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Dan Gilbert's come through with much that he promised 5 years ago: NBA Insider
By Brian Windhorst, The Plain Dealer
March 07, 2010, 4:20AM
Dale Omori, The Plain Dealer

Five years ago this week, Dan Gilbert officially bought the Cavaliers for $375 million in cash and the assumption of debt. To announce the deal, he called a large news conference at the then-Gund Arena with his co-owners -- David Katzman, singer Usher and outgoing majority owner Gordon Gund.

There was a slick video presentation set to Usher's hit of the moment, "Yeah," and lots of jokes and promises.

Gund gave Gilbert a wine-and-gold tie and some advice, which was to show patience with the team. Gilbert, who within weeks had fired his whole coaching staff and front office, laughed and joked to Gund whether the check had cleared. The news conference was delayed for a few days until the real check actually had cleared, after all.

Looking back on that day, things haven't gone exactly as planned. Usher never fully delivered on his investment promise. And his statement that "I look for Cleveland to be my home away from home," hasn't come true. Katzman and Gilbert have had a deep personal and business split and have severed ties. And Gund, who owned 15 percent of the team at the time, has reduced his share and been a silent partner.

But much of what Gilbert promised has indeed come true, and certainly the most important promises have. And five years in, Gilbert's reputation is for backing up promises and putting his money where is mouth is has become rock solid.

Here's a look back at what Gilbert said during his first day on the job and what he's done about it.

"We expect to build a world-class organization here. Not just on the court, but everywhere. We're going to enhance or come up with ideas or innovations in every aspect."

The Cavs have become one of the most respected and admired organizations in pro sports under Gilbert's leadership. He's become known for taking care of his players and for creating a fan-friendly atmosphere. He hired several leaders with ties to the San Antonio Spurs organization and also mimicked some of the successful fan initiatives the Detroit Pistons were using successfully.

From a fire-breathing scoreboard to underground suites to a state-of-the-art locker room for the players, Gilbert has employed new ideas. While it has been controversial, he also created Flash Seats, an electronic ticketing program for season-ticket holders with the aim of cashing in on the ticket-scalping market.

"We believe that the money follows, it doesn't lead. We're going to be willing to invest in this team to build a consistent championship contender and believe the fans will support us."

Within months of buying the team, Gilbert had committed to $150 million in salaries to players that helped the Cavs reach the NBA Finals in his second season as owner. Since then, he's been willing to accept long-term money in trades that has made the Cavs a luxury-tax payer for the past three seasons and kept them in the top five in payroll as well as the standings.

In response, the Cavs are about to set a team record for revenue for the second consecutive season and are on pace to sell out the season for the first time in team history. Three years ago, the Cavs signed a 10-year lucrative deal with Fox Sports Ohio that gave the team one of the richest local TV deals in the NBA.

"We're going to be about execution."

The Cavs spent years spinning their wheels brainstorming, doing feasibility studies and planning about a new practice facility. Two years after Gilbert bought the Cavs, the team was opening a $25 million practice facility in Independence that is regarded as one of the best in the league.

"We want Ilgauskas to stay with the team," Gilbert said. "He's one of the top big guys in the league, and we want him to stay in Cleveland."

Gilbert may not have been totally behind that statement at the time -- he wasn't sure he wanted to re-sign Ilgauskas. But General Manager Danny Ferry was for it. So Gilbert took a private jet to intercept Ilgauskas at Los Angeles International Airport during the free-agency period as he was on his way to the Far East for a vacation. Gilbert made his pitch, and within hours, Ilgauskas had signed a $50 million contract.

In two weeks, it appears Gilbert will be signing Ilgauskas to another contract.

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2010/03/dan_gilbert_cavaliers_partners.html

Pluto
ABOUT THE CAVS . . .

1. While the Cavs can talk with Zydrunas Ilgauskas, they can't offer him a contract until March 22, according to NBA rules. So don't expect an announcement of the center signing soon, although it is destined to happen.

2. Delonte West had a slight setback with his emotional problems, which was why he sat out Wednesday's victory over New Jersey. Things calmed down quickly, though, and he was back in action Friday against Detroit. West has been doing much better lately, and he is a key to the Cavs' postseason hopes.

3. Antawn Jamison has been watching how Anderson Varejao moves without the ball and is set up for easy basket thanks to the passing of LeBron James. Now, Jamison is doing it. According to hoopdata.com, James ranks fifth in the NBA in "assists at the rim."[/B] That means assists leading to dunks or layups, an important stat. The leaders are Utah's Deron Williams (4.8), the Suns' Steve Nash (4.7), the Celtics' Rajon Rondo (4.3), the Hornets' Chris Paul (4.0) and James (3.8). The Cavs' Mo Williams ranked 13th at 2.9.

4. The Cavs have shown they can play several styles. When Shaquille O'Neal was healthy, they had an inside attack. When he was hurt and Ilgauskas was traded, the Cavs went with a smaller, quicker lineup and scored even more points -- averaging 109 points since Feb. 1, tops in the NBA. James is averaging 32 points, 10.5 assists and shooting 51 percent in that span. J.J. Hickson has benefited from the wide-open style as he can run the court quickly, catch passes and score at the rim with power.

5. The Cavs were impressed with how Varejao was willing to go to the bench for the second time this season so Hickson could be in the lineup. Coach Mike Brown stressed to Varejao how important to the team it is when the big man comes off the bench with energy and defense. Varejao has said he's grateful for the six-year deal given to him by the Cavs, and knows he'll play about 30 minutes -- be it starting or in reserve.

http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2010/03/cleveland_browns_rogers_could.html

LeBron James pal William Wesley reportedly considers becoming agent
By Brian Windhorst, The Plain Dealer
March 07, 2010, 4:39AM

Worldwide Wes to be agent?

Sports Illustrated had an interesting report Friday that had plenty of NBA and college basketball insiders scratching their heads and sending e-mails and texts around. SI.com's Seth Davis reported that a confidant of LeBron James and a well-known behind-the-scenes operator in player recruitment and management circles, William "Wes" Wesley, is in talks to become an agent. Davis reported said Wesley is close to joining the massive Creative Artists Agency, which represents top actors and athletes, to represent NBA and college coaches.

James' agent and Wesley lifelong friend Leon Rose works for CAA. Rose and Wesley sat in the front row next to the Cavs bench Wednesday night in New Jersey. Wesley has helped guide players to various colleges for years. He's been especially helpful to Memphis and now Kentucky for another close friend, Wildcats coach John Calipari. Wesley also has close ties to Nike in helping to recruit players. Some conspiracy theorists believe he'll be guiding James when he becomes a free agent.

If this is part of a master plan for Wesley, who declined to comment to SI, it isn't clear at the moment. There's a lot of competition to represent coaches. Also, it gives Wesley a more public role that may restrict his ability to recruit and befriend young players.

CDR threatens Nets

Chris Douglas-Roberts is a talented but challenging guard for the New Jersey Nets. For various reasons, he plunged in the draft last season after being projected as a first-round pick. He's had a breakout second season with the Nets but has steadily clashed with coaches and management and been quite outspoken about it. Now he's hinting that the way the Nets are treating him is going to keep them from signing James this summer.

Douglas-Roberts, who played for Calipari at Memphis, is also represented by James' agent, Rose. In an interview this week, he said the way he's been treated by the Nets will turn James off.

"Leon, LeBron, everybody's together. Every relationship we have, that's what it is," Douglas-Roberts told the Bergen (N.J.) Record. "For example, if they're not happy somewhere or they're not happy with something, it's all in the family -- no one's happy."

That's what the Nets get, apparently, for upsetting a player making the minimum salary who is averaging 10 points per game.

Same-old 'Sheed

Some Celtics fans have buyer's remorse when it comes to Rasheed Wallace, who signed as a free agent in the off-season. Wallace is averaging a career-low 9.7 points and shooting career lows from the field and from 3-point range, where he is below 30 percent. But Wallace is shaking it off with his usual wit.

"Like my mom said, 50 percent of the people are going to love you, and 50 percent are going to hate you," Wallace said to the Boston Herald. "You can't please everybody. That's pretty much how I play. I don't sit out there and worry about what the next person is thinking at all. 'Oh, he's got too many techs [technical fouls] and he shoots too many 3s.' I don't worry about that."

The 3-point volume is what really gets under some fans' skin. Wallace often settles for outside jumpers instead of going into the post where he often is still hard to defend. But he's got a way to explain that, too.

"You know, I don't show my whole package during the beginning of the season. If you do, then that's what's going to be in the scouting report on me," Wallace said.

"So now, come money time, it'll say that I'm going to go to the turnaround. Yeah, I'm going to turn around, but I'm going to go by you left, by you right, come with the jump hook. I told my buddy to look at it like a kung fu teacher. I might teach you the lotus and I might teach you the tiger, but I'm not going to teach you the crane, because the crane can beat both of them."

BY THE NUMBERS

24,368
Career points for Allen Iverson, whose career appears over after he was cut by the 76ers. That total is 16th all-time.

1-of-11
Jazz guard Sundiata Gaines' shooting from 3-point range before he hit a big one in Utah's comeback win Thursday in Phoenix. Cavs fans might remember his other make.

3
Players in the league who currently average 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. They are Memphis' Zach Randolph, below, New York's David Lee and Toronto's Chris Bosh.

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2010/03/around_the_nba_with_brian_wind.html