As Dan Gilbert tried to welcome LeBron James back to Cleveland, the Cavaliers owner framed their first tenure together as “five great years and one bad night” – a sentiment LeBron echoed.
But rock bottom lasted far longer than the night of The Decision and Gilbert’s infamous letter.
“Return of the King” by Brian Windhorst and Dave McMenamin:
Gilbert had continued to stew, though, and in meetings he refused for several years to say James’s name.
That’s some deep-seated resentment, something not merely stemming from the passion of a single night.
LeBron’s and Gilbert’s relationship still has rockiness, but they came together to win a championship and are pursuing another. LeBron provides on-court excellence, and Gilbert spends big. It’s a fruitful combination, no matter the animosity that preceded it.
But it’s still a wonder they reconciled at all.
Disclosure: I received a promotional copy of “Return of the King.”