The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Gilbert’s rosy outlook doesn’t match up with Team Turmoil
Dan Gilbert is facing his biggest test as owner of the Cavaliers since LeBron James took his talents to South Beach in the summer of 2010, but if you listen to him long enough, he will convince you everything is rosy with Team Turmoil. Or maybe he needed the news conference on July 26 at Cleveland Clinic Courts to convince himself that everything that happened the past six days really occurred on another planet.
The purpose of the news conference was to introduce Koby Altman as the Cavaliers’ newest general manager.
It quickly turned into a barrage of questions about what the Cavaliers plan to do with Kyrie Irving, who, according to a report on July 21 by Brian Windhorst of ESPN, wants to be traded because he doesn’t want to play with James.
Gilbert would not confirm Irving asked for a trade, but the fact Irving hasn’t come out and denied the story is all the confirmation needed. Despite that, Gilbert said he expects Irving will still be a Cavalier when training camp opens in late September. The answer came 29 minutes into a 31-minute news conference following question after question on the same subject, but that’s what the Cavs owner said.
“Right now Kyrie Irving is under contract to the Cleveland Cavaliers for two or three years depending on the last year,” Gilbert said. “He’s one of our best players. Sure, we expect him to be in camp.”
Gilbert and Altman both denied friction between Irving and James.
Gilbert was asked directly whether he believes Irving and James can coexist. He referred to former Lakers star Kobe Bryant for his answer.
“You have to look at history sometimes,” Gilbert said. “Kobe Bryant was on a radio station demanding to be traded. He won two or three championships after that.”
Gilbert, accused in the past of being too meddlesome as an owner, is clearly leaving it up to Altman to make things right, whether that means finding a way to trade Irving (despite Gilbert saying he expects Irving to be in training camp) or getting Irving and James together to patch up their relationship.
“That’s at the level of Koby,” Gilbert said. “He’s living this full time. If (patching things up) is his first option, if he thinks that’s the best way to move forward with this franchise, he’ll figure out a way to hopefully make it happen.”
Altman said stories of animosity between Irving and James are “overblown.”
“This isn’t broken,” he said “That (friction) is the narrative. That’s not the truth. Whatever the outside narrative is, that’s fine. We know the truth.”
The words are no doubt comforting to Gilbert.
The future of James beyond the 2017-18 season remains a mystery. Altman and Gilbert lauded James for his commitment to the season ahead, but neither would go beyond that.
Gilbert was asked about former GM David Griffin leaving because the two could not agree on a new contract. Gilbert, contrary to reports, said it had nothing to do with money.
Chauncey Billups reportedly was offered the job of president of basketball operations when Griffin walked away. Gilbert said the talks were only “informal.” Billups on July 3 said he pulled out because the timing wasn’t right.
The picture Gilbert is painting doesn’t match the reality of the challenge Altman is facing. Gilbert should admit the fact instead of trying to convince fans something isn’t rotten in Independence.
Schudel can be reached at jschudel@news-herald. com; @jsproinsider on Twitter.