On Friday, news broke that the Cleveland Cavaliers fired their head coach David Blatt and made assistant coach Tyronn Lue their new head coach, giving him a multi-year contract extension. The Cavaliers, who are 30-11, have the top record in the Eastern Conference. This news is more weird than it is shocking. David Blatt getting the axe seemed like only a matter of time in the sense that it was obvious that LeBron James and David Blatt never really got along. They weren't close in a "Let's go to Cancun with our families" kinda way. LeBron James tolerated David Blatt and Blatt was grateful to have LeBron's tolerance for as long as he did.
What makes this news weird is the timing. Usually, head coaches only get fired midseason when the whole team is on the verge of blowing up and is in danger of missing the playoffs. The Cavaliers are the top dogs in the East and appear poised to make another trip to the NBA Finals.
With that being the case, why fire David Blatt right now? If you want to make a change after the season, that's fine, but why make a major move that could potentially distract the team? There's only one logical answer to this question which is that LeBron James ordered David Blatt's firing.
While the Cavaliers are trying to say that this isn't the case, the timing of this firing points to LeBron being the one who terminated David Blatt's contract. Why? Because if LeBron James wanted to keep David Blatt through the season, the Cavaliers would have done just that. Plus, with the firing of a coach potentially having a negative effect on your team, surely the Cavaliers made sure LeBron gave the ok before pulling the plug on Blatt.
Going forward, this is Tyronn Lue's team now, at least, that's what we are supposed to believe. In truth, we all know what's really going on here. LeBron James is the supreme ruler of this organization and he calls all the shots. David Blatt was completely at the mercy of LeBron James and once LeBron James wanted him gone, he was out the door in a New York minute.
The only thing that this really does is put even more pressure on LeBron James to deliver the goods because in a way, the message that is being sent is that David Blatt was an obstacle that was slowing them down. If the Cavaliers don't win a championship without David Blatt, the firing won't appear to have been the right move to get them over the hump. Instead, the Cavaliers will have to more critically examine the Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving, and LeBron James trio and wonder whether or not those three guys have what it takes to win a championship.
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