The hype had worn off the Cleveland Cavaliers — who acquired LeBron James and Kevin Love in the offseason — by Jan. 19, 2015. The Cavs sat at a pedestrian 21-20, and were set to play host to the divisional rival Chicago Bulls that night.
Enter Urban Meyer, who delivered a pregame speech to the Cavaliers before the franchise honored Ohio State's national title victory.
Cleveland went onto win that game, 108-94, before winning the next 10 games. The Cavs, in essence, never looked back. They're now the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, and they're up 2-0 on Jared Sullinger and Evan Turner's Boston Celtics.
So needless to say, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert owed Urban Meyer a little something something. And to his credit, the billionaire made due on that today, talking to Urban's team as part of Real Life Wednesdays.
Great to have Cavs owner and top businessman @cavsdan speak to the team today for Real Life Wednesday's pic.twitter.com/cEMLqX3GMH
— Urban Meyer (@OSUCoachMeyer) April 22, 2015
Gilbert is known as owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, but made his money as the founder of QuickenLoans. He also profits off casinos in Detroit and Ohio.
Per an Ohio State release, Gilbert — who is worth $4.7 billion according to Forbes.com — told the Buckeyes that culture, environment and philosophy were the three biggest keys in making an organization successful.
Gilbert also brought up NBA legend Michael Jordan's famous quote on failure ("I've failed over and over again and that's why I succeed.") and told the team not to "get married to the status quo," the release said.
Gilbert's final point was on people, specifically those who work for him.
The owner of the Cavaliers said he wants people who are "lit up" and find their passion.
How Ohio State takes their passion for football and applies it to every day life will determine success or failure.
