(CNN) – In a declaration laden with veiled jabs at NBA all star LeBron James, Ohio Gov. John Kasich on Monday declared the Dallas Mavericks honorary Ohioans.
The move came less than 24 hours after the Mavericks defeated James and the Miami Heat in game six of the NBA Finals to win their first ever NBA championship.
"Whereas, NBA Finals [MVP] Dirk Nowitzki chose to re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks in the summer of 2010, forgoing free agency and keeping his talents in Dallas, remaining loyal to the team, city and fans for whom he played his entire career," the declaration reads in part.
James played his first seven NBA seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers before announcing last July in a highly publicized prime time television special that he would leave Cleveland to team up with a spate of other all-star players in Miami.
The move instantly soured James' relationship with Cavaliers fans and pretty much everyone else in Ohio.
"Whereas, the proud city of Cleveland and the entire state of Ohio share in the excitement of the Dallas Mavericks fans everywhere," Kasich's declaration added.
No word yet on how the Mavericks players and fans will take advantage of all of the "privileges and honors" that come with their new honorary citizenship.
From CNN Politics
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Kasich is an anal cavity, and the residents are definitely having "buyer's remorse" for putting him in office.
How childdish can you get.
Way to go Johnny K.! Concentrate on things that are important to your state.
Good to see how the GOP is focusing on jobs, jobs, jobs.
I understand that the fans in Cleveland may have been upset over the way that LeBron departed, but people love to hate him no matter what he does. It's actually quite childish and even embarrassing. I hope that one day Cleveland will stop acting like scorned lovers and focus on building a team that is able to compete. LeBron left – he’s gone, he’s in Miami – he’s gone, he lost in the finals – he’s gone… Cleveland and their fans are acting like stalkers… they speak of Karma, isn’t it worse Karma to wish so much negativity on a person?
Kasich you are a complete and utter tool. As if Lebron James give one iota about you stupidity. When will be rethug wake up and realize that your party are full of little boys and even littler girls.
Get over losing LeBron, Ohio!
My Goodness! Can't you people in Ohio please move beyond LeBron.
The NBA has a UNION and I think it's great Kasich spreads that recognition in Ohio and across State lines. No UNION busting of any kind because Governor Kasich supports the UNION and their collective bargaining rights.
His state must be just thriving, since he has the time to do this (sarcasm). This makes no sense to me. LeBron left. It was wrong the way he did it, but it was his RIGHT to do it. For a governmor to take pleasure in this is utterly ridiculous. Do you think the people who've been unemployed in Ohio gives a damn about the Maverick's being made honorary citizen's? If so , the they have a problem. Worry about your state and how to try and make things work vs. what' LeBron is doing or not doing. BTW – I'm not a Mav's fan, but Congrats to them on their win. For a governor to make a proclamation on a basketball team winning a game.............BTW – where's the proclomation on Ohio state?? Why no comment about that mess?
Kasich is a poor sport and sore loser. Nice to know he has such time to burn. How is that union- busting and attack on public workers panning-out for you Governor ?
This clown is using Dallas Maverick for polittical gain and wasting the state's resources for this silly stuf.
The last time I checked, this is America and its a free country...and you are free to sell your good or services wherever you want!!!
LeBron James did so much for Cleveland than Gov Kasich can EVER do in his lifetime to help the people of Cleveland!!!
This IDIOT Kasich is a tool who just being petty and irresponsible with Governors office. GOP govs. need to GETALIFE!!!!
Does these politicians have no shame?! Kasich need to get this butt to work on behalf of Ohians and stop these childish games along with Dan Gilbert. They are an embarrassment to Cleveland and the Cleveland Cavaliers! Dan Gilbert and company just proved they can't move on without LeBron, yet LeBron has moved on. Like LeBron said Ohio can talk about him but will still have the same problems they had before and he will go on and live his life.
Mavs fan here. I get all the hate Cleveland has against LeBron, but seriously how can one city continue to embarass itself?
So petty.
Sports today isn't about team spirit or loyalty to a place.
It's all about who can pay the most.
The team with the most money, wins.
Just like our political circus.
Will he strip collective bargaining from the Maverick players? Is that one of the privleges he was referring to?
Its appalling he wastes his time with this garbage, given how serious times are in OH.
This guy has no class, just because your teams are sorry no need to gobble n_ts...Why would Dallas want to be apart of a bland city like Cleveland.. Worry about the games U play, Dallas did not win for Cleveland, they can give less than a damm about Cleveland...It time for U scrubbs to let it go, do U know how sorry this makes ur states look...Gov. find some jobs if U want to do something...This makes Cleveland look like jock riders....
The republicans had the BA#LS to criticize Obama for playing a Super Bowl pool and then one of them pulls this stunt?? Where is the outrage GOP???? Oh I forgot. It's only for Democrats not your own
Hey Kasich!! He has a JOB !!
@norm; this might not mean much, but lebron actually took LESS money to go to miami.
Seriously, it's a joke people...ya'll need to get a sense of humor..eesh
best news I heard all day!
Wow...I can smell the desperation from here.
I'm neither a LeBron nor a Heat fan, but this is really immature. Surely the Governor has better things to do with his time than attack an NBA player that took his ball and went to Florida. Not a good look, Kasich