On the Same Page, Again

Dan Gilbert and LeBron James are officially on the same page again according to the the press conference from earlier today. Actually, everything and everyone in the organization is on the same super positive, happy, and cooperative page. Gilbert commented on David Blatt, LeBron James, and David Griffin as he fielded questions from reporters for about twenty minutes. It was an opportunity for Cavs fans to see an owner on the podium that has clearly gone through as many emotions as they have during the time since James’ departure. It was an opportunity to see a man that has grown immensely since publishing a rage inspired letter.

Gilbert thinks David Blatt knows how to enjoy a beer with anybody.

I’m impressed he hasn’t lost a game yet in the regular season so far. So, yeah, obviously, it’s early to be judging a coach totally, right? We haven’t played a game yet. He’s a down to earth guy. I mean, for a guy that has much winning internationally and so many different places, he’s a guy that could sit down with anybody here and have a beer. Doesn’t matter who you are and where you’re coming from. He respects people.

I really hope Blatt is super selective about the beer he has with “anybody.” I can’t think of any NBA coach who has an interest in craft breweries.

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LeBron James can tell Gilbert that he’s short.

I think our relationship is very good, very solid. I just saw LeBron. He looked at me and said ‘looks like you grew an inch.’ I said I could use it.

That’s a real sign of friendship. Only my closet relations are subjected to my subpar jokes.

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Gilbert knows David Griffin is not simply a man benefitting from free agency circumstances beyond his control.

He immediately, I mean, from the second we hired him, made sure he met one‑on‑one. Every single player, every single coaching staff member, and let them know who we are and let them feel him. Again, hard to prove. It’s one of those things again not measurable on a spread sheet. But, Griff has positively impacted things. Forget the summer, but from day one when he started last February. Through the lottery, not Nick Gilbert, but he went to the lottery and pulled that off. And I think he made the right draft picks and hired the right coach. Obviously, the moves of the summer speak for themselves. There is a team around him. We work for the team, but he’s leading it. I couldn’t be more pleased with him.

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And, Mr. Dan even offered more insight into the Kyrie Irving contract extension.

It’s funny, because we started the dinner at 10 o’clock but we weren’t allowed to talk about it until 12:01. And we go by the book. When somebody tried to bring it up, no we got 20 more minutes. We wouldn’t talk till 12:01. So at 12:01 we started talking and I think it was like 1:05 or something where we had shaken hands. That is a major, pivotal moment. If that doesn’t happen, that has to put doubt in any free agent including LeBron or whoever.

Chris Haynes of the Northeast Ohio Media Group has the full transcription of the press conference here.

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David Stern came out a little bit ago and said that he approves of LeBron’s decision to come home. Michael Wallace reported this on ESPN.

“[LeBron] seems to have made this [move] from the bottom of his heart,” retired commissioner David Stern said of James’ decision to return to Cleveland. “I couldn’t be happier.”

Stern criticized LeBron four years ago because he viewed The Decision as “ill-conceived, badly produced and poorly executed.”

This Cavs season is looking to open with more people in the organization smiling and being understanding than ever before. If the Cavs can translate all of this off the court understanding onto the court, the league will have more to worry about than just the sheer talent of the new big three in the East.