Cavs owner: LeBron's signing "selfish" and "cowardly betrayal"

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07/08/2010 - Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Cleveland Cavaliers majority owner Dan Gilbert delivered a fiery open letter to fans, ripping LeBron James' decision to join the Miami Heat as "selfish" and a "cowardly betrayal."

Gilbert also offered a bold statement saying the Cavs would win an NBA title before James.

In a television special on ESPN devoted to James Thursday night, the reigning two-time league MVP disclosed his free agency decision to join stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to play in Miami this fall instead of remaining with the Cavaliers.

The antics by James ticked off Gilbert, so much to the point that he wrote a scathing letter directed at James' "narcissistic, self-promotional build-up" to his announcement Thursday night.

"You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal," Gilbert said in the letter to the fans. "You have given so much and deserve so much more. In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

"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.

"If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our 'motivation' to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels."

Gilbert didn't stop there, continuing to rant about James, an Akron native who was Cleveland's No. 1 overall draft pick in 2003 and spent his entire seven- year career in a Cavaliers uniform, building the team into a Eastern Conference powerhouse.

"This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown 'chosen one' sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And 'who' we would want them to grow-up to become," Gilbert said. "But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio."

Fans in Lakewood, Ohio were so enraged at James' decision, they burned jerseys and t-shirts of their former idol.

It's a tough road ahead for the Cavaliers in a city that hasn't won a major sports championship since 1964, when the Browns captured the NFL crown. It's the longest drought for any city with at least three majors sports franchises. The Cavs made it to the 2007 NBA Finals before being swept by San Antonio.

"The self-declared former 'King' will be taking the 'curse' with him down south," Gilbert said in the letter. And until he does 'right' by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

"Just watch.

"Sleep well, Cleveland.

"Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day....

"I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

"DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue....

Gilbert's name is then signed at the bottom of the letter.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

Additional baseball lines and World Series odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

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Huskers' Lucky hospitalized for undisclosed reason

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska running back Marlon Lucky was hospitalized Monday for undisclosed reasons after Lincoln police responded to a call at his residence.

The Nebraska athletic department said in a release Monday that Lucky was admitted Sunday night.

MySportsbook.com has the Cornhuskers listed at +2500 to win the BCS National Championship odds.

A nursing supervisor at the hospital said all questions about Lucky were being referred to the athletic department. The athletic department said there would be no further comment from the department or Lucky's family.

A Lincoln Police spokesman said officers responded to a call at Lucky's residence 11:30 p.m. Sunday. The spokesman said he didn't know Lucky's condition at the time he was taken to the hospital.

Lucky, from North Hollywood, Calif., started six games last season as a sophomore and was the team's second-leading rusher, with 728 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 32 passes for 383 yards. He averaged 19.1 yards on eight kickoff returns.

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