Fansided

Report: LeBron James repeatedly disrespected David Blatt during NBA Finals

By Cody Williams

May 20, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shakes hands with head coach David Blatt during the fourth quarter of game one of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. Cleveland won 97-89. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
May 20, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shakes hands with head coach David Blatt during the fourth quarter of game one of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. Cleveland won 97-89. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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LeBron James kept the Cleveland Cavaliers competitive in the NBA Finals, all while reportedly belittling head coach David Blatt.

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LeBron James carried the Cleveland Cavaliers through six games of the 2015 NBA Finals. In his first season since returning to his hometown team, James was left with his two biggest sidekicks—Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love—out with injuries. That put the onus on the self-proclaimed best player in the world to deliver as such.

On his way to carrying the Cavs against the Golden State Warriors, though, apparently LeBron did so with little-to-no respect for head coach David Blatt. According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, James repeatedly “emasculated” Blatt throughout the course of the Finals in different ways and instances. From Stein’s report:

"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. LeBron essentially calling timeouts and making substitutions. LeBron openly barking at Blatt after decisions he didn’t like. LeBron huddling frequently with Lue and so often looking at anyone other than Blatt.There was LeBron, 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."

Stein went on to voice his opinion that, even after his individual performance in the Finals, this isn’t a good look for LeBron. Moreover, Stein also cited a report from Brian Windhorst on a radio show that said LeBron wouldn’t mind keeping Blatt around because he enjoyed kicking him around.

As is also stated in the report, LeBron isn’t the sole person deserving of criticism. While it’s his responsibility as a leader to buy-in to what his head coach is preaching, it’s Blatt’s responsibility to earn the respect of his players. Blatt also didn’t have the most flawless run as a rookie head coach that we’ve ever seen.

What we can take from this, though, is the fact that LeBron, even after a full regular season and postseason, still isn’t sold on Blatt being a guy whose voice and message that he can get behind. Whether that means he will incite a mutiny within the Cavs organization to take Blatt out of power and put someone else in remains to be seen. All that is definitive for now is that the Cavaliers, despite making it to the Finals, are still dealing with the type of turmoil that plagued them all year.

[H/T: For The Win]

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