Cleveland Cavaliers Rumors
Dan Gilbert hospitalized
Detroit business mogul Dan Gilbert was hospitalized early Sunday after suffering symptoms of a stroke. Gilbert, 57, is founder and chairman of Quicken Loans, majority owner of the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers and a significant owner of downtown Detroit real estate. He was admitted to Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital early Sunday morning.
“He received immediate medical attention and is currently recovering comfortably,” said a statement issued by the Quicken Loans family of companies following inquiries from The News. “Our collective thoughts and prayers are with Dan for a speedy recovery.”
Boston Celtics All-Star guard Kyrie Irving and rising star forward Jayson Tatum were featured on Knuckleheads podcast hosted by former NBA players Quentin Richardson and Darius Miles. Irving is one of the best players in the NBA today, but he’ll never forget his “welcome to the league” moment in the very first game of his career. Richardson: Who was the first person when you got in the league to bust yo a-? Irving: First game I played against Jose Calderon. Jose Calderon bust my a-. He gave me like 26 (points) and 14 (assists) and he was celebrating like a (explicit). I was sick. I had like six (points) and six (assists) that night.
“With LeBron (James), there was a limited shelf life in terms of his age and his contract commitment,’’ said Gilbert. “It’s a win now at all costs. . . It all revolves around the sun, which is him.” Gilbert paused, then added: “Whatever pressure comes with it, it worked out. We won a title.” Gilbert’s point was the team couldn’t develop players during the four seasons of James’ second tour with the Cavs (2014-18). The goal was to surround James with veterans to push for a title.
“It becomes a melting snowball,” said the owner. “We had to trade him when we did. What team would want Kyrie with only one year on his contract knowing he could leave after the season? You won’t get much back (under those circumstances).” But there was something else. “The agent was telling us, if we don’t trade him, there is some surgery he is on the borderline of having on his knee,” said Gilbert. “It was possible he could be out for most of the year. It turned out to be true.”
