I don’t really follow the NBA during the regular season. It's just so time-consuming to watch games, not to mention the games don't really matter what much. When the playoffs roll around though, I'm really into it, going all all with articles/podcasts, etc. So for the majority of the season I'm barely in the loop, but when an event like Friday happens, it jolts me into reading/researching all about it. Maybe another reason was that there’s a blizzard raging outside…but whatever. It's interesting to me to piece together the story that seemingly came out of nowhere, and to find out, the signs were there all along...
This post is about the Cleveland Cavaliers' firing of their coach, David Blatt, and the subsequent hiring of the chief assistant, Tyronn Lue. At first glance, this move seems so bizarre due to 1) Blatt has only been their coach for <2 years, and 2) the Cavs made the Finals last year and are a top 3 NBA team record-wise this year. No one saw this coming; that is, except for many people within the organization...
Across all sports, I believe there are 2 types of successful coaches; the guru (ex. Popovich) that can be strict with his players because the players respect his success over the years; and the more chill "players’ coach" (ex. Kerr), that brings out the best in his players by giving them more ownership.
The fact that Lue already signed a multiyear deal, when most interim coaches would just be allowed to finish the season and fit from there…means that the Cavs already know the type of coach that LeBron wants, that he needs.
The Cavs management knows the best coach for Lebron is not the guru figure, but rather, someone who LeBron trusts, one of his homies who he can see eye-to-eye with and fully trust. Someone who has no chance to butt heads with LeBron. His first coach who was a former NBA player, and someone who he personally played against...Lue fits that mold.
Why Blatt did not fit
Last year, he was called a rookie by some of his own players. That had to have dug at him a little, as you never know if they mean it behind their playful jabs...
In addition, he was calling plays/rotations that were questioned by veterans. Blatt became super meek as players corrected him and dictated the tone of meetings. Paradoxically, the more a coach yields (letting players change plays, not calling out mistakes), the more respect is lost.
The Cavs may have had the 3rd best record in the NBA, but had a terrible record against the NBA's fellow elite. So the record wasn't enough to save Blatt's job, especially if the team wasn't clicking together at its core. Thus, the peril of high expectations...
But Blatt did not inherit this team; he did not sign up for this job. Never had LeBron’s blessing, who joined the Cavs 3 weeks after Blatt did. It was a lose-lose situation; he was doomed to never be fully trusted from the beginning.
The management brought Blatt in to rebuild a young team and get guys to buy into the system, not handle one of the biggest egos in the league and make established pieces gel together. No one could have predicted the whole trajectory of Cleveland basketball would change with a free agency decision right after the coach was hired...
2 Warriors games, 2 key catalysts
On Christmas Day, when the Cavs played the Warriors for the first time this season, Blatt took veteran players and benched them for the entire game. More importantly, these rotations that seemingly came out of nowhere were not discussed with the team. The players were so upset at miscommunication that they gave up on the game the next day, losing by 30 points. Some say this was an indirect boycott/protest of the coach, who had lost his players' trust for good.
A week before the firing, when the Cavs got blown out at home by the Warriors and lost to them again, LeBron was sitting in Blatt’s chair venting to Lue for most of the fourth quarter. Not only did this signify that LeBron confides in Lue his innermost frustrations, it also showed the balance of power within the team. Chairs/seats are one of the more underrated symbols of power, and to take the coach's seat (even if he typically stands) was a subtle sign that LeBron had little-to-none respect for the occupier of that seat.
Looking forward / some last thoughts
On Christmas Day, when the Cavs played the Warriors for the first time this season, Blatt took veteran players and benched them for the entire game. More importantly, these rotations that seemingly came out of nowhere were not discussed with the team. The players were so upset at miscommunication that they gave up on the game the next day, losing by 30 points. Some say this was an indirect boycott/protest of the coach, who had lost his players' trust for good.
A week before the firing, when the Cavs got blown out at home by the Warriors and lost to them again, LeBron was sitting in Blatt’s chair venting to Lue for most of the fourth quarter. Not only did this signify that LeBron confides in Lue his innermost frustrations, it also showed the balance of power within the team. Chairs/seats are one of the more underrated symbols of power, and to take the coach's seat (even if he typically stands) was a subtle sign that LeBron had little-to-none respect for the occupier of that seat.
Looking forward / some last thoughts
The Cavs don't have much roster flexibility, being that their money is all tied up in their star players already…they are desperate for a catalyst, and think this is the way to go. It's pretty obvious they were not playing up to their full potential to match the Spurs/Warriors. I think the key is to use Kevin Love the right way. If it doesn’t work out with him by the end of this year...I think he’s gone as well.
The ends may justify the means...if the Cavs win the title, no one will care. But after my study, I believe there is fault all around...I would never want to be involved in this toxic situation. Well, at least this makes the June playoffs more exciting.
LeBron cares about winning, but just as important is winning his way, namely how he wants to win with "his crew." This vital part of his character distinguishes him from many other stars.
LeBron cares about winning, but just as important is winning his way, namely how he wants to win with "his crew." This vital part of his character distinguishes him from many other stars.
EDIT: The Cavs ended up winning the Finals so I guess it worked, but bridges were definitely burned in the process.
