Mo Williams ran into LeBron James at the airport on Sunday, and the two talked at length for the first time since The Decision.
Mo Williams admits he still carries disappointment from LeBron James' departure to Miami. "Part of me is still sour, but in the overall picture, you don't wish anything bad to anybody, including friends," he said Monday.WESTFIELD CENTER, Ohio -- It was, Mo Williams said, a long-overdue conversation.
The Cavaliers' point guard was worried about his flight being four hours late on Sunday, when he had a personal appearance scheduled for Monday's 25th Cavaliers Youth Fund Classic golf event. But, thanks to the delay, he ran into an old friend at the airport -- LeBron James.
Williams had tweeted his disappointment when James left Cleveland for Miami. But the two hadn't really conversed until Sunday.
"We talked for a bit," Williams said. "I think it was a much-needed conversation, being that we were so close.
"The conversation went well. Obviously, our friendship is beyond basketball. Obviously, the basketball decision touched me emotionally. Part of me is still sour, but in the overall picture, you don't wish anything bad to anybody, including friends. I wish him the best. He's got enough people rooting against him. He doesn't need one more."
Asked what he thought James' return with the Heat on Dec. 2 would be like, Williams sighed and then said, "You tell me. It's going to be ... I'm optimistic about that. I wouldn't say I'm looking forward to Dec. 2, but I think it's going to be an emotional day. For lack of a better word, I think it's going to be an emotional day, especially for the fans.
"As players, as an organization, it's personal to a point, but at the end of the day, we look at the business aspect of it.
"But a fan is a fan. Fans love Cleveland on the front of your jersey and that's what they root for. They're going to feel the way they're going to feel. It's going to be kind of ... interesting, the reception."
Cavs notes: Owner Dan Gilbert addressed the participants at Monday's Cavaliers charity golf event, but left without speaking to the media. He did reiterate his intention to do whatever it takes to bring a championship to Cleveland. ... Calling former assistant general manager Lance Blanks almost irreplaceable, new GM Chris Grant said he would take his time hiring a replacement and that it could even be more than one person. Blanks left to become the general manager of the Phoenix Suns earlier this summer. ... Grant said there was no news on former St. Edward star Jawad Williams, to whom the Cavs have extended a qualifying offer. ... Grant declined to comment on reports that he recently signed a two-year extension with a raise. "I don't want to get into any details about that," he said. "I will say Dan's been great. Ownership has been great. I think this organization is in a good place. Dan and his group remain supportive and I don't see that changing."