LeBron James, agent Rich Paul and adviser Maverick Carter met with Dan Gilbert for four hours in Miami last week, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. Previously, it had been believed that James had only met in person with the Heat this month. It was a moment of mutual reconciliation, as Wojnarowski details.
“We had five great years together and one terrible night,” Gilbert said. “I told him how sorry I was, expressed regret for how that night went and how I let all the emotion and passion for situation carry me away. I told him I wish had never done it, that I wish I could take it back.”
James, later in the conversation, told Gilbert he wished he hadn’t put together “The Decision” television show, and soon the talk turned to the future. Here’s more on LeBron’s decision to head back to his native northeast Ohio:
- Even after meeting with Gilbert, James was still having trouble with the idea of going back to the Cavs in the wake of Gilbert’s scathing post-2010-decision letter, as USA Today’s Sam Amick details. James made up his mind Thursday that he would return to the Cavs, and worked with Sports Illustrated’s Lee Jenkins into the night on the story in which he revealed his choice, according to Amick.
- Contract terms have yet to be negotiated, but James is expected to make a long-term commitment to the Cavs, and Cleveland is expected to offer the max, reports Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com.
- James spoke with Heat owner Micky Arison and team president Pat Riley by phone Friday to inform them that he had decided to join the Cavs, but no one from the Cavs knew of his decision until he publicly revealed it via Sports Illustrated, as Windhorst writes in his piece.
- LeBron personally informed Dwyane Wade of his decision, but Chris Bosh, who’s traveling out of the country, heard the news through his agent, Windhorst tweets
I dont believe a word that snake Dan Gibert says. If he really cared one bit about it, he would have taken that letter down well before it ever came down off the website (which was only incredibly recently). He would have made a public apology at some point during the last 4 years. Also, dont forget that Gilbert was the one that fought so hard to limit players’ salaries in the new CBA…LeBron shouldnt have to apologize for something that made a ton of money for children. Ya, he could have handled it a little better, but what was wrong with something that was for charity?
Again, I wish him personal success, but I sincerely hope that if he brings them a championship, Dan Gilbert will not be allowed to celebrate anything. Those that burned his jersey and spouted hate over the last 4 years shouldnt be allowed to celebrate either. The actual human beings that deserve it there would hopefully be the most celebrated. That city does deserve it after all of the things that have happened to them over the decades. Those that showed zero class dont