David Blatt was surprisingly removed from his head coaching duties on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Some were surprised and others expected this as the writing was already on the wall once the 2014-15 season started.
There has been numerous denials by both the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James’ camp about the superstars involvement in the removal of Blatt. After Blatt was fired, Tyronn Lue was hired and got a brand new contract from the Cavaliers, something LeBron’s camp wanted all along.
Now it appears that Blatt’s camp has a strong indication that his removal as head coach was due to LeBron James.
Following from David Aldridge of NBA.com.
James, clearly, did not respect Blatt. Maybe, more accurately, he didn’t respect the idea of Blatt, as someone who had authority over him, someone that he had to listen to because he was the coach. That was the difference between Blatt and Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, for example. Spoelstra wouldn’t hesitate to call out James for mistakes, in the film room or on the practice court, something Blatt was apparently reluctant to do. Spoelstra wasn’t the only one, but he was the main one.
Then again, Spoelstra knew he had the full backing of Pat Riley and the Heat organization behind him.
Blatt’s camp believes that his firing was “1,000 percent LeBron,” as one supporter said over the weekend. There is no question that in the Cavs’ grand scheme of things, James carried, and carries, the hammer. But multiple things can be true at the same time.
It is interesting that James’ camp — the same camp that was effusively praised for laying the groundwork for James’s return to Cleveland in 2014 — is now singled out for all the blame for Blatt’s firing. You can’t just pick the parts of the enchilada that you like to eat.
Still, many around the league — not just crackpots, but sober guys who’ve been around a long time — believe, and always will, that James either out front (or behind the scenes) got Blatt fired.
For the Cavs to say they did this independent of LeBron is just ludicrous. Quite possibly the most influental play in the NBA since Michael Jordan is a member of your organization and he’s the hometown hero but you didn’t consult him on this move? Sure, whatever you say.
For it to be 1,000% LeBron’s fault is a different story. I doubt LeBron went right to general manager David Griffin or owner Dan Gilbert and complained but as prior reports have stated, he made his feelings known for a long time now.
It’s Tyronn Lue’s turn to try and lead LeBron into the promise land but a blowout home loss in the first national television primetime Saturday night NBA game of the season to the Chicago Bulls isn’t a great start to his coaching career.
