The Dan Gilbert Prophecy

It was a simple passion enflamed letter. A letter from an owner to his team's fans to help them get over the fact that the player and superstar they loved more than anything chose to take his talents to South Beach. But in that letter Dan Gilbert promised the Cavalier faithful that their beloved team would win their first title before "the self-proclaimed King" won his.



The boast seemed like the ranting of a lunatic. Words spoked by a spurned lover who was trying desperately to hold onto his dignity. In the months that followed the 'Decision' we all witnessed a celebration where the 'Chosen 1' danced around with his new teammates in full swagger promising "not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5 not 6, not 7 but multiple championships." Oh, what a bitter taste those words, emanating from a heart filled with pride, left in the mouths of those who once loved him.



But, were the words Dan Gilbert penned prophetic? It sure was worth the conversation after the Cavaliers beat the odds in this year's NBA draft winning the rights to make not only the 4th but also the 1st pick. Although still a dream far away, fans in Cleveland finally saw light at the end of the tunnel with the opportunity to quickly turn their franchise around by bringing in two prospective stars. But, even against that backdrop, the Heat continued to roll in the playoffs dispatching one opponent after the other.



Then Dallas entered the picture. To most, the Finals series would be the Heat's coming out party. The Mavericks should have been exactly what the Heat needed to cement their greatness. A team boasting of 1 superstar and a supporting cast of misfits and aged veterans; a perfect opponent for a destined coronation. No work required and no sweat or tears necessary.



Unfortunately, nobody told Dallas that and LeBron James wilted under the pressure. In Six games LeBron and the Heat proved to be ineffective, unstable and overmatched by their opponents. The crowds sang and shouted at the heroics of Dirk, J.J. Berea, Jason Terry and the tattooed one, DeShawn Stevenson. The end came quickly in Game 6 as the time ticked off from the beginning of the 4th quarter. As Brian Windhorst noted: "So fitting was the moment in the fourth quarter when the Heat were trying to cobble together a comeback and Mario Chalmers and James found themselves on a break together. James called for the ball. Chalmers saw him but kept it, trying to beat two Mavs players by himself. It was a brash play by a headstrong and fearless player that was wrong, but it was also a glaring indication of where James' teammates apparently thought he was by then. Chalmers felt like he could do it better by himself."



Chalmers' sentiment may sound shocking, but to anyone following the game and the series, all too true. Will we ever get the images of Dwayne Wade chastising his friend "The King" demanding he step up in the earlier games? If so, it will be a long time coming, and never quite let go in any conversation of James' legacy. Now, LeBron James, a player many including Scottie Pippen viewed as the heir apparent to Michael Jordan, will have to spend his summer wondering how it all went wrong while praying that God let him win a championship and everyone else just get back to their normal lives. While he remains in offseason exile though, the words of Dan Gilbert will ring throughout the draft proceedings and all that follows.



Could Cleveland put the pieces together quickly enough to make his claims true? Will the Heat ever get another shot at a title? Time will tell. Until it does though, Dan Gilbert's Prophesy will hang on the air for Clevelanders like the sweet smell of Jasmine in the summer while it's stench will burn in LeBron's nose like the foul air that wafted off a burning Lake Erie. All we know now is that like "The Curse of the Bambino" or "The Madden Curse," until the day of it's proving or refutation, "Dan Gilbert's Prophecy" won't be forgotten.