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July 10, 2010

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Home » Sports » Basketball

LeBron feels the Heat after dumping Cavs

Source: Agencies | July 10, 2010, Saturday | Print Edition

LEBRON James is leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to join forces with fellow All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh at the Miami Heat next season in the hope of winning an elusive NBA championship.

Ending one of the biggest transfer sagas in US professional sports, James said the three players had all agreed to take paycuts to team up and create a club capable of challenging the Los Angeles Lakers for the title.

Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert called James selfish and promised the hard-luck city an NBA title before the six-time All-Star gets one.

In a letter to Cavaliers fans, Gilbert said he was disappointed that James opted for Miami and felt the nationally televised announcement was inappropriate.

"If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our 'motivation' to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels," Gilbert wrote.

"I personally guarantee that the Cleveland Cavaliers will win an NBA championship before the self-titled former 'King' wins one ... you can take it to the bank."

Decision

James opted to deliver his decision during an hour-long program on a cable network on Thursday after weeks of speculation.

"The things that the Miami Heat franchise have done to be able to free up cap space and to be able to put themselves in a position this summer to have all three of us, it was hard to turn down," James told cable network ESPN.

"This is going to give me the best opportunity to win and to win for multiple years, and not only just to win in the regular season ... I want to be able to win championships and I feel like I can compete down there."

The Heat were eliminated from the first round of the playoffs in April.

Gilbert also accused the NBA's MVP of quitting during the playoffs. "He has gotten a free pass," Gilbert said. "People have covered up for (James) for way too long. Tonight we saw who he really is."

Gilbert feels James quit on the Cavs during their second-round series against the Boston Celtics, who rallied from a 1-2 deficit to eliminate Cleveland.

"He quit," Gilbert said. "Not just in Game 5, but in Games 2, 4 and 6. Watch the tape. The Boston series was unlike anything in the history of sports for a superstar."

The Cavaliers were beaten by 32 points in Game 5. During the game, James appeared distracted and uninterested, often glaring at Cleveland's coaches. James also made some puzzling postgame comments, saying he had "spoiled" people with his play over seven seasons.
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