LeBron James Tampering Investigation: Cavs Reportedly Probing Heat Pursuit Of James

CLEVELAND — Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert insists he has moved on from LeBron James. But on to what?

Gilbert has reportedly enlisted a law firm to investigate the circumstances leading to James leaving Cleveland to sign with the Miami Heat this summer.

Yahoo! Sports reported on Wednesday that Gilbert has paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to a Midwestern law firm to investigate suspicions that the Heat broke NBA tampering rules while pursuing James, who left the Cavs after seven seasons to join fellow stars Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade in Miami.

The timing of the report is interesting since James will return to play in Cleveland for the first time on Thursday night, in what promises to be a hostile Quicken Loans Arena.

On Tuesday, Gilbert, who was highly critical of James following the superstar's televised announcement in July, was asked about his emotions heading into the reunion with the two-time league MVP.

"I'm over it," he said. "I really am. That's the truth. I let it all out in about 24 hours. I just think we have such a great core and a great coaching staff. We have a lot of opportunities with the trade exception and the draft. I feel good about this team."

Team spokesman Tad Carper said Wednesday night the Cavaliers are declining comment on the Yahoo! report, which citing anonymous league sources, says Gilbert plans to present NBA commissioner David Stern with a detailed case with the hopes of launching a tampering investigation.

According to Yahoo's sources, Gilbert will spare no expense to uncover whatever evidence he can to take to the league office and that law firm staff includes several former prosecutors with backgrounds in investigating and constructing cases.

Also, the report states that the firm is probing an alleged meeting between James and Heat president Pat Riley in November 2009 and a meeting between James' inner circle and Wade in Chicago last June.

The report adds another element to James' homecoming, which figures to be an emotional night for the 25-year-old and Cleveland fans.

Gilbert is expected to be in his usual baseline seat next to the Cavaliers bench, where he'll have an up-close view of what promises to be a memorable event.

In the hours after James announced his intentions to leave Cleveland, Gilbert fired off a scathing letter to Cleveland fans in which he lambasted his former star player, calling him "narcisstic" and vowing the Cavaliers would win an NBA title before "the self-declared former King."

Later that night in an interview with The Associated Press, Gilbert accused James of quitting in last season's playoffs.

"He quit," Gilbert said. "Not just in Game 5, but in Games 2, 4 and 6. Watch the tape. The Boston series was unlike anything in the history of sports for a superstar. ... People have covered up for him for way too long."

For the letter and his comments, Gilbert was fined $100,000 by Stern.

Comments

[Carolyn LeBeauf]

05:59 PM on 12/03/2010

Gilbert must think he is still living in the times of slavery huh. He should be on his hands and knees kissing LeBron's feet. The King was there for 7 years. Gilbert didn't want to spend the money LeBron was bringing in, to surrond THE KING with decent players, so what the f--k is his problem. Slavery time is over.

[aphextwin07]

09:29 AM on 12/03/2010

just let it go already... jeez.

[carester]

10:58 PM on 12/02/2010

Sorry CAVALOSERS......feel the Heat? Nice :-)

[inmotion2]

09:21 PM on 12/02/2010

It's tough to be dumped for the prettier girl, get over it Cleveland fans you had you chance, MOVE ON!

[birdlady5]

08:05 PM on 12/02/2010

Lebron sucks! Totally overhyped and no loyalty!

[WPF]

07:27 PM on 12/02/2010

I'm glad they've moved on.

[Billypedia]

04:52 PM on 12/02/2010

Just let the man go, he is having one of the most disappointing seasons with a team ever his current team is the equal to an above average AAU team!

[Bados]

05:41 PM on 12/02/2010

Buh dum bum crash!!!!!!!!

It will take personnel changes and time for the Heat to mesh. You cant simply buy a ring. They like any other team deserve time to get it together without everyone thinking their world has come crashing down around them. The Lakers have lost 3 in a row yet no one really cares.

At worse he comes home to a beach or lake front mansion in one of the liveliest cities on the planet as opposed to the wonderful metropolis that is Cleveland. LOL

[bobbiecat]

03:17 PM on 12/02/2010

Will the people who have a passing interest in basketball please stop posting comments on this issue? You don't know what you're talking about. No one cares about your opinion that's based on the sound bites of other commentators. And HuffPo, will you please stop posting these ridiculous headlines about LBJ, the decision and the Cavs? Clearly they're only meant to prolong this mess and upset people. It's hard to move on when HuffPo won't let it go.

