David Blatt has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers:
Cleveland has fired coach David Blatt, sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) January 22, 2016
The second year coach was fired on Friday, after amassing a 30-11 record halfway through the season. After apparent “unrest” in the Cavaliers’ locker room, Blatt was let go of as head coach of the team. Blatt’s record through one and a half seasons in Cleveland was 83-40, including an appearance in the NBA Finals.
The move comes on the heels of an embarrassing blow out loss to the Golden State Warriors. Billed as a sure-fire Finals team, the Cavaliers have their eyes on a championship, something that they seemingly felt Blatt could not give them.
According to Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski, assistant Tyronn Lue will take over for Blatt, signing a new multi-year deal with the club:
Assistant Ty Lue has agreed to a multi-year deal as new Cavaliers head coach, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) January 22, 2016
Lue’s relationship with star forward LeBron James surely played a part in the decision to hire him. Since last season, there have been numerous rumors about LeBron straying away from Blatt and either coaching the team himself or going to Lue. More seriously, James reportedly “belittled” Blatt by making his own coaching decisions.
While Windhorst is reporting that LeBron was not informed nor consulted of the Cavs’ decision until after it was performed, it seems apparent his voice was either directly on indirectly involved. LeBron had expressed his displeasure with Blatt while treating Lue, a former player, as more of a superior.
James' fondness for Ty Lue and his desire to be coached by a former player were well known in the organization. As were issues with Blatt
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) January 22, 2016
Perhaps more telling is this report from Wojnarowski:
Since last season, LeBron James and his agent Rich Paul have been strong advocates of Lue becoming head coach, league sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) January 22, 2016
The terms of Lue’s deal have not yet become public (though it is reportedly for three years) but he will have high expectations in leading a Cavaliers team that seems to be a tier below the Warriors and Spurs. If Lue is unable to improve on a great but not title-winning season, the move could force a poor reflection on the Cavaliers and even LeBron James.
