just goes to show that the fans and the team are what you really need to make a home game crackle, not scoreboards. Upgrading the water fountains out of existence was sketchy, but that decision probably wasn't made at Gilbert's level.

I loved the DG letter when it came out, probably because I might have drank as much as it's author, but SanduskyCavFan was right on target that night, suggesting that "the promise" was a step too far, and in hindsight it ended up making the letter a running joke.

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It's funny that you mention Philips Arena. I have season tickets to the Hawks and attending a game is like going to a Cavs game circa 2000. Beautiful facility, a little smaller/more intimate than the Q, and great sight lines, but as you said, no sizzle or spark. Even some of Gilbert's minor changes like the flaming scoreboard push the Q in front of PA.

I'm in the minority in that I never liked the letter, but I completely understand what Gilbert was doing from a business perspective. Just look at the response in this thread alone. He did it to keep morale high among the fan-base and prevent the team from fading into obscurity.

But my first real reaction was that the letter was petty and unprofessional and would draw criticism to Cleveland that was not needed, especially at that time. I mean, there was a brief moment where it fired me up, but shortly thereafter -- like minutes later -- it rubbed me the wrong way. Almost as if this was Gilbert's desperate attempt at keeping the fans coming to the games. In retrospect, it kept spirits high but the Cavs were punch line and that letter was a running joke for a four year period. Plus, the comic sans...

I get why Gilbert did it and I get why the fans loved it, but I knew it would draw a big negative backlash.

As for Gilbert the owner, I absolutely love the guy. The best owner of all three Cleveland teams and it's not even close. He's really putting in the effort to revive the economy downtown as well. Anyone who makes comments about Gilbert as an owner gets set straight by me with a quickness. Even when the letter gets mentioned, I defend the guy. Calling him a poor owner is waaaaay off base and always has been. He's made some idiotic comments and the letter was bad, but Gilbert, as an owner, is one of the best in the NBA, in my opinion. Would MUCH rather him than Mr. Poop Cruise himself, Micky Arison.

AZCavs said:

I'm in the minority in that I never liked the letter, but I completely understand what Gilbert was doing from a business perspective. Just look at the response in this thread alone. He did it to keep morale high among the fan-base and prevent the team from fading into obscurity.

But my first real reaction was that the letter was petty and unprofessional and would draw criticism to Cleveland that was not needed, especially at that time. I mean, there was a brief moment where it fired me up, but shortly thereafter -- like minutes later -- it rubbed me the wrong way. Almost as if this was Gilbert's desperate attempt at keeping the fans coming to the games. In retrospect, it kept spirits high but the Cavs were punch line and that letter was a running joke for a four year period. Plus, the comic sans...

I get why Gilbert did it and I get why the fans loved it, but I knew it would draw a big negative backlash.

As for Gilbert the owner, I absolutely love the guy. The best owner of all three Cleveland teams and it's not even close. He's really putting in the effort to revive the economy downtown as well. Anyone who makes comments about Gilbert as an owner gets set straight by me with a quickness. Even when the letter gets mentioned, I defend the guy. Calling him a poor owner is waaaaay off base and always has been. He's made some idiotic comments and the letter was bad, but Gilbert, as an owner, is one of the best in the NBA, in my opinion. Would MUCH rather him than Mr. Poop Cruise himself, Micky Arison.

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It always makes me mad when the media refused to acknowledge this.

Simon said:

Oh the letter. That was what everyone needed to hear that night.

I am surprise Gilbert didn't do another letter in comic sans when LeBron came back .

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Someone online edited the letter and it's pretty entertaining how it was rearranged



http://deadspin.com/dear-hero-dan-gilberts-comic-sans-letter-edited-f-1601716726

Simon said:

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I wonder what the big purpose is. Doesn't seem like there is much to address at this point. Unless he tells everyone he plans on getting us a center to help with our defense

OptimusPrime said:

The guarantee was what ruined the letter, as it opened it and all of us up for ridicule. Everything else was right on the money.

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Yep. Dan understands his fanbase and bought himself a few years of good will with the letter. Just as Lebron hit a homerun with his letter coming back in SI, Dan nailed how every sports fan in NE Ohio felt the moment Lebron left (much of it with how he did it).

Dan Gilbert goes beyond basketball though; he a community leader and innovator through his businesses and investments into NE Ohio.

Four years later we're all soaking in the dividends. Love that dude.

agreed, the letter, AT THAT MOMENT, pulled people off the ledge as it was what they wanted someone, anyone, to say for them.

Gilbert hasn't always had allies in town as people feel he's just trying to turn Cleveland into Detroit 2.0 w/ all the Quickens businesses. These same people who blast him should ask themselves which Clevelanders are investing as much money into the area as Gilbert has? His Bizdom company is an avenue for people to receive assistance for start up for their companies (like a mini Shark Tank). However, once accepted, these businesses have to start their business in either Cleveland or Detroit, a nice shot in the arm to both areas in terms of potential employment. Rock Gaming has many hotel and restaurant partners in and around Public Square for comps from the Casino rather than monopolize it with a connected hotel and 4-5 unique restaurants within the Horseshoe. I also saw on Twitter that the Cavs have also partnered with 40 restaurants and bars for this season. Gilbert is looking to revitalize an entire area of downtown. Thinks back to the Gateway area in the mid 90's when it was the place to be.

great owner...this got me really excited View: https://twitter.com/ChrisBHaynes/status/527493088701599745

Dan Gilbert gives approximately zero fucks.

Dan Gilbert is the real life Keyser Söze.