[Bados]

03:43 PM on 12/02/2010

You sir are speaking the truth.

[LogicalMathMan]

02:05 PM on 12/02/2010

Why is it acceptable when Managers collude in trades to acquire players, and not so when players resort to the same thing?

Hypocrisy!!!

[suntzu1967]

02:38 PM on 12/02/2010

Any proof beyond innuendo and conjecture? Didnt think so.

[Bados]

04:01 PM on 12/02/2010

LOL Have you ever heard the term " Trade talks"? You may not believe this but it means that general managers are discussing trading a player and what compensation or fair exchange comes with it.

What do you think happens when teams move up in the draft? Do you think its like cutting in line at the store?

OK how about this. An owner can wake up have a cup of coffee then decide to trade whomever he chooses just because he feels like it. He doesnt even have to see the player out the door. The player just gets a phone call from the messenger. He might hear it on twitter first if he misses the call. LOL "Kids in school, wife has a job, oh well not our problem, take care bud"

Lebron played out his contract, became a free agent, then exercised his right to pursue employment elsewhere. Unless you think he was owned by the Cavs and Gilbert, no one should feel anything more than the disappointment of losing the best player they ever had, who took them as far as the've ever been taken.

They actually should go a step further and say thanks for the 7 years. At least the restaurant, hotels, bars, and retailers in the vicinity of the arena should. Their doors would be closed if it weren't for Lebron.

You'll probably come up with something lame like "well thats why they make so much money" LOL

[staytrue82]

02:04 PM on 12/02/2010

Get over it already, Gilbert and Cleveland fans. It's getting embarrassing.

[blackseasoning]

01:54 PM on 12/02/2010

I thought blacks were "freed" years ago

[Bados]

05:43 PM on 12/02/2010

Gilbert thought he had the last one. Losing him was obviously traumatic. Who's gonna bring him his cash?

[ReesieKitty]

01:36 PM on 12/02/2010

The NBA should be investigating this, but it loves its golden boy players too much to be serious about this. I am so sick of them wanting to have it both ways- to say they are a stand up organization and take infractions seriously, etc. - but then on the other hand when players meet and make major decisions like this we are all supposed to wink and nod and say " Well now, these guys are just buddies. And LeBron just wanted to play with his good buddies and they just had a few beers and talked about it! What's wrong with that?!?"

This is not junior high sports- you can't have it both ways guys! Or, apparently, if you're someone like LeBron, you CAN in the NBA ;)

[Bados]

06:05 PM on 12/02/2010

I wish more players would do it. The players know who they work well with. All thats needed is a good owner with an open check book, a great GM and player coaches. This would make the league explode to the next level. For every grumpy oldie that thinks these athletes are getting too big for their britches, 20 new fans would emerge. It would be a hater shedding of epic proportions.

I love when people get nervous about players exercising more control over their careers. It's certainly not junior high but it is entertainment.

Why are some people always calling for some kind of investigation? " Lebron did you talk to your friend Dwayne and say it would be cool to play together?' Yep.
"Oh so you admitted it?"
" Yeah I also just talked to Chris Paul yesterday to see if he'd come down and play with us next year"
"you did what? You're suspended until further notice."
"yeah whatever dude you and I both know I'm playing tonight" LOL

Rich athletes with minds of their own cause an unhealthy amount of angst. Why is that? I mean Lebron is being vilified like he's serial killer or something. All he did was leave when he contract expired. LOL

[MahatmaCoat]

01:32 PM on 12/02/2010

I can't wait for his holiness to bring his silly fairy dust back to Cleveland!

[Kylie Estwick]

01:29 PM on 12/02/2010

Im sure there was some technical rule breaking but nothing will come of it. I'd spend the money to hire talent to beat the Heat when they come to town.

Reminds me of the Eric Davis/Daryl Strawberry fiasco with the Reds years ago. Once an athlete decides to leave there's not much you can do to keep him.

[suntzu1967]

01:43 PM on 12/02/2010

The money Gilbert is spending n this investigation wouldnt even buy half of a first year player at the league minimum.

[MRb1000]

01:22 PM on 12/02/2010

Why cant they just move on. This is childish!