The LeBron Factor
Last year, LeBron James became the ultimate homecoming King in returning to his native Cleveland after reaching unparalleled heights in Miami. In doing so, he was given the figurative keys to the kingdom within the Cavaliers organization.
James flexed his executive muscle early, setting things in motion to bring Kevin Love to the organization in exchange for number one draft pick Andrew Wiggins.
This season, it is no accident that Tristan Thompson leveraged a huge deal this past summer and is also a part of James’ Klutch Sports management agency. ESPN commentator Mark Jackson is also a part of Klutch Sports and was James’ first choice for head coach. Of course, the Cavs hired Blatt before James arrived.
All of this goes to say that James’ influence is on par with owner Dan Gilbert within the team. Regardless of any of the previous three factors, Blatt does not leave the Cavs unless James is fine with the decision.
Perhaps not even David Blatt knows how involved James really was in the decision to go with Lue, but there is no question that the two never really meshed well during their tenure together. Blatt did his best to win over James, yet James actions contradicted his positive statements about the coach.
Among the more notable instances, when James scrapped Blatt’s play in the East semifinals in order to take his chances on shooting a game winner against the Chicago Bulls.
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The next was James look of disgust during a timeout in the Finals that led to Blatt wiping his board and completely changing the play in front of the team.
The fact is, David Blatt was let go because James was okay with it. He was let go because Tyronn Lue had the respect of the team in a way that Blatt lost.
And finally, because no matter if it was just a game in January, a loss to the Golden State Warriors showed that he wasn’t the man the Cavaliers thought would take them to the championship podium.