Cleveland Cavaliers longtime owner Dan Gilbert generated buzz back in 2010 when he publicized a hate letter aimed at LeBron James.
It was Gilbert’s way of expressing his disappointment and disapproval of James’ abrupt move to the Miami Heat, also known as The Decision.
Advertisement
Even though Gilbert’s intention was to let LeBron know that he was very unhappy with what he did, The King thought the letter was laced with racial undertones. As much as he tried to understand where the Cavs boss was coming from, James couldn’t help but assume it had something to do with him being a famous and influential black athlete.
As he looked back on it, James reckoned that Gilbert’s attacks were too personal for him not to feel like it wasn’t just about basketball. In the end, LBJ concluded that he just did what he thought was right for him at the time, but Dan went overboard with his open letter.
“I did [think it was racial],” James said of Dan’s letter in an interview with GQ in 2017. “It was another conversation I had to have with my kids. It was unfortunate, because I believed in my heart that I had gave that city and that owner, at that point in time, everything that I had. Unfortunately, I felt like, at that point in time, as an organization, we could not bring in enough talent to help us get to what my vision was.”
Advertisement
“A lot of people say they want to win, but they really don’t know how hard it takes, or a lot of people don’t have the vision,” he continued. “… I think that had a lot to do with race at that time, too… It wasn’t the notion of I wanted to do it my way. It was the notion of I’m gonna play this game, and I’m gonna prepare myself so damn hard that when I decide to do something off the court, I want to be able to do it because I’ve paid my dues.”
Dan’s letter still affects LeBron
James hit back hard at Gilbert with a fiery response at the time. Even though James made his point, from then on, he became Cleveland’s enemy No. 1.
Advertisement
As his jerseys were being burned back in Cleveland, LeBron started anew with the Heat. Alongside fellow perennial All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, LBJ made history in Miami. Three years after leaving the Cavs, James was already a two-time champion.
Eventually, James and the Cavs reconciled. He returned to Cleveland in 2014 and finally buried the hatchet with Gilbert. However, Bron confided that the hate letter still haunts him sometimes.
“I don’t really like to go back on that letter, but it pops in my head a few times here, a few times there,” James confessed. “I mean, it’s just human nature.”
Advertisement
Bron’s second stint with the Cavs
Regardless of what happened in the past, James managed to regain the Cavs faithful’s love and trust. In his second stint with the team, LBJ wasn’t just physically stronger but also more mentally mature.
He led the Cavs to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances and won one for the team in the process. In 2018, LeBron felt the need to have a change of scenery once again.
Advertisement
This time, The King took his talents to Los Angeles and joined the Lakers.
For the second time around, James parted ways with the Cavs. However, it was no longer as dramatic and stressful as it was the first time.
The main reason is that this time, LeBron delivered a championship to Cleveland.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 20, 2025, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.