There appeared to be a constant power struggle within the Cleveland Cavaliers during the season between LeBron James and head coach David Blatt, with James seemingly overriding everything Blatt did. ESPN's Marc Stein detailed the distant relationship between the two:
And we likewise saw LeBron emasculate Blatt in ways that are simply unbecoming of a player of James' legend-in-the-making stature.
I saw it from close range in my role as sideline reporter through the Finals for ESPN Radio. James essentially called timeouts and made substitutions. He openly barked at Blatt after decisions he didn't like. He huddled frequently with Lue, often looking at anyone other than Blatt.
There was James, in one instance I witnessed from right behind the bench, shaking his head vociferously in protest after one play Blatt drew up in the third quarter of Game 5, amounting to the loudest nonverbal scolding you could imagine -- which forced Blatt, in front of his whole team, to wipe the board clean and draw up something else.
Blatt was hired before James signed with Cleveland, but it's clear the two aren't getting along. However, the Cavs are in a tricky place because they're still paying former head coach Mike Brown, and can't afford to pay three coaches at the same time.
Throw in the fact that Cleveland made the Finals with (or in spite of, depending on your point of view) Blatt at the helm, and it makes him almost impossible to fire.
Given that we're already weeks into the offseason, it's highly unlikely that Blatt is gone, meaning we're in for another season of clashes between these two. Blatt's in a tough position because LeBron has more influence on the franchise than anybody, explaining why he cowers to what James wants.
They may "work on their relationship" in the offseason, but it's clear LeBron doesn't respect Blatt, meaning we're in for another season of ignoring and head shaking.
Follow our Cleveland Cavaliers team page for all the latest Cavs news and rumors!
Back to the Cleveland Cavaliers Newsfeed