Dan Gilbert Rips Media

The Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert answered questions during a press conference today around the speculations that Lebron James will leave Cleveland in 2010.

“It’s kind of an insult to the city of Cleveland in my opinion — an insult to the Midwest,” said Gilbert.

He said, Lebron gave no indication that he will leave after his contract expire in two years and that’s not the focus of the team right now.

“I think we’re going to compete for a championship in the next year or two and we’ll worry about that summer when it comes.” Gilbert said.

The speculation about Lebron leaving Cleveland is nothing more than conjecture from bored sports reporters.

“People in your profession are very bored on both sides of the country. There’s no basketball going on so they write this stuff,” Gilbert said.

Delonte West signs multiyear deal with Cavs

Delonte West has signed a multiyear deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Although terms were not released, sources said it was for three years. He had been seeking a deal starting around $5 million a season.

“This is the first time since I was offered a scholarship at St. Joes that I feel like I am valued as a person and a player,” West said in a release issued by the team. “Dan Gilbert and the Cavaliers have shown me that they value me as a person and a player and that was the most important thing to me.

“In that sense, this was not about a specific dollar amount. You can’t really put a dollar value on a person – their skills you can, but not their heart and what kind of person they are. My family is blessed and I feel a great relief to be able to concentrate on basketball now.”

West will have to compete for time with Mo Williams and Daniel Gibson.

Lebron James teams up with Ralph Lauren for charity

Ralph Lauren and Lebron James got together for a good cause in NYC at the Ralph Lauren store for the Lebron James Family Foundation.

They shopped Ralph Lauren basketballs for $300 each, or $1000 with Jame’s autograph. The proceeds went to Lebron’s foundation.

Guests included professional athletes, Jay-Z, Vogue editor Anna Wintour, and Tennis star Serena Williams.

Lebron James and his girlfriend Savannah

Lebron James with music star Jay-Z and tennis star Serena Williams

Oklahoma City Thunder Announced

The Oklahoma City franchise unveiled their new name and logo to the media yesterday.  From hundreds of entries, the owners have decided to name the franchise the Thunder.

Team chairman Clay Bennett said the light blue color coincides with the state flag to represent the inclusion of all Oklahomans, the yellow refers to the sun and the reddish-orange color to the sunset. With the University of Oklahoma featuring crimson as its primary color, and Oklahoma State using orange, Bennett said it was “not too red and not too orange.”

Bringing the Gold home

According to Cleveland.Com, the Cavaliers and LeBron James are having discussions about a possible local ceremony to honor James, who has just returned from helping the U.S. men’s basketball team claim Olympic gold last weekend in Beijing. But James may not have room in his crowded schedule for an event to be held here before training camp opens at the end of the month.

U.S Win Gold

Spain didn’t go as easy this time. With 2 1/2 minutes to play, the US were only up by 4 points.

Bryant converted a clutch four-point play with 3:10 remaining. Wade added another 3-pointer that made it 111-104 with just over 2 minutes left.

“They began to celebrate during a break after some technical fouls on Spain with 26 seconds left, then partied at midcourt when it was over with “Born in the USA” blaring over the arena’s speakers.”

“We played with great character in one of the great games in international basketball history, I think,” U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski said.

Dwyane Wade led the team with 27 points, Bryant added 20 points and
Lebron James scored 14 points, while Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul had 13 apiece.

Argentina won the bronze with an 87-75 victory against Lithuania.