LeBron James Was Hurt By Letter from Cavs Owner When He Left Cleveland

The city of Cleveland lost its collective mind when LeBron James infamously left in the summer of 2010. James admitted to Oprah Winfrey (during an interview that will air this Sunday) that the batsh*t crazy letter that Cavs owner Dan Gilbert fired off shortly after “The Decision” hurt his feelings. Per Fox Sports: “Winfrey interviewed James and fellow Heat stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh shortly after they wrapped up the title for the show ‘Oprah’s Next Chapter.’ Part one will air 8 p.m. EDT Sunday on the Oprah Winfrey Network with part two at 8 p.m. EDT July 8. The network made available Thursday a clip with James’ response when Winfrey asked him about Gilbert’s letter. ‘It was hurtful because I know how much I put into that organization, and every night I’m out on the floor I tried to give it my all and I tried to bring a championship to that city every single night,’ said James, who didn’t win a title with the Cavaliers from 2003-10, losing 4-0 to San Antonio in 2007 in their only Finals appearance. ‘But, at the same time, I understood that everyone has their opinion. Everybody has a right to say what they want to say and there’s nothing I can do about that.’ […] Gilbert’s letter was written after James said in July 2010 on the ESPN-aired “The Decision” that he would be leaving Cleveland for Miami. NBA commissioner David Stern fined him $100,000 for writing it. In the letter, 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.’ That, obviously, did not happen.”