Dan Gilbert said he didn’t hear question about LeBron James leaving

Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert was asked an uncomfortable question after his team won its first NBA title in franchise history Sunday night, so how did he answer it?

He didn’t.

When ESPN’s Doris Burke asked Gilbert if he could have ever envisioned LeBron James returning to the Cavs after the way he left several years ago, Gilbert claimed he didn’t hear the question.

So @jemelehill @stephenasmith @michaelsmith how didn't Dan Gilbert hear this question pic.twitter.com/jDipNF3c0C

— Promoooooooooooooooo (@PromoDaveFOC) June 20, 2016

“I didn’t hear you exactly, Doris,” Gilbert said. “All I know is no group and no family has deserved this more.”

Keep in mind Game 7 was in Oakland, so thousands of fans had already hit the exits before Burke interviewed Gilbert. It wasn’t all that loud.

The reality is that Gilbert would probably prefer to ignore questions about LeBron leaving the Cavs in 2010 after he wrote this incredibly embarrassing letter to the fans. Whether you agree with LeBron’s decision to leave or not, Gilbert is lucky he didn’t burn the bridge completely by attacking James’ character. LeBron, who was supposedly still bothered by the letter years later, could have just as easily told Gilbert where to stick it.

Photo: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports